Summer may be the time of year when everyone is supposed to relax, but that doesn’t mean your kids have to sit around all day. There are plenty of ways to keep their minds active this summer without ever leaving the comfort of their own homes.

Here are 16 fun ways to keep your children's minds engaged all throughout the summer:

1. Use GetOutPass to introduce your kids to new activities

If they’re bored with the same old routine, introducing them to new things will keep them engaged. After all, it’s always fun to learn something new. What's great about GetOutPass is that you and your family can try the newest and hottest attractions in your area without spending tons of money. Sign up today and take advantage of exclusive deals!

2. Create a summer reading list

When kids are bored, they often resort to playing video games or watching TV. But reading is an activity that not only keeps their minds active but also helps them learn valuable life skills like critical thinking and problem-solving. Kids love exploring new places and learning about new topics, so you can also take them to the library for some stimulating reading. They’ll be able to pick out books that match their interests and learn something new at the same time.

3. Have a family game day

Assemble a bunch of classic board games like chess and Monopoly, or choose something more contemporary like Jenga or Guess Who? You and your kids can work together to try out different strategies and beat each other’s scores.

4. Cook a meal

Who doesn’t love spending an afternoon in the kitchen? There’s nothing quite like whipping up a delicious meal together as a family. To engage your kids, let them help you prepare the food and teach them some of your cooking skills. You can also try out a new recipe or make an old favorite into a unique dish.

5. Join a book club

Reading can be a solitary experience, but what better way for your kids to spend a summer day than reading together with like-minded individuals? Encourage them to join a book club so that they can get to know other people in your community who share their interests. 

6. Take a walk

Get out and explore the neighborhood with your kids. Whether you go for a leisurely stroll through the park or a brisk hike in the woods, spending time outside together will give you all a chance to bond. While you're at it, you can ask them to point out all the interesting landmarks and tell you about their interests. 

Pro tip: frame your questions in a way that will encourage your children to think – this will boost their communication and reasoning skills!

7. Watch a movie 

If you're feeling particularly creative, you can have your own movie marathon. Set the theme, grab some snacks, and punch up the movie with some fun trivia questions. You can even turn this into a competition. Whoever wins the challenge gets to pick the next movie!

8. Play a sport 

Sports are a great way to engage the whole family. Try playing a competitive game like baseball or soccer, or take part in a more relaxed activity like mini-golf. Playing sports can keep your kids' minds active by letting them think of gameplay and strategy. Whatever game you choose, you're sure to have a blast!

9. Make art  

Art can be a lot of fun, but it can be challenging, too. Let your kid experiment with different colors, patterns, and textures. Once they’re comfortable with the tools, you can encourage them to come up with their own designs. You can even have a contest to see who can come up with the best artwork!

10. Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to teach your child the importance of giving back to the community. Encourage them to volunteer with their school or a local charity. Not only will they get a chance to do something good, but they can also meet new people and make new friends. 

11. Discover new music  

If your kids love music, you can show them how to listen to and appreciate different genres. Introduce them to their favorite artists, or suggest some new ones they haven’t heard before. Have them look up the lyrics to all their favorite songs and explain the story behind them. If they want to learn more, you can encourage them to learn an instrument, like a guitar!

12. Learn a new language

Nothing can be more challenging than learning a new language. Countless studies have shown that letting your kids try challenging activities will improve their cognitive skills. Learning a new language can be a great way to stretch their brains! You can find plenty of resources on websites like Duolingo and Babbel.

13. Take cooking classes

Cooking classes can help your children learn about nutrition and encourage healthy eating habits. Learning to cook can open up a whole new world of possibilities for them, and teaching them what goes into a healthy diet will help them lead healthier lives.

14. Teach them how to sew

As a life skill, sewing can teach your children the importance of being self-sufficient. There are tons of sewing projects they can do, so make sure to provide lots of resources and materials for them to exercise their creativity and create their own clothes and accessories. 

15. Start a garden  

Gardening can be a fun way to spend time with your children. They can plant seeds, water them, and watch your garden grow. Plus, it can teach them about environmental conservation and responsibility.

16. Get crafty

Crafts are a great way to teach your kids about creativity, problem-solving, and building things. There are tons of crafts to choose from, but here are a few of our favorites:

• Clay modeling - Use clay to build sculptures or models of their own design.
• Paper crafting - Decorate paper using markers, paints, and other simple supplies.
• Painting - Paint simple drawings or anything else they can imagine. The possibilities are endless!

Conclusion

This summer, don't let your kids sit all day doing nothing. Instead, get them involved in one of these fun activities so that they can keep their minds engaged all throughout the season!