Most kids are out of school by now and are well on their way to the start of their summer vacation. Not surprisingly, they will all likely have very different experiences over the summer.

Some kids will go from going to school every day to simply going to day care. Many will spend all day playing video games and watching TV. Others won't have much of a "vacation" at all, going from one camp or activity straight into another.

Hopefully they will all have some time for fun.

What's the best way for your child to spend his summer vacation?

That depends on your family and your child, but here are some ideas.

Summer Camps

A summer camp, whether it is a local day camp or an overnight sleep away camp, can be a great way to keep your kids occupied over the summer. They can be even more meaningful if instead of sticking with a camp to get an edge or advantage in something that your child does year-round, you take the opportunity to broaden your child's interests by choosing a general camp or one outside his usual activities.

For example, someone who plays baseball for most of the year might go to a tennis camp, academic camp, or an art camp. Or someone with strong academics who isn't very active might go to a nature studies, water sports, or equestrian camp.

Places to look for day camps include:

• your local YMCA, which offer day and overnight camps with activities ranging from computer classes to swimming and hiking.
• camps sponsored by your local city, which might include art camps, sports camps, science camps, etc.
• day camps sponsored by local private schools and churches.
• sports camps offered by a local country club, which your child could learn to play tennis, golf, or take swimming lessons.
• sports camps and clinics that are put on by your local high school, which typically offer baseball, basketball, softball, soccer, golf, strength training, wrestling and tennis camps.
  

Free Play

As much fun as a summer camp can be, don't get into the trap of keeping your child's summer scheduled, or over-scheduled with daily activities. It may seem like you are being a good parent as you shuttle your child from one camp to another, but it is important to keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that unstructured, child driven free play is important to healthy brain development and allows kids to use their creativity and develop their imagination, dexterity, and other strengths. It also helps kids to work with others, helps them conquer their fears and build their confidence, and helps them practice decision making skills.

Although your kids may resist and complain about the summer heat, getting them out of the house (with a lot of sunscreen) to simply go out and play can be great fun.

Especially if you mix free play with a summer camp or two, a family summer trip, getting their summer reading done, and some limited time playing video games and watching TV, you can make sure your kids have a summer vacation that is memorable for all of the right reasons.

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Also visit:
Becoming a Pediatrician - A Guide for Students
About Pediatrics - Expert Pediatric Parenting Advice on ADHD | Overweight Kids and Weight Loss | Nutrition | and Safety, plus fun stuff, like a Baby Names Finder | Ideal Body Weight Calculator | and Fast Food Nutrition Facts Calculator