by Lindsay Bononno

Summer is approaching and we have you covered with activities for the whole family. We’ve separated the resources we found helpful into camps, sports and crafts/games so you can use the links below to easily find resources near you (or virtual!) for family activities.

As kids have trickled back into schools over the past year, our plans for summer will be adapting as well! Summer camps are a highlight for many kids and we have found multiple options for each kid (and family!). From your tried-and-true outdoor camps to camps focused on specific skill sets, in-person and virtual, the links below have something for everyone. We even found FREE online summer camps!

• https://www.summercamps.com/
• https://mommypoppins.com/family/national-summer-camp-guide
• TECH: https://www.idtech.com/virtual
• VIRTUAL:  https://www.activityhero.com/online-classes
• FREE: https://summercamphub.com/free-online-summer-camps/
• CDC GUIDELINES : https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/summer-camps.html

Sports are back in full swing and your family can take full advantage! Choose between a family pick-up soccer game or shooting hoops in the driveway to get some family memories in after dinner. Check out your local YMCA or use the i9sports link below to find opportunities for your kids to play team sports in your area. There is even a link below for virtual sports programs which is a huge plus If you and your family are interested in a new game or need a fun activity for the kids while you get some work in.

Games are a family-time staple, and these days we have more options than ever to choose from. From Nintendo Switch Mario Party (a multi-player game the whole family can join in on) to classic board games like Monopoly and Twister to strategy games like Ticket to Ride and Risk, you’re sure to find options the family can enjoy together! For families often on-the-go or for rainy days on vacation, pack a few card games that are easy to whip out anywhere (Uno is an easy fan favorite!).

• BOARD GAMES: https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/23/cnn-underscored/best-board-games
• CARD GAMES https://www.familyvacationcritic.com/best-family-card-games-to-play-on-vacation/art/
• BEST OF LIST https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-family-board-games.html
• VIDEO GAMES https://www.gamedesigning.org/gaming/family-games/

A fact every parent learns at some point (probably while knee deep in a slime-making kit), is that kids love crafts. Whether it comes from a store with detailed instructions or made out of supplies from the junk drawer, crafts are guaranteed to create memories and fun for the whole family (yes, even the people who need to clean up after!). Your work of art doesn’t need to be perfect or in-depth; it is easy to turn to pinterest and find a wealth of resources for crafting with everyday items like toilet paper rolls and paper plates! We’ve included some links below that have fun options, as well as ready-to-go kits that take the guess work and prep off parental shoulders!

• THE GURU MARTHA STEWART https://www.marthastewart.com/1517093/30-days-kids-crafts
• DIY FOR FAMILY https://fabulesslyfrugal.com/diy/for/family/
• CRAFT LIBRARY https://funfamilycrafts.com/
• KIWI CRATE https://www.kiwico.com/

Summer is the perfect time to take a breather and re-work your schedule in order to spend more time with your family. We all know the importance of work-life balance and how hard it is to truly achieve it. Work smart within the hours you have set up so you can take advantage of the resources above. Delegate tasks that take up a lot of time: scheduling, marketing, promotional outreach, event planning, etc. You name it and Paragon Planners has experience to help you take back time for yourself and your family. Word hard, play hard!