Keeping Kids Busy This Summer

[KTrain]

We can't do another summer of the kids doing nothing but video games. They're both getting their Covid shots in the next few weeks so we're a little more comfortable with them doing camps this summer.

Any suggestions for keeping the kids (2 boys, 13 & 12) busy over the summer? Either organized camps or not. My wife and I working most of the summer so forcing them to do anything that requires our supervision is going to be tough (i.e. making them do yard work....)

[mikephoen]

I only went to camp once and it sucked. Thirty-five years later, I still love video games. I'd just let them play video games all summer if that is what they like to do.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by KTrain

We can't do another summer of the kids doing nothing but video games. They're both getting their Covid shots in the next few weeks so we're a little more comfortable with them doing camps this summer.

Any suggestions for keeping the kids (2 boys, 13 & 12) busy over the summer? Either organized camps or not. My wife and I working most of the summer so forcing them to do anything that requires our supervision is going to be tough (i.e. making them do yard work....)

Get them Zwift accounts.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by KTrain

We can't do another summer of the kids doing nothing but video games. They're both getting their Covid shots in the next few weeks so we're a little more comfortable with them doing camps this summer.

Any suggestions for keeping the kids (2 boys, 13 & 12) busy over the summer? Either organized camps or not. My wife and I working most of the summer so forcing them to do anything that requires our supervision is going to be tough (i.e. making them do yard work....)

It likely won't be an option but the UofC summer day camps are really good. They have lots of different options depending on what your kids are interested in. Sports, biking, fishing, science, survival, etc. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised and the camps will be running this year.

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

It likely won't be an option but the UofC summer day camps are really good. They have lots of different options depending on what your kids are interested in. Sports, biking, fishing, science, survival, etc. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised and the camps will be running this year.

Ditto for SAIT camps.
Some camps have moved online, if the kids can handle that.


Other ideas:
- start growing something now and they can periodically tend to that. Such as fun edibles... carrots... sunflowers... corn. Stuff that grows fast. Also this in the future leads to helping more in the yard.
- some basic carpentry stuff?? Every dude needs to learn to bash their nails in at some point. heh heh...
- popsicle stick towers and bridges? or toothpick?

- there are some science-type books out there and science kits.

- books
- drawing / sketching - these days kids like manga and anime related stuff, plus there are lots of cool anime shows (Titans is pretty epic, and My Hero Academia is awesome) on tv...
- get them to plan a day or weekend trip? they figure out the route, some activities, a budget, etc...


some ideas anyways...

[Northendzone]

Get them making wallets and then sell the wallets on the streets of Hong Kong - $profit

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

Get them Zwift accounts.

They already have one.

I woudn't mind getting them out of the house if possible.

[Locke]

[Slava]

Maybe not helpful, but Camp Chief Hector isn’t offering their usual camps this year. They have some day camps and some family camps instead. My kids went every year until last year, which is a huge disappointment for them, and us!

[Two Fivenagame]

I'd look at Winsport summer camps. https://www.winsport.ca/lessons-camps-and-clubs/camps/

I'm sure your boys could spend all summer mountain biking around the hill.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

I only went to camp once and it sucked. Thirty-five years later, I still love video games. I'd just let them play video games all summer if that is what they like to do.

Especially these days with games being so much more social than they used to be

[Regular_John]

Slap some airtags on ‘em, drive to a strange spot in city and drop them off with $20 and see how long it takes them to make it home. Keep increasing the distance from the house each day till they’re hitchhiking back from Airdrie.

They’ll see more of their community and learn some new skills out of the house.

[Calgary14]

Does anyone know if/when the zoo will open all their buildings as usual? Last time I went they had almost all buildings closed and limited areas were open and I haven’t heard anything since then

[surferguy]

Didn’t you get a ice cream bike in the fall? Hook them up on that - profit?

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by surferguy

Didn’t you get a ice cream bike in the fall? Hook them up on that - profit?

Thats an awesome suggestion. I'm going to look into that. Although I'm pretty sure my kids would get about 50 feet from the house, come back, and say: "all the ice cream is gone and we're not feeling well"

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by surferguy

Didn’t you get a ice cream bike in the fall? Hook them up on that - profit?

Yup! We delayed starting it up because of Covid. There's no large groups of parents and kids at outdoor sports we can guilt into buying.

This summer will be spent getting it ready. Which isn't an unsupervised project but a good one to keep them busy.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by KTrain

Yup! We delayed starting it up because of Covid. There's no large groups of parents and kids at outdoor sports we can guilt into buying.

This summer will be spent getting it ready to. Which isn't an unsupervised project but a good one to keep them busy.

Do you need to get some sort of special permit or license from the city/province to sell from that type of rig?

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Do you need to get some sort of special permit or license from the city/province to sell from that type of rig?

Yeah, you need the most basic mobile food vendor (food truck) license if you're selling prepackaged products. If you're making your own ice cream treats things get much more complicated with health/safety inspections.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by KTrain

Yeah, you need the most basic mobile food vendor (food truck) license if you're selling prepackaged products. If you're making your own ice cream treats things get much more complicated with health/safety inspections.

Dont forget to stock Crab Juice and Mountain Dew.