Ten things to do with longer summer days

I love summertime! Here on the Central Coast, the temperatures don’t always reflect the seasons, but having the sun up in the morning and the daylight on the way home leaves me with a smile. The late afternoon-early evening light allows doing activities outside.  Here are some ideas on what to do with the longer days:

1. Walk your dog and child. It is a great opportunity to chit chat about what is happening in each other’s lives, talk about the dog, speculate about the neighbors, or look at the flower-to-weed ratio in the yards. Solicit older kids too since they benefit from focused attention as well.
2. Teach your child to use tools, including power tools. As a dad, you probably have a collection of tools in your garage. Learning about tools teaches kids about planning, eye-hand coordination, and measurement. Also, kids are engaging in a controlled risk activity, since you’re right there. With your supervision, they can practice tool use without worry that something will get damaged. Power tools can be introduced, appropriate to age, and with safety instruction. Using an electric screwdriver or a power drill, with Dad’s support, can be exciting for children. There doesn’t have to be a project in mind. Kids can enjoy pounding nails into a board as much as planning and building a birdhouse.
3. Dance with your child. It’s hard to shed the self-consciousness and memories of junior high dances, but kids don’t care how silly we look. Put on good music to dance to and move to it. Younger children might enjoy choreographing moves for you while older children can teach you the latest dance moves. Together, you can also learn a dance by watching tutorial videos and then performing it for the other parent.
4. Go to the beach late in the day. Late in the day is a great time to take a stroll on the beach. Much of family time at the beach is spent when there is more sunshine and time to frolic. You can ask kids how the beach looks different at that hour. If you eat dinner earlier, perhaps you can have dessert on the beach. Popsicles, anyone? Watching the sunset on the beach can make them appreciate the coastline and their time with family.
5. Late trip to the library. Most of the libraries in our area have later hours on certain days of the week. These later hours offer a great opportunity to select books and try them out or bring them home for bedtime stories. This activity is not restricted to young children. For older children, taking a trip to the library can provide insight into your child’s growing interests in topics in which they are interested. Or, you can even check out two copies of the same book and read it together, creating a mini-book club.
6. Play catch outside. It does not matter what you throw back and forth—a baseball, a Frisbee, a beach ball, a balloon—everyone can play catch. Besides building eye-hand coordination, the rhythm and challenge of keeping the object in motion is entertainment in and of itself. Also, as a dad, you are providing focused time on the kids where your attention is on them.
7. Play card games. Card games are great for teaching kids all kinds of skills—numeracy, planning, strategy, gracious winning, and losing, among others. I particularly like card games because there are few pieces, and rules tend to be less complex–think of War, Uno, or 21. Kids recognize that they have a chance to win with every deal, so it can be a lesson in thinking ahead.
8. Take a bike ride. We are fortunate to have many bike trails in our area. Extra daylight makes a family bike ride a safe and fun activity before it is time to get ready for bed. Not only will this promote exercise, but it will also allow the kids to see their local community differently. Plus, it can tire them out for a good night’s sleep.
9. Play a video game together. I know kids spend lots of time in front of screens already—however, the situation is different when activities are done together with parents. Talking with a child and learning how to work together while playing a video game can provide focused attention on an activity that has interest for the child. The activity can also provide insight for Dad to understand what kind of competitor is your child. Does he or she focus on winning at all costs? Does he or she learn from mistakes? Does he or she give up easily?
10. Do art together. With good light of the afternoon, it is a great chance to create art together. Use whatever supplies you have or buy special art supplies for Daddy-kid art night (Mommy can be included too). The benefits of creativity and art activities are numerous with the novel thinking, the decision making, the perspective taking, and the planning that are involved in making a creative work. If you have children who are self-conscious about their art skills, few things serve as an equalizer than a father’s unused art skills. Plus, there is evidence that creative art activities can be a stress reliever for adults and children.

So, now it is time to take advantage of our long summer days! Walk, teach, dance, explore, play, ride, and create together!

Robert (Rob) S. Weisskirch, MSW, Ph.D., CFLE is a Professor of Human Development at California State University, Monterey Bay. He and his wife are parents to a chatty 5-year-old daughter and reside in Marina.