Summer Break Guide: Line up some socially distanced summer activities for your kids
Most pools, museums and other destinations may be closed, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to have fun this summer.
Posted — UpdatedI usually launch Go Ask Mom's annual Summer Break Guide in early June, just before school gets out. But ... well, you know what happened. A pandemic shut down our schools and canceled life as we knew it way back in March.
We're all trying to navigate what this new normal looks like. And while some spots are reopening — and encouraging people to come out. Others, including many of the region's public pools, museums and destinations, remain closed to curb the transmission of the coronavirus.
But that doesn't mean it's impossible to have fun this summer. It's just a different kind of fun. And as I share opportunities to get out and about, I hope you'll do what I do: Wear a mask. Keep a physical distance of at least six feet from others. And look for opportunities to explore away from crowds.
Public Pools
Summer Reading
Day Camps
Family Hikes
Virtual Activities
It's not the same as actually going somewhere and doing something, but lots of organizations have virtual activities almost daily on their various websites and social media pages.
- N.C. Museum of History's History at Home
- N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences' Science at Home and virtual summer programs and birthday parties
- Wake libraries' Storytime Anywhere page
- United Arts' Creative Social Distancing directory
- NC Zoo's Virtual Visits
- Morehead Planetarium's virtual activities
- Wake County parks' virtual activities
- JC Raulston Arboretum virtual camps
- Virtual programs for teens through the Wade Edwards Learning Lab
- Marbles Kids Museum's daily dose of play and at-home activity kits
- Virtual activities from Raleigh parks
- Virtual programs through NC Museum of Art
- Virtual summer camps from North Carolina's zoo and aquariums
- Museum of Life and Science offers bite-sized online science activities and at-home camps
- Kidzu Children's Museum's Kidzu@Home page
Wild Destinations
NC's Best
Drive-In Movie
Ropes Courses, Mini Golf and Go-Karts
Day Trip
Helping Out
Kitchen Science
Summer Fun
Hugs
This summer is hard. I know. It's hard to see our kids missing out on those camps and experiences they look forward to all year. It's hard to see them missing friends and classmates. And it's worrisome to think about what the future might hold. That's why this summer, at my house, we're doing what we can to stay sane, happy and healthy. We're getting out to enjoy nature. We're staying active by biking, walking, running and playing outside. We're giving our kids chores and expectations, but letting them decide how and when they complete them. As a parent, I'm picking my battles too. I'm no longer so worried about screentime if it means I'm a less frazzled mom later on.
In other words, we're finding ways to work together and be happy as a family — whether it's family movie nights, baking way too many treats and finding time for extra hugs and snuggles. I know that my family is very lucky. We can work from home, my kids are older and can entertain themselves and we have everything that we need and more.
In whatever situation you find yourself in, I wish you the very best summer possible, full of at least a little joy, laughter and hugs.
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