Keeping Your Kids Entertained And Having Fun In The Dog Days Of Summer – CBS DC

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Did you know that July is “National Anti-Boredom Month?”

Every parent will say that stopping midsummer boredom is a chore.

So what about some alternatives to lose your sanity?

Gina Robinson, a pediatrician with the Cleveland Clinic, the antidote to boredom is creativity.

She says it all starts with getting off the screen.

“Take less than two hours a day and start enjoying time outside,” says Dr. Robinson. “Or do something else unrelated to the screen.”

Parents worried about the loss of education during the pandemic year may also want to consider putting on a little makeover.

“You know, try to make it fun, make it a game whenever you can,” she explains. “If they’re having trouble with science or math, there are lots of fun games you can find online – they’re fun experiments you can do for free. A lot of it uses things you probably have around the house so you can make a volcano with some baking soda and some other ingredients you have around the house. “

Whatever you do, she says it should have fun as its foundation.

“I think, whenever possible, you should — without adding stress,” Dr. Robinson said.

If it’s not fun, your child won’t learn anything and will lose interest.

However, the parent must be a psychologist. Don’t let them know what you’re doing is educational but also fun.

WATCH: Battling Summer Boredom

That said, it’s not just about learning!

There’s a lot to do outside of the house and away from screens.

“Go for a bike ride, go for a walk, do fun things you can do together so you and your kids can get out and do things,” she says.

Dr. Robinson stresses it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

She describes “Chalk and paint outside the sidewalk. “Just anything that’s hands-on, anything that’s experimental, I think is great for kids.”

Lots of fun things can be found right in the backyard, including just a faucet, a sprinkler, or a homemade or store-bought water table.

“Now is a great time to be outside, so you can paint outside, you can get bubbles,” she said. “It’s a fun way to engage toddlers, get them running around and watch their faces light up when they realize they can pop or catch bubbles.”

What if it rains?

It’s simple, do something simple in the kitchen like let the kids help you bake cookies.

“I love to read, I always try to do that with my patients and families,” Dr. Robinson said. “I think art projects are great, sometimes as a mother it’s annoying but things that allow your kids to get dirty are great.”

But getting dirty can also lead to being clean – like giving a dog a bath!

Dr. Robinson says you want to spark your child’s natural curiosity and creativity, and you can get in touch with your own inner child in the process.