Hey parents,
Summer is here and you know what that means… so are the kids! School is officially out so you gotta have some fun things to do; don’t know what to do to keep them occupied? We have a survival guide to keep their minds busy and for them to create lasting memories along the way!
At home
We understand that you working parents can often be busy with phone calls, emails, and completing necessary tasks for work so taking the kids out maybe a bit harder to accomplish. To keep them busy while you work, we suggest getting creative with coloring pages! There are a wide variety of coloring pages for free online that you can print out at home if you don’t have coloring books. Plus, if your child has a favorite character odds are there is a free coloring page of it online! Also, many kids love to play, and what better way to have them play teacher than by using learning books that help keep school lessons fresh in their minds! There are books dedicated to each age and grade level at most stores (such as Bj’s wholesale, Costco, and Walmart to name a few). Are the kids sick and tired of school? We recommend putting on the TV for them to watch or even a few movies. Don’t have a subscription service to stream movies? Watch some movies the old-fashioned way on DVD.
Out and about
Granted, visiting the theme parks is the most obvious choice but summer is a great time to put those annual passes to some good use! Just want to get the kids out of the house for a few hours? Head to the theme parks! Go earlier in the day to avoid being in the hot summer rays then head home for lunch to save money on food. Need to get the kids out of the house to burn some energy? Or just want to do something a little different than usual? We suggest going to a local skating rink or ice rink to either roller skate or ice skate. It’s a great way to run around and try something new. Don’t feel like putting on the skates? Maybe try bowling instead! There are some options for summer bowling here in Orlando and it might even be free! Yes, free bowling for kids! You just need to make sure that you sign up for summer bowling at your local bowling alley but pricing does vary by location so check it out before heading to the lanes. Many movie theaters are hosting summer movies as well. These movies may be older but kid-friendly and at little to no cost for viewing depending on the location. Want to do something out in the sun? Well, we do live in Florida, known for its beaches! Head to the beach and soak in the sun and let the kids play in the sand and the water. It can be relaxing for you being by the shore listening to the waves and feeling the breeze while the kids play all day! Beach too messy for ya? Why not try a local park? Lake Nona has parks all over, maybe a summer challenge could be to make it a mission to visit all of the parks of Lake Nona with the kiddos!
Lake Nona
Need some more kid-friendly summer outing ideas? Head over to the Drive Shack in Lake Nona to play some golf! Have some nature lover’s in the family? Get in tune with nature, visit Wild Florida, where you can ride an airboat, walk through the gator park, or go on a safari ride from the comfort of your car! Or visit Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge for the kiddos who have a knack for the wild. Want someplace to cool down from all the adventures? Relax by the pool at Lake Nona YMCA. Or have a staycation with the kiddos at one of the many resorts in the Lake Nona area, like at the Wave Hotel, where they have a luxurious pool to let the water wash away the stress of the previous school days.
Summer Camps
Need to work and don’t know what to do with the kids during that time and still want them to make lasting memories? Or maybe you want your kids to make more friends at their age? Try summer camp! There are a lot of great summer camps in Orlando.
Lake Nona is home to many great activities and possibilities especially when it comes to summer camp! USTA National Campus is providing a tennis-filled summer camp for all ages! More interested in water than tennis? Nona Adventure Park is action-packed all summer long with weekly summer camps! Is your kid a soccer fan? XL Soccer World in Lake Nona is hosting a summer of soccer for the kids as well! Does your kid enjoy gymnastics? Why not try Reflex Gymnastics this summer? Looking for something else? Many churches are hosting Vacation Bible School (VBS) which is a great place for parents to drop off their kids where they can play, burn energy, and make some friends. Check out your local churches for VBS registration and sign up! It’s great for all parents working or stay at home to get a few summer hours to themselves as well. Looking for something outside Lake Nona? There are many local sports camps happening this summer. These camps include basketball, soccer, gymnastics, lacrosse, and more! See a list of summer camps we have found in the Central Florida Area below:
Lake Nona Area:
Metro Orlando Area:
- Trae Day Youth Football Camp
- Anfernee Simons Basketball Camp
- Online Art Classes from Home by Palak StudioInk
- Orange County 4-H 2022 Aquatic Adventures Day Camp
- Orlando Lacrosse Summer Camp
- Orlando Gymnastics Summer Camp
- Orlando City Soccer Camps
Fun for Everyone
Florida is home to many unique experiences that can make memories that will last a lifetime! You have heard of Florida’s beaches, but have you heard of the water inlets that surround the Central Florida area? With these awesome inlets come amazing adventures. There is Bioluminescence paddle boarding and kayaking available in Central Florida. For those who don’t know, bioluminescence is the microorganisms that live in water that make it glow. You can also go to Wekiva Springs State Park, where you can go water tubing and swim in the clear natural waters of Florida. Or even take a day trip to visit Blue Springs State Park, known for its Manatees. Are you a fan of goats and yoga? You can experience goat yoga at Alaska Farms Orlando! Looking to see more animals? Visit the Central Florida Zoo, where they have zip line courses, a bunch of wild animals, and a splash pad to enjoy! Are you looking for more water fun? Lake Eola has swan boats you can rent and take out for a nice day on the water. Or better yet, you can go participate in nighttime glow paddling on Lake Ivanhoe! The paddleboards have powerful LED lights on the underside of the paddleboards that light up the water below you for a magical experience!
Looking for more summer fun? Check out the links below!
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