With two months off from school, even the most well-behaved children can get rowdy over the summer. This can be particularly true of young children who may not be able to entertain themselves quite yet. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to entertain them without going out and buying toys for the toddlers every week. Read on to learn about some fun and inspired ways to keep the kids entertained during the hot and lazy days of summer.

Turn off the TV

While we all like to have some chill-out time in front of the TV, too much sitting around can lead to difficult behavior later, particularly if violent video games are involved. Plus, there are all sorts of health problems related to not getting enough exercise. Instead, limit screen time to take place only during certain times of the day and try to fill the rest of the day with fun, engaging activities.

Go on a hike

Spending time outdoors can be a great way to reconnect as a family while enjoying the beauty of nature. You can do shorter hikes if your children’s little legs have trouble keeping up with the adults, or do a longer trek and take a pack lunch. To help your kids warm up to the idea of walking outdoors, you can try a game, like “I Spy” or “Ghost.” At the end of an active day, you’ll see that tired kids are quiet kids.

Visit a Museum

While most children may not be so excited about a visit to a museum, many establishments offer special exhibits that cater to children’s interests and needs. You can also choose to visit a museum that meshes well with your kids’ interests, such as a museum of toys or a natural history exhibit.

Play a Game

Instead of letting your kids just play video games, let them play some in the real world too. Go outside and set up the croquet wickets, or spread out the Twister mat. Depending on the age of your kids, you may be able get them to play checkers, chess, or parcheesi. This is also an excellent opportunity to help kids develop logical thinking skills and good sportsmanship.

Read a Book

Since school is out for a few months, summer can also be a good time to work with your children on academic skills. You can practice reading with your children or review some key concepts in math. You can also let your children explore other interests, like history, art,

foreign languages and literature, but in ways that they enjoy, such a through an age-appropriate class or enrichment program.

Get Creative

Finally, you can let their kids unleash their creativity with different arts and crafts projects. Painting, drawing, pottery and sculpting are all great choices.

What are some other ways to keep kids occupied during the summer holiday? Leave us a note in the comments below!