Summer is approaching and parents are on the hunt for ideas to avoid the statement “Mom, I’m bored!” Two favorite kid things are grandparents and summer camps. Why not combine them to host an amazing “Nana Camp” for your grandchildren? The kids will be entertained, the grandparents will be fulfilled, and the parents will be appreciative.
Nana Camp is not a new idea although it may not have been called that until recently. Years ago my siblings and I would spend a week during summer vacation with grandparents at their home. It was a time for fun, listening to stories that began “When I was your age…,” playing with cousins and eating ice cream. What I don’t remember were planned activities that encouraged imagination and had some educational benefit as well. Let’s do that.
It’s not about the money spent on gifts and activities, but rather the time spent together. Before you begin your camp time, consider visiting a thrift store and stock up on puzzles, games, toys or bicycles. Kids love to have different things than they have at home. At the end of camp, donate these things back to the charity and the items can be resold. A win-win for everyone.
Consider a theme for each day -
Craft day - Kids love to create things and the messier the better. Paint, sculpt, glitter and glue, and then wrap the treasures to present to Mom and Dad at the end of camp. Start with a paper plate and cut out the middle circle. Add stars in patriotic colors for a 4th of July wreath. Start with a rock and use paints and glitter to create a paperweight for Father’s Day. My kids and I would use summer to get a head start on homemade Christmas ornaments to send to the family for the holidays. And macaroni necklaces are always in style.
Cooking Day - Pair a favorite read-aloud with a fun recipe. For example, read Two Bad Ants and then make ants on a log with celery, peanut butter and raisins. Consider allowing each grandchild to plan the menu for dinner and be open to their ideas. Make a grocery list and have them help you do the shopping for the ingredients. Chicken nuggets and Pop-Tarts make a delicious dinner! I actually know this.
Nature Day - A day exploring outside is never wasted. Find a trail and start hiking. Collect interesting nuts, pods, leaves, flowers, plants. Use the items to create a collage between two pieces of clear contact paper. Hang in a window to showcase the findings. Take pictures of tracks while walking and research what animal walked there, too.
Service Day - Use this day to focus on serving others in a way that is fun and rewarding. Bake cookies for the local police station. Make cards and mail to military friends. Go on a walk and pick up trash around the neighborhood. Helping others instills a sense of community and makes hearts grow. Provide a chore list for the kids to earn money. Take them to the dollar store to spend it. My son could not get rid of the money fast enough. My daughter would hold it with a tight grip. Kids are so funny.
Brain Day - Go to the public library and check out books. Spend time reading snuggled together in a comfy spot. Our favorite was Where the Red Fern Grows but it is hard to read through tears. Practice letters on a cookie sheet covered in chocolate pudding paint. Get lots of pictures of the kids licking their fingers.
At the end of the week, plan a meeting spot with Mom and Dad such as a park for a picnic. What fun it will be to hear the kids recount the time spent with you while they had your full attention and time. It may be surprising that what they enjoyed the most was not on a screen.