Summer Is On The Horizon!

Or should we say, summer has officially begun?! Another school year comes to a close and whether you ended the year with a bang or you barely made it to the finish line, we’re here to tell you that the fun has just begun. We created a list of all the essentials you need to have your family’s best summer ever! We’re going to show you how to stay safe, stay active and get connected to all kinds of local fun.

SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

The first step to a successful summer is figuring out how to stay safe. Between the Florida heat, increased activity and our pesky neighbors that can sometimes leave us with welts or bites, it takes a little preparation to make sure that summer is relaxing and enjoyable for everyone.

• Stay Hydrated The first thing we recommend is making sure that you and your little one’s account for extra outdoor playtime with added hydration. Burning all that energy in the high temperatures we are accustomed to in Horizon West means lots of extra water and adding in water breaks for our little adventurers! Create a hydration station in your house by keeping cold water accessible in bottles or in a cooler where kids can easily grab and go.

• Baby Shark, Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Swimming is a favorite summer pastime! Make sure your child is prepared with swim and safety lessons with lots of practice under their belt so that you can avoid any potentially dangerous situations. ALWAYS make sure you have adult supervision when kids are in or around water. Be sure to check with other parents before letting children swim in your pool. No person- no matter how strong of a swimmer they are- is immune from drowning. Utilize the buddy system and teach your kids how to ask for help if something unsafe occurs.

• Bug Off Living in Florida means cohabitating with some pretty pesky creatures. Wasps, mosquitos, ants, fleas and ticks all live side by side with us no matter where we go. Make sure that your home and yard are insect free by inspecting overhangs, grassy areas, etc. for communities of these creepy crawlies and make sure to remove any nests, hives or mounds safely before your kiddos head outside. Even with the best inspections, sometimes a sting or bite is going to happen. Stock your first aid kit with appropriate tools such as Benadryl, Hydrocortisone Topical Cream, Band-Aids, and Bug Repellent.

• Pedestrian Safety Some of the best summer days are spent riding bikes, roller blading and exploring our neighborhoods on foot. Be sure to teach traffic safety rules and practice them plenty of times so that while you’re out and about, everyone knows what to do. Make sure bikes and helmets are age appropriate, equipped with reflective lights and that an adult is always on deck to keep an extra pair of eyes on the roads.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

You’re a few weeks into summer and the words dreaded by every parent begin to make their appearance: “I’m bored”! Not sure what to do when the boredom bug bites your kid? Here are some great ways to keep them engaged and entertained so that your sanity makes it to the next school year.

• Backyard Art Party No one cares how messy you get when there’s a water hose nearby! Haul the art supplies outside and encourage your kiddos to let loose with paints, play dough, chalk, glitter and all the sticky things we don’t want on the carpet anyway. Make it even more fun by having the neighbors join in and having an art auction for your little ones to showcase their creations.

• Activity Obstacle Course Is your kid a sucker for a good challenge? Set up a series of obstacles or activities around the yard and in the house that your child has to complete. For older kids, set a time limit that they have to try to beat or split groups of kids into teams and mix it up by having them complete the course backwards or with their arms linked. Celebrate a job well done with popsicles or watermelon slices in the shade!

• Mad Scientists Every kid loves getting their hands dirty so why not make it a learning experience? Create an at home lab with some science projects! Simple activities that encourage them to experiment, explore and discover is a great way to keep them entertained and allows the opportunity for you to incorporate real world skills like baking, cleaning, etc. which all require a little know how and a lot of science. Check out this list for some cool ideas: https://lemonlimeadventures.com/must-try-summer-science-activities-for-kids/

SUMMER CAMPS AND CLASSES

Sometimes, staying at home isn’t an option or you want to add a little something extra to your summer schedule. Here’s a list of great options in Horizon West to amp up the kids’ off time. We included camps as well as options for tutoring, so your child’s skill levels stay sharp during the school break, and a list of fun classes that you can do together!

Classes

• Baking Is A Science (Series)
• Kids Create Art

Tutors

• Horizon West Tutoring
• Cooney Education

Camps

• Horizon West Summer Camps