7 Fun and Safe Summer Activities For Mom and Baby
These days, life is busier than ever, especially if you’re a mom with young children. And the busier you are, the faster time flies. Before you know it, POOF! Your babies are teenagers and then ready to move out on their own. This is why you need to take advantage of the precious time you have with your young children. Spending time with them is not only beneficial to their mental, emotional, and physical health, quality time means your children will have fewer behavior issues. Of course, you probably already spend a lot of time with your baby, but it's equally important to finding fun ways to spend that time.
Summer is the perfect time to ensure you spend as much time as possible with your baby and young children. When the weather is warm and sunny, nothing beats spending time outdoors in the fresh air with your kids. Even when it's raining, you can spend quality time with your kids by finding fun indoor activities. Whether you are spending time indoors or outdoors, here are 7 fun and safe summer activities for moms and their babies and toddlers.
1. Swimming
Most babies and small children love playing in the water. If your baby is comfortable in the tub, you may want to graduate to a small swimming pool. In order to keep your baby safe, you should follow these swimming guidelines:
If your baby is six months old, you can enroll them in swimming lessons. If you have other younger children, you will want to make sure they know how to swim, plus you will want to keep a close eye on them at all times when they are in the water.
Make sure your baby is wearing a children life jacket. Drowning is the second most common cause of death for children under 5 years old. Children can drown in as little as 1 inch of water. So you can use either a life jacket for your child, as long as it is designed for children.
2. Going for Walks
Put your baby in the stroller and take them for a walk. Besides being a great exercise for you, it's a fun way for the baby to safely explore the world around them. Toddlers can be encouraged to walk alongside you. If your kids are older, remember strollers shouldn't be used for kids over the age of four, as it can inhibit them from becoming independent and physically active.
If your child is old enough to walk, make sure they are able to follow directions and to always hold your hand when entering a crosswalk or crossing the street.
3. Hanging Out at the Park
Why not pack a picnic lunch and go hang out at the park for the afternoon? Most parks have bucket-style infant swings that are intended for children between six months and four years old. To ensure safety, your baby should be able to support themselves when sitting. When pushing your baby on a swing, make sure to keep it slow and gentle, as pushing too hard can cause a neck injury.
If your baby has never been on a swing, prepare yourself for the fact they may not like it. If they cry or scream, take them out immediately and try again when they are a little older. You could also try to hold the baby securely on your lap while you're on the swing.
4. Getting Together with Other Moms and Their Kids
It can be hard for moms of babies and young children to find time to get together with other moms. This is important, however, as you need a chance to connect with others at an adult level. It's also good for children in different families to get together, as it gives them an opportunity to learn new social skills and enhance the ones they've already learned. Even babies love socializing with other babies!
If you don't know any other younger families, a great way to get together with other moms and their kids is to join a mommy and me group. As a mom, these groups often act as a valuable support system, plus you’ll learn fun and effective ways to stimulate your child's development. There are a number of apps out there that can help you meet mom friends and to find mommy and me groups.
5. Checking Out the Local Library
On a rainy day, there may be no better place to go to than the local library. Most libraries have a variety of programs for children of all ages, including infants. Some of the most popular programs for young children include storytelling, finger-plays, and rhyming games.
Even for children who have a long way to go before learning to read, reading aloud to your child, whether at the library or at home, will help them develop their language skills and increase the chances they will love to read.
6. Visiting the Zoo
Spending a day at the zoo provides many benefits for young children. Along with encouraging environmental awareness at a young age, walking around the zoo is a great way for moms and walking toddlers to get some exercise. Many zoos have a petting area where they can safely pet the tamer animals, such as goats, rabbits, donkeys, and alpacas. Young children will also have fun feeding the animals.
In order to ensure your child's safety at the zoo, make sure they never go into prohibited areas and they should also never tease animals. As a mom, you should always keep your children next to you at all times.
7. Making Music
If you're stuck indoors due to the weather, why not get out pots, pans, spoons, and anything else you and your children can use to make music. Or, maybe you have some actual music instruments in your home. Music is great for kids of all ages as it helps their minds and body to work together. If there's dancing involved, it's a great way to get some indoor exercise
