Summer activities to keep the kids occupied

By Submitted Article on July 17, 2020.

Vicki Hazelwood

LETHBRIDGE EARLY YEARS COALITION

What a roller coaster! We’re not talking about this summer’s latest theme park attractions. We’re referring to the havoc the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked on all our lives. That includes, of course, any vacation plans we might have had for this summer!

While the COVID-19 crisis has caused most things to move online – work, school, grocery shopping, even birthday parties and playdates, this doesn’t mean summer fun needs to completely go out the window. Whether you work from home, are a stay-at-home parent, or work outside the house, you need ways to keep your children busy during the summer months. Building Brains Together, Family Centre, Holy Spirit Catholic School Division, Lethbridge School Division and Lethbridge Public Library are working together to offer summer fun for families. Their Outdoor Family Community Program runs every Tuesday and Thursday until Aug. 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at various parks and schools around Lethbridge. The schedule can be found on http://www.buildingbrains.ca/events.

All ages are welcome at the Outdoor Family Community Program! Drop by the pop-up tents on Tuesdays and Thursdays for free outdoor play activities. Enjoy outdoor facilitated games and pick up a free activity kit to take home. All the participating organizations have hand sanitizer stations and health protocols being followed to provide safe and healthy outdoor activities for families.

In addition to the Tuesday and Thursday Family Outdoor Community Program there are several other ways to get children off screens and outside playing this summer.

– Book a visit to Helen Schuler Nature Centre or a guided family field trip in the river bottom. Call 403-320-3064 or register online at http://www.lethbridge.ca/naturekids.

– Lethbridge Public Library is offering a modified TD Summer Reading Club. Register online at http://www.lethlib.ca. Set up a tent or blanket in your back yard for some reading time after picking up books you’ve put on hold at Lethbridge Public Library. Don’t forget to let them know how many books you read so they can add it to their large Wall of Words (WOW) window thermometer that will track how many books we are reading this summer collectively as a community. TD Summer Reading Club is open to children of all ages.

– Family Centre is offering summer programs including Art in the Park and Art in the Garden. To find out more information call Family Centre at 403-320-4232.

– Check out Boys and Girls Club, Opokaa’sin and Big Brothers Big Sisters’ social media and websites to find out more about the summer programs they are offering.

Lethbridge Early Years Coalitions (LEYC) works to connect families with young children to local programs and services relevant to their needs. To learn more about Lethbridge Early Years Coalition visit http://www.lethbridgeearlyyears.ca.

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