Children look forward to summer vacation every year. The last day of school gives way to less structured days when kids can spend more time outdoors and less time studying.

Summer vacation can be a dilemma for parents, especially in households where both parents work full time. A pandemic-related increase in remote working has made that problem somewhat more manageable, but even parents working from home must find fun ways for children to stay occupied until the new school year begins. No two kids are the same, so parents may need to try various activities until they find something their children enjoy doing during the lazy days of summer.

Day camps provide much of the structure of school without all the homework. Many parks and recreation departments run summer day camps for kids. Camps can be generalized or specialized. For example, some may offer an array of activities in a given day, including sports and nature walks, while others may focus on a single activity, like musical lessons or science-based programs. Camps run by local parks and recreational departments do not typically last all summer, which parents should keep in mind when enrolling youngsters.

Parents may be surprised by how much their children enjoy a good book. When suggesting to children that they read more this summer, parents can note the many ways that reading for pleasure differs from reading for school. Parents can point out that kids will not have to submit book reports and emphasize that they can choose their own books. Weekly visits to the library, where children can pick from hundreds of books, can get youngsters even more excited about reading.

Play dates are a great way to make children happy and take some items off parents' daily to-do lists. Parents can arrange routine summer play dates with children's school friends, neighbors, or cousins. Parents can alternate hosting responsibilities, so they can get work done at home and enjoy a break when it is not their turn to host.

Perhaps in recognition of the need for affordable, family-friendly activities, many communities now host free events for children and their parents each week. Weekly movie nights under the stars and concerts in community squares are offered in many communities, but those same towns also may host events specifically for children during the daytime. A simple internet search of "free events near me" may unveil a host of activities that can keep kids occupied on summer days when their schedules are open. Local libraries can be resources for free events, as well.

Summer vacation is a relaxing time for youngsters. Parents who do not want that relaxation to turn into boredom can look to various activities to occupy their children's time until a new school year begins.