Congratulations for pushing through to the end of this academic year mostly achieved through your dedication on home-based learning. While the summer break is finally here, Covid-19 is still out there, and hence it will be safer to spend this time at home. However, home-based activity does not have to be boring and we certainly hope that you and your family still could enjoy the break with summer activities that you love. Check out these ideas below on just some of what can you try doing this summer.

Outdoor activities:

1. Fly a kite

As we welcome the start of the rainy season here in Cambodia, the weather is thus a bit windy these days – which makes it  a perfect time to fly a kite with your children! You can buy or make your own kite, then fly it together. In addition, you can do a traditional “kite fighting” with your family members and see who could be the best kite flyer among your family.

2. Bike riding

Riding a bike and exploring the city with your family sounds fun too! Not only just riding it around Phnom Penh City, but you can also explore the nearby places like taking a ferry to Akreiy Ksatr’s Lotus pond or to Silk Island.

3. Water gun fight

Who can resist playing with water on a summer break? Load the water guns at your house then you can play together with your family members in your backyard or driveway. It’s a great way to get wet together with your family without having to go out to a public place.

4. Play badminton

Why not burn some calories and have fun at the same time? Playing badminton with your family members in your backyard or driveway in the morning or evening time could be a healthy and alternative way to spend the summer break safely at home.

5. Gardening

By gardening, children could learn new things about science and nature, as well as develop new values, such as responsibility, discovery, and cooperation. Try with simple plants like corn, cherry tomatoes, or jasmine flowers. Please ensure your child’s safety by providing safe storage for the equipment and tools, and supervision during and after the activity.

Indoor activities:

6. Boardgames

There are around 100,000 boardgames in the world, and there are also a few boardgames online shops here in Phnom Penh. So it can be fun to spend time by playing boardgames with your family members from something so common like Scrabble, Monopoly, and Pictionary, to something adventurous like Hasbro Gaming the Game of Life, 7 Wonders, and Splendor.

7. Cooking

Children do have their favourite food or snacks, so why not unleash your creativity with your children by creating their favourite menu in the kitchen together? You can bond with your children while making your own pizza, ice creams, or smores. It will also help your children to appreciate food more.

8. Indoor DIY games

Create your own games from the materials that you already have at home. There are a lot of games that you can create with paper cups, markers, and any other things that every house possesses. Here is a reference on how you can use household items to create play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovQyx4v66aE

9. Solve a Jigsaw Puzzle

There is nothing wrong with doing some brain exercises like by solving a jigsaw puzzle with your family. Some bookstores in Phnom Penh sell jigsaw puzzles that you can solve together with your family. It’s a great way to bond with your family while also exercising our brains as well.

10. Try out Origami

For those who love art and craft, you can challenge yourself by doing some origami and create some decorations for your children’s rooms or family room. Origami helps children to develop their fine motor skills, concentration, and hand-eye coordination.