Summer break is just around the corner. Kids are looking forward to their time after the school year when they can pause for a brief moment from their academic requirements and unwind. Little did they know that it also poses a significant challenge to you as parents: physically, mentally, and financially. For people living in the Metro, fun activities for kids nowadays entail expenses that usually put your budget at stake. For people living in high rise condominiums, the idea creates more avenues for extra expenses. In line with this, I would like to share with you four activities that you may do together with your kids to help them unwind but at the same time become experiences for added learning and quality time with your family without breaking a bank.

Creating a healthy vibe 

Put the expensive “association dues” that you pay monthly into good use. More condominiums nowadays have a gym. Instead of staying in the house to tinker your gadgets, inspire your kids to go to the gym every morning to work-out to keep them active even if it’s vacation time. In this way, you teach them the value of good health and time management. Emphasizing to them that even if you have a very tight work schedule, a routine visit to the gym to do a cardio activity or physical exercise will enable them to live a more healthy and active lifestyle. In the advent that the condo where you are staying does not have a gym, you may use the parking or activity area to do walking, jogging, or even simple stretching or stationary exercise. If there is a wide open space, you may also play Frisbee or tag with your kids. 

Having a picnic 

Most condominiums are equipped with grilling area. This is due to the building provision of forbidding the use of grillers inside your respective units. In line with this, you may plan a simple “barbecue party” or picnic with your kids. You may even invite some of your kids’ friends or even your neighbors to join you. Allow them to do the grilling under your close supervision. In this way you are teaching them the skills while keeping them safe. The barbecue need not be expensive. You may get grilling ideas and recipes from a cookbook or online. 

Playing offline games 

Kids nowadays are in an age where everything is digital or accessible with their respective smartphones or gadgets. Make body movements with your kids more meaningful by playing old school board games. Make them realize the beauty of actual interpersonal interaction. Board games nowadays are quite cheap compared before. Major bookstores have wide array of board games to choose from. If you are not fond of board games, fun card games such as UNO, Monopoly Deal, Pokemon, Yugi-oh, and many others can also be used. Although you need to sit down and learn these games seriously to make it interactive. Nevertheless, it may provide you and your kids a glimpse of one another’s childhood preferences. 

Doing aqua games 

You heard it right. Forget about doing a “staycation” on some expensive hotels or resorts. Maximize the use of your condominium’s pool. Although the trick is that you must do it early in the morning right after the pool attendant has finished cleaning routine and water treatment. In this way, the water is in its cleanest possible state. Other than being assured of the water quality, you may also lessen ultraviolet ray exposure if you swim with your kids in the morning. You may make your swimming session fun by doing a barbecue party. You may invite your friends over to join you in the morning dip. 

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