Hey there fellow parents! As a mom of a 5-year-old bundle of energy, I know just how important it is to keep our little ones engaged and happy, especially during vacations. With no school schedules to follow, we can totally relax and fill our days with fun activities that spark his curiosity and creativity. So, let me take you through our daily vacation routine, peppered with fun activities and learning moments, tailored for our kiddo’s enjoyment!
I try to balance structured “learning” time with plenty of free play, mixing in some screen time too since it’s just reality these days. But I limit it to 10-minute chunks so he’s not glued to a TV (no phones) all day. Our days revolve around these things: moving our bodies, using our imaginations, 1 hour and 20 minutes of screen time (20 minutes of watching our favorite show Ramayana) and setting aside time for learning.
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What Our Vacation Routine Looks Like;
Here’s a play-by-play of one of our laid-back yet fully-packed summer days:
Morning Bliss: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Rise and Shine: We wake up at 9:00 AM to kickstart our day with positive vibes. We know it’s a bit late, but our sleeping time is affected by his dad’s late shifts. We keep trying to improve our waking time, though!
- Brush ‘n’ Breakfast: From 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, it’s all about freshening up and having a hearty breakfast together. Starting the day with good oral hygiene and yummy food sets the tone for a happy day ahead!
Outdoor Adventures: 10:00 AM – 10:40 AM
- Pedal Power: At 10:00 AM, he grabs his bicycle and hit the outdoors for some cycling fun. It’s a fantastic way to get some fresh air and exercise those little legs.
- A Dash of Screen Time: After cycling, he indulges in 10 minutes of screen time at 10:30 am. A short break to unwind and maybe catch a quick favorite or educational video.
Creative Exploration during our Vacation Routine: 10:40 AM – 12:10 PM
- Let Him Play: From 10:40 AM to 12:00 PM, it’s all about independent play. Whether it’s building with blocks, exploring with magna tiles, or some quality time with Dad, creativity knows no bounds!
- A Peek at the Screen: At 12:00 pm, a quick 10-minute screen break to keep the balance between fun and technology.
Also read: This Is How I Encouraged Independence and Creativity in Hitarth
Learning Time: 12:10 PM – 12:40 PM
- Write Away: From 12:10 PM to 12:40 PM, we dive into some writing and learning activities. It’s a great opportunity to enhance vocabulary, practice writing skills, and foster a love for learning.
Artsy Adventures: 12:40 PM – 1:40 PM
- Brush Strokes and Color Palettes: Let’s unleash our inner artists! From 12:40 PM to 1:40 PM, it’s all about drawing and painting. Get those creative juices flowing and watch masterpieces come to life! Also check out this blog: This 10-minute daily routine helps me feel closer to my kids.
Lunchtime Laughs: 1:40 PM – 2:30 PM
- Feast and Fun: Lunchtime is not just about filling tummies but also enjoying some quality time together in cooking fun. And yes, a tiny screen break for 10 minutes at 12:20 pm because why not, afterall our vacation routine is incomplete without the screen time, right?
Afternoon Delights: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- Board Game Bonanza: It’s game time! From 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM, we dive into some fun board games and indulge in captivating story reading sessions.
Unstructured Playtime: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Let Him Roam Free: Unstructured play is essential for nurturing creativity and imagination. From 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM, it’s all about letting them explore and play freely.
Artistic Pursuits: 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- Expressive Moments: Another quick screen break at 4:30 pm followed by some creative solo play with vehicles, blocks, or magna tiles while I prepare for my art class.
Also read: Balanced Screen Time for My Preschooler: How I Achieved This!
Evening Adventures: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Artistic Endeavors: From 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, it’s off to art class for some creative fun with other kids.
- Busy in the Kitchen: While I’m busy preparing dinner after my class at 6:00 pm, my little one enjoys another 10 minutes of screen followed by independent play with his favorite toys like vehicles, blocks, and magna tiles.
Outdoor Fun: 7:00 PM – 8:40 PM
- Playtime Outdoors: It’s time for some outdoor fun in the apartment play area with friends. We soak up the fresh air and engage in exciting activities like cycling, skating, sliding, swinging, etc.
- Brief Screen Break: We take a short break for some screen time at 8:30 pm, enjoying a bit of entertainment before dinner.
Reading Adventures: 8:40 PM – 9:00 PM
- Exploring Books: We dive into reading and learning new words, immersing ourselves in the magical world of stories during our vacation routine.
Dinner Delights: 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Family Dinner: We gather around the table for a delicious dinner followed by our favorite show, ShriMad Ramayana. Hitarth adores this program and always has a flurry of questions about it. It’s heartwarming to see him engaged and curious, and it’s a beautiful way to instill in him a connection to our culture and heritage. It’s a cozy family moment in our vacation routine that we cherish.
Playtime and Stories: 10:00 PM – 11:30 PM
- Unwind and Relax: After dinner, we enjoy some free play and indulge in bedtime stories, winding down for the night.
- Heart-to-Heart: Before bedtime at 11:30 PM, we have long talks about our day, share giggles, cuddles and chats recapping our awesome day and express gratitude for the wonderful moments together.
Also read: The Power of Bedtime Conversations: How Talking with Hitarth Eases My Parenting Journey
And there you have it, our personalized vacation routine filled with fun, learning, and precious moments. Remember, every day is an adventure, so cherish these moments and make memories that last a lifetime!
The Little Detours
While we stick to that general vacation routine, there’s always room for the unpredictable – spills, messes, meltdowns. But those are the real memory-making moments. Resolving conflicts, overcoming struggles, being present for each other’s highs and lows.
I wouldn’t trade this free-flowing time for anything. With no rushing around, I can truly soak up every moment with my son. After our fun-filled summer days, I feel refreshed and grateful for all the incredible memories we’re making.
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