Make your kids super cool this summer

From teaching tots about community helpers to teens learning about aeromodelling and graphic novel writing, summer camps get more creative. Gone are the days when summer vacations only meant playing out in the sun.These days, parents believe that children should continue the learning process during the vacations as well. And while earlier, summer camps and workshops would only involve basic art, craft and outdoor game activities, these days, they involve innovative as well as fun-oriented ones.With a range of age groups, interests and other considerations, summer workshops are designed in such a way that kids are provided with an overall development. These themes are out of the box and encourage a three-dimensional physical, audiovisual and mental learning experience.Here's looking at some creative activities for you kids.
Graphic novel workshop Age group: 14-18 years
Writing comic books is a serious art. If your child shows a keen interest in sketching, a graphic novel workshop would be a good way to refine his/her skills. At this week-long workshop, using different illustrating styles, the children are supposed to form their own novel's first chapter. These work form their own novel's first chapter. T shops are designed for young adults.Its aim is to introduce students to the art of the graphic novel, and provide them with the tools to create their own works of visualised fiction.
Forensic Science workshop Age group: 7-12 years
If your kid is hooked on to mysteries or loves Sherlock Holmes, get him/her enrolled in this workshop.From searching for the evidence to gathering clues, dusting for fingerprints and analysing handwriting this three-hour workshop is a great way to discover how science can help mystery-solving.
Animation workshop Age group: 10-14 years
f you thought animation films could only be created using digital softwares, think again. At a workshops, children are asked to use paint, clay, paper cutouts etc to created animated characters. Besides, they also get a chance to watch short animated films around the world.
Community helpers' workshop Age group: 3-6 years
Want your child to know about the duties of a newspaper vendor or a postman? Get
himher enrolled in one of the day-long workshops where kids are introduced to four community helpers and understand their job patterns. Interestingly, they are also encouraged to step in their shoes by actually performing their duties.
Cooking with shapes Age group: Upto 5 years
ant to teach your tot different shapes as well as hone his/her culinary skills? Through an hour long weekend summer workshop, kids learn about four different shapes and are also asked to create goodies using those shapes. Meanwhile, weekly workshops where kids are taught about basic nutrition and age appropriate culinary skills through activities like bean snapping, corn husking and melon balling are also finding takers.
Aeromodelling workshop Age group: 4-14 years
A new-age fun activity are aeromodelling work shops are also conducted. Here, children learn the art of designing, developing and flying small aeroplane models. While beginners can start with static models and paper planes, the advanced learners are provided materials to create rubber powered flying models.
Dos and don'ts before you enroll your kid in a summer camp:
The summer camp should include many activities so the child has a choice and you eventually know what interests him best.
Do not decide the hobby, sports or activities that you think would be fun or beneficial. Keep your child's interests in mind.
If you're a working mother, get your friend's kids to join as well. That way your friends can take care of picking up and dropping off your kid to the camp.
Sports week: Get your kid's friends together every evening and organise a sports week camp at a nearby park. You can start off the week by making a team jersey and enjoy a wide variety of non-competitive sport themed activities including soccer, football, golf, basketball and gymnastics.
Make musical instruments: Using materials available at home, encourage your child to make instruments that he/she can use through the week. Ask him/her to play dif ferent tunes and record them on simple recording devices like a phone.
Aquatic life theme: Start off the week by painting a T-shirt with the sea creatures that your child loves. You can go for activities like making penguins out of water bottles that is sure to take up most of your kid's afternoon. For younger kids, fill a bathtub with water and let them enjoy playing with boats and floatable animals under your supervision.