Your children are just days into their two-month-plus summer vacation and they’re probably already bored. But don’t fret, you won’t have to entertain them all on your own. There are loads of resources out there to guarantee a fun but productive break. The chore is seeking them out and putting them to work for your family. In that vein, here are some of the most useful iPhone apps for parents looking to keep things interesting.
Nothing works against summer brain drain like the public library. Budget cuts equal shorter operating hours, but that just means you have to be sharp on your timing. The free Library Locator app lets you search for library branches by city and zip code. Results include addresses and telephone numbers. Make a visit or a call, and sign your children up for the summer reading program.
No doubt you and your children will want to take advantage of the pleasant summer weather. For families with an outdoor bent, nothing beats state and national parks. The Recreation.gov Locator app ($2.99) will connect you with some of best campgrounds, hiking trails and landscapes our nation has to offer. Just don’t forget your water bottle and bug repellent.
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You don’t want your young children in front of the television all day, but generating fun, inexpensive activities on the fly isn’t always easy. The free Mom Maps app is a must-have for any parent on the go. It provides dozens of recommendations for playgrounds, restaurants and museums, all child appropriate. This is particularly handy if you’re hosting additional kids such as cousins or friends.
What would summer be without some roller coasters and a few water slides? The Theme Park and Water Park Locator app ($2.99) will connect you with the best in amusement park entertainment. Six Flags Magic Mountain, Raging Waters – this app has them all.
The summer months also lend themselves to professional Major League Soccer games, concerts, outdoor theater and so on. The free StubHub app allows you to search by location, date and event type. The app is easy to navigate, so go ahead and book your tickets for the Cubs-White Sox game: Your children will love you for it.
Popsicles and ice-cream practically become their own food group during summer break. The grocery store and the ice-cream man are pretty reliable sources, but why not get creative with your frosty treats? The Dessert Frozen Recipes app for $0.99 includes dozens of fantastic summery desserts that will keep you and your children occupied in the kitchen for hours. Among them, banana peanut butter ice-cream and raspberry sauce.
As much as your children wish they could avoid all responsibility during summer, they still have their chores to do. In fact, summer is probably a great time to establish or reinforce household obligations. The $2.99 Chore Pad app will help to keep everyone on task. It allows you to create chore lists, which you can organize by day and importance, and then assign them to various members of the household. Each chore can be given a corresponding value. For example, washing the sheets can be given twp points, and vacuuming-out the car can be given four. Your child, or spouse, can accrue points via the chores that he or she does.
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