With Ramadan in summer interspersed with bouts of rain this year, the season is one full of festivity, food and vacation for school kids. The mad frenzy of iftars, fried food, chaotic roads, soaring temperatures and shopping is upon us.

Children often find it difficult to make their summer vacations productive and end up spending the whole day glued to their gadgets. As this time Ramadan and vacation have coincided it has become doubly difficult to make time for the children.

To rid of the vacation woes, The Daily Star has put together a list of things you could do engaging the children to make their vacation filled with fun:

Introduce the culture of board games again, an activity where parents and children can engage together. Star file photo

Day Trips:

A day trip can be a de-stressor for both children and the parents. Getting out of the chaotic city to any of the nearby resorts in Gazipur can do wonders for the children. Carry a picnic basket full of goodies so the children can munch on them, take along a football and make a day out of it in nature.

A day trip or a picnic can be a de-stressor for both children and the parents. Star file photo.

Reading:

With myriad gadgets, a never ending list of TV shows and cartoons, children these days are fast losing the habit of reading. Take up this mission for your child’s vacation: Turn them into avid readers. If your child is a fan Anime, get them similar books or Anime comics. If your child enjoys Disney cartoons, buy them the book version of their cartoons and if they enjoy detective cartoons buy them the entire volume of Sherlock Holmes! Tap into their interest zone and soon you will find they are hooked.

Fun filled evening can brighten up the entire day. Star file photo.

Board Games:

During the yesteryears board games were a big attraction in huge family gatherings. Among the local were Carom board, Ludo, Chess, snake&ladder along with Scrabble, Pictionary and Monopoly among others.  This tradition has died down sadly in the pile of rising gadgets and gizmos. This vacation, introduce the culture of board games again, an activity where parents and children can engage in together.

A day trip or a picnic can be a de-stressor for both children and the parents. Star file photo.

Baking:

Ample food networks and cook shows like Masterchef Junior is encouraging everyone to try their hands at cooking. Although savory items can be difficult to execute, baking is a great option for kids. Bake muffins, cakes and brownies, with whipped cream and sprinkles. Let them decorate the goodies and bring out their creative side. Involve them in the kitchen and let them make a mess that both parents and kids can enjoy.

Bake muffins, cakes and brownies, with whipped cream and sprinkles. Let them decorate the goodies and bring out their creative side. Star file photo.

Make Popsicles:

Children love ice-cream and what better way to enjoy ice-cream than making it yourself at home? This is the season of fresh summer fruits, mango, jackfruit, pineapples et al. Incorporate them into your popsicles. Allow the children to make it themselves and beat the heat with popsicles this summer!

Iftar outing:

Food has climbed to new heights in the past two decades. Eateries are sprouting all around the city, with new and modern cuisines comfortably competing with the traditional ones. Ramadan  iftar offers come in abundance and variety all around the different restaurants in Dhaka. Pick the one you and your children like best and make an evening out of it.

Movies:

Revisit old classics such as Home Alone, Sound of Music, Matilda, Baby’s day out and Jurassic Park. Star file photo.

The easiest go to option for entertainment are movies. Make a list of movies for children to watch. Revisit old classics such as Home Alone, Sound of Music, Matilda, Baby’s day out and Jurassic Park.