31/07/2025

Summer and Free Time: Ideas for Children and Teenagers

Summer is a point of reference for everyone. Especially for children and teenagers who eagerly await it! However, it is also the season that gives them the opportunity, through the many activities they can do, to learn something new that excites them and will become their new occupation.

The holidays and mild weather, the break from the daily routine that defines all our lives, and the change in mood for the better and more carefree will contribute to the choice of one or more activities, such as:

HIKING: In the mountains, by the sea, or in the forest, children from the first grades of elementary school and above can participate. You will need: a bag with a hat, a thermos with water, specific food (bananas, crackers, nuts, sandwiches), a change of clothes and underwear, a towel, and suitable shoes (hiking boots or sneakers with rough soles). We can also bring a ball, a sketchbook and markers, and even a whistle in case someone gets lost.

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SEA: The activities available for children there are very affordable. There are many and they are easy. Rackets on the beach, always respecting the need of bathers for peace and quiet. There is also beach volleyball. There are some tournaments where children can participate if they meet the appropriate criteria/requirements. The same applies to beach soccer. These are usually organized by organized beaches and municipalities, so it is easy to register on the spot. Of course, children can indulge in everyone’s favorite activities, such as building sandcastles on the beach, diving, which children love, and collecting shells or strange stones. Children whose parents work and who are unable to take long vacations can go to a swimming pool and swim or visit the organized beaches in their city. We should never swim in the sea on a full stomach. At least 3 hours should pass since our last meal before we go into the water. This is very important because our body is under more stress when we have to combine swimming in the sea with intense activity and digestion, and if we swallow a large amount of sea water, it is not easy to expel it afterwards.

SAILING: There are many sailing clubs where children as young as 7 years old can join. The only requirement is that they know how to swim without aids (armbands, life jackets, etc.). At this stage, children learn the basics of sailing with special small boats, known as “Optimists,” which are usually around 2 m long and just over 1 m wide, making them easy for a child to handle. The child learns a lot. They are taught basic terminology, commands, how to handle the boat (steering wheel, sail, body position), and when they have completed their basic training and are now part of a racing team, they are trained to predict even changes in the weather. During training, each child gets into a boat on their own. Often, training is done with one child while the others watch from the training boat. Sailing is a way for children to get close to nature in a very clean environment and at the same time to acquire self-discipline and a spirit of cooperation and teamwork. They get plenty of exercise, greatly improve their physical condition, and achieve well-being.

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HORSEBACK RIDING: Children love horses, even if some children are afraid of them at first when they are close up. All ages are suitable for children to start horseback riding. However, a good age to start is four years old and above. Horse riding exercises specific muscle groups in the body, increases muscle tone (strength) and improves the much-needed sense of balance. It contributes to the ability to concentrate and reduces distraction, as the child is required to remain focused. No child gets bored with their horse! It develops a sense of responsibility for the care of the horse (its food, cleanliness, hoof care, health, equipment) and, by extension, teaches the child to act responsibly in areas that concern them. It promotes sociability, companionship, and a spirit of good cooperation. It boosts their self-esteem and self-confidence. They learn to coordinate parallel actions simultaneously, as well as their body with their eyes. Children are given the opportunity to come into contact with other creatures that do not roam freely around us and are, to a greater or lesser extent, essentially unknown to us.

SOURCE: ATHINODROMIO

Sofia Alexandropoulou

Professor of Physical Education