Anthony Pifarre
Anthony Pifarre is a Class teacher and Marketing Coordinator for EtonHouse Hong Kong. Outside of work as a passionate educator, he is also a dedicated father. Anthony has been working in Hong Kong for 5 years in both local and international settings. He holds a Bachelor degree in English and Spanish as well as a Master degree in Business accredited by 4 different European universities, Anthony is a language lover with a global mindset.
Summer and, for some of us, the holidays are here. Having your child home can be a wonderful thing for spending quality time together, but just in case you run out of activities, here are 5 suggestions for whiling away the summer days.
1. Go greenThe hustle and bustle of our very densely populated cities makes us forget what natural wonders lay at our feet. Children are instinctively intrigued by nature and physical activity is crucial for their development. It is important as parents to support this interest and help them in their exploration of the wonders nature has to offer. In Singapore, there are many hiking trails from climbing up Bukit Timah Hill to taking the Tree Top Walk and exploring Coney Island. And those in Hong Kong can enjoy a wide range of natural environments from the beaches of Sai Kung to the hiking trails of Lantau Island. Parks are also abundant around Hong Kong especially in the New Territories. The sun is shining, the sky is blue; let us cycle for a mile or two!
2. Put on your safety goggles
Children are naturally inquisitive and curious about the world around them. The summer time is the perfect time for them to capitalise on this thirst for knowledge. Home activities may seem challenging but worry not, we have your back. Following what our children do all year round, there are a wide range of activities you can do with your loved ones at home. From DIY arts and crafts (bonus points for using recycled materials) to STEM related activities (hence the goggles) possibilities are endless.
Some recommendations from us:
- Making your own playdough especially with young children
- Erupt your home-made volcano with soda bicarbonate and vinegar
- Bake summer themed cookies to bring to the beach
If you want to explore more arts and crafts as well as STEM activities we recommend you to use Pinterest, Stemdupage or follow video tutorials from YouTube.
No matter what you end up doing, remember that safety comes first and that the process is more important than the end product.
3. Be a summer foodie
Embrace the seasonality of fruits and align your eating habits accordingly. From June on, eating Mango is the way to go, you can find various shapes and size but they will always be a hit with children thanks to their very sweet taste and very bright colours. In July, do not miss the end of the Lychee season. There are also so much food variety in Singapore. You can spend a day going on a hawker trail and let your child sample all the traditional local delicacies.
4. Journey across the world
Living in an international hub for airlines has its perks. For one you have access to many destinations at a fair price so you really don’t have any excuse not to travel around. Flying with young children can be challenging at times but not from Singapore or Hong Kong where you can enjoy a change of scenery in just a couple of hours. You can go to a Vietnamese Temple, get your tan on in the Philippines or hike in Taiwan very quickly and without breaking the bank. If you are willing to fly for a longer time, Japan’s Hokkaido Island, Korea’s Jeju Island and China’s Hainan Island will welcome you for some child-friendly holidays.
5. Take it easy
Taking it slow is sometimes the way to go. Holidays are primarily made for everyone to unwind and spend quality time with your family. During the summer holidays, take more time to play with your children and spend time with them. There will be a time where they will also have a very busy schedule because of work so enjoy them while you can. Spend more time reading books to and with your children, bake with them, play with them; in order words be there for them. And did you know, that playing with them has a perk of promoting good behaviour?
Bonus tip: Join our summer camps
With over a 100 schools scattered around Asia, there must be the right camp for you whether you stay in Hong Kong or venture around the world. If you're in Hong Kong, this summer programme — with dancing, English, basketball, chess and more — may be just for you. Registration closes this week!