by Geoffrey Gardner

Today on the show, we kicked off our month-long 'Kids' series with a look at what the young ones are up to over the summer.

Now that school's out, parents can be left wondering how to (constructively) fill up their child's day. Well, fear not! There are plenty of fun and stimulating things for the kids to do while they patiently wait for math class to start up again in the fall.

Summertime Fun!

Swim Classes

We cannot emphasize enough the importance of teaching your children how to swim. While private lessons can run around $40 a pop, there are cheaper alternatives that will produce the same fantastic results — your baby's safety. Look into public pools and your town's parks program for the best deals.

Summer Camp

Nothing beats the memory of summer camp, except the experience itself. Give your child the gift of a lifetime and enroll the little one in a day camp, or — if they're older — a stay-away camp. Your kids will come back more enriched and wiser, not to mention amazing boondoggle makers.

Arts & Crafts

This one is a no-brainer. Nothing occupies a child's imagination better than the opportunity to splatter a hundred different colors on to one giant piece of paper. From finger paints to the reliable Crayon, introduce your kids to art and you never know what you'll end up with. (Just make sure to invest in an artist smock/garbage bag to protect their clothes.)

Please share your own summer ideas, plans, and memories by leaving a comment below. How will you make your child's summer a season to remember?