Play is essential to a child’s development. It helps them build a sense of self-worth as they find out what their abilities and boundaries are. Participating in games also teaches them social skills, which will come in handy in life later.
What Play Can Do
Encouraging kids to play can help improve their language skills, emotions, and creativity. It also improves the way they interact and connect or relate with others. By using play, you can nurture the child’s imagination and create a sense of adventure.
Fun Summer Activities
Arizona has plenty of fun activities to choose from for your family this summer!
- Water parks
- The Children’s Museum of Phoenix
- Arizona Science Center
- Drive-in movie theaters
- Harkins Summer Movie Fun Program
- Events at your local library
- Desert Botanical Garden
We also recommend taking advantage of Arizona’s famous nature sites:
- Grand Canyon
- Antelope Canyon
- Page
- Horseshoe Bend
- Sedona
- Havasu Falls
Want to escape the heat? We recommend the following northern Arizona locations:
- Flagstaff
- Prescott
- Greer
- Strawberry
What Children in Foster Care Face
A lot of kids in foster care have never had the opportunity to be a child. By making financial donations to organizations that provide funding for children’s activities, you can help these kids learn how to be children and improve the way they look at the world.
What Abuse Does
Many children in foster care have been subjected to abuse and neglect. This impacts their self-worth and perception of the world. If you want to help kids at your local foster care organization, donating funding for fun activities is a great way to start. Something as simple as providing funds for fun events can go a long way to remind them that there’s more than abuse and neglect in the world—there’s also hope and love.
What You Can Do
While funding for these activities is essential, you can help out in other ways as well. Participate in the games. Lend your expertise and time. Be a part of the event. You can make a difference by talking to the kids and having fun with them. You may think a game of soccer or basketball won’t solve anything, but it can teach kids something about kindness. Many of them may have only had bad encounters with adults. A kind adult will show them that there’s a lot of good people out there who are willing to lend a helping hand. It’s a realization that can change the course of their life.
Conclusion
Do what you can to help in whatever way possible. Spread the word. Organize events. And encourage people in your circle to participate. For more details on how to provide funding for children’s activities, contact Arizona Friends of Foster Children.