Summer is no doubt a favorite season for kids of all ages.  There’s no school, there’s no homework, and there’s nothing to do but relax and have fun. You probably think that summer also means a break for you – after all, you don’t have to supervise the kid’s study hour or wake up early in the morning to help them get ready for school. Sounds like a good time to relax and take it easy! That is, until your ADHD kids start complaining that they’re bored or find potentially dangerous ways to amuse themselves.

During the school year, the routine of waking up, getting ready for school, and coming home to do homework keeps many ADHD symptoms in check.  But as soon as the kids are faced with long days of doing nothing, the hyperactive, impulsive, and inquisitive nature of children with ADHD can pose a few problems.  Since ADHD kids require constant stimulation to keep themselves entertained, your child might get bored easily and often.  He or she will probably be more demanding of your time and attention. And since it’s not possible for you to keep your child entertained 24/7, he or she may get into trouble for finding new ways to stay amused. For instance, there was this 8-year-old boy who tried to cut a large tree in the backyard with a hand saw because he wanted to find out the tree’s age.  Fortunately, he was unharmed, but his parents quickly realized that the rest of the summer cannot go by without some sort of plan.

Here are a few tips that will help you plan the perfect summer with your ADHD child.

Provide structure

Since children with ADHD cannot be left to their own devices, it’s important for them to have some sort of structure during the summer months.  Sit down with your kids and create a calendar filled with a healthy mix of summer activities, like family vacations, picnics at the park, or weekend trips to the museum or zoo.  For young children, you might want to talk to other parents and arrange play dates.

Of course, summer should allow time for relaxation, so try not to over-schedule activities. A day trip to the beach sounds great, but three or four consecutive days of activities may feel hectic and rushed.  Allow your children to experience some downtime, where he or she can do anything – or nothing at all. Just make sure that you or another adult will be around to keep an eye on them.

Consider summer camp

You can also send your children to a summer camp or day camp. Not only does summer camp have a similar structure to school, but it provides great opportunities for learning and friendships. The question is – should you send your child to a camp that caters specifically to kids with ADHD, or will your child be better off at a “regular” camp?  Some children, especially those with predominantly inattentive symptoms (i.e. daydreaming or being easily distracted), can easily get along with other children in non-academic settings.  If this sounds like your child, he or she can attend a mainstream camp and have no difficulty socializing with “normal” children.  On the other hand, children who are too hyperactive or have marked social difficulties will do better at specialized camps. These camps will not only do a great job of keeping your child entertained, but they will also teach the social skills required in forming and maintaining friendships.

If a summer camp is beyond your budget, consider summer lessons in art, music, or sports.  What’s important is that your child stays busy, happy, and creative throughout the summer.

Maintain bedtime and other household routines

Sometimes, having a fun-filled summer will keep your child from getting a good night’s sleep.  It doesn’t help that children with ADHD often have difficulties going to sleep or staying asleep.  As a result, they become tired and cranky the next day.  On week days, maintain the same bedtime you impose during the school year, even if your child doesn’t have to wake up early the next day.  This will prevent your child from engaging in activities (ie, playing video games) that make it harder for them to settle down and fall asleep.  Encourage some downtime an hour before bedtime.  Read your child a book, watch a relaxing movie, or tell stories to help your child transition into the sleep phase.

Just because it’s summer, it doesn’t mean your child is exempt from household chores. If anything, helping out with the chores is a great way to keep your child occupied.  Aside from making sure your child does his regular share of the household work, you can also ask your child to help out with extra tasks like spring cleaning or gardening. Make sure to provide small rewards to keep your child motivated.