I can still vividly recall a summer afternoon from my own childhood in the early ’90s. Dressed in my favorite rainbow tutu, I dashed around the inflatable pool in the backyard, leaping over the garden hose with glee. My little brother, blissfully unaware of the world, sat in the pool, splashing around and giggling as grass clung to his chin. Meanwhile, my parents lounged in their chairs, my mom slathered in sunscreen while painting her nails, and my dad engrossed in a book, occasionally peeking out from behind his pages.
On that particular day, my dad handed me a small container of salt, claiming that if I could sprinkle it on a bird’s tail, I could keep it as a pet. I remember the thrill of chasing after birds, imagining the joy of having a feathered friend. Though I never caught one, that day—and many others like it—taught me something valuable: life is a collection of simple moments. It doesn’t matter if those moments are spent in a cluttered yard or waiting in line at a theme park; what matters is the joy and wonder they bring.
I understand that for many families, summer camps or daycare are essential. However, given my schedule and the costs involved, my partner and I decided to let our kids experience “Camp Free-for-All” at home this summer, with a blend of my guidance and the help of an easygoing babysitter named Mia.
While structured activities can indeed create wonderful memories, my hope is that my children will also cherish the moments spent lazily lounging in bed, digging in the garden, or building forts with whatever they could find. They learned just as much from tossing eggs off the deck to see what would break their fall as they would have in a craft corner at camp. Whether it was making up a silly cookie recipe or pretending the kitchen chairs were a train to Paris, these experiences allowed them to explore their creativity freely.
In the end, my kids enjoyed a summer full of spontaneity, imagination, and unstructured fun—much like the one I had three decades ago. I hope they’ll look back fondly and remember that life is made up of moments that don’t need to be extraordinary to be special.
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Summary
This summer, I chose to let my kids experience the joys of unstructured play at home instead of enrolling them in camp. They engaged in creative activities, made memories, and learned that life is about savoring simple moments, just like I did as a child.