Summer PCS? Tips to Help Your Kids Make Friends

Summer is the high moving season for many families. With the kids out of school, it’s an easy way to make a transition to a new area. Unfortunately, it also can be lonely for school age kids without the built in socialization that school provides. To make the transition easier, we’ve rounded up some helpful suggestions from around the web to help your kids make some new friends after a summer move.

1. Head to the library.

The library is a wonderful place to start exploring your community. Not only do they have the best selection of books in town, but many libraries also offer summer reading programs and group activities for kids as well. Storytime is a great way to get the little ones socialized. Teens have options ranging from comic book clubs to YA novel book clubs. Don’t overlook the community board. Club and hobby meetings are popular postings and a great way to meet new people. 

2. Explore your neighborhood together.

Take an hour a day to walk around and explore. Find the neighborhood park or basketball courts. It won’t hurt you or the kids to learn the lay of your new land. Chances are you will bump into some neighborhood kids and maybe get some playtime in as well. 

3. Chat with the neighbors.

As a parent, chatting with neighbors is a way to find out if there are kids nearby. If they have kids near in age, you could perhaps have a playmate for your children. If your neighbors have older children, you might have a possible babysitter, and that babysitter knows where the other neighborhood kids are too! 

4. Join a community recreation center.

Rec centers can take many forms. Large or small they offer something for anyone in the community. Spending time at a community pool is a great way to relax for you, and an opportunity to make friends for your kids. Larger community centers often offer summer sports teams and day camps that focus on fun and take the focus off being in a new place.

5. Search out other clubs or organizations to join.

A quick internet search can help you find information about clubs, organizations, or volunteer opportunities in your area. Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, church groups, and other organizations are all great places to get your kid active and involved with other kids. Look around, ask around, and don’t be afraid to try new things!

Making friends in a new area can be a real challenge. Do you have any tips and tricks for helping your kids find friends? Let us know in the comments!