Fostering a child for the first time can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re looking for ways to build a relationship with them and make them feel welcome in your home. Below, we’ll discuss seven fun ideas that can help you kick off the summer and bond as a family.
If you’re considering becoming a foster parent, contact an FCCY office near you and let us support you through every step of the journey!
Family Vacation
After the year we’ve endured, everyone deserves a vacation. If you haven’t already planned a family vacation, why not take this opportunity to plan a few days away from home? You don’t necessarily have to get extravagant with your destination, either — camping or simply spending a few nights in another city and enjoying the sights can be a blast!
Swimming
Who doesn’t love swimming during the summer? If your neighborhood has a local pool, make a point of going together as a family and having some fun in the sun! If not, there are plenty of pools near all of the locations we serve that offer affordable rates for children and families.
Movies
We don’t know about you, but big summer blockbusters are one of our favorite things about the season. Take your foster child out to the movies or choose a certain night of the week to hold a family movie night and let them choose the movie. If you can find one close by, take the whole family to a drive-in movie for a truly unique experience!
Puzzles
Puzzles might not sound like the most exciting summertime activity, but they’re a great way to spend downtime together when it’s too hot to do much of anything outdoors. Gauge your family’s tolerance for difficulty and see if you can find something challenging that puts everyone’s problem-solving abilities to the test!
Museums and Educational Trips
Museums and other educational activities are certainly not in short supply in Pennsylvania. Ask your foster child what they’re interested in and plan an outing for the whole family! If they aren’t sure, you can never go wrong with trips to history museums, zoos, and art galleries if your child is artistically inclined.
Cooking
Cooking together is one of the best ways to bring the family together to create something delicious. You can let your foster child pick the meal or you choose something that’s age-appropriate and sure to be a hit; either way, you’ll be teaching them a lifelong skill while making memories together as a family — what more could you ask for?
Ask for Ideas
All of the ideas listed above can get you started, but the best way to make sure that your foster child enjoys the summer is to ask them what they want to do! Letting your foster child call some of the shots provides them with a sense of agency and control over their life, which they may not have felt in quite some time after being in the foster care system.
Learn More About Becoming a Foster Parent in Pennsylvania
We hope that today’s post will help you find fun and engaging ways to build a relationship with your foster child. If you’re here because you’re considering becoming a foster parent, we’d love to hear from you and talk with you about your family and long-term goals. We provide dedicated support throughout every phase of the foster care process, and our team is here to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Give us a call or fill out our online form to get started — we can’t wait to hear from you!
