Find a place for kids to have fun this summer.

The opening ceremony of the summer activities for children in neighborhood 22 (Ward 17, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City) was a success, but there was a slight disappointment due to an interruption by the rain. Many children who had registered to perform did not get a chance to go on stage and had to leave disappointed.

Children from neighborhood 22 (Ward 17, Go Vap District) participate in summer activities.

1. Although it was called a stage, the space was actually made up of the front yard of an apartment building, with a simple banner and a few bunches of balloons. However, the appearance of the clown from the Southern Arts Theatre excited hundreds of children and their parents. The clown seemed a little nervous surrounded, and his magic tricks sometimes couldn't fool the children. Nevertheless, many children, with innocent eyes, attentively followed the performances of the clown transforming into flowers, doves, and more.

Many children had the opportunity to touch the golden python for the first time, placing it on their shoulders without fear, while others screamed and ran away just from seeing it. Besides watching magic shows, the children eagerly lined up to exchange their money for small gifts including milk, snacks, and balloons…

Following the merger of residential areas, this is the inaugural event of the Neighborhood Education Promotion Association in collaboration with the Youth Union. Funding for the program, in addition to support from the Ward People's Committee, also comes from donations from residents who wish to provide their children with meaningful summer activities. The program is expected to last for over two months during the summer with diverse activities: practicing 16 martial arts techniques of President Ho Chi Minh; exchanging trash and batteries for plants; games with prizes; awarding scholarships; competitions in traditional games; painting, chess, and checkers competitions; knowledge contests; and various sports …

Seeing the children eagerly participating in these activities shows that they always need plenty of space to have fun, learn, play, and compete. And, if these activities only take place for a few short hours each weekend, it certainly won't be enough.

2. Every summer, while parents are always stressed, even conflicted, about what their children can do or where to send them, most children are excited to relax after a hard school year. The most noticeable sight in residential areas during the summer is that every afternoon, children often gather in large numbers in open areas.

Any space, from apartment building lobbies and small park areas to even crowded sidewalks, can be a place for fun, filled with endless laughter and chatter. Older children can play alone, while younger ones are accompanied by grandparents, parents, or nannies. But the most lively places are the large parks in Ho Chi Minh City, such as Gia Dinh, Le Van Tam, Go Vap, and Hoang Van Thu... Every afternoon, just look at the parking lots and you'll see long, neatly arranged rows of vehicles.

Ms. Ngoc An (a resident of Mieu Noi apartment building, Binh Thanh district) maintains the habit of taking her children to Le Van Tam Park (District 1) every weekend for fun. “Besides the spacious and airy environment, the park also has a sandpit area where children can play freely. This is also a rare opportunity for the children to get dirty, even leaving with dirt and sand clinging to them. Watching my children play, I feel like I'm reliving my own childhood.”

Ms. Hong Phuc (residing on Street No. 8, Go Vap District) often chooses to take her children to Go Vap Park on weekends, especially since it has a wide, cool, and shady riverside area. She even bought her child a set of sand toys so the child can unleash their creativity. However, according to her, it's always necessary to change the space and type of play to keep the child from getting bored. Sometimes she takes her child to see a suitable cartoon, to a bookstore, or to amusement parks… When she has more time, the whole family goes on a short trip to the beach for a change of scenery.

In reality, children's need for fun during the summer is always very high. Many families feel pressured because they don't know what to let their children play and with whom. Popular amusement parks in Ho Chi Minh City such as the Saigon Zoo, Dam Sen Park, Suoi Tien Park, and other public parks are always crowded with long queues. Children tend to get bored quickly, so activities must be very diverse and constantly changing.

Most importantly, recreational activities must be safe, wholesome, and help children strengthen their connections with friends and family, develop their personalities, and acquire essential skills. Not every family has the means to take their children on trips or participate in expensive recreational activities. Therefore, creating fun summer spaces for children, including traditional games in nearby areas, is extremely necessary.

HAI DUY

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tim-cho-cho-tre-vui-he-post745940.html