Summer vacation is two-month long, mostly hot and boring for many of us. There is little that we can do in the heat and we miss our school friends. But we need not spend it in a dull manner and can easily make it exciting and fun by being a little creative and proactive.

Some of these holidays were spent during Ramazan and Eid, where we followed a particular routine due to fasting and other religious activities. But now that Ramazan is over, you must be itching to spend your time doing some fun things. This really is the right time to do things you have not had the time to indulge in during the rest of the year when the school was open.

First of all, try doing some arts and crafts activities that will uncover and nurture the creative side of your personality. And you must be having some eidi (money) left over, why not use that to buy art supplies and discover the artist in you. And with the weather in most of the country being either very hot, or rainy, it is also a good activity that will keep you busy and happy indoors.

You don’t have to buy expensive paints, just some markers, a basic water colour or poster colour or, if you are seriously inclined towards art, acrylic/oil colours and get started on any piece of paper. Even old newspapers are good for younger children and newbies who want to polish their craft first.

You can either select any picture or an artwork that you like and try to recreate it, or try to make something new, using your own imagination. There are many video tutorials on the internet which you can watch. You can use the help of an adult to search for them, and learn the tips and tricks before sitting down to create something yourself. These videos are very helpful and inspirational.

Next, you should use this free time to de-clutter and organise your things and room. This will please your mum too as it will make her work easy. And while doing this, take out all the things you have outgrown or no longer need, and after going over them with your mum to see which things she would like to store for future use, give the things in good condition to cousins, friends or the kids of your domestic help or anyone else your parents decide on.

Books are particularly things that should be passed on to be read and enjoyed by others and not to be given to the raddipaperwala. If you don’t know anyone suitable, just give it to any second-hand bookshop so that another book lover may buy it from there and enjoy it.

If you are a little computer savvy, try exploring different software and applications that can add to your computer skills. It can be different Word tools, PowerPoint, a photo editing or animation programme, and even a bit of coding if you are so inclined.

If you are interested in food and cooking, then give your mum a hand in the kitchen and make something under her supervision. This way you will get to eat different things and your mother too will be happy with the help she gets.

One of my favourite things to do when I am free is to go with my parents for grocery shopping. I help them handle the trolley and also get to buy some of my favourite snacks and munching items.

Indulging in some kind of sporting activity is something that you all know and do, even when the school is open. Now you can try learning a new sport, who knows you might have a flair for it. And, of course, reading books is also something that everyone of us knows we have got to do it in vacation.

These are my ideas, if you have your own ideas, do try them and tell others too. Have a very enjoyable vacation!

Published in Dawn, Young World, June 29th, 2019