Summer break: How can students stay meaningfully engaged?

Muscat Daily

29-06-2025

With schools now closed for summer, how can students be engaged meaningfully during the holidays? Is there need for more summer activities for children and teenagers? Here is what Muscat Daily readers said –
Aarti Menon, Teacher
Summer is the perfect time for students to explore hobbies outside the syllabus – music, painting, creative writing or coding. I do think Oman needs more affordable, structured summer camps for different age groups. Many children end up glued to screens because parents can't always engage them. Activities should focus on both fun and life skills..
Faisal al Amr, Private sector employee
Children today spend too much time indoors, especially during the hot months. We need more cultural and indoor sports programmes that connect them with Omani heritage. My sons love astronomy. I wish we had more workshops on astronomy conducted by Oman Astronomical Society. Meaningful engagement will keep them learning, active and off their phones.
Neha Prakash, Marketing executive
As a working parent, I find the long summer break very difficult to manage. Private workshops are expensive and often not age-appropriate. I'd love to see more community-led free or low-cost sessions in art, environment and even robotics. Teens, in particular, need group activities to keep them social and mentally healthy.
Sunayna Bobby, Teacher
Summer vacations could be utilised to make children understand the importance of community service. They need to understand that as responsible individuals they should become meaningful contributors – whether small or big – to society. It could be working at an NGO, volunteering for clean ups, spending time with elderly at old age homes, part of soup kitchens, organising donations for a purpose etc.
Sulaima Khalid al Kindi, IT professional
Libraries, museums and parks should host interactive holiday sessions. If students are exposed to real-world challenges – sustainability, digital skills, social work etc – even once a week, it leaves a huge impact. I also wish some more physical activity classes in late evening like swimming or indoor football and basketball.
Supriya Jain, Artist
With schools closed for summer, students can be meaningfully engaged through art, sports, reading and skill-based workshops. These activities nurture creativity, discipline and learning beyond academics. There is indeed a growing need for more structured summer programmes that offer fun, safe and enriching experiences for children and teenagers during the holidays.
Joyita Dasgupta, Teacher
Speaking from my experience as a middle and secondary school teacher, engaging students meaningfully during summer holidays is important to prevent learning loss, maintain curiosity and support overall development. Children must be presented the opportunity for enrichment with life skills and global awareness. Volunteering will allow them to connect with local community service projects, while entrepreneurial tasks can help them plan small business ideas, like a handmade craft stall or tutoring young peers. Additionally, students can start a summer journal or blog about their experiences or interests.
Fatima Khan, Homemaker
My children often get bored during summer unless they travel. I wish there were short filmmaking, writing or design camps in malls or schools for reasonable charges. We love learning in creative ways, but it's hard to find such opportunities. And when available, these are often expensive. Summer shouldn't feel like a pause from learning.
Ahmed al Balushi, Student
Younger students don't always have access to activities outside Muscat. It would be great to have mobile workshops or online clubs run by trained volunteers. We must include teenagers in planning so it's relevant to their interests. Photography, writing or volunteering could shape their thinking and open career paths.
Srirupa Mukherjee Thakur, Teacher
Instead of going for curated summer camps and activities, I would rather prefer children to read, travel, pick up a hobby or simply discover nature during the summer break. They are already part of a regimented system in schools round the year. Better let them explore and discover themselves!