Some of the days on last month’s calendar felt more like June days, but the first real month of summer is upon us. Have you made a list of summer fun activities to take part in? I hope your list includes lots of water activities to cool you down on a hot summer day, along with homemade lemonade shared on the front porch.
Make sure firefly searches top the list, as well as stargazing. Fit in some berry picking adventures, early morning hikes and baseball games, too. Make it a fun and adventurous June with the family and be sure to include the silly celebrations below.
➤ Take A Road Trip Day — Even if your family can’t find the time nor spare the resources for an extended vacation, take advantage of opportunities nearby to fit in for a daytrip with the family. Travel to Millen to spend the day at Magnolia Springs Park, journey to Savannah to take a trolley tour or walk along River Street, venture slightly farther and enjoy a day at Tybee Island or Hunting Island State Park. Spend the day at the outlets in Pooler, visit the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force or visit one of the museums in Augusta.
Within an hour’s drive, or slightly longer, your family can find adventure and fun and make memories to last a lifetime. Enjoy several road trips this summer and be sure to snap lots of pictures throughout the journey.
➤ Farm Workers Day — Show your appreciation for farm workers everywhere by enjoying lots of fresh vegetables during the summer months. Visit farmers markets and buy from farmers in the area who sell their products. Prepare fresh veggies often during the month, cooking new recipes together as a family.
Teach the kiddos the value of helping out a neighbor by purchasing an extra batch of vegetables each time you purchase your own. Then find a different person to share with each time you get a new batch.
➤ World Motorcycle Day — Visit the library to pick up a copy of “The Mouse and The Motorcycle,” by Beverly Cleary, to celebrate this festivity. Read a chapter aloud together each night until you finish the book. Look for motorcycles when you’re out and about as you’re reading the book this month. Each time you spot a motorcycle, make up some new imaginary adventures for Ralph the mouse.
➤ National Canoe Day — Let the kids carve a canoe from a bar of soap to play with in the tub or sink. Give each child a bar of Ivory soap. Scoop out the center of the bar of soap, using a stainless steel melon baller or a grapefruit spoon. Have canoe races in the tub and look for an opportunity to go for a real canoe ride sometime this month, too!
➤ Log Cabin Day — Create log cabins with the kids with pretzel sticks, peanut butter, and an empty single-serving sized milk carton. First, rinse out the empty, single-serving sized milk cartons and allow to air dry. Once the carton is completely dry, close and seal the opening shut with tape. Let each child spread peanut butter onto the outside of the carton, working on one side at a time. Press pretzel sticks horizontally into the peanut butter, starting at the bottom and working your way to the top. Complete each side and add peanut butter and pretzels to the top of the carton for the roof.
Let dry overnight, then use a dab of peanut butter to stick a small graham cracker rectangle onto the cabin for a door. Read “Little House in the Big Woods” by Laura Ingalls Wilder this month to complete the festivities.
Statesboro native Julie Lavender is the author of “365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories” and “Children’s Bible Stories for Bedtime.”