It shouldn’t come as a surprise (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) that July is Ice Cream Month. I think we all reach for this tasty treat more when it’s hot outside, and it’s definitely hot outside!
To celebrate Ice … Read More ...
Ideas and resources
It shouldn’t come as a surprise (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) that July is Ice Cream Month. I think we all reach for this tasty treat more when it’s hot outside, and it’s definitely hot outside!
To celebrate Ice … Read More ...

I wrote a few weeks ago about water play activities for kids, which is one great way to get them outside and playing even when it’s hot. But I thought it would be fun to share some other outdoor … Read More ...

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the time I did a fiber arts summer camp at my daughter’s school. It was so much fun exposing kids to knitting, crochet, cross stitch, weaving and other fun things to do with … Read More ...
Another American holiday that’s celebrated on July 1 is National Postage Stamp Day. It commemorates the issuance of the first U.S. postage stamp, the Two-Cent Blue, on July 1, 1847. The stamp was designed by James B. Longacre and featured … Read More ...
I read that July 1 is American Zoo Day, but any time is a good time to talk about, learn about and act like zoo animals. Even if a visit to an actual zoo isn’t in your plan for this … Read More ...
Summer is a great time to get your kids to help in the kitchen, where they can learn some life skills as well as math (measuring, dividing recipes) and science (what happens when you bake things?) and more, and hopefully … Read More ...
The Fourth of July is a day traditionally full of fireworks, cookouts and family fun, and it’s a great day to do activities and on-theme experiments with kids. Check out these easy ideas for fun Fourth of July activities for … Read More ...
I don’t know why the Fourth of July feels like a crafting holiday to me, but it does. I guess it’s because stars and stripes and red, white and blue are such simple things to work with and build off … Read More ...

I love a good Lego challenge, where you set kids out to try to build something with Legos. It’s fun to see what they come up with on their own, but of course there are a lot of great … Read More ...

Now that my daughter is a teenager, we don’t really do summer reading as a formal thing anymore. Her school used to take part in a program and she was usually one of the top readers in her grade, and … Read More ...
These paper fidgets and brain teaser games are great to have on hand for road trips or when kids say they are bored. Older kids can make the projects themselves and then play with them, or you can take care … Read More ...

I never thought I would say this, but I kind of miss the days when my daughter was younger. Yes, it was a lot to keep her entertained through all those long summer days, but it was also fun coming … Read More ...
Juneteenth, also known as Liberation Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday that’s been acknowledged more in the past few years. It happens on June 19th, and it marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, … Read More ...
We don’t really have any travel to speak of planned this summer, and my daughter is old enough that any lengthy time in the car is usually spent with an audiobook or watching videos. But I remember the struggle of … Read More ...
Printing out a coloring sheet or a survey for kids to fill out about dad is a quick and easy way to have a semi-homemade gift for Father’s Day. None of these take a long time to do but they … Read More ...