| | | | |  | | Fun Tips |  | Summer fun for the whole family
Summer is the perfect time to catch up on all the fun, family bonding activities we all miss out on during the rigorous schedules of our school/work year. This year, take time to enjoy your loved ones (and the weather) using some of our helpful tips for a fun-filled summer everyone will remember!
1. Have a picnic in the park
As simple as it may sound, picnics are a great way to create family bonding time. Engage the kids in packing a picnic basket – bring sandwiches or whatever other type of finger food your family enjoys. You can make the picnic as elaborate (or simple) as you’d like, just remember to include the entire family in the process!
2. Plant a family tree
Get your family away from the TV and outside by having them plant a “family” tree. Involve the whole family in this great exercise by having them help you decide which tree to plant. Take the opportunity to teach your kids about the many benefits trees provide to the earth – it will not only instill in them a sense of purpose, it will also serve as an enjoyable, engaging lesson! The Arbor Day Foundation is a great resource with lots of information about trees and their benefits.
3. Build a model house
For a more long-term project that will keep your family actively involved, consider building a model house (or car) together. If you’re creative/crafty, you can build your own model from scratch, using many everyday household items. For those of us who aren’t, you might look into the Thames & Kosmos Power House Kit. This amazing kit allows you build a model house powered entirely by sustainable energy! You can install a wind mill and a solar generator to provide your electricity, a solar oven cooks your food, and you can even grow your own vegetables in the greenhouse garden attached to the house! The Power House Kit provides a great, interactive way to teach your family about sustainable living and how to be better eco-citizens.
4. Design a recycling station
If your family is like the average American family, you accumulate about seven and half pounds of garbage each day*. The best way to ensure that your family is recycling as much of that garbage as possible is to set up an intuitive recycling station. Start by calling your local Public Works Dept to find out what your town’s full recycling requirements are. Then, have your kids paint and mark different bins for the different types of recyclables. Having a clear recycling system will not only make it easy to take out the garbage each week, it will also ensure that your family is doing it’s part to be more earth-friendly.
5. Create your own ant farm
It’s a well known fact, kids love worms, bugs and ants. Help your kids build an antfarm using this truly unique AntWorks Antfarm. Start by catching about 15 ants and putting them in the AntWorks case. Then watch (in 3-D) as your ants build their elaborate network of tunnels through the blue gel. This kit includes a booklet filled with fun, ant-related facts which will teach your kids all about ants and how they live.
*National Recycling Coalition [http://www.nrc-recycle.org/top10reasonstorecycle.aspx]
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