8 KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES 2014

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 13, 2014

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summer activities KIDS

2014
KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES 2014 7 2 KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES 2014
K
ids are naturally curious and full of questions about the world
around them. You can help keep that curiosity alive by fnding
ways to make learning about science fun and engaging. And
summer is a great time to do it. Here are a few ideas that you can
use to help your kids love learning about science.
Fun Experiments
Hands-on experiences help kids of all ages grasp concepts and retain
information. There are online resources available to give you the tools you
need to make hands-on learning a reality. For example, MyBotanicPlanet.
com is a free website with lesson plans and interactive games for students
in grades K5 to explore basic botany and water conservation. Based on
the classroom experience ofered through the Memphis Botanic Garden,
and created by TruGreen, the lesson plans by professional curriculum
developers meet National Education Standards. Students can personalize
their own avatar and explore the sites inter active games and activities. The
activity and quiz here are part of the new Water Ways curriculum, which
inspires kids to be water guardians. The Water Ways environment features
an interactive water fltration game with various difculty levels and an
educational character named Watershed Fred, who helps students learn
more about where water comes from and what happens to it when its out
of sight.
Fun Field Trips
Get some fresh air and a fresh look at nature by going outside. And dont
restrict your feld trips to sunny days only. You and your kids will be amazed
at how diferent things appear when its raining. Where should you go to
start digging into natural science?
Your backyard
Collect leaf samples to identify, then use them to make a collage.
Use a magnifying glass to do some ground-level research. Examine
insects, plant stems, tree bark, spider webs and interesting rocks. Have
your child give an explorers report on what he or she fnds.
Your neighborhood
Make a game out of identifying the diferent trees and bushes in the
park. Take pictures and leaf samples to help you fgure them out.
Go on a scavenger hunt to a stream or pond. Make a list of items to
fnd: animal tracks, insects, birds fshing or taking a drink, frogs and
toads, even snakes.
Your community
Visit the zoo. Before you go, have your child check out some library
books about some of their favorite animals. They can learn some facts
about those animals, then be in charge of teaching you about them
when you see them at the zoo.
Natural history and science museums can be a fun way to learn about
the world around you. Take advantage of tours, special exhibits and
activities geared for children.
from page 2...
1. C. They are the same amount
2. D. All of these answers are correct
3. B. 3 percent
4. B. False. Only when roots need
water.
5. A. Half
6. C. Heat
7. B. False
8. C. Both answers are correct
9. A. Condensation
10. B. Yes
SCORING
910 points: Congratulations
youre a watershed wizard.
68 points: Good job
youre a watershed watchdog.
35 points: Room for improve ment,
but youre not a water shed wrongdoer.
12 points: You might need a
watershed wake-up call.
Water Quiz
See how much you know about water.
1. Which is more a cup of liquid water or a cup of
frozen water?
A. Cup of liquid water
B. Cup of frozen water
C. They are the same amount
2. What happens to rain that falls on a parking lot,
other hard surface, or even hard compacted soil?
A. It runs of without being absorbed
B. May pick up pollution
C. May cause erosion
D. All of these answers are correct
3. How much of Earths available
water is drinkable freshwater?
A. 50 percent
B. 3 percent
C. 100 percent
4. Lawns should be watered
when the surface feels dry.
A. True
B. False
5. How much of the water we use
is used outside?
A. Half
B. 75 percent
C. 25 percent
6. What does water need in order to
change into steam, vapor or humidity?
A. Cold
B. Wind
C. Heat
7. It is possible to pollute a small stream inside
a water shed without polluting the rest of the
watershed.
A. True
B. False
8. How does nature make water clean?
A. By fltration
B. By the water cycle
C. Both answers are correct
9. In the water cycle, what comes
after evaporation?
A. Condensation
B. Collection
C. Precipitation
10. Can one person, one family, one school or one
community make a real diference in
the quality of water in one watershed?
A. No
B. Yes
Answers on Page 7...
Window on the Watershed
What you need
Sheet of waxed paper, sheet of white paper
Spray bottle flled with blue-tinted water
Shallow pan or tray
Colored markers or felt-tip pens
Continued on Page 7...
Roughly crumple the waxed paper. Unfold,
and with some pushing and pulling, create
a landscape with mountains and valleys.
Set the waxed paper in the tray. Spray the
tinted water over the landscape to simulate
rain. Ask questions like:
Where do raindrops land frst?
Why do they go where they go?
Do you see waterways merge
as the rain increases?
With rapid spraying, kids can create a food.
Show them how rivers carry the blue water
of the land and into the tray beneath
the ocean.
Repeat the activity with a sheet of white
paper. Have them draw diferent colored
spots of pollution on the hillsides with
the colored markers. The rain will blend
the colors together, showing how pollution
afects the entire watershed.
Courtesy of www.MyBotanicPlanet.com.
[FAMILY FEATURES]
W
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W
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S
science
fun!
6 KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES 2014 KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES 2014 3
serious family fun!
Become day trippers.
Feel like getting out of town, but dont want to go far?
Try a family day trip.
State parks You can go on a hike or bike ride, have
a picnic and enjoy the great outdoors on your own, or
participate in events such as fshing tournaments, wild-
life education, moonlight walks or star gazing talks.
Nearby cities Play tourist in a city thats close
by, but you havent been to before. Check out the
local shops, museums, parks and restaurants you
may be surprised at how much there is to do. Get
suggestions from your friends, someone you know
may have recently been there and could have some
great ideas. Or you can fnd people who are experts
on that area and can help you fnd the perfect place
to visit.
Have some homegrown fun.
You dont have to go to one of the big theme parks in
another state to have a great time.
Carnivals and street fairs. Get in on some old-
fashioned fun and make the most of these hometown
celebrations. The kids will get a kick out of it and
you may feel like a kid again yourself.
Local museums. Art, history, science, kid-themed
and quirky there are all kinds of museums just
waiting to be explored. Keep an eye out for special
exhibits and family events. Many museums have free
days and no- or low-cost activities and classes you can
all do together.
Free movie screenings and concerts. Some parks
and rec departments and shopping centers have
family movie and music events. Take a picnic dinner,
go early and enjoy some free family fun.
Backyard camping. Pitch a tent or two and spend
the night under the stars. Grill dinner, or make smores
over the fre pit, and rough it together without ever
leaving home.
Geocaching. If youve always wanted to go on a
treasure hunt, geocaching just might be for you. You
use a GPS-enabled device and clues to navigate to a
specifc set of coordinates in order to locate hidden
containers. Search online for geocaching near you.
Help your community.
Serving together is a fun way to grow closer to each
other and make a diference where you live.
I
n todays hurry-up world, many families are
looking for ways to slow down a little and spend
some quality time together, just having fun. The
good news is that it doesnt have to cost a lot of
money, and you dont have to go very far to have
a great time. Here are some ways your family can make
the most of family time and have some serious fun.
Charity events. Sign up to help with or participate in a charity
race. From planning and organizing, to checking people in,
setting up water stations and actually racing, there are plenty
of ways you can help make a fundraising event a success.
Urban and community gardens. Sowing, water ing, weeding
and harvesting theres always some thing that needs to be
done in a community garden. Even the littlest ones can have
some fun doing good.
Work days. Shelters, schools and churches often need a
helping hand to keep their buildings clean and in good repair.
Your family can pitch in to take care of the facilities that help
so many people.
Make a diference in your neighborhood. DoSomething.org
inspires people to do good by hosting various events. Check
them out online to see if there is something going on in your
neighborhood learn how you can partici pate online. Perfect
for the teen in your life, these events dont require money, an
adult, or a car to participate.
Be hometown foodies.
Discover your inner locovore by exploring all the diferent ways
to enjoy locally produced food.
Farmers markets. From apples to zucchini, you can fnd just
about any kind of fresh produce, as well as bread, honey, herbs
and more. Take your time, try some samples and talk to the
vendors about their goods. Bring home some fresh ingredients
and experi ment with new recipes.
CSA. Community Supported Agriculture groups bring the
local harvests to you. For a set fee, some times paid in full up
front, sometimes paid weekly with pickup, you get a generous
selection of whatever is in season. The options change each
week, which means you get a tasty surprise.
Restaurants. Try that new restaurant down the street, or the
one youve driven by a few times but have never been to. It can
be a culinary adventure and a great way to support the local
economy. If youre not sure where to go, or if you want to know
if a restau rant is good, look it up on Bing.com and check out
the new feature which allows you to do this all in one place.
It shows you reviews from across the web, location maps
and directions, as well as interior shots you can make a
reservation, fnd where youre going and see what its like, all
without leaving your search page.
[FAMILY FEATURES]
Make Paper Planes. Look up great
new layouts online and teach your child
the classic way to fold paper planes.
Supplies: paper, ruler, at surface
Camp at Home. Pitch a tent your living
room or yard and let the kids enjoy the
fun of camping. Supplies: tent, sleeping
bags, blankets/pillows, ashlight
Ghost Stories in the Dark. Gather
around a campfre or fashlight and tell
spooky stories. Supplies: ashlight or
campre, imagination
Build a Fort. Every child loves to pretend
to be in the wild west or camping out.
Capture that creativity and build a fort as
a hide out or campsite inside. Supplies:
sheets, pillows, blankets, tables
Picnic. Load up a backpack with all
the fxings. Head out to the park or
your own back yard for a fun meal.
Supplies: food, blanket, bug spray and
sunscreen
Make Smores. Everyone loves
to enjoy this treat, what makes
it even better is its easy to make!
Supplies: graham crackers, chocolate
bars, marshmallows
Treasure Hunts. What an easy way
to occupy your kid long enough to get
some chores done around the house.
Supplies: hidden treasure, paper
treasure map
Catch Bugs. Show your kids what bugs
are okay to catch and which ones are
better left outside! Supplies: cleaned
out jelly or jam jar with a tight sealing
lid that has holes poked in it
Obstacle Day. Create a giant obstacle
course for your kids in the yard. Supplies:
rope (can be used for a three legged
race), pillowcase (hopping race)
Tye Dye. If your child is tired of their
boring white socks, why not have a tye
dye day? Supplies: white socks, bucket,
water, various dyes, rubber bands
Make Popsicles. A fun way to make
a yummy snack. Supplies: popsicle
molds, popsicle sticks, juice, freezer
Lemonade Stand. This is a great way
to help your kids understand money. Set
up the stand and ask a reasonable price
(25-50 per glass). Have your kids
come to the store with you to pick up
the lemonade mix or lemons. Supplies:
table, sign, cups, pitcher, lemonade
Photography. Give your kid your old
digital camera or a disposable camera.
Supplies: camera
Learn new Jokes. Everyone likes to
laugh, so take some time to learn new
jokes with your kids? Supplies: sense of
humor
Make Goop. What an amusing, fun
craft for kids. Supplies: cornstarch,
water, food coloring, plastic bag
Explore the Neighborhood. Have an
adventure and discover some hidden
treasures in your local neighborhood.
Remember to record everything you
see so you can further inspect these
hidden gems at a later date. Supplies:
notebook, pen, binoculars, magnifying
glass
Tea Party. Have a fun tea party with
fake or real tea in fancy cups. Supplies:
cups, imagination
Wash the Car. This sounds like a chore
for an adult, but youd be surprised how
much fun a child can have washing the
car. Supplies: hose, soap, towels
Noodle Crafts. Use noodles to make
hundreds of crafts. Build a city by gluing
together diferent shapes of pasta or if
you want to make a necklace, noodles
are for you. Supplies: noodles, craft
supplies
Watch the Clouds. This is fun for
everyone of all ages. Lay on your back
and watch the pufy clouds go by.
Supplies: sunny but cloudy day
Sock Puppets. Gather up some old,
washed socks, glue and various items
you can use to make eyes, ears, noses
and mouths. Supplies: old socks, glue
Organize a Marching Band. No need
for expensive musical instruments.
Gather the neighborhood kids and arm
them with pots, pans and kazoos. Dont
do this activity too late at night or too
early in the morning! Supplies: make
shift instruments
Spelling Bee. If you have kids who are
up to the challenge of memorizing the
dictionary, this could be fun! Supplies:
dictionaries, judges
Magic Tricks. Just about every child
has a magic phase. Let them learn how
to be a magician. Supplies: cards, coins,
pencils, string
Garden. Allow your kids to have a
designated part of your garden to plant
and maintain their seeds throughout
the summer. Supplies: dirt, seeds,
shovel, water
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mom im bored!
KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES 2014 5 4 KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES 2014
lets go fly a kite!
By LInDa WasMER anDREWs | aMERICan PRoFILE
T
hom Shanken of Seneca Falls, doesnt know exactly how many kites he owns, but
he enjoys every one for the pleasure they bring on a breezy day. There are so many
ways to enjoy kites: designing them, making them, fying them, says Shanken, a
county coroner by day and a kite enthusiast in his leisure time. One of the best things
about Shankens hobby is how it helps him connect with other kite lovers, from his daugh-
ter Ashton, 10, who already can handle a multi-line kite, to his young-at-heart friends at
the New York Kite Enthusiasts club. Kites ofer something for everyone. What can kites
ofer you?
Its educational. For Shanken, researching antique kites has led to exploring a second
passion: history. Kites also can serve as a springboard for learning about science, art and
other cultures.
Its healthy. Kite-fying gets you outdoors, making the activity a benefcial pastime and
stress-buster. Its a very relaxing thing to just zone out and watch your kite, says Todd
Little, a psychiatric nurse and champion kite maker in Camp Hill, PA.
Its environmentally benign. Because kites are wind-powered, no batteries or
electrical cords are required.
Its inexpensive. Avoid fimsy plastic kites, advises Barbara Meyer of Maple Grove,
Minn., former president of the American Kitefiers Association. You can buy a durable cloth
kite for under $20, she says.
Its artistic. For me, building kites is a creative outlet, Little says.
Want to build your own kite? Visit nationalkitemonth.org/plans for free instructions.
1
RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT A leader is
chosen. The leader sits on the steps.
Players line up, facing the leader at the
end of the walk. The leader calls green
light and everyone runs forward. When
the leader calls red light, everyone
stops. Anyone moving is out. The last
one standing is the winner.
2
MAMA, MAY I? Players are
assembled with a leader at one
end and players at the other end of a
walk. The leader is Mama. Remaining
players are kids. Mama calls a move,
like hopping forward three hops, to
one player. If that player hops forward
without saying, Mama, may I? she
is out. This continues with various
moves. The player who makes it to
Mama wins.
3
MARBLES A circle is drawn on
the ground. Two or more players
surround the circle and place their
marbles inside. The frst player uses a
large shooter marble to try and knock
marbles out of the circle. Marbles
knocked out become that players
marbles. Players take turns until the
circle is empty. The player with the
most marbles at the end wins.
4
DODGEBALL Two large groups are
made and stand on either side of a
line real or imaginary. Each player
has a playground ball. Everyone tosses
balls at the other team. If a player is hit,
he or she is eliminated. This is repeated
until there is one player left the
winner.
5
HIDE AND SEEK A group of three
or more chooses someone to be
it. The rest of the players hide while
the seeker counts to 10 with eyes shut.
The object is to be found last. The frst
one found is it for the next round.
6
TAG Most fun with three or more
players, the object is to avoid being
it. The one who is it chases the
others around until she tags someone
and shouts, Youre it. Repeat as many
times as desired. There are many other
iterations of tag. Visit TeachKidsHow.
com for more ideas.
old-school fun!
Detach kids from technology and let them
experience the joy of classic playground games
By RanDaLL stokEs | aMERICan PRoFILE
7
FOURSQUARE A large square is
drawn and divided into four smaller
squares on the ground. One player
stands in each numbered square. No.
1 goes frst. The player bounces a ball
from the outside corner of her square
into another players square. That
player must bounce the ball in his
square once and return it to any other
players square by hitting the ball back.
Once the ball enters a new players
square, it must be returned. Continue
until a mistake eliminates someone.
The winner is the last one standing.
8
KING OF THE HILL The object
of this game is for the players
(minimum of three) to stay on top of
the hill, pile or any designated spot. The
other players try to knock the king of
the pile and take his place. Rules should
be stated up front. Pushing may be OK;
however, kicking and punching should
be banned.
9
HOPSCOTCH A series of numbered
squares large enough for a foot
to step in is drawn on the ground. A
stone is thrown into the frst square.
That player must hop to the end
without stepping in the square with
the rock. On the way back, the player
must pick the rock up and give it to
the next player. Repeat until course
is completed. A mistake results in the
loss of a turn.
10
HORSE The frst of two players
calls out the shot he will make and
proceeds to try to get the basketball in
the hoop. If the shot is made, the next
player has to copy that shot. A miss
gives the player an h. If the shot is
made, the second player calls out a
shot and shoots for it. Repeat until
someone has enough letters to spell
horse he or she loses.
11
HOT POTATO A ball is passed in a
circle while singing a song. At the
end of the song, whoever is holding
the ball is out. Repeat until only one
player is left.
KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES 2014 5 4 KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES 2014
lets go fly a kite!
By LInDa WasMER anDREWs | aMERICan PRoFILE
T
hom Shanken of Seneca Falls, doesnt know exactly how many kites he owns, but
he enjoys every one for the pleasure they bring on a breezy day. There are so many
ways to enjoy kites: designing them, making them, fying them, says Shanken, a
county coroner by day and a kite enthusiast in his leisure time. One of the best things
about Shankens hobby is how it helps him connect with other kite lovers, from his daugh-
ter Ashton, 10, who already can handle a multi-line kite, to his young-at-heart friends at
the New York Kite Enthusiasts club. Kites ofer something for everyone. What can kites
ofer you?
Its educational. For Shanken, researching antique kites has led to exploring a second
passion: history. Kites also can serve as a springboard for learning about science, art and
other cultures.
Its healthy. Kite-fying gets you outdoors, making the activity a benefcial pastime and
stress-buster. Its a very relaxing thing to just zone out and watch your kite, says Todd
Little, a psychiatric nurse and champion kite maker in Camp Hill, PA.
Its environmentally benign. Because kites are wind-powered, no batteries or
electrical cords are required.
Its inexpensive. Avoid fimsy plastic kites, advises Barbara Meyer of Maple Grove,
Minn., former president of the American Kitefiers Association. You can buy a durable cloth
kite for under $20, she says.
Its artistic. For me, building kites is a creative outlet, Little says.
Want to build your own kite? Visit nationalkitemonth.org/plans for free instructions.
1
RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT A leader is
chosen. The leader sits on the steps.
Players line up, facing the leader at the
end of the walk. The leader calls green
light and everyone runs forward. When
the leader calls red light, everyone
stops. Anyone moving is out. The last
one standing is the winner.
2
MAMA, MAY I? Players are
assembled with a leader at one
end and players at the other end of a
walk. The leader is Mama. Remaining
players are kids. Mama calls a move,
like hopping forward three hops, to
one player. If that player hops forward
without saying, Mama, may I? she
is out. This continues with various
moves. The player who makes it to
Mama wins.
3
MARBLES A circle is drawn on
the ground. Two or more players
surround the circle and place their
marbles inside. The frst player uses a
large shooter marble to try and knock
marbles out of the circle. Marbles
knocked out become that players
marbles. Players take turns until the
circle is empty. The player with the
most marbles at the end wins.
4
DODGEBALL Two large groups are
made and stand on either side of a
line real or imaginary. Each player
has a playground ball. Everyone tosses
balls at the other team. If a player is hit,
he or she is eliminated. This is repeated
until there is one player left the
winner.
5
HIDE AND SEEK A group of three
or more chooses someone to be
it. The rest of the players hide while
the seeker counts to 10 with eyes shut.
The object is to be found last. The frst
one found is it for the next round.
6
TAG Most fun with three or more
players, the object is to avoid being
it. The one who is it chases the
others around until she tags someone
and shouts, Youre it. Repeat as many
times as desired. There are many other
iterations of tag. Visit TeachKidsHow.
com for more ideas.
old-school fun!
Detach kids from technology and let them
experience the joy of classic playground games
By RanDaLL stokEs | aMERICan PRoFILE
7
FOURSQUARE A large square is
drawn and divided into four smaller
squares on the ground. One player
stands in each numbered square. No.
1 goes frst. The player bounces a ball
from the outside corner of her square
into another players square. That
player must bounce the ball in his
square once and return it to any other
players square by hitting the ball back.
Once the ball enters a new players
square, it must be returned. Continue
until a mistake eliminates someone.
The winner is the last one standing.
8
KING OF THE HILL The object
of this game is for the players
(minimum of three) to stay on top of
the hill, pile or any designated spot. The
other players try to knock the king of
the pile and take his place. Rules should
be stated up front. Pushing may be OK;
however, kicking and punching should
be banned.
9
HOPSCOTCH A series of numbered
squares large enough for a foot
to step in is drawn on the ground. A
stone is thrown into the frst square.
That player must hop to the end
without stepping in the square with
the rock. On the way back, the player
must pick the rock up and give it to
the next player. Repeat until course
is completed. A mistake results in the
loss of a turn.
10
HORSE The frst of two players
calls out the shot he will make and
proceeds to try to get the basketball in
the hoop. If the shot is made, the next
player has to copy that shot. A miss
gives the player an h. If the shot is
made, the second player calls out a
shot and shoots for it. Repeat until
someone has enough letters to spell
horse he or she loses.
11
HOT POTATO A ball is passed in a
circle while singing a song. At the
end of the song, whoever is holding
the ball is out. Repeat until only one
player is left.
6 KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES 2014 KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES 2014 3
serious family fun!
Become day trippers.
Feel like getting out of town, but dont want to go far?
Try a family day trip.
State parks You can go on a hike or bike ride, have
a picnic and enjoy the great outdoors on your own, or
participate in events such as fshing tournaments, wild-
life education, moonlight walks or star gazing talks.
Nearby cities Play tourist in a city thats close
by, but you havent been to before. Check out the
local shops, museums, parks and restaurants you
may be surprised at how much there is to do. Get
suggestions from your friends, someone you know
may have recently been there and could have some
great ideas. Or you can fnd people who are experts
on that area and can help you fnd the perfect place
to visit.
Have some homegrown fun.
You dont have to go to one of the big theme parks in
another state to have a great time.
Carnivals and street fairs. Get in on some old-
fashioned fun and make the most of these hometown
celebrations. The kids will get a kick out of it and
you may feel like a kid again yourself.
Local museums. Art, history, science, kid-themed
and quirky there are all kinds of museums just
waiting to be explored. Keep an eye out for special
exhibits and family events. Many museums have free
days and no- or low-cost activities and classes you can
all do together.
Free movie screenings and concerts. Some parks
and rec departments and shopping centers have
family movie and music events. Take a picnic dinner,
go early and enjoy some free family fun.
Backyard camping. Pitch a tent or two and spend
the night under the stars. Grill dinner, or make smores
over the fre pit, and rough it together without ever
leaving home.
Geocaching. If youve always wanted to go on a
treasure hunt, geocaching just might be for you. You
use a GPS-enabled device and clues to navigate to a
specifc set of coordinates in order to locate hidden
containers. Search online for geocaching near you.
Help your community.
Serving together is a fun way to grow closer to each
other and make a diference where you live.
I
n todays hurry-up world, many families are
looking for ways to slow down a little and spend
some quality time together, just having fun. The
good news is that it doesnt have to cost a lot of
money, and you dont have to go very far to have
a great time. Here are some ways your family can make
the most of family time and have some serious fun.
Charity events. Sign up to help with or participate in a charity
race. From planning and organizing, to checking people in,
setting up water stations and actually racing, there are plenty
of ways you can help make a fundraising event a success.
Urban and community gardens. Sowing, water ing, weeding
and harvesting theres always some thing that needs to be
done in a community garden. Even the littlest ones can have
some fun doing good.
Work days. Shelters, schools and churches often need a
helping hand to keep their buildings clean and in good repair.
Your family can pitch in to take care of the facilities that help
so many people.
Make a diference in your neighborhood. DoSomething.org
inspires people to do good by hosting various events. Check
them out online to see if there is something going on in your
neighborhood learn how you can partici pate online. Perfect
for the teen in your life, these events dont require money, an
adult, or a car to participate.
Be hometown foodies.
Discover your inner locovore by exploring all the diferent ways
to enjoy locally produced food.
Farmers markets. From apples to zucchini, you can fnd just
about any kind of fresh produce, as well as bread, honey, herbs
and more. Take your time, try some samples and talk to the
vendors about their goods. Bring home some fresh ingredients
and experi ment with new recipes.
CSA. Community Supported Agriculture groups bring the
local harvests to you. For a set fee, some times paid in full up
front, sometimes paid weekly with pickup, you get a generous
selection of whatever is in season. The options change each
week, which means you get a tasty surprise.
Restaurants. Try that new restaurant down the street, or the
one youve driven by a few times but have never been to. It can
be a culinary adventure and a great way to support the local
economy. If youre not sure where to go, or if you want to know
if a restau rant is good, look it up on Bing.com and check out
the new feature which allows you to do this all in one place.
It shows you reviews from across the web, location maps
and directions, as well as interior shots you can make a
reservation, fnd where youre going and see what its like, all
without leaving your search page.
[FAMILY FEATURES]
Make Paper Planes. Look up great
new layouts online and teach your child
the classic way to fold paper planes.
Supplies: paper, ruler, at surface
Camp at Home. Pitch a tent your living
room or yard and let the kids enjoy the
fun of camping. Supplies: tent, sleeping
bags, blankets/pillows, ashlight
Ghost Stories in the Dark. Gather
around a campfre or fashlight and tell
spooky stories. Supplies: ashlight or
campre, imagination
Build a Fort. Every child loves to pretend
to be in the wild west or camping out.
Capture that creativity and build a fort as
a hide out or campsite inside. Supplies:
sheets, pillows, blankets, tables
Picnic. Load up a backpack with all
the fxings. Head out to the park or
your own back yard for a fun meal.
Supplies: food, blanket, bug spray and
sunscreen
Make Smores. Everyone loves
to enjoy this treat, what makes
it even better is its easy to make!
Supplies: graham crackers, chocolate
bars, marshmallows
Treasure Hunts. What an easy way
to occupy your kid long enough to get
some chores done around the house.
Supplies: hidden treasure, paper
treasure map
Catch Bugs. Show your kids what bugs
are okay to catch and which ones are
better left outside! Supplies: cleaned
out jelly or jam jar with a tight sealing
lid that has holes poked in it
Obstacle Day. Create a giant obstacle
course for your kids in the yard. Supplies:
rope (can be used for a three legged
race), pillowcase (hopping race)
Tye Dye. If your child is tired of their
boring white socks, why not have a tye
dye day? Supplies: white socks, bucket,
water, various dyes, rubber bands
Make Popsicles. A fun way to make
a yummy snack. Supplies: popsicle
molds, popsicle sticks, juice, freezer
Lemonade Stand. This is a great way
to help your kids understand money. Set
up the stand and ask a reasonable price
(25-50 per glass). Have your kids
come to the store with you to pick up
the lemonade mix or lemons. Supplies:
table, sign, cups, pitcher, lemonade
Photography. Give your kid your old
digital camera or a disposable camera.
Supplies: camera
Learn new Jokes. Everyone likes to
laugh, so take some time to learn new
jokes with your kids? Supplies: sense of
humor
Make Goop. What an amusing, fun
craft for kids. Supplies: cornstarch,
water, food coloring, plastic bag
Explore the Neighborhood. Have an
adventure and discover some hidden
treasures in your local neighborhood.
Remember to record everything you
see so you can further inspect these
hidden gems at a later date. Supplies:
notebook, pen, binoculars, magnifying
glass
Tea Party. Have a fun tea party with
fake or real tea in fancy cups. Supplies:
cups, imagination
Wash the Car. This sounds like a chore
for an adult, but youd be surprised how
much fun a child can have washing the
car. Supplies: hose, soap, towels
Noodle Crafts. Use noodles to make
hundreds of crafts. Build a city by gluing
together diferent shapes of pasta or if
you want to make a necklace, noodles
are for you. Supplies: noodles, craft
supplies
Watch the Clouds. This is fun for
everyone of all ages. Lay on your back
and watch the pufy clouds go by.
Supplies: sunny but cloudy day
Sock Puppets. Gather up some old,
washed socks, glue and various items
you can use to make eyes, ears, noses
and mouths. Supplies: old socks, glue
Organize a Marching Band. No need
for expensive musical instruments.
Gather the neighborhood kids and arm
them with pots, pans and kazoos. Dont
do this activity too late at night or too
early in the morning! Supplies: make
shift instruments
Spelling Bee. If you have kids who are
up to the challenge of memorizing the
dictionary, this could be fun! Supplies:
dictionaries, judges
Magic Tricks. Just about every child
has a magic phase. Let them learn how
to be a magician. Supplies: cards, coins,
pencils, string
Garden. Allow your kids to have a
designated part of your garden to plant
and maintain their seeds throughout
the summer. Supplies: dirt, seeds,
shovel, water
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KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES 2014 7 2 KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES 2014
K
ids are naturally curious and full of questions about the world
around them. You can help keep that curiosity alive by fnding
ways to make learning about science fun and engaging. And
summer is a great time to do it. Here are a few ideas that you can
use to help your kids love learning about science.
Fun Experiments
Hands-on experiences help kids of all ages grasp concepts and retain
information. There are online resources available to give you the tools you
need to make hands-on learning a reality. For example, MyBotanicPlanet.
com is a free website with lesson plans and interactive games for students
in grades K5 to explore basic botany and water conservation. Based on
the classroom experience ofered through the Memphis Botanic Garden,
and created by TruGreen, the lesson plans by professional curriculum
developers meet National Education Standards. Students can personalize
their own avatar and explore the sites inter active games and activities. The
activity and quiz here are part of the new Water Ways curriculum, which
inspires kids to be water guardians. The Water Ways environment features
an interactive water fltration game with various difculty levels and an
educational character named Watershed Fred, who helps students learn
more about where water comes from and what happens to it when its out
of sight.
Fun Field Trips
Get some fresh air and a fresh look at nature by going outside. And dont
restrict your feld trips to sunny days only. You and your kids will be amazed
at how diferent things appear when its raining. Where should you go to
start digging into natural science?
Your backyard
Collect leaf samples to identify, then use them to make a collage.
Use a magnifying glass to do some ground-level research. Examine
insects, plant stems, tree bark, spider webs and interesting rocks. Have
your child give an explorers report on what he or she fnds.
Your neighborhood
Make a game out of identifying the diferent trees and bushes in the
park. Take pictures and leaf samples to help you fgure them out.
Go on a scavenger hunt to a stream or pond. Make a list of items to
fnd: animal tracks, insects, birds fshing or taking a drink, frogs and
toads, even snakes.
Your community
Visit the zoo. Before you go, have your child check out some library
books about some of their favorite animals. They can learn some facts
about those animals, then be in charge of teaching you about them
when you see them at the zoo.
Natural history and science museums can be a fun way to learn about
the world around you. Take advantage of tours, special exhibits and
activities geared for children.
from page 2...
1. C. They are the same amount
2. D. All of these answers are correct
3. B. 3 percent
4. B. False. Only when roots need
water.
5. A. Half
6. C. Heat
7. B. False
8. C. Both answers are correct
9. A. Condensation
10. B. Yes
SCORING
910 points: Congratulations
youre a watershed wizard.
68 points: Good job
youre a watershed watchdog.
35 points: Room for improve ment,
but youre not a water shed wrongdoer.
12 points: You might need a
watershed wake-up call.
Water Quiz
See how much you know about water.
1. Which is more a cup of liquid water or a cup of
frozen water?
A. Cup of liquid water
B. Cup of frozen water
C. They are the same amount
2. What happens to rain that falls on a parking lot,
other hard surface, or even hard compacted soil?
A. It runs of without being absorbed
B. May pick up pollution
C. May cause erosion
D. All of these answers are correct
3. How much of Earths available
water is drinkable freshwater?
A. 50 percent
B. 3 percent
C. 100 percent
4. Lawns should be watered
when the surface feels dry.
A. True
B. False
5. How much of the water we use
is used outside?
A. Half
B. 75 percent
C. 25 percent
6. What does water need in order to
change into steam, vapor or humidity?
A. Cold
B. Wind
C. Heat
7. It is possible to pollute a small stream inside
a water shed without polluting the rest of the
watershed.
A. True
B. False
8. How does nature make water clean?
A. By fltration
B. By the water cycle
C. Both answers are correct
9. In the water cycle, what comes
after evaporation?
A. Condensation
B. Collection
C. Precipitation
10. Can one person, one family, one school or one
community make a real diference in
the quality of water in one watershed?
A. No
B. Yes
Answers on Page 7...
Window on the Watershed
What you need
Sheet of waxed paper, sheet of white paper
Spray bottle flled with blue-tinted water
Shallow pan or tray
Colored markers or felt-tip pens
Continued on Page 7...
Roughly crumple the waxed paper. Unfold,
and with some pushing and pulling, create
a landscape with mountains and valleys.
Set the waxed paper in the tray. Spray the
tinted water over the landscape to simulate
rain. Ask questions like:
Where do raindrops land frst?
Why do they go where they go?
Do you see waterways merge
as the rain increases?
With rapid spraying, kids can create a food.
Show them how rivers carry the blue water
of the land and into the tray beneath
the ocean.
Repeat the activity with a sheet of white
paper. Have them draw diferent colored
spots of pollution on the hillsides with
the colored markers. The rain will blend
the colors together, showing how pollution
afects the entire watershed.
Courtesy of www.MyBotanicPlanet.com.
[FAMILY FEATURES]
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science
fun!
8 KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES 2014
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summer activities KIDS

2014