A8—Lewistown, PA
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
The Sentinel
Great activities for kids come the dog days of summer healthy snacks so kids can just hop out of the water and grab a refreshment, rather than leaving a water-logged trail into the kitchen. Those who do not have a pool can consider membership to a township pool, where everyone can mingle with neighbors. Host a movie night The dog days of summer tend to be humid, hot and sometimes uncomfortable. Scheduling activities for later in the day makes the most of weather that has cooled off a bit. Purchase or borrow a projector that hooks up to a computer or tablet, and set up a screen in the yard. Stream a family-friendly movie and prepare ready-made bags of popcorn or cotton candy for the show.
The arrival of summer is a momentous day for children. Summer means school is closed and weeks of rest, recreation and fun in the sun are on the schedule. Although summer may start off with a bang, it may not be too long before kids are uttering the dreaded, “I’m bored,” leaving parents and caregivers looking for ways to keep children occupied. Having a list of activities at the ready can help families stay active and engaged during the dog days of summer.
Add water to everything Favorite backyard games can be enhanced with the use of a little water. For example, instead of tossing bean bags Summertime swimming Those lucky enough to have a back- IRU FRUQKROH åOO XS ZDWHU EDOORRQV .LGV yard pool have a great source of enter- who are playing tag or games like captainment right at home. Swimming WXUH WKH æDJ PD\ KDYH WR UXQ WKURXJK alone can grow monotonous for kids, a garden sprinkler to get into their opso work with friends’ parents to devise SRQHQWÖV WHUULWRU\ .LGV FDQ SXW WKHLU a schedule to have the kids alternate engineering skills to use by building an whose house they visit for swimming obstacle course of hurdles and the like sessions. Standard games like water from tires or pool noodles. Poke holes volleyball or diving retrieval games can into one pool noodle and feed a garden add some fun, but many times kids are hose into the end to create a water hazKDSS\ WR VSODVK DQG æRDW ZLWK IULHQGV ard. Stock a cooler with water, juice and
Go on a scavenger hunt Whether at a beach, park, or even walking the neighborhood, families can have a list of objects that must be IRXQG 7KH åUVW FKLOG WR åQG DOO RI WKH items on the list gets a prize, such as choosing which ice cream shop to visit.
Dance in the rain Summertime is known for the sudden arrival of storms. When a downpour occurs, have the family head into the garage with the door open to catch the amazing sights of Mother Nature. Take WXUQV EULHæ\ UXQQLQJ RXW LQWR WKH GHOuge to dance and splash in the rain. Retreat to the indoors when thunder and lightning are close by. )DPLOLHV KDYH SOHQW\ RI ZD\V WR åOO the dog days (and nights) of summer with entertaining games and other activities.
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to avoid skin damage. duce the risk of attracting Even a mild sunburn can wildlife, and a few books make sleeping in a tent or magazines to read IRU WKH åUVW WLPH PRUH GLI- while resting at the campåFXOW VR DSSO\ VXQVFUHHQ site are some additional early and reapply as di- LWHPV åUVW WLPH FDPSHUV rected on the bottle. won’t want to forget. • Miscellaneous items: Camping is a fun activLighting to augment light ity that’s even more encoming from a camp- joyable when campers reåUH WRLOHWULHV WR HQVXUH member to pack the right bathroom breaks are as gear. comfortable as possible, garbage bags and containers to secure trash and re-
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