Child flying kite on beach
Tend a garden. Cultivate containers of herbs, tomatoes or peppers with your children. Take a digital photo each day to track the progress of the plant’s growth. Have your child put the photos in order in a journal and write down any observations. Together, prepare a meal using your child’s homegrown produce.
Sleep outdoors. Chris Starnes, a mom of three, says her family loves to camp. They look forward to hiking, biking and swimming and a break from electronics. Want to take your family? Starnes suggests reserving a site at a Florida state park. “State parks are cleaner and well-patrolled and there are usually activities for the kids at some point during the day or weekend,” she says. You can get more information about camping at Florida state parks at www.floridastateparks.org/staythenight/camping.cfm.
Stare at the stars. On a clear night, direct your family’s gaze toward the heavens. Try identifying a few of the 88 different constellations, many of which are named after mythological men, women and animals. You can download the free app SkyView from the iTunes store– simply point your iPhone, iPad, or iPod at the sky to identify stars, constellations, satellites, and more.
Build and fly a kite. “The experience never fails to fill adults and kids with wonder every time they fly a kite,” says Sean Beaver, a kite enthusiast and father of two. Kite flying is an inexpensive and relaxing activity. Check out the American Kite Association website, aka.kite.org, which provides educational resources, including the history of kites and the science and math behind kite flying.
Pick berries. Bring summer home in a bucket of berries. There aren’t any Collier farms offering pick your own fruit but you will find some in other SW Florida communities. You may be able to combine a day trip with fruit picking. You can find a list of farms at http://pickyourown.org/FLwest.htm. Celebrate the fruits of your labor by baking muffins or enjoying berries over homemade ice cream!
Go local. Area farmer’s markets offer an assortment of colorful, seasonal produce. There’s no better time to taste locally grown foods and experiment with new recipes in the kitchen with your child. Check out our list for suggestions.
Cook up a story. Recipes help kids practice math and reading skills, but also try giving cooking a literary twist that will delight even preschoolers. Read a book like “If You Give a Pig a Pancake” by Laura Joffe Numeroff and make pancakes together. An older child who likes “The Little House on the Prairie” series, might enjoy “The Little House Cookbook: Frontier Foods” from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Classic Stories by Barbara M. Walker.
Birdwatch. Learning about birds local to the area helps children appreciate and build interest in their natural surroundings. Purchase or make a bird feeder to attract birds to your backyard. Use a local bird guide and listen for different bird song to try and identify the birds visiting your yard.
Plan hometown field trips. New experiences help kids learn, grow and feel a connection to their community. Check out one of Naples or Ft. Myers museums, explore one or more of our historical landmarks or walk in a neighborhood where you’ve never been. Get online with your child and do a little research on Naples and then plan an activity or two that interests your child. Take some time this summer to explore!
Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines and her family are doing lots of exploring this summer! Christa is the author of Confidently Connected: A Mom’s Guide to a Satisfying Social Life.