Mom’s Vibe
By Krystle J. Bailey
As the wildest school year of our parenting career comes to a slow halt, it is time to begin thinking about how we will fill the long days of summer. Let’s be honest, we are all tired! My hope for you is that summer will bring a much-needed reprieve from the chaos and days filled with stress-free relaxation. You deserve it, Shore Local Mom!
Check out these cheap and easy activities for the family that will keep things simple this summer.
Mom Tip: Skip the activities that elicit a stress response in your mind. Choose ease. You do not have to do it all.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a fun, free treasure hunt in real life. All you need is a GPS-enabled device and a spirit of adventure to get started. Participants use the Geocaching website to follow a specific set of coordinates that lead them to find a geocache container with hidden treasure. When a participant finds the geocache, they sign the logbook and have the option of leaving a small token for the next Geochacher. The game has various levels that include more detailed and challenging Geocaching. Get started at www.Geochaching.com.
Lemonade Stand
There is nothing quite as simple and fulfilling for kids than selling their own homemade lemonade recipe. Set up on a corner in your neighborhood, take a folding table to a local park, or wait for a community yard sale day. Lemonade or juice stands are cheap, easy, and offer parents an opportunity to teach kids business basics, money management, and customer service.
Visit a Farmer’s Market
Farmers markets are a great way to support local farmers and small business owners. C.R.O.P.S. Markets are a group of local farmers markets popping up all over our area this summer. Their goal is to bring healthy, local goods to the community while supporting small businesses. Visit CROPS Markets on Facebook for pop-up events and updates.
C.R.O.P.S. Market Locations & Summer dates:
Linwood Central Square – Saturdays, May 9th-June 27th 9-11am
Pleasantville City Hall – Wednesdays July 1st-August 19th 4-7pm
Atlantic City Tennessee Avenue – Sundays, July 12th-August 30th 9-11am
Summer Reading Contest
Summer reading promotes consistency in reading comprehension and helps to bridge the summer gap between grades. Many students are given summer reading lists to complete but why not up the ante with an at-home reading contest. Set a goal, decide on an incentive, and get everyone involved, parents included. A family who reads together, grows together.
Visit www.kids.scholastic.com for more summer reading ideas or to get involved with Scholastic reading contests. Summer reading also offers an opportunity to visit your local library, where you can pick up additional free summer activities for the kids.
Take A Hike
Enjoy a hike along one of the many beautiful hiking trails in our area. Hiking allows for tech-free bonding time that will wear everyone out for a nice afternoon, summer nap. Visit the Egg Harbor Twp Nature Reserve, Batsto Village in Hammonton, or Birch Grove Park in Northfield for some beautiful scenery and trails.
Make A Summer Bucket List
Call a family meeting and brainstorm all of the things the family wants to do this summer from big adventures to rainy day activities. Commit to checking off as many items as possible before September. Need a headstart? Cut or print this Shore Local Summer Bucket List.
However you choose to fill your summer days, I hope that you take some time to relax. Wishing you beautiful, healthy, happy warm days ahead!
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet
KrystleJBailey.com
