By Tammy Thornton
If your family is like mine, every year you count the days until summer. We look forward to carefree time with the kids, filled with beach days and a less hectic schedule. I’m always surprised, though, how quickly I hear the “I’m bored!” refrain. Especially when my children were younger, it became my quest to find fun, free activities to keep them busy. What a welcome hidden gem my own public library was in those days. In South Jersey, public libraries have wonderful summer activities for the kiddos. How well I remember taking my children to the weekly summer programs at Linwood Public Library featuring different events each week. One of our favorites was the “Animal and Reptile Night”. The Cape May County Zoo would bring live animals to the library, and the children could see wild animals up close and personal. We also loved “Science Night” when the Ocean City High School science teacher would perform crazy experiments that would grab the attention of parents and children alike. I remember he would “accidentally” spill frozen CO2 (dry ice) on the floor in front of them, causing the kids to squeal with delight. Then he would make ice cream to serve them at the end.
Though some of the faces have changed, our libraries are still packed with activities to keep the little ones busy. During the day, South Jersey libraries offer story time, LEGO-building, craft sessions, and toddler yoga.
Of course, libraries encourage children to read. My youngest always signed up for the Summer Reading Program. He would gobble up his stack of books and was allowed to choose a prize each time he read ten picture books. As he got older, two chapter books earned him a prize. It’s amazing how a trinket can motivate good habits.
Check out your local library’s website for the events schedule. Many of them hold movie nights and family board game nights. For older children some libraries have chess clubs, STEM clubs, astronomy clubs, and junior cooking classes. Take advantage of these valuable, yet free, hidden gems of South Jersey.
Tammy Thornton is a mom of four, a substitute teacher, and a Sunday school teacher. She is passionate about gardening and cooking, and loves the beach.
Shore Local News would love to hear about your family’s traditions at the Jersey Shore. Please send your family traditions stories or ideas for “Hidden Gems of South Jersey” to shorelocalnews@gmail.com
