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Too often September comes and people ask, “Where did the summer go?” Don’t let September roll around without getting a few of the items on this “to do” list done.
• Will this item sink or float? Materials for this one you’ll have right at your fingertips. All you need is: something that will hold water (bowl, bucket or kiddie pool), and an assortment of items from your junk drawer. Encourage your child to guess whether or not an item will sink or float when it’s dropped into the water. Bathing suits are the perfect attire!
• Backyard scavenger hunt. Give children a list of items that can be found outside (for younger children just tell them what items to find as they go) and see if they can locate them all.
•Grab your favorite children’s book, two glasses of lemonade and head outside to a big shade tree. Snuggle in close with your child, read the book together and when you finish reading just sit quietly and enjoy listening to the sounds of nature around you.
• Here’s a good rainy day activity. Required items: table (card tables work great) and lots of blankets. Your children can let their imaginations run wild. By placing blankets over the table, they can build their own castle, fort or tent for hours of fun.
•Do you live close to a state park like Pokagon or Chain O’ Lakes? These beautiful parks offer something for everyone — camping, hills to climb, swimming, boating and picnicking.
• Go fishing with Dad or Grandpa. Love the worms, the hooks, being quiet so you don’t scare the fish and the best part… a tug on the end of the line!
•Camp in the back yard. Sing songs, eat s’ mores and tell stories!
•Go on a flashlight walk. Wait until it’s good and dark then head out with a flashlight to see how different the neighborhood, or the woods, seems after dark.
•Ride on the Lake Webster Paddleboat — the Dixie!
• Play kick the can, make homemade ice cream or Popsicles (easier) or catch fireflies.
•Host a game fair. Invite the neighborhood kids to play fair games like ring toss or knocking over milk cartons. Charge just a little then give the money to a food pantry.
(Contributed by Stacey Morsches and Diane Shoppell of before5.org)
Don’t miss:
Headwaters Park (location of cover photo)
110 W. Berry St.
Fort Wayne, IN
46802-2368
(260) 425-5745
fortwayneparks.org
Pokagon State Park
450 Lane 100 Lake James
Angola, IN 46703-7597
(260) 833-2012
Chain O’Lakes State Park
2355 E. C.R. 75 S.
Albion, IN 46701
Phone: (260) 636-2654
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