This summer, the Salt Lake Library’s reading program is titled “Dig Into Reading.” What a great and affordable way to spend time with the kids. You can find their calendar online here.
One thing I like to do is plan other simple activities (like reading specific books or making a special meal) around outings. The concept was born during my perfectionism-as-a-mom state, but I have carried it through because I’ve really enjoyed the memories we make as a family. I’ve just gotten better at simplifying — when I was hard on myself, nobody was having any fun.
So here are a few ideas based on some of our most successful family activities if you want to augment some of the city library calendar events.
The Magic Lantern: watch Aladdin, do a family service project (granting someone a wish), set up a low table on the carpet and eat dinner while sitting on pillows; find a child approved version of Arabian Nights to ready together.
Cowboy and Worm: Read Diary of a Worm or How to Eat Fried Worms; go fishing; introduce your kids to the magic of The Apple Dumpling Gang; make good old fashioned pork and beans for dinner.
Watch Beekeepers: make a delicious honey-based dessert (this simplified baklava recipe looks promising); find some online coloring pages that are honey and bee related; have a spelling bee.
Riverside Garden Storytime: Go on a hike; check out the butterfly exhibit at the Hogle Zoo (the ones that are pinned to the board – in the small animal building); spend some time weeding your garden (hah!) or maybe just plan a seedling; visit some public gardens (Temple Square is free, but Red Butte Garden is always a delightful place to visit, too!)
Don’t forget you can do the same for our Kindermusik studio summer programs! In face, one of the favorite themes ever I build around our Kindermusik Summer Camp. Check back next time for some ways to splash in the water, spend a busy day, sing with the opera, enjoy the music of Latin America or pretend to be royalty!
Do any of these spark your own ideas? Please share!
Tags: summer, library
