What do you love most about summer? Is it no school? Is it the sunny days that go on for hours? Is it the heat that makes us wear our cool T-shirts and shorts? Is it the beach or the neighborhood park? We here at the La Plata Library LOVE summer, too! There are so many things to do in the summer, and I wanted to share some of my favorite activities with you.
Summer is a great time to plant things in the garden. The sun is out to give plants all the yummy photosynthesis they need to grow, and these little seeds that need water and sun will grow into big, beautiful flowers, plants, herbs, or vegetables! Gardening is a great way to spend time in the sun, spend time with your family and friends, exercise, and possibly eat yummy corn once it harvests. I love gardening because it is relaxing and rewarding. Maybe you’ve seen your parents or grandparents gardening…I’m sure they would love to plant a flower or two with you. If gardening isn’t something you’re interested in but you’d still want to do something similar, you could go to pick your own flowers, fruits, or herbs at a local farm!
You know what else I like to do in the summer? I love going to the beach! The beach is a great way to cool down in the summer heat, and there are so many games you can play at the beach and in the water, swimming with your friends. You can collect seashells, fly a kite, make sandcastles, make sand angels, and even find buried treasure. I like to do a sea scavenger hunt when I go to the beach. Your parents could craft a list of things for you to find, and you can walk around with your bucket and search to collect all of your new treasures. Depending on which beach you go to, you may even encounter sea animals like crabs, fish, or even jellyfish (hopefully, you encounter these only from afar)! There are some beaches right in Maryland that you and your family could visit. There’s Ocean City, Chapel Point Beach, and Golden Beach, just to name a few.
On warm summer nights, camping with the family is really fun! Whether the family packs up the tent and sleeping bags and drives to a campsite or your parents pitch a tent right in the backyard, camping is a perfect time to explore nature, see the sights, hear the sounds of the forest, and discover new skills and adventures. You can collect lightning bugs while camping, tell stories around a campfire (and eat yummy smores), hike and see tall trees, hear new birds and bugs, and maybe even see a rabbit or a turtle. These are just a few things you can do while camping – there are so many more fun and adventurous things you can do while camping, even if it’s right in your backyard!
The first day of summer is coming in THREE DAYS! I hope these activities make it to your summer fun list, and if not, I hope you find fun and safe ways to get moving and get outside in the sun. And remember, always…ALWAYS wear your sunscreen!
Of course, you can read anytime, but reading in the sun is so much fun! Here are a few of my special recommendations for entertaining summer reads.
Go on a crazy camping adventure with The Best Worst Camp Out Ever by Joe Cepeda
“A boy and his father go on a camping trip and despite one disaster after another, in the end father and son agree it was their best weekend ever!”
Provided by Publisher
Let’s plant flowers with friends with Errol’s Garden by Gillian Hibbs
“Errol loves gardening, but there isn’t enough room in his flat to grow everything that he would like. When he discovers a secret but neglected space at the top of the apartment block, he has a wonderful idea, but to carry it out he’ll need some help. Surely the other residents will be too busy to help him realize his dream? Or just not interested enough? In this heart-warming tale of common purpose within a diverse community, Gillian Hibbs illustrates the power of the natural world to inspire and reward humanity within a seemingly inauspicious environment.”
Provided by Publisher
Hear a worm tell a funny campfire story with Bug Scouts Camp Out! by Mike Lowery
Bug Scouts Doug, Abby, Josh, and Luna are off to their next adventure! This time they’re going on a big camping trip to earn their “camping” Bug Badge. Everyone (except for Josh) is ready for a fun night of roasting s’mores, singing by the campfire, and telling spooky ghost stories. But suddenly they start hearing eerie noises! Is there a scary monster lurking in the woods with them? Will the Bug Scouts be able to spend the whole night in the tent?
Let’s see how Lola creates masterpieces with sand with The Sandcastle That Lola Built by Megan Maynor / illustrated by Kate Berube
As Lola builds a sandcastle, she is joined by Frisbee Dude, Little Guy, and Minnesota Girl in a story reminiscent of “The House that Jack Built.”
Summer fun with family is the best! Let’s make a splash with Summer is for Cousins by Rajani LaRocca / illustrated by Abhi Alwar.
Ravi spends summer vacation with his cousins sharing in all their favorite activities, including eating ice cream.
Let’s spend a summer in Japan with Natsumi’s Song of Summer by Robert Paul Wesson / illustrated by Misa Saburi
“This sweet and gentle picture book celebrates summer in Japan, as one little girl shares her love for insects with her cousin who is visiting from America.”
Provided by Publisher
