Spring into Summer

It’s now officially summer. What does that entail? What’s special about this time of the year? And how do you make the most of summer days? Find out with these Internet-based activities.

CONNECT:

• Why are the days so long in the summer? Get the inside angle about the summer solstice at http://www.factmonster.com/spot/solsticeforkids.html
• On June 21 you might have seen a strawberry moon. If not, you can see this rare phenomenon (and learn the background of this special moon view) at http://www.space.com/33240-delicious-strawberry-full-moon-wows-stargazers.html
• Step into the Way Back Machine to see what summer camp and family car trips were like years ago: http://kids.pbskids.org/wayback/summer/features.html
• Imagine dancing for 16 days! Discover the Native American Sun Dance ceremony: http://www.brownielocks.com/sundance.html

CREATE:

• June 6 was National Yo-Yo Day. Watch this video to see how to make a yo-yo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uoldaHVt0s.  Then watch how to play with one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDiioSreoPc
• Now that school is out, you have lots of time for summer crafts: https://www.care.com/a/62-summer-crafts-for-kids-1307010525
• Try some of these creative car games for summer road trips: http://www.pbs.org/parents/summer/road-trip-games-for-kids/
• Gear up for the summer Olympics by finding out its history, symbols, and competitions: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/collection/gear-summer-olympics.  Hold your own summer olympic games.

CARE:

• Need a special day to show you care? Go to https://www.checkiday.com/06/01/2016. Just on June 1 alone you can observe Heimlich Maneuver Day, Global Day of Parents, Say for Children, and Say Something Nice Day!  
• Take care of your summer skin. Here are natural sunscreen alternatives as well as natural sunburn treatments: https://sunwarrior.com/healthhub/natural-sunscreen-alternatives
• Got bitten by an insect or spider? Here are some home treatments that doctors suggest: http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/tc/insect-bites-and-stings-and-spider-bites-home-treatment
• Did you know that a lemonade stand can help fight cancer? Check it out at http://www.alexslemonade.org/campaign/kids-corner.  You can help too.

CAREERS:

• Is there a teen in your family? This website provides a great collection of summer seasonal jobs and tips: https://www.livecareer.com/quintessential/summer-job-sites
• What about working abroad this summer? Here are some good short-term jobs abroad: http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/shortterm/summer_jobs_abroad.shtml
• College Board provides tips on how to find a great summer job – and why: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/outside-the-classroom/how-to-find-a-great-summer-job

Father's Day Every Day

Fathers come in all sizes and shapes, and serve in different roles: from founders of our country to spiritual advisors. It’s not just biology that makes a father; it’s how one acts and how others perceive a father. Discover the variety – and the universality -- of fathers in these activities.

CONNECT:

• Read the stories of America’s Founding Fathers: http://colonialhall.com/
• Did you know that Father’s Day started in Spokane in 1910? Sonora Smart Dodd wanted to honor her father, who was a civil war veteran who singlehanded raised his six children. (Trivia fact: Ms. Dodd was this blogger’s Sunday School teacher.) It took 62 years for Father’s Day to become a national holiday. Get the details from the History Channel: http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/fathers-day
• What’s the word for “father” in different languages? Pick out some name at http://www.loveyoufather.com/father-in-different-languages.html, and use them with a father you know.
• See the animal kingdom’s top ten dads at http://www.animalplanet.com/wild-animals/10-animal-dads/

CREATE:

• Learn how to write a poem from Father Goose (aka Charles Ghigna): an American children’s poet: http://www.charlesghigna.com/poemhowto.html
• Try these activities and resources for the celebration of Father's Day, including games, clip art, stories, and  crafts: http://www.dltk-holidays.com/dad/
• Make some fun father’s day food: http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/53963/fun-fathers-day-food
• Here’s Father’s Day by the numbers; try creating a game from them: http://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2016/cb16-ff11.html

CARE:

• Here are 29 Father’s Day gifts that kids can make for someone’s dad: https://www.care.com/a/29-fathers-day-gifts-kids-can-make-1305280622
• Father Flanagan founded Boys Town, a place for at-risk children. Find out about this caring person and service at http://www.boystown.org.
• “Father” is a name often given to Catholic priests. Find out  how they became fathers: http://bustedhalo.com/questionbox/when-did-the-use-of-father-become-a-practice-in-the-catholic-church-for-ordained-priests
• This national initiative helps men be better fathers: http://www.fatherhood.org/

CAREERS:

Being a father is a career in itself. This article points how how fathers can affect one’s career: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2013/12/23/7-ways-your-father-affected-your-career/#6efc08cb7537