Summer means... Berries!

Summertime means berries!

Berries are abundant in the summer... and they are the best! I always get sad when I start to see them leave the stores in the fall... although you may see them occasionally in the off season, they are not nearly as sweet as in the height of summer. Here are some ways to celebrate berries this summer:

Go Berry Picking- Head off on a berry picking adventure with your kids. There are many berry patches throughout the US, so just look on the web and find your local spot. Pick Your Own is a great site that lists farms. If you happen to be too late in the season, then venture to a farmers market and pick out a berry sampling.

Make Jam - I remember making jam with my mom when I was younger. It was an all day process, and the results were delicious! Just doing a quick search on the web for jam making with kids, there are plenty of sites with ideas. From 30 minutes jams to more intense recipes, the outcome is well worth the effort!

Berries and Cream - There is nothing like fresh berries in a bowl with a little cream. Mmmm.

Berry Pie - Making a fresh berry pie is quite a treat... if you don't have much time, but would love to make a pie with your fresh berries, just click for some easy berry pie ideas.

Try Some Different Berries - Olallieberries, logan berries, gooseberries, lingonberries, and more... why not introduce some other berries to your family besides the tried and true. Do a taste test and see which one is the family winner.

Make Fruit Roll Ups - I remember making fruit roll ups with my mom one summer. I couldn't believe that it was so easy to make! Here's a recipe from Family Fun to make your own: Homemade Fruit Rolls

Summer means... Reading a Good Book

Reading outside on a Summer Day

There's nothing like a good book in the summer time. For adults, there's "beach reads," mysteries, best sellers or historical novels to get us swept away. For kids the experience is the same. How about pick out a book about one of the places you may visit on vacation, or indulge them in their favorite past time from fairies to Pokemon, there's a book for everyone.

So head over to GoodReads, or your favorite book site, get some books and start reading!

Free Printable Book Report Page from B.Nute productions

Also, be sure to head over to an earlier post of mine to print out a free printable Book Report page so kids can remember what they read!

Summer means... Stargazing!

Summertime Stargazing (image by B.Nute productions)

Summertime means stargazing! I never take the time to just go out side and look up... but whenever I do, I'm amazed. 2 years ago we spent the night at a place called Safari West, an wild animal preserve in Northern California. At night, we looked up and I've never seen the Milky Way so prominently shining. It was stunning. On this years summer trip we will be on the equator! I can't wait to see the stars from that perspective. I'm hoping for quite a show, since we will be in the middle of no where, with out any light pollution for hundreds of miles.

Here are some fun stargazing sites I found to get ready for my trip. I hope you enjoy them as well:
Observe the Night Sky - Games for Kids
Summertime Stargazing Ideas with Kids
Lie Back and Look Up... family adventures with the night sky

Summer means... Corn on the Cob

Corn on the Cob - A Summer Time Treat

There's nothing like sweet corn on the cob in the summer time! Here are some recipes for this delicious summer treat:
Corn on the Cob Recipes and Toppings
How to Grill Corn on the Cob
Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob
Divine Caroline - The Only Corn on the Cob I will Make (boiled with milk and brown sugar)
10 to Try: Corn on the Cob Toppings from BHG
6 Corn on the Cob Flavoring Ideas

Summer means... Campout In the Yard

Campout in Your Backyard

No need to go far for a little camping expedition-- just head to your backyard for some summertime fun! Set up a tent, get the sleeping bags, and have some fun. The best part is your home is just a few steps away if you forget anything! Here are some fun ideas for your backyard campout:

Quick Ideas:
Read a book
Make s'mores
Hunt for bugs
Play flashlight tag
Sing songs
Tell ghost stories
Stargaze
Wake up at sunrise

Details Backyard Campout Ideas
Backyard Camp-out from Family Fun
14 Ideas for Camping in Your Backyard
7 Ideas for a Backyard Camping
Backyard Campout Ideas from National Georgraphic
Martie Knows Parties: Backyard "Campout"

Summer means... Pretend to Be a Pirate

A Pirate Adventure Awaits on a Lazy Summer Day

Need an idea for a fun summer day? How about be a Pirate all day long? Who wouldn't want some swashbuckling fun adventure in the summer time. Here's a schedule of Pirate activities to fill your day:

• Make a Pirate Costume - Here are some fun hand made ideas for your pirate costume:

• Handkerchief
• Paper Bag Pirate Vest
• Eyepatch

• Make a Pirate Map
• Set out on a Pirate Scavenger Hunt
• Eats Some Pirate Grub (scroll down to Food and Drink for Ideas)
• Create a Pirate Flag
• Sail the Seas - head out to a playground or jungle gym and pretend to sail the high seas!

Summer means... Lemonade Stands

Lemonade Stand - Summertime Fun

A lemonade stand is the perfect activity to fill a hot summer afternoon, and earn a few dollars for a treat. I've seen some pretty entrepreneurial stands these days-- selling not only lemonade, but cookies, brownies, and even a hand full of used toys. Below are some links to sites on the web to get your lemonade stand open for business.

Lemonade Stand Printables
Free Lemonade Stand Printables from AndersRuff
Lemonade Stand Printables and Ideas from MyGrafico
Lemonade Stand Printables from the Crafting Chicks
Lemonade Stand Printables from Funkytime
Citrus Splash Digital Scrapbook Papers

Recipes
Best Lemonade Recipes Ever
Old Fashioned Lemonade
Pink Lemonade
Raspberry Lemonade

Throw a Lemonade Party
Free Printable Citrus Splash Invitation
Pink Lemonade Party on Pinterest
Lemonade Party on Pinterest