EXTENSION REPORT

Vacation at Home

This summer, maximize your fun quotient by minimizing your travel time!  Here are some ideas to keep your children busy and happy right in your own community.

Meet Heroes Up Close

This is a great time to introduce your children to some local heroes, and firefighters rank high on the list.  Your municipal fire departments may offer tours of local firehouses.  Policies vary and in large communities you may have to book a tour ahead of time, while small towns sometimes allow you to drop in.  Often, kids get a lesson in fire safety as well as the chance to sit in the shiny red engine.  Check out the Phoenix Fire Museum in downtown Mobile, Alabama.  This museum is the restored home of the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Company No. 6 which includes turn-of-the-century horse-drawn steam engines and early motorized vehicles.

Visit a Farm

Whether you live in a big city or a small town, you’re probably not too far from a farm or farmer’s market (There are several in Baldwin County!).  Depending on where you live, your children could be sampling farm fresh baked goods, petting small animals, or helping to choose what vegetables you’re having that night.  Another idea would be to visit a local orchard or fruit farm and let your kids pick some healthy treats for themselves.

Play in the Water

Being out on the water is a great way to celebrate the summer, especially on those days when the temperature soars.  In terms of price and adventure level, you could take an afternoon cruise around a lake, paddle kayaks in a river, or hang out on a beach.  If you’re willing to spend a little more money, visit a local water park and splash around all day long.  Before you go, talk about water safety and always remember the sunscreen when participating in outside activities.

Be Good Sports

Summer is made for sports fans.  Take the children to a local game or get a baseball or soccer game going in the park.  Print out some baseball and soccer coloring pages, too.

Visit One of the World’s Best Museums- Online!

When weather doesn’t cooperate, have a backup plan.  One smart one is to let your kids explore the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., without leaving home.  The Smithsonian has a great portal for kids.  They will find how to play a Viking board game, make panda masks, build your own light bulb, or learn how to satellite photos.  This site is perfect on its own, or also serves as a good primer before heading to an actual museum.

Get Gardening

Take you children to a local botanical garden, or help them plant some flowers in a container or in your yard.  Some kid-friendly picks include sunflowers (big and tall), dusty millers (soft and fuzzy), snapdragons (fun and colorful) and zinnias (bright and hardy).  Yummy smelling herbs are fun, too!  

Finally, visit family-friendly city guides for information on attractions and activities you and your children will enjoy!

Email address: cknowlto@aces.edu
Phone number: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.