By: Christa Protano
School is finally winding down, if not out already, and that means the lazy summer days are almost here. Whether you’re gearing up for a family vacation, searching for your child’s next beach read, or looking for activities to have on-hand for a rainy day, we have something to suit every member of the fam.
Even if your child is in junior high, it’s not too late to start keeping track of their school year memories. This scrapbook makes it easy to backtrack or start from the very beginning, and includes prompts to get your student involved in the journaling process. The included milestone card and dry-erase marker mean you’ll never miss out on the requisite First Day/Last Day social media pic. What we love the most is the die-cut cover, which holds those toothy kindergarten through twelfth grade grins.
If time in the car is on your summer agenda, this word search and puzzle book will keep your mind off of rising gas prices…we can only hope, right? Seriously though, if you are looking for an activity that the family can work on together, this title will test everyone’s knowledge of landmarks, national parks, and tourist attractions as you travel along Route 66 or enjoy a staycation near you.
If you’re like me, you may have trouble sitting down and doing absolutely nothing when you find yourself with a little bit of free time. So instead of reaching for the phone, why not pick up this activity book to help you relax. With sudoku, word searches, dot-to-dot pages and crosswords, you’ll never feel bored. You may even start to think of free time as — dare we say it — totally awesome.
Ready to Learn Summer Workbook: Ready for Grade 2 + Grade 3
For parents of younger learners, these educational workbooks can help grade schoolers avoid the summer slump. The Ready to Learn series is jam-packed with activities that reinforce specific grade-level foundational skills in reading, writing, science, and math. Moms and dads can rest assured that each workbook meets Common Core Standards, while children will love the colorful illustrations and kid-friendly format.
Naps on the beach are the best, right? If your baby needs a little help getting there, we suggest keeping a copy of this sweet board book in your beach bag. The sweet sentiments, rhyming text, and textural pages will help settle down your little one so you can (hopefully!) enjoy a few quiet moments by the sea.
Discovery: Shark Spotter’s Guide
Headed to the beach or aquarium soon? This comprehensive guide will answer all your child’s questions about the ocean’s most menacing species. From ancient sharks to modern-day types, this guide covers it all. What’s more, kids will be super excited to start their very own shark tooth collection thanks to the helpful shark-tooth collecting tips and six different replica shark teeth.