Summer is as Easy as A-B-C!
Summer Sun & Fun
Summer is as easy as A-B-C from Camp Mommy to Weekend Fun to Summer Vacation. Here are some suggestions to keep the fun times of Summer going!
By Felonice Merriman
A is for Art! When the mid-day temperatures hit over 90 degrees seek some shade or a/c and work on an art project with the kids. Not creative? Let the experts at Kids Need More Art or Armory Art Center help you with a workshop for the kids!
B is for the Beach! People from all over the world travel to Florida to enjoy our beautiful beaches that we have year round! It is easy to take for granted what is right here in our backyard!
C is for Camp! Summer Camp is a great way for the kids to have fun and mom and dad to have a break! Check out our Summer Camp Guide on Page 16 and online for suggestions to send your little ones for fun!
D is for Day Trip! Make a day trip somewhere fun! From Palm Beach County it is very easy for us to travel to Fort Lauderdale, and even Miami! Both cities offer a lot of attractions!
E is for Education! Just because school is out doesn’t mean learning ends! Check out various educational programming and workshops at the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum & Learning Center.
F is for Family! Has it been a while since you’ve seen your great aunt Edna? Plan a trip to visit some family and catch up!
G is for Golf! Check out the new 18-hole mini golf course at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.
H is for Hungry! Is your child a foodie? Or maybe you are! During the summer, higher end restaurants offer summer specials and prix fixe menus. Book a babysitter, and make a date night!
I is for Ice! When the temperatures heat up its time to cool down. Palm Beach County has two ice skating rinks to enjoy!
J is for Job! Do you have a pre-teen or teenager in your house? Maybe it is time for them to learn the value of a dollar! Teenagers can apply for a summer job at various local businesses. If your child is under 15, don’t forget they can work for you or for your friends doing various chores to earn some extra money or even baby-sitting.
K is for Kayaks and Paddleboards! Spend a few hours on the water kayaking. Jupiter Outdoor Center has kayaks available for rental and offers guided paddle tours.
L is for Library! The Palm Beach County and Mandel Public Library both have wonderful FREE or low cost programs for children to enjoy! Check out their schedule at the nearest branch to you at www.pbclibrary.org or www.wpb.org/Departments/Library/Overview.
M is for Music! Summer is a great time to learn a musical instrument. Sign up for lessons, check out Boynton Beach School of Music and Dance (www.boyntonmusicdance.com/).
N is for Night! The nights are getting longer and no one has to be up early for school in the morning! Enjoy the evening with a guided turtle walks at Loggerhead Marine Center Wednesday through Saturday evenings in June and July. Turtle Walks are $17 per person or $12 per person for our LMC members. All individuals, including children, are required to pre-register online to reserve their spot. Children must be 8 years or older to attend the walks. Register online at www.marinelife.org.
O is for Orlando – Just a few hour drive from Palm Beach County and filled with fun things to do! Think outside the mouse! Disney World isn’t the only thing to do! Orlando has a really cool Science Center. Fun money saving tip: if you are member of our local Science Center your membership benefits extend to other museums and attractions in the ASTC Travel Passport Program. Other cool (non-theme park) attractions in Orlando include the Coco-Cola Orlando Eye, Medieval Times Dinner Show, and SEA-LIFE Aquarium.
P is for Parks and Playground! Make a plan to head outside early before it gets to hot and enjoy the many parks Palm Beach County has to offer. Some of our local parks have splash pads, pools and water slides. Find out what your local park has to offer at www.discover.pbcgov.org/parks.
Q is for Quest! Join Palm Beach County Rocks! on facebook (PBC Rocks Facebook)and go on a quest for cool painted rocks that people hide and you can decorate and leave rocks out for other people to find.
R is for Road Trip – Rally your family together and hit the road! It can be a short trip in and around Florida or go further – Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee. Find some cool quirky stops along the way!
S is for Science – Check out the new Amazing Butterflies exhibit at the South Florida Science Center! Also the science center recently opened their new discovery playground for children under 6.
T is for Theatre – Retreat to the air-conditioned indoors and take in a movie or play. Many local movie theatres have free or low cost movies during the week in the summer. Check out Sol Children’s Theatre, Showtime Performing Arts and Maltz Jupiter Theatre for performance schedules.
U is for U.V. with all the summer fun you are having don’t forget to protect you and your kids skin with sunscreen!
V is for Vacation – School is out and it is the perfect time to take a break from work for you as well! Check out kayak.com or orbitz.com for a great deal and make summer memories that last forever.
W is for Water! Kids love to hang out at the splash pads and waterparks! Also if their swimming skills are not so sharp, summer is a great time to catchup on swim lessons at the YMCA of South Palm Beach or Small Fish Big Fish Swim School.
X marks the spot! Go on a pirate adventure aboard Blue Foot Adventures in Ft Lauderdale.
Y is for Yesteryear Village – Tour and learn how we use to live before all this technology.
www.yesteryearvillage.com.
Z is for Zoo! Check out the Palm Beach Zoo! All Summer Long is Safari Nights! Each Friday night will feature a different family-friendly theme and include entertainment for guests of all ages! Roving Animal Encounters, Keeper Talks and Training Sessions, Interactive Fountain Fun, Kid’s Games & Eco Craft Stations, DJ Dance Parties!
Have a Fun and Safe Summer
from PB Parenting!