Summer starts this week! The kids are still in school but the last day is so close you can practically taste it. Long days at the pool or beach, warm summer nights laughing with friends, lazy mornings sleeping in and watching cartoons, ice cold popsicles for snack time…it’s all right around the corner.
You might not be quite as psyched for summer as the kids, but we’ll keep you so busy that back to school will be here before you know it, and you’ll be longing for the days of summer fun.
Thursday, June 21, 2018 (First Day of Summer!)
Join a Summer Reading Club
Make a promise with your children to avoid the summer slide by setting reading goals even before the vacation starts. Local libraries host reading club activities throughout the summer to get kids excited about reading. There’s also several programs providing motivation and encouragement to keep kids picking up books all summer long, like the Total Fitness Challenge, the Scholastic Reading Challenge, the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program, and more.
• Click here for a list of summer reading programs.
• Click here for a list of local library branches.
• Click here for helpful book reviews and recommendations for kids ages 5-18 from Common Sense Media.
Friday, June 22, 2018
See a Movie Under the Stars
Grab a blanket and take your family for a movie night under the stars in a local park. Tonight’s features include: The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie: Sponge Out of Water at Seaside Wildlife Nature Park and Yogi Bear at Faber Park. Movies start at dusk, around 8:30.
• Click here for a list of Movies Under the Stars, which we will update all summer long.
Saturday, June 23, 2018 (Special Trip Saturday!)
Go Fruit-Picking
Fresh strawberries as far as the eye can see! And just a short drive over the bridge into New Jersey, too. Late June marks the end of strawberry picking season, but there are likely still some berries left for the picking to take home and bake into a scrumptious pie. Other fruits currently in season include cherries, blueberries, and raspberries. If you’re planning a trip later in the summer, peaches and tomatoes are ready to pick in July & August. Just check each farm’s website or call ahead to confirm the crops available for picking before you go.
• Click here for a handy list of Pick-Your-Own Farms in nearby New Jersey.
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Cool Off at a Sprinkler Park
Kids love the park all year round, but when the temperatures rise above 80 degress, the sprinklers go on and the fun really begins!
• Click here for a list of Staten Island parks with sprinklers.
• Click here for a list of Staten Island playgrounds.
Monday, June 25, 2018
Kids Eat Free Night
Many restaurants offer kids-eat-free nights during the week. Save yourself from sweating over the stove and dine out tonight. We’ve got a list of Kids Eat Free Restaurants on Staten Island that you can hang onto and use all summer long.
• Click here for Kids Eat Free Restaurants.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Ride Go Karts
The last day school has finally arrived! Even sweeter — it’s a half day! Spend the afternoon at Staten Island FunPark, where you can ride their go karts on the raceway for just $5 every Tuesday in June. They also offer batting cages and mini-golfing at their location at 215 Schmidts Lane.
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Go Swimming
It’s the first full day of summer vacation! Celebrate with a pool party! Don’t have a pool? Staten Island has several pools that are free and open to the public, and they are officially open for the 2018 season today.
• Click here for a list of public pools in Staten Island.
Have a great week! Check back next Wednesday for Week 2 of summer fun ideas!
