Summer often brings droughts, wildfires, and hurricanes. Learn how to prepare for severe weather.
By Kids.gov
Kids.gov is the government’s official web portal for kids, with activities for kindergarteners through 8th graders and resources for parents and teachers. If you’re looking for ways to keep the kids engaged and learning this summer, Kids.gov has a variety of resources all in one safe spot for your kids. Some highlights from the site include:
Games: You won’t mind your kids spending time playing games online when they’re learning about math, science, history and more. In Kids.gov’s Play Games section, they can enjoy adventures like solving secret codes from the National Security Agency, working on word puzzles about the earth from NASA, and experiencing the challenges of being a Peace Corps volunteer.
Get Creative: Give your kids a little direction with art projects from Kids.gov, including coloring pages, digital photography projects, and a special collection of interactive painting, collage making and animation projects from the National Gallery of Art’s NGAkids Art Zone.
Videos: Kids.gov’s Videos section has lots of new things for your kids to watch. They can learn about the mysteries of tornadoes with a storm chaser or find out how to handle bullies from StopBullying.gov. And in the series of cool career videos produced by Kids.gov, they can learn about archaeology, meet an albino alligator and her keeper at the National Aquarium, and see how money is made.
Outdoor activities: When your kids are ready for a break from the computer, go with them. Kids.gov’s Exercise, Fitness and Nutrition section for parents is full of ideas to keep your family in shape, like LetsMove.gov’s suggestions for working activity into your kids’ daily routine, and Recreation.gov’s collection of family friendly ideas for exploring America’s beaches, mountains, cities and everything in between.
Join Kids.gov for a live Twitter chat to talk about fun and educational activities you can do with your kids this summer.
When: Thursday, June 20th, 1pm ET
Where: Twitter. Follow @kidsgov and use #kidsummer to join the conversation and find new activities for your kids this summer!
Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, whether you stay close to home or take a quick trip nearby. Here are some ideas to help you stay active and healthy and spend some time with your family.
1. Visit a national park. There are more than 400 national parks to choose from, and each one has something special to offer. You can enjoy some time with Mother Nature or sign up for organized hikes, go fishing, horseback riding, or rock climbing. End the day camping and resting next to a campfire.
2. Cool off at the beach or community pools. If your family likes to spend time in the water, you can always plan a trip to the beach. Make sure to plan ahead and take what you need to build sand castles or play games on the beach. If you live far from the ocean and prefer to stay close to home, you can go to a public pool. Make sure to visit Poolsafely.gov to learn about how to keep your family safe while enjoying the water.
3. Take a bicycle ride. There are many options when it comes to riding your bicycle. You can go around your neighborhood or explore your local parks or beaches. Make it a family routine and teach your children the importance of exercising and staying active. Don’t forget to put your helmet and follow the basic safety rules of riding a bicycle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has many safety tips.
4. Attend local events. Many federal properties host community events where you can enjoy different activities with your family, including farmers markets, art galleries, concerts and other live shows. Check your local community calendar to see what’s coming up and learn more about how to use federal buildings as community spaces.
5. Organize activities in your home. You don’t need to spend money or get out of town to stay active. There are lots of things you can find in your own home to keep your family entertained. You don’t need much space to plant a garden, and you can learn what you can do to help the environment by visiting the citizen action page of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Extreme heat is dangerous. Learn how to keep cool and stay healthy as temperatures rise.
Image description: Should you put sunscreen on infants? Not usually. The best approach is to keep infants under 6 months out of the sun, especially between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
But when you are outside together, here are some of the most important ways to protect your infant from the harmful rays of the sun: an umbrella and brimmed hat for shade, a cooler for liquids, a bottle for hydration, and clothing for covering the skin.
Learn more about keeping babies safe in the sun.
Graphic by Michael J. Ermarth, Food and Drug Administration
