First off, I can't believe this year is already over. I swear that I was just meeting everyone last week. We've done so much this year. When I was looking through pictures to create the slideshow, I had forgotten about some things we had done. During our party today, we took a stroll down memory lane...feel free to take a look as well in my "The Year in Review 2012-2013" video!
- FreeFuninAustin.com - Check this website often to see what's going on for free or cheap. It also has an up-to-date list of places kids can eat free every day of the week.
- Austin Monthly 113 Fun Things to Do This Summer - I am a subscriber to Austin Monthly and often read through for new things to occupy my time. This a compiled list of some of the best things to do in and around Austin. You can also subscribe to one e-mail per week for the "Weekend Happenings".
- Austin Children's Museum - mention "Open Door policy" and it's free for everyone in your group!!!! I usually say, "Do you still have the open door policy?" (I've used this before with my nephew a few times.) FREE!
- Round Rock Public Library - As many of you already know, public libraries offer lots of great activities, storytimes, and reading incentives over the summer. Their schedules can be found online. Our situation is a little weird, because our students may choose to go to Austin, Round Rock or Wells Branch libraries, depending on where their parents live, or what is convenient, and all these libraries have different systems in place. However, whatever local library your students choose to patronize will be happy to have them, so please just encourage them to go, whenever and wherever it happens! FREE!
- Austin Public Library Summer Reading Program
- Wells Branch Community Library - Review the calendar events for activities or go check out a few new books every week to keep your child reading!
- Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program - This is my favorite of the vendor-style reading programs this summer because it is organized, convenient, and the kids can win a free book, just by participating! All they have to do is read 8 books over the summer, keep a reading journal, and hand it into any B&N store before September 4th, and they win. FREE!
- Robotics Camp (very affordable) through Wells Branch Community Library - One day each week for 3 hours, your child can learn how to build a cool LEGO Robot or Motorized LEGO machine! Each workshop is especially themes with new models to choose from and allows your child to use their imagination and creativity while learning about basic science and engineering concepts. Workshops are open to children aged 5 to 14.
- Improv Summer Camps - I know we have many students in our class that LOVE performing. I found this summer camp link that some of you may be interested in registering your child for. Here is the info directly from the website: "The Hideout Theatre brings back their exciting, unique summer camp! Kids learn the basics of improv, story telling, and stagecraft while having more fun than the law should allow. Everyday we play games, create stories, perform scenes, do crafts and generally have a blast. On the final day we show off our amazing new skills in a performance for friends and family."
- Summer Camp List - Here is a list from AustinChronicle.com with a list of summer camps for kids around Austin, however, some of them are a bit pricey.
- Zilker Hillside Theater's production of Little Shop of Horrors (July 12-August 17) - I usually attend the theatre production every summer and thoroughly enjoy it!!! We usually take our picnic dinner and enjoy the performance under the stars. Parking is about $3 per car and the performance is FREE. Thursday - Sunday evenings, approximate start 8:30pm. **Usually the Hillside Theater presents family-oriented shows, but this one I would consider borderline. Please use your judgement when deciding whether or not to take your entire family to this show. It is not intended for children of all ages.**
- Blues on the Green - Every other Wednesday and has already begun. My friends and I always attend this and love it. It's great to take your picnic dinner and enjoy Austin music. FREE!
- Symphony in the Park - Every Sunday at 7:30pm beginning June 2nd - August 25th. I have attended this with my friends as well and also enjoy taking a picnic dinner and enjoying the symphony while also able to see the Austin skyline from the lawn in front of the Long Center. FREE!
- Other ideas that I usually find myself doing during the summer (either with friends or my nephew):
- kayaking (either at Town Lake or Brushy Creek Park)
- weekend festivals (usually google to find one or look it up on FreeFuninAustin.com)
- community pools/water areas (including Rock'N River Water Park, Scott Mentzer Pool, & Brushy Creek Park Splash Pad)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fun At-Home Ideas*:
- Design a Garden. Design a garden from scratch. What plants will you grow? How many rows? Encourage children to determine the length, width, and area of their garden. Does your garden need a fence? Measure each side of the garden to discover the perimeter!
- Create a boat that floats. What materials will you use? Encourage your students to design a boat that carries a load. What items sink, and what items float? Explore various items found around the house!
- Experience the water cycle! What happens to the water in a puddle? Write down your predictions in a science notebook and measure the puddle every hour.
- Observe the clouds. What types of clouds do you notice?
- How much precipitation fell during the month? Create a rain gauge and record precipitation and evaporation.
- Create music! Fill recycled jars with water. The children can decide how much water to put in each jar. Tap the jar with a spoon to hear the different pitches. Create new songs with friends!
- Observe the states of matter. Encourage children to discover the states of matter with water. How might we turn a liquid into a solid? How does a liquid turn into a gas in nature?
- Design and pitch a tent. How much space do you need in your tent? Measure the area and design a tent using blankets and sticks.
- Make a campfire. Experience a chemical change first hand! With an adult, observe how the logs change in the campfire. Don't forget to observe (and taste) the change of marshmallows, too!
- Observe the night-time sky. Observe and document the star constellations and moon phases. What changes do you see throughout the warm summer nights?
- Have some flashlight fun. Use a camping flashlight to determine what outdoor items are opaque, translucent, and transparent.
- With an adult, take a night-time walk! Document the nature and wildlife you see.
- Grow a recipe. What is your favorite recipe? Grow the ingredients to your family's favorite soup or meal!
- Start a seed collection. Seeds are all around us! Use an old photo album or index cards to collect your favorite seeds.
- Identify what plants need. What do plants need to live? What is the purpose for each of the plants' parts? Encourage children to observe and document a plant's changes over time.
- Craft a nature projects. Encourage your children to build something for nature! Use recyclable or reusable items to create a birdbath or a bird feeder.
- Bring the outdoors inside! Reuse a plastic container and make a terrarium.
Summer vacation is a wonderful opportunity to spend extra time outdoors. Encourage your students to spend time this summer engaged in outdoor science and math activities!
---
*Ideas compliments of PrometheanPlanet.com
