Summertime Fun 2019 A guide to free and low‐cost activities in and around the Seacoast area of .

This information is provided as a courtesy. Check online or call to ensure accuracy.

Staycations What a staycation is… A vacation where a family relaxes at home or takes day trips to area attractions. Pretend that you are “away”. Turn off the phone, ignore email. Focus on family without the distractions of day‐to‐day life. Make a plan – Plan it just like any other vacation! Sit down with your kids and plan each day. Give your staycation a budget.

What a staycation is NOT… A vacation where a family stays home and does chores, finishes projects and sits around watching TV. Just staying home and doing nothing special would be…boring! The main point of a staycation is to relax, enjoy your family and get to some of our area’s attractions.

Prepare for the vacation. Do any laundry, shopping, bill‐paying, errand‐running and other things you might do if leaving town for a few days. You want the vacation time to be just that: a vacation. Don’t plan non‐vacation things during those dates. This is not the time for home repair or other appointments. If you would like to allow for those types of things while taking a break from work or school, plan a day less for your “vacation” and schedule those things before or after the “trip.”

Staycations are about being creative, having fun, and saving money so your family can spend some time together making unique memories. Start thinking about those really messy recipes and science experiments you never do with your kids, be a tourist in your own town and don’t forget your camera!

Beaches

Fort Foster – Good tidal pool beach with a pier, trail system, playground, picnic area, restrooms in season, battlements to climb on, and views of Portsmouth Harbor, including two lighthouses. Fee: $20 per car. Kittery residents purchase season pass at town hall. Pocahontas Road, Kittery, Maine. May to September, 10am to 8pm.

Hampton Beach – The National Resources Defense Council Report "Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches" ranked Hampton Beach in the top 3 cleanest beaches in the United States and in the top 10 values for resorts in America. www.hamptonbeach.org/ Be prepared to pay $15‐$20 for parking.

Great Island Common New Castle – The Great Island Common is comprised of 32 acres of seaside green space with a playground, picnic areas, restrooms, volleyball courts, and a beach. Fee: 0‐5 years, free; 6‐65, $4; 66, $2; handicapped, $2. Free off season. 301 Wentworth Road Route 1‐B; New Castle, NH, 9am to 9pm.

Rye Beaches – ‐ Great family beach with an oceanfront setting. Bathhouse & lifeguards. Odiorne Boat Launch ‐ a few hundred yards inland from the state park, gives access to some calm water and sandy beaches. Just follow the bridge and path through the woods and watch out for the poison ivy. There is a suggested donation at the “Iron Ranger” near the parking lot entrance. Wallis Sands – Route 1A, $15 for parking, though sometimes the lot is free late in the day. York Beaches – Long Sands Beach – As the name implies, this is a long sandy beach with a designated surfing area. Metered parking is available along Route 1A for the entire length of beach. Restrooms available at the Bathhouse near Oceanside Ave. Lifeguards on duty end of June to Labor Day. Short Sands Beach – Sandy beach with gentle surf. Metered parking in the lot off Route 1A, or find $10 per day parking. Showers, changing area and toilets. Easy to walk to shops and amusements rides and Fun‐o‐Rama adjacent to beach. Lifeguards on duty end of June to Labor Day. Great playground and basketball court.

Swimming

Exeter Outdoor Pool – 603 773‐6151, 4 Hampton Road Route 27, Exeter NH Afternoons and evenings. Residents, children $3 and adults $4. For Non‐residents, children $4 and adults $5. The splash pad offers a safe environment for little ones to cool off and a sitting area where parents can park their beach chairs and watch the kids play with the many water sprayers and jets. The adjoining pool is equipped with life guards and there is also a small concession stand with food and drinks. Adjacent to the pool area is one of the area’s best playgrounds with giant wooden structures, swings and slides in an enclosed wooden fence. http://exeternh.gov/recreation/daniel‐r‐healy‐outdoor‐pool

Jenny Thompson Outdoor Pool – 603516‐6085, 140 Portland Ave. Dover, NH. https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city‐operations/recreation/jenny‐thompson‐pool/index.html

Peirce Island Outdoor Pool – 99 Peirce Island Rd, Portsmouth. Weekday mornings are reserved for children’s swimming lessons. For Portsmouth residents, swim lessons are FREE. Afternoons, evenings and weekends are for open for everyone. Residents: children are free and adults are $2.00. For non‐residents, children are $2.00 and adults are $4.00. Gently sloping depth from 14 inches to six feet it provides plenty of fun space for every age and ability including 6 lap lanes at the deep end for serious swimmers. https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/recreation/outdoor/admission

UNH Outdoor Pool – Durham. Zero depth entry, swim lanes, waterbasketball, and plenty of space for free swimming. Increased social space around the pool is a great place to relax when not enjoying the water. New restrooms and bathhouse incorporate a display celebrating the history of the Outdoor Pool. $8.00 per person. You will need to pay for parking. http://campusrec.unh.edu/outdoor‐pool

Link to Beaches, Lakes, and Swimming Holes: within 1.5 hours away http://www.seacoastkidscalendar.com/nh‐ lakes‐state‐parks/

On Site Canoe, Kayak, and Stand‐up Paddle Board Rentals

NH State Park retail stores offer boat rentals $30 for ½ day rentals. http://www.nhstateparks.org/planning/schedule‐and‐fees/boat‐rentals.aspx

UNH Mendums Pond ‐ The Outdoor Recreation Area is a beautiful 200‐acre site just seven miles from Durham. The Area is perfect for swimming, boating and picnicking. Lakeside picnic areas and canoes and paddle boats are available for rent. Swimming is permitted; however, there are no lifeguards on duty. $6 for entrance to pond. $5 per hour for boat rentals. http://campusrec.unh.edu/mendums‐pond‐recreation‐area

Playgrounds

Don Ball Park – 14 Humphrey Rd, Derry, NH. Home to a large playground structure, slides, climbing walls and splash pad water park. Bathroom facilities. Free. Concession stand.

Dover Adventure Playground and Splash Pad ‐ 36‐50 Henry Law Ave, Dover, NH. This unique play area features a life‐size flat‐bottomed vintage gundalow boat, a net climber, swings and slides, a 3‐story Garrison tower, a climbable Alewife granite fish sculpture, and splash pad.

Planet Playground ‐ 4 Hampton Road Route 27, Exeter NH. Huge, enclosed wooden playground with lots of swings, slides, climbing structures and towers fun for all ages. Benches for mom wahoo! and bathroom facilities are open during summer hours. Adjacent to the playground is the Exeter outdoor pool and splash pad, as well as tennis courts. This park does get cool windy even in warmer weather, so be sure to bring a sweater!

Did you know there are 23 playgrounds in the city of Portsmouth? Get the wiggles out close to home. Bet the heat go early morning. http://files.cityofportsmouth.com/maps/ParksPlaygrounds8x11.pdf. Highlights include South Mill, Pine Street, and Pierce Island.

Don’t forget to check out local elementary schools in your town and surrounding towns! Hint: New Castle and Eliot

Travelling? Find a great place to play near you. Check out this website: https://mapofplay.kaboom.org/

Parks, Walking Trails, and Hiking

Barrington’s Conserved Lands – There are many trails in this area. Two not to miss include and the Locke Falls http://www.barringtonconcom.org/3._Locke_Falls_Main_Page.html and the Winnie The Pool Trail http://www.barringtonconcom.org/11._Goodwill_Conservation_Area_Main_Page_files/Pooh%20Trail%20Brochure.pdf

Blue Job Mountain – Less than a mile to the top, then climb the spindly fire tower. The main trail at Blue Job is a steady climb. The ascent is much like walking up stairs. You can see Mt. Washington from up there! Crown Point Rd., Farmington http://www.seacoastnh.com/travel/scenic‐walks/blue‐job‐state‐forest/

Fort Foster ‐ Three small beaches, a trail system, restroom facilities in season, picnic areas and old military fortifications. Pocahontas Road, Kittery, ME. Fee: $20 per car.

Fort McClary – Visitors pay a $2 donation honor system to wander among the brick, wooden and granite structures high above the Piscataqua River with views of Maine and New Hampshire. Rt 103, Kittery Point, ME. Playground, grills, pavilion, and restrooms on pond side.

Four Tree Island – Four Tree Island features picnic and BBQ spots opposite Prescott Park and excellent views of the Piscataqua River. Portsmouth. Free.

Great Bay Wildlife Refuge – Variety of recreational opportunities for visitors. The Ferry Way and Peverly Pond pedestrian trails are open daily from dawn to dusk and offer opportunities for wildlife watching and photography. The Peverly Pond Trail and restroom facilities are wheelchair accessible. 4 Arboretum Drive, Newington. Free. http://www.fws.gov/refuge/great_bay/

Great Bay Discovery Center – The Reserve offers many trails to explore the lands around Great Bay. Visitors can explore colonial homestead sites, enjoy a picnic lunch perched atop large granite boulders, or quietly watch waterfowl floating on the Bay. http://greatbay.nh.gov/visit/index.htm. The Passport to Great Bay http://greatbay.org/documents/greatbaypassport.pdf provides information for navigating the landscape, exploration time, trail difficulty, what to look for, a place to record what you see as well as coordinates for the geocache program. 89 Depot Road, Greenland. Kittery Land Trust – Directions and parking for 6 public access trails including trails along the water edge with breath taking views. http://kitterylandtrust.org/klt‐lands/public‐accessible/

Little Harbour Trail – Be sure to go for a stroll on this 1.5 mile waterside path that connects the Wentworth‐ Coolidge Grounds, Creek Farm, and Portsmouth Conservation Land. Free parking & trail access are available at the Wentworth‐Coolidge Mansion, Little Harbour Road, Portsmouth, NH.

Mt. Agamenticus – Provides relatively easy hiking trails to picnic area at summit and views of the ocean. The Mount A Learning Lodge is open for visitation on weekends Memorial Day thru Columbus Day 11am‐3pm. Inside you will find a variety of educational activities and displays for all ages. In addition, the Learning Lodge features The Kids’ Corner, a free, drop‐in program created to encourage families to play together and explore nature through hands‐ on, guided nature craft. The Big A Rd, Cape Neddick, ME www.agamenticus.org

Mt. Major – A hike for families with kids over age five. Not a good one to carry kids up, unless you’re in good shape. Great views of Lake Winnipesaukee from about halfway point right up to the summit. Multiple trails to get to summit and back. Rt. 11, Alton Bay, NH. www.belknaprangetrails.org/mt‐major/blue‐trail

Odiorne State Park – Enjoy a wooded picnic grove with playground and miles of flat walking and easy biking trails. Seven distinct natural habitats can be visited in a leisurely hour’s walk. admission charged Memorial Day‐Labor Day which is $4 for ages 12‐64, $2 for ages 6‐11, free for under 6 and NH residents over 64. Annual $60 family membership includes admission to Science Center and state park. 570 Ocean Blvd Rye. www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state‐parks/odiorne‐point‐state‐park.aspx

Patuckaway State Park – Camping, swimming, hiking, fishing, rock climbing, boating, biking, picnicking. Amenities: Campground, camp store, ball field, playground, bathhouse, shelters, picnic tables, canoe & row boat rentals, boat launch, showers. Admission is $5 for adults; $2 for children ages 6‐11; children ages 5 and under. NH residents age 65 and over are free. The park is located off NH Route 156 in Nottingham, NH. https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state‐parks/pawtuckaway‐state‐park

Stratham Hill Park – Hiking/biking trails and fire tower to climb, plus playground, fields, pavilions and restrooms. Free. Rt. 33, Stratham, NH. Trail map: https://www.strathamnh.gov/sites/strathamnh/files/uploads/stratham_hill_053116_final_0.pdf

The Town of Exeter ‐ These trails can be upwards in distance of 5 miles and have been featured in American Trail Running Association “Trail Town” articles! http://trailrunner.com/trail‐news/featured‐trail‐town‐exeter‐new‐ hampshire/. All maps can be found at http://exeternh.gov/bcc/trail‐maps or waterproof trail brochures for Henderson Swasey Town Forest, Oaklands Town Forest, Raynes Farm, and Little River Conservation Area may be purchased in the Planning Department for $1 each.

Urban Forestry Center – Not too far from Families First. Tree Identification Trail, access to salt marsh, self‐guided walks through woods and grounds of historic home and cemetery. A great place to start practicing map orienting. 45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth, https://www.nhdfl.org/DRED/media/Hero‐Images/UFC‐Website‐1.pdf

Vaughan Woods – Great family friendly park. Marked walking trails, picnic area, rest room, open space, manor house to hike to. $2 donation per adult. Vine Street, South Berwick, ME www.seacoastnh.com/travel/scenic‐ walks/vaughan‐woods

Wagon Hill Farm – Acres of fields and wooded trails, plus a small sandy and muddy at low tide beach about a half‐mile walk from the parking lot. Free. Check out Emery Farm across the street for small petting farm and sand box; donations accepted Off Rt. 4, Durham, NH.

York Land Trust Preserves ‐ York Land Trust manages five preserves, open for public access, that feature the settings for walks and wildlife observation within landscapes and natural resources that define the Greater York/Mount Agamenticus Region of Southern Maine. http://yorklandtrust.org/explore/

Hiking in New Hampshire is wonderful. No matter where you choose to walk, there are almost always guaranteed to be beautiful views. But with so many large mountains and a wilderness that goes on for miles and miles, hiking in the Granite State can be intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be! These 10 hikes under 5 miles in New Hampshire, will take you to some of the most beautiful hiking spots, making them manageable and enjoyable even for beginners. www.onlyinyourstate.com/new‐hampshire/hikes‐under‐5‐miles‐nh

Biking Trails

Seacoast Velokids – Offers FREE guided rides geared towards young kids who are ready to take riding to the next level. Open to self sufficient riders who can manage basic trails with no assistance, teaching these riders more advanced skills to allow them to become more confident riders. Stratham Hill Park and York, ME. Visit www.seacoastvelokids.com/summer‐ride‐program.html. They even have bikes and helmets available for use!

Odiorne State Park – Easy flat paved and grass paths. Kid friendly plenty of trail options to keep things interesting.

Patuckaway State Park

Stratham Hill Park – some easier trails, bike pump track, advanced mountain biking

Town of Exeter – see above

UNH Campus – Paved walkways throughout the campus, good for kids when college is out of session. Some hills.

Movies

Family Movie Night ‐ Family movie nights are just a bit more structured than simply renting a movie and letting the kids watch it. Set a movie start time and take care of all chores before you settle in for the movie. Movies are an escape, and you can’t escape when you’re so close to all those household tasks that need to be done. A darkened room, plenty of comfy seating and fun food are the prerequisites to family movie night. Make it a double feature with the second showing after the youngest have gone to bed. Add on by creating a concession stand, “sell tickets”, and make it a themed night with diner and a movie.

O’Neil Cinema – Summer Kids Series $1.50 Mondays and Wednesdays; Super Bargain Tuesdays $6 all day; plus other deals. 24 Calef Hwy Epping, 603 679‐3556. https://oneilcinemas.com/site/assets/files/1341/summer‐kids‐ series‐2019.pdf

Saco Drive In – Yes, a real Drive In movie theater with this season’s blockbusters. $20 per car. 969 Portland Rd. Saco, ME 04072 207 284‐1016 https://thesacodrivein.com/

Your local library – check with your local library for movie nights and to borrow movies for your own family movie night all for free!

Ever wish your child could unwatch something? Common Sense Media is a non‐profit website that reviews and rates movies, websites, videos to help you decide what is best for your family. http://www.commonsensemedia.org

Science Centers/Museums

***To save on the cost of museum admission, check with your local library. They often have passes that substantially reduce the admission fees. ***

Albacore Museum ‐ The USS Albacore, the prototype for modern submarines, was built in 1953 at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and was converted into a museum in 1986. 600 Market St., Portsmouth, NH. 603 436‐3680 Adults $8, child 7‐17 $3, under 7 free Family $16 www.ussalbacore.org

American Independence Museum – “Discover the stories behind America’s revolutionary past and how they relate to your experiences today.” Multiple historic buildings to tour, special events, programs and workshops. Admission: adults, $6; students, $3; One Governors Lane, Exeter, NH. 603 772‐2622 https://www.independencemuseum.org/

Blue Ocean Society Touch Tank –Visitors can gently handle tide pool animals and plants from the Gulf of Maine at the Blue Ocean Society Touch Tank. $1 per person, 2 and under, free. 170 Ocean Boulevard, Hampton Beach, NH 603 431‐0260 http://www.blueoceansociety.org/our‐programswhat‐we‐do/blue‐ocean‐discovery‐center/

Children’s Museum of Maine – Worth the trip and right in cool downtown Portland. Admission: $11.50 pp under 18 months, free. Check library for discounted rates. 42 Free St., Portland, ME 207 828‐1234 www.kitetails.org

Discover Kids – Two museums, Children’s Discovery Museum and Science Discovery Museum, on one campus in Acton, MA. Free admission Friday nights 4:30‐8:30. EBT Discount Program. One ticket for both museums, adults and children, $14.50. 177 Main St. Route 27 Acton, MA 978 264.4200 www.discoverymuseums.org

Free Fun Fridays in Massachusetts. It is sponsored by the Highland Street Foundation and has a list of museums each Friday through the summer with free admission. This year’s list can be found at www.highlandstreet.org/programs/free‐fun‐fridays

Great Bay Discovery Center – Education building with exhibits, touch tank, a model gundalow you can climb on and a model Native American settlement. Open from 10 am ‐ 4 pm. 89 Depot Road, Greenland, NH 603 778‐0015 www.greatbay.org/visit/index.htm

McAuliffe‐Shepard Observatory – Multiple programs for kids as young as 3, including planetarium shows and workshops. Admission: Adults, $11.50; children 3‐12, $8.50; children 13‐college, $9.50; 2 Institute Dr, Concord, NH. 603 271.STAR www.starhop.com

New Hampshire Children’s Museum – Air conditioned and usually not crowded on sunny summer days. Check out the playground at Henry Law Park! $10– adults & children over 1 year of age; $10 – seniors age 65; offering $1 per person admission with EBT card and valid ID. Immediate family members 2 adults and dependent children who are with the cardholder will also be admitted at $1 per person. 10 Henry Law Avenue, Dover, NH. 603 742‐ 2002 http://www.childrens‐museum.org/visit/info

New Hampshire Farm Museum – Learn about three centuries of NH farm life. Go on a Barn Hunt, meet farm animals, tour vegetable gardens, and many special events days. Admission: adults, $7; children 4‐17, $4; family rate of $20 2 adults and their children or grandchildren. Rte 125 White Mountain Hwy, Milton, NH 603 652‐7840 www.farmmuseum.org

Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum –Tour the museum at your own pace with the help of their family oriented Quest. A Pow Wow is held the second weekend in July. Family $26. 18 Highlawn Rd., Warner, NH. https://www.indianmuseum.org/

Portsmouth Lighthouse ‐ Open houses are every Sunday from late May through mid‐October from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. $4 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. Route 1B, New Castle. www.portsmouthharborlighthouse.org/open‐houses‐tours

Seacoast Science Center/Odiorne State Park – touch tanks, aquarium and exhibits in science center; tide pools, nice views, playground and picnic in state park. Seacoast Science Center admission: 13, $10; 3‐12, $5; under 3, free. Odiorne Point State Park admission charged Memorial Day‐Labor Day, not included in cost of Science Center: 12‐ 64, $4; 6‐11, $2; under 6, free, NH residents 65, free. Annual $80 family membership includes admission to science center and state park. 570 Ocean Blvd. Rye. www.seacoastsciencecenter.org

See Science Museum – Two floors of hands‐on science fun. Open seven days a week. Admission: $9 ages 3 and up. 200 Bedford Street, Manchester. 603 669‐0400 www.see‐sciencecenter.org

Squam Lake Natural Science Center – Laid‐back but well‐maintained zoo featuring native NH species including bears and mountain lions. Very child friendly. Trails are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the last admission at 3:30 p.m. May 1 through Nov. 1. Admission: adults, $19; youth 3‐15, $14; children 2 and under, free; senior age 65 or older, $16. 23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, NH 603 968‐7194 www.nhnature.org

Entertainment

Cochecho Arts Festival – Free concert series in Dover. Tuesday morning, kids’ concerts; Thursday noon, lunch series; Friday 7 pm, evening series. Stop by the Art Rocks tent to watch local artists doing interactive art demonstrations! https://cochechoartsfestival.org/festival‐schedule/

Hampton Beach – All FREE! Visit https://www.hamptonbeach.org/events/ for a complete list. ‐Fireworks Every Wednesday night and Holidays at 9:30 p.m. ‐Sea Shell Stage Line Up. http://www.hamptonbeach.org/events/seashell‐stage‐nightly‐shows ‐Children’s Festival: http://www.hamptonbeach.org/events/childrens‐events/ August 13‐17, 2018

Prescott Park – This year’s play is Beauty and the Beast, suggested donation $5‐10pp. Programs and festivals throughout the summer. Marcy St. Portsmouth. www.prescottpark.org/

Seacoast kids calendar ‐ a good online resource. http://www.seacoastkidscalendar.com/calendar

Somersworth Kids Koncerts ‐ For free family fun, come to the annual Kids’ Koncert series each Wednesday. For five weeks in the summer, you can view family‐friendly entertainment and picnic on the lawn. Bring a meal or purchase a ‘meal deal’ from the take out area. Hot dogs, chips, soda, ice cream, popcorn and water are provided a reasonable price. Shows are free and start at 6:00 PM and are approximately 1 hour in length. http://www.nhfestivals.org/kids‐koncerts.html

Stratham Parks & Recreation has a great summer lineup just for kids! Every Friday at 10:30am from July 12‐August 2, Free. Performances are at Stratham Hill Park. Check facebook page fore more information.

Summer in the Street ‐ Free outdoor entertainment take place on Saturdays from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Look for the stage on Pleasant Street, Portsmouth. http://proportsmouth.org/SummerintheStreet.cfm bring your own chair.

Deals

Barns and Noble – Read any eight books and earn a free book! https://dispatch.barnesandnoble.com/content/dam/ccr/pdf/2019/summer‐reading/123233A‐05‐bn‐tear‐sheet‐ bndotcom.pdf

90‐Day Challenge ‐ participants can take advantage of the beautiful state parks in New Hampshire for free including Odiorne Point. Visit http://nhmoves.org/90daychallenge/ for more information and to register.

Free Fun Fridays in Massachusetts. It is sponsored by the Highland Street Foundation and has a list of museums each Friday through the summer with free admission. This year’s list can be found at http://highlandstreet.org/programs/free‐fun‐fridays

Kids Bowl For Free – Bowl‐O‐Rama, Visit KidsBowlFree.com. Basically, all children receive two free games of bowling per day during the summer. You do have to pay for shoe rental, but this is still a deep discount compared to regular prices. Dover and Portsmouth.

UNH Horse and Cow Barns – stop in and visit the horses and cows most of them in stables. Bring carrots or apples to feed them. Free. Mast Road Extension, Durham, NH

UNH Observatory – free public sessions offered. The UNH Observatory is great for children, especially first graders and older. Don’t worry about experience. The staff is there to teach you and your children how to properly observe, so you don’t have to worry about anything being broken or damaged. They also have plenty of ladders and step‐ stools to ensure that smaller guests get views too! 603 862‐3996. Spinney Lane, near Woodman Farm, Durham http://physics.unh.edu/content/observatory‐sessions

Sagamore Golf Center ‐ 22 North Road, North Hampton NH on the corner of Route 1 and North Road 603‐964‐ 8393. Mini Golf Adults $7.50, child $6.50. Children under the age of 6 play mini golf for free and replays are free!

If you are traveling, check out kids skate free for free roller skating: http://kidsskatefree.com/castlerollerskating

Check out this website to find Kids Meals Deals: http://www.kidsmealdeals.com/

Local libraries – Stay in touch with local libraries. They offer great summer programming, special events and Museum Passes!

Dover: http://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city‐operations/library/events/index.html Epping: http://www.eppinglibrary.com/programs‐events/upcoming‐events/ Exeter: https://www.exeternh.gov/library Portsmouth: http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrgprtsmth Rice Public library Kittery: http://www.rice.lib.me.us/eventsreg.asp York: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/Y/YORK/ekp.cfm?curOrgYORK

Just fun things to Do

1. Families First Playgroups and Parenting Programs! Air Conditioning, friends for kids and adults 😊 2. Make a ridiculously large summer bucket list. It never fails, every August you start to remember all the things I wanted to do with the kids this summer. Include parent‐only activities on the list, too! 3. Check Seacoast Kids Calendar. http://www.seacoastkidscalendar.com/calendar/ 4. Use finger paint to paint your body. 5. Cook together ‐start easy, make your own pizzas – premade crust, jar sauce, spices, and lots of cheese and toppings ‐try 2 ingredient banana bread cookies http://www.cookinglight.com/food/recipe‐ finder/how‐to‐make‐2‐ingredient‐cookie‐recipe‐video, or do you have a buddy chef? Tackle a more complex recipe. Include your child in menu planning and grocery shopping. ‐make ice cream in a bag ‐ http://innerchildfun.com/2012/06/ice‐cream‐in‐a‐bag.html ‐solar powered lunch ‐http://innerchildfun.com/2010/07/solar‐powered‐lunch.html 6. Go puddle jumping ‐ Don’t miss all the fun on a rainy day! Grab a pair of rainboots and go puddle jumping! 7. Learn some magic and put on a Magic Show. While kids are practicing, you might have a bit of free time! 8. Go . All you need is a GPS to participate in this popular treasure hunt. start with the Great Bay Discovery Center 9. Go on a picnic ‐ There’s nothing better than getting out and enjoying the sunshine on a beautiful, summer day. Let your kids help with the packing. Try a breakfast picnic to beat the heat. 10. Camping Out or in – living room, backyard, or campground – don’t forget the smores! 11. Water guns, wet sponge relay ‐enough said  12. Toy car wash. 13. Family game/puzzle time – you finally have enough time for that 1000‐piece puzzle and to play a full game of monopoly. Charades anyone?? 14. Play old school physical games – water balloon or egg toss, egg balancing on spoon, three‐ legged run, sack race, kickball, Simon says, mother may I? freeze tag, relay races. 15. Minute to Win It – try to toss the most mini marshmallows into a bucket being held on your teammate’s head. http://teachmama.com/minute‐win‐games‐kids‐family/. 16. Frozen T‐ shirt race ‐ grab one t‐shirt per player. Soak with water. squeeze out and fold up. Place wax paper in between shirts and put in freezer. When frozen pass them out. first person who can unfold shirt and put it on wins! 17. Get some fresh air outdoors before it gets too hot outside, try a breakfast picnic or hit a playground early. 18. Become a Mad Scientist –http://www.exploratorium.edu/science_explorer/ http://www.sciencebob.com/experiments/index.php http://pbskids.org/zoom/printables/activities/

19. 20. LEGOS!!!! http://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/free‐printable‐30‐day‐lego‐challenge‐instant‐download/ 21. Paint For Fun – rocks kindness rocks, shells, garden pots; read about an artist and try their techniques. Think Jackson Pollack and a bed sheet. Or simply “paint” with water for younger kids. 22. Make giant bubbles. http://innerchildfun.com/2010/07/sunday‐snapshot‐you‐must‐try‐this.html

23. Make a mess – Paper Mache is a good multiday project adding layers and then painting 24. Fly a kite ‐ Take advantage of those windy days and get outside to fly your favorite kite! Or have the kids make homemade kites for even more fun. 25. Build a Fairy Garden. Use natural materials found in your own backyard. Read a fairy garden story. 26. Make your own bird feeder or robots out of recyclables. 27. Dollar store crafts: ‐Transform a stackable bin into a doll swing for your American Girl Doll ‐Make a hideout using a hula hoop and bedsheet ‐Tie dollar store basket to front of kid’s bike ‐Make glow in the dark whiffle balls

28. Read a book and do a phantom book review – Thanks River Run Bookstore for the idea! https://www.youtube.com/watch?vNDzfIL5Mn48&featureyoutu.be 29. Free babysitting ‐ Find some families who are also looking and start a babysitting co‐op. Go out for a night on the town while one family watches the kids. Then trade off. 30. Final word: How often do your *really* play with your kids? And I mean like you did when you were a child... You only have 18 summers with your kids, make the most of them!