Just like waking up on Christmas morning, the last day of school evokes the same feelings of giddiness and bright-eyed enthusiasm in kids. There’s no more homework, no more teachers and even though there are no presents to open, the start of summer offers so much more: more fun, more sleepovers and more freedom!
Yet for parents, this gleeful sentiment isn’t always shared. Summer means extra family time, nice weather and relaxing beach trips — all major pluses — but it also tends to mean more work and planning.
Clocking in additional hours as your kids personal chauffeur, making sure they stay safe outdoors, keeping up with their learning and consistently coming up with ways to keep them busy all break can be a hefty task. But we are here to help!
When you’ve exhausted trips to and from the pool and you need your kids to entertain themselves at home, have them try out a few of the explorative apps on pg. 28. These apps will get them outside in the backyard enjoying their own nature adventure for hours at a time. Plus, they’ll keep your children’s minds active and engaged. If you want to know more ways to keep your kids educationally stimulated throughout the summer, check out tips from a local teacher on pg. 14.
Because summer is all about increased outdoor exposure, we talked to local parents about sun safety. They shared great tips and products worth trying on pg. 36. And with Lyme disease on the rise, you can calm your worries and find out how to stay tick-free this season on pg. 26.
Lastly, we’ve already got you covered on fun things to do for Father’s Day! Check out pg. 46 for our list of local outings to celebrate dads. Whether Dad is a music lover, fisher, craft beer and bourbon enthusiast or outdoor adventurer, there’s an event he’ll be sure to love. Also, in celebration of fathers, read about University of Maryland Men’s Basketball Coach, Mark Turgeon, who exemplifies fatherhood both on and off the court on pg. 10.
So as your kids are jumping for joy as the new season begins, I hope you can share in this excitement and make summer planning a family affair. Along with the many resources in this issue, you can also check out washingtonFAMILY.com daily for our “99 Days of Summer.” There you will find tons of summer fun inspiration for the whole family, including at-home activities and lists of local spots worth visiting. Remember, we’ve always got your back!
Happy start of summer,
Britni Petersen
Managing Editor
Washington FAMILY Magazine
