Build Family Memories This July 4th
With the 2016 July 4th holiday fast approaching, here are some ways to make sure your family has fun creating memories together on our country’s 240th birthday.
1. Traveling the nation’s highways for the holiday? If you’ll be on the road, play the license plate game with your children to while away the time. The simple game familiarizes children with the states and, in some cases, helps to teach state nicknames or slogans, too. (Did you know Connecticut is The Constitution State?!!) Play the game as a version of “I Spy” and simply keep a list of license plates spotted on the highway. The person with the longest list at the end of the trip wins.
2. Did you know the National Park Service will celebrate its 100-year anniversary August 25, 2016? Create some wonderful family memories by visiting one of the country’s 58 national parks.The Every Kid in a Park initiative grants free access to 4th graders and their families who want to visit any of the 2,000 federally managed lands and waters nationwide. But hurry! You may want to take note of this incentive to travel now. The program is scheduled to end August 31, 2016.
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f you are staying home to celebrate July 4th or need to take a potluck item to a gathering, enjoy this healthy red, white and blue Firecracker Salad. It’s simple. Combine the following: rinsed blueberries, sliced bananas and seedless watermelon pieces cut with a small star-shaped cookie cutter. It will be gone faster than you can say, “Yankee Doodle”!
4. Need to brush up on your Fourth of July facts? How about a friendly family trivia contest? Try these printable packets at http://www.infoplease.com/us/history/independence-day-trivia.html. By the way, did you know that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration? Learn more while having fun with your kids!
5. Express gratitude. There are approximately 21 million United States veterans, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Take time over the holiday to thank those who have fought to preserve our American liberties. Honor them by attending a parade or civic celebration; wave the red, white and blue, and “ooh” and “ah” at the fireworks displays.
Here at Penguin Patch, we wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July and summer vacation. And remember, we are always available to answer any questions. We look forward to making your 2016 Holiday Shop a success!
