Summer is the time of year where you can run around barefoot, wear a tank top with tan skin peeking through, and everything is just sweeter from tea to watermelon. I can remember as a kid in summer riding my bike to a friend’s house, flying kites in the field across from my home, and walking to the corner store to load up on candy. I can also remember telling my mom a thousand times a week “Mom, I’m bored!”. Our cover story this month is keeping summer simple. We have fun things to do with the kids, fun things to do with friends, or even fun things to do by yourself. Here are our top ten favorite summer activities!
1). Make or taste the best ice cream sandwich or milkshake ever!
If you have a recipe then whip it up, or if you are recipe challenged, take a ride to Brenham, Texas and tour the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory. You’ll thank me when you see the generous servings they give for sampling! www.bluebell.com
2). Build a sandcastle and enjoy a beautiful beach sunset.
Sometimes we forget how close we live to a beach. In only an hour, we can be there to see gorgeous sunrises and sunsets… and let’s face it, at the beach, you can build a sandcastle! Plus there is a huge variety of other fun things to do this summer in Galveston. www.galveston.com
3). Grab a blanket, spread it out in the grass, and gaze at clouds or color in a coloring book.
Yes, we know this sounds simple, but there is a new trend in “self-care” or “JOMO” which stands for the “Joy of Missing Out” as opposed to “FOMO” or the “Fear of missing out.” Take some time for Self-Care.
4). Watch an outdoor play or concert in a park.
If you haven’t been to Miller Outdoor Theatre in a while add that to your list this summer. They have a variety of shows and concerts to see and they are free! Another fun thing to do is make a night of it and spend the night in a hotel downtown. Hop on the rail to Hermann Park where the theatre is located. www.milleroutdoortheatre.com Have you heard of the new Rooftop Cinema Club on Post Oak Blvd. in the Galleria Area? Talk about fun, this open-air cinema has new movies as well as cult classics. www.rooftopcinemaclub.com
5). Grab the kids & volunteer in your community.
Over summer, I always carve out time for volunteer work that includes both myself and the kids. A favorite of mine is KidsMeals Inc. You can bring children as young as four to help decorate lunch bags. Or for the older kids, they can make sandwiches and put together lunches to feed 5000 poverty-stricken children. In the summer, these meals are delivered daily. It feels great to know the lunch you prepared will go to feed a hungry child later that very same day. www.kidsmealsinc.org
Click here to read more in our May/June Issue starting on Page 9!
