UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Summer is a time for vacations, picnics, parades and family fun. A family living expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences says these activities provide an opportunity to strengthen family ties by spending time together, whether at home or on a vacation.

Family vacations are popular during the summer, but you don't need to travel to Disneyworld to have a memorable time, according to James Van Horn, professor of rural sociology. "Taking children to nearby lakes or streams for day-trips can be just as enjoyable," says Van Horn. "Give children the opportunity to hike and explore the water and surrounding area for plants, rocks and animals. Allow them to bring home their findings as souvenirs to help them remember the events of the day."

When planning a vacation, Van Horn suggests the whole family be involved. Search the local newspaper for articles about upcoming events, parks and destinations. Keep a file of these articles and then get the whole family involved in choosing which places to visit. After the trip is over, he suggests creating a scrapbook, mobile or collage of objects from the trip. Photos, postcards, seashells and rocks are perfect items to be displayed.

Rain or shine, the summer is a great chance to spend quality time together. Engaging in activities together is ideal for bonding and having fun. "Summer for many families is a more relaxed time. It's a great time for families to do fun things, especially in the outdoors. Children of all ages love to play and run and have good old-fashioned fun with a parent," says Van Horn.

With warmer weather, outdoor activities can be planned. Organize a backyard track meet, obstacle course or picnic. Wash the car as a family, but be prepared with bathing suits and towels. Enjoy stargazing or cloud watching as a family. If the weather keeps you indoors, crafts are a great option. "Children love to create, so providing them with simple materials such as paper, scissors, felt, yarn, paper plates and markers can become an all-day event," he says. "Suggest making puppets and then putting on a show. Allow them to finger and foot paint. Play board games or charades as a family."

Children spend more time outdoors during the summer months, so safety is an important factor. Nancy Wilson, program specialist with the Penn State Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care Program, has some simple suggestions for parents to ensure the safety of their children. "Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children under age four," she says. "For infants and toddlers, an adult always needs to provide 'touch supervision.' That means being no more than an arm's length away from the child around any source of water."

Children always should wear helmets and pads when riding bikes and scooters, and when rollerblading and skateboarding. They should wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. To reduce bee and insect stings, dress children in light-colored clothing and use insect repellant sparingly.

"Time spent with the family is like putting money into a savings account. It grows and grows over time and pays dividends in the future," says Van Horn. "When children are grown and leave home, they take with them those dividends, the moments and minutes spent together as a family."

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Contact:

Cheryl Anthony cka106@psu.edu 814-863-0938 814-863-9877 fax

Chuck Gill cdg5@psu.edu 814-863-2713 814-863-9877 fax #187