Give your kids a totally awesome experience with our rad how-to guide

In hopes of encouraging more time spent outside instead of in front of a screen, we’ve cozied up to the concept that a classic ’80s summer à la Stranger Things (without that whole Upside Down thing, please) is just what the doctor ordered. Keep reading to see what you’ll need to make it happen—and guess what? This is going to be the Best. Summer. Ever.

1. Encourage round-the-clock wearing of swimsuits.

They’ll be pool or sprinkler-ready all day long, AND it works wonders on the laundry pile.

2. Replace their Nintendo Switch with an Etch-a-Sketch.

3. For the older set: Find the oldest playground equipment in town and leave your kids unsupervised to play for hours.  

4. Introduce them to real card and board games.

It’s not a real game of Battleship if the board doesn’t stay on the kitchen table for at least 72 hours of intermittent play.

5. Let your kids ride around the neighborhood.

No one’s summer is complete without pedal scrapes on the insides of their ankles and a couple of scab-on-scabbed knees. Worried about free-range life in the real world? Here’s a crash course on teaching kids to make good decisions.

6. Let them watch bad TV—a lot of It.

Bonus points if it’s one of these 1980s shows that are still totally cool.

7. Drink the Kool-Aid.

All of it. Even the ones with red food dye.

 

8. Show them how to use the phone.

And then give them the number to Pizza Hut.

9. Send them outside with sidewalk chalk and a sprinkler.

If you need ideas, check out our favorite ways to play with sidewalk chalk.

10. Let them eat crackers for dinner.

Remember when your mom would be lounging with her neighborhood pals while you inhaled a whole sleeve of Ritz crackers right on the sidewalk?

11. Just say NO.

To any appointments or engagements for your kids that start before 11 a.m.

12. Find a grocery store with a coin-operated ride near the door. 

13. Put bathing really, really low on the list of things to do.

You know you’ve reached authenticity when someone’s hair turns green from the chlorine.

Related: 15 Throwback Toys From Your ’80s Childhood

14. Keep a lot of Otter Pops in the freezer.

It wasn’t an ’80s summer without our friends Alexander the Grape and Louie-Bloo Raspberry.

15. Make sure their feet stay really, really dirty.

If by September they don’t freak out over splinters (or maybe they just don’t feel them), then you’ve done your job.

16. Buy Calamine lotion in bulk.

Related: 20 Foods That ’80s Kids Will Recognize

With summer on its way in and camping trips on the horizon, you’ll want to have this list of camping games for kids in your back pocket. Family camping trips are the perfect time to unplug and try out these outdoor games, flashlight activities and just plain old-school fun. Which one will be your family’s new favorite?

1. Nature Tic Tac Toe
We love this option as you can gather all the pieces right at your campsite. With four sticks and two sets of markers (think leaves and rocks) you'll be on your way to playing this game that's good for even the youngest campers. 

2. Hide and Go Seek
There are tons of great hiding spots when you are camping so this is a natural option for a camping game. Make sure the kids know what boundaries they need to keep and choose a way to call them in like a whistle if you need to end the game early. With little ones, pair up the hiders and make them hide together. 

3. Capture the Flag
If you have a slew of kids with you, capture the flag is fun for a group. Divide the kids up into two teams and use two bandanas for flags that you set at opposite ends of the campsite. the winning team is the one that retrieves the opposing team's flag and brings it back to their home base. 

4. Nature Bingo
Put the kids to work finding all the cool nature items in your campsite. 

5. 20 Questions
This is a fun game to use especially when going on a hike. Kids will have to use their keen observational skills and language to guess the target object. One child chooses a specific object they see along the way and the guessers get to question things like size, color and shape with yes or no questions. The winner gets to be the next one to choose an object. 

6. Camping Trip
We love this game for when everyone's sitting around the fire. The first person starts it off with "I'm going on a camping trip and I'm going to bring" and they say what they're going to bring. The next person repeats the phrase "I'm going on a camping trip and I'm going to bring" and they have to choose an item to bring that starts with the next letter in the alphabet. So if the first person is bringing a tent, then the second person has to bring something that starts with the letter "u" like a ukulele. 

7. Glow Bracelet Ring Toss
Find a stick and bury it in the dirt so that it is sticking up straight. Pass out equal numbers of glow bracelets to each person. Try your luck at throwing the glow bracelet onto the stick! 

8. Squirt Gun Races
Line up a row of plastic cups on the edge of a log or picnic table. With two teams, race to see which team can squirt the cups off the table first. 

9. Orange Chin Relay Race
With two teams, line up and pass an orange under your chin down the line without using your hands. If the orange drops you need to start over. First team to move the orange to the end wins! 

Kids playing camping games on family camping trip
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10. Night Vision
This is a great game to teach kids about how animals see at night. On a designated path, have a few older kids or parents hide in spots where they will be pretty camouflaged but still visible if people look closely enough. Have the "lookers" walk along the path and silently try to find the hiders. The next morning you can have the hiders go back to their spots to show the lookers where they were hiding in plain sight. 

11. A Killer Wink
This is a perfect campfire game with a group. One person is designated "it" and leaves the circle to go off where they cannot hear. The remaining group chooses a killer. The person who is "it" returns to the circle and tries to figure out who the killer is. The players look around the circle making eye contact with each other. If the killer winks at you, you have to make dramatic noises and fall over like you've died. When the person who is "it" guesses who the killer is, they get to become the next killer and a new "it" is chosen. 

12. Flashlight Charades
This is just like your traditional charades but by the light of the flashlight. Put a bunch of animal names on pieces of paper into a bucket. When it's your turn you select a paper and have to act out that animal using the light of a flashlight. Find more ideas for flashlight games here

Shutterstock

13. Nature Alphabet Hunt
A great way to help kids who are learning their letters is to go on a campground alphabet hunt where you look for items that start with each letter of the alphabet. 

14. Mosquito Bites
At the beginning of the camping trip give each kid a certain number of red stickers. If they are caught saying designated words like "campfire" or "tent" then they have to turn over one of their red dots to the person who calls them out. The one left with the most mosquito bites at the end is the winner! 

15. Rock Tower Challenge
Pair up and see which team can make the tallest stacked rock tower using rocks found in the campsite. 

 

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This is it, parents: the 15 outside toys for baby that you’ll need to keep your little one entertained this summer until the weather changes. Water, bubbles, balls and active play will keep kids happy and wipe them out for naptime. We’ve also offered product suggestions to make your shopping easier.

1. Splash Mat

baby outdoor toy, best splash mat for babies

Introduce your child to the old-fashioned fun of playing in the sprinklers with a tot-size splash mat. All the fun of a public splash pad—with none of the big-kid crowds. Splash mats allow babies to stay cool and interact with water without having to be submerged in it. We love the fan favorite SplashEZ 3-in-1 A-Z Splash Mat ($26) for its fun theme and gentle spraying action.

2. Baby Pool

babymoov baby pool, outdoor tent and pool with shade for baby, summer baby toys

Here’s an equation for summer fun: an inflatable pool + a few inches of water = hours of fun for your little guppy. For wee ones, we like the Playkids Fill 'n Fun Water Play Mat ($10). For bigger babes, the Babymoov Aquani Protective Pop-Up 3-in-1 Portable Baby/Toddler Pool Play Area ($91, pictured above) is a winner thanks to a built-in sunshade, removable mosquito net and attached toys.

3. Water Table

Made for fun in the sun, a water table is an ideal toy for encouraging little ones' imagination, developing early motor skills and introducing water play. The Little Tikes Fish 'N Splash Water Table ($45) features a fishing pole, net, cup and colorful critters to play with. 

4. Sand Table

If you can't get to the beach, bring the beach to your baby. Not only do tots have a blast, but they'll be touching, digging, burying and pouring their way into important sensory experiences. Add small tools like shovels, cars and miniature animals to up the fun—and learning—factor. This cute SOWOW Water Table Sand Table by Step2 ($36) will have baby feeling anything but crabby. 

5. Toy Ball

When it comes to your babe's outdoor toy lineup, basic can be a good thing. There are few things more fun for a little one than tossing, bouncing or throwing a ball. (No wonder "ball" is a common first word!) The Edushape Sensory See-Me Ball (from $15) fits the bill by being able to do all the things a conventional ball can do, plus it has a nubby texture that makes it easy for tiny hands to grasp.

6. Toy Truck

Giving your child access to simple toys that encourage creativity and imagination is a smart parenting move. Plus, it's a universally known fact that kids love filling up and dumping things out of a toy dump truck over and over (and over). And because you never know what babies might put in their mouth, this Green Toys Dump Truck ($27) is made from recycled plastic that is free of BPA, PVC and phthalates.

7. Bubble Machine

No matter what stage of development your baby is in, we can guarantee one thing: They love bubbles. Blow a few into the air and watch infants become mesmerized by the floating orbs and older tots go into chase mode, complete with giggles and waving arms. Save your breath with a Little Kids® Fubbles™ Bubble Blastin' Machine ($12). Thanks to the placement of the bubble wands, bubbles tend to blow at baby's level rather than high into the air out of reach. Because we all know that popping them is half the fun!

8. Baby Swing

Depending on their mood, your babe will go swinging into high-energy fun or chilled-out bliss with an outdoor swing. Swings give alert infants and older tots a chance to take in the sights and sounds of the surrounding world from a safe perch, and they give tired or fussy babes a dose of soothing comfort thanks to their gentle, back-and-forth rocking motion. We like the TP Quadpod Adjustable 4-in-1 Swing Seat ($75) for its cocoon-like shape, safety bar and straps. There are cheaper swings on the market, but this one can be reconfigured to support kids comfortably up to age 8, so it's worth the extra investment.

9. Slide

A slide may seem like a simple toy, but it is actually a powerhouse in the outdoor toy lineup. Besides offering your little one a fun ride, slides help kids develop balance, coordination and visual skills. Choose a slide that's low to the ground to keep things safe for littles. The Little Tikes Hide and Seek Climber ($100) is an all-time favorite thanks to its gently sloping slide, rock wall and low-profile design.

10. Ball Pit

Babies don't only have a ball in a ball pit, they also have the chance to work on their coordination and visual skills. The Bright Starts 5-in-1 Your Way Ball Play Activity Gym ($54) sets up (and folds up) easily and allows babies to exercise their hand-eye coordination by sliding, dropping and popping balls into the four activity stations.

 

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If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation.


Whether you call them a playard, play yard or play pen, these portable powerhouses take convenience to the next level. Doubling as travel cribs and a place for indoor or outdoor fun, some playards include features like removable covers for protection from sun and insects. We’ve rounded up our favorites and share all their bells and whistles.


portable playards chicco alfa lite

Chicco Alfa Lite Lightweight Travel Playard

$160 BUY NOW

At only 13 pounds, the Chicco Alfa Lite travel playard is a breeze to bring with you. It comes with a zippered carry bag and features an easy, snap-open set up so it's at the ready when sleepiness strikes. Once snapped open, your child can rest or play on a full-size, padded area, and crawl in and out via a zippered side panel. The mattress cover zips off and is machine-washable, and the frame fabrics can be removed and washed as well. Designed for kids up to 30 pounds and 35 inches tall.


portable playards veer basecamp

Veer Basecamp

$179 BUY NOW

Ready to head to the beach, a park or just out to the backyard? Then you need the Veer Basecamp. This play yard is delivered fully assembled and opens (and folds) in one easy step. It comes with anchors for beach or grass, a UPF50 cover for sun and rain, and a moisture-resistant bottom. Kids will love the large play area (56" wide x 43" deep x 35" high), and parents will appreciate the built-in insect protection, external zipper for safety, and the storage bag. If you have the Veer Cruiser wagon, the Basecamp's storage bag attaches to it in a stroke of brilliance. Pick up the brand's roomy, waterproof tote, and you're ready for every adventure.


portable playards born free nisa

Born Free Nisa

$200 BUY NOW

The nisa playard from born free has a pop-open design for a quick setup and comes with a removable, oversize six-panel canopy with three mesh panels for ventilation and three covered panels to protect kids from the elements. One panel zippers down for easy access to the inside. Bonus: You can fold up the play yard with the canopy still attached, making it a snap to reassemble next time. The play yard floor is padded and covered with machine-washable fabric. When it's time to pack up, just fold it up and tuck it into its carrying bag.


Guava Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib

$220 BUY NOW

This lightweight (13 pounds!) combination travel crib and play yard fits in the included backpack and can be brought on an airplane as a carry-on bag. It's certified free of harmful chemicals and features an ingenious zippered side door for crawl-friendly playtime. When using it as a travel crib, there's an insulated foam mattress pad with waterproof cover so your child will be comfortable on any surface, indoors or out. When you're heading outside, bring along the separately sold mosquito net and UPF50+ fun shade, which blocks the sun's rays, darkens baby's sleeping area and makes for an awesome fort.


Portable Playards Regalo Eight Panel My Play Portable Playard

Regalo Eight Panel My Play Deluxe Portable Play Yard

$100 BUY NOW

Designed for kids between 6 and 24 months, this water-resistant play yard with removable canopy (there's also a smaller, six-panel version) can be set up or folded down in one step. The canopy, made from half mesh and half UV-protected nylon, also opens with one step. The edges of the play yard have reinforced stitching to keep kids from ripping through it, and the bottom is made of a durable nylon. There's a zippered door that lets kids in or out, and a carrying bag is included.


Portable Playards Phil and Teds Traveller Crib

phil & ted's Traveller Travel Crib

$150 BUY NOW

Based on its name and ultra light weight (6 pounds), you know the Traveller is designed to make it easier to get away with your baby. It's compact enough to fit in a small car trunk and unpacks into a cozy sleep spot and play area. It assembles easily and features a zippered side so parents can slide in for sleepy snuggles and kids can crawl out while playing. Pop on the mesh top accessory ($19.99) that attaches to the crib with toggles to keep baby protected from bugs and sun.


portable playards Summer Pop 'N Play Deluxe Ultimate Playard

Summer Pop 'N Play Deluxe Ultimate Playard

$109 BUY NOW

True to the Pop 'N Play name, this lightweight (12 pounds) metal play structure can be set up in seconds. When playtime is over, it folds compactly into a storage bag with shoulder strap. It has mesh sides for visibility, a full-coverage, removable canopy with zippered sections for added airflow and easy access to kids, and a padded floor. You get 14 square feet of safe, comfortable play space and, if kids need extra entertainment, you can slip a tablet, smart phone or other toy into the clip-on entertainment pouch that attaches to the side.

Eva Ingvarson Cerise

featured photo: Chicco

photos courtesy of retailers

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Camping with a baby can seem intimidating but it’s an inexpensive vacation for families, a way to explore the incredible beauty we have in the world, an opportunity to introduce kids to the outdoors, and with a little bit of preparation, it can be a fun getaway for parents and kids alike!

Here are my tips to make camping with a baby a success!

1. Research Campground & Campsites. Do your research. Whether you are into hiking, biking, sandy beaches, or just relaxing in nature, there’s a campground that is right for you. Once you’ve decided on a location, check out the campsite map online to figure out where the bathroom, water spigots, beach, and other amenities are located. My recommendation is to find the “radio-free zone” which may be a little quieter, and a site that is in as much shade as possible. Try to choose a location that is close to a water spigot but otherwise as far away from other campsites as possible.

2. Keep Baby Contained. If you have a baby that is on the go, you will need a safe place to keep them contained while you are cooking, doing dishes, or when you have a fire going. We brought along a small baby seat with a tray. I put the seat on a blanket directly on the ground so when she inevitably threw her toys, they wouldn’t get dirty. The tray was super helpful so I had a clean place for baby’s food (instead of a dirty picnic table!). It also comes with straps so you can safely secure it to a picnic table or lawn chair. During the day, I also brought the play yard out from the tent so she could play in a clean, safe area and not crawl off into the nearby poison ivy (unfortunately her Daddy was not so cautious with the poison ivy!)

3. Prepare for ​Bug Bites. Don’t forget about protecting baby from bugs! Mosquito repellent containing DEET is generally not recommended for babies under 6 months old. There is an abundance of repellents out there with ingredients like picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oils, citronella, and other various ingredients that can be considered “safe” for infants. Consult with your doctor about what is best for your little one. Since I didn’t have time to check in with our family doctor prior to leaving, I opted to keep it simple. I dressed baby in long-sleeved clothing, especially at dusk and dawn, and used a fitted mesh mosquito netting over their crib during naps and bedtime. Also, don’t forget to completely zip up the tent so mosquitoes can’t sneak in!

4. Bath Time. Have a plan for bathing your baby in the woods. Many parks have shower facilities but my juggling abilities were not up to the task of keeping baby off those grimy tiles. We brought a simple dish basin, filled it 3/4 full with soapy water, and let baby splash away the day’s dirt and grime. Have a bowl or jug ready with clean water for rinsing, a clean towel, and warm pajamas for your squeaky clean little one! It is also helpful to put the ‘bathtub’ on a tarp so you don’t end up with a mud puddle on your campsite afterward.

6. Sleeping. There are many different sleeping arrangements possible in a tent. If you decide to co-sleep, ensure that the mat baby is sleeping on is firm and there are no loose blankets. If you don’t already co-sleep at home, I wouldn’t recommend trying to do so for the first time while camping where the “bed” is unfamiliar.

We brought our Baby Bjorn Travel crib and I highly recommend it. It easily fit in our tent, and I slept better knowing she was safe (and contained!). I also placed fitted mesh mosquito netting over the top to help keep the bugs away.

It can be stressful trying to keep your baby quiet throughout the night so their cries don’t wake up the entire campground. Whenever our daughter woke up, I would immediately scoop her up and breastfeed her to keep her quiet. I set up touch lights from the dollar store in different locations in the tent so I wouldn’t be fumbling around in the dark. It was so much easier than trying to juggle a flashlight and a wailing baby. I also set up a mini diaper changing “station” with a change mat and supply of diapers and wipes right beside her play yard for easy overnight changes. 

Keep baby’s bedtime routine as similar to home as possible. If you use a white noise machine at home, consider popping in some batteries and bringing it along. The white noise can help drown out conversations from around the fire and other noises that may distract your baby from falling asleep. In order to ensure she was warm enough to sleep, I layered her onesie, a footed sleeper, and the light cotton swaddle. When we went camping in August, the nights were just perfect and not too cold. If you are camping in the late spring or early fall consider packing a hat and mittens to help keep your baby warm.

Camping with a baby can be a bit complicated but spending a week with family, outdoors and free of distractions was worth it! My favorite part of the week was watching my daughter, surrounded by her cousins singing “pat-a-cake” to her while she giggled and squealed with delight. We plan to continue to take a yearly family camping trip and look forward to the challenges that camping with a toddler will bring! ​​

Matt Jacob is a 37-year-old from Romania. He is a cisco certified Network Engineer and currently doing Masters in Networks Security from the Spiru Haret University

Every Tuesday and Thursday our youngest boy, Jackson, has soccer practice. It’s in a wonderful park by the river, and when the weather is nice it’s a great place to take a stroll on the miles of paths. Or, if you aren’t up for a walk, you can certainly set up a folding chair in the shade of some old Sycamore trees and watch your second graders play soccer. 

However, another option seems to be the most poplular choice, which is to sit in your idling car with the air conditioning on while texting for the entirety of the 90-minute practice! 

I’m not kidding, this is what the other moms do. Last night it was a beautiful evening, about 70 degrees and sunny with slight breeze and I was the only parent out in the fresh air. At times one of the moms would leave the sterile, air-conditioned nirvana of their idling SUV to walk over to another car to chat, but most stayed put for the entire duration of soccer practice. 

So, a beautiful spring evening is not the only thing wasted in this scenario, as idling for long periods of time wastes gas and dumps carbon dioxide into the air. This practice is obviously not environmentally friendly—and here’s the math to prove it. 

  • An idling SUV uses about 7/10 of a gallon of gas per hour and releases about 9 pounds of CO2 into the air.
  • These moms idle for 90 minutes each, which means that during every practice each of these cars waste over a gallon of gas and releases about 14 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere.

Last night, six of the 10 moms engaged in this wasteful practice, so for each practice that equals more than 6 gallons of gas plus 82 pounds of carbon dioxide released into the air during just one soccer practice. 

(Sidenote: With that amount of gas, a Prius could drive from Philadelphia to Boston!)

Anyway, this peticular Spring soccer session has 10 weeks of practices, so you can imagine how this adds up. 

I’m not trying to preach about the environment here, I’m just fascinated by this practice on several levels. Every week this armada of idling SUVs and minivans slowly forms like clockwork, and every week I’m the only person out in the fresh air.

Most nights I’ll take our dog for a walk on the scenic paths along the river, but for at least part of the practice I’ll just be just sitting there on my folding chair, listening to the din of idling cars. (I’ve been guilty of using a few minutes of the time to track my WW points, but I try to keep my phone holstered.) So, I need to know why they do it! 

Here are a few possibilies:

  1. These moms are afraid they might encouter a mosquito. 
  2. Kids’ peanut allergies get all of the attention while millions of parents (like these) silently suffer through severe grass allergies.
  3. It’s not a random grouping at all. These moms are not texting, but coding! In fact, they may be our last line of defence against Russian hackers! 

More than likely, they are just acting like pampered zombies.

They say that “grit” is the key ingredient to success, so what kind of example are these timorous parents setting for their kids? I want to yell at them, “Turn off the A/C, put down your phone and get outside!”

Anyway, I’m trying to figure out if this is just a local phenomenon or a common practice around the country. They say that about 3 million kids play soccer each year, so if this is happening everywhere, I may have discovered the hidden source of climate change!  

I'm Missy, a mother of three and a middle school drama teacher at a private school. I'm obsessed with my Vizsla (dog), traveling, and the musical Hamilton. I also enjoy writing and sharing fun parenting stories, which is what brought me here.

There’s nothing that teaches patience more than a day of fishing. These lakes and creeks near Akron, Ohio are perfect spots to take the kids fishing. If you are lucky, you might just catch that trophy-sized Walleye that you can brag about for the rest of the year. Keep reading to find out where to go and don’t forget your fishing pole and tackle box.

Firestone Metro Park

VisionPic.net from Pexels

Anglers ages 15 and under can fish at Little Turtle Pond (parents may help only). Will you luck out and catch Black Crappie, Channel Catfish or Rainbow Trout? Or, head to Tuscarawas River to try your luck there.

2620 Harrington Rd.
Akron, OH
Online: summitmetroparks.org

 

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Portage Lakes State Park

This chain of five lakes is a favorite for fishing all year round as ice fishing happens when the lakes freeze over. They total 1681 acres of fishing waters with 37.84 miles of shoreline. Several boat launches are located around the lake. You can expect to find Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Crappie and more. There are lots of bait and tackle shops nearby if you need to gear up before you head out. 

5031 Manchester Rd.
Akron, OH
Online: stateparks.com

 

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Springfield Lake

Springfield Lake is located in Summit County, Ohio. This lake is 289 acres in size and is approximately 28 feet deep at its deepest point. When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass and Walleye. There's plenty of shoreline for fishing, a playground and a walking trail. 

2459 Canfield Rd.
Akron, OH
Online: akronlife.com

 

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Mogadore Reservoir

Completed in 1939, Mogadore Reservoir is formed from the damming of the Little Cuyahoga River. You can typically rent boats at the marina from April through Labor Day. Bait can also be purchased here. Bluegill, Sunfish and other varieties of fish are regularly caught here. 

Online: akronohio.gov

 

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Mosquito Creek Lake

Located in Mosquito Lake State Park, this lake is popular for Walleye fishing. There are two boat rental facilities on the lake as well as three public boat ramps. A wheelchair accessible fishing dock is located in the Lakeside Picnic Area.

1439 Wilson Sharpsville Rd.
Cortland, OH
Online: stateparks.com/mosquito.html

 

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Summit Lake

This Akron-area reservoir is a go-to spot for fishermen looking to catch bream, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and sunfish. Keep an eye out for osprey nesting in the area. Kids will also love visiting the Summit Lake Nature Center. 

Online: summitmetroparks.org

—Kate Loweth

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Summer nights under the stars are some of the best, but the mosquitoes attacking you in the dark are not. It might seem like nothing can combat that endless, annoying itch that follows a bug bite, especially for kids, but one simple tool promises to stop the itch of a mosquito bite by sucking out the poison.

When the bug spray fails you try The Bug Bite Thing Suction Tool. The device uses suction to minimize itching, redness and swelling after a bug bite or sting, including those from mosquitoes, bees, wasps, chiggers, fire ants, fleas and more. The company says it works by sucking out the poison and irritants that cause the itching and inflammation.

It might sound too good to be true, but it does have some promising five star reviews on Amazon. “I cannot stress to you enough how much better this simple little tool has made my quality of life during summer in Ohio. It rains a lot. There are a lot of mosquitoes. Omg so many mosquitoes. I have horrific allergic reactions to mosquito bites. We’re talking bumps swelling to the width of softballs within minutes of the bite. This tool doesn’t make those bumps go away, but it stops the itch IMMEDIATELY,” wrote one reviewer.

At just $10 for a device that can be used over and over again, it’s definitely worth a shot to end that itch. It’s safe to use on adults and kids, but the company does recommend that you practice using it before hand to show kids what the suction will feel like before you actually need to use it.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

photos: Courtesy of Amazon

 

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These Mosquito Sticks Could Be the Perfect Solution to Avoiding the Itch

The summer season is filled with beach vacations, road trips, theme parks, camping and other amazing adventures with your family. And, with all of these activities come mosquito bites, bee stings and more. In order to make this the best summer ever, we found easy-to-make remedies for everything from swimmer’s ear to a sunburn. Take a look at our list of helpful first-aid summer hacks for parents and you’ll be all set.

A Fully Prepped First-Aid Kit for the Home

first aid
3dman_eu via Pixabay

Before whipping up any homemade remedies, it's always a good idea to make sure your at-home First Aid Kit is fully stocked and ready to go. We did the work for you, and list everything you need to have in your kit, plus a few helpful hints, here

Homemade Sunburn Relief Cream

Freebie Finding Mom’s

Problem: Your kids are burnt to a crisp after a day on the beach.

Solution: You’re definitely going to want to grab some of Freebie Finding Mom’s sunburn cream. This homemade formula includes all of your favorite sunburn relievers in one awesome cream that will give your whole family instant relief.

After Swimming Ear Drops

DavidAKeller2012 via Pixaby

Problem: Swimming is one of the best parts of summer. But anytime your kids are in the water there’s a possibility they might get swimmer’s ear.

Solution: These annoying earaches are painful, and one way to make sure that your little ones don’t have issues is to try this homemade ear drop recipe from Daily Momtivity.

How to Remove a Tick

CafeCredit.com via Flickr

Problem: One creepy crawler you’re likely to run into this summer is the tick. Ticks are dangerous, and if your kid gets bit by one of these pesky little guys, you'll need to remove it right away.

Solution: You’ve got two options: Your first choice is to loop a small piece of floss around the tick’s head, pull tight and lift up. Another option is to take a credit card and slide it between the ticks head and your kiddo’s skin. Done! And all without a trip to the Urgent Care. 

Treat Rashes Naturally

Mark Bonica via flickr

Problem: Whether it’s poison ivy, swim trunks or an allergic reaction, rashes can really put a damper on your summertime adventures.

Solution: Try creating a paste with oatmeal or coconut oil and spreading it over the itchy area. Both of these products are natural anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory ingredients that will neutralize the itch.

Summer Cold Remedies

theritters via Flickr

Problem: You might think colds are just a struggle during winter, but colds in the summer are always possible.

Solution: Have your little ones eat a spoonful of honey when they have a sore throat. Another solid choice is giving them as much Vitamin C as possible to boost their immune system. You can also use a humidifier to cleanse the air and add moisture without adding heat.

DIY Bug Sticks and Spray

Little Sprouts Learning

Problem: Summer is a time for fun in the sun, but it’s also the time when mosquito bites or a bee sting could ruin your whole day.

Solution: If you’re not into the harsh chemicals in the run of the mill bug strays and itch repellents, try this homemade version from Little Sprouts Learning. The natural ingredients are healthy and effective!

Or Use a Nontoxic Product to Repel Mosquitos

PARA'KITO

If making your own natural repellent isn't your wheelhouse, we recently tried the PARA'KITO line of products. They offer a variety of options perfect for families; there's a roll-on stick, wristbands in cute styles and colors., and even a clip. The bands and clips are refillable, too, making them more environmentally friendly than a disposal brand. They are made from essential oils and are chemical-free. Check out more at parakito.com

 
 

Stopping Stomach Bugs

Rubbermaid Products via Flickr

Problem: With all of the awkward storage situations for food in the summer, stomach bugs are a bigger problem than you might think. Coolers aren’t as cold as a fridge, which means things aren’t quite as sterile as we’d like them to be. Plus, your kids might be taking in water from unknown sources.

Solution: In order to keep all of your food sanitary, store raw meat separately from other foods. Another way to combat stomach bugs is to make sure your kids don't swallow any water in lake or ponds.

Soothe Mosquito Bites

Yamanaka Tamaki via flickr

Problem: You're out camping or hiking and forget to pack your favorite itch cream.

Solution: If someone gets mosquito bites, and you don’t have anything to help calm the itching, simply warm a spoon under hot water and place it over the bite. The heat from the metal stops the production of the histamines that cause the itching.

Treat Your Bee Sting

Like_the_Grand_Canyon via flickr

Problem: Bee stings are a huge concern in the summer. Even after you’ve removed those pesky stringers, there is usually a lot of swelling and pain. 

Solution: All you need is baking soda and water. This homemade paste will neutralize bee venom and control swelling. The paste will dry and flake off, and you can always apply more if your little ones need it.

 

Editor’s Note: In the case of a real emergency, please consult a healthcare professional or head for an emergency room.  

 

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Backyard barbecues and summer campouts are filled with fun, but they also come with bugs. Lots and lots of bugs.

While your kids might love exploring insects, no one likes getting bitten by mosquitoes. These spray-free mosquito sticks could be the answer you’ve been looking for.

Bug spray can help avoid the bite, but with most potent sprays containing DEET, you might not want to trade protection from bugs for exposure to chemicals. That’s where the Murphy Mosquito Sticks come in. All you have to do is the light the stick, kind of like you would light an incense stick, and place it in a candle holder nearby and you’re set to enjoy the outdoors bite-free.

The Amazon reviews are a ringing endorsement boasting hundreds of satisfied buyers saying things like “they work as well or better than any citronella or incense style bug deterrent” and “I use them every night and have no bites!”

The DEET-free sticks come in an 8-pack for $7.80 on Amazon and are available in a variety of scents including rosemary, peppermint, citronella, lemongrass, cedarwood and bamboo.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Courtesy of Amazon

 

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