Kids' Corner

Fun things to do for kids

Summer is finally here! When I was little we couldn't wait for school to be out and summer to arrive. We lived right across from the city park where all summer activities took place. The pool opened up on Memorial Day which meant that the park concession stand also opened up so you could get a treat, anytime, all summer long. The baseball season didn't start until school was out and went through the entire summer. I attended more Manhattan Band Concerts than I care to remember as my father was a member for 40+ years. We participated in all of the activities sponsored by the City Parks and Recreation. We rode our bikes everywhere! We would get bored and announce to our parents that we were going to ride to some little town, buy a pop at the local grocery and turn around and come home. We could hear the male lion roaring at the zoo so we'd hop on our bikes to go visit him. There was always something to do. Even though there is a newer, bigger park in town, both parks are still the center of summer activities.

We played from the moment the birds started singing until the street lights came on and came home for lunch and dinner when the whistle blew at Kansas State University. When we got too hot or it rained we would head for someone's basement or whoever's house was lucky enough to have a window unit! We all took our vactions in August before school started in September so we were never without a friend to hang out with.

We didn't have a summer reading list, but we read. Summer reading included my favorite series, The Happy Holisters. I was never an Nancy Drew fan but couldn't get enough of the Happy Hollisters. It was the Junie B. Jones of my life.

The Happy Holisters

You might have some quiet, down time this summer when you are looking for something to do. Join your friends by submitting your Summer Tales to be published at abcmousehouse.com. You can find out more information by clicking on the frog at the beginning of the paragraph.

Sunset Zoo was a HUGE part of my childhood. It was a free zoo then so we could go whenever we wanted to.The zoo was about 2 miles from my house and if the wind was blowing the right direction we could hear the male lion roar. It was almost like a invitation to pack a lunch, hop on our bikes, ride up the hill and have an afternoon at the zoo. Maybe that's why I tend to have a mini zoo of critters in my classroom.

Zoo Fun

Switcharoo Zoo

Sunset Zoo

Let's Design A Zoo