Summer

We also want to make sure we don’t forget to do the things that are often forgotten about in the midst of big plans and special opportunities. We will go to the public library and check out books. We will lie on the ground and look at the clouds and daydream. We will take morning walks on the beach and throw rocks into the ocean at dusk. Ice cream is for certain, as are walks by the lighthouse and around our neighborhood. We won’t forget about riding bikes, shooting hoops, blowing bubbles, drawing with chalk, and searching for wildflowers. And we will grill and eat outside, play with water balloons, go swimming, play tag, roll around in the grass, search for bugs, catch butterflies, and be lazy and bored.

Straw fireworks are simple, great for all ages, and only require a few supplies! Boston Moms contributor Shannon Gibson had a wonderful time creating this patriotic artwork with her little ones!  Supplies Needed: Flexible straws Tape Paper Red and blue paint Steps:   Gather six or seven straws...

When I think back on summers as a kid, I remember lazy days by the pool, concerts in the park behind my grandparents' house, jars of fireflies with carefully punctured lids. Time was unstructured and seemed to move slower than the rush of the school year. As a mom, this is how I want my son to experience summer. And yet, lately it seems like every news story or social media post about summer is filled with terrifying warnings about ticks, sun poisoning, dehydration, drowning... the list goes on and on. It is almost enough to make me want to hunker down in our apartment all summer (with the air conditioner on, of course).

Obstacle courses are great fun for kids of all ages, and they can be made out of just about anything you have around the house!   Boston Moms contributor Sarah Casimiro used things she already had in her backyard to create...

Boston Moms is committed to honoring diversity, dignity, and justice. We are proud to share some of the many Boston-area Juneteenth events that celebrate hope, independence, and achievement! The B.L.A.C. Project Juneteenth Celebration June 10 :: Boston The Black Literacy and Arts...

I'm calling summer 2017 the "Summer of the Great Experiment." The girls and I are heading up to sleepy midcoast Maine for the full 10 weeks, and my husband is splitting his time between our cottage there and our home...

The Boston Moms Neighborhood Firework Find starts NOW! Much like the “bear hunts,” “rainbow walks,” and “egg hunts” we saw earlier this spring, the Neighborhood Firework Find allows us to SEE “fireworks” — even without our typical town displays! Print...

Is there anything cuter than a little kid in a paper crown? Follow these easy instructions to create your own patriotic paper crowns just in time for the Fourth of July! Materials: Red, white, and blue construction paper; scissors; pipe cleaners;...

As a mother of three little ones who also works outside the home, I keep a lot of schedules in my brain. In summer, it feels like everyone is doing something new every week, and it's a challenge to keep track of it all. I have definitely had moments of panic when I forget where my oldest is and think that I've forgotten to pick her up on time. I'll be grateful to get back into the school routine and have it stay the same for the next nine months!

I was a Girl Scout growing up, and I feel fortunate to this day to have camped in a treehouse, cabin, tent, teepee — and a shower stall. It's probably one of my earliest camping memories: At a Girl...

If your children are anything like mine, they’ve been enjoying summer day camps since they were old enough to attend. And chances are, they will also be eager to try a sleepaway camp at some point! It’s not for...

It wouldn't be a Fourth of July BBQ without BURGERS! If you're looking for a crowd-pleasing recipe that will surely wow your family or your guests, look no further! Grilled Burgers with Bacon Onion Jam Ingredients: 85% lean ground beef salt pepper 1 lb. thick-cut bacon 2...