Let's Go Outside!

June has days to celebrate mud, picnics, trails, and weeding your garden. What a great month to get outside and explore!

It’s not all about the outdoors though: doughnuts, chocolate ice cream, hugs, yo-yos, and peanut butter cookies - June is full of silly celebrations! Which ones would your family enjoy?

If you're looking for a way to spend time outside while helping the Earth, you could celebrate World Environment Day on June 5th. This year’s theme is “Beat Plastic Pollution”. Want to help the cause? Keep reusable bags in your car for shopping, buy each family member their own reusable water bottle, and investigate other ways to cut down plastic use.

Celebrate summer with these silly holidays:

June 1 National Doughnut Day

June 6 Yo-Yo Day

June 7 National Chocolate Ice Cream Day

June 12 National Peanut Butter Cookie Day

June 13 National Weed Your Garden Day

June 17 Eat Your Vegetables Day

June 18 International Picnic Day

June 29 International Mud Day

Looking for fun outdoor ideas?

Check out books on tree identification and native plants. Visit local parks and identify the plants. The Mishawaka Riverwalk is lined with many native plants. Fun tip: they’re easier to identify when the flowers have bloomed!
Find picture books about rivers or animals. Pack a picnic and have an adventure in a park near the river. After eating, play a listening game: Have everyone sit very still, without speaking, and ask them to point to a noise they hear (the river, a bird, the wind in the trees, etc.). You may be surprised to find out what your family notices!
Check out books about drawing or painting. Visit local sites for inspiration or take art supplies and enjoy an impromptu art experience. Even your youngest family members can participate in art! Hold a piece of paper against a tree trunk and have your child rub a crayon on the paper to create a unique piece of nature art.

If you’re looking for librarians in the park this summer, check out PHM’s Summer Food Service program. Our Community Engagement Librarians will be out and about, sharing stories and fun in the parks. Ask at a Youth Services desk for more information.