Summer Fun Activities

by Hope Loman Rowan Public Library

            Now that summer is here, the days are longer, hotter, and lazier.  They can also run the risk of being boring, with extra hours of daylight to burn and no idea of what to do with them.  Here’s a list of things you can do this summer that are cheap (or free!), family-friendly and fun, with related book suggestions that can all be found in our library’s catalog:

·         Learn how to knit/sew –  Once you master some of the basics, you can continuously improve your technique, and make a variety of items for yourself, your home, or your friends. Knitting basics : all you need to know to take up your needles and get knitting by Betty Barnden is an excellent beginner book that gives step by step instructions on a variety of items. Sewing Basics by Wendy Gardiner guides the reader through sewing by hand and with a machine.   

·         Take pictures – Use your digital camera, buy a disposable one, or find an older model at a thrift shop. You can take photos around the house, walk around town, or find inspiration in nature. Tom Ang’s Digital photography masterclass shows how to see the world through a photographer’s eyes. Understanding exposure : how to shoot great photographs with a film or digital camera by Bryan Peterson shows you techniques to make pictures stand out.     

·         Learn to cook – Summertime means that there are more fresh fruits and vegetables available at the local supermarket or farmer’s market, which gives you a range of meal options to choose from.  Kitchen on fire! : mastering the art of cooking in 12 weeks (or less) by Oliver Said promises to make it easy for anyone to cook like a chef while Heidi Swanson’s Super natural cooking : five ways to incorporate whole and natural foods into your cooking focuses on remaking traditional recipes with a healthy twist.  

·         Learn to paint – Whether you’re an amateur or an expert, painting is a way to pass the time, get creative, and relax.  You can use something as simple as watercolors or fingerpaints, and paint subjects as simple as still lifes.  Painting for the absolute and utter beginner by Claire Watson Garcia promises to show you basic skills and techniques to help you find “what works.” Creative Kid’s Murals You Can Paint by Suzanne Whitaker can give you ideas for larger projects for the whole family to tackle.

·         Write poems/stories – You can get started on the great American novel, or think smaller and write shorter works in a notebook, or a free word processor online.  If you need inspiration, look for Alice LaPlante’s The making of a story : a Norton guide to creative writing, which will guide you through getting ideas, techniques you can use, and other sources to read from.

These are just a handful of ideas to get you started and make sure your summer is a productive one--a quick Internet search can provide you with other methods, and this is only a very small sample of the books the library offers on these topics.  Pick one--or all--of these and be able to look back on a productive summer full of memories once fall rolls around.