A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken (James Dent). Broken lawnmower or not, whacked-out weed whacker, leaky hose—there is more to summer than outdoor chores. Summer is made for outdoors, and the longer days tell us to make the most of daylight and warmer weather. Here are some suggestions for rainy-day indoor and sunny-day outdoor activities to share.
According to John Lebbock, “Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.”
Resting may sound like fun for Grandpa and Grandma, but young minds and muscles become restless quickly. A good way to keep the summer fun going is to buy a season pass to a favorite venue.
Memberships and passes come with perks as varied as the venues. Look for deals at Lehigh Valley Zoo, Da Vinci Science Center, Crayola, Dorney Park, Iron Pigs, HangDog, Skirmish Paintball, movie theaters, trampoline parks, and other choice locations. Passes can save money for large families as well as frequent visitors.
If your kids want to “hang” around with puppets, there is always the Mock Turtle Marionette Theater. Located at their loft theater in the IceHouse Performing Arts Center, Artistic Director Doug Roysdon’s philosophy of creating enduring childhood experiences through performances and workshops that uphold the integrity of the arts and the dignity of human beings comes alive. mockturtleproductions.org | [email protected] | 810-653-3462
Are your kids prone to acting up or acting out? Perhaps they can channel that impulse by acting with the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre’s SummerStage 2025. 123pyt.org/school-of-performing-arts/summerstage | 610-332-1400
If you think The Great Allentown Fair is just an opportunity to see a goat up close or eat lots of Dutchie food, then you’re missing the reason it’s called the “Great” Allentown Fair! Running from August 27 through September 1, the fair offers something for everyone: the young, the old, the in-between; men, women, and children; bakers, eaters, and observers; the easily amused, hard-to-please, and thrill seekers. And many attractions are free!
From the opening ceremonies, Fair Queen coronation, and Bid Calling (auctioneering) competition, to the Butterfly Kingdom (with 2–300 butterflies) and Grape Stomp Contest, move on to the Scrapple Eating Contest, the Pigs Paddling Porkers, and the cooking competitions. Watch out for the Juggling Stilt Walker, Robbie’s Balloons, Hog Diggity Dog, The Cup Guy, and more daring, wild, unusual, musical, and just plain goofy fun! allentownfair.com | [email protected] | 610-433-7541
After spending the day with your grandkids, remember this quotation from Shanti: “And at the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair messy and your eyes sparkling.”
