Adventure Island Water Park Fun (Tampa, Florida)

Disclosure - I was provided free tickets to visit Busch Gardens Tampa with my family as part of a Busch Gardens Ambassador program with Mom Central. All experiences of the parks and opinions are my own. 

I previously shared our Busch Gardens Tampa adventure with you. You can check out the fun we had in this post. Today, I want to share the fun we had at  Adventure Island - Busch Garden's water park. 

There's no better way to spend time during the heat of a FL summer than in a water park. Adventure Island has lots of fun slides and pools. Some of our favorites are the Key West Rapids, the Aruba Tuba and the Calypso Coaster because we able to ride together. Riding together makes the rides that much more fun. There are also slides that are perfect for those of you that are water park thrill seekers. I have to admit that while I LOVE roller coasters, I prefer the simpler slides to the big ones.  

Even if you don't like water slides, you'll definitely enjoy your time at the park. We couldn't get the girls out of Paradise Lagoon and Splash Attack. Splash Attack is a tree house filled with kid-friendly slides and water play fun. There's something to do at every turn and it's fun for kids of all ages. This mama got in on the fun right along with the girls. They had an awesome time teaming up against me and getting me soaked. 

One of our favorite spots in the park were definitely the pools. There is a fun wave pool and our favorite place to swim and play - Paradise Lagoon. There are slides, waterfalls, cliffs to jump and more. You could easily spend much of the day just in this section of the park. 

We had so much fun frolicking, sliding, swimming and playing in the sun. We will definitely be visiting Adventure Island many times again in the future. 

Bern

20 FUN Summer Writing Prompts for Kids

We started a tradition of keeping a summer writing journal last year. Feel free to check out last year's writing prompts and download the FREE printable so you have even more story starters at your fingertips this summer.

This year's summer journal is more of a diary. I wanted to incorporate more free writing for the Lil Divas to allow them to formulate and express their thoughts and opinions. I have been encouraging them to write as a reflection of their day. I thought it would be a fun way to get them to practice writing and capture their favorite summer memories as well. The Lil Divas have been drawing and adding photos to their journal of our summer adventures as they write. This is definitely a summer journal we will treasure for years to come.

I still wanted the Lil Divas to work on some fun writing prompts over the summer as well so I came up with 20 (new) FUN Writing Prompts to use this summer. Here they are:

Download a Printable Copy of the above list here --> 

20 FUN Summer Writing Prompts for kids. 

You can use these writing prompts 2 ways:

1. Cut along the lines to separate the prompts and put them into a box/bowl/container. Have your child close their eyes and pick a piece of paper at random. 

2. Keep the papers intact and staple them into your child's writing journal. They can read all the available choices, choose which one they want to work on and cross it off when completed.

For another summer writing idea be sure to read about our Vacation Journal. It's a great way for your child to capture their vacation memories. 

Have fun writing!

Bern

Kids Summer Writing: Vacation Journals

Keeping up with learning over the summer isn't easy but it's definitely doable. 
Keeping kids learning while on an actual vacation - that takes creativity.

As the final post in our Summer Learning Series 2014 I am going to share one of the ways I plan to keep the Lil Divas learning when we head out on our vacation to San Francisco this summer - Vacation Journals! 

One of the things we are working on this summer is writing. We keep a summer writing journal. I have the Lil Divas pick from fun writing prompts and I encourage them to freely write in their journals as well. The Littlest Diva was writing about some of the fun things we have done this summer and some of the things she still hopes to do when I was "inspired". 

My thoughts - Wouldn't it be great to keep a vacation journal?! A place where the girls could write about the places they hope to visit during our trip BEFORE we go on vacation and then update it DURING our trip as we travel. It would be a great way to keep the girls writing, they'd be doing research (for the before section) and documenting their vacation along the way. It would be a great way to keep them learning and doubles as a vacation keepsake/memento! I am in LOVE with this idea. I am hoping the girls enjoy doing it and want to continue each summer after this one. 

Here are our Vacation Journals 2014: San Francisco Edition

I let the Lil Divas pick a notebook they wanted to use. I just asked them to pick one large enough that they could write in and add photos to as well. Our first step was to decorate the front cover. The Lil Divas decided they wanted a photo of the Golden Gate Bridge (we just found an image online they liked) on the cover. I also printed some fun pictures of stamp images to add to the covers. 

Once we had our journals ready we sat down for some research. Most of our trip has been mapped out so I took the opportunity to share 10 Must See Places in San Francisco that we would be visiting. After reading a little about each place online we printed out some photos and the girls added them to their journals. They included the name of each attraction and a sentence or two about it. 

As we visit each location or attraction the Lil Divas will update their journals with photos, facts learned and their thoughts/opinions on the place. They are excited about keeping these vacation journals and I can't wait to see the finished books. It's going to be such a fun vacation keepsake for them. 

More learning on vacation ideas by my series co-hosts:


6 Summer Literacy Adventures
(Home Literacy Blueprint)

Have fun learning on vacation!

Bern

Family Friendly Fun at Busch Gardens Tampa

Disclosure - I was provided free tickets to visit Busch Gardens Tampa with my family as part of a Busch Gardens Ambassador program with Mom Central. All experiences of the park and opinions are my own. 

I LOVE living in Florida. With so much sun and warm weather we have countless opportunities for family fun in the outdoors. One of our favorite family pastimes is visiting theme parks.  FL has so many outdoor attractions to choose from. There's something to do at every turn but our little family loves a good thrill. Nothing provides a better thrill than a theme park adventure. One of our favorite amusement park destinations is Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida. 

If you've never been to Busch Gardens or haven't visited in a while, you are missing out on a good time for the whole family. I'll be honest and say that I hadn't been to Busch Gardens in a few years and my girls had never been to Busch Gardens Tampa. As a family we had visited Busch Gardens Williamsburg while on vacation a few years ago and had a great time so we were excited to explore the park closer to home. 

With summer vacation officially underway we thought it would be wonderful to head out for a weekend road trip on a Busch Gardens Tampa adventure.

The Lil Divas were super excited to get on all the rides, see the sights and shows and just enjoy an awesome theme park day. We were not disappointed! There is so much to do at Busch Gardens Tampa and the girls, at 7 and 8 years old, were at an ideal age/height to ride almost everything. 

There are tons of attractions at Busch Gardens Tampa. I'll share some of our favorite rides and shows with you from our visit.  

I LOVE roller coasters so I made sure I rode as many as I could! I was disappointed that Falcon's Fury wasn't open yet as originally scheduled. I had been looking forward to riding it - next time for sure! I did get to ride the Scorpion, Cheetah Hunt, Gwazi, Kumba, SheiKra and Montu. The thrill seeker in me was so happy - I was plunging, looping, twisting & turning to my hearts content. 

The Lil Divas couldn't get on all the roller coasters (that was mommy's terrain for the day!) but they were able to ride a few and there were lots of other kid friendly attractions for them to explore like Treetop Trails a 3-story family play area perfect for kids (and kids at heart) to climb, crawl and explore to their hearts content. Once we were able to pry them from that play area we had a great time riding the Wild Surge, the Jungle Flyers, Air Grover, Congo River Rapids and the Tanganyika Tidal Wave to name a few of our favorites. 

For little ones, Sesame Street's Safari of Fun is definitely a part of the park you do not want to miss. There are rides, a splash pad, a tree house,  character meet & greets, shows and lots of fun playground areas that will undoubtedly thrill your Sesame Street fans. 

What I love about Busch Gardens is that even if you're not into thrill rides, there is so much to see. It really is fun for people of all ages. There are some wonderful animal habitats/exhibits, shows and opportunities for up-close encounters with amazing animals (additional fees are applicable). 

It was truly a wonderful day for the whole family

at Busch Gardens Tampa!

Wishing you lots of summer fun & adventures,

Bern

Summer Learning on the Go: Educational Apps for Kids

As part of my Summer Learning Series I am sharing some of my favorite educational apps for kids that are perfect for learning on the go. I know how hard it is to fit in learning time when there are playdates, outings and vacations galore during summer. 

One of the ways we fit in some learning into busy days is by letting the Lil Divas spend some time using educational apps during car trips. It's an easy way to practice reading, math skills and more when there is little time for formal practice. The best part is since they are "playing" on the iPad it feels like a game or a treat and I never hear a groan of complaint. 

The apps shared below are some of our personal faves. Remember that your child's preferences may be different. I'm sharing some of our tried and true educational apps in the hopes that you may find them useful as well. 

Teach Me (cost = $1.99) - There are various apps: Teach Me Kindergarten, Teach Me 1st Grade, Teach Me 2nd Grade, Teach Me Third Grade and my personal fave for working on "mental math" Teach Me Math Facts. We had the Kindergarten and First Grade version and this summer I downloaded the 2nd grade and 3rd grade versions (those are the grades the Lil Divas will be entering this fall) and they have been a hit. The Oldest Diva is using it to work on multiplication and the Littlest Diva is working on her math facts. They like collecting coins (for correct responses) to spend at the store. The older versions had stickers to build scenes. The latest versions we downloaded have even more rewards including stretchy shaped bands and fun photo props. Each app includes some sight word, spelling and math review making it well worth the $1.99 investment. 

Splash Math (FREE or $9.99 for full version) - There are various free apps available (Kindergarten thru Grade 5) as well as a full version which is wonderful: Splash Math Kindergarten, Splash Math 1st Grade, Splash Math 2nd Grade, Splash Math 3rd Grade, Splash Math 4th Grade and Splash Math for Grades 1 thru 5. The full version allows for lots more play. The app has the ability to assign your child tasks and it even emails progress reports so you are informed of how your child is doing. It's great for identifying areas of strengths and weaknesses as you see you're child's progress on certain tasks or topics.

Starfall Learn to Read ($2.99) - If you have spent anytime on Starfall.com then you know children become engrossed in it. The app is no different. Zac the Rat will take your emerging reader on a reading adventure with engaging activities, songs and movies. I use the website as part of my Reading Centers in the classroom and find the app great for "on the go" learning.

Phonics Fun (FREE) - This app is great for beginning readers. There are lots of free versions of this app that cover a multitude of phonics topics: Phonics Fun 1, Phonics Fun 2, Phonics Fun 3, Phonics Fun 4 are great for reviewing letter sounds in young learners. The apps get more complex with each level thru 10 - reviewing beginning sounds, short and long vowels, spelling, word families, blends and more. 

Rocket Speller (FREE or a Plus version with more words for $2.99) - A fun and engaging way to practice spelling skills. The first few levels are easy and provide the letters needed to spell the word. The levels get harder requiring the letters be put in the order and spelling longer words (up to 10 letter words). Players spell words to fuel a spaceship and collect rocket pieces. This one is suitable for multiple ages due to the levels of difficulty. 

BrainPop Jr. Movie of the Week (FREE) - The Lil Divas love watching BrainPop movies and they learn so much information from them. I use the BrainPop Jr. website in my classroom as a supplement to our curriculum on a regular basis so I'm a big fan. The movies cover topics in science, social studies, health, math, reading & writing and arts & technology. 

Do you have any apps that your children or students enjoy using? I'd love for you to share them with me. I'm always looking for fun apps to add to my learning arsenal.

More learning on the go ideas by my series co-hosts:

Take a Reading Road Trip
(Home Literacy Blueprint)

20+ Fun Games to Play in the Car
(Lalymom)

Audio Books for Kids
(Busy Kids = Happy Mom)

Have fun learning on the go!

Bern

Top 10 Ways to Get Kids Reading This Summer

Summer is here. School is out. 

Everyone wants to have fun in the sun.

School takes a backseat to summer camp, vacations and playdates. It's understandable. It's was a busy and long school year but it doesn't have to be all or nothing. You know that reading over the summer will keep your child actively engaged in learning. The question is not what benefits reading offers a child - you know it is beneficial. So, how do you keep your child reading when summer fun is beckoning? I'm going to share 10 tips that work for me with the Lil Divas. 

* Remember, not all children are the same so some of my tips may not work for your child. Try a few of my suggestions, adapt them as needed and simply encourage your child to read this summer. *

1. Let them choose the book. I've learned the hard way that children are more apt to read what they are drawn to versus what we think they should be reading. I steer my girls towards material that is appropriate to their age and reading level then let them decide which book to pick up. Sometimes that means it may not be the one I would choose for them. I am ok with that - I prefer for them to be excited about reading their choice versus reluctant to read my choice in books. 

2. Encourage variety. Magazines, cookbooks, comics, e-books - it's all fair game. Not only does this make reading more exciting but it also exposes young readers to a variety of media which will be beneficial to them in school.

3. Visit local bookstores and libraries. Expose children to the multitude of reading material available to them. It is plentiful, take advantage of it. Bookstores remain one of our favorite places to visit as a family. There's something there for everyone in the family. Make it a fun family outing. 

4. Set a goal. Sit down with your child and ask them to set a goal for the summer. Whether they strive to read a certain number of books, aim to finish a certain series or endeavor to explore new genres - setting a goal gives them something to work towards. 

5. Be a reading role-model. How can you tell your child to read if you never pick up a book yourself? I have always been an avid reader. When I was younger my parents used to have to stop me from reading because it was all I wanted to do - imagine that! My girls do not have the same voracious love of reading I had as a child but I do my best to show them that reading is fun and books are a wonderful way to stretch your imagination. 

6. Schedule reading into your day. We read at bedtime throughout the school year. This isn't always an ideal time during summer so I try to set aside an additional D.E.A.R (Drop Everything and Read) time for us at least a few times a week. We all spend time reading during the day for at least 30 minutes. We may all read our own books or we might read a book together - the important thing is that we make reading a priority.

7. Get crafty. After reading a book enjoy an extension activity. Make a craft, whip up a recipe related to the story, paint a picture, make a character puppet or anything else that strikes your fancy. It will make the book memorable and it gives your child something to look forward to after reading. 

8. Start a Summer Book Club. Get together and talk about the books you read during the week as a family. It's a great way to get siblings interested in books and is an easy way to check your child's comprehension. Better yet - start a summer book club with your child's friends. Everyone can meet once a week to share and chat about their books. Doing something with friends always makes it better and what's better than a book party (says the unabashed book lover)?

9. Go beyond the book. Watch the movie (if there is one), visit a place central to the story, go to the museum or do online research on the person, place or event if applicable. Bringing the book to life in a concrete way makes it exciting, memorable and it may even spark a new interest or hobby. 

10. Encourage them to participate in incentive programs. There's nothing better than receiving a reward for all your hard work. There are many programs that offer free books, money and other treats for reading a certain amount of books. Check out the link for info on some of my favorite summer reading incentive programs. 

This post is part of the KBN's 2nd Annual School's Out Top 10 Blog Hop.

Be sure to check out all the posts in the 
School's Out Top 10 Summer Blog Hop
and check out our Pinterest Board for lots more ideas.

Have an amazing summer full of fun, lots of reading and learning!
Bern