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Today is the summer solstice, marking the official start to summer! Warm weather and plenty of sunshine make it the perfect time to introduce your baby to the outdoors.  We’ve come up with a few fun ways to make the most of the season with your little one.

Backyard Beach
You don’t need to live near a beach to introduce your baby to the wonderful world of sand and surf! With just a few supplies, you can bring the delights of the beach to your own backyard. Set up a colorful beach blanket on the lawn.  Put baby in a bathing suit, or just his diaper. Don’t forget the sunscreen and a protective hat! If you have a portable stereo, set the scene with the aquatic sounds of our Baby Neptune CD. Fill a pail or shallow tub with water and show baby how to drop in different objects, letting him observe how some seem sink while others float.* Let him fish them out with his little hands, and maybe even splash himself (and mommy, too) with some water. Fill a pan with sand (your local hardware store should have some) and pack it down. Trace designs in it with him. Let him pick up a fistful of sand and watch in amazement as it slips through his fingers. He’ll be intrigued by the sensation!

Baby Camp
Sometimes it’s just too hot to venture outside! Bring the fun of summer camp into your living room by creating your own tent. Drape a sheet over three chairs to create a triangular shape large enough for you and baby to play in. Place a soft blanket on the floor inside to create a cozy, padded surface. Dim the lights and place a flashlight inside the tent to illuminate one side of the sheet. Entertain your little one with shadow puppets and watch him marvel at them.  This is also the perfect opportunity to introduce your baby to the world of nature and the outdoors with discovery cards from our Animals Around Me and Wild Animal Safari Discovery Kits. Don’t forget to make the animal sounds that correspond with each picture! To finish off the fun with some nap time, sing baby his favorite lullabies.

Playground Adventure
Visit a playground in your neighborhood and let the fun begin! If it is baby’s first summer, introduce him to the joys of swings, slides, and sandboxes. Push him gently on the baby swing and watch him squeal with delight! On the slide, either hold baby in your lap and go down together, or stand beside the slide and hold him firmly as you guide him down. The sandbox is the perfect place for him to discover building sandcastles and playing with tools like shovels, pails, and sand rakes. Show him how to fill a pail with sand and turn it over to make a marvelous castle.

Do you and your little one have a favorite summertime activity? Share it in the comments!

*Never leave a child unattended near water