Summer days slip through our fingers, with sweet evenings of blowing bubbles in the yard or watching fireflies flit by. Free time and plenty of warm weather are a great recipe for outdoor fun while still learning new facts about the natural world and new skills for staying active. However, there are certainly summer days that crawl by, especially if your children are running out of ideas of their own.
One way to make summer fun is a twist that school teachers use all the time: when you turn activities and trips into a game, you can add anticipation and accomplishment to the fun. Play this Summer Bingo game to get your family out and about this summer, enjoying our townships and the areas around them.
We wanted to combine fun with learning, and encourage relaxing as well as adventurous experiences. We hope that you’ll learn even more about what our community has to offer and maybe revisit a few spots that you’ve been meaning to get back to since the last time you enjoyed them.
Compete against friends or neighbors to see who can cover their bingo board first! Chatting about your experiences across the picket fence or around a summer campfire is just another added bonus.
Make Summer Reading Exciting
MidPointe Library knows that a great way to beat the summer heat is to curl up in the AC with a book! You can earn points toward prizes through the MidPointe Library summer reading program. Even if you haven’t joined yet, it’s not too late! Reading books and putting them on your physical or online reading log gets you to different levels of prizes or entry into a raffle for the Grand Prize. Set goals and write down your reading accomplishments until July 31 as part of this program. MidPointeLibrary.org
Dig for Geological Treasure at Trammel Fossil Park
Does your child gobble up shows and books about dinosaurs and geology? Trammel Fossil Park near Sharonville is a unique destination for you and your family to dig in the dirt and keep any fossils you find. There are educational displays and plenty to see, though the terrain is rocky, so plan on very sturdy shoes for this day. Overcast days may be your best bet since much of the park is not shaded, but definitely slather on that sunscreen if you choose a sunny day! Sharonville.org
Rent a Boat at VOA Park
Kayaking and canoeing is a fun way to push your arm strength while exploring a water ecosystem, looking at fish and frogs. Voice of America Park offers rentals of a variety of kinds of boats on their lake, allowing you to paddle or row around the lake and enjoy the views of the rest of the park. Bring a picnic and walk the loop to make a whole day out of this Bingo square. YourMetroParks.net
Taste the Cool Treats at Le Macaron
Hot days call for something sweet and cool, and you’ll find it at Le Macaron at Liberty Center. At our locally owned stop for macarons, you can also get delicious gelato in a wide range of flavors including chocolate, caramel, pistachio and more. French gelato is thicker, creamier and more custardy than traditional ice cream – making it the perfect indulgent treat. Consider making this stop in your Bingo journey a celebration, something fun for a family birthday or as a way to cool off after a particularly warm adventure day. lemacraon-us.com
Take Aim at the Reserves Park Disc Golf Course
Have you tried disc golf before? Small frisbee discs are used to try to hit metal targets that contain chain lengths that help to capture the disc. Precision is key on the Reserves Park 9-hole course, where you can try different techniques to get your disc to the target in the fewest possible throws. This game is a great option for older kids and teens. Discs are available at sporting goods stores, and while you can choose a variety of weights, you can have plenty of fun with only a few discs. Liberty-Township.com
Take a Hike in Gilmore MetroPark or Wetlands Park
Our local area has many county and township parks that offer walking paths and nature to explore. Wetlands park includes an asphalt trail beside woods, open fields, and even a playground dinosaur. Gilmore MetroPark, just outside Liberty Township, offers a walk on the wild side, starting on the boardwalk that takes you through a shady wetland where creatures, including hundreds of crayfish, can be seen. Birds and squirrels frequent the unpaved path through the forest. YourMetroParks.net
Enjoy Live Music at Union Centre
Outdoors is a great place to join others for a night on the town this summer, especially when open-air concerts at The Takeover on The Square @ Union Centre can offer so much amusement while staying a safe distance from fellow concert-goers. Bringing to-go food and watching the sunset while a jam band livens up the night is a great option here in the West Chester area. Check online for the latest updates as the summer schedule is subject to change. WestChesterOH.org
Test Your Strength at Sharon Woods’ Parcours Trail
Sharon Woods has a new twist on the classic walk in the park since their Parcours Trail features stations with new physical challenges every 100 yards or so. Rather than just exercising your leg muscles, test your ability to do pull-ups, to jump from step to step, stretch to reach and balance on balance beams. It makes walking just that much more enjoyable, and afterward, there’s still lots of nature to explore in the many other parts of Sharon Woods. GreatParks.org/parks/sharon-woods
Be sure to take photos as you complete the Bingo items. Post your pictures to Facebook or Instagram and tag us through July 30. On July 31, we’ll randomly draw one winner to receive a $50 gift card to Snapology of West Chester. Snapology provides STEAM-based classes, camps, parties, workshops and after school programs for preschoolers and school-age youth ages 5-14. For Facebook, tag @West Chester & Liberty Lifestyle or #westchesterliberty on Instagram. To learn more about Snapology, visit Snapology.com/location/westchestertwp.
