THE TIMELESS CHARM OF THE DRIVE-IN MOVIE
Plus, How to Create Your Own Outdoor Cinema
Summertime is synonymous with many childhood experiences: hours splashing in the pool, sleepaway camp, and snow cones, to name a few. A quintessential summer destination that isn’t as common these days is the drive-in theater, yet many childhood memories are built on this little bit of nostalgia.
The first drive-in theater opened in 1933 in Camden, New Jersey. At the time, films cost 25 cents per person, plus 25 cents per car, and drive-ins usually got movies in the second run, after they’d shown at indoor theaters. The trend started off slow, but by the ‘50s, Americans had fully embraced the outdoor theater experience. The ‘80s brought a charismatic Michael J. Fox to audiences in “Back to the Future,” and shortly after, “The Sandlot” hit the big screen and gave us lines that we’d quote for the next decade (“You’re killin’ me, Smalls!”). As of 2018, USA Today estimated that only about 330 drive-in theaters still exist in the United States. But if you don’t have one in your area, there’s a way you can enjoy the outdoor movie experience without having to leave your backyard.
you’ll need a laptop and streaming service or a DVD or Blu-ray player. You’ll connect these devices to your projector through an HDMI port. As long as you’re not broadcasting to the whole neighborhood, stereo or computer speakers should be just fine, but you can also opt for a Bluetooth speaker that will give your audio a big boost. Next, you’ll need a flat surface to display the movie. A plain, white bedsheet makes a good screen, or you can make your own with white fabric from craft stores or online. Cushions, blankets, and outdoor hanging lights add a fun touch to your cinema. Just be sure to turn the lights off before the movie begins — and silence those cellphones!
Your outdoor cinema starts with a projector. If you don’t have one, they are readily available to purchase at most big-box stores. For playing the movie,
Once your setup is complete, select your movie, get the popcorn popping, and enjoy some movie magic right in your backyard.
3 TIPS FOR KEEPING KIDS PRODUCTIVE AT ANY AGE!
REMOTE PICTURE BOOK READ-ALOUDS
Keeping your kids occupied isn’t an easy task. In the middle of the
Do your kids have uncles, aunts, or even cousins who have time to read to them? Set up virtual reading dates! This can be a fun way to keep in touch with family and still practice your kid’s language skills.
day, they might be more used to playing in the schoolyard with their friends than cleaning their rooms. For parents who might be struggling with ideas on how to entertain their kids, here are our tips for keeping your household organized and busy.
HOUSEWORK HELP
This is a great time to introduce your kids to the importance of house cleanliness. A messy house can make our minds feel cluttered, and while that might not be important to your child just yet, you can still encourage clean habits that’ll put them one step ahead for the rest of their lives. Even if they’re not as fast at chores as you are or can’t complete them on their own, they can help you in small steps. For example, they can pass you dirty dishes to scrub or hand you clean dishes to put away. If they’re old enough, have them organize their toys and electronics and make sure they put away their things after they use them. Encouragement is key; they need to understand that a clean house is a daily accomplishment and something to be proud of, not just a chore.
ACTIVITY TOYS AND PLAYING PRETEND ‘OFFICE’
If you have an infant or toddler, they might not be able to do the same work activities you do. But that doesn’t mean they can’t pretend! Get out a “soft book,” an activity book made of felt and soft material pages, and let them do their own “work” nearby. Babies are very skilled at copying their parents, and this can improve their motor ability. For slightly older kids, you could get out crayons and paper and ask that they work quietly nearby. Grown-up things like pencil cases, measuring tapes, old-school calculators, and more can help expand their imagination.
From all our families at QuickSumo Pest Control, we wish you the best of luck!
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