What’s on your summer list? Many people flock to amusement parks for fun in the sun every year. But amidst the laughter and thrills, it’s easy to forget that those soaring roller coasters and spinning teacups come with their own set of risks. While injuries at amusement parks are relatively rare, it’s always best to play it safe. So, let’s look at how you can prevent turning your thrill into a spill! Know the ride before you get on. Before you strap in for that upside-down, loop-de-loop adventure, take a moment to watch the ride in action. Understanding how fast it goes and what kind of motions to expect can help you decide if it’s suitable for you — or your little ones. Always read the safety instructions and adhere to the height and age restrictions. They’re vital so everyone has a good time without any accidents. Strap in and gear up. No matter what kind of ride you choose, make sure you use all the provided safety equipment. Buckle up those belts, pull down that safety bar, and ask the attendants if you’re unsure how something works. Stay seated, stay safe. It’s tempting to stand up and throw your hands in the air, but staying seated and keeping your arms and legs inside the ride at all times is crucial to avoid accidents or injuries. SUMMER THRILLS SAFELY ENJOY AMUSEMENT PARKS THIS SEASON
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Getting your kids outdoors to enjoy nature is a goal worth pursuing, but smartphones, video games, and social media have made it far more challenging in recent years. We celebrated Earth Day on April 22, and a nature walk is a great way to keep the appreciation for nature going. Planning games, creative projects, and other challenges to engage them during your hike can get kids involved from the start. Choose a trail that isn’t too difficult, and allow your children to wander and explore. If your children have a creative flair, encourage them to collect dried leaves, pieces of bark, seed pods, sticks, and other items to use in a collage. For adventurous kids, you can draft an age-appropriate list for a scavenger hunt to keep them from growing bored on the walk. You can include different insects native to your area, specific colors of leaves, and types of flowers, and you can even have them keep an ear out for different bird calls. Challenge your kids to make a list of all the plants or animals they can identify while they walk. Apps like Leafsnap help you identify plants using photos of their leaves or other parts. Additionally, the Arbor Day Foundation offers an online step-by-step guide at ArborDay.org for identifying a tree by its leaves. Keep the learning going by having your kids record their distance based on trail signs or a map app on their phones and calculate their average speed. You could also invite your youngsters to become cartographers, tracing the trail and surroundings on paper, including landmarks, rivers, and lakes. Older kids can add topographical information using their phones or an altitude app such as Altimeter or My Altitude. Hiking is a fantastic activity to help your kids appreciate the outdoors rather than their phone screens, but being in nature takes energy. Remember to pack snacks and a water bottle before you leave, or pack a favorite picnic meal to savor the rewards of exploring the outdoors! HELP YOUR KIDS FALL IN LOVE WITH HIKING
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