Resources

Back-to-School season is here, and with it comes the final days of summer. If you and your Little are looking for fun activities as they transition back to class, we’ve got you covered!

Community Activities

New School Year Goals: It’s the start of a brand new school year! Help your Little write a list of a few goals they would like to work on this school year (i.e. read a book each week, join a club, organize backpack before bedtime, etc.)

Make Suncatchers: Brighten up your windows with homemade suncatchers! Learn to make handprint or leaf suncatchers.

Make a Gratitude Jar: Decorate and label a large jar together. Put notes inside with something you each are thankful for. Once the jar is full, take the notes out and read them together.

Create Your Own Board Game: Do you have a Little who enjoys playing board games? Grab some craft materials and work together to create your own fun board game!

Visit a Local Fire Station: Contact the fire department administration office to make an appointment for a station tour and chance to ask some questions about becoming a firefighter.

Make Book Covers: Purchase a couple of composition notebooks plus project supplies, and teach your little how to make fabric or paper book covers. Google instructions and get creative!

Create an “Animal Book”: Using a binder or folder with paper, research a new animal each time you get together. Write down interesting facts, try your hand at drawing, and include other creative ideas for creating your own book about animals. You can pick animals in alphabetical order or however you see fit!

Fly a Kite: Pick up a kite from the store or make your own. Then, help your little release it into the air at the beach, a park, or the backyard.

Learn How to Play Disc Golf: Go to your local park and play disc golf with your little! Click here to view the rules of the game!

Back-to-School Events

Back-to-School/Hope in the Park: August 4th from 5pm to 7pm at 1875 Nursery Rd, Clearwater, FL 33764 Join Clearwater First Church of Nazarene for our Back 2 School Bash/HOPE IN THE PARK (we will be in the Gym – in air conditioning this month!!), School Supplies (while supplies last – child MUST be present), Games, FREE COMMUNITY DINNER, FOOD ASSISTANCE (while supplies last; no documentation needed) and lots of Family Fun (Free Inflatable, Games in the Gym). This event is for ALL AGES! Invite a friend! Click here for more details.

Back-to-School Bash: August 6th all day at Clearwater Beach Retreat Complex (69 Bay Esplanade, 51 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater, FL 33764) Get pumped for going back to school by playing games, eating some delicious barbeque and listening to live music at Morningside Recreation Center. Click here for details.

Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway: August 6th from 10 am to 11 pm at 1510 NW 4th St Ocala, FL 34475 To prepare for the new school year, join the community as students are handed free drawstring bags filled with school supplies. Click here for more details.

Community Events

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday: July 25th-August 7th Purchase qualifying back-to-school supplies exempt from tax during the 2022 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. Qualifying items include- learning aids and jigsaw puzzles selling for $30 or less; most school supplies selling for $50 or less; clothing, footwear, and accessories selling for $100 or less; computers and accessories (when purchased for non-commercial and personal use) selling for $1500 or less.

Tarpon Springs First Friday: August 5th from 6pm to 10pm at 324 E. Pine St Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 A free family event held the first Friday of the month- featuring art, food, shops, and music, with a fun theme every month!

Wawa Summer Fun Day at Bok Tower: August 4th & 5th from 8am to 5pm at 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales, 33853 Bok Tower Gardens, in association with Wawa, is offering complimentary admission on the first Thursday and Frida of August and September. Click here for more details.

St. Pete Second Saturday Art Walk: August 13th all day at 2955 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Every second Saturday of the month studios and galleries all over St. Pete swing open their doors, inviting anyone and everyone to check out their latest work for free! Meet the artists and gallery owners during this casual, festive evening as over 40 studios and galleries in the five Art Districts come together as one arts destination. Click here for more details.

Do you need some ideas for things to talk to your Little about? Check out our May Conversation Starters to help you and your Little learn about new topics and discover new hobbies and interests. 

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month – Learn more about the history, contributions, and global impact of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with your Little. 

National Bike Month – Does your Little know how to ride a bike? When did they learn? How often do they ride? Discuss Bike Safety. Research the Tour De France and famous cyclists. 

National Photograph Month – Try a Picture Scavenger Hunt. You and your Little come up with a list of things to take photos of and share via Video Chat or email. Your list might include: An Animal, A Person, A Plant, An Action Shot, a Fruit or Veggie, A Selfie, A Building, Something from the Kitchen, Something that has a shadow, something that has texture, etc. 

National Salad Month – Do a salad challenge: Can your Little eat 5 Salads in May? What are your favorite kinds of salads? Does Fruit Salad count as a salad? How about Tuna Salad or Chicken Salad?

May 1st is May Day – Research May Day together. Do you or your Little celebrate this holiday? Is it a Holiday we should celebrate more? 

May 2nd is National Fitness Day – Why is fitness so important? What do you do to stay fit? Brainstorm some fun ways to stay fit physically, emotionally, and mentally.  

May 5th is Cinco De Mayo – Do you or your Little celebrate Cinco de Mayo? What do you do to celebrate? Check out this video from PBS Kids. 

May 5th is National Teacher’s Day – Why are teachers so important? If you were a teacher, what would you teach? Do teachers get enough appreciation for all that they do? Why or Why not?

May 7th is World Athletics Day – What is your favorite sport to play and to watch? Check out this article from Sports Retriever about unique sports that you probably haven’t heard of. 

May 9th is Mother’s Day – Do you or your Little celebrate Mother’s Day? What traditions do you have? If you had all the money in the world, what would you do for your mom to show her that she is special?

May 11th is National Technology Day – Make a list of available technology today that wasn’t available when Big was young. Make another list of technology that wasn’t available when someone in their 40s, 60s, 80s was a kid. What piece of technology do you think you could live without if you had to?

May 15th is National Endangered Species Day – Research some of the critically endangered species on the World Wild Life list. Why do animals become endangered? What can people do to keep animals from going extinct?

May 23rd is World Turtle Day – Check out these turtle facts from Petco. Would you consider a turtle for a pet? How many different kinds of turtles are there? 

May 26th is Sally Ride Day – Learn about Sally Ride together from Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls. Would you like to be the first at something? Would you travel to space?

May 31st is Memorial Day – Why is Memorial Day important? Watch this video from Homeschool Pop to learn more facts about Memorial Day. 

Do you want to learn what it takes to become a Big? Learn more at our Big Orientation & Training info session. View the schedule.

Do you need some ideas for things to talk to your Little about? Check out our April Conversation Starters to help you and your Little learn about new topics and discover new hobbies and interests. 

National Humor Month – What makes you laugh? How about your Little? Tell some jokes together or look some up!

International Guitar Month – Do either you or your Little play the Guitar? Check out some guitar solos on YouTube.

Keep America Beautiful Month – What are some beautiful places in FL and other states that you have been to or would love to travel to? Make a Bucket list together, Share some of your Travel Pics, or research some of the most beautiful landscapes in the USA. Discuss ways to keep America beautiful.

Move More Month – Find an easy YouTube stretching video or easy exercise video to try together.

Stress Awareness Month – Does your Little get stressed? If so, how often, what makes them stressed? Talk about strategies to relieve stress. Try a meditation or yoga video together.

National Poetry Month – Find some poems to recite to one another or make your own Haiku.

April 4^th Easter – Does your Little celebrate Easter? If so how? Color or creative Easter Eggs together.

April 4^th is World Party Day – What makes the best party? What are good things to celebrate? A fun group activity would be to plan a party with an unlimited budget and we can each go around and add something fun for our party.

April 7^th is World Health Day – What do you/your parents do to stay healthy? What is something you can change daily to become healthier? Why is it so important to stay healthy?  What are some jobs that help people stay healthy? Would you like to go into a field that helps people stay healthy?

April 8^th is Zoo Lover’s Day – Research the most popular Zoos in the world, the pros and cons of zoos, or what it takes to be a Zookeeper. Is it a job that you would like?

April 10^th is National Siblings Day – Do you have any siblings? What are the pros and cons of being an only child? Is it better to be an older, middle, or younger sibling? What is the best thing about your sibling? What is your favorite thing to do with your sibling? What do you think your sibling will be when they grow up? Come up with a list of popular books/shows/movies that feature siblings.

April 13^th is International Plant Appreciation Day and  April 14^th is National Gardening Day (April is also Gardening Month) – Discuss different plants and take a “can you name this plant” quiz together. Discuss the pros and cons of having a garden. Discuss the benefits of gardening. Discuss differences and similarities of having a flower or fruit/veggie garden.

April 14^th is National Dolphin Day – Check out some neat facts about dolphins and watch “A Dolphins Tale” story if you haven’t already.

April 21^st is National Kindergarten Day – What do you remember most about being in K? Who was your K teacher? Did you like them why or why not? What makes a good K teacher? Would you like to be a K teacher and why/why not?

April 22^nd is Earth Day – Check out this video about Earth Day. What can you do to participate in Earth Day?

April 25 is National Telephone Day – What do you do most on the phone? (Text, call, email, games) Why are phones important? How would your life be different if you couldn’t take your phone with you places? How would your life be different if you didn’t have a phone at all? How would you communicate, plan things, get help in an emergency?  Look up some pictures of the first phones and see how far our technology has come!

April 28 is National Superhero Day – Who is your favorite Superhero? If you had a superpower what would it be? Would You Rather Questions “Xray vision or flight, super strength or super speed,” etc. Design your own superhero costume.

April 24^th is Arbor Day – Research this day together. Why is it important to plant trees? Can you imagine your neighborhood or favorite park without trees? What would that be like? Do you have a favorite kind of tree? How many different types of trees can you think of?

Do you want to learn what it takes to become a Big? Learn more at our Big Orientation & Training info session. View the schedule.

October is a time for sweaters, costumes, gourds and more! Remember, the first quarter of school ends in mid-October. Ask your Little how they feel like they are doing in school so far. What could they do to bring grades up next quarter?

-October 3rd is National Child Health Day-What does your Little do to stay healthy? Talk about things that your Little can do to be even more healthy.

-October 5th is National Do Something Nice Day-What is something nice that your Little has done for someone else lately? Write a card to someone just to let them know you appreciate them. Do an extra chore at home. Do something nice for your community.

-October 7th is World Smile Day! What makes you smile? Draw a picture of something that makes you smile. What do you to do make others smile?

-Oct 14th is World Egg Day. Do you like eggs? How do you like to eat them? They are healthy and full of protein. How many animals can you think of that lay eggs?

-Oct 14th is National Dessert Day! What is your favorite dessert? Ice cream, pie, cake, cookies? Do you know someone who loves to bake? Do you like to help? What is your favorite thing to bake? Design a cake or a new, crazy flavor of ice cream.

-October 17th is National Pasta Day! Spaghetti, Fettuccini, Ravioli, Macaroni. Do you like pasta? What is your favorite? Check out this link on the history of pasta!

-October 20th is National Youth Confidence Day-What is something your Little is really good at? Have them teach you all about it!

-October 25th is International Artist Day. What kind of Art do you like to do? Drawing, Painting, Making Jewelry, Music, Poetry? Who inspires you to make art? Who do you know that makes art? Do you have a favorite artist? Show your Little your art and ask them to share with you!

-Halloween is coming up! Is your Little participating? If so, how? Dressing up? Trick or Treating? Remind your Littles about Halloween safety (stay with a group or adult, check candy, food allergies, pumpkin carving etc.)

-Talk about your favorite candy! Invent your own candy bars. Draw a picture of the wrapper design.

-This is a spooky time of year with scary images and movies. What are some things that scare you? Spiders, snakes, ghosts, heights, the dark? Ask your Little if they are afraid of anything.

Situational awareness is being fully aware of your surroundings at all times, allowing you to react effectively if a dangerous situation were to arise, and allowing you to remove yourself and/or your Little from potentially dangerous situations if warranted. It’s important to practice situational awareness at all times, no matter how seemingly harmless a setting may seem, as unexpected outcomes are possible at any given time. When things catch us off guard, it can impede on our decision making. Situational awareness helps us to be able to make informed and pre-emptive decisions about potential threats or harmful objects in our surroundings.

Ways to Practice Situational Awareness

1.  Identify objects around you. Each time you enter a new environment, take a moment to identify every object in your immediate vicinity. Chairs, tables, trash, even walls and doors should all be recognized. It should only take a few seconds to identify the objects around you, but looking at your surroundings with a discerning eye and acknowledging each item is a crucial step in developing a mindful attitude. When you’re aware of the things around you, you can effectively determine what can be used as a weapon and what will be a potential obstacle/hazard.

2. Notice other people. Watch out for nervous or agitated behavior in others, and keep an eye on people who seem to be moving outside the norm. The ability to detect inconsistencies or distress in other people can allow you to anticipate dangerous situations, giving you an opportunity to respond in the most effective way possible.

3. Identify entry and exit points. Every time you arrive at a new location, pick out all points of entry and exit. Should a dangerous situation arise, the most effective way to keep yourself and/or your Little safe is to remove yourselves from the situation and avoid engaging with any potentially dangerous people/objects.

4. Be mindful. Practice being in the moment– when you are cognizant of your surroundings, your senses are fully engaged. You can see, hear, and smell everything and react a lot quicker. This means limiting distractions such as earbuds, cell phones, etc., and always remaining vigilant.

5. Trust your gut feeling. Listen to your instincts. If you feel uneasy about someone or someplace, you can remove yourself from danger by listening to your gut. Your internal reactions can be a key element in pointing out danger, so don’t ignore your intuition.

Sourced from Krav Maga Worldwide & Advanced Tactical Resources.

Back-to-School season is here, and with it comes the final days of summer. If you and your Little are looking for fun activities as they transition back to class, we’ve got you covered!

Community Activities

New School Year Goals: It’s the start of a brand new school year! Help your Little write a list of a few goals they would like to work on this school year (i.e. read a book each week, join a club, organize backpack before bedtime, etc.)

Make Suncatchers: Brighten up your windows with homemade suncatchers! Learn to make handprint or leaf suncatchers.

Make a Gratitude Jar: Decorate and label a large jar together. Put notes inside with something you each are thankful for. Once the jar is full, take the notes out and read them together.

Create Your Own Board Game: Do you have a Little who enjoys playing board games? Grab some craft materials and work together to create your own fun board game!

Visit a Local Fire Station: Contact the fire department administration office to make an appointment for a station tour and chance to ask some questions about becoming a firefighter.

Make Book Covers: Purchase a couple of composition notebooks plus project supplies, and teach your little how to make fabric or paper book covers. Google instructions and get creative!

Create an “Animal Book”: Using a binder or folder with paper, research a new animal each time you get together. Write down interesting facts, try your hand at drawing, and include other creative ideas for creating your own book about animals. You can pick animals in alphabetical order or however you see fit!

Fly a Kite: Pick up a kite from the store or make your own. Then, help your little release it into the air at the beach, a park, or the backyard.

Learn How to Play Disc Golf: Go to your local park and play disc golf with your little! Click here to view the rules of the game!

Back-to-School Events

Back-to-School/Hope in the Park: August 4th from 5pm to 7pm at 1875 Nursery Rd, Clearwater, FL 33764 Join Clearwater First Church of Nazarene for our Back 2 School Bash/HOPE IN THE PARK (we will be in the Gym – in air conditioning this month!!), School Supplies (while supplies last – child MUST be present), Games, FREE COMMUNITY DINNER, FOOD ASSISTANCE (while supplies last; no documentation needed) and lots of Family Fun (Free Inflatable, Games in the Gym). This event is for ALL AGES! Invite a friend! Click here for more details.

Back-to-School Bash: August 6th all day at Clearwater Beach Retreat Complex (69 Bay Esplanade, 51 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater, FL 33764) Get pumped for going back to school by playing games, eating some delicious barbeque and listening to live music at Morningside Recreation Center. Click here for details.

Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway: August 6th from 10 am to 11 pm at 1510 NW 4th St Ocala, FL 34475 To prepare for the new school year, join the community as students are handed free drawstring bags filled with school supplies. Click here for more details.

Community Events

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday: July 25th-August 7th Purchase qualifying back-to-school supplies exempt from tax during the 2022 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. Qualifying items include- learning aids and jigsaw puzzles selling for $30 or less; most school supplies selling for $50 or less; clothing, footwear, and accessories selling for $100 or less; computers and accessories (when purchased for non-commercial and personal use) selling for $1500 or less.

Tarpon Springs First Friday: August 5th from 6pm to 10pm at 324 E. Pine St Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 A free family event held the first Friday of the month- featuring art, food, shops, and music, with a fun theme every month!

Wawa Summer Fun Day at Bok Tower: August 4th & 5th from 8am to 5pm at 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales, 33853 Bok Tower Gardens, in association with Wawa, is offering complimentary admission on the first Thursday and Frida of August and September. Click here for more details.

St. Pete Second Saturday Art Walk: August 13th all day at 2955 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Every second Saturday of the month studios and galleries all over St. Pete swing open their doors, inviting anyone and everyone to check out their latest work for free! Meet the artists and gallery owners during this casual, festive evening as over 40 studios and galleries in the five Art Districts come together as one arts destination. Click here for more details.