Ah summer time! What usually comes to mind when you think about summer holidays with your children? Picnics in the park? Swimming? Summer camp? Family BBQs? These are all summer staples I admit, but why not make this summer different and include sharing books part of your family’s summer fun? As a teacher and tutor for the past ten years, I know that keeping up with reading over the summer has exceptional academic benefits on young students.

A summer sports tournament is not the time to pack light. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot from experience – and from peeking into the stylish utility totes of veteran sports moms. Here are some field-tested tips if you’re preparing for a weekend of soccer, baseball or any other outdoor activity.

We live for family vacations.

The temptation to interact with screens on a daily basis is inescapable. They are everywhere; in our kitchens, our living rooms, our playrooms and even in our bathrooms and beds. With the convenience of digital streaming programs like Netflix and You Tube and the portability and accessibility of iPads, Smart phones and Smart TVs, we are constantly inundated with images, sounds and a barrage of multimedia distraction. As the digital landscape evolves more and more, parents are left wondering “can this be good for my kids?”

Family movie night is a staple activity in our house. In the summer, we use it when everyone’s had a full day of outside time and we need to settle. Or when we’ve all been running in different directions and need to reconnect.