We all know about the dreaded “summer brain drain,” when students forget a lot of what they learned during the previous school year and have to spend the first few months of the new year catching up. You can help your kids turn that brain drain into a brain gain by encouraging reading over the summer. Here are some recent books that will not only capture children’s attention, but also encourage them to read even more.
Weird but True USA (National Geographic Kids)
This fascinating book contains 300 unusual facts about the states that make up the USA. For example, California scientists modeled a solar cell after a fly’s eye, Jell-O is the official state snack of Utah, and Nutty Narrows Bridge in Longview, Washington was built to squirrels can safely cross a busy road. Ages 8-12. Under $7.
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Yoga is great for exercise, concentration, coordination, balance, body awareness, relaxation, and just plain fun. My First Yoga Mat helps in all those areas. BitsyBot, the computerized teacher who’s built into the mat itself, gives directions and challenges (such as “can you touch my hand and press my head?”) in several game modes, including identifying body parts and step-by-step instruction in seven basic yoga poses. BitsyBot is also bilingual—just flip a switch and you can do it all in Spanish. For ages 24 months through six years. About $50. 
Who doesn’t love a good cup of coffee? Well, a lot of people don’t, but those who do know that as we get older (aging like fine wines, of course) sometimes the acid or the caffeine can be less-than ideal. A low-acid brand like trücup (in either regular or decaf) can help with that problem, while leaving all the flavors and aromas. trücup’s low-acid options use a natural steam process to remove the things that can be harmful or painful for some people’s stomachs, like those who have acid reflux, GERD, IBS, or about a zillion other stomach issues. With bold or mild, espresso, and other choices, there’s at least one that’ll tickle Dad’s fancy. Visit 
One of the first and most important things to decide on is a car seat. And this seat from Britax is a safe, solid, and reasonably priced option for when your baby outgrows his or her carrier “snap-and-go” seat. It easily transitions from a three-point harness seat (that accommodates kids from 25 – 65 pounds) to a booster (that goes up to 100 pounds), so the seat will grow right along with your child. According to the company, Britax’s “patented system of safety components work together to transfer energy away from your child and 2 layers of Side Impact Protection shield your child in the event of a crash.” With it’s easy-on and easy-off lower connectors that lock into place with a click and are released with the push of a button, installation (and removal) is a breeze. About $170. This one and many other are available at 
If you and/or your young child love gardening, this cute art kit lets you add a little personality and personalization to your outdoor tableau. The kit comes with a 7” ceramic stepping stone, six different paints, and a paintbrush. Just mix your colors, paint your stone, and, voila! Keep in mind, though, that you’re creating art here, and not an actual stone to be stepped on. For ages 5+. $7.99. https://www.horizongroupusa.com
Sand Cloud, an environmentally aware company that donates 10% of its profits to #SaveTheFishes (to help protect and preserve marine life) offers a wide array of items that are sustainable, adorable, and environmentally friendly. From super useful items mom will love like reusable glass bottles with beautiful and fun designs on them to metal straws that you can take anywhere (avoid those unnecessary plastic ones), and from soft towels with lovely artwork to organic tees and tanks, and more. Prices vary. https://www.sandcloud.com
One player lays out up to three piles of cards (which are both numbered and colored). Players then add cards to the stacks, but aren’t allowed to repeat a color or number that’s already in the stack. The more you add, the higher your potential points. But if you push your luck and get to a point where you can’t play a card, you start losing points. Scoring is a little complicated at first, but the game moves quickly and will keep everyone engaged. For 2-6 players, ages 8+. $12.99. 
Waterville Valley is a hiker’s paradise, with hundreds of miles of trails, ranging from a leisurely ramble along Corcoran Pond at the center of Town Square, an easy walk through the woods and wildflowers on the valley floor, or a more challenging hike up the 4,315-ft. summit of Mount Osceola, where you’ll find yourself surrounded by stunning views of 700,000 acres of national forest.
Oh, and let’s not forget about the high-quality, well-appointed, on-site gym, which has everything you need, including an indoor swimming pool, whirlpools, saunas, weight rooms and cardiovascular room. Find out more at 
The creators of the Curious George books, H.A. and Margret Rey, lived in the area part time in the 1950s, and left their legacy, and many personal items and sketches, at the Margret and H.A Rey Center within the property. The Center hosts nature walks, writers’ workshops, discussion clubs, a monthly lecture series, art shows, and activities for children. We attended both a nature walk, where we looked in vain for owls, and heard a discussion about moon cycles given by a NASA volunteer. They also had an arts and crafts portion for children.
If you’ve ever dreamed of throwing a football (or anything else) up to 350 feet (which is a long, long way), now’s your chance. Just pull out the Helix’s retractable cord, swing it around, gradually building momentum, and let ‘er rip. And in the unlikely event that no one noticed, Helix makes a howling sound as it floats through the air in a perfect spiral. Ages 6+. About $20.