Socially-distanced programs packed with summer fun by Parks and Rec

Published July 16, 2020

EVA FISHER learns how to fill her balloon with gases from baking soda and vinegar at North Reading Recreation’s Silly Science enrichment program. These programs offer tons of socially distant fun, including some outdoor fun with relay races and games, all while staying safe. See details inside today’s Transcript to sign up for next week’s session. (Lynne Clemens Photo)

NORTH READING — Children have been enjoying the fun enrichment programs North Reading Recreation has put together for this summer. In our first week kids enjoyed Silly Science, making their own rock candy, dinosaur eggs, volcanoes, glowing eggs and elephant toothpaste as well as static electricity fun and making a rainbow.

These are just a handful of the fun activities they experienced while staying socially distant!

The theme for our second week was “Outside the lines.” It was a week full of crazy art fun, including tape resist art, straw blowing art, drip art, smash painting, water gun painting, tie dye shirts, shaving cream art, rock painting, and so much more!

For each of these programs kids had their own work stations six feet apart, but you would never know it by all the loud chatter and laughing! Outside fun was also enjoyed with relay games and circle games.

“We promise good, safe, fun programming! Kids are having so much fun they don’t even realize they are being distanced!” said Recreation Director Lynne Clemens.

Coming up next week is “Nuts about Nature.” Kids in this program will have fun doing a nature walk, scavenger hunts, tree rubbing, making a sundial, shadow art, nature wands, leaf rubbing, bird feeders, and some animal games.

These programs are taught by some of our terrific SummerScape staff along with our Recreation Programmer, Nancy Ursino. Let’s enjoy the outdoors and what we have right in our own back yards. This is an outdoor program with indoor class/project time. Kids will go on small hikes in the park and enjoy fun projects and games using nature. They will be spaced six feet apart at their work stations when indoors.

HANNAH ROWE learns how to get frogs to jump to her balloon using static electricity while attending North Reading Rec’s Silly Science enrichment program at the Rec Center. Kids are having lots of fun safely socializing with their peers and learning new skills. To sign up call 978-664-6016. (Lynne Clemens Photo)

The following week will be “Pay It Forward” from Monday, July 27 – Thursday, July 30. Kids will be busy making wonderful gifts for some of our favorite organizations and heroes from the recent pandemic! Projects include blankets for Project Linus, sun catchers for residents of nursing home/assisted living facilities who have been through a tough season and dog play ropes and bandanas for animal shelters.

Kids will paint kindness rocks for the IRP rock garden, make cards for nurses, military, fire and police! They’ll also make pipe cleaner flowers in a pot and lollipop flowers that the staff will turn into a thank you bouquet for some of our essential workers. Kids will have fun spreading kindness and love while gaining a real sense of community! Staff will deliver all Pay It Forward projects to their recipients.

“All state guidelines are being followed as well as some policies that go above and beyond the guidelines,” added Clemens. These enrichment programs are geared to ages 7-12.

Tennis anyone? We have limited openings in Pee Wee Tennis with local Tennis Pro and longtime instructor with NR Recreation Matt Tiberii. Our elementary program is full. Watch our website or email blasts for any additional classes that may be added.

Feel free to call the Recreation Department with any questions and to register your child at 978-664-6016 or go online at www.northreadingma.gov/parks-recreation for more information on all programming this summer.