Sticking to a fitness routine can feel monotonous. Going to the gym and following a strict diet often becomes a chore, especially when workouts become repetitive.

While we all know that exercise is important, it can often feel overwhelming. Not everyone enjoys jogging in public or sweating it out at the gym. However, many enjoyable ways to stay active don't feel like exercise.

Here are some fun options to help you burn calories and boost your mood:

Take the Stairs

Skip the elevator and take the stairs whenever possible. It’s a simple way to fit exercise into your daily routine and sneak in some extra calorie burning.

Swim or Play in the Pool

Swimming is an excellent full-body cardio workout. Playing water games like volleyball or catch in the pool is also a great way to stay active.

Explore Your City

Put on your walking shoes and explore your city like a tourist. You’ll get your steps in while discovering hidden gems and new favorite spots.

Get into Gardening

Gardening is surprisingly physical—digging, planting, and weeding all count as exercise.

Go for a Bike Ride

Cycling is a great way to get your heart pumping while enjoying the outdoors. Start with easy trails and build up to longer rides as your stamina and confidence grow.

Dance Like No One's Watching

Put on your favorite music and dance around your room. Move at your own pace and enjoy the freedom of dancing right at home.

Play a Sport You Love

Forget the treadmill—grab some friends and head to the park for a football game, or rent a tennis or badminton court.

Burning calories doesn’t have to be boring. The key is finding what you enjoy—because consistency comes naturally when movement is fun.

Spring and summer, with their ample sunshine and warm weather, are perfect for family outdoor activities.

However, as temperatures rise, outdoor activities can become challenging, increasing the risk of overheating. To stay safe while staying active in the heat, it's crucial to take extra precautions.

Staying active in the summer is excellent for your health, but high heat and humidity can pose risks. Follow these expert tips to stay safe, cool, and energized while working out in warm weather:

Time Your Workouts Wisely Exercise early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler. Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest time of the day (usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.).

Hydrate Frequently  Drink water before, during, and after exercise, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Staying hydrated is essential to prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Dress Smart  Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing made of moisture-wicking material to help your body stay cool and dry.

Use Sunscreen  Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Sunburn damages your skin and impairs your body’s ability to cool down.

Listen to Your Body  Start slow and gradually build up intensity. If you feel dizzy, nauseated, weak, or confused, stop immediately and move to a cooler place.

Take Frequent Breaks  Rest in shady or air-conditioned areas to let your body cool down. If you’re outside, plan your route with shaded paths or bring a pop-up tent for downtime.

Limit Intense Activity on Very Hot Days  On extremely hot or humid days, reduce the duration and intensity of your workout, or opt for an indoor alternative.

A mindful approach to exercising in warm weather helps prevent heat-related illnesses and keeps your fitness routine consistent without risking your health.

Summer break is perfect for diving into outdoor adventures and unleashing your creativity. When the temperatures rise, remember that hot weather calls for water play!

Beat-the-Heat Summer Water Activities

Transform simple play into joyful discovery while staying cool in the summer sun. You don't need to spend a fortune to entertain your kids this summer. Here are some budget-friendly water activities that promise hours of fun and excitement without draining your wallet.

DIY Slip 'n Slide

Turn your backyard into a splash zone with a plastic tarp, dish soap, or foam bath, and a hose. Set it on a gentle slope, add soapy water, and let the sliding fun begin!

Homemade Sprinklers

Create cooling fun with DIY sprinklers! Poke holes in a two-liter bottle and attach them to your hose, or tape holed pool noodles into an arch for kids to run through.

Water Balloon Piñatas

Hang water balloons from a tree or clothesline and let the kids take turns smashing them with a stick. It’s a wet and hilarious twist on a classic party game.

Backyard Water Wall

Build a simple water wall using recycled bottles, scoops, and a baby gate. Kids will love watching water trickle through the obstacles.

Magnetic Ice Fishing

Freeze magnets in colorful ice cubes and let the kids “fish” them out of a tub or kiddie pool using magnet-tipped rods. It’s cool, splashy fun they won’t want to stop.

Water Painting

Let your little artists paint the driveway or patio using water and brushes or chalk. As the sun dries their creations, they can start fresh and keep the creativity flowing!

A lifetime of adventure can begin right in your backyard. These creative and affordable water activities offer endless summer fun and unforgettable memories. So dive in and let the outdoor excitement begin!

As summer break approaches with its long, leisurely days, remember that reading is one of the best ways for your child to keep learning. A good book can transport young readers to exciting new worlds, spark their imaginations, and provide a much-needed period of quiet, focused time amidst all the summer fun.

So, stock up on stories and let your child dive into adventures that make summer both enjoyable and educational!

Why Children Should Read Books This Summer

Encouraging summer reading is more important than you might realize. Research shows that reading during the summer helps children maintain and even improve their literacy skills.

According to the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report, most children understand that summer reading is fun and strengthens their reading skills well beyond the summer months. In fact, 61% of kids love summer reading, with picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels being top choices.

Reading regularly during the summer is crucial to preventing the "summer slide," a phenomenon in which academic skills decline when children are away from school. Without consistent reading, students may lose important comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills, making it harder to catch up when school starts again.

Recognizing and celebrating your child's reading achievements is one of the best ways to support their literacy, not only this summer but throughout the year. By praising your child for engaging with books, you are reaffirming positive reading habits and building their confidence.

As a parent, you can help your child stay sharp, inspired, and ready for the new school year. By incorporating books into their summer routine, you are taking a proactive step in their education.

On Friday, July 4, 2025, Americans from coast to coast will eagerly anticipate and joyfully come together to celebrate Independence Day — the 249th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

This historic holiday, with its roots in the momentous year of 1776, marks the birth of a new, sovereign nation, as the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, officially breaking ties with Great Britain.

Fourth of July Celebrations

As the Fourth of July approaches, families and communities across the nation, each with their unique traditions and ways of celebrating, are gearing up for a day filled with festive gatherings that celebrate the heart and history of America.

Other than the red, white, and blue dress code, traditions from generations past include:

Backyard Barbecues: Grills will be fired up as families and friends gather to enjoy classic American fare like burgers, hot dogs, ribs, and corn on the cob.

Patriotic Parades: Streets across the country will be lined with spectators waving flags as marching bands, veterans, local organizations, and floats showcase pride in the red, white, and blue.

Lively Picnics in the Park: From beach picnics to city parks to countryside meadow outing, picnic blankets and lawn games bring people together under the summer sun.

Fireworks Displays: As night falls, the skies will light up with brilliant bursts of color, echoing the joy and triumph that the Fourth of July represents. Remember, safety first when handling fireworks. Always follow local laws and guidelines, and never allow children to handle fireworks unsupervised.

From the smallest rural towns to the biggest metropolitan cities, Independence Day serves as a powerful reminder of the unity, freedom, and unwavering American spirit that continue to define the nation.

Regardless of age or fitness level, adding a simple walk to your daily routine can work wonders for your health and well-being. Get ready to enjoy the many benefits of walking!

Staying active can be straightforward and enjoyable! Just imagine this: a daily brisk walk can be a simple yet incredibly effective way to boost your health and enhance your longevity.

When you walk, you support your own body weight, making it a weight-bearing exercise. Here’s a list of reasons to start walking today to enjoy its benefits.

• Better heart and lung health
• Lower chance of heart disease and stroke
• Improved control of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and muscle or joint pain
• Stronger bones and better balance
• Increased muscle strength and endurance
• Reduced body fat and better weight management
• Improved brain function
• Positively impact on sleep quality
• Lowered anxiety and depression
• Increased focus and creativity
• Improved digestive function

Becoming a regular walker helps establish a consistent routine, making it easier to maintain healthy habits and adopt new ones. It also boosts your confidence in achieving wellness goals—studies show that regular walkers often experience better mental health and a more positive outlook on life.

Walking is a simple, adaptable form of exercise that can fit seamlessly into your daily schedule. No matter how you stroll through the park or navigate city streets, your walking routine should accommodate your lifestyle while gradually increasing your fitness level.

From a relaxed walk in nature to a brisk lap around the neighborhood, the benefits go far beyond physical health. So lace up your shoes and take that first step toward a healthier, happier you!