Blowing bubbles is the quintessential summer activity. It's been done by kids of all ages for centuries, and bubbles were even inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2014. We've gathered up some fantastic resources for all your bubbly fun this summer. Want to mix up your own solution, read about the science behind soap bubbles, or learn how to make giant bubbles? Check out the round-up of books, bubble recipes, and art project ideas below.

Head back to the 62 Days of Summer home page for more ways to participate in the summer program!

Are you are planning a staycation this summer and need some ideas about places to visit and things to do?  Metro Detroit has a lot to offer!  Be sure to check websites for hours and possible closures.  

Friendship bracelets are a fun tradition of creating handmade jewelry to give to your best friend! The patterns can range from very simple to complex art. Below are some ideas for all ages and abilities. 

Activities:

• Learn how to make a friendship bracelet using one of the resources below. Take a photo of your creation and share it with us by using the #howdoyou62 hashtag.
• Upgrade a pattern by adding beads, charms, or other decorations. Try a complex pattern that requires 4 or more colors. Or design your own pattern and share it with us. 
• Create a friendship bracelet using supplies found around the house. Try using something different like floss, ribbons, or yarn. Decorate your bracelet with pop can tabs,  feathers, beads, corks, or lids. 
• Mail your friendship bracelet with a handwritten letter to someone outside your house. It could be a family member, friend, or neighbor. 

Resources:

•  Hoopla has a variety of ebooks including many crafting how-to books.  Check out this booklist for more ideas. 
• Creativebug has many video craft tutorials including this Five-Strand Braid bracelet. Requires CPL card number to log in. 
• Craft Jam: a crafting company that has a great step by step instructions with photographs. This tutorial teaches you how to make the alternating half hitch, 5-strand braid, and diagonal friendship bracelets.
• Youtube: has a variety of great craft tutorial videos. I recommend this one by DIYholic that teaches the spiral, chevron, loom, and fishtail friendship bracelets. 
• Braceletbook: is a great resource if you want to try complex patterns. Check out this Ombre Stripe pattern. 

Photo by Nasim Keshmiri on Unsplash​

Head back to the 62 Days of Summer home page for more ways to participate in the summer program!

Bring the camping experience to you with a backyard camp out! Below are ideas for all ages and abilities.

With this STEAM Square, we invite you to use different aspects of performance to complete the challenges below. There is science behind several aspects of performance, and we have included challenges related to acting, writing, singing, composing, and dancing for you to enjoy this summer. Curious about how a focus on the performing arts is integral to science and math? Read this article from Forbes magazine or check out our links below to see correlations you be unaware of.

Looking for more stuff to do? Check out our other STEAM Stop activities here or head back to the 62 Days of Summer home page for more ways to participate in the summer program!

Complete one READ square by setting a challenge. 

A traditional summer reading challenge takes the form of reading a set number of books, or a set number of pages, or even a set number of minutes. Recently, reading challenges have expanded in scope and offer many ways to broaden your reading horizons. You can choose any reading challenge that fits your needs, and here are a few suggestions.

Just the Data

• Use our 62 Days of Summer tracking sheets to keep track of basic numbers. Write down titles as you read them, or color in time units. Choose the best method for you. 
• Try Scholastic Summer Read-a-Palooza Tracker to track your reading streaks and unlock book donations.
• If you’re focusing on numbers this summer, you might find that committing to a Goodreads challenge helps you keep track of your efforts and you can maintain it over time.

Gentle Guidance

One of the most basic reading challenges is Gene Luen Yang’s Read Without Walls Challenge. Only three books long, you read one book about a character who’s unlike you, one book about a topic you know nothing about, and one book in a format you don’t usually read.

Looking for Extras

• Barnes and Noble has a Summer Reading journal for grades 1-6. Print and fill out the journal, and then it becomes a coupon for a free book.
• Nicola's Books in Ann Arbor has a Summer Reading Club for grades K-8 in which participants can read to earn a series of $6 coupons.
• Join SYNC, a free audiobook summer program for teens and gain access to select free audiobooks through July.

Laser Focus

Are you keen on a theme? Love westerns, or want to only read mysteries this summer? Penguin Random House has compiled a series of 20-book challenges all centered on different themes. There are even themes designed for readers who want to expand their horizons, including one made up of debut novels and one with many different genres.

Doorways and books go well together. Doors in literature often lead characters into wild adventures and magical outings. Likewise, our own doors and doorways can be a fantastic way to highlight and put the spotlight on some of our favorite stories and books. Bedroom doors, classroom doors, and basement doors are all a good place to start. They can become the inspired entrance to your own personal space. They can make someone wonder what lies behind it. Visionary thinking will let an ordinary door become a marvelous celebration of a favorite story. Its a great summer project that gives you a place to exercise your creativity now or in a future doorway, and celebrate a book you love in an innovative way. Head back to 62 days of Summer for more ways to participate in the summer program!

The Fourth of July, or Independence day will be here before you know it. Red, white and blue are the patriotic colors that surround this fun day of celebration. The holiday goes back to 1776 when the continental congress voted for independence as a nation, and formally adopted the Declaration of Independance. The tradition of fireworks began in Philadelphia a year later with the first organized celebration of independence day, and became even more widespread after the War of 1812. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday in 1870. Today we often celebrate independence day with barbeque's, fireworks and patriotic music. There are also  many fun craft and food ideas to help observe the festivities. Check out these books that give you celebration stories and background on this grand summer holiday. Head back to 62 days of Summer for more ways to participate in the summer program!

We have got you covered on some music to groove to this summer! Whether you are having a social distancing or virtual block party this summer, or your family is enjoying a backyard cookout, we want to provide you with some options for a summer soundtrack. We have two playlists to choose from on multiple platforms to stream or download for later. We also have provided some links below to our in house music collection as well as digital titles for you to download for free with your Canton Public Library card! 

Why should kids have all the fun?  This STEAM Stop is designed with adults in mind.  The curated activities listed below either require bigger supplies, are more complicated in nature, or include the use of materials not safe for children.  Enjoy!