Did you know that reading and writing poetry is actually good for your health? Reading poetry can help sharpen your brain with insight and critical thinking, while writing poetry can be therapeutic and help you be more self-aware. Appreciation for poetry is beneficial for all ages, whether you're a senior citizen, or a kid.  Some poems may make you ponder, while others will make you laugh together. Some may take you awhile to read, while others can be a "quick fix" to your reading time. No matter your reason for reading poetry, it can be extremely fulfilling and gratifying. The variety of topics that poems cover is vast. Take some time to explore the endless variety out there. The library offers some awesome poetry books as well. There is something for everyone, kids and adults alike. Head back to 62 days of summer for more ways to participate in the summer program.

Have you ever wanted to make up your own theme song? Think of what matters most to you.

• What's your motto, your philosophy about life?
• What defines you as a person or as a family?
• What are you passionate about?
• What has made you the most happy or the most sad?

Write at least 5 things down. These are the themes that are important to you! Now, follow these instructions:

Write Lyrics

Start by writing a simple, rhyming poem with one of your themes. It doesn't have to be perfect. The most important thing is to be honest. If you've never written a poem before, or if you need help to make it sound good, try these:

• Poetry Rhyme Schemes (Poetry Lesson)
• Rhyming Dictionary

Understanding Song Structure

That poem you made is basically a verse (or verses)! Write a bit more to get your chorus and bridge. There are many ways to make a song, but for your first one try this structure: Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus, Bridge, Chorus. No idea what those words mean? Watch these videos:

• What's a Verse, Chorus & Bridge? (Youtube)
• Learn Popular Song Structure (Youtube)

Write Melodies

Now that you've got the lyrics, it's time to make the melody. You can sing your lyrics to what ever tune comes to your head. Or, try making music for it with one of these free programs.

• For Kids

  • Chrome Music Lab (Web)
  • Keezy (iOS)

• For Teens and Adults

  • Beepbox (web)
  • Bandlab (iOS and Android)
  • Music Maker Jam (iOS and Android)

Make Music With An Instrument

Have you already got an instrument like a guitar or a piano? Here's some tips to get you started writing great melodies in no time:

• How To Write a Melody (Youtube)
• Chord Progression Basics (Youtube)

Share Your Song

Practice singing your song while playing your music. It might take you several times to get it right. Then, share your song with a close friend or family member to brighten their day, or record your song for yourself to playback sometime in the future.

Music Courses

Want to learn about music in general?

• The Basics Of Music

Books

Big and small. Furry and smooth. Fierce and calm. Animals are incredibly diverse and represent so much that is amazing about our vast planet. 

Grab your favorite one, two, three, or four-legged friend and get ready to investigate and discover more about what makes animals such a gift to our lives. 

Looking for a physical or mental challenge? Use supplies from your home to set up an obstacle course and see how long it takes to go through it. It's a great way to stretch your imagination and look at ordinary objects in a whole new light.

Obstacle Courses For Kids

A great way to get physical exercise. You can make these simple courses indoors or outdoors with supplies from your own home:

• Low Prep Obstacle Courses
• Indoor Obstacle Courses

Obstacle Courses For Marbles (Rube Goldberg Machines)

An obstacle course for a marble or toy can have just a few moving parts or a lot of chain reactions:

• Build a Wall Marble Run (Youtube)
• How to Make a Simple Rube Goldberg Machine (Youtube)
• Rube Goldberg Machine Ideas (Youtube)
• Build Your Own Chain Reaction Machines by Paul Long (eBook)

Yard Games

Try incorporating a game into your obstacle course outside:

• Easy Backyard Games
• The Adventurous Book of Outdoor Games by Scott Strother (eBook)

Programs

• Sidewalk Obstacle Course

Build something with your hands and get the satisfying of seeing it take shape, piece by piece, in front of your eyes. What wonders will you make? A tower? A toy? A tool?

Building With Legos®

Follow along with these instructions or use them for inspiration:

• Building Instructions (written)
• Buliding Instructions (Youtube)

eBooks:

• Lego Action Vehicles by Chanh Ngoc Truong
• Build It! Dinosaurs by Jennifer Kemmeter
• Build It! Farm Animals by Jennifer Kemmeter
• Birds From Bricks by Thomas Poulson

Building Projects For Kids

Build something out of paper, wood, or even furniture in your home:

• Paper Cities
• Engineering Projects
• Furniture Forts
• Easy Origami

eBooks:

• Construct It! Architecture You Can Build, Break, and Build Again by Jessie Alkire
• Cool Construction & Building Blocks by Rebecca Felix
• Build Your Own Land Vehicles by Rob Ives
• Building Birdhouses by Dana Meachen Rau

Building Projects for Adults

Looking for something more involved? Try building these home and garden improvements or make toys with your family:

• DIY Home Building Projects
• Build Toys For Your Family

eBooks

• The Backyard Homestead Book Of Building Projects by Spike Carlsen
• The Vegetable Gardener's Book of Building Projects by Various

Programs

• STEAM For Everyone: Paper Airplane Flight Contest

Do you love bright, rainbow-hued clothes? Have you ever wanted to know how to create those bold patterns yourself? Yes? Oh good! Step right up to the Tie Dye square on your 62 Days 62 Ways map and let's get started.

For a fun in person activity, join us for Tie Dye Fun here at the library!

When you finish, head back to the 62 Days of Summer home page for more ways to participate in the summer program!

Break up your mealtime routine this summer with a picnic!

Head to a park, walk right out into your backyard and lay a blanket out on the grass, or have a picnic on the floor inside your house if the weather is bad. Visit one of Canton's parks, or check the Take a Ride or Go For a Hike squares for more ideas of where to picnic. 

Enjoy Yourself

Keep it simple. Avoiding too much fuss will promote relaxation and give you time to enjoy yourself.

• Let the kids help with preparations
• Play some no sweat games like "duck, duck, goose" or  "I spy."  Check out the Backyard Fun square for more ideas
• If you are able to picnic outside, take some time to Observe Nature 

Get Creative

Snap a Photo to remember your picnic or capture the beauty around you, or for something more involved, make your own picnic blanket.