Creative Connections for July

Below are a few ideas with links to crafts and recipes you can create with your children this July!

Create with your children – If you have trouble opening the hyperlink, left click the link and chose Open Hyperlink

7/1 Appearing during medieval times in Germany, gingersnap cookies are flavored with ginger, cloves & allspice. July 1^st, is National Gingersnap Day. Do you have a favorite gingersnap recipe you like to make? Do you enjoy them with tea, coffee, milk or ice cream?

7/3 Crispy and sweet, these wafers are a favorite American treat! Around the world, chocolate wafers are used as a key ingredient in cookies and ice cream sandwiches. No matter where or how you enjoy your chocolate wafer cookies, celebrate on July 3^rd, National Chocolate Wafer Day!

7/4 Independence Day: July 4^th is America’s birthday! Independence Day marks the anniversary of the day Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence!

7/7 While there is no record as to why National Macaroni Day was created, this “holiday” is built around making, eating and creating all things macaroni.

7/9 The sugar cookie began it’s start as a “jumble”, otherwise known as an unleavened dried biscuit! Pennsylvania adopted the Nazarene Sugar Cookie as the state’s official cookie as a House Bill in 1892! Enjoy today, National Sugar Cookie Day and don’t forget to enjoy it with your class by bringing your favorite sugar cookies to share!!!

7/11 Take a break from your usual boring breakfast routine and reach for a blueberry muffin on today, National Blueberry Muffin Day!

7/13 There is quite a debate on where the French Fry was created, but there is no debate that they are a favorite of children everywhere! Do you have a favorite French Fry that you will be eating today, National French Fry Day?  Steak fries, String or Curly? Do you dip them in ketchup, mayo, ranch or a chocolate shake?

7/15 National Ice Cream Day has been observed since 1974 thanks to President Ronald Reagan. On the 3^rd Sunday in July, Americans enjoy ice cream as a snack food or dessert to celebrate the day. Which ice cream flavor is your favorite?

7/20 While no one knows for sure when the lollipop was invented, we do know how it got its name! In the early 1900’s the owner of a small candy store named the modern day “lollipop” after his favorite race horse, Lolly Pop! So today, July 20^th is National Lollipop Day!

7/22 In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed a law establishing the 4^th Sunday in July as National Parents Day! This day helps promote responsible parenting and recognizing positive parental relationships!

7/25 Thank you to whoever created HOT FUDGE SUNDAE DAY! This variation of a sundae where the sauce is heated & poured over ice cream is a delicious dessert! What are your favorite toppings to include on your hot fudge sundae? I personally like whipped cream and sprinkles!

7/28 A relatively new National Day, National Dance Day is today, July 28^th! Established in only 2010, today is dedicated to dance, all types of dance from ballet, tap, hip-hop to crazy & wild dance in your living room! Participating in this mind & body movement promotes health and wellness, helps fight obesity and promotes exercise!

July Snacks & Crafts

Bring out the inner chef and artist in your child. Try your hand at these recipes and crafts with your children!

Here is an easy cool treat to enjoy on National Wafer Day! Enjoy this Icebox Cake that your children can make for the family or their classrooms by themselves!!

On Independence Day, July 4^th before you are watching the fireworks at night, why not create some fireworks on paper in anticipation of the nights activities!

It is blueberry season! On July 11^th, National Blueberry Muffin Day show off your baking skills and make your best blueberry muffin. I have a fabulous blueberry, lime & coconut muffin. This streusel topped blueberry muffin looks delicious!

How many licks does it take to get to the center of the Tootsie Roll Pop? Well as easy as 1, 2, 3, you can make your own lollipop plate decoration!

On July 28^th, National Dance Day how will you show your dance skills? Check out the National Dance Day dance on the Dizzy Feet Foundation website. http://dizzyfeetfoundation.org/national-dance-day/

Things to do:

This is a great website that details fun FREE things to do in New Jersey every month! Call ahead and make sure the activities are happening before you head out for your day!

Do you want to see some fireworks for the 4^th of July? The local Somerset County Patch printed a guide of fireworks around the county. https://patch.com/new-jersey/warren/s/ggaxs/somerset-county-july-4th-fireworks-more-2018-guide

A local farm in Princeton, Terhune Orchards, holds an annual blueberry bash. Enjoy picking blueberries, making blueberry crafts, sample blueberry muffins and jams, wagon rides or enter your best blueberry recipe in their annual Blueberry Bash Bakeoff. https://terhuneorchards.com/blueberry-bash/

This is the last week for the State Fair at the Meadowlands play some games, enjoy some rides and eat some yummy carnival food. http://njfair.com/

Whether you buy lollipops for National Lollipop Day, make them or just eat them, check out Candyland Crafts in Somerville, NJ for all your candy needs. Call Candyland crafts to find out if they are holding a lollipop making class. https://www.candylandcrafts.com/index.shtml

If you have not checked out https://hulafrog.com/bridgewater-nj this is another place to look for things happening in the local area!

For additional things to do within Somerset County, check out the Somerset County tourism page weekly! https://visitsomersetnj.org/