Five Awesome Summer Evening Activities

Summer means long, hot days eating watermelon and drinking lemonade, and late evenings spent outside until well after dark. Here are five great summer evening activities that may end up being what memories are made of.

Sparklers: As we approach the Fourth of July, sparklers are for sale in tents and huts all over town. When dusk settles in and the sun is almost gone, nothing thrills children more than running around with flashy sparklers.

Fireflies: With Carroll County's vast open land and farms, one can see whole fields lit up by fireflies while driving around just after dusk. Fireflies can provide hours of entertainment (and exercise!) for children, and all that's needed is a jar and quick hands.

Campfires and S'mores: One need not actually plan to sleep outside to enjoy an outside fire on a breezy summer evening. What makes it better? Marshmallow, chocolate and graham crackers all mashed together into a heavenly sandwich.

Flashlight Games: Games like Kick the Can can be turned into a night time game with the use of flashlights or glow sticks. There are many outdoor kids games that can be adapted to nighttime games if flashlights and glow sticks are used creatively, like hide and go seek. Not only is it fun for the kids, but also for the adults (sitting around the campfire eating s'mores) who can see where the kids are and can even color code kids with the neon glow sticks!

Nature Center Activities: Check out some of the great after-dark programs at Carroll County nature centers like Bear Branch, Hashawha and Piney Run. They have campfires, night hikes and star gazing activities for the whole family.