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4 Independence Day. Cut out paper stars of varying sizes and help your child to arrange them from smallest to largest. Add numbers on them and put in numerical order. Or sort them by color. Then find an American flag (or image of one) and try to count the stars. Your little one may not be able to count to 50, but you can talk about how our flag has one star for every state and point out the different states on a U.S. map.

20 USGA Junior Amateur Golf Championship. Take the family out for a fun game of putt-putt, or set up a backyard putting green using a kid friendly golf set.

24 Cousins' Day. Plan a special play date or road trip with cousins today. If too many miles separate you and your cousins, then share photos or videos online to help your children connect with extended relatives.

Start a theme with your weekly playgroup such as bubbles, puppets or transportation. Encourage everyone to bring something to do with the theme: bubble wands, hand puppets, and Hot Wheels or riding toys.

When it's your turn to host playgroup, think outside of the box. Consider visiting a farm or city office or touring a food or candy factory.

If the moms in your playgroup are up to it, start a monthly potluck. Each person contributes a part of the meal. You may even want to pitch in for a sitter to watch the kids while you enjoy an adult-only meal.

• Cool off in the kiddie's pool with the following fun games.
  
  
• Float an upside-down Frisbee and let kids toss sponges to hit the target.
  
  
• Experiment with objects that float and sink.
  
  
• Sponge Memory: Cut flat household sponges into three-inch squares. Find matching pairs of foam shapes (either cut from foam sheets or purchase foam shape kits at craft store). Use hot glue to attach a shape to one side of each sponge, so that you have pairs of shapes. Float them in the water (shape side down) and play memory by matching the shapes.
  
  
• Play Ring-around-the Rosie in the water. Or pretend you are mermaids or sea serpents.
  
  
• Wash dolls or be brave and let your kids give the family pooch a bath in the pool. Messy but a great video moment.

* Safety note: Supervise the pool at all times and empty it when you're done. Make clean-up time fun by letting your kids help you water the outdoor plants with the pool water.

If you're having some sweltering days, talk about the hottest places on earth and learn about the kinds of plants and animals that thrive in that habitat.

Make your own Saguaro cactus with green play dough and toothpicks. Using a picture of a cactus for reference, help your children roll a large section of dough to form the body. Then roll out two small arms to add to the body (you may need to insert toothpicks for support).

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