Short & Sweet Summer Safety Essential Equip your family with 100 nontoxic, BPA-free, lead-free and latex-free basic first aid essentials in a convenient container for on the go. The Me4Kidz Medipro First Aid Kit has three neatly organized pods stacked on top of each other, but the kit can easily be made smaller, if needed. This summer safety essential is perfect for short outings or road trips — and it’s easy for kids to carry. A baby essentials kit is also available. Visit www.me4kidz.com.
Lisa Gipson
Cooking combines reading, science and math concepts,
making it a unique way to help prevent summer slide (find more ideas on p. 18). Why not plan to cook with the kids while they’re out of school? Some families even have their kids make dinner once a week while on break —brilliant! Here are two products to help:
Researchers at San Diego State University (SDSU) and the University of Southern California (USC) have launched a new website to increase public awareness of thirdhand smoke. “There’s a big illusion that when tobacco smoke disappears, we’re safe,” says SDSU psychology professor and director of the Thirdhand Smoke Resource Center, Georg Matt. “Unfortunately, some of the most toxic compounds clinch to surfaces. They get embedded in carpets…they penetrate into walls. They become part of the indoor environment.” Learn more about the dangers and how to safeguard your family at www.thirdhandsmoke.org.
A is for America is the newest addition to the popular BabyLit board book series. It’s an engaging collection of illustrations by Greg Paprocki that pays homage to our country. Children learn the alphabet with words like fireworks, colonies and voting; historical figures such as Betsy Ross; and iconic American points of interest like Mount Rushmore and the Statue of Liberty. Find the book at www.babylit.com/a-is-for-america.html.
14 • SanDiegofamily.com • July 2019
20 Recipes Kids Should Know features classic recipes that help kids learn their way around the kitchen. The fun and engaging book was written and photographed by two young sisters, Esme and Calista Washburn. Discover the world from the comfort of your kitchen with Explorer Boxes. Choose a country (or continent) and learn about its culture and cuisine. Each box includes three recipes (4 servings per recipe), spice and sauce mixes, shopping list, educational materials, activity sheets and collectibles (such as a cooking tool, flag pin, stickers or passport). There are 16 countries to choose from, turning this culinary adventure into a geography lesson, too. Get started at www.eat2explore.com.
Free Summer Meals for Kids The free summer meals program was created to support kids whose families face food insecurity. All kids under age 18 may participate — no registration is required. To find free summer meal sites, text “food” or “comida” to 877877, call 2-1-1, download the free California Meals for Kids app or visit www.sandiegohungercoalition.org/ summer-meals-program.