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Pair healthy food with fun activites to round out kids' summer
By APRIL LISANTE
Philadelphia Daily News
For the Daily News
Jul 24, 2008
SUMMER IS ONLY halfway over, but the kids are starting to climb the walls. You're on a first-name basis with the local burger joint drive-through staff, and you can't take one more day of Disney Channel reruns or Nintendo Wii marathons. If this sounds like you, you're in luck.
We searched for unique ways to get the kids out of the house, get them to eat healthy - and maintain your sanity for another 40 days (yes, we counted) until school starts.
We asked Cary Borish, co-owner of the family-run Marathon Grill restaurants, for some out-of-the-ordinary, kid-friendly summer ideas. Marathon recently held a kids barbecue at its 18th and Market location, but Borish also has lots of personal experience on the subject.
The father of a 4-year-old son and 3 1/2-month-old daughter shared some of his own, tried-and-true places to go with the kids, along with his favorite creative foods to pair with each idea.
So put away the video games, Cheetos and brochures for next year's sleep-away camp. Here are some ways to survive the summer.
Down on the farm
Head to a U-Pick farm for some local produce, bring it back home and show the kids how to prepare their harvest.
"Let kids see where their food comes from," said Borish. "Use it as an opportunity to give them a lesson in farming."
Right now, blueberries and peaches are at their peak. In the next month, tomatoes and strawberries will be prime for picking.
Linvilla Orchards (137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, www.linvilla.com ) offers crafts, food, a playground and a miniature zoo along with the produce. For other farm sites in Pennsylvania, go to pickyourown.org or agmap.psu.edu; in New Jersey, state.nj.us/jerseyfresh.
Pack a picnic
Take a horse-and-carriage ride around Old City historic sites and bring along a picnic to enjoy afterward in Washington Square Park (5th and Walnut streets).
Borish likes this activity because kids get a history lesson from the carriage driver, then a leisurely afternoon on a blanket outdoors.
The key for your picnic is to pack items that will weather the heat, such as cold corn on the cob, salads, grilled chicken wraps, gazpacho or homemade lemonade. Avoid foods with mayonnaise or butter, and all dairy products.
Backyard BBQ, munchkin style
Throw a kids' version of the American classic in your backyard, deck or rooftop garden. Kid-size favorite barbecue dishes for the youngsters.
Borish makes his kids mini slider burgers, mini veggie burgers, "pigs in a blanket" mini franks and healthy "rainbow" veggie kebobs that kids can help assemble.
When dinner is finished, parents can help the kids make s'mores on the grill.
Borish lets the kids decorate placemats and set the table while the food is cooking to keep them busy. When it gets dark, hand out Mason jars to catch (and release!) fireflies, or set up an outdoor movie theater: Drag the big TV outside and let the kids lounge while they watch a movie.
A day at the beach
Who needs a summer house at the Shore? Head to a beach that will allow an all-American clam bake and make a day of preparing and cooking the feast.
Grab some fresh local seafood and unhusked corn, dig a pit and steam away.
Borish involves the kids in the whole process, from getting them to help dig the pit to placing the food inside. "It's really important to get kids thinking about the seasonality of food," he said.
If you've never done this before, you'll need to read up on how to dig and heat the pit, then arrange the food; go to www.ehow.com for directions. For a list of New Jersey beach facilities, go to www.state.nj.us/travel .
Breakfast on the waterfront
On a lazy weekend morning, head to Kelly Drive with a blanket and a basket of breakfast goodies. Borish and his son wake early, make granola parfaits and head toward the Schuylkill.
"Often we all forget to stop and eat breakfast. It's just nice to sit overlooking the water with him," said Borish.
Playdate deluxe
Organize your kids' friends to meet at one of the city's great hidden treasures for children: Smith Memorial Playground in Fairmount Park.
The 109-year-old playground has a newly remodeled, state-of-the-art look. There's a giant slide, swings and perfect spots to have lunch.
Pack pitchers of smoothies for the crew, some crudités and tea sandwiches. Or create a mini build-your-own taco bar, a Borish favorite. Offer kids grilled chicken slices, soft taco shells and toppings such as sour cream, lettuce and tomato, and let them do it themselves.
The playground, on Reservoir Avenue off Kelly Drive, is for kids 10 and younger and is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Playhouse is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. year-round. Call for details about programs for kids, 215-765-4325.
It's cool at the pool
Whether you have your own outdoor pool or live near a city pool, it's the perfect setting for an afternoon and evening party kids will love.
Make it festive and "grown up" for the tots with a few of Borish's touches, like filling the pool with a rainbow of colorful floating swim noodles, and giving each child a bucket filled with sunscreen and sunglasses.
Then, really make them feel like little adults by loading up trays and passing around goodies like hummus and veggies, mini franks wrapped in phyllo dough, chicken fingers and mini burgers. Borish loves making kids his Confetti Salad. See recipes for this gem. *
Send e-mail to lisanta@phillynews.com .
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