We didn’t have money for summer camps or many activities, but we looked forward to each and every day of summer. My mother would load us up with a big breakfast, pack us brown bag lunches, and send us out the door with three rules: 

1) don’t come home until suppertime unless someone is bleeding or crying 

2) be respectful and don’t get into any trouble and 

3) help at least one person. 

We knew she was serious about all three. 

On one perfect summer day between the 1st and 2nd grades, we ate a breakfast of blackberry pancakes (my pick and my favorite), and then my friends and I spent an hour or two racing our bikes around our neighborhood. 

Eventually, we wandered over to the small farm across a large field behind our housing complex in Renton. We asked Mrs. Wilson, the farmer’s wife if she needed any help, and she pointed us to her overladen blueberry bushes. 

An hour later, we handed her a teeming bucket and then dilly-dallied back to my back yard where we made up a play, presented it to a group of our younger siblings, and forgot all about the berries. 

When Mrs. Wilson dropped by after dinner with a bronze-crusted blueberry pie, I began to understand the truths behind my mother’s rules: long unplanned hours are the heart of summer, respect builds community, and kindness, more often than not, begets kindness.

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Climbing into two Wagoneers (“Big Red” and “Big Blue”), barefoot, wearing only swimsuits, we traveled the country roads from South Bend, IN, across the state line into Michigan, through the town of Three Oaks. We called out the names of the streets: “Ash, “Beech, Buckeye, Cedar!” 

Knowing that just a few more miles down the road was Warren Dunes State Park. We piled out of the car, hopping and skipping along the burning hot pavement in the parking lot. Staying on the yellow-painted lines helped. We raced to the top of the gigantic dune, Tower Hill. 

Our feet would sink into the hot, golden soft sand. We climbed and crawled up, slipped back down and climbed again until we crested the top, where the sand was refreshingly cool. We lingered for a while cooling our toasted feet, but not for long. 

You could see the blue water of Lake Michigan down below and it beckoned us. We ran, leaped, and rolled down the hill, picking up speed and laughing all the way. We spent the rest of the day riding the waves, splashing along the shore, building elaborate towers and moats and searching for crinoids in the pebbles. 

Heading home, we were tired, sun-kissed, happy, quiet, and very hungry. Dinner would come together as Dad grilled hamburgers, a few of us would shuck a couple of dozen ears of fresh-picked corn and one of us would mix up fluffy shortcakes from the “Joy Of Cooking.” As dusk set in, we would search for fireflies and finally, as night fell, we would drag our tired, dirty bodies up to bed. The perfect day: barefoot, swimsuit all day, sand, waves, treasures collected and farm fresh food at its peak of freshness.

Elizabeth Bullard is the executive director of Seattle PlayGarden and also the visionary behind and founder of the PlayGarden. She has worked with children and families in the Seattle area since 1985 and enjoys working and playing alongside PlayGardeners of all ages.

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Helping out my mom, I’d prepare breakfast or make sure my baby brother was dressed. The added responsibility didn’t feel too daunting, and my 8-year-old brain somehow connected my additional service with the hoped-for return of my dad, safe and sound. The dads of too many of my classmates didn’t make it back to their families.

My perfect summer day occurred whenever my mom arranged care for my three siblings, treating me to an outing where I could engage in age-appropriate activities with her undivided attention. A drive through an unknown part of town or a walk through the woods or a stop at a roadside food stand – the details didn’t matter. 

What did matter was our conversations and the opportunity to be a carefree boy for a couple of hours. I often think about the challenges that children face in our complex world and hope their parents are allowing them to be children.

Dr. Stephan Blanford is the executive director of Children’s Alliance. The alliance is a statewide, nonpartisan child advocacy organization that partners with families, lawmakers, community leaders, service providers and policy experts to develop antiracist policy solutions that improve the lives of Washington kids and build a better shared future for all of us. 

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We would ride the ferry over to Seattle from Bremerton (kids younger than 18 ride free!), where both the people- and wildlife-watching were more entertaining than anything on a screen. Then we would make our way to my apartment in North Seattle, where we would change into our swimsuits and walk a couple of blocks to the wading pool at Green Lake. There were at least a few other kids to splash around with. Isabella would easily make friends, chatting with other kids about how well they could swim, which books they brought to the park, and did they have any dogs. 

When we’d had enough sun or had run out of books to read at the park, we would head to the Green Lake Branch of The Seattle Public Library. Isabella would look for books in the children’s section that she hadn’t read yet, and I would scan the New Fiction shelves to see if there was something I absolutely needed to read that day. We would each choose our books and then debate whether we should also venture to the Greenwood Branch to see what they had on their shelves. 

On this particular day, in my memory, we were very excited to dive into our new books and made our way to a shady spot. Once home, we might have raided the freezer for some ice cream. 

That day, and many others like it, is the way I like to remember summers with Isabella when she was younger. Now 19, Isabella is soon coming over to visit for a long weekend, and the activity she’s most looking forward to? Taking a stack of books down to Green Lake, dipping our toes in the water, and reading in the sunshine. Some things never change! 

Carmen Bendixen works in transportation and was appointed to the Seattle Public Library Board by Mayor Jenny Durkan in April 2020, and became the president of the Board of Trustees in 2022. She was a member of the Friends of The Seattle Public Library board of trustees and helped lead advocacy efforts during the 2012 and 2019 Library Levy campaigns. Her favorite book from 5th grade was the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg, she says that still holds up today,

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The day would start with a giant bowl of cereal, and if it were a Saturday, we would watch cartoons on the black-and-white television. Tim and I would go down to Steve and Dave’s house for a while and climb the trees in their backyard or swing from a swing in their basement. If you timed the swing just right, you could fly through the air and land on the big dentist chair they had down there for some strange reason. 

Steve and Dave had hotdogs which were a big no-no in our house, so we would microwave a hotdog and watch it explode. Then we would move outside and ride our bikes all over the neighborhood, looking for adventure. 

There was a dog (we called it Scream Face) on the street parallel to ours who would yell at us every time we went by. Then we would ride our bikes down to the public beach and swim in the cool waters of Lake Washington. 

In a perfect world, we would cross paths with the ice cream truck at that point and get our favorite treats. Eventually, we’d end up back at our house playing football in the yard. We would dive for catches and slide on the grass while feeling the day slip away. We would play outside until no amount of squinting would reveal the football, and finally, we would hear the familiar birdsong of our mother telling us it was time to come in and get ready for bed. 

Exhausted from all the fun and exercise, we would fall asleep instantly.

Chris Ballew today. Photo courtesy babypantsmusic.com

Chris Ballew (aka Caspar Babypants) isn’t just any children’s music star. Babies stop crying when his music plays in the car. Toddlers rush the stage when he performs a live concert. A father of two (now grown) kids with his artist wife Kate Endle, Ballew was the lead singer of popular band The Presidents of the United States. Is it possible your child has never heard Casper Babypants? Fix that! Go to babypantsmusic.com.

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The post A perfect summer day: Exploding hotdogs and friends appeared first on Seattle's Child.

We would first spend the morning at the farmers’ market watching and learning from my grandmother as she expertly negotiated the price of her leeks, basil, and parsley with the chefs who always arrived at her stand early to get the best produce. 

We would watch as she brokered a deal with limited English, full of pride. 

We would help fetch a bucket of water so she could rinse off her vegetables, produce so freshly harvested they still had too much dirt on them to be deemed presentable to customers.  

We’d buy her a couple of doughnuts and a cup of coffee with cream and two sugars, her only indulgence as the hardworking matriarch. 

We would help her close up shop and take her produce back home, then eat a traditional Hmong meal of white rice, boiled squash, and quick stir-fry with a spicy chili sauce on the side, chock full of cilantro, garlic, and fish sauce, before commuting to the farm to tend to the fields before the sunset. 

We would race against the dusk to harvest zucchinis before they got too large for customers’ preferences, pluck armfuls of corn cobs off the stalks, and carefully hunt for hidden baby tomatoes hiding in the upright staked vines. 

Grandma would be exhausted as we closed the door to our minivan and drove home, but she would still take time to tell us an old folk story about tigers living in the jungles of Laos. My girls would be riveted but not scared. The stars would come out, and Grandma would say sternly:

“Go to bed! You’ve got to get up early tomorrow to help me.” 

That would be the end of a perfect summer day.    

Friendly manages Friendly Hmong Farms, leveraging her 20+ years of experience in social justice work. Her understanding of the intersection between food sovereignty, land reparations, and racial justice was shaped by a childhood growing up in the Frogtown neighborhood, farming in the summers, and at the markets with her mom and grandmothers in Minnesota.

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Siblings and friends

My parents, Gabriel and Fannie, produced seven wonderful children, five boys and two girls. We always had each other and our friends and never expected our parents to take us to activities that would cost money. With seven kids, that could get expensive. Our outside activities didn’t cost a thing. I would take a clothesline and use it to jump rope; “Double Dutch” was my favorite. Two people on each end would turn two ropes and I would hop inside the ropes and start jumping. I would crisscross my feet and turn around, never missing a beat as the ropes turned faster and faster. Even now, the Seattle Double Dutch Divas that attend community events in Seattle yell for me to join them, which I’m glad to do, in my full Seattle Police uniform. 

Games and the playground

After jumping rope as a kid, I might find myself playing “Patty Cakes” to the song of “Old Mary Mack, Mack, Mack all dressed in Black, Black, Black.” I would play jacks, marbles, or paddle ball with my siblings and friends. Best of all, I loved going to our small playground – which was full of fun activities each and every day of summer. I loved to climb to the top of the “Monkey Bars” and hang upside down. On the swings, my friends and I would pump our legs until we got so high we could almost touch the sky. We loved the “Merry-Go-Round” —  we would push it hard and then jump on and often others would keep pushing it ‘round and ‘round and ‘round, faster and faster. We were so dizzy when we got off and could hardly stand up and walk. So we’d jump back on and do it again! After that, we’d play “tag,” and I remember great times of playing “Hide and Go Seek” or “Simon Says.”

A big dare

My sister and five brothers were very athletic, and I would always do what my brothers would do. One summer, my brothers climbed to the rooftop of our school building, Ulysses S. Grant Elementary School, and I followed them. Once on top, they stated they were going to jump off and wanted me to follow them and jump off also. They jumped off and landed safely. When it was my turn to jump, a sudden fear kicked in. I couldn’t let my brothers know I was afraid to jump. It was a scorching summer day — I could feel the sweat on the tip of my nose. I looked at my brothers, who were waiting for me to jump. I looked at the spot where I wanted to land. I gathered my strength and I jumped. I safely landed on the ground and back up we went. It was like we were Superheroes.  

The call back home

We all knew what it meant when the streetlights came on. It meant we had a short amount of time to run home. This was our curfew warning. The playground emptied quickly, with so many of us rushing home. Playing and running home is how we got our exercise — and we enjoyed every bit of it. None of our play cost money and it was in our neighborhood. My mom or dad would watch us from our apartment window, ensuring we were safe. I couldn’t wait for the next day to get out in that beauty and start again. 

The family activity I loved the most was my dad taking us all to the big Amusement Fair named Riverview Park. We got to go on rides, including my favorite, the Rollercoasters. We would walk for miles at this Amusement Fair, walking from ride to more rides. The memories of my mom and dad having fun with us kids were so beautiful.

Det. Cookie Bouldin is a member of the Seattle Police Department and established Det. Cookie Chess Club at the Rainier Beach Community Center 17 years ago as a way to engage with the kids and build community. She believes the game supports both cognitive development and instinct in youth and adults.The Det. Cookie Chess Club, for new and experienced players ages 7 and older, meets every Saturday, noon-2 p.m. at Rainier Beach Community Center. 

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One afternoon, when I was about 10 years old, I recall playing left field in a baseball game at Miller Park. My brother and I were on the same team, and my cousin was on the other side up to bat – our family must have taken up half the bleachers. With the crack of the bat, my cousin hit what was surely a home run – until it connected with my glove! 

The reaction from the crowd, also known as my aunt, uncle, and parents, was something else. That one out – an impressive leaping grab, if I do say so myself – sparked a back-and-forth that began in the bleachers and didn’t end until everyone went home after dinner. My aunt and uncle said I should have dropped the ball so my cousin could have hit a home run – however, my loyalty was to my brother not my cousin, of course! That day brought us closer together – in competition and conversation, in bond and banter. 

On many perfect summer days, Seattle parks offer a place to play sports, grow, and give back to our community – timeless activities available to all this summer. As mayor, it’s my honor to ensure our world-class public parks are places of adventure and exercise, outdoor classrooms, and welcoming safe havens. I encourage everyone to make the most of their summer spending some perfect days at our Seattle Parks. 

Mayor Bruce Harrell served on the Seattle City Council from  2008 to 2020 and was elected the 57th mayor of Seattle in 2021. 

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While our parents are busy arguing about everything, I put myself in charge because I am older. This means that I know what’s best. I am the chef of my life and my brother is an ingredient. Here is my recipe for a good summer:

1: Load up the van that you named “Chug-a Boom” and call dibs on the mattress so your brother gets the crowded back seat.

2: Call out the names of each state you see on license plates until you get to the car ferry. Play “cards” with the numbers and letters. You win with an “A” for ace.

3: Pet every dog on the ferry and try to feed the seagulls. Talk to strangers, not your brother. 

4: When you get to the cottage, tell your brother to build a fort outside so you can pick the best bed.

5: Go to the docks to see the fishing boats. Think about pushing your brother off the dock, but you know he can’t swim, even though he is a Pisces.

6: Visit the live lobsters in the tanks at Poole’s market. Help pick out the lobsters: one for mom; one for dad; one for yours truly. Oh, and one for you know who.

7: Back at the cottage, put the lobsters in the bathtub and name them. Yours has a cool name, Ringo. Your brother calls his Fluffy.

8: Have lobster races. Ringo wins by a claw!

9: When mom says she has to cook the lobsters, put on a protest. Your brother doesn’t know why you are protesting, but he will do whatever you say.

10: Say you’re sorry to the lobsters, then help put out the crackers and bowls, and tie the lobster bibs while the lobsters cook and the butter melts. Pick the best seat at the table — the one that has the nicest plate and glass.

11: Eat very slowly, carefully dissecting your lobster, while watching your brother eat super fast as he makes a big mess. Think about dissecting your brother — what makes him so strange?

12: Play with the lobster claws until mom puts all the shells in a pot to make a soup for later. Your brother licks his claws. Tell mom they are now poison and she can’t use them.

13: Go to the beach to look for shells. Give your brother the broken ones. See? You are a nice sister. 

14: Your brother forgets to put on sunscreen and turns into a lobster. Good thing you like lobster. But when you touch him he starts to cry.

15: Put your brother in the bathtub and help mom put gel on his burn. Tell him it is butter.

16: Kiss your lobster-brother good night and tell him you will eat him tomorrow. 

17: Just kidding. Tell him you love him even if he is a pain and gives wet kisses. 

18: Dream of what you will cook up next.

Repeat every summer.

Nina Laden lives, writes and illustrates her popular children’s works on Washington’s Lummi Island. She has authored and/or illustrated more than 20 beloved children’s books. Learn more about her at ninaladen.com. Nina dedicated this story to “David, who loves his big Sis”

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Jackson fed and walked Simba every day after school for a couple of years until he left for college. Since then, we’ve hired other neighborhood kids, like Mercy Guirnalda, who started working for us when she was in 8th grade. Now she’s a junior in high school. 

With Mercy, we get a triple win. Our dog adores her. He gets food, water, a walk, and a poo. And we benefit from this truly genuine connection with Mercy and her family.

How to find kids interested in work

I simply asked neighborhood kids if they wanted a job. But, another way to find help is to answer ads posted by young people. I’ve passed handmade signs posted around the block and seen advertisements on Nextdoor, a social networking service for neighborhoods, where neighbors ages 13 and older can let neighbors know they are available for work.

That’s what Ada Braxton and Niko Rodriguez, both 14, did.

After Ada got her CPR license last year, she started babysitting for family friends, then branched out to other families using Nextdoor. Niko, who uses they/their pronouns, offers house cleaning, yard work, dog walking, and dog and cat sitting and visits. 

Gaining confidence with a real job

Working for someone else builds confidence, and my husband is a great mentor. He treats the kids we hire like adults, complete with a probation period, a training plan, and a contract.

In the contract, we all agree on the days and hours. Mercy uses the calendar posted on our refrigerator to track her time. There’s the payment schedule — every two weeks — and the wage. Mercy started off at $10, with an option to earn an extra $5 for longer walks, and this year she got a $2 raise. 
The contract also spells out expectations. For example, if Mercy can’t come because of a conflict, she notifies us as soon as possible. In case of an emergency, she calls us and the veterinary clinic. And we’re on the hook to pay her regular wage, regardless of her walking Simba or not, if we don’t give her adequate notice of a schedule change. 

Getting savvy with savings

We pay Mercy by check, and she uses her bank’s mobile app to deposit the money. Ada and Niko opt for cash or use their parent’s Venmo or PayPal, mobile payment services that require users to be 18 years or older. Their parents transfer the funds to the kids’ bank accounts.

When the three Irvine siblings took care of Simba, their parents helped them open bank accounts because minors younger than 18 can’t typically open accounts by themselves. Through the bank’s app, they could keep track of their spending and saving. 

The sibs, Sophia, Elliott, and Preston Irvine, saved some of their hard-earned money for a trampoline. Ada is saving 20 percent of her earnings for a high school graduation trip to Europe, while Niko is saving for a car. Mercy doesn’t want to have to rely on her parents to buy the things she wants, and she is also saving up for college.

Building references and community

It may sound like these jobs are just about the money. But that’s only part of it. A responsible reputation pays off in other gigs, another line on the resume, and a professional reference. We referred Mercy to a couple next door who needed a cat-sitter. She also lists her work on her resume. And Sophia Irvine used my husband as a reference for a job she took in a restaurant. 

And here’s the even bigger thing. I believe the best part of hiring neighborhood kids has been strengthening the community where we live. 

We’re more than just a friendly face on the street. Our families know each other, we trust each other, and we’re supporting each other. Mercy’s taking care of Simba, and that means she’s taking care of us, too. In turn, we can give her some money and a little more confidence so she’s one step closer to what she wants. For our neck of the Emerald City woods, I’d call that pretty near creating a perfect world, one neighborhood kid and a side job at a time.

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