Squeezing the Most Out of Summer {National Watermelon Day is Aug. 3}

Why did the cantaloupe jump into the pool? 
“It wanted to be a watermelon!”

Hey, Mamas! National Watermelon Day is Aug. 3! Here are seven “a-peel-ing” ways to make this dandy day extra exciting!

Whereabouts of the Watermelon

The watermelon dates back 5,000 years to the early Egyptians, with seeds being recovered inside the tomb of King Tutankhamen. King Tut knew something good when he tried it!  Read here for more history about this delicious fruit, I mean vegetable… errr, fruit… ummm, vegetable…

When the Time is Ripe… Field Trip! 

Go to a Farmer’s Market, local grocery, or farm to learn about the best time to purchase, pick, and polish off a watermelon. The shortlist is to find one with a yellow “belly” spot (where it’s laid on the ground), knock to listen for a hollow sound, and the heavier it feels in your hands, the better… it is 92% water, after all!

Do the Watermelon Roll

Line up the players and the watermelons at a starting line. Countdown from three and let the rolling begin along the ground towards the finish line! Only one watermelon? Use a stopwatch to time each participant. Whoever has the fastest time wins!

Juicy Reading 

Head to the public library to check out a fiction or non-fiction book about the watermelon, or Google a read-aloud version. I recommend The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli. After swallowing a watermelon seed, a crocodile envisions some hilarious results. The kids will love it!

Carry a Watermelon… Tune?

“Do you know the Muffin Man who lives on Drury Lane?” What about the Watermelon Man who lives on Fruity Lane? Just sub out the food and street names and you’ve got a new rhyme! There are also easy-to-remember jingles like, “Down by the Bay,” while the newer Pinkfong of Baby Shark fame has a catchy “Watermelon” song to search, watch, sing… and (possibly) never forget!

One In a ‘Melon! 

The watermelon guarantees math magic by allowing you to measure it, weigh it, compare its sizes, estimate/count/group its seeds, shape the insides using cookie cutters, or cut it into parts to talk about fractions… ideas are endless!

‘Rind it up with an acrostic poem!  

Write the word “WATERMELON” vertically. Think of words or phrases that describe it. Write the words/phrases on the line that begins with the same letter. Have the kiddos follow-up with a reading to the whole family! I’ll even help start!

Water
All the seeds are inside
Take your time eating
Excited
R…(and so on)

You won’t feel “melon-choly” celebrating this yummy goodness today!