Apps For Kids

International Whale Shark Day celebrates the biggest fish in the world. It’s not a whale, but it’s nearly as big! Whale sharks can reach 41 feet long. They eat tiny plankton, and have to travel great distances in tropical waters, to find enough to feed their giant bodies. Their teeth are only 6 millimeters long!

Summer’s nearly over, but there’s still time to celebrate Beach Day. While you’re there, pick up any garbage you see, and be sure you don’t leave any new trash of your own. It’s also Slinky Day. The talented spring was invented in the 19 40’s, and has been walking down stairs ever since.

Today is Frankenstein Day. Lurch around like Doctor Frankenstein’s creature, or read the original book, written by Mary Shelley. Maybe Frankenstein should have electrified marshmallows instead of people, since it’s Toasted Marshmallow Day. Have a bonfire, and roast one on a stick, or watch a marshmallow grow huge in the microwave!

Tonight is International Bat Night. Watch bats swoop around, eating insects. Did you know they can eat 1000 mosquitoes per hour? Other types of bats eat fruit, like the giant golden-crowned flying fox. It has a wingspan of 5 1/2 feet! Bats are also pollinators, like bees and butterflies. Bats are amazing!

Be Kind To Humankind Week is almost over. We’ve had Sacrifice Our Wants For Others’ Needs Sunday, Motorist Consideration Monday, Touch A Heart Tuesday, Willing To Lend A Hand Wednesday, Thoughtful Thursday, and Forgive Your Foe Friday.You can still participate in Speak Nice Words Saturday. There’s kindness for every occasion!

In 1860, before the United States Postal Service delivered to the wild west, there was the Pony Express. A chain of horses and riders, carried mail across vast stretches of land to deliver the mail. Today is Pony Express Day! Don’t forget, Crayon Collection Month is nearly over. How many crayons do you have?

Everyone’s heard of football and basketball, but have you ever watched yak polo or underwater hockey? There are more than 8,000 different sports in the world, so pick a few new ones, and celebrate Sports Sampling Day. You might find out you have undiscovered talent, playing a sport you’d never tried.

Today is More Herbs, Less Salt Day. If your food tastes bland, there are many seasonings you can use to add flavor instead of salt. Try smoked paprika, or curry powder. Fresh herbs like mint, basil, and rosemary are easy to grow in your kitchen window. It’s also Lemon Juice Day. Make some mint-basil-lemonade!

A man in Switzerland set a world record, by growing the longest chili pepper. The spicy vegetable measures 1 foot 8.6 inches long! This is actually Jürg Wiesli’s third world record, because he keeps breaking his own record by growing longer chili peppers. He must have a red-hot green thumb!

Highway patrol officers were having a ball this week in California. A truck spilled a load of cheeseballs, all over the road. Although the snacks were not a serious road hazard, traffic delays were caused by people trying to grab the containers of cheeseballs that were still unopened. No one was hurt.