Families sweeten up summer with modern updates of favorite traditions

(ARA) - Families look forward to summer for many reasons, including the opportunity to enjoy the warmer temperatures and longer days by spending more quality time together. Every family has its favorite summer traditions, and updating those much-loved activities can be a great way to enhance your family's together time.

If you want to sweeten up your family's fun this summer, but aren't sure where to begin, consider these fun updates to some time-honored summer traditions:

* Growing vegetables is one great summer time tradition that you can update to benefit the whole family. First Lady Michelle Obama has long spoken of her conviction that gardening benefits kids and families, so this year consider starting a garden in your own backyard and get the whole family involved.

Start with a family meeting to decide what you'll grow this year and how - will you plant a few herbs in some containers on the deck? Will you dig up that weedy spot in the corner of the yard that doesn't get much use and turn it into a patch filled with peppers, eggplants and watermelons? Should you build raised beds to make it easier for grandparents to pitch in without having to bend too far at harvest time? Assign each member of the family team with a task - from weeding to watering. For gardening guidance, visit www.garden.org, the website of the National Gardening Association.

* Studies show there's no disputing the benefits of family meal time - children and parents both feel better about their family relationships and kids do better socially and academically when the family sits down to eat together on a regular basis. Dinner together is a staple not just of summer, but all year long. Busy summertime schedules, however, can compress family meal time, so you want to serve something fast, fun and easy.

One easy way to update summer dinners is by serving something quick and tasty everyone loves - breakfast foods. This summer, Log Cabin Syrup has declared Wednesday "Breakfast for Dinner Day." You can get in on the fun by serving traditional breakfast favorites like eggs, toast, and pancakes and waffles. Log Cabin has also updated its traditions by becoming the first and only branded table syrup to remove high-fructose corn syrup from its products. You can learn more by visiting Log Cabin on Facebook or Twitter.

* Vacations with the family are as much a part of summer as sunny, warm weather. But high gas prices and a slow economic recovery may make staying home this summer an attractive option for your family. However, you don't have to give up this great family tradition entirely. You can save money and time by taking a "staycation" and creating a fun, relaxing getaway in your own back yard.

If you don't already have a deck or patio, this could be your summer to build one (an investment that pays off in terms of resale value and enjoyment). If you already have an outdoor living space, you can spruce it up with new furniture, a great grill, some decorative accents and lighting - all for less than the cost of a vacation away. Or, add some elements of fun to your backyard with an above-ground pool (basic ones cost a few hundred dollars) or a swing set for the kids.

* Finally, consider updating the fun summer tradition of picnicking in the park by giving your family's outing an environmentally friendly slant. Invite other families in your neighborhood to visit a favorite community park with your family and participate in a cleanup day. Kids can pitch in by picking up trash. Adults can clean playground equipment and grills, and groom sandboxes and play areas. Just be sure to check with your community's parks and recreation department first to get their approval for your project.