August is bittersweet—the Sunday afternoon of summer—where the days are sunny, hot, long, and bursting, but the pressure is on to pack this last month of carefree family time with fun.

If you’re looking for ideas, let the many family-friendly national holidays be your guide. Here are special moments you can celebrate in August:

• National Coast Guard Day – Friday, August 4^th: Model appreciation for the United States Coast Guard by visiting the Long Island Maritime Museum in West Sayville. Here children can learn about our region’s maritime history, including the Coast Guard’s role in safeguarding local waters.

• National Friendship Day – Sunday, August 6^th (First Sunday): Celebrate the importance of friendship by spending quality time with friends and family. Organize a picnic, play games, or encourage your children to create handmade friendship cards for their pals.

• National Book Lovers Day – Wednesday, August 9^th: Encourage a love for reading by having a family book exchange. The John Jermain Memorial Library in Sag Habor is offering a free bookmark craft and trail mix from 12-3 — no registration required.

• National S’mores Day – August 10^th: Gather around a campfire and indulge in this classic, delicious treat. Sharing stories and laughter under the stars makes magical childhood memories. (Check out our camping post for more ideas!)

• National Relaxation Day – Tuesday, August 15^th: Take the opportunity to unwind as a family. Plan a relaxing day at the park or the beach. Order a pizza and spend the night at home watching movies with cozy blankets and favorite films.

• National Tell a Joke Day – Wednesday, August 16^th: Spend the day sharing laughter and joy. Watch a funny movie like “Honey I Shrunk the Kids,” “Minions,” or “Monsters Inc.” Read a book together—like LOL 101: A Kid’s Guide To Writing Jokes, then create a family-friendly joke competition to see who can come up with the funniest. If you have older kids, consider having everyone in the family write a standup comedy routine to perform.

• National Honey Bee Day – August 19^th (Third Saturday): Read Charlotte Milner’s “The Bee Book” to teach your child the significance of honey bees and pollinators in our ecosystem. You might plant bee-friendly, late-blooming flowers like Black-eyed Susans, Sedums, Zinnias, or Cosmos. Or you can pick up local honey at the Montauk Farmer’s Market to support local beekeepers at Sag Harbor Honey. Try this tasty baklava recipe to make the most of it!

• National Aviation Day – Saturday, August 19^th: Gather your tub of popcorn and watch Animated Hero Classics: The Wright Brothers as a family to celebrate the achievements of the famous aviation pioneers. Alternately, older kids may be interested in the Smithsonian Channel’s First In Flight. You can also build paper airplanes and take a road trip to the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale, which lets kids tour cockpits and features many interactive exhibits.

• National Dog Day – Saturday, August 26^th: If you have a furry friend, celebrate this day by taking them for a long walk, playing in the park, or giving them extra love and attention. Watch a dog-filled movie like “Beethoven,” “Space Dogs: Adventure to the Moon,” “The Secret Life of Pets,” or “Homeward Bound.” If you don’t have a dog yet, it could be a great excuse to consider fostering or adopting from a local shelter—or volunteering at one.

Love a good celebration? So do we!

Consider adding a stop to the Shine Studio to your end-of-summer bucket list this year. Our fun organized activities combine art, music, culture, and play to educate, entertain, and inspire. Choose from courses, workshops, parties, day camps, and drop-ins. Contact us to learn more.