Happy Iced Tea Day!

Hey readers,

Cool off today by drinking some iced tea and check out some fun facts:

• Like it’s name, it is cold tea served with ice and it can be sweetened too
• It’s been around for a while. Iced tea became popular at the World’s Fair in St. Louis in 1904. That’s a long time ago!
• The drink company Lipton, holds the Guinness World Record for serving a tall pitcher (12.5 feet, or 3.81 meters to be exact) of ice tea for it’s 125th anniversary

Do you know any fun facts about iced tea you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments down below!

-Mariam, chickadeeblog@owlkids.com

Indigenous Peoples Day

Hello Owlkids Family!

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day and although every day is a day to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, June is a great time to learn more. Here are some things you and your family can do this month!

• Check out a map of Indigenous Territories and languages. Choose a language you are unfamiliar with and research some common words in that language.
• Listen to a retelling of the Anishinaabe Grandfather Teachings.
• Read about some items that were first discovered or invented by Indigenous Peoples.
• Watch a video of Inuit throat singing.
• Read a book told from a perspective that is different from your own.
• Play a memory game and learn about First Nations, Inuit and Métis culture as you play.
• Read about the Ojibwe Peoples of Manitoulin Island in this special issue created by Owlkids and 4Canoes.
• Make colourful collage art inspired by Plains Cree artist George Littlechild.
• Research powwows in your area. If you are a non-Indigenous person, make sure they are open to you and read up on powwow etiquette before attending.

Are there any activities you do with your family to celebrate this holiday? Leave a comment below!

Happy summer, everyone.

— Jackie

It’s World Turtle Day!

Hey readers,

Check out some fun facts about turtles for World Turtle Day!

• Turtles are one of the oldest animals in the world!
• There are many different types of turtles. They come in all shapes and sizes.
• Some turtles eat meat while others eat plants. Some even eat both!
• Sea turtles can see very well underwater. They can also see many different colours, too.
• Turtles can live for a very long time. They can live longer than humans!

Do you know any fun facts about turtles you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments down below!

-Mariam, chirpblog@owlkids.com

Happy World Bee Day!

Hey readers,

In honour of World Bee Day, Sarah has some fun facts to share about bees!

• Bees have five eyes and six legs
• Bees can see every colour except for red
• Honeybees flap their wings around 230 times per second
• Around 4 million flowers have to be visited to make just 1kg of honey
• Honeybees have a special dance called the “waggle dance.” They use it to tell other honeybees where to find flowers

Do you know any fun facts about bees you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments down below.

Thanks Sarah!

-Mariam, chickadeeblog@owlkids.com

Happy Eid-ul-Fitr!

Hi readers,

Happy Eid-ul-Fitr! This holiday marks the end of Ramadan, a month where Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, give to charity, and volunteer at local shelters or food banks.

Eid is a time to celebrate all the hard work done in Ramadan. Muslims dress up in their best clothes, give gifts, eat lots of yummy food, and spend time with their families.

Happy Eid to those celebrating!

– Mariam, chirpblog@owlkids.com