Dear Kids, Assalam-o-Alaikum!
Hope you are enjoying your summer vacations well. Although the summer break is meant to prevent you, the young students, from the scorching heat, it is also a golden opportunity for you to explore, learn, and create unforgettable memories. This month, your favorite, Hilal for Kids is packed with awesome ideas to turn your summer break into a time full of adventures and fun. The summer is also a chance to explore the breathtaking hilly areas that Pakistan is blessed with. Places from Murree, Nathiagali, Shadra Valley, Patriata, and Banjosa to Abbottabad, Balakot, Naran Kaghan, Swat, and Hunza are perfect for adventures. Surrounded by lush green mountains and lakes, you can experience nature up close, hike hidden trails, camp under starry skies, or fish in crystal-clear streams. 
How about visiting your ancestral village? It can surely be a journey of discovery and connection. It’s a chance for you to learn about your heritage, traditions, and the simpler ways of rural life. You can watch farmers at work, and participate in activities like milking a cow or picking fruits. This can teach you the value of hard work, simplicity, and the beauty of living close to nature. You can also visit historic sites like the Lahore Fort, Mohenjo-Daro, and Taxila. A visit to these places can be both educative and thrilling. Walking through ancient ruins and grand forts, you can visualize the grandeur of bygone eras. This not only enriches your historical knowledge but also instills a sense of pride in your cultural heritage. Isn’t it a perfect way to escape the blistering summer heat?

Dear Friends!
Not every day needs to be an outdoor adventure. Indoor games with siblings and friends can be equally exciting. Board games, puzzles, and creative activities like drawing and crafting can keep you engaged and entertained. And if you like to spend some personal time, please take a book from your father’s library and start reading it. You will be amazed to find out that books are magical portals to different worlds. Reading is a great way to stimulate imagination and enhance knowledge. Whether it’s a thrilling adventure, a fairy tale, or a biography of a historical figure, a book can take you to a different time and place. So, summer, dear ones, is simply about creating beautiful memories. Picnics in the parks, barbeques in the backyard, or a day spent at the beach become cherished stories that we hold close. Summer is a great time to get active. Whether you're swimming, cycling, or just playing tag in the park, exercise is a must. It helps build strong muscles, keeps you fit, and even sparks a love of sportsmanship. 
And while you enjoy the summertime with full energy and enthusiasm, please don’t forget to contribute to the environment. Tree plantation drives and clean-up campaigns can both be fun and fulfilling. You can learn about the importance of trees and a clean environment in combating climate change. Planting a tree and watching it grow can be a rewarding experience; it tells you how in today’s world and under current circumstances preserving the beauty of nature is crucially important! This month’s Hilal for Kids has addressed all the above issues for your learning. 
Read on, explore something new, learn, and grow in the most delightful ways. Enjoy every moment, and make the most of it! Many cheers!

Farooq-uz-Zaman