Its summertime again and this is a great time to make long lasting summer memories with your family. What better way than to have a small campfire in your own yard? Every year, our family plans at least one Family Night around the beginning of school so that we can sit around the fire and talk about the activities we enjoyed over the summer. This gives us a chance to relax one last time as a family before the back to school rush is upon us again.

One of the best activities that you can have with your family around a campfire (under close adult supervision, if small children are present) is to roast marshmallows and make Smores! Unfortunately, the traditional smore can be way too much sugar for young children to handle and can cause parents unnecessary hours of soothing campfire songs like Kum Ba Yah just to calm them down from their tremendous sugar rush. Fortunately, there are some great healthy alternatives that your children and you will enjoy and everyone can still go to bed at a decent hour.

Instead of using chocolate as your smore additive use strawberry jam and real strawberry slices. You can also use peanut butter with banana slices. Another delightful twist is using cream cheese with blueberries. Experiment with your own fillings and add a special something with fresh berries that only summertime can provide. Catch lightning bugs, put them into jars and enjoy the last few days of summer together!