In r¿ecognition of the nation’s annual Park and Recreation Month, upcoming local events will connect kids with nature.

At Oyster Creek Park’s movie celebration hosted by City of Sugar Land Parks & Recreation, families will encounter a strolling magician and a butterfly on stilts along a magical Tale Trail.

The fantastical creatures, available for photo ops, are inspired by the event’s film screening of “Encanto.”

Before showtime, families can embark on the trail to read the book“ Ten Magic Butterflies” by Danica McKellar page by page, thanks to wooden placards along the way.

The interactive, reading-inspired stroll was a hit at last summer’s al fresco movie night, says Tricia Yurcak with the city of Sugar Land.

“I think it’s interesting for parents and kids to have a different opportunity (to read together),” she says of the story inspired by the kind of nature spotted in both Oyster Park and the animated film about the Madrigal family.

占地111英亩的公园的路线的循环trail was designed for families to “get moving, get active and be around nature,” says Yurcak, who adds that park maps will be available for those who want to explore other trails.

Children who take a selfie in front of the final page will be entered into a park-inspired prize pack.

鼓励未来公园参观,她说,交易il exposes families to public art such as a sculpture of a child skateboarding and a grandmother reading to a child.

Spotting the stilt-walking butterfly will amp up excitement for the movie screening.

“She’s a huge hit, she’s very welcoming… and the little kids are just in awe of how tall she is she’s so majestic and graceful,” Yurcak says.

The event features food trucks and giant lawn games, an “all-encompassing, quintessential” experience at one of Sugar Land’s most popular parks, she says, with elements that “tie in the magic of the movie and magic of the park.”

The staff chose “Encanto” this year because it showcases a family who learns “how their unique gifts can contribute to their community,” she says.

“That’s kind of what Park and Recreation Month is about, honing that sense of community.”

In conjunction with the national celebration of parks, Memorial Park is participating in Plastic Free July.

On July 23, families are invited to volunteer in a community sorting and recycling event.

Guests can bring a blanket to hear from local storyteller Leona Hoegsberg, who will engage kids with lessons about protecting their environment.

By seeing a trash timeline that demonstrates how long it takes for different types of materials to degrade, kids will learn what they can do to combat plastic waste.

At Levy Park’s movie screening of “Cruella” this month, families can make use of the park’s reading, crafts and games carts and table games before the film begins at 8:30 p.m.

“Coming to Levy Park at night is a completely different experience than during the day,” says park director Stephanie Kiouses. “The lighting and the environment is so peaceful.”

The screen is positioned next to the entrance of the children’s park, which stays open late during movie nights, so parents can keep tabs on their children while watching the movie.

Families can bring a picnic or visit the park’s on-site eateries for a dinner to-go, along with beer and wine.

Held 10 times a year, outdoor movies have high attendance from families who often bring games, coloring books and Legos for kids to play with, Kiouses says.

“It’s just a super simple way to get out and mix up your summer routine,” she says.

Even in record-breaking temperatures, the green space gets a nice breeze in the evening, which adds to the uniqueness of the large community gathering, she says.

“It’s amazing to be able to be out with all of your neighbors,” Kiouses adds.

Allison Bagley is a Houston-based writer.