America and the world is in the midst of COVID-19 crisis and there is an ongoing race for a vaccine to kill the virus. Every day, there is hope. This is a great opportunity to talk to your kids on so many levels since it's impacted every American as well as every single country in the world. Comfort our kids and encourage them to express their feelings, and to write them down. Then, have them join in the hot air balloon essay contest to win a big prize.

Kids, submit your essay for a chance to win a Hot Air Balloon Ride

The New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning and PNC Bank are inviting New Jersey students in grades 2 through 12 to take part in the 17th annual PNC Bank “American Patriot Essay Contest” by writing a short essay on the topic “What the American Flag Means to Me.” The Grand Prize winner will receive the opportunity to fly in one of the 100 hot air balloons at this year’s 38th annual New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning in Association with PNC Bank, July 24-25-26, 2020 at Solberg Airport in Readington, NJ. 

Essays should be 100 words or less. Entries should be mailed to Essay Judges, New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning, 363 Route 46 West, Suite 200, Fairfield, NJ, 07004. Entries should include the student’s name, grade, and age; the school name, address, and telephone number; and the name of their teacher and the teacher’s school email address. The deadline to enter is May 1, 2020.

Link to more virtual things to do with kids.