Kids Activities – 10 Inspiring Ideas for a Rainy Day
By Lindsay Small

There is nothing worse than a rainy day in the middle of the school holidays, when children are cooped up inside, you have nothing planned, and the inevitable cries of “I’m bored” are not far away! Keep this list of rainy day activities ready for just such a day. Older children may enjoy choosing from the list themselves.

1. Sort through the toy cupboard:

It’s surprising how much fun this can be! Get everyone together and aim to clear one shelf or drawer. You will probably find that old treasures are rediscovered, odd pieces can be thrown away, and some things will be ready to be passed down or sold. If you are not sure whether to get rid of some of the toys, try packing them away in a box and hiding them in a dark corner of the cupboard for a few months. When they come out again they will either cause a sensation, or not – which will make it easy to decide on their fate!

2. Record the sounds around you:

Get out the tape recorder and make a project out of recording everyday sounds. Try water running in the bath, someone ringing the bell and opening the door, or flushing the toilet! It certainly makes you think about things a little differently than usual. Suggest that some friends or neighbours do the same thing and then get together to see if you can identify each other’s sounds!

3. Make a story tape:

Grab that tape recorder and a blank cassette, find a story you enjoy, and make your own story tape! Each child can read for a while, or can take on the part of a particular character. Make the appropriate noises too! You will probably have to practice a few times to get the hang of it, and be prepared for lots and lots of giggles! Tip: a homemade story tape makes a great present for a child who has to go to hospital or is bedridden for a time.

4. Have a jigsaw afternoon:

Get out all your jigsaws and invite some friends around with theirs too! Clear plenty of space and have a marathon jigsaw session. Some libraries have jigsaws you can borrow too, and you can often find jigsaws for sale very cheaply at charity shops (thrift stores) and car boot sales (garage sales). Tip: if you buy your jigsaws second-hand and the box has seen better days, cut out the picture and store it in a re-sealable bag with all the pieces.

5. Have a mammoth junk modelling session with friends:

Invite a few families around and ask them to bring their craft-cupboard junk with them – boxes, containers, and other bits and pieces. You provide glue, sticky-tape, scissors, and encouragement. You could make houses, or creatures, or boats, or modern art – or you could all combine together to make one giant model!

6. Make a card house:

If you don’t know any good card games or haven’t anyone to play with, try building a card house! Start by balancing two cards against each other so that they stand up in an inverted V-shape. Take it from there!

7. Make an indoor obstacle course:

Check with an adult that this is OK first! Use easily movable furniture (kitchen chairs, coffee tables) to mark out a course. Create a tunnel to crawl through with a blanket draped over low tables, or space cushions around the room to use as stepping-stones. You will have lots more ideas!

8. Practice balancing:

Balancing is fun! Try walking the length of the room with a book on your head. When you can do that, try balancing two or three – then add a cuddly toy to the very top!

9. Create an indoor den:

A few blankets and tablecloths can create the most wonderful indoor den. Drape blankets between sofas and chairs, over stepladders and clothes-dryers, or tie the ends to cupboard knobs and door handles. Once the den is created find some special snacks, coloring pages and pencils, a CD player and music, a torch or two, and camp out for a while!

10. Play with string:

Older children can create some wonderful inventions with a ball of string and their imagination! A toilet roll and a sloping length of string make a great message chute or rocket. Get some action toys involved too: try making them a lift (elevator) out of a box or a basket and hoist them up! Adults should supervise constantly if there are younger kids around.

Lindsay Small is the author of “Boredom Busters for Kids” – a downloadable e-book with over 50 pages of non-stop fun activities for kids like those above. Find it at http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/boredom_busters.htm She is also the creator of Activity Village – providing the ultimate one-stop resource for parents and teachers looking to educate and entertain their children. Visit the website at http://www.ActivityVillage.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lindsay_Small

5 Cheap Places to Take the Kids For Some Summer Fun During This Economy Crisis
By Alexandra Vrugt

An economy crisis, like what the world is currently experiencing, could make all hope for summer fun seem impossible. With families scaling back and trying to make smaller budgets work, it may feel like there is no room for any “extras” to keep the kids entertained. Well, the fact of the matter is that, despite the economy crisis, there are plenty of great places to take your kids for some much needed summer excitement.

The key to finding cheap summer fun is not to go after activities that may seem “off the beaten path” or just plain quirky. However you look at it, you can have a fantastic time with your kids by doing things that with frugal recipes, using items that you can buy for cheap, and going places that won’t cost you a ton of cash. Here are 5 fun, but cheap, places to explore with your kids during this economy crisis:

Play at an indoor playground. For the cost of a snack at your local fast food restaurant such as McDonald’s you can buy for cheap an afternoon of running, jumping, and sliding fun. Kids love playgrounds and being indoors, in the air conditioning, is perfect because they won’t get overheated or sunburned. Plus, your budget won’t get burned either. Expect to spend as little as 50c per person for a snack like an apple pie or $1 for an ice-cream sundae. These places usually have a water fountain where kids can refresh for free!

Go on a nature scavenger hunt. This is an activity that is great during this economy crisis because it can help you and your family learn to keep things in perspective relative to the earth and it’s resources. Do a little research and get an age or grade appropriate science nature trail scavenger hunt worksheet online that you will find for free. Then, get the kids, bike, scoot, or walk to your nearest nature trail and let them explore.

Go to the beach if you live near one. Many people are only a drive away from a great beach. You don’t have to make your day at the beach a huge financial undertaking. For the cost of a little gas, you and your family could be on your way to some sand and surf fun without the expense of a hotel stay. Going to most beaches is a free activity and during this economy crisis, you may find that it’s one that is needed for a little peace of mind. The kids will love the sand and building sand sculptures is one of life’s most engaging activities for a kid. So, pack up and hit the beach!

If you don’t live near a beach, find a park with a sandpit. Many municipalities have incorporated sandpits into their playgrounds and parks because kids really love sand. A completely free activity, your kids can have a blast on the playground equipment and still try their hand at sand art. Buy for cheap some snacks and keep lots of water available. Kids love to snack and play, but if you don’t play you could end up paying a lot of money for snacks from a vending machine.

Go camping…in your own backyard. Pitch a tent that you can buy for cheap at a discount store and plan a night when you and the kids sleep out under the stars. If you want to make a whole afternoon and evening of the backyard adventure, then, prepare a menu using frugal recipes like hot dogs, chips, and fruits and veggies that are in season that you can buy for cheap. Make the house off limits except for “emergencies” and your kids will have a summer adventure that they will remember for years to come. You will remember that it barely cost you anything but that you all have a fabulous time!

Having great summer fun does not have to be a budget buster. You and your kids can find fantastic places to go, near and far, for cheap. During this economy crisis, many people are trying to do all that they can for their family to have a financial saving. Cost-conscious people simply need to do a little research and find free or super inexpensive resources near by that they can enjoy with their children for some cheap summer fun!

Alexandra Vrugt, a recognized expert on saving money in daily life, has written many articles on how to manage on less. You can get free copy of her Ebook ‘15 Top Ways To Save Money’ by visiting her website MakeEndsMeetOnlne.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexandra_Vrugt

Reading is always a great activity you can do with your children, check out this great selection of Kids Books

Reading plays an essential role in the growth and development of children

By: Amanda McClaren

Reading plays an essential role in the growth and development of children, you should read to your child frequently and start at a very young age.

When reading to your baby you should keep it interesting and try to read books they seem to like, as you’re reading follow along with your finger or your baby’s finger to get them involved. It’s okay when they’re ready to move on to something else, we all learn better in short sessions and once they are thinking of something else it’s counterproductive to try and keep them there, just take a break, let them play and come back to it later. Pick books that seem to interest your child or let them pick out the book they want to read, this will help keep it fun and keep them more interested in story time.

A great place to start is the baby friendly pictures and textures of the Melissa & Doug or Rosalina baby books, these soft touch baby books are great for infants and toddlers alike. They have soft flexible fabric pages with color pictures and images to help your child learn shapes, colors, animals and vehicles. They also have a large selection of other topics in this category, such as religion, clothing, counting and the alphabet, many of these books are even machine washable.

Once they are ready to venture to The Step Into Reading series, your child will have a fun and endless opportunity to educate and develop their growing mind. The series is broken down into five categories:

STEP 1: READY TO READ

Preschool–Kindergarten

Big type and easy words

Rhyme and rhythm

Picture clues

For children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading.

STEP 2: READING WITH HELP

Preschool–Grade 1

Basic vocabulary

Short sentences

Simple stories

For children who recognize familiar words and sound out new words with help.

STEP 3: READING ON YOUR OWN

Grades 1–3

Longer sentences

Engaging characters

Easy-to-follow plots

For children who are ready to read on their own.

STEP 4: READING PARAGRAPHS
Grades 2–3

More challenging vocabulary

Short paragraphs

Exciting stories

For newly independent readers who read simple sentences with confidence.

STEP 5: READY FOR CHAPTERS
Grades 2–4

Chapters

Long paragraphs

Full color art

For children who want to take the plunge into chapter books, but still like colorful pictures.

For more advanced readings, try the popular Magic Tree House series. With three categories to choose from you will always have a new and interesting book to read.

Merlin Missions – This series is packed with magical tales.

Magic Tree House – Great stories of history, mystery and adventure.

Research Guides – Packed with beautiful pictures and interesting information about animals, space and the earth.

Remember start reading to your child from infancy. It is never too early to snuggle up with your baby and start reading, it’s soothing to hear your voice and you’re forming a close bond. When you read to your child, you enhance emotional and social development which gives your child a good base from which to build they’re education.

Amanda McClaren is a devoted wife and mother of four who is an author on many topics. She is committed to help overcome the important but sometimes overwhelming role as parents and the many issues that they are faced with. Amanda is also the Accounting Manager for CuddleMeCutie.com – a company offering baby products of all types including strollers, diaper bags, baby furniture, crib bedding and kids books.