It’s not that we don’t enjoy spending time with our kids. It’s just that they get bored. And they get hungry. And they need to stop at every rest area. But if you stop every time they want to stretch their legs or get a candy bar, you could add hours onto your trip. You may find yourself wondering why you didn’t just take a plane.

But road trips with the family don’t have to be an exercise in frustration. If you’re well prepared, they can actually be lots of fun. Here are some ideas to keep boredom and other things that make a road trip less pleasant at bay.

* Bring along plenty of snacks and drinks. But steer clear of chocolate, caffeine and sugar as much as possible, because these things can make already antsy kids even more hyperactive. Instead, pack some juice boxes, fresh fruits and veggies, crackers and other snacks that are healthy yet filling.

* Invest in a couple of travel games that the family can play together, or make up your own. These are great for keeping morale high and providing for quality time on long trips.

* Let each child bring a toy or individual game to play with. Most kids enjoy both group and individual activities at home, and they need both to keep them occupied and contented during a car trip. But be sure to place limits, because if you don’t, they’re likely to bring a whole bag full of stuff.

* If you have an infant, make sure to bring plenty of diapers, wipes, bottles and formula. Calculate how much of each item you will need, and bring about twice as much, just in case. Also, if any of your children take medication, be sure to bring an adequate supply.

* Bring something to put trash in. It’s surprising how many parents forget this. If you fail to do so, you’re just about guaranteed to end up with a car full of trash by the time the trip is over. Depending on the size of your family, you might need a grocery bag or a full-sized garbage bag.

* Be prepared for messes. If you have a mini car vac, it’s a good idea to bring it along. Other things you might need include wet wipes, paper towels, upholstery and carpet stain remover and glass cleaner.

* Ask kids if they need to use the restroom each time you stop at a restaurant or gas station. Otherwise, you might find yourself making lots of unscheduled rest stops.

Parents often consider holiday road trips necessary evils in which they must participate to get where they’re going. But if you plan ahead, the trip can be enjoyable for the whole family.

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Scientifically it has been proven that families who eat meals together are more emotionally connected and more stable. And since everyone has to eat, why not start your fun family night in by cooking a meal together?

Family meals don’t have to be elaborate or tedious to prepare. They can be as simple as cooking hamburgers, having chips, and drinks. Of course, you may want to prepare something that will get everyone involved in the cooking process. Someone can cut up vegetables, someone else be in charge of cooking the dessert, and another person in charge of the main meal. Have everyone pitch in and the work will be completed quicker. You can also use the time to reconnect and talk about what’s happened in each person’s life since your last family fun night.

Once the meal is complete, take time to set a nice table and eat there rather than in front of the television. You can make clean-up a breeze by using disposable plates and napkins if you like, but you can also make the dinner seem more special by using nice place settings which are normally reserved for holidays.

After you’ve eaten dinner and cleaned up the dishes, continue your family night by playing board games. Have everyone choose one of their favorite games and then decide together which one you’ll play first. Games are meant to be fun and relaxing, so try to avoid becoming too competitive if that’s your personality. Depending upon the game you’ve chosen, you may be able to play more than one game; and don’t forget to play games even the little children of the family can enjoy.

If games aren’t your favorite things, you can also plan a movie night. Find a movie everyone will like, or at least tolerate, and pop some popcorn. Comedies are usually a good choice even though people have different senses of humor. Unless the humor is extremely dry, everyone in the family should at least get a chuckle out of the movie.

Pull out the family albums and take a stroll down memory lane. Remember the way the children were when they were young. Everyone loves to look at pictures of or hear stories about themselves even if they can be slightly embarrassing. Talk about some of the things your children did as babies or toddlers that you found so endearing.

No matter how busy your family may get, it’s vital to take time to reconnect as a family. You can use some of these ideas on how to enjoy a fun family night in or you can come up with some of your own. The important thing is to do something everyone, no matter what their age, will be able to enjoy and look forward to.

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Experience the visual wonderment of the creation and exhibition of snow art especially for children activities. The Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships return to Breckenridge for the 20th year from January 26-31, 2010.

Thirteen teams from around the globe have been invited to compete from seven countries including Canada (two teams), China, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Mexico, Russia and the USA. The United States teams invited include Alaska, Colorado (Breckenridge and Loveland), Idaho, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Snow Sculpting is attended annually by more than 30,000 people of all ages from across the USA and the world.
Each year, four-person teams are assigned 12-foot-tall, 20-ton blocks of machine-made Colorado snow. These teams work within a five-day period to create their sculptures. From these blocks of snow, the teams often craft enormous pieces of whimsy, although some deliver powerful political or social commentary.
The finished pieces are achieved after a total of 65 intense hours of work without the use of power tools, internal support structures or colorants - just the ingenuity of the sculptors and a medium that lends itself, if only temporarily, to the persuasion of hand tools.
When the sculptures are finished on Saturday, January 30, a panel of well-known artists and patrons of the arts serve as judges. Awards are presented to the first, second and third place sculptures on Sunday, January 31. Awards are also given for People’s Choice, Kids’ Choice and Artists’ Choice. There are no cash prizes; the artists instead revel in the reward of hard work, forged friendships, freedom of artistic expression and the satisfaction of long hours of preparation that lead to the event.
No one would have guessed 20 years ago that the first International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge would have grown into the renowned world-class event it is today, and that the founders of the event would still be passionately sculpting for Team Breckenridge 20 years later.

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SOURCE Breckenridge Resort Chamber

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Canyon Capital Realty Advisors (CCRA) helped kick off this year’s holiday season for children activities at the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica. On Wednesday, December 9, more than 125 children gathered at the Boys & Girls Club for a pizza and cupcake party, where CCRA employees distributed pairs of TOM’s tennis shoes to all party guests. At the end of the evening, CCRA Managing Partner Bobby Turner also presented a check totaling $30,505, which represented the generous donations of CCRA employees, business associates and friends.
The non-profit Boys & Girls Club, founded in Santa Monica more than 60 years ago, strives to enable all young people, especially those with the greatest needs, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. Programs in Santa Monica are offered at two branch locations, and at Santa Monica High, John Adams and Lincoln Middle Schools, and McKinley and Roosevelt Elementary Schools.
The shoes and donation were given in support of the Family Assistance Program at the Santa Monica Boys & Girls Club. Each year, the program provides the most deserving families with food, clothing and presents. For many families, being a recipient of the Family Assistance Fund is the only time they will receive new clothes or toys throughout the year.
“Our annual holiday visit to the Santa Monica Boys and Girls club has become a wonderful tradition for Canyon, and we are thrilled to support an organization that works so hard to improve the lives of young people,” said Turner. “This year in particular, resources are strained for families across Los Angeles and the needs of the community are greater than ever. We are thrilled to bring a bit of cheer into the lives of these children and make their holidays a little brighter.”
“For two years running, Canyon has helped create a fun and energetic event that is a highlight of the holiday season at the Boys & Girls Club,” said Aaron Young, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Santa Monica Boys & Girls Club. “These economic times have put tremendous pressure on many families whose children are involved in the club. Now, more than in years past, the tennis shoes and Canyon’s generous donation will make a meaningful difference in the lives of these children.”
About the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Monica
Founded in 1944, Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica currently serves approximately 7,000 youth through memberships and community outreach. They come from all over Los Angeles County, largely from Santa Monica, Venice, West Los Angeles and Inglewood. Members pay a $10 annual fee for access to all Club amenities and programs that span across education, leadership, recreation and more.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica operates with the objective of serving children from all backgrounds, regardless of economic circumstances - ensuring that youth ages 7 to 18 have a safe and nurturing environment to develop socially, succeed in school, stay physically active and prepare for positive futures.

SOURCE Canyon Capital Realty Advisors LLC

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Patented Gamercize interaction is non-intrusive by allowing normal game play while working out on a range of fitness machines, pausing the player from the game if they stop. The minimal interaction allows players to have their mind in the game while their body is in the workout. Gamercize works with every sedentary game, ensuring it never gets boring. In tests Gamercize equipment has been proven six times more engaging than exercise alternatives and four times more energetic than Wii.

“I can attest first hand to the positive impact that this product has on children, teens and adults after seeing so many of our locations having huge success with it. Recently our Exergame Fitness advisory board member Dr. Stephen Yang of SUNY Cortland demonstrated the full potential of Gamercize. Stephen had an entire gym class consisting of future P.E. teachers that were playing Gamercize tournaments using the NBA Basketball Xbox game. It was great to see the social aspect of the product and hear the praise from students,” adds Tommy Seilheimer, CEO of Exergame Fitness USA.
The GZ Personal Trainer software included in this offer is accessed via the internet or 3G mobile phone. The membership software provides a link to real fitness professionals who help motivate while tracking your calorie burn and progress against key health indicators towards your goals.

From January 1st the full Gamercize range of active gaming products, including the GZ Power Stepper, GZ Endurance Cycle, GZ Family Fit 3 in 1 recumbent cycle and rower and the GZ PC-Sport under desk stepper, will carry a 10% mail-in rebate plus 3 months GZ Personal Trainer membership in exchange for unwanted Wii Fit discs.

SOURCE Gamercize

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Traditions can be inherited, created as new or even made as a combination of both. Evette Rios, Lifestyle Expert, Designer and Stylist, offers the following tips for mixing the old and new to make your holidays even more memorable:

Infuse your family history into the Christmas Tree: View the tree as a blank canvas and go through old family photos and keepsakes to find decorations. A favorite family photo can be made into an ornament. Even your baby rattle or first pair of shoes can find a home on the Christmas tree.

Bring out vintage favorites to create new memories: For example, model trains are a classic element around a Christmas Tree. Holidays evoke nostalgic feelings so pull out your family’s Lionel Trains and bring multiple generations of families together to set it up around the tree. Help the younger members of your family pick out a new car to add to the set or even decorate their own. Lionel Trains have been shaping family memories for over 100 years and adding a car to the train each Christmas can strengthen a wonderful family tradition this holiday season.

Make the gift wrapping meaningful with new gift wrapping traditions: The act of opening presents can create as many memories as the present itself. While wrapping presents can be as difficult as finding the perfect present, a little creativity can make gift wrapping a fun and meaningful experience:
Adorn your gifts with little packs of seeds. Giving someone you love something new to grow in the New Year is a green and a symbolic gift.

Make gift tags out of the large Christmas lights - just use the bulb and write on it with a permanent marker and use wire to attach it to the gift. You can use the colorful, but burned out ones, instead of tossing them in the trash.

Get the kids involved in wrapping! Have your kids draw on scrap paper to make their own wrapping paper. Friends and family will love seeing your kids’ masterpieces.

Source Carsten’s Publications

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June 14, Roundtrip London - The “Ballads of Britain” cruise includes calls at London, England; Guernsey/St. Peter Port, Channel Islands; Waterford, Dublin and Belfast, Ireland; and Liverpool, England.

August 7, Copenhagen to Stockholm - The “Russian Inspiration” voyage visits Copenhagen, Denmark; Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia (two nights); and Stockholm, Sweden.

Junior Activities Directors will be on board to oversee dozens of organized activities from arts and crafts and story time for little ones to disco-themed pool parties for older kids and teenagers. As with all summer and holiday cruises, Crystal’s Northern European summer voyages also feature destination-related enrichment for junior cruisers, like “dress-up” photo sessions in traditional Russian costumes, or scavenger hunts promoting fun facts about Stockholm.

Crystal’s purpose-built Fantasia and Waves children’s and teens’ facilities - rare in luxury cruising - also feature events and top video games and toys.

Also ideal for families, Crystal’s Family Memories program offers two savings options: $500 credit toward a Crystal Private Adventure, kids under 17 sail free in third berth, plus other perks for six full-fare bookings; all of this, plus one complimentary berth for 10 full-fare bookings.

Two-for-one cruise fares start at $4,210 for the British Isles cruise, and $4,375 for the Baltic itinerary, per person, double occupancy, and include $1,000 per couple All Inclusive - As You Wish shipboard credits, complimentary air transportation and business class air for Penthouse guests. The credits and air transportation apply only to full-fare bookings.

SOURCE Crystal Cruises

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Here are some ways to keep creative play at the forefront during your child’s holiday vacation.

Indoor Creative Play
There are endless activities that allow children to engage in indoor creative play. Next time you hear “I’m bored!,” try one of these great activities:
Ask your child questions to help them think creatively about how they might solve their boredom - you may be surprised at what you learn!
Help support your child’s musical development. Using “instruments” like pots and pans can shift their imagination into high gear.

Read together, making sure you take time to look at and describe the pictures to each other.

Outdoor Creative Play
No matter the climate in which you live, there are ways to incorporate creative play into outdoor activities. In cold climates, building snowmen, snow forts, or even participating in the occasional snowball fight (with adult supervision!) are great ways to incorporate creative play into cold-weather fun. These activities help develop children’s problem-solving and leadership skills, while keeping them entertained for hours.

SOURCE CreativePlayPlus.com

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Santa’s gifts and children activities will include Disney Studios’ movie DVDs, Stories from the Golden Age print and audiobooks by L. Ron Hubbard, and presents donated by Southern California businesses.

The invited children and teens (ages 6-19) come from local youth shelters and programs for underprivileged youth.

“We wanted to make this evening a very special one for these young people, so several of us (area businesses) decided to contribute gifts for those who might not otherwise receive any,” said Tony Dinges, president of LTD Enterprises, one of the event’s sponsors.

Other event sponsors include Audiology & Associates, Color West Printing/Packaging, Inc., Distribution Video & Audio, Hirschey & Associates, Pasadena Family Dental Center, Stevedores Physical Rehabilitation and the Wellness Support Network.

For more information on the event or how you can participate, contact John Goodwin at jgoodwin@galaxypress.com or call 323-321-2144.

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SOURCE Hollywood Christmas Parade

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With more than half of adults saying that this Christmas is set to be just as good as any other, the festive spirit is, clearly, still very much alive.

64 percent of adults who took part in the survey said that Christmas 2009 will not be different to any other year.

The poll crushes any fears that Britain will have a gloomy time this winter, amid the economic recovery.

Youngsters are set to have a merry Christmas too as only 2 percent of adults admit that they will be cutting spending on their children this year. The survey also revealed that most people are looking forward to spending some quality time with their families this Christmas.

“Christmas is obviously a special time for families,” said Scott O’Donnell of http://www.triviala.com, which commissioned the survey.

“It is sometimes the only chance each year that families will be able to get time off work and all spend the day together.”

Other things people admitted to looking forward to this Christmas included, indulging in some festive food and drink, and getting a well-deserved break off work.

Receiving presents was listed as the fourth most popular answer with 11 percent, closely followed by entertaining and having people over, which 10 percent of Brits are looking forward to doing this year.

Scott O’Donnell added: “Christmas traditions are certainly not dying out either, regardless of the current economic climate. It just seems that everyone wants to have an enjoyable Christmas together and forget about any money issues.”

The survey revealed that 84 percent of people are going to have a Christmas tree in their homes this year. When asked whether their trees had decreased in size over the past few years, 64 percent of people said it had not.

With increased high street competition among retailers this year, many revealed their Christmas displays in mid October, the earliest recorded so far. 79 percent of people agreed that this is far too early for shops to be beginning their Christmas retailing.

What people are most looking forward to this Christmas:

1. Being with family
2. Food and drink
3. Time off work
4. Presents
5. Entertaining people
6. Christmas shopping
7. Work Christmas Party
8. Going on Holiday
9. Other

SOURCE Triviala

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Family Travel Planning

* Make the process of selecting a destination a democratic one - that way everyone can voice their ideas and opinions.
* Look for special family travel packages and discount offers available in your top-five destinations. This will help determine where you can make the most of your time and your budget.
* Once you’ve selected a destination, get a city-specific travel guide designed for those traveling with children. It will help you find activities everyone can enjoy.

Choosing a Hotel

* Try to select a hotel designed for family travel. With amenities like on-site dining, room service, pools, babysitting services and/or kids’ clubs, high-speed internet access, video game consoles and DVD players, you can give them easy access to kid-friendly fun.
* Choose accommodations with room to roam. If you have teenagers or older children, you can also opt for connecting rooms.
* Select a hotel that’s near the attractions you want to see most. Rather than driving across town, you may be able to walk or take the hotel’s shuttle service to your destination.

Source Marriott International

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All guests who purchase a Mercury Milan Raffle Ticket, which benefits the Caring for Kids campaign, on November 6, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., will receive a Free Smiley Cookie, courtesy of local Lincoln Mercury dealers. The offer includes one Smiley Cookie per guest.

This year marks the 17th year of partnership for Eat’n Park and Lincoln Mercury, who annually donates a vehicle to the Caring for Kids campaign. The car raffle has generated $1.5 million for local children’s hospitals. This year, one lucky Eat’n Park guest will walk away with a 2010 Mercury Milan vehicle, courtesy of Lincoln Mercury dealers.

Eat’n Park’s Caring for Kids campaign has raised more than $7 million since its inception in 1979, thanks to the energy and dedication of Eat’n Park’s partners, team members and guests who are passionate about the success of this campaign.

According to Jeff Broadhurst, CEO and president, Eat’n Park, “We’re proud to be a part of the communities we serve and want to do our part. A big way we do that is to raise money for our local children’s hospitals to help support the health of the kids in our community. This campaign is really about neighbors helping neighbors in their time of need.”

SOURCE Eat’n Park Restaurants

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But if your child has a food allergy, what’s at the bottom of his or her trick-or-treat bag may be more frightening than any ghost or goblin.

According to a new national survey of 678 moms of children with food allergies - whether to peanuts, tree nuts, milk or eggs, eight out of ten say Halloween causes a great deal of anxiety because they fear their little ones might eat candy containing peanuts or another allergen.(1) Their anxiety is heightened by the fact that food allergies can cause a potentially life-threatening severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is caused when an allergic reaction becomes so severe that a person may stop breathing. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict when a child with food allergies might experience an anaphylactic reaction.

According to the survey, 40 percent of moms said that this time of year makes their children feel alienated because the child can’t fully engage or participate in Halloween activities.(1) The fear is so great that nearly half of these moms said they are thinking about having their child skip trick-or-treating altogether.

In spite of these concerns, less than half of moms surveyed are adequately prepared to handle a life-threatening allergic reaction - 43 percent of moms surveyed said they carry or have immediate access to an epinephrine auto-injector, such as EpiPen® (epinephrine) and EpiPen® Jr Auto-Injectors 0.3/0.15 mg.(1) EpiPen® Auto-Injector is a self-administered medicine that is used in the emergency treatment of a severe allergic reaction, including an anaphylactic reaction.

For those children who do go trick-or-treating, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) offers these helpful tips:

Never Go Alone: Always accompany younger children trick-or-treating and have older children go out with friends.

Inform Others: Make sure all the adults and friends in your group know about your child’s food allergies and what to do in an emergency.

Pack Medication: While out for Halloween, make sure you or your child is carrying an epinephrine auto-injector. Make sure your child’s friends or other adults know how to administer this medication.

Provide Safe Snacks: Provide your close neighbors and even your child’s teacher at school with safe treats or even non-food items like stickers that can be given to your child.

Check the Goodies: Carefully read labels or check the candy company’s Web site to make sure the product doesn’t contain something that can cause an allergic reaction. It’s important to remember that the ingredients of ‘fun size’ candy bars may differ from the regular-size bars.

When in Doubt, Throw It Out: If you can’t find information on a treat’s ingredients or are simply not sure if it’s safe, then throw the candy away or stick it in a treat jar that is out of the reach of the child.

Avoid Snacking: Eating dinner before trick-or-treating might curb your child’s urge to sneak goodies from the bag.

SOURCE Dey Pharma L.P.

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The proclamation will be signed on October 6, 2009, and with this proclamation, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will acknowledge the vital importance of family involvement with child education.

“PA PIRC is part of a larger effort to draw attention to the need for parents to be more involved in their children’s education and promote resources already available in Pennsylvania,” said Mark Lewis, PA PIRC Program Director. “We know that the more parents are involved in learning, the greater their children’s achievement and later success.”

The proclamation will state that families can create a home environment that encourages learning and when parents work with schools supported by communities in shared partnerships, children become lifelong learners and community contributors. Research and legislation acknowledge that parents are their children’s first teachers, and that they strongly influence their children’s readiness for and success in school. When parents and the organizations that educate children work together, the results for children can be powerful.

Governor Edward G. Rendell’s Proclamation will be presented during a press conference in the State Capitol Rotunda, Harrisburg, on October 6, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. The Pennsylvania House and Senate will introduce Resolutions that honor parent and family involvement. During the event, parents, educators and family-school-community partnerships from Pennsylvania will be recognized.

Source: Pennsylvania Parent Information and Resource Center

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Beginning with the New York Times bestseller, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Willems’ series follows the caprices of the spastic and often demanding Pigeon. As The New York Times has pointed out, “The Pigeon is one of this decade’s contributions to the pantheon of great children’s book characters.” University Games is excited to adopt the character of the Pigeon as well as the uncluttered and childlike illustrations by Willems, which they see as ideal material for children’s games and merchandise.

“We are thrilled to have the Pigeon join our line-up of outstanding learning games for kids,” says University Games’ CEO Bob Moog of the licensing deal. “University Games has specialized in bringing books to play for young children since the introduction of the Green Eggs and Ham(TM) game in 1995. Mo Willems’ work will translate wonderfully into our style of game and puzzle.”

Mo Willems began his career as a writer and animator for television, where he won six Emmy Awards for his writing on Sesame Street. His first children’s book, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, was awarded a Caldecott Medal and has been translated into many languages. He has since garnered two more Caldecott Medals and a Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for his book Don’t Put a Bird on your Head! He lives and writes in Brooklyn.

Source: University Games

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Perhaps your older children are interested in a number of activities. They may want to be involved in baseball, football, soccer, martial arts, gymnastics, softball, basketball, or ice skating. Then there’s band, dance, musical instrument lessons, or voice lessons they’re interested in. Throw in scouting or volunteering and the number of possible ways to be away from home increases even more.

It’s important to make sure kids aren’t involved in too many activities. Children, like adults, only have 24 hours in each day. They have to attend school and sleep at least eight hours a night. This leaves eight hours for eating, doing chores, doing homework, spending time with family, and then extracurricular activities.

You can choose to limit each child to one extracurricular activity per season. If your child is athletic you might allow them to play two sports each school year as long as they don’t coincide with one another. Do you have a music lover? Allow them to play in the band, but you could ask them to wait until summer to take individual lessons.

How do you maintain balance among the different family members? While you may not favor one child over the other, it may seem that way to your children. Try to spend quality time alone with each child at some point during the month. In fact, you may want to plan a special “date” with each child. This will enable them to have undivided time with you or your partner and squelch any complaints about you not spending time with them.

You’ll also want to be sure you to spend quality time with your partner so they don’t feel left out. Planning a weekly or bi-weekly date night is important for maintaining your relationship. Instead of spending your time talking about the children, take the opportunity to dream about your future.

While you’re spending time with others in the family, don’t forget to take care of yourself. You can’t be expected to be able to meet others’ needs if you’re overly stressed or burned out. A trip to a day spa which will pamper you may be just what you need to rejuvenate.

So, you’ve limited the number of activities each person in the family is allowed to participate in. You are also spending time with each child to ensure they feel loved. Now it’s time to keep all of the activities from cutting into the family’s free time, but what can you do to accomplish this? One thing you might consider is actually scheduling activities for the entire family to do together.

Talk about activities that everyone in the family would enjoy. This could be anything from visiting a museum, going fishing, or watching the latest movie. If your children range in age, you may find it difficult to find activities everyone will enjoy. In this case, switch up the types of activities you choose so everyone has at least one or two activities they enjoy.

Keeping your family running smoothly isn’t easy when each person is running in and out of the house to different activities. You know the importance of striking a fair balance between outside activities and family time - using some of these ideas may help create the balance you seek.

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1. Learn to recognize hunger. Do you recognize when you’re truly hungry or do you eat out of boredom or because the clock says it’s time to eat? If you can recognize hunger and teach your children to do the same thing, they’ll be more likely to avoid eating except when truly hungry.

2. Get moving! Many people think you have to run a marathon or spend hours a day working out to be fit. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, studies have proven that being active even in small ways can help you maintain normal weight. Have you told your child to stop fidgeting? Well, fidgeting actually burns calories.

There are small things you can do that will help you be a fitness role model. Take the steps at the mall rather than an elevator or escalator. You can also park further away from the store instead of driving around looking for a close spot; this will allow you to walk a little bit. By working up to 45 minutes of activity a day, you’ll be amazed how much better your entire family will feel.

3. Limit screen time. Many children have their own computer or television in their room. This encourages them to spend time watching someone else be active rather than being active themselves. You may want to move the electronics out of their bedroom and keep them in the common areas of the home so you can limit how much time they spend in front of them. Encourage them to roller skate, ride their bikes, or do some other physical activity instead of staying in front of a screen.

4. Eat your meals together. Cooking your meals and eating them together at home will allow you to control what your children are eating and how much. Plan your meals out for at least a week so you know what to buy to avoid getting junk food. Prepare fresh meals rather than processed foods; they’re more nutritious and better quality.

5. Speak positively about being fit and healthy. If your children hear “I dread going to work out” they’ll think exercise is something to be dreaded and avoided. Instead, if they hear how much you’re looking forward to going to work out, they’ll see exercise as something good and positive which will make them more likely to enjoy it.

These are five ways to be a fitness role model to your children. Obviously there are other ways, but by starting with one or more of these you’ll be able to change your home and your family for the better. Don’t underestimate the role you play in encouraging your children to be healthy. Why not get started today?

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Family rosters can make daily and weekly chores easier. By making a roster, you’re able to write down all the chores that need to be done and who is responsible for each chore. Then you can create a centralized roster for the whole family or give each person their own roster of chores.

Consider having a family meeting to discuss changes being made in regard to chores. Explain that each person, except infants, will be expected to help. You may also want to determine consequences for not doing chores in a timely manner. Some families even go as far as writing up a chores contract that each person is expected to sign, showing they understand their responsibility in helping keep the house running smoothly.

Start by knowing what each family member is able to do. Make a list of chores each person can do and then assign each one to the person best able to do them. Of course, if you have several children close in age, you may want to switch out days so they share duties. Continue to assign chores based on ability until all household chores are assigned and rosters made.

Don’t expect everyone to do their chores perfectly the first day. In fact, you may want to give yourselves a week to get used to the new family rosters. Once everyone learns what they’re supposed to do and actually does them, your house could begin to run smoother than it ever has.

One advantage of having family rosters is the fact that one person won’t be responsible for everything. It wasn’t uncommon in the past for women to “keep the home” while the men cared for everything outside. Times have changed, and traditional roles for caring for the home have changed as well.

Another advantage of family rosters is the work should get done quicker. The old proverb “many hands make light work” is true. If everyone is working to get their chores done each day, there won’t be so much work to do on the weekend. This will free everyone up to do things they enjoy rather than tackling chores at home.

Perhaps your family hasn’t been successful at keeping a family roster. Put past failures behind you and start afresh. When your family realizes the advantages of family rosters, they may be more willing to give it another try. Before long, your family will know what’s expected of them, do those things, and the house and family will thank you.

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Travelling doesn’t necessarily have to be too troublesome. You can stuff your clothes, your wallet, your traveller’s pillow, that ever-dependable traveller’s guide book with a bonus map and whatever else you need into that good ol’ backpack and you’re good to go!

Well… that’s until the little buddy came along.

Travelling with a baby is a totally different story. There are tons of preparations to make: the list of things to pack, the actual packing, the mode of transportation and the place to stay in. Even the type of vacation you ought to go for should be planned out carefully as it should not just be enjoyable but safe for your baby, as well.

Although there are lots of parenting sites with online communities of parents and experts who can help you with the different aspects of taking care of your baby, BabySafeTravel.com specializes in answering your concerns regarding vacationing with your child—from travelling gears to safety in transportation and accommodation.  

Parents can book their trips through babysafetravel.com. The hotels are reviewed by other parents all around the world and are under a certification program that guarantees that the management will baby-proof the hotel room you’ll be checking into to ensure your child’s safety throughout your stay.

 A section of the site is allotted to blogs wherein you can pick up fun family vacation ideas and baby travel tips to make your vacation as safe as it is exciting and enjoyable for you and your baby. Parents can win exciting prizes by sharing photos of their kids and sharing their travelling stories, too.

BabySafeTravel.com also has an online boutique that specializes in baby travel gears like baby car seats, cute luggages that double as toys and stroller bags among many others. Other categories include:

·         Bath Gear

·         Sleep Gear, Seasonal

·         Diaper Bags

·         Travel Gear

·         Strollers

·         Baby Carriers Feeding Time

·         Safety.

If you have your own travelling kit, it’s just fair for your little traveller to have his/her very own baby travel gear, too. The comfort of your child will leave you with fewer worries and will make the experience convenient for you, too.

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Let’s face it, boys are more adventurous than girls; but that doesn’t mean a girl can’t enjoy a good pirate story. However, they’re not as likely to get lost in the idea of faraway places, deserted islands, and pirate treasure as a boy. Boys are more likely to take the time to actually build a boat in the backyard.

Backyard boat building would be a great activity for Dad and son. Dad can ensure tools are used properly; he can also return tools to their proper place when the work is done. Building a boat also gives the boys a chance to connect with Dad on a different level. All in all it can be a win-win situation for both.

They may want to search the internet in order to find a boat kit, or they can get a boat-building book from the library. They may also be able to find free instructions online. Don’t give up - if the instructions are out there, they can be found.

If they’re interested in creating a small boat that they can sail in a pool or the bathtub, it will certainly be easier than building a full-size boat. Building small will also take less time and there will be less chance of injury. You may want to take your son’s desire to build a “real” boat seriously, though. He might just surprise you!

To make a small boat, your son will need wood, of course - in various dimensions depending upon the size and type he wants to make. They’ll need Dad or another adult to help them use power tools to shape the wood to the desired shapes.

A flat-bottomed boat will be easier to make than a canoe or kayak, so you might want to use that suggestion. Be sure to use good quality white oak for the stem, or front, of the boat. You’ll also need two sides (port and starboard) and the stern (back of the boat) which can be made from other types of wood. They’ll want to be sure to carefully plane and sand each piece of wood before fastening them together with nails.

Use galvanized nails to nail together a frame and then hammer the various component boards to it.  The bottom of the boat will be added last by turning the boat upside down and nailing the floor to the fame. Try to get the boards to fit as closely as possible to avoid having to use caulk. Seats are normally made from cypress and fastened to the center board.

When the boat is all together, paint it with a thick, marine paint. The oars will be placed after the boat is complete and dry. Then the boys can see if their new boat is sea-worthy by taking it, along with Dad, to a pond or lake.

Backyard boat building may not always be an activity that boys participate in, but you can be sure they would love to build a boat and set sail for imaginary places. This is a perfect activity for a boy and his dad, or another male figure, which can do more to build their relationship than get their boat in the water.

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Encourage your child to spend some time watching the clouds pass by before beginning the craft. They’ll be able to see the various shapes, sizes, and colors of clouds. This will also give them ideas of what they can make their cloud pictures look like. If you have more than one child, it’s unlikely their pictures will look the same although they may be similar.

Your child can use any number of mediums to create their cloud pictures. You might want to have on hand shaving cream, finger paints, food coloring, cotton balls, paper towels, and glue. You’ll also want to have plenty of finger paint paper available because it’s unlikely your child will want to stop with just one cloud picture! If you have sky blue paper, it might make the process easier, and they’ll be pleased with the results.

Here are some ideas for cloud pictures:

* Cotton Ball Clouds – You can draw a pattern of a cloud for the children to use as a base for their picture, or you can allow them to create their own clouds if their picture is made from cotton balls. If this is the method you’re using, have the children pull the cotton balls apart slightly and then glue the cotton to the paper.

* Paper Towel Clouds – Children will need several white paper towels, glue, and blue construction paper. They can tear the paper towels into pieces and glue them into shapes that they feel look like clouds. Let them use their imagination to create images much like they would see in nature.

* Shaving Cream Clouds – Children love playing with shaving cream and this is one craft that is sure to please. Squeeze a blob of shaving cream onto a piece of paper made for finger painting. Allow them to add a few drops of food coloring to the shaving cream and mix the food coloring in. Let the children use the colored shaving cream to paint clouds. If the food coloring wasn’t completely mixed, the variations can become the shadows of the clouds.

Children, and some adults, all over the world love to watch the clouds pass overhead as they lie on their back in the grass. This is an activity to share with your children to calm them down before making crafts, and will also encourage them as they learn how to make a cloud picture. Be prepared, however - your child may enjoy the craft so much they want to decorate their room with their creations.

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1) Dandelion chains are something that children all over the country have made through the years. They’re almost the epitome of summer fun, especially for small children. And, because they don’t need many components, they’re easy enough for small children to master. Here’s how to make them:

Pick dandelions - the longer the stem, the better. Tie one dandelion onto another, close to the flower, with a double knot. Continue until the chain has reached the desired link, then tie the two ends together.

You can also split the stem part of the way down and then insert the stem of another dandelion until the flower reaches the stem. Continue by splitting the stem of that dandelion and then repeating until the chain reaches the desired length.

Make rings, bracelets, and necklaces for your children to enjoy.

2) Pick summer’s fragrant flowers and flowering herbs. Pull the petals from the flowers and allow them to dry. While the petals are drying, make a small bag out of a light, airy fabric. Include a draw string to create a potpourri bag that can be closed. Fill the bag and then pull the bag’s strings to keep the potpourri inside the bag.

3) You can also decorate fabric by hammering summer’s flowers to make a natural design. Cover a wooden chopping board with two to three layers of paper towel and then place a piece of fabric on top. Place the flowers or herbs you’ve chosen in a design you’d like; place another piece of paper towel on top of the design. Thoroughly, but gently, hammer the entire area where the plant matter is located. Remove the paper towel and plants. Use an iron, set to the fabric being used, for approximately 45 to 60 seconds to set the design on the fabric.

4) Pressing flowers is an age-old craft that your grandmother may have enjoyed. Gather a bouquet of flowers you’d like to press along with cardboard about the size of a book, newspaper, tissue paper, and heavy objects (large phone books and bricks work well). Layer the cardboard with newspaper and tissue paper. Place the flowers onto the tissue paper but don’t allow them to touch or hang off of the paper. After you have the flowers situated, place tissue paper, newspaper, and then cardboard on top followed by heavy books. Leave the stack for 2-4 weeks and then remove the layers to see how well your flowers have pressed.

5) Drying flowers is another craft from days gone by. The easiest way to dry flowers is to pick a bouquet, tie it together, and then hang it upside down in a warm, dry, dark place. The air must be dry so the flowers won’t rot, and dark so the flowers don’t fade. You’ll want to check the flowers every couple of days to see if they are dry to the touch. This process could take several weeks. When they are dry, you can store the flowers in a dark, sealed container until you’re ready to use them.

You know that summer’s flowers are temporary. To enjoy their beauty after summer is over, use one of these five flower craft ideas. Enlist your children’s help to make these crafts and they’ll be able to share them with their own children.

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The pool is 18’x48” and is set above ground. The set-up is very easy, all you need is an area of level ground. There are no tools required and the set-up should be finished in about 30 minutes. The material is very tough and durable and made from three separate layers. The two outer layers are made from heavy-gauge laminated PVC and the inner layer is made from polyester mesh to give it additional strength.

Included in the purchase price is a 1500 gallon filter pump with filtration pump filter cartridge for water circulation and removal of debris. The included ladder is constructed of a coated steel frame with sturdy plastic steps. The easy-set pool is easy to drain and take down and store in the fall and winter season.

Also included in the package is a 19ft ground cloth, a 18ft fitted pool cover, a set-up and maintenance DVD and a maintenance kit, which comes with a lightweight aluminum pool sweep and a vacuum.

This pool is an affordable way of spending long summer days in your own pool and is great for the whole family and your kids’ friends. Don’t forget that children should always be supervised by adults when in the water.

Check out the site, www.walmart.com, for more details about this pool.

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Parents often dislike computer games and gaming consoles because the only muscles that get a workout are the thumbs. Nintendo, in creating the Wii, has changed game consoles into an interactive system that can everyone can play from grandparents all the way down to preschoolers. And, instead of merely sitting and holding a controller, Wii games simulate sports such as bowling, baseball, soccer, yoga, and golf.

When you purchase a Wii system, it comes with a Wii Sport game. Included in this game are tennis, baseball, golf, boxing, and bowling. As an added benefit, these games can be set to multiplayer as long as each person, up to four, has their own remote. Nunchucks will also be required for boxing.

Playing the Wii is a great alternative in inclement weather. Your whole family can still get their exercise because the Wii is played indoors. Choose one of the Wii Sport games or try the relatively new Wii Fit.

Wii Fit is a breakthrough in gaming consoles. It comes with a Wii Balance Board that can be used for doing aerobics, strength training, yoga, and balancing games. This system does so much to encourage its users to be active. The Wii Balance Board is also a scale and is calibrated to notice subtle movements for each game.

You’re not limited to using the Wii Balance Board with the games that come with the Board. There are new games coming out to be played with the Board. If this is a system you think you might enjoy, you’ll want to keep an eye out for them.

Maybe someone in your family really loves to dance more than play sports to get a good workout. Why not purchase a copy of Dance Dance Revolution? Of course, you’ll need a Wii Dance Pad, but playing the game could allow you to learn some new dance moves as well as burn calories and increase stamina.

The Wii games, whether sport-related or not, encourages movement. Children can find games, such as anything with Super Mario, which they’ll enjoy playing and will find it hard to keep still in their seats. Senior adults may enjoy the more leisurely games like golf for fitness but also games that challenge their mind.

If you’re looking for a game console that everyone can enjoy, you might want to look into the Nintendo Wii. With Wii games for all ages, skill, and activity level it’s no wonder it’s so popular. You can also expect the company to continue to make  not just for children activities but for family-oriented games the whole family can play together.

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The 3D wooden puzzles are educational and Do-it-yourself fun. They increase children’s patience and ability to focus and are a wonderful way of getting children away from TV and computer.

There are lots of designs to choose from, from dinosaurs, ships and boats, buildings, aircrafts, construction trucks to delicate dollhouses. Each individual design is pre-cut and assembled by pushing the pieces out of the board with fingers and slotting them into each other to create a 3D model. It is safe as no tools or glue are required.

The assembled 3D models are simple but also beautiful works of art which would make stunning displays around your home or in your children’s bedroom.

To look at the different designs, go to www.woodcraftpuzzles.com.

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Take along some shallow bowls or dishes that your children can place wet sand in. Then go with them as they search the beach for pieces of driftwood, shells, rocks, or other items. These will be perfect for creating sand pictures.

Using the sand as a canvas, your child can create pictures with the items they found. Two small stones can be eyes, and a stick can be the mouth or a nose. Let them use their imagination. You may be amazed at what they come up with.

Help your child create a mini garden in much the same way. They can create buildings, walk ways, and an actual garden with little flowers. When they’ve finished creating, they can choose to remove the found items and start again, or you can take a picture of their masterpiece to save for posterity.

Another way to have fun with sand pictures is to use the sand and glue to create images. Here’s what you’ll need:

* Dry sand from the beach (or you can purchase some at a home improvement store)
* Pencil
* Glue
* Construction paper
* Tray to keep the sand contained

Have your child draw a picture on a sheet of construction paper. Let them choose the subject of the drawing, but they may want to use water-related items since they will be using sand in the picture. Place the paper on the tray so the sand will be easy to clean up and so the glue won’t shift when it’s time to add the sand.

Using plain school glue, let the children “draw” by covering the lines of the picture with glue. Have them shake a spoonful of sand onto the glue and shake it over the paper. Continue shaking more sand over the paper until all of the glue is covered. Tell them to carefully shake the paper to remove the excess sand but to be careful because the glue is still wet.

Your child will want to allow the glue on the picture to dry over night. In the morning, they may want to draw other items on the picture or add stickers to it. When they’re satisfied with the way their picture looks, it can be framed and hung on display.

If your family is planning a trip to the beach this summer, you’ll undoubtedly take photos to remember the trip. Your children, however, can take items they find, along with sand from the shore, to create pictures in the sand. They can also create fun with sand pictures that can be displayed in your home. In either case, you’ll remember the fun you had, thanks to your child’s creativity. This is truly one good children activities to do for summer.

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Pool toys are often considered a luxury because they can be pricey, but that’s generally only applicable for larger swimming pool toys. Why not give these a try:

* Swimming pool basketball. This set has an adjustable net to allow for a quick game of water basketball. There are several manufacturers which offer the swimming pool basketball sets. Prices range from $220 to $825 and they can be purchased from Pool Toy Source. They also have combo sets with volleyball.

* Rock-It Totter is an inflatable toy that can be used on water or on land. For children six and up, this toy is made by Aviva and can be purchased for $115 from Wagon Depot.

* Poolmaster offers the Jumbo Hot Shots Water Launcher, a refillable toy that shoots water up to 45 feet! They can be found at American Sale and sell for around $15.

* Inflatable animals are always fun for children to play on. They come in any number of animal types and can be purchased from local discount stores for as little as $5.

* Swim noodles are an inexpensive alternative to some of the more pricey pool toys and games. They help keep children afloat as they’re having fun or learning how to kick when learning to swim.

* Depending upon the size of your pool, you may want to purchase a pool raft. They range in price from $5 for one person and up to $330 for four people. Pool rafts are available through Pool Toy Source and other sources.

* Remote control fish and other water creatures can be fun for the whole family. If you have a snorkel and a mask, you can pretend you’re on a trip to the Great Barrier Reef - however, at $25 a piece, your trip may or may not allow you to see too many fish at once. They can be purchased through INYO Pools.

* Water guns come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and water shooting powers. Some only shoot a couple of feet; others shoot water up to 75 feet and are easy to refill. Water guns can be found locally at discount stores for $1 and up, depending upon the type you want and how much water power you need.

* Underwater Soccer Challenge Pool Toys may be just the thing for a child that loves to play soccer. It comes with weighted balls that roll along the bottom of the pool and has a weighted goal. It costs around $30 at Pool Toy Source, but you could probably find it at other sources.

* For the golf lover in the family who can’t be dragged to the pool, there’s now a way to enjoy both at the same time. Pool Toy.com has a floating golf island complete with tee off pad, golf club, and 8 foam golf balls. It sells for $40.

The swimming pool beckons soon after warmer weather arrives. If you’ve patiently waited to have fun with pool toys and games, you won’t have to wait much longer. These ten pool toys and games are not all that are available, but they may give you some ideas about what you’d like to get for the whole family to enjoy this summer in the pool.

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Child’s temperament

Think about your child’s temperament. Are they loners or do they enjoy spending time with others? Do they excel at competing against their self or are they competitive with others? How well do they follow authority? All of these would be questions you may want to ask about your child.

Some children are naturally athletic. They may be a mini-jock who is a natural daredevil. These are often boys, but not necessarily. Non-aggressive children can also be athletic. They may prefer being physically active but don’t have the “killer instinct” of a mini-jock. Some children aren’t particularly athletic but they enjoy being active. Sedentary children may not be interested in sports at all. If this is the case, you may not want to push your child into playing a sport.

Team or individual

If your child is interested in playing a sport, are they more of a loner or the center of attention? Does your child have many friends or only one or two? Answering these two questions may help you determine whether your child would prefer an individual or team sport.

Children that prefer to be alone may enjoy playing tennis, swimming, gymnastics, or martial arts. Children that thrive being around others would probably enjoy team sports such as baseball, basketball, volleyball, football, or soccer.

What age?

It may be difficult to recognize when your child is ready to play sports. Each child matures in their own time, so you can’t give a definitive answer to the question. Watch your child to see how they play with other children, particularly siblings. If they continually have disagreements or are physical with others they may not be ready or old enough to play sports.

Financial impact

Most parents would love to give their children everything they want; however, they know that doing so won’t serve the child well. Think about how much each sport your child is interested in will cost. Some sports, like gymnastics, require considerable finances, whereas a sport like baseball or football would cost less.

Time required

A sport, no matter which one you choose, will require both you and your child to spend a good deal of time on it. The child will have practices and games to attend; you’ll be expected to transport the child to and from practices and your child will expect you to attend each game. Of course, some sports, like gymnastics, require long practice times - often early in the morning and in the afternoon once the child has reached a certain level.

Choosing the right sport for your child could take some time if you want your child to enjoy themselves. Take your child’s likes, dislikes, and temperament into consideration when helping them choose. Then when you’ve chosen, stand back and watch them have a ball!

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Unstructured recess may be a thing of the past at your school, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give your children unstructured play at home. Purchasing play equipment like hula hoops, jump ropes, and balls can make active play something your children look forward to each day. Science has proven that having this type of equipment available may help your children be more active and play for longer periods of time.

You know increased activity can help stave off obesity in your children, so why not do what you can to help improve their health? Is there a better way to encourage them to get moving than by providing them with fun activities they can do? And, while you’re at it, why don’t you join in the fun with them?

What can you do with a hula hoop? Actually, you might be surprised. Obviously, you can use the hula hoop as it was intended. You swing your hips in a circular movement and try to keep the hoop moving. Did you know that using one of these hoops, especially if it has been weighted, is a great abdominal exercise? They can also be used as a prop in rhythmic dancing or gymnastics. You can also use them at different points on the body, so you can concentrate on separate areas and give them a great workout.

Jump ropes are also wonderful pieces of exercise equipment. Of course, if more than one person chooses to use it at once, you will probably want to get one for everyone in the family. Again, you can use these as intended, jumping rope, but you can also incorporate them into gymnastics or rhythmic dancing. If you’re not sure what you can do with a jump rope, take a look at double Dutch jump roping. You’ll be amazed at the way some athletes use a simple pair of ropes.

Find hula hoops and jump ropes at local department stores. If you don’t think those will stand up to use, you may want to look at school supply stores. If there aren’t any school supply stores nearby, you can always look online to find them. You may find other pieces of exercise equipment that you’ll be interested in, too.

Remember that the goal is to encourage your child to get active rather than sitting in front of a computer or television. Give them a couple of pieces of exercise equipment and they’re more likely to use them. If you really want to encourage them, let them see you use the equipment, too. There’s nothing like exercise to get you and your whole family healthier and quite possibly happier.

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The bike parade doesn’t have to be limited to children; adults can and probably should participate as well. Here’s what you’ll want to do to plan and host your own neighborhood bike parade.

1. Gather the neighborhood together to discuss your idea and see how many people are interested in participating. After you know who will be involved, you can determine the parade route through your neighborhood. Don’t make it too long that little children won’t be able to participate, but don’t make it too short that adults and older teens won’t be interested.

2. Announce the event in your area at local businesses. Create colorful flyers with the important information – date, time, and place. You may want to include a tear-off with your telephone number so others in your area can contact you if they need more information.

3. Ask the children to decorate their bicycles, tricycles, wagons, or scooters with streamers. Leaving the type of transportation open will allow more people to join in the fun. The only limitations necessary are that the decorations not be dangerous such as things poking off of a bike that a child might be injured on. Otherwise, the sky is the limit as far as the decorations go.

4. Allow the children, and adults too, to dress up in patriotic clothing or have a face painting area set up at the beginning of the route so those interested can have their faces painted with red, white, and blue flags, stars, and Uncle Sam hats.

5. Plan to arrive early on the day of the parade. Mark off the route and be ready with other adults to help you. Take your time getting everyone arranged so the parade will be safe (adults or teens at the front and back to keep an eye on the children).

6. Choose a teen or adult to lead the parade because they’ll need to carry the music. Remind the participants to stay together rather than running off on their own. This is a parade, not a race, so it’s important that the parade go slowly enough for young children but quick enough for older children not to become too impatient.

7. Ask those viewing the parade to take pictures to remember the day by. You may even want to call the local newspaper to come and cover the parade.

8. At the end of the parade, you can have refreshments or a picnic for everyone to enjoy together.

July 4th is a great day in the United States’ history. You can organize a 4th of July bike parade for your children and others to enjoy. They can show of their bikes and have a great time celebrating the day. If it’s a success, you may want to consider making the bike parade a yearly event.

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