| Kids bored? | | | | - Climb a tree. Build a tree fort or clubhouse. It |
| Want them outside and active? If they are tired | | | | doesn't have to be out of wood & nails. You |
| of riding their bikes or skateboards, or if they are | | | | can just use some old blankets & cardboard |
| spending too much time in front of the TV, a few | | | | to make one for the day. |
| new suggestions might spark their imaginations. | | | | - Go camping. If you can get away, you can pitch |
| Here are some great activities your kids can do | | | | a tent in the backyard (or living room/basement). |
| for fun in the summer. You may remember doing | | | | - Go bird watching, bug catching or pick |
| some of these when you were a kid. | | | | wildflowers. Gather pretty rocks & stones. |
| Anywhere: | | | | Paint patterns on the big rocks - or paint them to |
| - Get a group together to do any of the following: | | | | look like pets. |
| Obstacle courses -make up your own using old | | | | - Gather up colorful stones, leaves or pinecones |
| tires, hoops, climbing ropes, etc. | | | | to make crafts with. |
| - Hold some races. Try running or fast walking, 3 | | | | - Fly a kite! You can even try making your own. |
| legged races, potato sack races, races holding an | | | | - Play games like badminton, croquet, horseshoes |
| egg on a spoon, running with a balloon between | | | | or shuffleboard. |
| your knees, etc. | | | | - Older kids can go power walking. Let them bring |
| - Get a strong rope and a group together to play | | | | along an ipod with their favourite songs. |
| tug of war. Make teams as even as possible to | | | | Water fun: |
| be really challenging! | | | | - Go to a splash pad. |
| - Practice cartwheels. If they get good, they can | | | | - Get a slip & slide or other sprinklers you |
| practice one handed cartwheels. (Try to get legs | | | | can hook up to a water hose. |
| straight up and feet pointed). | | | | - Go to the beach or lakeshore. Swim, bring a |
| - Go on a picnic. Pack up a basket & blanket | | | | boogie board, skip stones, or walk along the |
| and head out to a favourite spot. | | | | shore. Make sand castles or sand sculptures. |
| - Blow up some balloons & play some | | | | - Go swimming. Organize a pool party, play pool |
| games: keep the balloon from touching the | | | | games, dive for diving sticks, make up games |
| ground, juggle several at once, play volleyball. You | | | | with pool noodles, beach balls, etc. Have a jumping |
| can also decorate the balloons with markers and | | | | contest off the diving board. Appoint someone or |
| make funny faces. | | | | a parent the judge. Categories can include: |
| - Get a yo-yo so they can try learning some | | | | funniest, highest, best dive, best star jump, most |
| tricks. | | | | impressive, best 360 (turn), biggest cannonball, |
| - Put on a play, magic show or comedy skit. | | | | etc. |
| Great outdoors: | | | | - Have a water balloon or water gun fight. |
| - Take a hike in the woods or go to the park | | | | - Get soap & various wands to have a |
| with friends or family. Make it an adventure | | | | bubble blowing contest. Try: most bubbles in a |
| (pretend you are on Survivor or Lost) or a make | | | | minute, biggest bubble, funniest shape bubble, |
| up a treasure hunt. | | | | most bubbles stuck together, etc. |