BUSTING THE SUMMER TIME BLUES!

Good News! There IS a cure for the summer time blues. In fact, there are loads. Stop the “I’m bored!” lament by engaging the kids in activities that are chock-full of art, science, math and other smart lessons.

Inspire the next Ansel Adams. If you don’t trust your children with the digital camera, buy some disposable ones. Send them clicking around the neighborhood and your house - just not inside the neighbor’s house! After developing, pick some favorites and make a thematic scrapbook.

Teach the kids some entrepreneurial skills by helping them set up a lemonade stand at the front of your driveway, or have them go into business with a friend who has a better location. A lemonade stand is a lot more fun to run with a buddy. Having big brother or sister help is a good choice too. Prove the importance of advertisement by plastering leaflets around the neighborhood, including times and dates. Rip up an old box and construct a capacious, colorful, cardboard sign in front of the stand with prices and products available. Charge a lot, giving a break to seniors and kids. Adults, even in these difficult economic times, won’t bicker about paying a buck instead of 75 cents; especially if you’re giving part or all of the money to charity. Offer cookies and brownies to sweeten the deal and increase income. Running the stand for two days will allow kids to learn from mistakes. Saturday and Sunday are ideal.

Retro the whole families’ wardrobe by creating some tie-dyes t-shirts. In the garage (or somewhere else that can get real messy) twist a wet t-shirt and tie it with rubber bands. Put on some rubber gloves and mix ½ cup of liquid dye in a quart of hot water or follow the directions on the back of a of Rit dye box. Go to www.ritdye.com and click on tie-dyeing for some cool patterns and creative designs. Soak for about twenty minutes then rinse in cold water until the water runs clear. Take off the rubber bands and rinse again. Hang the shirt out to dry in the sun.

Instead of putting a message in a bottle, spread lots of love by putting messages in balloons. Brainstorm a bunch of positive, inspiring messages like, “the best things in life are free.” or “all you need is love” and insert the messages into helium balloons. You can rent a helium tank at any party supply store. Tie them up and let em’ loose. 

Give back to the community. Advocating charity and compassion at an early age is truly priceless. It also nurtures the appreciation of your family’s fortunate status. Help your kids help an elderly neighbor with house or yard work, contact your local church, senior center or go to www.thevolunteercenter.net for other volunteering opportunities in the bay area.

These are just a few suggestions that have a bit of an educational bend. Whatever your family decides to do, do it with enthusiasm, love and kindness. Summertime is brief, and within a blink of an eye your little ones will be all grown up. Just ask your parents.