| Memorial Day Weekend marks the symbolic, if | | | | activities. All you need is an Internet connection |
| not official, start of summer and it's finally here! | | | | and a printer and you'll have hours of artistic fun. |
| After a long, crazy winter filled with snow, sleet, | | | | One of the best sites around is |
| ice, and rain, everybody is ready to haul out the | | | | 5. Be a Puddle Jumper. |
| flip-flops and blow up the inflatable pool. We're | | | | When all else fails, grab some rain boots and a |
| lucky to have a stretch of time to relax, but if | | | | rain coat and run around outside. Jumping in |
| you have kids at home, you know summer can | | | | puddles is truly one of life's simple pleasures and |
| be as frustrating as it is fun. If you already signed | | | | since kids are usually told not to get wet or they'll |
| the kids up for camps, swimming lessons, or | | | | "ruin their clothes" or "catch a cold," the kids will |
| sports leagues in the Spring, you're halfway there. | | | | revel in breaking the rules. |
| Now all you need is to be armed with some | | | | Beyond the Beach/Sunny Day Satisfaction: |
| sunny and rainy days ideas that don't require lots | | | | 1. Reverse the Thinking. |
| of time or money but still keep the kids involved | | | | Most people visit museums or nature centers |
| and entertained. | | | | when the weather is cold and rainy, but why go |
| Get out of the Rainy Day Rut: | | | | when it's the most crowded and you can't really |
| 1. House Movie Party. | | | | see the exhibits. Instead, go visit on a sunny day |
| Lots of people tend to head straight for the | | | | and you'll likely feel that you have the whole place |
| movie theater on rainy days, so why not head to | | | | to yourself. |
| the video store, call up a few neighborhood kids, | | | | 2. Biking. |
| heat up some popcorn, and have your own | | | | Is there anything more indicative of summer than |
| movie party right at home. The kids will love | | | | hopping on a bike and tooling around? If your kids |
| seeing their favorite movie with their friends in | | | | aren't big enough to ride alone or can't keep up, |
| the comfort of their own home, but you'll love | | | | invest in one of those seats that straps to the |
| how much money you saved. Has anyone | | | | back of your bike or a little trailer that rides |
| checked the prices for movie theater popcorn | | | | behind. It's a great way to enjoy the day and fit |
| lately?! | | | | in a little group exercise. |
| 2. Fort Fun. | | | | 3. Make your own Popsicles. |
| Ok, moms, this is the day to give up on the | | | | Anybody can buy Popsicles at the grocery store, |
| perfect house and let the kids take out all of the | | | | but there is something particularly delicious about |
| beach towels, blankets, and pillows from the linen | | | | a popsicle that you made yourself, and there is |
| closet, bedrooms, and living room. Kids love forts. | | | | nothing easier! Pull out your ice cube trays and let |
| They could spend hours in them (a bonus for | | | | the kids fill them with their favorite juice (outside, |
| you!). Let them make a total mess of the living | | | | of course!). They might just have more fun licking |
| room, let them eat in their forts, and even let | | | | the sticky off themselves as they do making |
| them sleep in them if they want. One day of a | | | | them! |
| messy house is worth it to avoid screaming and | | | | 4. Sprinkler Fun. |
| cranky kids. | | | | Sometimes it truly is the simple things that are |
| 3. Talent Show. | | | | the best. This is as simple as it gets, but kids |
| As you're drinking your morning coffee and the | | | | could spend hours running, jumping, and splashing |
| weather report looks increasingly worrisome, | | | | through the sprinkler. You might even get inspired |
| surprise the kids with a talent show day. Let | | | | to run through it yourself. |
| them create the show, make props with crayons, | | | | 5. BBQ with Buddies. |
| construction paper, and whatever else you may | | | | Many kids get the chance to have friends over |
| have in the house, and rehearse before the big | | | | for lunch or an afternoon snack, but it feels like a |
| event later that day when Daddy gets home. Kids | | | | really big deal to have friends over for dinner. Let |
| love nothing more than being the center of | | | | them invite as many as you can feed and fire up |
| attention. | | | | the grill for a fun summer evening. After dinner, |
| 4. Hit the Web. | | | | toast marshmallows on the grill or have a firefly |
| There are plenty of great websites that have | | | | catching contest. It is the old-fashioned fun that |
| downloadable crafts, coloring pages, and other | | | | they'll never forget. |