| What one word best sums up summer fun? | | | | Fill the glasses with water - a lot in the first glass, |
| Water. I bet your favorite memories as a child | | | | not quite so much in the next, a little less in the |
| involved getting wet, running through sprinklers on | | | | next, and so on, until in the last glass there is just |
| a sweltering afternoon, water fights in the | | | | a little bit of water. Now tap each glass gently |
| backyard, wading at the beach, playing on the slip | | | | with the spoon. Each one makes a different |
| & slide, and skipping rocks across the river. | | | | sound. Add or subtract water until each glass |
| Your kids will relish the same experiences if they | | | | becomes a musical note. With a little practice and |
| share them with you. | | | | "tuning up, you can play a song. Try Happy |
| The real secret to having fun with kids is to be | | | | Birthday or Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Maybe |
| easy going enough to enjoy their company. Be | | | | you can make up some songs of your own! |
| sure to appreciate the little things like their | | | | Water Fights |
| suggestions for other games, their planning other | | | | Nothing is more fun on a hot summer's day than |
| times for play and the compliments that are sure | | | | a water fight with buckets. Choose up sides and |
| to follow! | | | | find a "time out" space for the old grouches (they |
| The memories will be of a parent who made the | | | | will want to join when they see how much fun |
| time to play with them, talk with them and laugh | | | | you are having). Invite the neighborhood and then |
| with them. More than anything else children want | | | | have a watermelon bust afterward. |
| time with loving, relaxed parents, something they | | | | Floating Down the River |
| cannot get from a television program, video | | | | We are blessed to live in an area with beautiful |
| game, or anyone else in their lives. | | | | rivers and streams. The absolute joy of watching |
| Water cools kids down but also encourages | | | | nature from an inflatable raft or inner tube while |
| spontaneous enjoyment. Because water does | | | | floating is an opportunity to teach your children to |
| make kids a little wild, parents have to be aware | | | | appreciate all the earth has to offer us. Be sure |
| of safety issues as well as fun. | | | | everyone is wearing life jackets and then enjoy |
| Here are some ideas for a fun time in the water.o | | | | the day and each other. It is almost impossible to |
| Sprinkler: this is a win- win situation! The kids get | | | | worry when you are splashing in the water. |
| cool and the lawn gets watered.o Hose: adjust the | | | | Being a playful Parent means you have to |
| nozzle so it shoots a thin stream of water. Have | | | | incorporate fun and laughter into your day. Are |
| kids jump over it or limbo under it!o Water | | | | you are the type who thinks a parent's job is to |
| balloons: any game played with a ball will be more | | | | worry, fret and work, work, work? Trust me, |
| fun when you substitute a water balloon but be | | | | your children would much rather have a happy, |
| sure and pick up the bits of balloon afterwards. | | | | smiling, fun loving parent who will interact with |
| They can be a danger to toddlers, wildlife or your | | | | them joyfully than any toys from the store. |
| family pet. | | | | Enjoy the Trip |
| Water Piñata | | | | Everyone tells you to enjoy your children, |
| Fill a large garbage bag with water, tie with a rope | | | | because they grow up so fast. It is true! But the |
| and hoist it over a branch of a tree. Blindfold the | | | | joy of playing is that you have an opportunity to |
| child, give him a stick & watch out! | | | | be a child again with them. So grab your bucket |
| Water Music | | | | and I'll turn on the hose and we will meet in the |
| You can make music without expensive | | | | back yard for a little fun in the water. It doesn't |
| instruments. All you need are some glasses (eight | | | | matter if the clothes get wet and the floor gets |
| for a complete musical scale), some water and a | | | | muddy, because we are busy making memories. |
| spoon. | | | | |