| Finding things to do with the entire family in tow is | | | | slickers and goulashes on and go fishing at the |
| not always an easy feat. There are many reasons | | | | aquarium! |
| for this, one being agendas. A lot of times family | | | | 7. MOVIES. If your child is over 3 years old, the |
| outings end up with the children in tears and you | | | | movie theater can be a great treat. Pack some of |
| wishing you were in bed, with the covers pulled up | | | | your favorite healthy snacks, grab a sweater and |
| and a pillow over your head. Eventually, we develop a | | | | catch a fun flick. IMAX theaters are in many cities |
| sort of mental block as to what is fun as a family | | | | across the US now and have great educational films |
| and what can be traumatic for everyone involved. | | | | for kids, not to mention the theaters are enormous |
| Have no fear! The following is a list of engaging | | | | and have incredible sound systems. |
| activities for you and your children to enjoy together. | | | | 8. THEATER. There are many theater companies in |
| The list is long, so there are many options for you to | | | | even the smallest towns with childrens theater. |
| try. Just remember, the goal is to enjoy yourselves | | | | Check your local playhouse to see if anything is |
| (at least a little) if you want to have a successful | | | | coming up in your neighborhood. If so, buy some |
| family activity. This starts with smiling, read the | | | | tickets and make a date. If not, create your own |
| studies. | | | | play, complete with script, costumes and makeup! |
| F A M I L Y F U N | | | | Action! |
| 1. DANCE! Ever feel like going to the park with the | | | | 9. LIBRARY. As long as your child is capable of being |
| kids and strutting your stuff on the dance floor all at | | | | quiet, this should be a mandatory experience for |
| the same time! Baby Loves Disco is your kind of | | | | children as someday it might be a thing of the past. |
| place! With locations in dance clubs across the US, | | | | Most local libraries have weekly story time, which can |
| you can host a birthday party here or just go for an | | | | be a lot of fun for young kids. Many libraries even |
| afternoon of dancing with the kids. | | | | have staff lead songs and art projects. Check your |
| They play fun disco tunes and you can have snacks | | | | local library for details. |
| and drinks when you need to refuel. Check your local | | | | 10. CITY HALL. Do your kids know what government |
| area to see if any clubs are holding Baby Loves Disco | | | | is? Probably not. However, City Hall can be a great |
| during the day. If you cannot find one, submit a | | | | place to talk to kids about the local lawmakers, while |
| location or area to the company and they will try to | | | | showing them the courts and politicians of the city. If |
| open one up! What a great way to spend an | | | | your child is over 7 years old, schedule a class field |
| afternoon! | | | | trip for these future voters and politicians of America! |
| 2. MUSEUMS. Local Art, Childrens or History Museums | | | | 11. GOLF. Whether you go to a miniature golf course |
| - Children like to go to museums, especially if it | | | | or a putting green, golf is a good, all around fun |
| means having fun. Pack a picnic and plan on staying | | | | activity for the whole family. Plan to make a few |
| for a while. You can get a tour of the museum on | | | | hours of the game and enjoy it. Just make sure that |
| headsets or just walk around together and point out | | | | all kids understand proper form and that golf clubs |
| what you like (or do not like) about the artwork or | | | | are held *differently* than baseball bats. |
| artifacts that you encounter. | | | | 12. SKATING. Ice skating and roller skating are great |
| 3. ZOO. Animals are always a hit, especially with the | | | | activities for both boys and girls. Skating encourages |
| young ones. Once there, look for petting zoos, | | | | motor skills and physical activity as well as family |
| primates and polar bears, for some reason kids go | | | | bonding as together, kids can fall down and hold each |
| nuts over these little fellows. Also, make sure to | | | | other up! |
| bring snacks, water and a camera! | | | | 13. BOWLING. Strike-outs build self confidence and |
| 4. PARKS. Neighborhood Parks and Theme Parks | | | | who does not love to wear those stinky shoes? |
| possess great potential to entertain kids for hours. | | | | Bowling is a good, old, all-American past time that all |
| With lots of space, there is always room for releasing | | | | children should experience at least once! Do not |
| energy and stimulating activity. Make sure to hold on | | | | forget to bring socks (unless you want to borrow |
| tight and stay together. Talk about what to do if | | | | socks from the alley). |
| someone gets lost before getting stuck in a crowd. | | | | 14. ART. Make art! Use paper and supplies that you |
| Enjoy the outdoors! | | | | find around the house, yard or school. Create |
| 5. FARMERS MARKET. There are wonderful | | | | projects that involve nature and color. You can make |
| opportunities to talk about health and to see new | | | | self-portraits, a family painting or a family mural. Just |
| and interesting things at farmers markets. Take | | | | remember that there is no wrong way to make art, |
| advantage of the platform to show kids how to find | | | | except if you do not make it. |
| good fruits and veggies and talk to farmers about | | | | 15. BASEBALL. Take them out to the ball game. Need |
| how they grow their crops. This is a great way to | | | | I say more? Oh yes, bring a coat if it is cold out and |
| get kids interested in the foods that they eat and to | | | | be prepared to sing and eat peanuts. |
| discuss nutrition. | | | | So, now you have 15 activities to enjoy as a family. |
| 6. AQUARIUM. Fish are fun! They come in an | | | | Each one can be done as many times as you wish, |
| abundance of beautiful colors, shapes, sizes and | | | | so if you try them all, you are bound to love at least |
| habitats. Lots of homes have fish as pets, but many | | | | a few of them! There are many fun activities that |
| kids have not had the opportunity to explore fish | | | | you can do with your family. Don't be afraid to get |
| stores and aquariums. It can actually be a relaxing | | | | creative with your family adventures. Be prepared |
| experience (as long as you agree beforehand that | | | | with food, warmth, money and your smiles and |
| you are leaving all of the fish at the store!) The next | | | | everything should be just fine. |
| time you are looking for a rainy day activity, put the | | | | |