| Many kids are so dependent on electronics - television, | | | | table, porch, or deck with things that represent the |
| games, CDs, and videos - they are lost when these | | | | state, such as red, white, and blue streamers, the |
| things are unavailable. A power failure or loss of | | | | colors of the Texas flag. Finally, kids enjoy foods that |
| television privileges causes some kids to have an | | | | represent the state.COMICAL PLACEMATS. Give |
| emotional meltdown.Loving kids doesn't mean we have | | | | each child several pages of comics. Kids cut the |
| to entertain them every minute. When we provide | | | | comics into squares and plan their designs on the table |
| nonstop entertainment for kids we are actually harming | | | | top. Then they stick comics squares on clear, adhesive |
| them. Kids need down time, lazy, quiet moments when | | | | plastic cut slightly larger than placemat size. Kids lay a |
| they can listen to their thoughts and let their | | | | second sheet of plastic over the comics and rub it to |
| imaginations run free. We can help kids learn how to | | | | remove bubbles. Any remaining bubbles are pricked |
| beat the boredom blues.First, we can give kids | | | | with a pin. Using craft scissors, cut a decorative edge |
| suggestions, and that's what this article is about. | | | | around the mat.BOARD GAME CARNIVAL. Kids plan |
| Second, we can stock up on supplies like school glue, | | | | a board game carnival: date, time, place, invitations, |
| markers, colored paper, and craft scissors. Third, we | | | | refreshments, and prizes. (Young children will need help |
| can get them started and supervise when necessary. | | | | with planning.) The carnival may include a variety of |
| These activities are fun for kids of all ages.CAMERA | | | | board games or focus on one game, such as |
| ACTION. Provide each child with a disposable camera | | | | Scrabble. Give every child a favor and a larger prize |
| and have him or her take photos of the house, yard, | | | | to a few "champs."ROCK COLLECTION. Each area |
| friends, pets or shapes. Older kids who have their own | | | | of the country has its own rocks. Provide each child a |
| cameras should have several rolls of film. Display kids' | | | | plastic ice cream bucket (gallon size with a handle on |
| photos on the refrigerator door, on posters, or put | | | | it), a magnifying glass, and digging tool. Take them to a |
| them in an album. You may wish to frame several | | | | place where rock finding is easy. Kids collect rocks, |
| special photos.PERSONAL PILLOW CASE. Give each | | | | bring them home, wash them, and learn more about |
| child a white pillow case. (Watch for white sales and | | | | them. Do any of the rocks contain mica? How are |
| discount store deals.) Kids decorate their pillow cases | | | | striated rocks formed?ALL ABOUT BUTTONS. Look |
| with fabric paint. Buy a variety of colors in small bottles | | | | around the house for old buttons and/or buy them in |
| that have narrow tips on them. To keep paint from | | | | bulk at a craft store. (You can get dozens of buttons |
| soaking through to the other side, put a brown paper | | | | for $3.99.) Using child-safe glue, kids stick buttons onto |
| bag inside the pillow case. This is a great slumber party | | | | wooden picture frames or cardboard boxes. School |
| activity!WALK AND TALK. Log onto the Pedestrian | | | | pictures may be displayed in the frames and boxes |
| and Bicycle Information Center at and print out the | | | | may be used for jewelry.With practice and help from |
| "Walkability Checklist." Give each child a copy of the | | | | us, kids can learn to beat the boredom blues. In fact, |
| checklist and a pencil with an eraser on it. Kids walk | | | | the kids will enjoy it. Kids who know how to beat the |
| around the block or neighborhood and rate the area | | | | boredom blues grow up to be interested, active, and |
| for walking safety. How is your neighborhood | | | | productive adults. Beating the boredom blues is a |
| doing?BUTTERFLY GARDEN. Buy some nectar | | | | lifetime skill worth nurturing.Copyright 2006 by Harriet |
| plants - Asters, Black-eyed Susans, Daisies, Lavender, | | | | Hodgson Hodgson has been a nonfiction writer for 27 |
| Marigolds, Lilacs - and plant them in a sunny place. If | | | | years and is a member of the Association of Health |
| you don't have garden space plant several plants in a | | | | Care Journalists. Her 24th book, "Smiling Through Your |
| large clay pot. To attract butterflies put a pan of water | | | | Tears: Anticipating Grief," written with Lois Krahn, MD is |
| in the garden and a piece of ripe fruit next to the pan. | | | | available from A five-star review of the book is |
| Kids track the different kinds of butterflies that come | | | | posted on Amazon. You'll also find a review on the |
| to visit.ROUTE 66. Kids choose a state they want to | | | | American Hospice Foundation website under the |
| visit, such as Texas. Next, they read library books and | | | | "School Corner" heading. |
| or Internet articles about the state. Kids decorate a | | | | |