| I'm bored!" | | | | that honors the age-old tradition of strawberry |
| How many times have you heard your ten year | | | | picking! If it's October and pumpkin season, |
| old exclaim this on a Saturday afternoon, only to | | | | perhaps you will be able to find your next perfect |
| follow you around while you tried to do laundry or | | | | jack-o-lantern with your kids or even take a |
| iron or cook dinner? Children may expect you to | | | | haunted hayride if it's close enough to Halloween. |
| be their entertainment committee, but there are | | | | A hayride might just be possible no matter the |
| things you can do to keep them entertained for | | | | season, so it can't hurt to ask! Of course, before |
| hours without eating up your entire Saturday or | | | | you leave the farm don't forget to get a taste of |
| Sunday afternoon in the process. | | | | their sure-to-be-homemade ice cream. The tour |
| The roller rink is a perfect place to take your kids | | | | guide will probably give a cone to your little ones |
| on a Saturday. Almost every town has a local | | | | for free. Again, this Saturday or Sunday treat will |
| rink, and it is good for many ages. For about | | | | be an educational source of entertainment for |
| $10.00 a child, skate rental money if they don't | | | | your children and cost you almost nothing. |
| own their own, and perhaps some extra money | | | | Almost every parent falls back on the movies or |
| for snacks or lunch, you can usually bet on a | | | | the mall, if their child is old enough, but what about |
| good three or four hours of entertainment. Many | | | | getting them outside for some fresh air instead? |
| of the skating rinks have video games and a | | | | Surely you can open your back door and let the |
| café as well, so if your child is done with | | | | kids play in the yard any day of the week, but if |
| skating he or she can still be entertained. If your | | | | you physically take them to a playground it will be |
| child is young, a chaperone will obviously be | | | | something different. Bring the dog, if you have |
| needed, and perhaps you and a neighbor can take | | | | one, and get the most ‘bang for your |
| turns and alternate weekends. If he or she is of | | | | buck' - your dog will be worn out by the end of |
| the age where "dropping off" is appropriate, there | | | | your visit, and the kids can help with the |
| is usually an open skate complete with the music | | | | wearing-out process! Both your children and your |
| of the moment that your kids will surely enjoy. | | | | pet will have the benefit of a new play yard, and |
| Of course, he or she is getting exercise along | | | | there will likely be other children to join in the fun, |
| with having fun so you can rest easy that this is | | | | or even other dogs. There is bound to be a swing |
| a positive activity all around. | | | | set, sliding board and jungle gym. Even if you own |
| Another good place, depending on the season and | | | | these and have them in your own backyard, they |
| your locale, is your local commercial dairy farm. | | | | will likely be different than your own and hence |
| True, it is a bit different, but it can be packed full | | | | more entertaining for your youngsters. Bring a ball |
| of things to do for children of all ages. For the | | | | or your dog's favorite toy to play fetch, bring |
| little ones, a simple tour of the farm can be full of | | | | some snacks for the kids, and get out there and |
| wonder and amazement. Usually all you need to | | | | play with them yourself! If you are fortunate to |
| do is ask and those in charge will be more than | | | | share the park with a pond or lake, you may |
| happy to show your little one around. He or she | | | | need to bring some bread and you can feed the |
| can see the cows up close and even pet them in | | | | ducks there as well. Just getting outdoors to the |
| their stalls. They may get a tour of the | | | | park really can be a good hour's worth of fun at |
| production facility if they are a bit older and it can | | | | the least. |
| hold their interest, which can take a good amount | | | | Any of the above recommendations will force |
| of time. Often there will be other animals on the | | | | your child to stop the "I'm bored!" exclamation. By |
| farm, and both younger and older kids will enjoy | | | | the time you get home from any one of the |
| visiting with the barnyard animals. If your child's | | | | three, your little boy or girl will most likely be |
| boredom occurs during the warm spring or | | | | ready for a nap and you may too - so look |
| summer months, it may be strawberry season | | | | forward to your relaxation. |
| and you may be lucky enough to have a farm | | | | |