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