| It's raining outside and you're bored today. | | | | with doll makers on that site and try out |
| Actually you aren't so bored, but you are | | | | different educational websites. There are |
| really tired of hearing how bored your kids | | | | tons of websites provided that teach various |
| are. They whine, they cry, they sulk, and | | | | things or involve games that are educational |
| you're losing it. Why not turn off the | | | | rather than edgy and inappropriate. The best |
| television and try something a little out of | | | | part of all is that they are free! |
| the ordinary if your family has the rainy day | | | | |
| blues? | | | | 3. Bake up a storm. Kids love to help bake |
| | | | things. Dig in the pantry for some sugar |
| 1. Discover new toys. If your kids are like | | | | cookies or cake mix and whip up a batch. Let |
| mine, they have a room bursting with toys | | | | the kids help stir, and as the cookies or |
| that don't seem to get enough play time. | | | | cupcakes cool, bring out all the sprinkles, |
| Perhaps they have forgotten how much fun | | | | food coloring and candy you can find. Let the |
| Barbie or GI Joe can be, or just can't get | | | | kids frost the creations and add all the |
| creative anymore with blocks. If you sit down | | | | decorative elements. When the masterpieces |
| with your kids and show them just how much | | | | are finished, everyone can indulge! |
| fun it can be to combine toys or find new | | | | |
| things to do with old toys, you'll be the | | | | 4. Play a game together. Most people agree |
| hero of the day. | | | | that board games, or even video games, are a |
| | | | terrific way to spend time together, but they |
| For example, try using the blocks to outline | | | | can be a bit hard to get started. If you pull |
| a house for Barbie on the floor. Let your | | | | out the Monopoly or Candyland board for |
| imagination soar as you make rooms together | | | | everyone and get the kids motivated, you'll |
| and play house. When you're tired of one | | | | be on your way to a less stressful afternoon. |
| arrangement, try another! Dig through the | | | | |
| closet and find thing that haven't seen the | | | | Not only will your kids be having fun as they |
| light of day in a few months or years. If | | | | count spaces and make wise real estate |
| nothing in the toy closet has great appeal, | | | | investments, they will have something to do |
| make new toys. A few blankets and a card | | | | that challenges the brain a bit. Throw in a |
| table can make a terrific fort. A towel and a | | | | bit of popcorn and juice and you'll have a |
| great imagination make a nice magic carpet. | | | | regular party! |
| Be creative! | | | | |
| | | | 5. Invite friends over. Just because you |
| 2. Play online. There are lots of things to | | | | can't go outside to play doesn't mean friends |
| do on the computer that don't require | | | | can't come over to the house to play. |
| constant supervision like many of the | | | | Inviting friends over is one of the easiest |
| traditional games might. Pull up a website | | | | ways to break a kid's boredom. A friend |
| like and let your kids explore. The coloring | | | | brings exciting new prospects and makes even |
| pages on the site can inspire creativity. | | | | the most played video game exciting again. |
| Online coloring pages are made from many of | | | | |
| the fun and fashionable dolls created on the | | | | Let your kids pick up the phone and call a |
| site, so they are more interesting and | | | | friend. A quick drive in the car to pick him |
| exciting than traditional coloring pages. | | | | up may just help you keep your sanity and |
| | | | give your child a chance to play with someone |
| After trying out the coloring pages, play | | | | they haven't seen in a while. |