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Beat Boredom
Creative Summer Games By Julia Rosien
Have your children create an opening and closing ceremony and prizes for all the events. They can make their own megaphone out of bristle board and take turns using it. Pat Williamson's children make enough badges to give to all the children who participate. "Give yourself and your kids about two weeks planning and practice time," she advises. Planning an Olympics can be as much fun as the actual event.
Before the big day, Williamson's children write out the agenda for the day and make all the snacks and drinks that they need. "It's their day and I get involved only if they need help." Williamson feels the planning and execution of an event like this teach her children more than sitting behind a desk ever could.
Instead of bobbing for apples, throw a pail of corks, tennis balls or socks rolled into a ball in the pool. The team with the most at the end wins. "These games all need strict supervision by an adult," says Williamson. "If unsafe behavior becomes a problem, the games are stopped."