Fun Activities in a Pinch
Every parent knows that kids get easily bored. But take a trip more than 20 minutes and you’ll hear the familiar refrain of “Are we there yet!?” So if you’re pressed for time and the kids are itching to get out and do something, here are some fun ideas that won’t break the bank or waste time driving around town.

• Playground- There no doubt about this one. Kids love the park, and there’s usually one nearby. Swings, slides, see-saws and sand- kids can stay occupied the whole day.
• Library- Libraries are much more than books. You can now check out music CDs and your favorite DVD movies without having to pay monthly fees! And many libraries have sessions for kids with entertainment such as magicians, story telling and music programs. So if you haven’t been to the library in a while, stop by and check it out. You and your kids will be glad you did.
• Pet Store- Kids love going to the pet store, where they can check out pets from the mundane to the exotic. Fish, birds, cats, dogs, even snakes and other reptile, kids love the pet store.
• Read a Book- Telling a child a story is great entertainment for kids, creates a strong family bond and really instills a love of reading. And acting out all those voices can be fun for Mom and Dad too!
• Fire House- If the kids are itching to get out of the house and see something really cool, bring them on a mini-field trip to your local fire house- of course, call them first! Many fire houses will give you grand tour of the premises including the fire engines, cool tools and the kids favorite ladders and fire poles.
• Grocery Store- Believe it or not, taking the kids to the grocery store can be a great learning experience. You can show the kids about all the different fruits, vegetables, spices, grains and other foods. While there, use the opportunity to teach them where these foods come from and which foods are most healthful.
• Museums- Kids really latch onto museums such as natural history museums and aquariums where they can see animal dioramas, dinosaur exhibits and other interesting item.
• Backyard- When you’re too tired to drive all over town, sometimes the simplest activities are the ones that kids enjoy the most. On a hot summer day, nothing beats cool running water from a hose (except for maybe a slip and slide!). So let the kids have fun playing in the running water. As an added bonus, you’ll be watering the lawn at the same time!
• Zoo- If you’re lucky enough to leave near a major metropolitan area, there is no better way to spend time with the kids than the zoo. See all the animals. If you’re not lucky enough to live near a zoo, often times there may be local
• Swimming Pool- Kids love to swim and it’s a great exercise too. A couple hours splashing around at the poll will tire your kids out so they take a nice long nap so you can get a much needed break

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