By: dotfor coms
Having preschoolers or elementary school kids, you may be looking for something to make the day go by a little quicker, and maybe a bit more interactive than popping in a Disney movie when kids are at home during inclement climate or national holidays.
The internet is a wonderful place for your child to learn, play and explore. The world of gaming for kids is constantly changing. Trying out some interactive video and computer games and choosing right games for your child which is beneficial to them is a good option. They will have lots of fun and even learn some new things. Video games and computer games are known to improve hand-eye-co-ordination and some other benefits are improvements in decision making, knowing more about graphic designing and technologies and gaining skills, self-confidence, motivation.
We have 7 of our favorite websites to save your precious browsing time. All the game sites listed are considered to be kid friendly websites.
1] Nick Jr- If you have preschooler then Nick Jr would be very familiar. It has all favorite characters from Dora the explorer to Diego to Ni-Hao, Kai-Lan. Your kids can play Kai-Lan’s matching game or Diego’s great roadrunner race and it also has interactive color pages or creative art like Plex’s Robot Creator.
2] Funschool by Kaboose – Funschool by Kaboose offers interactive games to learn about history in the “Time Warp” section, geography in “Globe Rider” and science in “Formula Fusion”, plus sports, math’s and more. So it adds little more learning to your child’s activities along with fun.
3] NASA kids club - Space-fascinated kids will totally dig the NASA.gov site, with age-based games and content, your child will be thoroughly educated and engrossed. Preschoolers will enjoy the Buzz Lightyear Returns from Space game and the online put it together puzzles.
4] Lego.com – Here your kids can play Star Wars or Knight Adventure to save the princess. Simple games like “building” with virtual Lego blocks with free play or based on an easy blueprint are also available in this site with continuous fun online with strategy, adventure, action, creativity and preschool games based on popular Lego sets.
5] Crayola.com - It is a super-cool place to play games, print out coloring pages and create great kid art or, try out the story creator, where your child can be transformed into a cartoon and become the star of his or her very own story.
6] Sprout.com – It is a place where your kid can catch up clips of his or her favorite shows or play games with Sprout characters such as Thomas the Train, Barney and Elmo. It is a 24-hour preschool channel where there are also crafts and coloring section full of fun ideas for home and parties.
7] Yahoo! Kids – The ultimate game destination with maximum choices from Sesame Street to Star Wars and arcade to adventure.
There are lots of fantastic games to choose from these game sites whether you want your child to learn or to just have fun.
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Nowadays computer games and video games available in many game sites on internet are the best way to keep your child busy having fun along with lots of learning to make the day go by little quicker as it becomes very difficult and challenging for mothers to keep their child occupied.
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Vision Quest
Have you been crying for a vision in your life? Read Jan Engels-Smith's remarkable story of her Vision Quest and learn how her willingness showed her what unconditional love truly is.
A vision quest is a Native American ceremony that in the Lakota language is called hanblecha, which means, crying for a vision. It is a calling out to Spirit, to God, to Great Spirit with a request and questing for an answer. The vision quest is traditionally done for four days and four nights. The person on the quest sits isolated with no food or water connected through prayer to Spirit. Different cultures with similar intents conduct the quest with variations in time and practice. In all cases, the person on the vision quest places himself/herself in a precarious position and trusts and calls out to Spirit in a ceremonial way. Additionally, other participants remain in camp and offer support to the persons on the quest. These supporters check in on questers periodically and pray for them during their vision quest.
It took one year to prepare for my hanblecha. Traditionally, there is a year of preparation, the actual vision quest, and then a year of unfolding. I reference this story to underscore that God is continually teaching me about love. Unconditional love is the basis of the universe and spirituality. Too many humans have no experience of love without conditions. In our society, love often has strings attached. Punishments, judgments, overpowering demands, and competition are all marionette strings that control human behavior. If you have not experienced unconditional love, it is almost impossible to understand or to hold its wisdom. I hardly have words to explain the phenomenon in general terms, and it is even more difficult to describe it in the way that I experienced it.
I had many mystical experiences during my vision quest. I would like to focus on one in particular. I feel that this experience was not only meaningful for me but also contains a message for all beings. Let me preface the story with a ritual that I did the morning before I left my house. I have a little bag of terra cotta hearts that I often give as gifts to my clients after I do a soul retrieval. Each heart has a word inscribed on its face to impart some sort of inspiration or message. I usually meditate with the bag in my lap or in my hands, asking the spirits which divine message I should give. I then reach in with my hand and pull a heart. On the morning of my quest I did this for myself. The heart message that I drew was willingness. I took it to place on the altar I had created at my vision quest spot.
On the first night of my quest the August moon was full. Nature had provided me with wonderful weather conditions and surrounding beauty. The moon was big, beautiful, and in full glory as I viewed her from my sacred spot. I held a prayer stick that I had made for the event-a sacred stick with white leather prayer bundles containing tobacco hanging from it. Tobacco is often used as an offering to the spirits. If you place your prayer, through intention, into the tobacco, then wrap the tobacco up in a piece of cloth, it becomes a prayer bundle. I had chosen beautiful white leather for my bundles, and had treated the stick as a work of art for I had put much creativity and intention into creating this sacred item. In fact, my whole year of preparation had involved this level of intensity. I took the entire process extremely seriously and went the extra mile to insure that I prepared appropriately. I had no doubt in my mind that when I entered my sacred spot for my vision quest, Spirit knew I was serious. The spirits had asked me to do this sacred ceremony in a previous shamanic journey, so here I was.
Even though I had gone through all of this preparation, there was one thing for which I was not prepared. I was ill when I began the quest. I had developed a severe sore throat and cold days before the ceremony was to start. By the time I was to go to my spot, I was extremely ill. It took every bit of energy I could muster to go through with it. I also had no idea how uncomfortable I would be sitting on the ground with an aching body. My senses were dulled and whatever natural abilities I possessed were hampered by the oppressive aches and discomforts of the sickness. I felt very distant from Spirit. I found myself staring at the terra cotta heart willingness. Even though I felt completely disconnected and discouraged, I had the willingness to continue and to trust Spirit.
It was about 2:00 a.m. and I was sitting with my back against a tree. I had been sitting for hours taking in the solitude of the night. It was during this quiet time that I distinctly heard someone say Jan. I looked around, expecting to see that my support person had come to check on me. No one was there. I again heard my name, Jan. I looked around again. This time I stood up and turned. I heard it a third time and realized that the sound was coming from above. I looked to the moon. Could the moon be calling my name? I was seized by emotion. My legs started to tremble, my eyes filled with tears. Because of my weakened condition, I had no energy to doubt or to second-guess what was happening. I just followed the direction of my heart. I raised my prayer stick to the moon and held it up and out, as if offering it to this mighty sacred one of the sky. I began crying out my prayers of intention. I knew that the moon was hearing me and communicating directly with me on this sacred night.
The next thing I knew I was traveling through space. I traveled up and up with the speed of light, all the way to the moon. I magically became the moon. As I merged with it, I could see myself standing down on Earth: This little person, holding her prayer stick into the sky, crying, and trembling both with emotion and weakness. Her heart filled with love, dedication, willingness; asking to be heard and noticed. I was overwhelmed with compassion, with unconditional love, with emotions that no words can describe. I had become the moon. I had become Great Spirit, the universe. On an emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual level, I experienced a love that was greater than anything I had ever imagined or humanly experienced. My cells throbbed as they absorbed and responded to this experience. I had no bodily connection to this little person I was watching below, but I had an overwhelming heart connection. I loved her beyond what I had ever experienced in the human realm. I understood what it means when God says to love unconditionally, not only others but oneself as well.
I do not know how long I spent on this sky adventure. When my spirit reentered my body, it slammed me into the ground and I remember hitting my head hard. I also heard a thud, a sound like that of someone hitting you square on the chest with a flat hand. The experience was like none I had ever had. Even with all of the journeying I had done, I was not prepared for this encounter. The experience was not induced by drumming or intention. I physically and audibly heard my name called and I responded by making myself available. Spirit then took me on a journey to learn about love-the kind of love that Creator holds for us, and the love of which the universe is made. It awakened in me a deep understanding of what Spirit means when it refers to love. This love is of the magnitude contained in the light so often referred to in near-death experiences. It is the love on which enlightenment is based. It is beyond what many of us know, but it is within reach of all of us.
When unconditional love is revealed, it serves as an example of what life can be like here on earth. Spirit does not wave such promise in front of us and then say, Sorry you cannot have any. Spirit allows us such remarkable experiences so that we can have a tangible event stored in our cellular memory to call upon when the time is right. This memory compels us to keep sight of what we strive for-peace, unconditional love
, and freedom from judgment of others and of self. Spirit works in miraculous ways if you just provide the willingness.Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jan promotes self-healing, empowerment, better communities, a healthier world and conducts workshops for shamanism and journeying. Her book, Becoming Yourself is at http://www.janengelssmith.com . A Shaman, Jan has done two thousand soul retrievals. She is a water pourer, a pipe carrier, a minister, a shamanic Practitioner, a Reiki Master, a Licensed Counselor, a Chemical Dependency Specialist, and an MFT.
What Facebook Can Do For Your Photography Business
by: David Drum
Today, Facebook is being used as an effective marketing tool for a wide variety of businesses. However, it is especially effective for marketing a photography business. For most businesses, a Facebook user reads through posted product and service information, but in the final analysis must still decide whether to believe the information, testimonials, etc…as posted. However, in the case of professional photography, potential customers can literally experience your products firsthand…all by viewing sample portfolio photographs. This is a huge marketing advantage for photographers, but needs to be tapped properly for maximum impact.
Tips for Marketing a Photography Business On Facebook:
- Don’t spam. It is ok to send out a message to your Facebook fans once a month, or at certain times of the year, perhaps twice a month. A lot of this will depend on your area of specialty and it inherent seasonality. If done correctly, your fans will find your messages helpful and informative. However, be careful to limit these messages since if you do it too often, some fans may “unlike” your page and there is even a chance that Facebook, in an effort to police their site, will brand your efforts as spam and actually ban your Facebook page entirely.
- Add photo albums of your pictures. I know that this might seem obvious, but you are running a photography business and your page should reflect that. Add selected photographs of your work and perhaps even ask your Facebook fans to vote their favorites. Social media is about bi-directional communication and you will find a number of applications on Facebook that will allow you to do just that, such as Involver or FanAppz.
- Add videos. Add selected videos of some of your photo sessions to your Facebook page. This will give your fans a taste of what goes “behind the scenes” and is invaluable as it lets potential clients see what they might expect from a photo session with you. Shoot the video so that it is informative, but don’t forget to also try to make it a little humorous and relaxing. YouTube Badge is an excellent application that will help you add video and you can find it as well as others by searching the applications section of Facebook.
- Capitalize on the Info Tab. All of the information included on your info tab is automatically picked up by search engines, so be complete and don’t skimp when completing your information tab. Make your info tab a mix of professionalism and fun and be sure to include some tidbit information about you as well! Don’t forget links to your website, blog, Twitter, and Flickr accounts if you have them…and you definitely should.
- A Good FanPage Picture. You are a photographer and this is by far the most essential part of any Facebook fanpage. Add a nice picture of yourself with camera. Embed your logo in the picture as well. You can design the image up to a size of 180x540, so don’t just settle for the default size. This will let random folks visiting your fanpage clearly identify you as a professional photographer.
- Update your content…keep it fresh. After most of your photo shoots, try to add one of the best images to your Facebook album, of course after securing permission from your client. You can even send each client a personalized wall message, complimenting them on how well the shoot turned out! This is an easy way to keep your pages fresh and seasonally relevant. These simple image updates give you a continual reason to message your fans and encourage them to see the quality and variety that your photography provides.
- Facebook Ads. Facebook advertisements have proven to be effective for marketing a variety of businesses. You create a Facebook ad and let the website choose to place your ads along with profiles of people who are interested in photography. It is easy to set a daily budget limit for each campaign, where the budget limits the maximum amount that you are willing to spend for each day of advertising. Facebook’s systems will automatically stop showing your ad once your daily budget has been reached so you will never have to worry about accruing unplanned advertising charges. Some people have had a lot of success with these ads, but I would recommend that you start slowly and see how it works out for you.
Facebook is ideal for marketing your photography, but it may take some time to build a loyal following of people interested in your photographs. It is a very effective way of marketing your photography business and will reflect in a positive way on your business and your brand. Keep your Facebook presence real and you will definitely see positive results!
Today, Facebook is being used as an effective marketing tool for a wide variety of businesses. However, it is especially effective for marketing a photography business. For most businesses, a Facebook user reads through posted product and service information, but in the final analysis must still decide whether to believe the information, testimonials, etc…as posted. However, in the case of professional photography, potential customers can literally experience your products firsthand…all by viewing sample portfolio photographs. This is a huge marketing advantage for photographers, but needs to be tapped properly for maximum impact.
Tips for Marketing a Photography Business On Facebook:
- Don’t spam. It is ok to send out a message to your Facebook fans once a month, or at certain times of the year, perhaps twice a month. A lot of this will depend on your area of specialty and it inherent seasonality. If done correctly, your fans will find your messages helpful and informative. However, be careful to limit these messages since if you do it too often, some fans may “unlike” your page and there is even a chance that Facebook, in an effort to police their site, will brand your efforts as spam and actually ban your Facebook page entirely.
- Add photo albums of your pictures. I know that this might seem obvious, but you are running a photography business and your page should reflect that. Add selected photographs of your work and perhaps even ask your Facebook fans to vote their favorites. Social media is about bi-directional communication and you will find a number of applications on Facebook that will allow you to do just that, such as Involver or FanAppz.
- Add videos. Add selected videos of some of your photo sessions to your Facebook page. This will give your fans a taste of what goes “behind the scenes” and is invaluable as it lets potential clients see what they might expect from a photo session with you. Shoot the video so that it is informative, but don’t forget to also try to make it a little humorous and relaxing. YouTube Badge is an excellent application that will help you add video and you can find it as well as others by searching the applications section of Facebook.
- Capitalize on the Info Tab. All of the information included on your info tab is automatically picked up by search engines, so be complete and don’t skimp when completing your information tab. Make your info tab a mix of professionalism and fun and be sure to include some tidbit information about you as well! Don’t forget links to your website, blog, Twitter, and Flickr accounts if you have them…and you definitely should.
- A Good FanPage Picture. You are a photographer and this is by far the most essential part of any Facebook fanpage. Add a nice picture of yourself with camera. Embed your logo in the picture as well. You can design the image up to a size of 180x540, so don’t just settle for the default size. This will let random folks visiting your fanpage clearly identify you as a professional photographer.
- Update your content…keep it fresh. After most of your photo shoots, try to add one of the best images to your Facebook album, of course after securing permission from your client. You can even send each client a personalized wall message, complimenting them on how well the shoot turned out! This is an easy way to keep your pages fresh and seasonally relevant. These simple image updates give you a continual reason to message your fans and encourage them to see the quality and variety that your photography provides.
- Facebook Ads. Facebook advertisements have proven to be effective for marketing a variety of businesses. You create a Facebook ad and let the website choose to place your ads along with profiles of people who are interested in photography. It is easy to set a daily budget limit for each campaign, where the budget limits the maximum amount that you are willing to spend for each day of advertising. Facebook’s systems will automatically stop showing your ad once your daily budget has been reached so you will never have to worry about accruing unplanned advertising charges. Some people have had a lot of success with these ads, but I would recommend that you start slowly and see how it works out for you.
Facebook is ideal for marketing your photography, but it may take some time to build a loyal following of people interested in your photographs. It is a very effective way of marketing your photography business and will reflect in a positive way on your business and your brand. Keep your Facebook presence real and you will definitely see positive results!
| About The Author David Drum is head of Business Development at H&H Color Lab in Kansas City, Missouri. Starting his professional career as a process engineer at Xerox and Motorola, David moved to the professional imaging industry in 1993. David has worked as Technical Support Manager, Production Manager, Lean Manufacturing Manager, and IT Director before assuming his present role For more details visit http://www.hhcolorlab.com/
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Interview Preparation Tips: Impress Employers and Win the Job
Congratulations on getting the interview! Only the strongest candidates make it to the interview stage, and that means you have a terrific chance of moving forward with the employer.
Preparing for the interview will improve your chance of success. In fact, studies show that candidates who prepare for interviews have a 41% higher likelihood of getting an offer. Many candidates, however, will walk into their interviews without preparing. Can you guess the most common excuse? They say they just do not have the time. By reading this, you are already a step ahead of that competition.
Here are five quick tips to get you started:
Arrive on time. Make a test run to see how long it will take you to get to the office. Build in a 10-minute cushion to cover any unforeseen delays. Your perfect resume writing skills cannot save you from the consequences of a late arrival.
Research the company. An interviewer will likely ask you what you know about their company, or at the very least ask questions that give you the opportunity to display your knowledge about their business. Be able to articulate why you have a genuine interest in the company and the position.
Dress up. Appearance is another important part of the process. You do not need to have movie star looks, but you and your clothes should be neat and clean. It is better to be more professionally dressed than the interviewer is, so if in doubt lean more towards business rather than casual attire.
Practice answers to common questions. Think about what questions to expect, and practice the answers. Review your resume again so that you are prepared to give detailed descriptions of achievements mentioned on your resume.
Bring your resume. Your resume writing skills opened the door to this interview, and you can continue to use your resume to get the offer. Often interviewers use an email copy of your resume, and stare at the computer screen while asking questions. Offer the interviewer a hard copy so that you can better build rapport.
Before you get to the interview, you have to make it possible with convincing resume writing. To do this, enlist the help of a professional resume writing service.
Preparing for the interview will improve your chance of success. In fact, studies show that candidates who prepare for interviews have a 41% higher likelihood of getting an offer. Many candidates, however, will walk into their interviews without preparing. Can you guess the most common excuse? They say they just do not have the time. By reading this, you are already a step ahead of that competition.
Here are five quick tips to get you started:
Arrive on time. Make a test run to see how long it will take you to get to the office. Build in a 10-minute cushion to cover any unforeseen delays. Your perfect resume writing skills cannot save you from the consequences of a late arrival.
Research the company. An interviewer will likely ask you what you know about their company, or at the very least ask questions that give you the opportunity to display your knowledge about their business. Be able to articulate why you have a genuine interest in the company and the position.
Dress up. Appearance is another important part of the process. You do not need to have movie star looks, but you and your clothes should be neat and clean. It is better to be more professionally dressed than the interviewer is, so if in doubt lean more towards business rather than casual attire.
Practice answers to common questions. Think about what questions to expect, and practice the answers. Review your resume again so that you are prepared to give detailed descriptions of achievements mentioned on your resume.
Bring your resume. Your resume writing skills opened the door to this interview, and you can continue to use your resume to get the offer. Often interviewers use an email copy of your resume, and stare at the computer screen while asking questions. Offer the interviewer a hard copy so that you can better build rapport.
Before you get to the interview, you have to make it possible with convincing resume writing. To do this, enlist the help of a professional resume writing service.
| About The Author You should seek out one of the best Certified Professional Resume Writers you can find. Contact Amy Savage, CPRW at ConvincingResumes.com. You can reach her at Amy@ConvincingResumes.com or (703) 937-7023.
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Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/education/article_1999.shtml
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/education/article_1999.shtml
Spirited Fun For Kids At Horseback Riding Camp
There's no reason for a child to spend their summers home, alone and bored. With the number of different specialty camps available in most communities and nearby, the options are almost unlimited. Equine lovers, for example, tend to delight in the type of fun horseback riding camps deliver.
These camps can be found in just about any community where horses are also at home. The options for horseback riding camps range from overnight venues or even daytime programs for those who live nearby. The extent of offerings at these camps will vary from location to locations, but some generalizations can be made.
Whether a child is flown out to a camp in the Wild West to enjoy intense riding training or they visit a ranch at home, the following activities are generally included in horseback riding camps:
* Basic horse handling. To ride a horse, a child needs to understand the standard tack, how it works and the proper techniques for handling and working with the gentle giants. By the end of most camp sessions, youth fully understand how to prepare a horse for riding and how to take care of the equipment involved.
* Basic riding lessons. Beginners often flourish in these hands-on camps that offer lots of basic instruction through direct riding. Youth typically learn the basic commands, riding postures and more. This is generally done in a fun, but controlled and disciplined, environment.
* Novice, advanced lessons. Youth who know their way around horses can still benefit from these camps. Many offer different levels of training so the more advanced riders don't feel too far ahead of the pack. These lessons might include more complex riding maneuvers, such as jumping, racing and more.
* Basic horse care. Part of taking care of a horse involves work. Kids will notescape this aspect, as it is important for ensuring a steed is well cared for and remains healthy. Lessons here might include such things as grooming, basic animal behavior, basic first aid and even stall cleaning. Make sure the kids understand a few "chores" likely will go along with the deal.
* Teamwork. To truly ride a horse and do it correctly, children will learn the importance of working together with each other and the horses they are assigned to perform tasks and learn the tricks of the trade as far as riding is concerned.
* Other camp fun. While horses are the main attraction, these camps often offer much more than just riding and cleaning out stalls. Other activities often include sports, swimming, arts and crafts, hiking and more. There's no reason to think the entire trip will be spent on the back of a horse or in the barns. Yes, this will be a big part of it, but that's not all, especially at overnight camps where a whole host of fun programs tend to take place after the sun goes down.
Horseback riding camps are ideal locations for children who have a passion for these animals. Teaching them more about proper handling, riding technique and care, these camps can be found from coast to coast.
These camps can be found in just about any community where horses are also at home. The options for horseback riding camps range from overnight venues or even daytime programs for those who live nearby. The extent of offerings at these camps will vary from location to locations, but some generalizations can be made.
Whether a child is flown out to a camp in the Wild West to enjoy intense riding training or they visit a ranch at home, the following activities are generally included in horseback riding camps:
* Basic horse handling. To ride a horse, a child needs to understand the standard tack, how it works and the proper techniques for handling and working with the gentle giants. By the end of most camp sessions, youth fully understand how to prepare a horse for riding and how to take care of the equipment involved.
* Basic riding lessons. Beginners often flourish in these hands-on camps that offer lots of basic instruction through direct riding. Youth typically learn the basic commands, riding postures and more. This is generally done in a fun, but controlled and disciplined, environment.
* Novice, advanced lessons. Youth who know their way around horses can still benefit from these camps. Many offer different levels of training so the more advanced riders don't feel too far ahead of the pack. These lessons might include more complex riding maneuvers, such as jumping, racing and more.
* Basic horse care. Part of taking care of a horse involves work. Kids will notescape this aspect, as it is important for ensuring a steed is well cared for and remains healthy. Lessons here might include such things as grooming, basic animal behavior, basic first aid and even stall cleaning. Make sure the kids understand a few "chores" likely will go along with the deal.
* Teamwork. To truly ride a horse and do it correctly, children will learn the importance of working together with each other and the horses they are assigned to perform tasks and learn the tricks of the trade as far as riding is concerned.
* Other camp fun. While horses are the main attraction, these camps often offer much more than just riding and cleaning out stalls. Other activities often include sports, swimming, arts and crafts, hiking and more. There's no reason to think the entire trip will be spent on the back of a horse or in the barns. Yes, this will be a big part of it, but that's not all, especially at overnight camps where a whole host of fun programs tend to take place after the sun goes down.
Horseback riding camps are ideal locations for children who have a passion for these animals. Teaching them more about proper handling, riding technique and care, these camps can be found from coast to coast.
15 Free, Fun Things to Do with Your Kids This Summer
When our kids are home full time, it's easy to start shelling out too much for matinees and meals out. But you don't have to blow your entertainment budget just because the kids are home with you.
Here are 15 unique ideas for no-cost summer fun the whole family will enjoy.
1. Help your kids create a scavenger hunt for their siblings. The prize at the end can be something simple: a coupon to get out of a chore, for example.
2. Decide on a charitable organization you all want to help as a family. Then make a plan to raise money as a group.
3. Help your ‘tween or teen come up with a new business idea and help them get started. They may want to mow lawns, or maybe they want to create something to sell locally or online.
4. Help your kids plant a vegetable or flower garden.
5. Take advantage of your public library's summer reading program. In addition to weekly story times, many communities have excellent programs, complete with incentives, prizes, and contests, that encourage kids to read. After you visit the library, invite a few neighbor kids over for a read aloud. Everyone has a chance to read a short book to the group. Then serve popsicles.
6. See if there are any websites in your area that catalog free or low cost events: children's plays, concerts, art experiences, or museum tours. Look in the newspaper, visit your chamber of commerce and do an internet search for more activities and events that are specific to your town or city.
7. Find out when the free admission days are for your local zoo, museum, and historical attractions. Mark these free days on your calendar and plan the rest of your summer fun accordingly.
8. Get some neighbor kids together to write, cast, and stage a short play or a series of skits.
9. Help your children start a daily journal. Summertime is great for those little projects there isn't enough time to do during the school year.
10. Bring simple art supplies on a hike. When you reach your destination, everyone sits down on a blanket and draws a wildflower or the view from the top of a hill.
11. Go geocaching.
12. Make a silly video and send it to the grandparents.
13. Volunteer, as a family, with a local organization or cause that is particularly meaningful to you. Maybe you'll clean hiking trails, join or start a recycling initiative, or walk dogs at a local shelter.
14. Ask each member of the family to take a turn teaching everyone else how to do something.
15. Make an obstacle course that goes around your block. This can be as simple as making symbols on the sidewalk with chalk that represent traditional obstacle-course moves: tire runs, jumping on one foot, running backward, and so on.
Here are 15 unique ideas for no-cost summer fun the whole family will enjoy.
1. Help your kids create a scavenger hunt for their siblings. The prize at the end can be something simple: a coupon to get out of a chore, for example.
2. Decide on a charitable organization you all want to help as a family. Then make a plan to raise money as a group.
3. Help your ‘tween or teen come up with a new business idea and help them get started. They may want to mow lawns, or maybe they want to create something to sell locally or online.
4. Help your kids plant a vegetable or flower garden.
5. Take advantage of your public library's summer reading program. In addition to weekly story times, many communities have excellent programs, complete with incentives, prizes, and contests, that encourage kids to read. After you visit the library, invite a few neighbor kids over for a read aloud. Everyone has a chance to read a short book to the group. Then serve popsicles.
6. See if there are any websites in your area that catalog free or low cost events: children's plays, concerts, art experiences, or museum tours. Look in the newspaper, visit your chamber of commerce and do an internet search for more activities and events that are specific to your town or city.
7. Find out when the free admission days are for your local zoo, museum, and historical attractions. Mark these free days on your calendar and plan the rest of your summer fun accordingly.
8. Get some neighbor kids together to write, cast, and stage a short play or a series of skits.
9. Help your children start a daily journal. Summertime is great for those little projects there isn't enough time to do during the school year.
10. Bring simple art supplies on a hike. When you reach your destination, everyone sits down on a blanket and draws a wildflower or the view from the top of a hill.
11. Go geocaching.
12. Make a silly video and send it to the grandparents.
13. Volunteer, as a family, with a local organization or cause that is particularly meaningful to you. Maybe you'll clean hiking trails, join or start a recycling initiative, or walk dogs at a local shelter.
14. Ask each member of the family to take a turn teaching everyone else how to do something.
15. Make an obstacle course that goes around your block. This can be as simple as making symbols on the sidewalk with chalk that represent traditional obstacle-course moves: tire runs, jumping on one foot, running backward, and so on.
Jamie Jefferson - About the Author:
Jamie Jefferson saves her readers money at both Susie Coupon and Which Diet Plan.
Dog Obedience Training - Fun and Games
For the majority of people, the main reason for getting a dog is for companionship and it follows then that you should complete a dog obedience training course and strive to build a really good, fun relationship with your canine companion.
In all the basic obedience dog training courses I instruct I insist the handlers use the "F" word as much as physically possible, right through the whole training course. The word I mean is of course "FUN".
Dog ownership is not all about obedience training the dog. It is also about teaching the dog some fun things to do from a simple paw shake to riding a skate board. You can and should have some fun with your dog.
Using the click and treat system you can teach your dog to do all sorts of interesting little tricks. Every one you teach your dog means you are interacting and creating a bond with the dog.
One of the best things I teach my students is teaching the dog to tug,
simply because it is the start of a whole lot of other things you can do with your dog.
If you teach the dog to tug a piece of rope, you can use this to teach the dog to retrieve. Once he is a retrieving dog, you will be able to use this as an exercise to tire the dog before leaving it alone when you go to work so it does not become a problem barker.
If you can throw the retrieve toy into a river, dam or swimming pool or even into the waves at a safe beach, and have the dog retrieve the toy, you will not need to spend as much time exercising him, and you will end up with a very healthy and fit animal.
There are lots and lots of books available that show you the dozens of fun things you can teach your dog to do. Using the click and treat system will ensure that the dog learns to use his brain and there is nothing nicer than seeing an animal displaying intelligence that you have developed in them.
Teaching your dog to roll over and to shake with the left paw to left hand and right paw to right hand will amuse your friends. Crawling on his tummy or standing up high on his rear legs will build muscles that might not otherwise get enough exercise.
I have seen the "bang" exercise used by an agility competitor whose dog would not lie down on an agility table.
I have taught my own agility dogs to spin left or right on command and use this fun game to both limber them up prior to running a course and to direct them whilst running the agility course.
And once you have him sitting and begging, it is not hard to have him drop his head between his front legs and say his prayers. After saying his prayers it would be nice if he put himself to bed and pulled his blanket over himself.
You can teach a dog to sneeze or talk on command, or ask you for his dinner or sit and wait for the command to tuck in.
Riding a skate board is really quite hard for a dog and riding a surf board even harder, but both can be achieved and can be fun activities for both of you.
All of these tricks however have their roots firmly embedded in the exercises that a good dog obedience training course would supply. So find a local dog club or training group and start building that fun relationship.
In all the basic obedience dog training courses I instruct I insist the handlers use the "F" word as much as physically possible, right through the whole training course. The word I mean is of course "FUN".
Dog ownership is not all about obedience training the dog. It is also about teaching the dog some fun things to do from a simple paw shake to riding a skate board. You can and should have some fun with your dog.
Using the click and treat system you can teach your dog to do all sorts of interesting little tricks. Every one you teach your dog means you are interacting and creating a bond with the dog.
One of the best things I teach my students is teaching the dog to tug,
simply because it is the start of a whole lot of other things you can do with your dog.
If you teach the dog to tug a piece of rope, you can use this to teach the dog to retrieve. Once he is a retrieving dog, you will be able to use this as an exercise to tire the dog before leaving it alone when you go to work so it does not become a problem barker.
If you can throw the retrieve toy into a river, dam or swimming pool or even into the waves at a safe beach, and have the dog retrieve the toy, you will not need to spend as much time exercising him, and you will end up with a very healthy and fit animal.
There are lots and lots of books available that show you the dozens of fun things you can teach your dog to do. Using the click and treat system will ensure that the dog learns to use his brain and there is nothing nicer than seeing an animal displaying intelligence that you have developed in them.
Teaching your dog to roll over and to shake with the left paw to left hand and right paw to right hand will amuse your friends. Crawling on his tummy or standing up high on his rear legs will build muscles that might not otherwise get enough exercise.
I have seen the "bang" exercise used by an agility competitor whose dog would not lie down on an agility table.
I have taught my own agility dogs to spin left or right on command and use this fun game to both limber them up prior to running a course and to direct them whilst running the agility course.
And once you have him sitting and begging, it is not hard to have him drop his head between his front legs and say his prayers. After saying his prayers it would be nice if he put himself to bed and pulled his blanket over himself.
You can teach a dog to sneeze or talk on command, or ask you for his dinner or sit and wait for the command to tuck in.
Riding a skate board is really quite hard for a dog and riding a surf board even harder, but both can be achieved and can be fun activities for both of you.
All of these tricks however have their roots firmly embedded in the exercises that a good dog obedience training course would supply. So find a local dog club or training group and start building that fun relationship.
Nev Allen - About the Author:
Nev Allen is a dog trainer with 30 years of experience and he is now sharing this experience to help you make your puppy a good, happy and well trained obedient dog. Visit my blog for more detailed dog obedience training and clicker training articles.
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