Summer Fun For Kids - 5 Skills You Can Learn Together

If you are looking for fun things to do with your kids this summer, why not teach them a new skill? Here is a list of skills that we have learned together that have been fun for all of us.

1. Learn how to play the guitar: We started with a cheap electric guitar because we loved playing Rock Bank so much. We learned that playing a real guitar is nothing like Rock Band, but just as fun. We grabbed some beginner guitar books at our local music store, learned the basic notes and how to tune our guitar. Everyone loved it so much that we decided to purchase a nicer acoustic guitar because all of us wanted to play at the same time. The kids actually like the electric guitar better because it is easier to hold and easier to play. Now all we needed was practice and consistency. We are still playing and getting better everyday.
2. Learn how to play chess: My husband taught us all how to play this fun game of strategy. We knew it would be a lifetime thing that we would never grow tired of. First, we needed to learn the rules, strategies, and maneuvers. Then, we found a used chess table that we set up permanently in the living room. It is amazing how often the kids sit down and play. My kids always ask me, usually when working on homework, when it is that a person uses math in real life, anyway? I tell them that chess players are ranked up there with the worlds rocket scientists, because the game itself involves math, strategy, and some serious thinking. See, math IS fun! Chess is a good example of that. Now, go learn how to play! In doing research, I learned that chess is so good for us. It develops our memory, improves concentration, teaches us to look both ways before crossing the street, develops logical thinking, promotes creativity, imagination, and much more. The best part for us is that it is fun. It is better than other board games because it is never the same, and most importantly, it never gets boring.
3. Learn how to roller skate: We actually took some classes at our local roller rink when the children were around 6 years old. They have loved roller skating ever since. Since we like 50's music, hula-hooping, and bubblegum at our house, this skill was the perfect fit for us. Try it and you might like it!
4. Do some gardening: The first thing the children learned how to do was to plant sun-flowers. This was an easy starter project and the results were fantastic! We have moved on to other kinds of flowers and a vegetable garden, as well. For us, gardening has captured the kids' interest and has taught them nurturing skills. They definitely get an introduction to healthy foods, and of course a wonderful sense of accomplishment.
5. Do a little sewing: After teaching myself to knit, I taught my kids. Now, we enjoy knitting together on cold nights in front of the fireplace, especially. We have worked on easy cross-stitch projects as well as crafts. My mom even taught us how to make a rag doll out of an old sock! We enjoy quilting, too. Each of my daughters has been working on a baby quilt for their hope chest.

Find just the right skill for you and your family to enjoy this summer! Then, see how great it is to have the television and the video games turned off and the creativity and imagination turned on!

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Have Fun With Free Online Fun Games

People seek entertainment in many ways; however, some of these methods are very expensive. It has therefore become everybody's concern to find better sources of entertainment. This is important because there are so many financial hardships and people cannot afford to spend their hard-earned money on entertainment only. The good thing is that you can now have fun without spending any money. This can be achieved by playing the numerous free fun games that are available online. All you need to have is a functioning personal computer. What's more, they come in a variety of types from which you can choose the ones that best suite your gaming requirements. However, due to increase in the number of these online pastime sports, you will have to have prior knowledge of each of them so that you can be able to choose the ones that are more interesting and funny.

Types Of Online Fun Games

As the online community continues to grow, games that are more complicated also continue to emerge. This is advantageous on one hand and problematic on the other. This is because, as much as having a variety of exciting options to choose from feels great, understanding how to play each of them can be quiet daunting. It is therefore important for you to take your time to learn about the various gaming sessions available online so that when you are choosing the ones to play, you can make an informed choice. This passage seeks to provide you with several types of online fun games that you can participate in whenever you are looking for entertainment. The good thing with playing online is that it is convenient and comes in a wide variety. It goes without saying that it also helps you to save money that you could have otherwise spent purchasing the materials need to play such as tables, pieces, and the like.

The following are some of the common types of online fun games:

* Emperor Revenge: This involves defending the emperor title. You are supposed to take on all the guards and enemies. It is a fun-filled shooter game that every online player should consider having on his or her PCs. By playing it regularly, you will be able to greatly improve your shooting skills. It is also ideal for kids because it brings closer the shooting experience that they normally get from the action movies.

* Kingdom rush: This is also a defense game. Players are required to do everything they can to ensure that the tower is not destroyed by the evil wizards, orcs, and other trolls.

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Fun Games

Galaxy Jumper - This psychedelic gem puts you in the anti-gravitational shoes of a space-faring traveler who must avoid asteroids, devious aliens and the scorching heat of a thousand suns in order to make his way across the galaxy. Galaxy Jumper's retro art-style and delightfully chill soundtrack are absolutely magnetic, immediately sucking you into this unique puzzle game that requires that you bounce around all manner of planet, satellite, asteroid and even stars themselves collecting coins and keys that unlock your way to the next sector.

The various stellar puzzles range from the painfully obvious to the mind-bendingly complex, making the overall experience of 'Galaxy Jumper' exemplary of how far Flash games have come and what heights they can achieve.

Zombies Took My Daughter - There have been a glut of zombie-related Flash games over the past several years but few have attained the sort of console-level quality as 'Zombies Took My Daughter'. Blending arcade-style action with exploration and even a degree of stealth, 'Zombies' is like a 2D 'Resident Evil' with a creepy, morose soundtrack to match.

Story-wise, 'Zombies' doesn't really reach the level of the Capcom classic, but why zombies took your daughter and didn't just eat her isn't really why you are playing this game in the first place, is it?. No, it's the impressive arsenal you are able to acquire with which to dispense justice upon the undead that keeps you coming back - everything from shotguns and katanas to umbrellas and teddy bears are at your disposal. The game also allows you to traverse the different sections of the city, which are randomly generated each time you play, via a subway system and helps to introduce you to AI characters that will aid you at various points throughout.

Simple enough for casual gamers but with enough detail to draw in the hardcore, 'Zombies Took My Daughter' is one of the more compelling Flash titles to come about in recent memory.

Inferno - As the adorable (and lifesaving!) Firebot, you must race against the clock as a raging inferno threatens to consume each of 'Inferno's 20-plus nail-biting levels. With a limited supply of water in your tanks, Firebot must use speed and precision to put out each spreading blaze while collecting coins that will enable him to unlock more firefighting powers along the way. Many of Inferno's areas are several levels high with no obvious way to reach the area above but luckily Firebot's high-pressure hose can also be used as a jet-pack a la 'Super Mario Sunsine'.

This will use up precious H2O however so you must also be mindful of the reserve tanks spread throughout the game. But be careful because the fire is spreading quick and refilling your water tanks eats up time on the clock! With timeless design drawing from classic platformers of yore and eye-catching visuals that will have you glued to the monitor, 'Inferno' is sure to keep you glued to your screen for some time to come.

To play these games online just go to Fun Games for kids and adults to get to oomboom.com.

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Shades of Fun and Play: Fun Games for Kids While Under the Beach Umbrella

Sunlight contains Vit. D, a nutrient that aids in the absorption of calcium in the body which is essential for building strong bones and teeth and normal skeletal bone formation. But there is such thing as too much sun, especially when it comes to young children. As a rule, do not allow a child to undergo sun exposure between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. On a beach, make sure the child has enough shade, such as an umbrella or a shed. If he falls asleep on a chair or stroller, make sure he is sufficiently covered. But as the child grows and changes his napping schedule, time spent in the shade can be translated to hours of fun.

A castle for a little king (or queen)
Little boys and girls will have their own kingdom to rule with castles especially built for their size. Sand castles allow lots of physical and imaginative play - digging holes, building tunnels, constructing a fortress. Give them the right tools for the job - sifts, shovels, buckets and moulds and then let their imagination take over with endless choices of raw materials - sand, seashells, algae, wood, stones, twigs and leaves.

Mostly mosaic
Another wonderful game for kids is mosaic construction. Mosaics allow the use of free-forming shapes. By putting them together, kids learn to compose and create. Use round, rectangular, oval, irregular and every silly shape you can find and have the kids create something based on a theme. Let kids create a fish shape, a flower or a boat using rocks and found objects on the sand. Go horizontal or let the kids build a standing sculpture for parents and beachgoers to enjoy. Look for small, smooth rocks to ensure that tiny hands are not grazed and choose them in several colors. If there are shells around, let the children use those too. Or better yet, go on a beachcombing adventure first and let the child use whatever materials he can find.

Gimme shelter
Need more shade? Let the children help build one. But not just any shade - make sure it is something that comes out of the child's fantastical mind. Does he want to become an astronaut? Build a spaceship. Does he like a little adventure outdoors? Build a tepee. Gather a few beach towels, a few wooden or plastic pegs and some trusty shovels for digging in the sand. Some strings will also come in handy for tying the towels together. If there is need for some technical help, let daddy or mommy take charge; otherwise, it's the child's call.

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Build Your Team With Fun Games

Team building is an important factor to efficient productivity. If the team does not work together, nothing else will. Teams are formed when they share common experiences. Hence, to address this issue you can try the age- old method of breaking ice, team- building games.

Themes activities

Base the team building activities on a particular theme. Some exciting themes are described below:

Problem solving and leadership

Treasure hunts, games such as mine- field, toxic waste can be highly engaging, involving inputs from everyone in the team and help identify the leader among them. Themed games are good way for the team to identify its pros and cons. Each person realizes his good and weak points and when back to work, he or she can improve upon it.

Themed games are real life SWOT analysis (strength, weakness, opportunity and threat).

Totally outdoor and physical

Team games such as football, hockey, kayaking, cricket, etc. bring the group together. Another way to build a team is going military style. A day at the military obstacle course is going to unite everybody. Achievement in physical form is the most gratifying and the most self less. Hence, when a team is involved in physical activity, they will form a strong team.

Puzzles and trust building games

Indoor games like jigsaw puzzle and 10-pin bowling, guessing games are great way to get the team going into a communicative mode to come up with answers.

On the other hand, a team is built on trust. Trust is probably the hardest thing to develop. So, games and activities which involve each team member depending on the other to be guided is a great way to develop trust among them.

This will help them to realize that every person needs the other to succeed, both professionally and otherwise.

Cooking classes

Sounds weird, but cooking classes are a great way to team building. The teams are in a common learning experience, like a day back in their school days. This evokes the kid in them and they get all chatty and the ice is broken! This is a great way for people to look differently at food and the making.

Workshops

Workshops are not exactly team building, but more of self- analysis and self discovery. However, this is essential for each team member. These results must be discussed with others so that the team as a whole now understands what they are capable of and what not.

Teams are formed based on trust and common experiences. That is the very basis of team building activities. They also give a glimpse of the strengths and weaknesses of the team. The process is also a kind of self- discovery. Such activities are must on every company and firm.

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