j
Th
ferent colors of paint, and sever-
al brushes. When you get home,
push all her furniture to the mid-
dle of the room and cover it with
an old tarp. Then let her get to
work. She might want to paint
the moon and stars, or rainbows
on the walls, or perhaps abstract
designs. Whatever she produces,
it will be a unique work of art re-
flecting her talents and person-
ality.
* Toddlers and children up to
about age 10 love to run and
jump. If you don't have room in
your home for a trampoline, con-
sider making an obstacle
course/adventure trail around the
house. Line up couch cushions
and have children jump between
them. Take their red wagon out
of storage and invite boys and
girls on a journey around the
house. Place a line of ribbon on
the floor and ask children to walk
straight across.
* No doubt you have relatives
who would love nothing better
than to have an update on your
family, though truth be told you
would rather watch continuous
screenings of Plan 9 From Outer
Space than actually have contact
with Cousin Stuey and Aunt
Babs. Your older children,
though, can participate in a pro-
ject they will both enjoy and that
will provide updates on all your
activities (the ones you want
them to write about, that is). It's
called the family newspaper. All
children who can read and write
interview Mom, Dad, sister and
brother (naturally, this means
"reporters" also will be inter-
viewed). Some questions to get
you started: 'What plans do you
have for the winter?" 'What was
the best thing about Chanukah?"
What projects are you working
on these days?" Then, they can
write up their news and arrange
it into a newspaper. If you've got
a camera handy, let children take
photos, too (otherwise you can
use pictures you already have in
the house). Photocopy the final
version and mail to all your rel-
atives.
* If you have children of vari-
ous ages, here is one activity
that's certain to please them all
(well, infants might not find it too
thrilling, but they can engage in
their favorite activity, sleeping,
while everyone else participates).
It involves a total overhaul of the
house, but costs not a cent. How
many hours, days, years do you
spend looking at the couch in the
same corner, the clock on the
same mantel, the rocking chair
beside the same window. It's time
to make everything new again.
Sit with your children and make
some architectural sketches (each
on his own) of a new way to
arrange the furniture. Short of
putting beds in the kitchen, be
creative. Why not move that
small table in the den to the hall
by the front door? What about
putting David's bed by the win-
dow so he can see the stars at
night? When the drawings are
complete, have everyone vote on
his favorite for each room. Then,
get moving — literally! It would
be fun to make up trophies or
plaques or some other prize for
all the winners, too.
And out of the house...
Some transplants to Michigan
(especially those from states
where it never snows) refuse to
set foot out the door if even a sin-
gle snowflake is in the air. But
unless 50 feet of snow has fallen,
there's no reason to stay confined
in the house all winter long. The
question is, what to do if you've
already built a snowman and an
ice home and gone sledding?
Here are some ideas:
* Twelve Oaks Mall is, quite
simply, the center of the universe
for many parents of small chil-
dren. First, there's "the pit," a
wide, open area in the middle of
the mall where children can run
and play. Stop in on a Sunday
and you'll likely see the "balloon
man," a kindly gentleman who
brings balloons for boys and girls.
Twelve Oaks also is home to the
"Sesame Street" store, with
videos of Burt and Ernie, Oscar
BOREDOM BUSTERS page 20
BERKLEY
3144 W. 12 Mile
(810) 548-5052
Go FOR THE
LET THE FUN BEGIN! OIN OUR CAMP!
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impress
Middlebelt Road
(between Lone Pine & Long Lake Roads)
West Bloomfield 48323
NURSERY AND DAY SCHOOLS •
32500 West Thirteen Mile
(between Orchard Lake & Farmington Roads)
Farmington Hills 48334
5760 Drake Road
(between Walnut Lake & Maple Roads)
West Bloomfield 48322
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