Fish Fun

Don’t let Mother Nature put a damper on your summer fishing adventures.  If your big day has to be put on hold because of bad weather, have some fish-themed fun indoors. Children looking forward to reeling in the “big one” can practice their dexterity skills by making the following colorful underwater creatures: Fish Shapes:  Cut various shapes (e.g. rectangles, squares, circles, triangles, diamonds, hearts, etc.) from colored construction paper, and then let kids use the shapes to construct their own fish.  When they’ve put the final touches on their fish, have the kids glue the pieces in place and adhere … Continue reading

Simple Spring Fun Projects for the Kids

Now that we have sprung ahead an hour, I’m hoping Mother Nature will get the hint and adjust the weather accordingly.  We’re still buried under several feet of snow and the high temperatures are frozen in the 20s. If the weather outside is frightening in your neck of the woods too, then make the most of your indoor time by springing into spring with these simple, affordable and kid-friendly seasonal projects: Candy Lei:  You don’t have to travel to Hawaii to enjoy the beauty and fun of wearing colorful lei.  The eye-popping garland, traditionally worn around the neck, can be … Continue reading

Lakeside Fun

There is nothing more picturesque than spending the day at a lake. In my hometown we happen to have a lake right in the middle of the city. The lake is less than a mile from the bustle of downtown and it provides a place of reprieve for all. The city has done a great job making this spot inviting. There is a biking/walking trail that goes around the lake which also extends through the whole city. There are sailboats, canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, and bicycles available for rent as well as food for sale. There are docks for fishing, … Continue reading

Summer Birthday Fun

My birthday is at the end of August. Growing up I always considered it a curse to have a summer birthday. For many years I didn’t have a party with friends because they were either out of town on vacation or they were too busy getting ready to head back to school. Some twenty-plus years later, I’ve learned that having a summer birthday doesn’t have to be a bummer. Rather, there are plenty of ways you can infuse fun into an outdoor bash that makes the most of the season’s beautiful weather: Cupcake War: This year, my daughter is insisting … Continue reading

Fun in the Sun

Its spring and toddlers are out in the yard again. It is the time for sand boxes, plastic lawn mowers that resemble those their parents use and all kinds of fun activities in the sun. The sun, however, poses a major threat to toddlers. Even on cool or overcast days when the sun isn’t shining bright or heating everything to feel warm to the touch, it can still cause sunburn to the sensitive skin of toddlers. It is very important to use sunscreen. Don’t forget to reapply according to the instructions on the bottle. It does wear off and your … Continue reading

Fishing Methods that Harm

We all know that fish is good for our diets – excellent actually – but you may be torn between wanting to improve your health and wanting to be eco-friendly. Some of the practices used by fisherman are harmful not only to the environment, but innocent sea life as well. Here in coastal North Carolina, there has been a lot of controversy over fishermen who use the gillnetting method. Gillnetting is the practice of putting a curtain of netting in the water to catch fish. The netting is supposed to be large enough to let the fish’s head pass through, … Continue reading

Fun Outdoor Activities for Families

Good news for cash-strapped families: You don’t need to put the brakes on your summer road trip because you’re pinching pennies. Dozens of cities across the country are offering free family fun in the sun this summer. Take a look at these outdoor adventures that won’t cost you a penny to partake in: VIRGINIA Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is best known for its wild pony round-ups that take place each July. However, the 14,000-acre park also features dozens of other free activities, including bird watching, kayaking, and fishing. The refuge is filled with dunes, marshes and maritime forests. You can … Continue reading

Affordable Memorial Day Fun

There’s no need to drain your family’s bank account to pay for an ultra-luxe Memorial Day weekend getaway when there are dozens of affordable options available. Big fun doesn’t necessarily have to put a big dent in your wallet. Take a look at these kid-friendly activities that are ideal for the long holiday weekend: *Visit a local museum or arts center, some may be offering holiday discounts. *Many local malls, craft and garden stores will be sponsoring free demonstrations or workshops during the holiday weekend. *Check out local bookstores and coffee shops, which often hold author readings or feature live … Continue reading

Memorial Day Family Fun

For most families the Memorial Day holiday weekend provides a taste of summer fun. Unfortunately, most schools don’t break for summer vacation until June, so the long weekend is typically reserved for abbreviated, wallet-friendly family activities. If you are looking for affordable Memorial Day getaways, consider the following kid-friendly picks: PENNSYLVANIA Seven Springs Mountain Resort, located in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania, kicks off its summer season this weekend with a slew of family-friendly events. The resort is sponsoring live entertainment all day and well into the night. In addition to the concerts, the resort is offering climbing wall races, fishing demonstrations, … Continue reading

5 Fun Things About This Writer

No matter how serious we can be in life, there has to be some time for fun. You’ve heard the old saying “All work and no play….”, well it’s true. In life it is important to remember that laughing and spending time with those we love should rank high in our priorities in life, even if other priorities require us to be more on the serious side. In honor of that theory, I’d like to take a moment and say hello here in the Fun Blog. Most of you probably know me from several other blogs, namely the Scrapbooking Blog … Continue reading