By ARA Content
(ARA) - Summer can be a frustrating time for kids and parents. Although the kids are happy to be out of school for a few months, they need guidance on how to keep busy. Parents get tired of hearing “there’s nothing to do.” And kids get tired of hearing “go out and play.”

One way to avoid the summer doldrums is to come up with projects you and your kids can tackle together. Not only does this encourage spending time together, you can also enlist your kids to help you with home improvements (disguised as fun, of course).

Take advantage of the sunny weather and spend some time outdoors planting a garden. Mom and Dad can plant a vegetable garden, but the kids can plant a butterfly garden, or a forest of sunflowers that will tower over them by summer’s end. Many seed catalogs sell kits for planting an enchanted playhouse. Sow the seeds provided according to the plan that comes with them, and they grow into a fantasyland where kids can spend hours playing make believe.

You can also enlist the help of your kids to refinish the swing set. Wooden swing sets need to be stained at least every few years to keep them looking good. What better place for your kids to test their painting skills? And if a little paint gets splattered or spilled, it will land in the grass or the sand, not on your carpet.

When the weather doesn’t cooperate, you can turn to indoor projects. Summer is a great time to work on redecorating you child’s bedroom. Be sure to let the kids have a say in the theme and colors that you choose. Wall murals are a good choice for kids’ rooms. They are colorful and easy to clean. Minnesota based EGI Products offers a wide range of wall murals that are simple to install. “Our Dolphin’s Paradise mural is especially popular with kids,” says president Todd Imholte. In this 8-foot by 13-foot mural, playful dolphins dance across beams of light on a coral reef. “This is the perfect centerpiece for an ocean-themed room,” says Imholte.

Another good indoor activity is making funny food. This pastime keeps kids busy and they get to eat the results of their labors. One popular, easy-to-make creation is dirt cups. Kids spoon store-bought or homemade pudding into a cup or small dish, add crushed Oreos or other chocolate cookies to the top and insert a few gummy worm candy pieces to complete the illusion. It may not sound appetizing to you, but the kids will love it.

Summer is a time to make memories with you children. These and other projects will get you off to a good start.

For more information on EGI wall murals, visit www.primoproducts.com or look for them at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Sherwin Williams, and in select catalogs. They retail for around $100 each.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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