ParentDish

P'kolino Little One's Art Easel

Lesley Kennedy — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Toys, Gadgets, Activities: Big Kids

The P'kolino Little One's Art Easel is two-sided for double the fun. Credit: pkolino.com

Want to foster your kids' love of art, but get tired of picking up loose pieces of paper and broken crayons off the floor all the time? Set them up with an art easel!

This new double-sided easel from P'kolino allows two children to create at the same time. One side has a chalkboard, the other a whiteboard. Just add a paper roll when the lil' ones feel inspired to make their drawings more permanent.

P'kolino Little One's Art Easel is available Aug. 15, but can be preordered now, $80, at pkolino.com.

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How to Play Quidditch

Lesley Kennedy — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activities: Big Kids, Activities: Tweens, Summer Fun

Just because "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," the final movie in the Harry Potter series, has already been released, doesn't mean you can't still have a little magical fun inspired by the boy wizard on your own.

Round up your pals, head to a park or big open space and set up your own game of Quidditch. You'll need 15 players, plus a referee, hula hoops, a bunch of brooms, balls and other gear -- but this game is strictly for Muggles -- the brooms don't have to fly and the balls don't need to be magical.

Costumes are optional, but if you're gonna set up the game and round up the players, we say go big. Harry would definitely approve. Here's how to play.

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How to Make the Best of Summer 'Down Time'

Jessica Samakow — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activities: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Activities: Big Kids, Activities: Tweens, Summer Fun

Sometimes, we get so caught up in planning summer activities that we forget about the simple ways to have fun in the sun. Whatever happened to just relaxing by the pool? So, in between vacation and summer camp, here a few ways to enjoy your summer "down time":

1. Go swimming! But don't forget to remind your kids to drink water while out at the pool -- it's easy to get dehydrated in the summer heat.

2. Plant a vegetable garden. Make sure to water your plants regularly.

3. Go for a run, conduct a relay race, be active. Staying active boosts vitamin D and improves sleep and your mood.

4. Read a masterpiece. Pick up that book you've always meant to read. Encourage your kids to read your favorite childhood classic, too.

5. Go camping in your own back yard. Hold a contest to see who can catch the most fireflies.

6. Star gaze. Use a star chart to find constellations.

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Creative Summer Games: How Kids Can Entertain Themselves

Jessica Samakow — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activities: Big Kids, Activities: Tweens

Most kids count down the days until summer vacation in anticipation of three months of carefree fun. But it doesn't take long for parents to realize there are only so many hours of the day they can spend at the pool. You see, summer also is a time when boredom can take over.

Dr. Michelle Borba, author of "The Big Book of Parenting Solutions" lends some tips to help kids learn how to entertain themselves and keep them from whining about having nothing to do. And, as she says, it's equally important to keep learning in tact so their brains don't turn to mush.

Here are some ideas:

Create a summer activity box. Brainstorm activities that kids can do on their own: Build a fort, read a book, go on a nature walk. Write each idea on a slip and drop it in the box. Point to the box at the onset of boredom.
Start a journal. Kids can write, sketch and doodle; it's a great way to track summer memories.
Buy fun, educational gadgets. The MobiGo is perfect for younger kids.

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Where's Waldo Website

Lesley Kennedy — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kids' Games, Activities: Big Kids

Where's Waldo has a website. Credit: whereswaldo.com

Remember the "Where's Waldo" books, where you had to spot the bespectacled fellow amid a busy, colorful scene?

Well, the red and white-capped dude is back, this time with a website of his own, and we think your kids (and you, too) will be spending some serious time with good ol' Waldo.

At whereswaldo.com, you'll find fun activities (like trying to spot him in a series of scenes, complete with a checklist of other items, as well) and you can even "Waldo-fy" yourself, by uploading a photo that gets turned into a postcard kids can share with family and friends.

Register, for free, at whereswaldo.com. Happy hunting!

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July 4th Crafts for Kids: Tie-Dye T-Shirts and Pinwheels

the editors at ParentDish — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Holidays, Fashion, Activities: Big Kids

A little red, white and blue style, and you're all set for a festive July 4. Credit: Gina Provenzano

Make Independence Day festivities even more of a blast with DIY patriotic paper pinwheels and tie-dye T-shirts.

Summer celebrations call for outdoor activities and star-spangled gear. Psychedelic tie-dye T-shirts are easy to make, and they're impossible to mess up. Kids will take pride in their work, no matter how they come out, and then they get to model their finished fashions for your July 4th celebration.

While they're at it, why not embellish the table as well as the tots? Twirling stars-and-stripes pinwheels add sizzle as a centerpiece when stuck in a bucket of sand. They also make a great garden decoration.

Here's how to make both projects:

Kids will love wearing tie-dye T-shirts they make themselves. Credit: Gina Provenzano

Tie-Dye T-Shirts

What You'll Need:
o. White cotton T-shirts, tanks or other tops
o. Large plastic trash bag
o. Rubber gloves
o. Rubber bands
o. Bucket of water
o. Paper towels
o. Fabric dye, red and blue in applicator bottles (check out Tulip's single bottle applicators)
o. Measuring cup filled with water
o. Large plastic bags or plastic wrap

What to Do:
1. Prepare working surface by laying the garbage bag on a flat surface. Assemble all the needed materials.

2. Wet shirts in bucket of water, then ring out so the shirts are still damp, but not dripping.

3. For spiral design: Pinch shirt at center and turn as you keep pinching. Fabric will wrap around itself to look like a small disk. Adults can help to gather ends and secure with rubber bands. Place a band around the outer part of the disk to hold it in place. Then place two or three bands around it to look like a pie.

For stripes design: Vertically fold the shirt, accordion-style with about 1-inch folds. Then roll the folded shirt from bottom to top. Secure with bands around outside edge, then two more bands around the roll like a pie.

For heart design: Fold shirt in half vertically with the front face out. Use a light pen to draw half a heart shape along edge. Gather the fabric with fingers along the drawn line. Place a rubber band on the line and double over several times to be tight. Add additional bands like rings along the rest of the shirt. Now you are ready for dying.

4. Put on gloves. An adult should open applicator bottles and pour water a little at a time to fill. Shake well. Tip: Be careful, the dye bubbles up like soda as it reacts.

5. Squirt colors in desired areas. Squirt into the folds and gathers and also along the banded lines. Make sure not to overlap colors too much, or result will be muddy. Saturate the dye, leaving some white space, but don't saturate to the point of dripping.

6. Place dyed shirt into a plastic bag, or roll in plastic wrap and let sit for six to eight hours.

7. Put gloves on again, and remove shirt from plastic. Cut off or remove the rubber bands. Rinse shirt in bucket of water and hang dry.

8. Note: Shirts should be laundered separately in cold water for the first couple of washes.

Patriotic Paper Pin-Wheels

What You'll Need:
o. Small 1/4-inch dowel, cut to about 12 to 16 inches in length OR heavy cardboard, cut to same length by 3/4 inch wide
o. Thin nail with a flat head, about 1 1/2 inches long
o. Hammer
o. Block of wood for protecting surface
o. Small beads
o. Pencil
o. Scissors
o. Ruler
o. Double-sided scrapbooking paper in red, white and blue patterns

What to Do:
1. Measure and mark a 7-inch square on paper. Cut out square.

2. Use ruler to draw diagonal lines from corner to corner to form an "X" on paper. Measure and mark a point 3/4-inch from center of "X" along each line.

3. Cut along diagonal line stopping at marked point.

4. Fold one corner into center and hold with finger. Repeat for each of the four corners. Secure by poking the nail with one bead threaded on it, through all layers at the center point. Use the wood underneath to protect the surface. Twirl nail to widen hole.

5. Thread two more beads onto the nail behind the pinwheel.

6. With adult supervision, gently hammer nail into the dowel, about 1/2-inch from end. Leave some room between washers and dowel to spin freely.

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How to Limit What Kids Watch on TV

the editors at Common Sense Media — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Media, Gadgets, Movies, Video Games, Activities: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Activities: Big Kids, Activities: Tweens, Activities: Teens

Limit the amount of time your child spends in front of screen with the help of these tips! Credit: Getty Images

Between the computer, the TV, the DS, and the Wii, a lot of screens are vying for your kids' attention. Parents try lots of different things to limit screen time -- everything from outright bans to "only on weekends" to setting a timer. Being The Enforcer of Screen Time Limits may solve your "right now" goal of getting kids to turn off. But raising kids with an understanding of healthy screen limits and the ability to self-regulate takes a little more work.

Like everything in parenting, media management is a process -- one that requires balancing your long-range goals with the daily reality of the various devices in your kids' lives. Here's an age-by-age media-management plan with some practical tips to try along the way.

Preschool age. Creating consistent, healthy media habits starting when kids are just beginning to be exposed to screens is essential. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises no more than 1 to 2 hours per day of total screen time for children older than 2 (and zero screen time for children under 2). Use that as a maximum amount and work down from there to find the amount that feels appropriate in your family, factoring in all the things required for healthy preschool brain, body, and social development.

Provide distractions. Diversions work well for this age group -- and preschoolers love to help out. At dinner time, instead of busying them with the TV while you cook, ask them to sort all your pots and pans from biggest to smallest.

Practice togetherness. What kids this age need is a close, loving relationship with an active, involved caregiver. It's actually OK to do nothing but count dust bunnies, as long as you're together.

Do activities. Find a book of rainy-day activities that use household objects for easy little projects you can set up (and clean up!) easily.

Elementary and Middle school. At this age, friends take on a much more significant role in kids' lives. Kids also begin to develop their own interests -- some of which they might want to research on the computer. Explaining the reasons why you're choosing to limit screen time will help your kid begin to understand the consequences of their choices. Help them understand that spending excessive amounts of time in front of a screen impacts their ability to develop a rich and full life -- and takes precious, non-retrievable time away from all the things they need to do (like eat, sleep, do homework, read, and play sports).

Delegate chores. Working parents can feel guilty asking kids to do chores, but it's actually really good for them -- and it helps you, too. Just remember to keep them manageable.

Schedule play dates. If kids are going to use the computer or game console, invite a friend (or two) and make it social. That removes the isolating aspect of gaming, which can lead to game addiction, loss of empathy, and social withdrawal.

Grant privileges. Use screen time as a goal that kids have to work for.

Encourage creativity. If kids start exploring digital arts, encourage some of the off-line aspects, like drawing, sketching scenes, writing, costume design, etc.

High school. Teenagers still haven't developed the judgment to always make great decisions, but they're smart enough to understand the influences of risky practices. For high schoolers, you'll have more success if you explain the reasons why too much screen time is harmful. For example, too much exposure to violent video games raises aggression and lowers empathy. Your kids may actually be able to see evidence of this in their peers who spend too much time playing games.

Don't give up. Continue to require household participation like chores, and maybe up the ante by asking teens to make dinner once a week and do their own laundry.

Make quality choices. You still have a say in what they see, hear, and play. Put in your two cents about the importance of quality media.

Keep up grades. Pull back on screen time if grades are slipping.

Every family will have different amounts of time that they think is "enough." What's important is giving it some thought, creating age-appropriate limits (with built-in flexibility for special circumstances), making media choices you're comfortable with, and modeling responsible screen limits for your kids.

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Get Your Child Offline and Outdoors

Tom Henderson — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activities: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Activities: Big Kids, Expert Advice: Big Kids, Activities: Tweens, Expert Advice: Tweens, Expert Advice: Teens, Summer Fun

Summer offers a great time to enjoy your children -- unplugged. Credit: Getty Images

The average American kid practically lives plugged in.

That's not an exaggeration, either. A report by the Kaiser Family Foundation estimates kids ages 8 to 18 spend an average of seven and a half hours a day with cells phones, computers, televisions and other electronic devices.

That means the only things keeping kids away from electronic devices are eating, sleeping and school. And, during the summer months, of course, you can generally remove school from the equation.

So, does that mean we are bequeathing our planet to a race of junior cyborgs who can only appreciate a bird if it's electronic, angry and part of a computer game?

There are ways get kids offline and plugged back into the real world. Dr. Amy Wickstrom, a family therapist, blogger and mother of two, tells ParentDish it sometimes is a matter of if you can't beat them, join them.

"So many kids are becoming eReaders, parents can take their kids to the local library to pick out a book and read it together there," Wickstrom says. "Many libraries have special rooms just for children that are filled with toys and sometimes a stage with props for story time."

Wickstrom tells ParentDish this helps engage children their imaginations, spend quality time with a parent and develop their reading skills. And, there is another purpose in this age when kids are turning their backs to ink on paper to gaze relentlessly at screens.

"It also keeps them accustomed to old fashioned books instead of eBooks," Wickstrom says.

Wickstrom, who has been a contributor to Working Mother, OC Family and more, tells ParentDish it's important to get kids engaged in the real world.

And what do you know? There's an app for that.

The website Kidoff.com offers free software to boot your kid off the computer and say enough is enough. You want your kid to shut "Grand Theft Auto XI: I Kill Your Grandmother" off (don't get excited, kids. It's just a hypothetical game)?

You tell your kid one more minute, but before you know it, hours have gone by. The streets are running red with the blood of virtual grannies. You start yelling. Your kid starts yelling. Everyone is in a bad mood. Ah, but there's this software.

It lets your kids go ahead with their game, but from time to time, you can "talk" to your child's computer from another computer in the house. The kids don't even know. You can see how long they've been using the computer and send warnings to their screen.

And, when their time is up, it evens sends out an audible alarm. "Danger! Danger, Will Robinson!" (Well, maybe not that message.) You can make the computer shut down.

Such power. Feel free to laugh fiendishly.

But what do you do with your kids once you get them offline and outdoors? For that information, turn to the National Wildlife Federation and its "Be Out There" campaign. The effort urges parents to give their children a "green hour" each day.

The means one hour every day outdoors engaged in unstructured play.

One possibility is camping. You don't have to go to Yellowstone, either. You can camp out in your own backyard. The website for the Great American Backyard Campout offers some suggestions.

You've probably already heard of geocaching, where participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers called "geocaches" or "caches."

Believe it or not, people used to do this sort of thing well before the invention of GPS systems and all the contrapulatronic gizmos of the 21st century. It was called letterboxing. You simply hide an object and challenge others to find it by the use of clues.

Think of it like solving math problems -- without a calculator.

National Wildlife Federation leaders say this is a great way to have fun with kids outdoors, get some exercise and work on skills such as problem solving, map reading and math. They also suggest kids making a nature map of their neighborhood to learn how to define their own special natural places.

Donald Roberts, a Stanford communications professor emeritus and one of the authors of the Kaiser Family Foundation study, tells The New York Times it's important for parents to be more aware of how technology is sucking children away from the real world.

"Parents never knew as much as they thought they did about what their kids are doing," he says. "But now we've created a world where they're removed from us that much more."

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Top 10 Social Sites for Kids

the editors at Common Sense Media — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Media, Activities: Big Kids, Activities: Tweens

Believe it or not, Facebook and Twitter aren't the only cool social networking sites on the Web. But before you register for any of these sites, be sure to read our Social Networking Tips and share them with your kid, so the whole family is on the same page about safe and responsible social networking behavior.

Credit: amazon.com

ScuttlePad (2010): Social network with training wheels is safe, but limited. Ages 7+

Credit: amazon.com

Togetherville (2010): Kids' social site connects to parents' Facebook friends. Ages 7+

Credit: amazon.com

My Secret Circle (2009): Invitation-only social network limited to real-life friends. Ages 8+

Credit: amazon.com

Yoursphere (2009): Kid-only social network promises to block dangerous adults. Ages 9+

Credit: amazon.com

GiantHello (2010): Facebook-lite gets a lot right, but watch out for games. Ages 10+

Credit: amazon.com

Sweety High (2010): Fun, closed social network for girls is strong on privacy. Ages 11+

Credit: amazon.com

Imbee (2011): Safer social networking if parents stay involved. Ages 12+

Credit: amazon.com

Glogster (2009): Creative social site tainted by some bad apples. Ages 13+

Credit: amazon.com

Posterous (2009): Privacy settings and ease of use make blogging site a hit. Ages 13+

Credit: amazon.com

YourCause (2009): An easy, fun, socially networked way to fundraise. Ages 13+

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Should Cell Phones Go to Camp?

the editors at Common Sense Media — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Activities: Big Kids

Most camps have policies. Credit: Sigrid Olson, Getty Images

Q. My 11-year-old is going to sleep-away camp, and I'm torn about letting her take her cell phone. What should I do?

A. Most camps have policies, so check those first. Sometimes camps prohibit them because they make kids more homesick if they call mom and dad every time they feel lonely.

Beyond that, part of what makes camp a special experience is the bonding that goes on among campers when they're cut off from the outside world. When your daughter can't text her friends from home, she's more likely to make lasting friendships with her bunkmates.

Plus, this is a great opportunity for her to safely develop some independence. Which actually cuts both ways: Thanks to cell phones, we're so used to being able to connect to our kids immediately that we don't often get the chance to stand back and let them deal with situations on their own. And if you're worrying about it for safety's sake, remember that you chose the camp because it was fun and responsible. Let your daughter do her thing.

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How to Play: Siamese Gift Wrap

Sally Worsham — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kids' Games, Activities: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Activities: Big Kids, Activities: Tweens, Activities: Family Time

Wrap it up! Credit: mattbuck4950, Flickr

What you need: Wrapping paper, tape, scissors, bows and presents or empty boxes.

How to play: Pair up players, and let them know that they will be competing against each other, two pairs at a time, wrapping gifts.

The rules: What they don't know is that they are wrapping the gift with only one hand per person. Have each player stand beside his or her partner, and place each player's inside arm around the waist of his or her partner. Each pair must work together to wrap their gift. The object is to see which Siamese team can wrap the present the best in the allotted time (five minutes or less).

How to win: The pair with the best-wrapped present wins.

Related: More Kids Games

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How to Help Summer Learning Go On

the editors at Common Sense Media — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Education: Big Kids, Activities: Big Kids, Education: Tweens, Activities: Tweens, Education: Teens, Activities: Teens

Click here for a sneak peek of one of our favorite documentaries, "Spellbound."

Carefully chosen books, movies and games can get your kids learning. Credit: Getty Images

How do you prevent kids' brains from turning to mush over the summer? Well-chosen books, movies, games, websites, apps and TV shows that slip in some lessons along with the entertainment.

Here's what our editors love for summer learning.

TO WATCH

On TV

Best Educational TV Shows
Shhh! Don't tell them it's educational -- just let them learn while they watch.

"The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That"
Everyone's favorite feline makes natural science fun for kids.

"Word Girl"
Fighting the bad guys with a silver-tongue -- now that's smart!

On DVD

Best Documentaries
Few stories are as affecting and inspirational as the true ones that take place in the world every day.

"Under the Sea 3D"
Next time they go to the beach, your kids will certainly have lots to say about what's below the surface of the ocean.

"Young Mr. Lincoln"
Rather than a bloated, boring biopic, this is a thoroughly engaging glimpse into the iconic president's early years.

TO READ

Best Educational Books
During the summer, kids can take their time exploring subjects like math, science and history at their own pace.

"Of Thee I Sing"
A diverse selection of American heroes profiled by Barack Obama offers kids a wide range of inspirational stories.

"Goddess Girls: Athena the Wise"
Let your kids disappear in Ancient Greece with this updated version of the Greek myth.

TO PLAY

Free Educational Games
From word problems to weather to world hunger, these free games offer lots to learn.

Starfall
This outstanding learn-to-read site is sure to engage little ones.

Ansel & Clair's Adventures in Africa
This educational adventure app introduces kids to the three major regions of Africa.

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How to Play: Euchre

Sally Worsham — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kids' Games, Activities: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Activities: Big Kids, Activities: Tweens, Activities: Family Time

Get three "tricks" and win the game! Credit: Getty Images

What you need: You need four players and a deck of 24 standard playing cards consisting of the aces, kings, queens, jacks, 10, and 9 of each of the four suits. A standard 52-card deck can be used, omitting the cards from 2 to 8 of each suit.

How to play: The four players divide into two groups of partners. Someone is chosen to be the dealer, and deals five cards to each player. The remaining four cards are placed in a pile, and the top card is turned face up. The dealer asks each of the other players in turn if they would like the suit of the top card to be trump, which they indicate by saying "pick it up" and the top card becomes part of the dealer's hand, who then discards to return his hand to five cards. If no one "orders up" the top card, each player is given the opportunity in turn to call a different suit as trump. Once trump is declared, play starts with the person to the left of the dealer. It is his or her lead. That player chooses one of the five cards from his or her hand and plays it. Play continues to the left with each player playing a card. At the end, whoever won the trick takes the cards and now has the "lead." This continues until all five "tricks" have been played and the team that took three of the five wins the hand. Points are awarded accordingly.

The rules: Once trump is declared, the jack of trump is the highest card or "the right bower," and the second highest card is the jack of the same color as trump, or "the left bower." Value then continues from Ace to 9 of trump, then from Ace to 9 of all the other suits. The card that is led, becomes the suit of that hand, if the other players have a card of that suit, they must "follow suit" and play that; multiple cards may be chosen between. If a player does not have any of the "led" suit, that player may "trump" the trick in attempt to take it, or "lay off" and play another non-trump suit. At the end of a trick the highest trump takes the trick, or in the case of a no-trump trick, the highest card of the lead suit takes the trick.

How to win: Once all tricks have been played, whichever pair of partners has taken three tricks has "won" the hand. If the team that declared trump wins the hand by taking three or four tricks, they receive one point. Should they take all five tricks, they have "marched" and receive two points. If the team that did not declare trump takes three or more tricks, then they have "set" or "euchred" their opponents. They receive two points. If a player takes all five "alone," that team receives four points. If the player takes three or four tricks, that team gets one point. Getting euchred on a loner is still two points for the other team. The first team to amass 10 points in this fashion wins the game.

What else you need to know: Euchre has many variations and quite a complex terminology. For complete rules of variations and a glossary of Euchre terms, check out Pagat's Euchre Rules.

Related: More Kids Games

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How to Play: Password

Sally Worsham — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kids' Games, Activities: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Activities: Big Kids, Activities: Tweens, Activities: Family Time

Don't tell the password! Credit: Getty Images

What you need: At least four players and a pack of Password cards.

How to play: Divide into teams of two - one player will be "A" and the other player will be "B." Divide the cards, giving the "A" cards to the "A" players and the "B" cards to the "B" players. Teams will take turns with the "A" players giving clues to the words on the cards to the "B" players in a time limit. Then, after going through the clues for all five words on the "A" cards, the players will switch roles. Game play continues for three rounds of both players giving the other clues.

The rules: Clue givers cannot say any form of the word in a clue. If they do, that word is thrown out and no points will be received. Guessers can pass on words and come back to them if there is time left. Players get five points for each word guessed. The last word on the card is worth 10 points.

How to win: Be the team with the most points after three rounds of play.

What else you need to know: You can make your own Password cards by writing five words per card.

Related: More Kids Games

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How to Play: Ranter-Go-Round

Sally Worsham — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kids' Games, Activities: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Activities: Big Kids, Activities: Tweens, Activities: Family Time

Poker chips serve as "lives" in this game.

What you need: A standard deck of playing cards and tokens (poker chips, candy, pennies). Any number of players can play this game.

How to play: The object is not to have the lowest card at the table. Aces can be high or low. Each player receives two to four tokens to count as "lives." Each player is dealt one card, face down. Starting to the left of the dealer, each in turn examines his or her card. If a player is satisfied with her or her card, it may be kept, usually simply by announcing, "I'm good." However, if the player is unsatisfied, the card may be passed to the player on the left, announcing that he or she is "not good," and he or she receives that player's card back in return.

The player to the left is obliged to exchange for the unwanted card unless he or she currently holds a king -- at which time he or she can refuse the card by showing the card. That transaction completed, privilege now passes to the player to the left who may or may not have a new card to decide on. Players who have shown a king in defense are considered to have completed their play. Play continues to the left.

The rules: After all exchanges are completed, the players' cards are all turned face up, and the lowest at the table loses a token/life -- which he or she places into the central pot. Ties lose a life each. Once players lose all their lives, they are out of the game and only remaining players are dealt in for the next hand. Each hand, the dealer rotates to the next player to the left. Play continues until only one person with lives remains.

How to win: Be the last remaining player with a life or lives.

What else you need to know: There are many variations to this game, such as aces counting double lives and the highest card being avoided instead of the lowest card.

Related: More Kids Games

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How to Play: Out of the Water

Sally Worsham — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kids' Games, Activities: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Activities: Big Kids, Activities: Tweens, Activities: Family Time

Toss the garbage! Credit: Alexander Joe, AFP/Getty Images

What you need: You will need a long rope (about 30 feet), two pairs of swimming fins, 10 balls, and two trashcans.

How to play: Divide the children into two teams of three to six players. Set up the trashcans about 40 feet apart from each other.

The rules: Tie opposite ends of the rope around both of the first players on each team. These players will put on the swimming fins. Each player gets five balls, and he will try to toss them into his team's trashcan. Each team gets one point for each ball thrown into the trashcan. After these players have completed their task, the next two players will go. Play continues until all players have gone.

How to win: The team with the most points at the end of the game is the winning team.

What else you need to know: Allow enough rope so that it will be short and the competitors will have to pull against each other to reach the task.

Related: More Kids' Games

Continue reading How to Play: Out of the Water

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How to Play: Blind Man's Bluff

Sally Worsham — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kids' Games, Activities: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Activities: Big Kids, Activities: Tweens, Activities: Family Time

No peeking! Credit: Getty Images

What you need: A blindfold and a spacious area (outdoors or a large room).

How to play: Designate one person as "it." Put a blindfold on "it," spin the person around, and send him or her out into the group of people, who scatter to avoid being tagged. Players can tease "it" by trying to make him or her change direction.

The rules: Who will be "it" can be determined by a counting-out game, such as One Potato.

How to win: Avoid the person who is "it."

What else you need to know: In one variation, the game lasts until everyone has been tagged, and the last person to be tagged is "it" in the next round. In another version, "it" feels the face of the person tagged and tries to guess who that person is. Marco Polo is a variation played in a swimming pool.

Related: More Kids Games

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How to Play: Cakewalk

Sally Worsham — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kids' Games, Activities: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Activities: Big Kids, Activities: Tweens, Activities: Family Time

Cakewalks are popular at fundraisers. Credit: Getty Images

What you need: A path of up to 20 numbered squares, music to play during the game and prizes (typically a cake, but other treats or items can also serve as the prize).

How to play: When the music starts playing, children walk around the path, stepping on one numbered square at a time. When the music stops, everyone must stop walking, and a number is called out. Whoever is standing on that number wins the prize.

The rules: Winning numbers should be drawn out of a hat or fishbowl for the sake of fairness.

How to win: Be the person standing on the square of the number that is called out.

What else you need to know: This is a great game for school fundraisers -- sell tickets to participants.

Related: More Kids Games

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How to Play: Forcing the City Gates

Sally Worsham — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kids' Games, Activities: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Activities: Big Kids, Activities: Tweens, Activities: Family Time

Celebrate Chinese New Year with this Red Rover-like game. Credit: Getty Images

What you need: All you need is enough children to form two teams of at least four people each.

How to play: In this Chinese New Year variation of Red Rover, players divide up into teams. The two teams face each other, standing a few yards apart. The first team links arms and chants, "He stuck a feather in his hat and hurried to the town. And children met him with a horse for the gates were broken down." A player from the other team runs with all of his or her force towards the first team, trying to break through the arm links.

The rules: If the player successfully breaks through, the two players who he or she broke through will join the other team. If the player does not break through, he or she must join that team. The game continues from team to team until there is a winning team.

How to win: Be able to keep players from breaking through arm links, keeping your team intact.

Related: More Kids Games

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Video Games Make Kids Fat? Well, Yes and No

Tom Henderson — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: In The News, Video Games, Activities: Big Kids, Activities: Tweens, Activities: Teens

Playing interactive video games helps kids stay fit. Credit: Getty Images

Playing video games makes kids fat.

So say researchers at the Eastern Ontario Research Institute in Canada who ... ZAP!

Oops, those guys just got vaporized by researchers at Auckland University in New Zealand, who say playing interactive video games actually helps kids stay fit.

According the New Zealand Herald, researchers looked at 320 kids ages 10 to 14 and found that all leaping and swinging in PlayStation 3 helped them lose a small but definite amount of weight and helped them ... ZAP!

The Canadians are back. They got a second life.

Reuters news service reports those researchers looked at 22 teenage boys with normal weights and found they eat more in an hour of gaming than during the rest of the day combined. They also tend to eat bigger lunches after playing video games.

On average, teenage gamers pack away 163 more calories on days spent with aliens, ogres and orcs.

But just hold your orcs. Here come the New Zealanders, waving data like the Seven Flaming Rings of Raggador.

They say the kids who played dancing, tennis and boxing games put on weight more slowly than the more slothful control groups. All kids gain weight, of course. They're growing. But singing and dancing gamers put on weight at a healthier rate.

Lead New Zealand researcher Ralph Maddison tells the Herald the lesson here is clear. If you're going to kill an ogre, at least swing the virtual sword with your own arm. Don't let a joystick or push button do your dirty work.

"Parents may have more success encouraging the substitution of sedentary video games with more active ones, instead of trying to stop children and young people from gaming altogether," he tells the Herald.

In that regard, New Zealand and Canadian researchers are reading from the same page. Or sacred scrolls, for you gamers out there.

Video games will make you fat unless they make you move.

Related: Video Gamers: The Overeating Defenders of the Universe

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