Wondering What to do This Weekend? A Local Activity Guide

Dear Friends,

Wondering What to do This Weekend?

Here is A Local Activity Guide:

Despite the amazing technological advances we have made over the past few decades, there are still just 24 hours in a day. While we try our best to juggle the demands of work and home, it can be exhausting just getting through the week. When the weekend rolls around, we want to spend quality time with those we love. Once you have taken that family vacation to the mountains, visited Grandma, and watched your entire Disney® DVD collection more than once, what's left to do? Here are some fun and cost−effective suggestions that everyone will enjoy, regardless of age!

Visit The Library
The library may conjure up visions of reports and school projects in some young minds, but
it is also a place for great adventures. Check with your local library to see what types of programs are available for kids in your child's age range. Whether it's a puppet show for preschoolers or a storytelling hour for your third grader, it's a fun outing that will broaden their minds. In addition, you can help your child select a few books to read. While you're there, why not choose a few for yourself? Locate a library near you by searching Google for 'public library city', substituting your town's name, or visit www.nces.ed.gov/surveys/libraries/librarysearch.

Check Your Local Listings
Take a look at the events section of your local newspaper. Depending on the season, there are frequently free outdoor activities, such as plays and concerts in the park, fairs, or holiday parades. Also, keep an eye out for special exhibits or children's programs at your local museums. If you do not subscribe to a newspaper, most also have a website. Log on to the Virtual Newspaper Directory at http://www.newspaperlinks.com/ to find the ones in your area.

Act Like A Tourist
It's very easy to take where you live for granted. Frequently, we wait until visitors come from out of town to even think about what makes our area unique. Do a little research and learn about its history. (A great place to start is your city's chamber of commerce or visitor's bureau website, which you can find by searching Google for 'city chamber commerce,' but substituting the name of your city.) Take your family to see local landmarks. Are there geographic features to explore? Perhaps a cave, or a mountain, or a lake? Take a hike through that beautiful park you've been driving past for months and haven't stopped by to see! For a detailed guide to national parks, visit www.nps.gov/parks.html.

Go on Safari
A trip to the local zoo can be enjoyable for everyone. The fun doesn't have to end there though. If your child has a favorite animal, help him or her look it up online. Learn more about where the animal lives, what it eats, and how its society is structured. Many zoos have webcams so that you can see what certain animals are doing on a daily basis! Their websites also contain fun activities for kids as well as e−newsletters for adults. No matter where you live, there is always a virtual zoo nearby just waiting for you to stop in. For links to zoos and aquariums around the country, go to www.aza.org/FindZooAquarium/.


If you've discovered an activity that your family enjoys,
please take a moment and tell me about it! jstanton@odownaskmehow.com

Your Trusted Advisor For Life
Jeffrey Stanton