So much of childhood has become sedentary with the advent of video games, the internet and other forms of portable entertainment systems. You may argue to what extent but the fact remains - there are a lot of options for our kids not to go out and play. And why should they? There are so many immersive video games that are through-backs of “cops and robber” and other games of yesteryear that prompted kids to run around all afternoon.

One viable option is paintball. It is an update on an old theme. It allows those kids to play through there aggression and work as a team, to role-play and use there wits and imagination while working up a good old fashioned sweat. The nature of it allows kids to play spyder paintball in a group with more tactical missions or just all out run and gun style, either way they will get a good workout. This of course assumes certain thing regarding equipment and safety.

Like most activities, paintball requires proper safety equipment (much like skiing, football and other sports). If kids don’t wear the proper safety equipment or they wear it improperly they of course can be hurt. Assuming they are suited up properly, it can be a good time had by all, maybe even dad too.

   

Blokus is an excellent spatial game for the whole family that has won awards around the world for Best Mind Game. In an effort to pull the kids (and maybe some of the adults) away from the different screens in the house (i.e. computer screen, television screen, et al.), my wife and I are constantly in search of different types of board games to bring the family together. Blokus falls into a nebulous board game genre of “abstract strategy” games since there are no soldiers or missiles to stockpile and attack with but there are plenty of “offenses” taking place as each player tries to command the board.

Each player begins the game with an assortment of geometric shapes. One player has all the red shapes, one has all the green shapes, etc. Players take turns deploying pieces to a grid-board in such a way that the piece touches a same-colored piece at one or more corners, but not along any edge. Once the board is mostly filled and no one can make a legal play, the game ends and the person whose remaining pieces have the smallest total area wins. Pretty simple, premise. Reminds me of a couple different ways you can play dominoes - which is another favorite game at our house.

In short, if your child understands what it means for two shapes to touch at a corner, and to touch along an edge, then your child will be able to grasp this game. Sure as the board shrinks you may need to help guide them as to what their options are - but I think it’s fair to say that happens with most board games (yeah, and before you know it they’re beating the pants of you!).

Games last about ten to fifteen minutes so even if you have young ones with limited attention spans you maybe able to go two out of three if they start beating the pants off you. This game offers ample opportunity for kids to learn and exercise strategic and tactical thinking skills. The game’s biggest drawback is that it plays best with four players, but you can play with two players by doubling up colors, or with three players by using a neutral color.

(Blokus Via FunAgainGames.Com)

   

Hey Dad, trying to figure out what to do with that stack of priceless but aging vinyl in your attic? Vinyl Killer is a portable record player made in Japan and licensed across the globe by BMW AG in Germany. You no longer have to spin the record, nor do you even need a turntable. You just need the smallest self-running record player in the world.

Instead of spinning your record, it coasts on the surface of the vinyl, gliding the needle over and into the grooves, churning out music from its own built-in speaker. If you have your own vehicle, you can take the music wherever and whenever you go.

(Via RazyWorks.Com)

   

Have you ever tried to make origami but could never understand the directions? Have you run out of cool ways to make a paper airplane? Or you want to see how the Pro’s do it? Or have you just run out of craft and activities and need some inspiration? The folks over at ActivityTV.Com have done a great job at creating a site filed with video tutorials for a number of great kid activities.

Find lots of fun activities for kids, with video instructions and printables. There’s a great selection of craft ideas including gifts, games, and holiday items. Learn easy magic tricks, or try the fun and easy kid-friendly cooking recipes. Check out the simple, safe and fun science experiments or very cool paper airplanes. Other categories include cartooning, cheerleading, juggling, origami, jewelry, puppets, and more. Just follow along with the step-by-step videos.

Some of my new favorites is LegoTV, where you can see some of your favorite lego characters in actions. Of all the Instructional Channels available I’d have to say puppets section is my personal favorite. Banana Buddies. Running Rabbit. Shoe Box Monster. Come on, we’re talking about a screaming good time here.

So the next time you wake up to one of those impenetrable raining spring mornings or you just run out of tricks to pull out of the proverbial mom/dad hat, check out Activity.TV and see if they help spark some kind of fun.

(Via ActivityTV.Com)

   

If you have a little boy (or girl, actually), here’s an awesome little gift to consider. I mean really what kid wouldn’t love one of these AntWorks Ant Farm filled with mysterious iridescent blue goo that the ants eat and turn into a maze of tunnels. The container has a LED light on the bottom so when you turn it on their whole blue goo world glows with light. It’s pretty clever. An ant farm night light.

Evidently the mysterious goo has everything the ants need to live. The AntWorks gel arrives as a solid. Once you add ants to the gel, then the true fun begins. Watch them dig an endless maze of tunnels. Using the included magnifying glass and extreme zoom lens, you can observe their behavior.

(Via Vat19.Com)

   

Props to John over at My Family Loves It!. Here’s directions for how to create a skating rink in your backyard. At least this way you don’t have to worry about the kids falling through the ice at the local pond and you’ll always know where they are - they’re in your backyard!

Directions are complete with tips on how to keep that hose from freezing and how to make a Rink Rake for under $20 bucks using PVC and some PVC cement and primer, sweet! Thanks John!

(Via MyFamilyLovesIt.Com)

   

The Automoblox Company manufactures a premium wooden toy construction system based on automobiles. Automoblox combines the timeless warmth of classic, natural wood and modern materials with advanced car styling. All Automoblox have interchangeable components so children can rebuild and combine car pieces to make their own custom cars.

(Via TheToySpace.Com)

   

This modern spacious four-roomed dolls’ house is made for active living. The adaptable staircase leads straight into the garden from either of the first floor rooms. Lively colors and fresh looking architecture suit the lovable doll family to a tee.

(Via TheToySpace.Com)

   

Of all the buzz and din of reviews and marketing ploys I always seem to fall back on the Parents’ Choice Foundation for honest critiques of current toys, books and software for my kids. Parent’s Choice is a non-profit organizational that has been around for almost thirty years and it’s comprised of educators and medical professionals. Although I feel their articles are sometimes flawed or conflicted with regards to their recommendations, I feel they are being honest with me and aren’t driven by industry or marketing dollars.

I happened to stumble across their software recommendations page and want to pass it on to you. Some of the software with the top honors:

1. Nancy Drew: The White Wolf of Icicle Creek
2. Crazy Machines 1.5: More Gizmos, Gadgets & Whatchamacallits
3. Pet Vet 3D Wild Animal Hospital
4. Fritz & Chessters Chess for Winners

Almost in the same breadth, I want to point out their Media Management recommendations that are healthy reminders to us parents. I know from experience it can be such a bitter sweet thing to plop the kids in front of the boob-tube and tune it to their favorite channel or console and enjoy a hands-free moment but get that pang of guilt that you’re melting their brain. Well, here are some tips for managing your kids’ screen-time.

Site Links:
Parents’ Choice Foundation | Fall 2007 Software Recommendations
Parents’ Choice Foundation | Media Management

Related Links:
Parents’ Choice Foundation | Playstation or Playground?
Parents’ Choice Foundation | Are Video-Based Toys Good for Your Child?

   

Your kids will at some point try a game of Hopscotch, Dodgeball, Tag - You’re It, Kickball or any number of time-worn kids games that generally involve a ball or a stick and more importantly - a solid understanding of the rules of the game.

How many times did you find yourself yelling at your best friend (as a kid) with the sun quickly setting behind you and streetlights coming to life because of an argument over something like the strike zone in Kickball?

8.05 The strike zone extends to 1 foot on either side of home plate to the side of the kickball, and 1 foot high to the bottom of the kickball. A pitch outside the strike zone is a ball (see Rule 11.02).” [Courtesy of the World Adult Kickball Association]

Now you can just print out the rule-sheet and put it in your kid’s back pocket, when they’re going out to play, or at least have it in your back pocket when they come crying to you.

Related Links:
StreetPlay | Rulesheets
U.S. National Amateur Dodgeball Association | Rules
World Adult Kickball Association | Rule Book
Wikipedia | Tag (and many variations thereof)