> My grandchildren, who went home to Georgia today inspired me to make a list.
>
> I think I'll call it "Ways to entertain kids cheap." I have noticed that the simplest things will hold their attention. (And don't think you won't ever need this information.)
>
> Try milk-jug bowling. Line up some plastic jugs or bottles on the carport or in the yard and roll a ball to see how many you can knock down. Try placing them in a line, a diamond, a triangle or square. In a pinch, aluminum soft-drink cans will do. They make a good noise.
>
> Inflate an intertube and let them roll it around in the yard or at targets (see above). I used to use a car intertube, but found that a smaller one does less damage to flower beds. One from a Vespa motor scooter, which has 10 inch wheels, works well, but boat trailer tubes are good too. Bicycle tubes flop around too much.
>
> Line up objects like dominos and knock them down in a line. Video cassetts work OK if you have enough of them, but short pieces of 2X4 are good. Dominoes work, too.
>
> Paper airplanes.
>
> Draw a face and ask who that looks like. Pretty soon, they will be drawing everyone they know.
>
> Throw a tarp or an old bedspread over a table to make a tent.
>
> Place a few cardboard boxes where they can find them. Nothing fires the imagination of a kid like a cardboard box.
>
> Sidewalk chalk will keep them occupied for hours. The next rain gets rid of it.
>
> Bubble soap.
>
> Use string, a paper napkin, and a small weight. such as a one-inch wood cube, to make a parachute. Drop it off the porch if it's high enough, or wad it up and throw it into the air. Sometimes figuring out what works best is a real challenge.
>
> Turn on a hose and let them build a dam. Cautions: 1. Don't do it in the yard or near a house. 2. They will get muddy.
>
> Have a contest to see who can pick up the most pine cones (hickory nuts, acorns, etc.). This is a good way to get such stuff out of the yard.
>
> Another good contest is to fasten a pine cone down so that it can't move. You can tie it to a board. Then see how many you can stack on it before they fall over.
> Howard

Is it just me, or does anyone else have an urge to go do most of these things? :) Just having a good time doing nothing of practical use - but things which delight the heart - is wonderful, and something I haven't done for for too long.

Thanks for the ideas, Howard.

Sosi"now to find some kids..."qui