Everyone needs a vacation even your student/child. What will your child do over the vacation? Will they go bored after a few days home? To enjoy your children over the break, to ensure you are not sending them back to school unprepared for the next semester, check out some suggestions:

• Find out how to make some crafty gifts for all occasions. Ideas ranging from oven mitts to family photo books.
  www.family.go.com/ Gifts kids can make: Homemade cards for all occasions.
• Have your child make a family calendar for the new millennium at www.calendarhome.com
• Visit a museum, take a virtual reality tour at several locations such as:
  www.si.edu/organiza/start.htm
  www.nga.gov
  www.elsas.demon.nl/index_e.htm
  www.museumca.org/usa

After taking the trip, ask your child about the tour. Have them describe it to you, great way to spark conversation.

• Rent a bunch of videos, have your child pretend to be film critics, "Siskel and Ebert" then rotate among friends and family of what's two thumbs up, and what is not.
• Have your child visit the library, spend hours reading magazines, newspapers and books OR can't get out of the house, and want your child to read a newspaper online, giving you an update at dinner? Checkout·.
    www.nytimes.com/search/daily
    search.usatoday.com
    www.LATimes.com/HOME/archives/simple.htm
• Have your child organize book bag, and make a list of school supplies they may need, then have them create a shopping list with approximate cost for supplies.
• Too many "things" in your child's room - CLUTTER? Organize a white elephant sale for your child. Have them call 8 of their friends, bring a wrapped used toy, clothing, etc. and trade back and forth. Great way to recycle gifts, clothing, etc.
• Contact your local school government or community center to see what activities are being offered for children. Have your child plan a schedule for the week of all the activities they will accomplish and participate.
• Checkout cooking sites or snacks. Have your child prepare something to eat, maybe possibly freeze for later use in lunches or after school snacks.

Do you have a tip that others could learn from?
Contribute to Parent Talk!