Family Fun Guide

It’s up to you what you want to do…Play Hard in (and around)

ENTER CITY

Introduction...... 4-12

Apple and Pumpkin Picking...... 13

Art Classes...... 14

Beach, Lake, or Park Party...... 15

Basketball...... 16

Bike Riding...... 17

Berry Picking...... 18

Bowling...... 19

Camping (Day Camps)...... 20

Camping (Overnight)...... 21

Cross Country Skiing...... 22

Drama...... 23

Festivals ……...... 24

Fishing...... 25

Four Square...... 26

Gardening...... 27

Golf/Mini-golf...... 28

Horseback Riding...... 29

Hula Hoops...... 30

Table of Contents (Cont.)

Ice Skating...... 31

Jump Rope...... 32

Hiking Trail...... 33

Karate...... 34

Nature Walk...... 35

Organized Sports...... 36

Play Structures...... 37

Roller Skating or Rollerblading...... 38

Sidewalk Chalk...... 39

Skateboarding...... 40

Downhill Skiing...... 41

Sledding...... 42

Snow Fun...... 43

Swimming (Indoor)...... 44

Swimming (Outdoor)...... 45

Tennis (Indoor)...... 46

Tennis (Outdoor)...... 47

4-H Programs (MSU Extension)...... 48

Introduction – For Parents

Why This Guide?

This guide was developed with ENTER CITY kids and families in mind.

Children today are not active enough. Being inactive can lead to serious health problems that used to show up only in adults such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

Children should be active for 60 minutes every day — and they should have fun doing it! This guide contains lots of fun things kids can do in and aroundENTER CITY to be active. So turn off your TV, dump the controller, choose something out of this book and…

Play hard inENTER CITY. You’ll be glad you did!

Children’s Eating and Physical Activity Habits Are Not What They Should Be:

-The percentage of children and adolescents who are overweight has more than doubled in the past 30 years with most of the increase since the late 1970s.

-Over one-half of the children at the highest weight percentiles will persist in being heavy into adulthood.

-Between 1977 and 1995 the number of walking and bicycling trips made by children ages 5-15 dropped by 40 percent.

-Children ages 2-18 spend an average of four hours a day watching television, DVDs or videotapes, playing video games or using a computer.

Link Physical Activity with Books

There is a natural link between reading, nutrition, and physical activity. Kids love to read stories about things that are connected to their own daily lives such as playing sports, being active, and family mealtime.

Each activity in this book has a Book Link that goes with it. You can find many of these books at school and at the local library. If you read the Book Link book, to or with your child before, after (or sometimes while) doing the activity you will help to teach him or her that being physically active is healthy—and fun!

Great Places to Read and Play

In ENTER CITY, there are lots of places you can play with your child, then sit down and read a good book. So grab your child’s favorite book, pack some water and a healthy snack, and visit these great places inENTER CITY where you can read and play.

ENTER LOCAL PARK NAME AND ADDRESS
ENTER LOCAL PARK NAME AND ADDRESS
ENTER LOCAL PARK NAME AND ADDRESS
ENTER LOCAL PARK NAME AND ADDRESS
ENTER LOCAL PARK NAME AND ADDRESS
ENTER LOCAL PARK NAME AND ADDRESS

Get Busy Reading!!!

Research shows that children who read in their free time are better readers, so…start encouraging your child to read today!

Pick a place to read. Set up a reading corner in your house where your child can read, a place that’s not too busy or noisy. Make it comfortable by adding a reading light and a comfortable chair or some pillows.
Stop the interruptions! Find time to read to or with your child every day. Turn off the pagers and cell phones. Don’t answer the door or phone. Your child will appreciate the attention and know that he or she is special to you.
Be a reading role model. Let your child see you reading a book or magazine. Talk about how you use reading in your job throughout the day.

Make Reading Part of Your Active Lifestyle

Fun Literacy Games to Play on the Go

Outdoor ABC: Say a letter. The first person to name five things to do outside beginning with that letter gets to pick the next letter.

Groovy Letters: Try to shape your body like letters in the alphabet and have players guess the letters. Spell out a word. The first one to guess the word gets to go next.

Moving Rhymes: Hop, stop, pop—these words all rhyme! Make a game of rhyming activity words and then do the activity. Whoever goes first picks a word and everyone does the activity. The next person chooses a word that rhymes and everyone does that activity, and on it goes!

Read and Move

Try these fun books that make you wantto get up and move!

The Animal Boogie by Debbie Harter
Dem Bones by Bob Barner
Animal Action ABC by Karen Pandell
Shimmy Shake Earthquake: Don’t Forget to Dance Poems by Cynthia Jabar

ENTER THE NAME OF YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY

Check out the books and fun activities!

TheENTER LOCAL LIBRARYhas a wonderful variety of books available to check out. Free activities, story hours, and summer reading programs are available.

The Library is located at ENTER THE ADDRESS OF YOUR LOCAL LIRBARY.

Call ENTER LIBRARY PHONE #for details.

Team Nutrition

Team Nutrition is a national initiative designed to motivate, encourage, and empower schools, families and the community to work together to continually improve school meals and to make food and physical activity choices for a healthy lifestyle. Team Nutrition is helping children in grades pre-K through 12 and their families to:

Eat a variety of foods.
Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Eat lower fat foods more often.
Get your calcium-rich foods.
Be physically active.

To learn more about Michigan Team Nutrition, go to:

Apples and Pumpkin Picking

There are several places in (and around)ENTER CITY where you can pick apples and pumpkins for a reasonable price — and get exercise while doing it!

ENTER FARM, ADDRESS, AND PHONE #
ENTER FARM, ADDRESS, AND PHONE #
ENTER FARM,ADDRESS, AND PHONE #

Always wash the outside of fresh fruit before you eat it.

Book Link: Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell

Art Classes

“Art” can include lots of different ways to wake your body up and get you moving. The ENTER COMMUNITY ART CENTER NAME often has kids’ classes that are good for your body such as:

Music and Movement
Children’s Theater
Children’s Dance

Call the ENTER COMMUNITY ART CENTER NAME for more information about kids’ classes: ENTER COMMUNITYARTCENTERPHONE #.

Book Link: Frog Legs: A Picture Book of Action Verses

by George Shannon

Beach, Lake, or Park Party

You don’t need much to have fun at the beach, lake, or park — just pack plenty of water to drink and some sunscreen. Try these activities to get moving at the beach, lake, or park:

Build a sandcastle bigger than any one you’ve every seen!
Dig a hole and bury your best friend. Make sure his or her head is sticking all the way out.
Play volleyball or Frisbee.
Walk or run.
Hula-hoop.

Book Link: How Will We Get to the Beach?

by Brigitte Luciani

Basketball

If you have a basketball, or any other ball that will reach and fit through the hoop, you can play basketball for free at the following city parks:

ENTER PARK NAME AND ADDRESS
ENTER PARK NAME AND ADDRESS
ENTER PARK NAME AND ADDRESS

Parks close at ENTER TIME.

Book Link: My Basketball Bookby Gail Gibbons

Bike Riding

Riding a bike is a great way to build strong leg muscles.

Bike-riding tips:

Always wear a bike helmet.
Wear closed-toe shoe such as tennis shoes or sneakers.
Don’t put more than one person on a bike built for one.
Ride where it’s safe.

Just learning how? Practice with an adult or older sister or brother someplace where the ground isn’t bumpy, for example, a church parking lot when church is not in session.

Book Link: Duck on a Bike by David Shannon

Berry Picking

Picking berries is hard work but the reward (great tasting berries) is worth it! Pick your own berries at these places:

ENTER FARM, ADDRESS, AND PHONE #

ENTER FARM,ADDRESS, AND PHONE #

ENTER FARM, ADDRESS, AND PHONE #

Always wash berries before you eat them.

Book Link: The Berry Book by Gail Gibbons

Bowling

Bowling builds up your arm and leg muscles and helps to develop coordination. You can bowl at ENTER NAME OF LOCAL BOWLING ALLEY.

Facts aboutENTER NAME OF LOCAL BOWLING ALLEY:

ENTER COST FOR BOWLING AND SHOE RENTAL
ENTER SPECIAL KIDS PROGRAM INFORMATION
ENTER ADDRESS AND PHONE #

Book Link: I Can Bowl!

by Linda Johns

Day Camps

Looking for something fun to do this summer? Try a day camp where you will be active and learning. No boredom allowed!

ENTER PROGRAM NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE #
ENTER PROGRAM NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE #
ENTER PROGRAM NAME, ADDRESS, ANDPHONE #

Book Link: The Berenstain Bears Go To Camp

by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Camping

ENTER LOCAL CAMPGROUND NAMESis/are one/some of the nicest state parks in Michigan—and it’s just around the corner. Reserve a campsite or go for a day trip. Facts about the park(s):

ENTER LOCATION(S) AND PHONE #(S)
ENTER COST FOR CAMPING AND VEHICLE PARKING
ENTER INFORMATION ABOUT SPECIAL KIDS PROGRAMS OR EVENTS

Book Link: When I go Camping with Grandma

by Marion Bauer

Cross–country Skiing

The trails at ENTER LOCAL TRAIL NAMES, ADDRESSES, AND PHONE #are quiet, beautiful, and great for cross-country skiing.

Make sure you dress warmly and wear a hat.

Bring a healthy snack and some water to drink.

Go with someone who knows the trails.

Book Link: Elympics by X. J. Kennedy

Drama – Become an Actor

Being in a play, singing, and dancing are exercise! Turn off the TV and make up a play of your own or contact one of the organizations below to find out when the next kids’ production, program, or class is.

ENTER PROGRAM NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE #
ENTER PROGRAM NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE #
ENTER PROGRAM NAME, ADDRESS, ANDPHONE #

Book Link: Rattlesnake Dance by Jim Arnosky

Festivals in ENTER CITY

Put on a pair of comfortable shoes and go to ENTER CITYwhere several local festivals are held. These festivals often include physical activity stations or booths, for example a climbing wall, soccer kick, fun run and more.

ENTER FESTIVAL, ADDRESS, AND DATES
ENTER FESTIVAL, ADDRESS, AND DATES
ENTER FESTIVAL, ADDRESS, ANDDATES

Call ENTER VISITOR BUREAU NAME for more information:

ENTER PHONE #

Book Link: Fiesta! by June Behrens

Fishing

Grab a pole and gather up a few worms. Fishing in ENTER CITYis free for kids under 16 years old!

ENTER INFORMATION ABOUT THE BEST FISHING LOCATIONS AND LOCAL KIDS FISHING EVENTS.

Don’t go fishing alone. Bring an adult with you.

Book Link: Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer

Four Square

All that’s needed is a large rubber ball and a piece of chalk to draw the squares.

How to Play Four Square:

Draw a large square about (20' x 20'), then draw a large cross in the middle, dividing the large square into four smaller squares.
Each player (4) stands in a square.
The object of the game is to keep the ball in play. The ball must bounce one time in each square before returning it to another square.

Book Link: To Be a Kid

by Maya Ajmera and John D. Invanko

Gardening

If you have dirt in your yard and a few seeds, you can have a garden. Gardening is good exercise. You bend and stretch a lot when you are planting, watering, and weeding a garden.

Gardening tips:

Buy seeds or plantsthat are right for the kind of sun and dirt you have. Read the package to find out what will grow best in your yard.
You don’t need a lot of fancy tools to garden with; just something to dig with and something to hold water should be all you need.
Water your garden every day.

You can buy plant and flower seeds atENTER THE NAMES OF LOCAL GARDENING SUPPLY STORIES.

Book Link: The SurpriseGarden by Zoe Hall

Golf/Mini Golf

Golf and mini-golf are fun to play and playing often helps you develop eye-hand coordination. Places to golf and play mini-golf in ENTER CITY include:

ENTER GOLF/MINI GOLF COURSE, ADDRESS, AND PHONE #
ENTER GOLF/MINI GOLFCOURSE, ADDRESS, AND PHONE #
ENTER GOLF/MINI GOLF COURSE, ADDRESS, ANDPHONE #

Book Link: Count on Golf by Susan Greene

Horseback Riding

Do you love horses? Most kids do. Find out what it’s like to ride on a horse at ENTER NAME OF LOCAL STABLE(S).

ENTER TYPES OF HORSES AND RIDING EXPERIENCES AVAILABLE
ENTER TYPES OF RIDING TRAILS
ENTER COST
ENTER ADDRESS

Call: ENTER PHONE #

Book Link: Robert the Rose Horse by Joan Heilbroner

Hula-hoops

Hula-hooping is a great way to get your body moving, and its fun! So haul out the hula-hoops and…

Have a hula-hooping contest.
Try hula-hooping with the hoop around your neck, arms, or feet.
Try jump roping with a hula-hoop.

You can buy hula-hoops at the ENTER NAME OF LOCAL RETAILER THAT SELLS HULA HOOPS, ADDRESS, AND PRICE.

Book Link: Come Out and Play

by Maya Ajmera and John D. Invanko

Ice Skating

Ice-skating is great exercise. Skating strengthens your whole body, especially your legs and heart. You can ice skate at ENTER NAME OF LOCAL ICE SKATING RINK.

Facts aboutENTER NAME OF LOCAL ICE SKATING RINK:

ENTER COST FOR ICE SKATING AND SKATE RENTAL
ENTER SPECIAL KIDS PROGRAM INFORMATION
ENTER ADDRESS AND PHONE #

Book Link: Slip! Slip! Skate! by Gail Herman

Jump Rope

Jumping rope is a great way to strengthen your body and your mind at the same time while you learn and recite jump rope rhymes. Try jumping rope…

Backwards one foot at a time or with your feet together;
With your eyes closed (be careful!);
Cross-over style: just before you jump, cross your arms and jump through the smaller loop;
Together with your best friend.

Book Link: Anna Banana: 101 Jump Rope Rhymes

by Joanna Cole

Hiking Trails

Hiking is great exercise. It strengthens your whole body, especially your legs and heart...and it’s fun to do with your whole family. You can hike at ENTER NAME OF LOCAL HIKING TRAIL(S).

Trail Information:

ENTER TRAIL FEES
ENTER ADDRESS AND PHONE #
ENTER LOCATION OF RESTROOMS
Bring a healthy snack and some water with you.
Don’t disturb animals or pick flowers on the trail.

Book Link: Rabbit Food by Susanna Gretz

Karate

Karate is great for your body and helps kids develop strength, coordination, flexibility and discipline.You can learn karate at ENTER NAME OF LOCAL KARATE FACILITY.

Facts aboutENTER NAME OF LOCAL KARATE FACILITY:

ENTER COST FOR KARATE LESSONS
ENTER SPECIAL KIDS PROGRAM INFORMATION
ENTER ADDRESS AND PHONE #

Book Link: Karate for Kids

by Robin L. Rielly

Nature Walk (Fall)

In the fall, bundle up and take a Nature Walk with your family around the neighborhood. Collect leaves, acorns, pinecones and other items. Make a bird feeder by following these directions.

Cover a large pinecone end-to-end with peanut putter. Roll in birdseed. Tie a string on the end and hang from a tree or your porch.

Book Link: Take a Tree Walk by Jane Kirkland

Organized Sports

There are lots of different organized sports you can play in ENTER CITY, but what is offered one year might not be offered the next. Call the ENTER THE NAME, TITLE, AND PHONE # OF LOCAL COMMUNITY RECREATION DEPARTMENT, YMCA, OR OTHER COMMUNITYHEALTHCENTERfor more information on the following sports:

Softball / Football
Baseball / Soccer
Volleyball / Hockey
Basketball / Swimming
Cheerleading / Wrestling

Book Link: Game Time! by Stuart J. Murphy

Play Structures

ENTER CITYparks have great play structures for young children under 10 years old. Visit these parks: