Great Summer Outings

Preschoolers are curious, observant, and better able to keep up than toddlers. In other words, they're at the perfect age for summer fun, like:


Strolling through a flea market

There's so much that kids find interesting, from rotary phones to sparkly jewelry.

* Go on a scavenger hunt. Give your child a sheet of paper with pictures of things she can check off as she sees them.

* Compare and contrast. Point out an item, then challenge her to find something bigger (or smaller, or greener, or shinier).


Hiking on a trail

Keep it short (about a half hour or so is fine), and bring water. Just don't count on getting very far!

* Count your steps. How many will it take to get to the next tree?

* Check out the bugs. Pack a little magnifying glass for rock and tree-bark investigations.


Gardening

You don't need to go beyond your own backyard for some dirt-cheap fun.

* Give her small tasks. Preschoolers love simple duties, like digging holes, putting soil into pots, and watering plants.

* Make weeding a game. See how many weeds you and your child can pull in three minutes. Then sit back and admire your work!