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SUMMER FUN GUIDE / JUNE 2020 3 Summer activities to keep kids captivated Waukesha Parks and Recreation recommends easy projects for fun By Quinn Clark Special to Conley Media WAUKESHA — As families' favorite places close or summer plans are canceled, it can be easy for children to start to feel stir-crazy. Luckily, there are plenty of ways for kids to stay active and have fun this summer that are in your own backyard. The Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department has had to cancel many youth programs and classes due to COVID-19. In response, on their website, they have listed activities for children to do at home. "The benefit of families being 'Safer at Home' is that time enjoying nature, taking walks together and playing outside are all ways to positive- ly cope," said Mona Bauer, customer and administrative services manager at Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department. Some activities listed on their website include: Making cardboard forts: Using old boxes, families can create an entire city for Barbies or Hot Wheels, or even their own mini home to decorate and furnish. Going for a neighbor- hood color walk: At the start of a family walk, decide on a color to look out for. Then, have the children "collect" items of that color by shouting them out when they see them. Making a time capsule: Choose a container for each member of the family and have family members personalize it with decorations. Then, have each family member pick an item that is special for that time period, or defines them at that age. Family members can also write a letter to their future selves. Then, put all containers together in a shoe box or large plastic container and determine where to store it for the years to come. The WPRF also provides a guide for 30 days of fun at home. Categories include m essy fun, cooking, equipment- free games and more. For example, a hands-on activity provided includes creating your own solar oven. 1.Take a shoe box and line the inside with foil. 2.Take 5 kabob skewers and poke them through the shoe box the "hot dog" way. This will act as your baking rack. The closer to the bottom of the box, the better. 3. Place the item you want to cook on the rack 4. Place plastic wrap over the top 5. Set your oven outside on a hot, sunny afternoon. Another way to stay active and set a goal for the family is to follow WPRF's virtual 5K Run/Walk Training Manual. Workouts are provided for six weeks leading up to your family's potential 5K, along with weekly topics to stay motivated. All resources for ways to keep kids captivated at home can be found at waukesha w i . g o v / 1 9 0 0 / T h i n g s - t o - D o - with-Kids-Safe-at-Home.

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