| p>Have you noticed that children today just aren't as | | | | Paintball. Kids love to play war and strategy games. If |
| active as they once were? Many kids spend hours in | | | | your child loves playing action-hero video games, he or |
| front of a screen--watching television, surfing the | | | | she will be crazy about paintball. During a paintball |
| Internet, or playing video games. If you're a parent | | | | game, your child will be playing on a course |
| concerned about your child's inactive lifestyle, there's | | | | encompassing acres of fields and woods, incorporating |
| something you can do--take them on a fun and | | | | both natural and manmade obstacles. Paintball games |
| exciting experience day. Experience days are relatively | | | | employ strategy and planning as well as guts and |
| inexpensive ways of introducing kids to fun activities | | | | stamina--making it an ideal activity to exercise your |
| that will get them out of the house--and hopefully | | | | child's mind and body. If they love the video games, |
| spark a continuing interest in a more active lifestyle. | | | | they won't be able to get enough of the real thing. |
| Here are nine ideas for activities kids love. | | | | White-water rafting. Experience nature with a touch of |
| Windsurfing. Racing across the surface of the water, | | | | excitement--take your child on a white-water rafting |
| balanced on a board, with a sail full of wind--what | | | | trip. Your child will navigate waves and whirlpools with |
| could be more thrilling than windsurfing? It's great | | | | ease and hurtle down raging rivers in confidence and |
| exercise, and a thrilling challenge for kids who like the | | | | safety--all in the company of an experienced |
| water. A good windsurfing school will provide all the | | | | white-water rafting guide. At most white-water rafting |
| equipment you need, including wetsuits, boards and | | | | companies you'll be with a group of people and a guide |
| sails. | | | | in a large, heavy-duty inflatable raft. There's room for |
| Driving. What kid hasn't secretly wished to take the | | | | the whole family, so it's ideal for group trips and family |
| family car out for a drive? You'll be the coolest parent | | | | reunions. If your child has no prior experience on the |
| imaginable if you give your child a driving lesson. Driving | | | | water, it's an exciting introduction that's sure to be |
| experience days are normally done on an enclosed | | | | more fun than the computer screen. |
| track, with a qualified instructor and in a safe | | | | Flying lessons. What child doesn't love the idea of |
| environment. This activity makes a great "grown up" | | | | soaring over the clouds? Give your child an |
| gift for a child's birthday. | | | | unforgettable experience--a flying lesson in a small |
| Yacht sailing. Spark a life-long interest in sailing when | | | | aircraft. Flying lessons are available in airplanes, |
| you take your child on a yachting trip. Most yachting | | | | ultra-light aircraft, and helicopters. Your child will learn in |
| companies expect kids to take an active part in sailing | | | | a safe, controlled environment with a licensed |
| the boat, and teach the rudiments of sailing along the | | | | instructor. This activity is sure to get your child less |
| way. It's an adventurous gift that will get children out on | | | | interested in video games--and more interested in |
| the water, feeling the sun and the wind on their | | | | exploring the skies. |
| skin--and hopefully renew their interest in the outdoors. | | | | Zorbing. Have you ever thought it'd be fun to hurtle |
| Powerboating. If fast is more your child's speed, try a | | | | down a hill inside a big plastic bubble? Chances are, |
| powerboating adventure. Let your child experience the | | | | you would have when you were a kid--and your child |
| power, speed, and maneuverability of a world-class | | | | will love it. During a zorbing experience, you'll be |
| powerboat in a safe environment with a qualified | | | | strapped securely inside a huge PVC ball, suspended |
| instructor. During most powerboat outings, kids get a | | | | within an even larger one with thousands of nylon |
| chance to pilot the boat themselves--this is sure to get | | | | strands. Then you'll be pushed down a hill! The |
| them interested in spending more time on the water. | | | | ball-within-a-ball suspension system keeps you |
| Shadow a zookeeper. Most kids love animals, and are | | | | cushioned and protected the whole way. Kids love this |
| especially fascinated by big cats and other exotic | | | | activity and will likely want to go over and over. |
| creatures at the zoo. What better way to see these | | | | Lots of kids today are more interested in the Internet, |
| animals up close and learn more about them than by | | | | television, and video games than spending time outside. |
| shadowing a zookeeper? At many shadowing | | | | But as parents, it's our job to teach them that the real |
| programs, kids get to feed the animals and experience | | | | world is far more exciting than anything they can see |
| a zookeeper's daily routine in a safe and protected | | | | on a screen. With all the thrilling, kid-friendly and safe |
| environment. Kids will be thrilled to see these beautiful | | | | activities available for kids, it shouldn't be too hard to |
| animals up close--and you never know; with this gift | | | | come up with a few ideas. Give an experience day as |
| you could inspire a future zookeeper or veterinarian's | | | | a holiday or birthday gift, and your child is sure to thank |
| career. | | | | you for it! |