Summer Fun (in Less Than 2 Hours)

You've probably got 120 minutes to goof off with the kids. We've got 41 unexpected ways to make every second count.

By Leigh Newman | Click to Print This List

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Outdoor Film Festival in Your Backyard

No need for an expensive digital projector (though these are fun if you have a spare $500). Just spread the sleeping bags on the grass, pop some popcorn (Add butter? Why...yes!) and pour it into brown paper bags labeled with each child's name to avoid bickering over portion size. Set up the laptop on the grass after dark and watch under the stars. Sure, you could watch the movie inside, but shifting the screening outdoors instills the kind of nonsensical magic that makes kids squeal over the 100 millionth viewing of Madagascar. When it's time for everybody to go to sleep, reminisce extensively about the few, scruffy old drive-ins of your youth (they'll love that).

Published on July 14, 2011

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