
Fueling kids' imaginations —
To encourage your children's imaginations, give them Christmas and Hanukkah presents that don't determined what they can create. Lots of different colors of crayons, markers and paint can inspire rainbows, fairy castles, pirates' treasure hunts and rocket ships to the moon and beyond.

Fueling kids' imaginations —
Cardboard boxes of all sizes can be transformed into space ships, trains, hideouts and homes for little elf folk -- or whatever your child desires. (The space ships can be hard to store.)

Fueling kids' imaginations —
Hikes through the woods, by the rivers and around the nature preserves in your area can inspire children to collect rocks, twigs, leaves and acorns to turn into construction projects, art or other creations. (Just make sure park rules allow you to collect bits and pieces.)

Fueling kids' imaginations —
What kids' weekend would be complete without activities to wear them out? Little bodies need to move (and so do grownup bodies) so get out your bikes, soccer or basketballs, jump ropes and swim suits to play, play, play.

Fueling kids' imaginations —
Baking with children often results in a sweet treat but sometimes it's fun to simply see what they pull together when they don't have to follow adult rules. At the holidays, it's also fun to make and bake ornaments and really cover the kitchen in flour.


