Archive for June, 2007
Jun
30
Posted by
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June 30, 2007
A great way for beginners in piano lessons to gain musical experience is by listening. For some reason students often overlook this important part of piano study. Kids feel that if they’re not actually playing the piano they can’t be learning. Nothing could be farther from the truth. But students have difficulty believing this because it appears too simple. Appearance, however, can be deceiving.
Frederick Chopin (1810 - 1849) spent plenty of practice time playing each note of a piece of music incredibly slowly, so slowly in fact that it would be painful for anyone listening. But that’s what Chopin was doing - listening very carefully to every note. Speed was not a factor in this process only deep listening to allow every note to resonate within him.
Do you know that children who grow up in homes where there is music are much more likely to want to play an instrument and to excel at this. Simply having music in the home is the biggest and easiest thing parents can do to foster their children’s musical talent.
On an unconscious level piano students are aware of how important listening is. For example, when a student is having difficulty with a passage of music, the first thing they ask their piano teacher to do is play it for them. This often takes care of the problem. Once the student hears how the passage of music is supposed to sound they can often play it rather well. This improvement can be compared to language.
When reading a word that is not common in daily speech one may know its meaning but be unsure of its pronunciation. The word ubiquitous comes to mind. I’ve heard this word pronounced a couple of different ways in the news media. Getting it to roll off the tongue easily depends on which syllables are accented. Similarly in music, putting a slight accent on a particular note can make the passage come out smoothly and naturally.
Beginners, especially young children, need exposure to lots of different kinds of music to develop their musical ear. Having a history of musical experience for the ear to rely on makes learning new pieces of music much easier for students. Music is a form of language and children are programmed to absorb languages. Having plenty of music in the home is a great way to encourage your child’s love of music and their musical talent.
For great home piano activities parents can use to help children ages 5 to 11 develop their musical talent, visit Piano Adventure Bears Music Education Resources You’ll find a treasure box filled with piano resources to create an exciting musical adventure for your child - right in your own home! Visit their website and subscribe to their f’ree internet newsletter so you can download f’ree piano sheet music and mp3s of original piano compositions.
These exciting stories, games, piano lessons, and inspirational gifts feature the Piano Adventure Bears, Mrs. Treble Beary and her new piano student, Albeart Littlebud. Young students follow along with Albeart to learn what piano lessons are all about in a fun way that kids readily understand appreciate. Click here to visit PianoAdventureBears.com For a wealth of information about piano lessons, visit tallypiano.com
Jun
29
Posted by
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June 29, 2007
One of the most popular theme parties these days involves the world of Harry Potter. Parties can be for kids or adults, birthdays or any occasion. Make it a costume party for even more fun.
Invitations for Harry Potter theme parties can be in the shape of a wand, Harry’s round shape glasses or Harry Potter himself. Party supply stores have invitations, plates, napkins and cups to match the whole Harry Potter theme. Crepe paper and balloons can be bought in black, blue, silver or gray to match the magical world Harry lives in.
If you have the guests come in costume, hand out prizes for best costume. Take pictures of everyone as a group and an individual portrait to send in a note after the party. It will give them an added momento to remember it by.
Have a real magician come to your theme party. He can imitate tricks done by the wizard or just practice his own style of magic. Kids and adults are fascinated by good tricks. Get magic books from the library and have everybody perform their own tricks for entertainment. Make it a contest on who can perform the best magic trick.
Other crafts to do would be to make Harry Potter glasses using black pipe cleaners. Use blue paper and glitter and everybody makes a wizard hat. If you are daring with a group of kids, give them all dowels that can be transformed into magic wands. Use sequins or stickers to give them extra flash.
Games to play at your Harry Potter theme party can include hide the wizard hat, pin the spell book into Harry’s hands or Harry Potter trivia. Make a bunch of questions from all of the books and movies and see who knows the most about Harry Potter.
Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. More ideas, games, favors, decorations and Harry Potter Party Supplies at the Party Supplies Hut.
Jun
28
Posted by
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June 28, 2007
The history of our beloved word scramble puzzles is much the same as that of word find puzzles and other types of word games. Initially they gained popularity through the widespread medium of the newspaper, then they moved on to their own word scramble and word game books and finally they moved on to the personal computer and from there hopped onto the web as it too gained in popularity.
Word scramble puzzles and other word games are popular because they entertain while exercising some rarely used brain cells. A person sitting down to their breakfast of coffee and donuts can work the daily word scramble in their local newspaper and feel a little bit better, a little bit smarter.
Word scramble puzzles are also good mediums for learning in the classrooms. Lots of kids would rather work a few word scrambles on words that they are learning the meanings of rather than writing the word in a sentence and putting down its definition. Many teachers do use word scrambles and other word games to encourage learning in the classroom through fun. Often these games offer a small treat for the student who finishes the fastest.
Now a days you can find a word scramble on the internet to print out or work online with a few clicks of the mouse. No longer must you wait for the newspaper each day or go out to the store to purchase a new word games book. The sites that offer word scramble puzzles usually offer a couple of other word games and often they can be found with themes for fun or for use at a themed party. Word scrambles can be great to give to the kids at the next birthday party when you are looking for a few minutes to sit down and relax.
Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Free Party Games to help complete your event.
Jun
27
Posted by
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June 27, 2007
If you’re having a Halloween party you need to play some games! Whether it’s to fill the time before the food is ready or to keep the kids occupied before their parents collect them, here are some ghoulish games to play.
1) Pin the Wart on the Witch’s Nose: Draw or photocopy up a big picture of a witch; get lumps of green play-dough, blindfold each child and let them put a green wart on the witch’s face.
2) Apple bobbing is the traditional Halloween game. Float apples in a bowl of water, each player must try to get an apple with their teeth while their hands are held behind their backs. (This can get messy)
3) Traditionally on Halloween night, if you peel an apple and throw the skin over your shoulder and it will form the initial of the person you are to marry. You could peel the child’s apple once bobbed and see if it resembles a letter.
4) Another variation is to hang the apples on string and the players have to eat the apple again without touching it. Problem: Unless you grow your own apples they rarely have stalks still attached. You could try this game with ring doughnuts, bagels or ring biscuits.
5) Musical Zombies: Find some suitable Halloween Music - Saint-Saens’ ‘Danse Macabre’ goes down well with children, but if the kids are a bit young you could use ‘Fossils’ from his ‘Carnival of the Animals’ - and play this version of musical statues. Instead of dancing the kids pretend to be zombies then stand still when the music stops.
6) Wrap the Mummy: tear up strips of an old sheet and see who can wrap up their friend the fastest.
7) Sleeping vampires: Quieten things down with this version of sleeping lions, they all have to lie silently in the crypt; the one who stays still the longest is the winner.
Have a Happy Halloween!
Jacqui O’Brien is the editor of eParenting.co.uk, the online parenting magazine and information resource for parents, with free printables and educational software. Visit eParenting at http://www.eparenting.co.uk/
Jun
26
Posted by
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June 26, 2007
Do you appreciate a simple beam of light shining on the side walk, or imagine how a photograph will look as you frame your subject in the camera’s lens and snap the picture? If so you have the creative gift of observation. Piano artists learn to observe with their ear.
Piano sheet music is no more than ink blots on paper. So how does a professional pianist or a piano student transform this into a beautiful picture of sound? The same way a painter does, with brushes! Yep, there are lots of different brushes available to a pianist, as well as hues of color. Piano artistry includes a palette of playing styles, rhythms and techniques to tell and illustrate musical stories.
Music always has a story to tell. The Russian Sailor Dance for example is a traditional physical endurance test sailors perform to music in a minor key. It has a steady march beat famous for repeated notes. It’s not a happy tune, but it helps sailors impress girls with their physical strength. It’s the one where they bend their knees and kick out one foot at a time to the music with their arms crossed over their chests. Get the picture? It’s awesome! Now imagine military Muscovites in Red Square performing their traditional dance to a waltz. It just wouldn’t produce the same affect! Outraged Russians girls would protest. “Hey mates, what gives? If we were impressed by a waltz, we’d marry dancing bears!”
Pianists and other musicians tell stories illustrated with music that has the power to bring history back to life and touch the hearts of people everywhere. Just imagine what the movie Star Wars would be like without music?
If you’re a piano student who wants to play with more artistry and style, ask “What’s the story that I’m trying to tell with this piece of music? Am I conveying the right picture? How could I get this message across to an audience more clearly?” Experiment with different playing styles and techniques until you find the one that tells the story best. Remember you’re not just the piano player. You’re also the artist and the director. Learn to observe with your ear and snap the right picture!
For great home piano activities parents can use to help children ages 5 to 11 develop their musical talent, visit Piano Adventure Bears Music Education Resources You’ll find a treasure box filled with piano resources to create an exciting musical adventure for your child - right in your own home! Visit their website and subscribe to their f’ree internet newsletter so you can download f’ree piano sheet music and mp3s of original piano compositions.
These exciting stories, games, piano lessons, and inspirational gifts feature the Piano Adventure Bears, Mrs. Treble Beary and her new piano student, Albeart Littlebud. Young students follow along with Albeart to learn what piano lessons are all about in a fun way that kids readily understand appreciate. Click here to visit PianoAdventureBears.com For a wealth of information about piano lessons, visit tallypiano.com
Jun
25
Posted by
admin on
June 25, 2007
With the holidays fast approaching, our schedules are getting full, we’re stressing about what to buy for whom, and chaos seems to rule. The season can be a magical one for our children, filled with happy memories, or it can be one filled with feelings of emptiness as the adults in their life are ‘too busy’ to pay them much attention.
It’s up to us as parents to make sure that our children don’t get ‘lost’ in the whirlwind of holiday activitiesbeing swept along on trips and through malls, without any warmth, closeness, or meaning that they can relate to. Here are eight things you can do to help get through the holidays with your relationship with your childas well as your sanityintact:
1. If you’ll be traveling over the river and through the woods this holiday with small children, being prepared is your best defense against having a chaotic trip that you vow never to make again. Each child should have their own bag (tote bags are best) or box (a plastic one with a snap-on lid is great). Allow them to put their favorite books inside, then add paper, crayons, pipe cleaners, a sticker book, crossword or word search puzzle books, and any other small artsy items your children would enjoy. A clipboard is a great way to give them the nice, hard surface they’ll need for drawing, and it can keep the papers in order as well. Buy a ream of multi-purpose paper from an office supply store and you’re guaranteed not to run out, and it will be a lot cheaper than buying those little pads at WalMart. Crayons do best in a Ziploc bag since the boxes they come in usually only last to the city limits before they get torn apart. If your kids are particularly fussy, you might want to create a schedule and distribute these items on an hourly basis so they have new activities to look forward to.
2. While traveling, especially in the car, it can be very tempting to load the kids up with toys, books, movies, and video games to keep them quiet and occupied all day. But if yours is like most families, with two working parents and kids at school all day, the time spent in the car can be precious family time. Use at least some of it to get reacquainted with each other. Talk about what’s going on in everyone’s lives, what they’re looking forward to, their dreams, their friends, their interests. You may discover something you never knew before! And the more you know about each other, the closer you’ll be and the better you can help your children through this struggle called childhood.
3. Consider not having a ‘traditional’ Thanksgiving meal this year, with its huge and unending portions and the stress of getting everything on the table at the ‘right’ time. Spend the day instead at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen serving families, and children, who don’t have the option of a huge spread of delectables this year. Children are naturals at wanting to serve others, and seeing children their own ages living a life very different than their own can be an eye- and heart-opening experience they will always remember. Then go ‘low key’ with turkey sandwiches, fun finger foods, and maybe a special punch on Friday or even Saturday at home by the fire.
4. If yours is the house where everyone will be congregating this year, don’t stress yourself out by trying to do everything yourself and everything ‘perfectly.’ This is where children feel the most left out during the holidays. It may take a little more time to sit down with your kids and ask for their input on the menu and decorations for the house, but they’ll love feeling like they played a part in making it special for everyone. Put a few non-traditional foods on the menu so they feel that the meal is for them, too, and not completely geared toward adult tastes. Have them make placecards to put on the table. Let them choose the music (from a pre-censored list you make up). Station the children at the front door to greet your guests and take their coats. Have a few topics of conversation ready to bring up at the table that specifically include the children, so the adults don’t monopolize the airtime. The more involved they are and the more personally they get to interact with the guests, the more enjoyable and memorable the day will be for the younger crowd.
5. Instead of racing all over town, or even all over the Internet, looking for that ‘perfect’ something to give the people on your list, try something even more personal, more meaningful, and more fun: either buy or, better yet make, a beautiful card, perhaps with a photo of you and the recipient having a great time together (the older the better!) and write inside an offer to do something with or for them. For grandparents, promising a delivered, home-cooked meal and a night of watching home movies together could be much more thrilling than opening a box with yet another coffee mug warmer. For shut-ins on your list, your children or you entire family could promise an afternoon of reading to them or even putting on a little song-and-dance performance right in their room. Other ideas for friends or relatives could be to: clean out their garage for them; cook some casseroles to stash in their freezer for a busy week coming up; babysit their children or take their children for a weekend so young parents can put a little romance back in their marriagethe list could go on and on. To some this may sound like a ‘cop out’, but to the recipients it could very likely be the most meaningful, personal, and loving gift they’ve ever gotten.
6. Take some time during the winter break from school to reconnect with your children. Schedule at least one nightmaybe an entire dayto spend just hanging out at the house, picking on finger foods, listening to music, and talking. Talk about anything that interests them: a book they read, how much they think they ‘hate’ science class, hobbies or sports they enjoy, their friends and extracurricular activities. Really talk about themdon’t just mention them or let the kids off with a mumbled ‘yeah, it’s OK’ type of response. Set the casual atmosphere with music and food so the time is relaxing, not structured or formal. Sit on the floor in front of a fire. Have hot chocolate. If they’re hesitant to open up to you, open up to them. Talk about what you liked, or ‘hated’, when you were their age. Once they realize that you used to be a kid, too, it may help them ‘relate’ and get the ball rolling for a closer relationship.
7. If you’ve never done it before, taking time to sit down and talk about everyone’s hopes and plans for the coming year can be a valuable, if not eye-opening, exercise for the family. It may take more than one session to brainstorm things each person wants to accomplish and figuring out what needs to be done, scheduled, acquired, or happen to meet that goal. Conflicting goals can be worked out ahead of time in a calm and practical way, rather than letting chaos and bickering ensue when schedules collide later. And, as the experts say, the vast majority of people who have written their goals down actually achieve them. This exercise can help your family negotiate the coming year with a well-guided purpose, and be a very valuable skill and habit to instill in your children as well.
8. You may not feel like an award-winning parent, but you have figured out a lot of neat ‘tricks of the trade’ that have helped in sticky situations or solved an everyday problem you faced in your family. Don’t keep all your valuable ‘nuggets’ of parental gold to yourselfin the spirit of giving, share your success with other parents. One way to do that is by visiting www.SmartestThing.com and submitting your success story or advice to be used in a new book titled “The Smartest Thing I Ever Did
Jun
24
Posted by
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June 24, 2007
Pirates are fun to dress up as for both males and females. They range in character from harsh and mean to alluring and sexy. Realistic pirate costumes are fun to put together. Sometimes, you can find great pirate clothes within your own wardrobes. Or, for some extra fun you can rent, buy, or make your own realistic pirate costume.
So, what makes a pirate costume more realistic? Well, it has just as much to do with the clothes and accessories as it does the traditional pirate swagger and personality. So, before you even consider finding your costume, you may want to spend some time thinking about the character. Are you male or female? Do you want the pirate to be mean or just fun? Do they have all their limbs? Do you want to base the pirate character out of any famous pirates, such as Captain Hook or Captain Jack Sparrow?
Once you decide on the personality, you can set out on the task of finding the perfect, most realistic pirate costume. First, check and see what you have in your wardrobe that seems as if a pirate will wear it. If you can find some things, you may want to just purchase the rest of the items. If not, consider if you want to purchase the whole pirate costume, complete with accessories, or rent it.
Making a pirate costume can be easy. Realistic pirate costume patterns are easily available. Check with pattern shops, on the internet, in books, and in fabric stores for a pattern that seems like it suits your vision of the ideal pirate. Then, purchase the materials and get sewing! It may not be a good idea to use this costume as an opportunity to learn to sew. Though some of the patterns may look easy, they still require skill.
If you do opt to dress as a famous pirate, you will probably be better off renting or buying the specific costume. Check with costume shops and even department stores. Pirate costumes such as Captain Jack Sparrow are extremely popular, especially now that the movies have achieved a good amount of popularity.
Monty Smith writes about Halloween costume ideas and other Halloween-related topics for the Best Costume Ideas website.
Jun
23
Posted by
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June 23, 2007
Christmas morning is the most exciting morning of the year, for most children.
Why do we give gifts to our children? What do gifts represent? To most parents, gifts represent their love. But gifts alone are not enough to express our love to our children.
A letter from a young boy, printed in a midwestern newspaper several years ago, proves that point. It was sent to the editor, by his parents, with hopes it would help other parents avoid the mistakes they had made.
Here is the letter exactly as it was written.
Dear Folks
Thank you for everything, but I am going to Chicago and start some kind of new life.
You asked me why I did those things and why I gave you so much trouble, and the answer is easy for me to give you, but I am wondering if you will understand.
Remember when I was about six or seven and I used to want you to just listen to me? I remember all the nice things you gave me for Christmas and my birthday and I was really happy with the things - for about a week - at the time I got the things, but the rest of the time I just wanted all the time for you to listen to me like I was somebody who felt things too, because I remember even when I was young I felt things. But you said you were too busy.
Mom, you are a wonderful cook and you had everything so clean and you were tired so much from doing all those things that made you busy; but you know something Mom? I would have liked crackers and peanut butter just as well - if you had only sat down with me awhile during the day and said to me, “Tell me about it so I can help you understand.”
And then Donna came and I couldn’t understand why everyone made so much fuss because I didn’t think it was my fault that her hair is curly and her skin so white, and she doesn’t have to wear glasses with such thick lenses. Her grades were better too, weren’t they?
If Donna ever has children, I hope you will tell her to just pay some attention to the one who doesn’t smile very much because that one will really be crying inside. And when she’s about to bake six dozen cookies, to make sure first that the kids don’t want to tell her about a dream or a hope or something, because thoughts are important too, to small kids even though they don’t have so many words to use when they tell about what they have inside them.
I think that all kids who are doing so many things that grown-ups are tearing out their hair worrying about, are really looking for somebody that will have time to listen to them for a few minutes and really and truly treat them as they would a grown-up, who might be useful to them. You know - be polite to them. If you folks had ever said, “Pardon me.” When you interrupted me, I’d have dropped dead!
If anybody asks you where I am, tell them I’ve gone looking for somebody with time because I’ve got a lot of things I want to talk about.
Love to all,
Your Son.
Doesn’t this letter break your heart? Can you see his pain? Can you see the mistakes the parents made?
I understand this boy. For ten years I had a volunteer program at Juvenile Hall in San Diego. From my experience I came to understand that what these troubled youth needed the most was “Love.” If they’d had the proper love, I felt that many of them would not be in that place.
Several years ago a man named Doug Hooper had a program called “You Are What You Think” at San Quentin and Folsom Prisons. He asked the prisoners “what was the single factor that contributed most to their starting a life of crime?” The majority came up with the same answer: At a vital period in their youth, they desperately needed understanding and advice, but their parents were too busy, so they sought advice elsewhere. It invariably proved to be the wrong source.
Today, many of our young people are on the wrong track and need our help. Our children need to be loved so they will not go looking for it elsewhere and get themselves into trouble.
We all need love and understanding. We all need acceptance.
I wrote a song called “Love Isn’t Love Unless We Show It, Love Isn’t Love Unless They Know It.” I believe this is what this young boy was trying to say.
How do we show our children that we love them?
We express it. We say it! We tell them “I Love You.” And we mean it! We say it often and regularly, until they believe it. Then we never stop saying “I Love You.”
We physically show it with hugs and kisses. We all need hugs and kisses, even teenagers. Even grown up children. Even adults.
We treat them kindly, with respect. We smile at them and give them a gentle touch. We have a cheerful disposition and attitude that teaches them how to be loving and kind.
We never yell or scream at them. We never treat then with anger or hatred because we don’t want these damaging habits to become who they will grow up to be.
We take time for them. Special time. Time to listen, to share thoughts, not by force but with gentleness. They are not our possession, which we own or control. They are gifts from God to teach us love.
We accept their uniqueness. We never compare them to others. We understand them, unconditionally. We make them feel important with compliments and praise. We recognize their gifts and talents and encourage them. We help them overcome things that are difficult for them, without taking away their free agency and growth.
We chastise them when they need it, because we love them and then give an outpouring of love afterwards.
We live our own lives in a way that will be the best example to them of a decent, good, happy and well adjust life.
We simply deeply love them.
So this Christmas, as you are out shopping for that special gift for your child, don’t forget to give them the gifts they really need; unconditional love, acceptance and your time.
Then, on Christmas morning, not only will your children be excited, as they tear open their gifts, they will enjoy the best gift of all, a happy and contented heart because they know they are loved by their parents.
Eva Fry’s mission is to help others become better and happier. She is an inspirational author, singer/songwriter/ motivational speaker and seminar leader. Eva has published three books -
“YOU MUST HAVE A DREAM” -for seniors,
“BE A WINNER IN LIFE”-for good kids, troubled kids and their parents.
“LETTERS FROM JUVENILE HALL, KIDS HELPING KIDS” (Actual letters from kids at Juvenile Hall, intended to save other kids from destroying their lives)
She invites you to use the FREE ARTICLES she has written for: at- risk kids
Also FREE ARTICLES of inspiration to help meet life’s challenges. http://www.evafry.com
She has produced 7 Music CD’s
REMEMBER (new music for seniors),
OH WHAT JOY CHIRSTMAS
THE LITTLE THINGS (inspirational country),
I LOVE LIVING THE TEACHINGS OF THE LORD (Gospel/Christian)
SAVIOR OF MINE - (Christian)
GOD GAVE YOU INTELLIGENCE (for children)
CLASSICAL STYLE (instrumental)
Her music and books can be purchased at http://www.evafry.com
Her books can also be ordered at any bookstore.
Her articles have been published, all over the world.
Jun
22
Posted by
admin on
June 22, 2007
Florida has long held the title of “Most Kid Friendly Vacation Destination” due to an
abundance of theme parks and miles of sandy beaches. Ranging from the large
theme parks around Orlando to nature oriented kid programs in the Everglades,
there is so much to see and do that your kids will love! On your next Florida
vacation, give your kids a little something out of the ordinary and experience all that
the Sunshine State has to offer!
Water Parks
A great way to beat the Florida heat is to spend a day at one of the state’s many
water parks. Adventure Island, located in Tampa, is a mid-sized park that caters to
kids of any age. Parents and young children will enjoy the pool and beach area,
Paradise Lagoon, where guests can relax and stay cool in the water. North of Tampa
in Weeki Wachee, visitors will find Buccaneer Bay, the only spring-fed water park in
Florida.
With water rides, mermaid shows, animal shows, riverboat rides, and scuba
experiences, it’s sure to delight. Families will love Wild Waters in Ocala due to its
natural feel with giant oaks shading the entire park. There is a kid’s cove for the
little ones, a wave pool, and plenty of huge slides for older children and adults.
Disney has two parks in Lake Buena Vista that offer totally different experiences but
with the same kind of excitement.
Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are both
known for having the newest and most exciting rides and cater to preschoolers,
young children, teenagers, and adults with lazy rivers, looming slides, and surfing
rides. Florida’s oldest water park, Wet ‘n Wild, located in Orlando has plenty of
rides, new and old, including an area where the young and young at heart can go
tubing, knee boarding, or wakeboarding. There are also plenty of slides and pools
for toddlers and small children.
There is also Rapids Water Park in West Palm Beach,
Shipwreck Island in Panama City, Adventure Island in Jacksonville Beach, and so
many more! The opportunities to beat the heat at one of Florida’s water parks are
endless and can be found just about anywhere.
Orlando Theme Parks
An article about hot kid spots in Florida could not be written without mentioning the
Orlando theme parks. It all started with Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World
Resort. This charming park starts with a walk down Main Street USA with shops,
restaurants, and street performances. This park is perfect for all ages with rides
and shows catering to every age group. Younger children will love Mickey, Minnie,
and all the other characters while an older crowd will enjoy the rides and roller
coasters.
Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center takes a trip through different nations
with rides, performances, and hands-on activities. Disney MGM Studios is a
backstage pass to see how and where Disney/MGM movies are made. Hold on to
your seat for the Tower of Terror, watch the voyage of The Little Mermaid, and ride
with Aerosmith on the Rock ‘n Roller Coaster. The younger crowd will love Disney’s
Animal Kingdom with safari rides, animal shows, and Disney characters to share the
day. Universal Studios and Universal Studios Islands of Adventure cover all the
bases with rides, shows, good eats, performances, and great characters while letting
their visitors “experience the movies”.
Enjoy the roller coasters at Islands of
Adventure while Universal Studios takes you behind the scenes. Get lucky on JAWS,
watch Indiana Jones save the day, and experience Earthquake-The Big One.
SeaWorld Adventure Park will thrill the kids with tanks, aquarium, and exhibits
about sea life and thrill the older crowd with rides and roller coasters. The
Waterfront is SeaWorld’s own seaside community with restaurants, entertainment,
and shops. Enjoy Orlando: it is what children’s dreams are made of.
Kid-Centered Activities
Aside from water parks and Disney-centered Orlando, Florida has many other
attractions that children of all ages will enjoy. For older kids and teenagers, make
at stop in Tampa for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. This park is full of wild roller
coasters, exciting water rides, and shows. The draw for younger children, however,
is the zoo-like experience with their exotic animals. Enjoy safaris and exciting train
rides to see the gorillas, gators, giraffes, tropical birds, and beasts.
The Kennedy
Space Center is a way for kids and adults to have fun while learning about the past,
present, and future of space exploration. Children of all ages will enjoy meeting
astronauts, touring space shuttles, watching films in the IMAX theatre, and being
able to touch a piece of the planet Mars. Head to Crystal River and Homosassa
between November and March to swim with the manatees and learn about these
prehistoric creatures.
If the family is looking for a laid back activity, look no farther
than the Ichetucknee. This north Florida river is powered by a natural spring to give
the perfect inner tube ride, complete with one of the best scenic views around. The
Everglades are full of wildlife in its natural habitat. Shark Valley is a 15-mile bike
loop that takes you past, not sharks, but alligators, big and small. Kids will love
seeing the gators up close and, not to worry, they will not bother you as long as you
do not try to feed them!
Looking for other adventures? Sail with pirates in St.
Petersburg and Clearwater, look for scallops in the Gulf of Mexico in Keaton Beach,
Panama City Beach, or Steinhatchee, or swim with sea creatures at the Theatre of the
Sea in Islamorada of the Florida Keys.
On your next trip to Florida, experience all that the state has to offer its smallest
visitors. With the world’s most popular theme parks, the nations most watermarks,
plenty of natural habitats to explore and learn about, and great family-friendly
vacation rentals, Florida lacks nothing for kids looking to have fun.
Caroline Brame writes travel articles for RentalsExpress.com. For more information on
Florida travel, as well as, other vacation destinations, please visit http://
http://www.RentalsExpress.com.
Jun
21
Posted by
admin on
June 21, 2007
What would gasoline prices be like if everyone had a SUV? What would traffic be like if everyone had a SUV? What if it did not take 1.7 seconds on average for a SUV to clear the intersection?
What if SUV drivers did not use Fiats for wheel chocks? What if a Soccer mom with 2 kids did not have to reach back 3 rows of seats to swat her misbehaving kids?
What if you could still fill up your SUV for under $80.00? What if you could maneuver a SUV easier than a school bus? What if SUVs did not cost extra to wash at the carwash? What if tires for SUVs were not so much?
What if you did not face sure death if “T-Boned by a large SUV? What if SUVs were not top heavy and you never saw them upside down on the side of the road; would life be too boring?
What if you could see the road ahead of you when behind a SUV? What if they were just a little taller and you could see under them? What if you never had to read that bumper sticker; “If you cannot stop, Smile as you go under” on the SUV in front of you?
What if every time you came to an intersection you did not let the bigger SUV go first; would you still be alive today? Ah indeed, what if. . . What if Everyone had a SUV?
Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/