Beat the summer doldrums
"What'd you do today, Tommy?" "Nuthin'." "What'r you going to do tomorrow?"

"I dunno."

Summer's here and the kids have nothing to do? Not a chance. Not in this town. Just look at all the opportunities there are for fun and games, camps and activities. Summertime should be a golden time.

But once the excitement of getting out of school is over, children often find themselves playing video games or watching television for hours on end.

Keeping your children occupied during the dog days of summer doesn't have to be a chore. Use your imagination. Thumb through the Moorpark Acorn for a list of weekly activities and if Tommy is still bored, try some of the following:

Go to a library or bookstore. The Moorpark City Library offers excellent programs that encourage your children to think, read and keep their minds active. Make it a habit to go at least once a week. Encourage them to read something fun, not just the books required by school.

Sign up for an arts and crafts class, or if swimming, bowling and baseball are more the thing, send your child to a sports camp.

Visit your local playground or park. Almost any neighborhood park is a fun place to have a picnic lunch or an evening barbecue. Bring the whole family along and don't forget the basketball or Frisbee.

Invest in discounted memberships at museums, zoos or theme parks. Now's the perfect time to introduce your children to the exciting world around them. Teach them how to grow a garden, tie a knot or work with wood. Also, encourage your child to go to the beach on one of the city beach buses. The ride is safe, the cost is cheap and kids can stay occupied for practically the entire day.

But don't feel guilty if at the end of the day you still get that same blank, "I'm bored" stare. Doing nothing and having zero responsibility isn't all bad.

Don't you wish you could be a child again, as wonderful June turns into glorious July?