| If you are feeling bored, listless, and out | | | | The smaller kids can sit in a safe place and |
| of shape, you need a new past time. Sports | | | | play with their sand toys while Mom, Dad, and |
| activities will get your blood pumping and | | | | the older kids hit a beach ball or volleyball |
| help you get back into shape. | | | | back and forth over a net. The sand feels |
| | | | good on bare feet (but not so good inside |
| Not only will you be getting good exercise | | | | your shoes!) The kids will enjoy this pastime |
| but you will be starting a valuable family | | | | sport. |
| past time. Sports activities are a great way | | | | |
| to spend time with your kids. So get up off | | | | A cross between volleyball and tennis that |
| the couch, put down that soda, and get out in | | | | many families enjoy is badminton. In this |
| the yard for a little touch football. | | | | game, the object is to use lightweight |
| | | | rackets to volley a "birdie" back and forth |
| If touch football is not for you, why not | | | | over a net. The birdie looks like a little |
| play a little kickball/soccer baseball with | | | | plastic funnel attached to a firm rubber |
| your kids. Set up a diamond similar to a | | | | ball. You hold the birdie by the plastic and |
| baseball diamond. Now, the pitcher rolls a | | | | drop it onto your racket to serve to the |
| large soft ball, like a playground ball or | | | | other team. Badminton moves slower than |
| soccer ball, on the ground to the "batter." | | | | tennis and is a leisurely way to get moving |
| Only in kickball, the batter kicks the ball | | | | with the kids. You'll get some |
| and runs to first base. Since the ball is | | | | exercisethough! |
| soft, the fielding team can throw the ball at | | | | |
| the runner to get him out. Since the kicker | | | | Kids are naturally energetic and active, |
| will almost always manage to kick the ball | | | | making pastime sports activities extremely |
| and foul balls are rare, this is a classic | | | | attractive to them. Since parents need to be |
| game to play with young kids and others who | | | | spending more quality time with their kids, |
| are not very athletic. | | | | as well as needing to get more exercise too, |
| | | | these vigorous games are a good idea for |
| A fun family game that makes a good pastime | | | | everyone. Some say that the family that plays |
| sports activity is tetherball. This rousing | | | | together stays together. This could be so, |
| game can be played with one or two people. | | | | since exercise gets positive hormones flowing |
| Tetherball is called that because the ball is | | | | in your mind, putting you and everyone else |
| on a tether - it is on a rope tied at the top | | | | in a better mood. Don't get so competitive |
| of a pole. The ball hangs about hand level. | | | | that your family pastime sports cease to be |
| The object is to hit the ball and make the | | | | fun. Just volley that ball or birdie for fun |
| rope wrap around the pole. The two players | | | | and exercise. |
| attempt to make the ball go different | | | | |
| directions. If you have never played | | | | To Your Immediate and Lasting Family Fun! |
| tetherball, you should give it a try. It is | | | | |
| really fun...And it really gets you moving! | | | | Discover How-To, step-by-step Sports |
| (and laughing!) | | | | Instruction for any competitive or recreation |
| | | | sport in the world, available 24/7/365 at |
| Sand volleyball may have started on the | | | | Kenney Jr. is the director of Championship |
| beaches, but many towns are now installing | | | | Circle, where you can get all sports |
| sand volleyball courts in their public parks. | | | | instruction you need anytime, from anywhere! |