Getting Your Kids Off the Couch!

[Jackie Shelton]

Here's your chance to tell Family Pulse Magazine how you go about getting the kids off the couch and out the door to enjoy Mama Nature. We have a column each month in the magazine where readers can Share! their opinions, ideas and secret observations with other readers.

Please post your thoughts by July 10. We'll publish answers in the August issue, using first names only.

Best to all and Happy 4th of July!

[Nico]

- Plenty of sports and leagues (softball, baseball, soccer, football, basketball). The City of Reno provides some, the YMCA used to - I don't know anymore- and there are organizations of their own like AYSO that you can participate in.
- Fly a kite, the afternoon always provides a breeze!
- Ride a bike. If you don't have one, or have one that is in need of TLC, take it to the Reno Bike Project and learn to fix it on volunteer night. Fun and cheap!
- Go on a hike. There are lots of trails. Once the smoke goes away, going to the top of Mt Rose is one must-do that is not too hard, and very beautiful.
- UNR has the Kids University. It's a bit late by now, but check it out for the next year.

[Jackie Shelton]

all great ideas. thank you Nico!

[Ryan Jerz]

One of my kids is doing wilderness camp put on by the city in a few weeks. before that, she's heading to so cal to hang out with my aunt and ride horses. a horse is kind of like the couch, but you do have to work a bit.

The other one simply isn't allowed to sit down. He's been kind of a punk, so we make him stand in the corner until bedtime. Seriously, I think it's just important to get them into something. Staying home in the summertime is necessary for some kids, but hopefully those kids live in a neighborhood that allows for hanging outside. Mine both go to a camp, so the activities are plentiful. At home, simply playing with the dogs gets them outside for a little while.

[Flanigan]

Funny this is posted on here because the Today Show just had something about Nature Deficit Disorder on this morning. Talking about how kids aren't in touch with the world around them and getting out in nature enough or just plain playing outside without structured environments. I have to say I spend a lot of time camping in the summer with my daughter. Might I suggest Stampede that is literally 45 mintues away, price is only 18 bucks a night and it's a nice time. Yeah you get dirty, you have to use those stinky ass community toilets, but no computer, no cell phone and living on the Sun's Time...you can't beat it!