BY MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@thecitizennews.com

“I'm bored.” (Note: Read that in a whiny voice and stretch out the word bored to last close to 30 seconds).

Have you heard that a million times already this summer (and summer officially began today)? Well, there are ways to quash that boredom and not all of them require money or a chair, a corner and duct tape. There are tons of options and activities available for you and your children. Here are just a few.

If it is too hot or too rainy (I wish) outside and you need to stay around the house, pique your kids' interests with some simple arts and crafts ideas. Collages are a relatively simple and mess-free activity. All you need are a poster board, old magazines and newspapers, scissors and either tape or glue. Tape can be more manageable and allow for pictures to be moved many times over. Offer up some possible theme ideas and let the children go nuts.

Another great activity is to encourage kids to create their own games. Card games like Pokemon would be easy to create with construction paper, markers and an imagination. Board games also are easy to create and again all you need is a poster board, crayons or markers dice and small toys (like army men) to be game pieces.

Other staying-at-home options that don't require plopping in front of daytime TV are reading books (perhaps one of your favorite books), creating a story or play, drawing, coloring, making sock puppets or even baking.

These ideas will work some of the time and then you just have to get out of the house. There are lots of fun places in the area that can be a great source of entertainment and amusement. First and foremost is Dixieland Fun Park. There are two mini-golf courses, two race tracks, bumper boats, batting cages, an arcade, a Lazer Tag game and a small children's area. The prices for these activities vary, but it is closer than Six Flags and much less expensive.

Also available in the Fayette County area are bowling alleys, roller skating rinks, libraries with summer reading clubs, recreation departments that offer camps and classes and of course, movie theaters. The bowling alley is on Ga. Highway 85 past the Fayette Pavilion. A roller skating rink is in the same complex and another rink is in Peachtree City near the post office. Movies 10, the dollar theater in Banks Station in Fayetteville, offers a different kid show at 10 a.m. every week.

Now, if you're feeling daring, there are tons of options around regionally. The crown jewel is Six Flags Over Georgia. The amusement park features tons of exciting rides, games and shows and there are many deals to be had (check out your local Kroger and the backs of Coke cans for specifics). Tied in with Six Flags is Whitewater, a water amusement park that is a great place to cool off during the hot, hot summer. How nice that they don't have to bow to the water restrictions.

Also in the Atlanta area are SciTrek, a hands-on science museum aimed at the kids; Fernbank, a science museum for everybody; The Center for Puppetry Arts, featuring puppet shows, create-a-puppet workshops and a museum; The World of Coca-Cola, an entire museum dedicated to Coke; the High Museum of Art, and many, many more.

Summer can either feel eternal or fleeting, the choice is yours. As long as you maintain a positive attitude and remain excited about the activities that you and your children are involved in, you will have a blast and will stay cool.

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