KIRSTEN LUPINSKI: Too hot this summer? Take the fun indoors

I know we are halfway through the summer already, so that probably means you are hearing, “I’m bored” or “What can we do now?” Therefore, I am going to give you some ideas for summertime fun to get you through the next few weeks before heading back to school. I know it can certainly get hot in July and August in Southwest Georgia and some indoor activities are the perfect fit for this time of the year.

All kids love bowling and there are so many different ways that you can create an indoor bowling game with objects around the house. You don’t need an official bowling set with pins and balls, but instead you can recruit the kids in the planning and/or making of this game.

There are many options for the pins and any size will do. For example you can use the erasers that you put on top of pencils as the pins and marbles for the bowling balls. Just set them up and bowl away. Or you can go bigger and use empty plastic bottles of any kind or size and any ball that you find in the garage.

There are so many ways to create this game with items that you already have in your house and the best part is it will keep the kids busy and cost you nothing at all.

Another fun game that we have been using in our house in the cold winter months — but it perfect for the hot summer months, too — is paint tape rockets. You may need to buy some painter’s tape if you don’t already have it in your house.

Take the tape and tape it between a door frame, not just once but multiple times. It should look like a big spider web. The only criteria when taping the door frame is that the sticky part of the tape needs to be all on the same side. Then, take a bunch of newspaper that you have rolled into balls and start firing at the tape. You can make it into a contest to see who gets the most rockets of newspaper on the tape, or just have fun throwing them.

Of course treats need to be part of any and all fun and games, so I have a few ideas to leave you with this month. Summertime Berry Smoothies are a favorite in my house. I know that I have given you smoothie recipes in the past, but just to refresh your memory, here is a great smoothie that is quick, simple, and can be made with any berry/fruit that you like.

In a blender put the following ingredients and blend together:

— ½ cup skim milk

— 1 cup Greek yogurt or regular yogurt (plain)

— 2 cups frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), or you can use another fruit that you would like (mangoes, bananas, pineapple)

— 2 tablespoons strawberry jam/jelly (this adds some sweetness) if you use berries, but if you use another fruit, add ¼ cup orange juice instead

This highly nutritious smoothie is fun to make with the kids and also is a nice cool drink on hot summer days. I hope you all try one of these versions and enjoy!

Kirsten Lupinski is an assistant professor at Albany State University in the Department of Health and Human Performance. She has a bachelor’s of science in nutrition from the University of North Carolina, a master’s of science in health education from the University of Kentucky and a doctorate in education from the University of Cincinnati. She has worked in the health education field in various capacities (corporate health, community health, college health and wellness and university education) for more than 17 years. She and her husband have three young children (9-year-old twin boys and a 5-year-old girl).