All-Family Pick-Up Baseball Game

The crack of the bat says it all--baseball and softball seasons are in full swing. But before they hit the mound for real, teach kids the essence of team play, good sportsmanship, and a love of the game through your own informal family pick-up game.

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Critter Hunting

Head to the woods, a local park or your own backyard for a major bug-collecting expedition. Have fun discovering their hiding places and identifying all of the diversity in your area. No fly swatters allowed!

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Paper Bag Scrapbook--with Personality

Take a step back in time, and try making scrapbooks that use scraps rather than purchased materials. "This project is super," one mom reports. "It gives the kids their own project so they aren't constantly asking for acid free paper (which can get very expensive when one wrong cut means they are on to the next sheet). Also, with this project, they each have a book so conflicts over 'a' page will be minimal."

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Tennis-Ball Apple Puppets

Before you throw out those old, battered tennis balls, grab some craft supplies and make this innovative apple puppet -- then put on a one-of-a-kind puppet show. This project is sure to provide hours of family fun!

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Make Dinosaurs in a Dish Garden

Ready for Jurassic Park-inspired adventure? When you and your family make these dinosaurs, a simple pipe cleaner will transform into a Tyrannosaurus Rex right before your eyes. It's a roar of a good time!

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Crayon-Covered Rock Paperweight

Making colorful paperweights is a fun, easy project the whole family can do together. Plus, these inexpensive treasures make unique and fabulous gifts. (Rocks haven't been this fun since the Pet Rock went out of fashion!)

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Film Canister Finger Puppets

When you're ready to load your camera, don't toss out the film canister. The plastic container makes a lively finger puppet that's easy and fun for kids to make -- and in this article, we'll show you how!

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Circus! Circus!

Ladies and gentlemen...kids of all ages...step right up to the Greatest Show on Earth! Get ready for some serious clowning around at this at-home circus.

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Live Entertainment: On the Stage

To watch a live performance is a thrilling and always unique experience. Unlike a movie audience, a theater audience affects performers simply by being there -- whether they're reactive or not. Though the famous theaters and productions may not be within your range, according to RFRF's families there are lots of opportunities to enjoy live performances in your hometown.

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Seize the Momentum--and Throw a Harry Potter Party

Harry Potter--nothing's hotter. Whether you're reading the books, watching the movie, or playing with the toys, you know about Harry's adventures at the Hogwarts School, World Quidditch matches, and all the magic in the stories. Bring some of the magic into your own home with a Harry Potter party--a perfect way to bring the books to life.

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Pack a Picnic

What better way to welcome the warm weather than a picnic! After months of eating at the kitchen table or around the coffee table, a change of scenery is much needed. The robins and bluebirds provide the music and in many places, the bugs are at a minimum. The kids are raring to get outside, so pick a spot -- park, backyard, or the beach -- and plan a picnic.

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Ready... Set... Hunt!

It's a beautiful day and you want to get outside... Try planning a scavenger hunt. With a little bit of advance planning you can design an exquisite afternoon of family challenge and fun.

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Olympic Shoe-Kick: A Sneaky Crafts-Game Combination!

Get the whole family into the spirit of the Olympic games by making athletic shoes with personality for the Family Olympic Shoe-Kick competition. This is a great way to use those old, worn-out sneakers from the summer!

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Personalized Soap: A Clean Gift

Most women love decorative soap. And most moms love a Mother's Day gift that shows off a child's creative work. For these reasons, personalized soap is an ideal gift for Mom, Grandma, godmother, or teacher. Decorative soap is so simple to make you might want to give several bars placed in a pretty basket, lined with a colorful napkin or piece of fabric.

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Stargazing: Things Are Looking Up -- And So Are We

The sky is full of stories waiting to be discovered. For centuries, people have seen these same points of light in the night sky. Stories borne out of the many constellations that eyes around the world have spent hours gazing up at, have been passed on from generation to generation. We can see these same images and share these same stories today. All you need is a clear night, a little patience, and some imagination.

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A Visit to the Art Museum

Most people don't think of taking young children to an art museum. Children like to be active, so how could they possibly enjoy standing around and looking at paintings? With a shift in thinking and some advance planning, parents can find lots of excitement for their kids within the walls of an art museum.

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Ice-Skating in the Summer?!

Are you ready to have a cooler than cool time? After you make these action figures that have their feet embedded in ice, you'll feel like you just had a real-life visit from Michelle Kwan or Tara Lipinski!

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Shell Baby Shell Keeper

Your kids love collecting seashells on the beach, but the shells inevitably end up in short pockets, on the floorboard of the car, or on the bedroom floor. This project will help them organize their treasures of the sea.

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Disney, Here We Come!

It's time to start planning those summer getaways. After 50 years, Disney continues to be one of the top family vacation destinations in America. Here are some pointers for making the most of your date with Mickey.

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Make Speedy Bird Racers

Ready, set, fly! You'll soon see flocks of birds flying back from the southern states -- another mark of spring's arrival. Let your kids participate in the spring migration by making colorful birds to race on a string.

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Special Delivery: Send an Owl Message

If your kids are wild about Harry Potter, they'll go crazy over this craft project. Ready to inject some magic into your everyday routine? Go ahead: Give an old necktie new life by sending a message Harry Potter-style!

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Changing-Face Magnets: So Fast, So Fun!

This unique idea is not only fun but also will result in sprucing up your refrigerator door with one-of-a-kind magnets. On the scale of difficulty and time involved to gather materials and actually make the craft, this one gets high marks for being fast and simple while appealing to a wide age range.

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Extraordinary Easter Egg Hunts

One of the most beloved traditions on Easter is an Easter-egg hunt. And with just a little tinkering, you can update the tradition to make this year's search the most fun ever.

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