Things Every Kid Should Do

Someone in our family is turning 8 soon so this recent list from Parents magazine, 44 Things Every Kid Should Do Before Turning 8, was very timely. They surveyed a bunch of interesting people, from Dan Zanes to Tony Hawk to Donald Trump and asked them to share the greatest moments of childhood. Here are a few things from the list that we've done or will be doing this summer:

2.) Run in the Sprinklers. And make sure at least one of your parents runs with you. - Maria Shriver

4.) Ride a Roller Coaster. - Dan Zanes

9.) Go to one-or more- major league ball games. - John Lithgow Although in our opinion, minor league games can be just as (if not more) fun.

20.) Raise money for something or someone you care about. - Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry's

26.) Discover that bleeding owies can make you look tough even though they hurt briefly. - Tony Hawk

Another similar list, 33 things to do before you're 10, was recently published in the UK by Persil soap and contains fun things like:

1.) Roll on your side down a grassy bank. (In Seattle, the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard has a great hill. Then have some of Fish & Chips at the Lockspot.)

22.) Pick some strawberries (or berries of any kind, for that matter.) If you're in the Portland area, check out Kruger's Farm on Sauvie Island, then go home and make some ice cream!

13.) Have your face painted. See my entry from July 4th, or if you're like Molly, just do-it-yourself.

So in these final weeks of summer, before back-to-school, if you're in need of some ideas for entertaining the kids, just check out these lists for some great ideas.