Olympic family fun

The Olympics kicks off today and I'm so excited about it being hosted in London this year... even if it does make me a little home sick as I'd have liked to be able to soak up the atmosphere in person as opposed to via the Italian TV coverage. We'll be cheering on both the UK and the Italian athletes over the next couple of weeks though and throwing ourselves into some sporting fun.

The Olympics is a great opportunity to build your kids enthusiasm in sport and to introduce them to new sporting activities. It's also a fantastic way to teach them about world flags, different countries, sporting history and more.

We have several sporting games for the wii and even the Olympic game for the PS2 and have already started having family competitions against each other.

We've made some British and Italian flags for cheering on our athletes in their events and my 4 year old now knows a lot more about different kinds of sports. He's also discovered that he really loves tennis.

I'm taking advantage of it all to teach my kids more about London too. We've looked at pictures and video's of the big sites like Big Ben, the London eye and Tower Bridge. We've talked about the Queen and the rest of the Royal family and looked at photo's of Buckingham Palace. It's been a great opportunity to introduce some new English words into their language too.

The official website for the Olympics is http://www.olympic.org/ which is full of information about this years event and past editions. You can also find some excellent information about this years event at http://www.london2012.com/.

What will you be doing with your kids for the Olympics?

Guest post : 10 Fun Summer Physical Activities to Do with Your Kid

To kids, summer means utter freedom. Liberated from the dull classroom and the chains of physical education programs, summer is every child’s haven. However, just because they are away from the PE equipment doesn’t mean that the kids have to rot away their summer without being active.

Here are some fun summer activities you can enjoy with your kids.

1. After School Sports (without the after school)

If the kids have been participating in after school play during the school year, summer is a great time for them to keep up with their after school activities, except now, they won’t have to worry about school. Not having school means less worries and more fun on the field or court.

As a parent, you can enjoy it with your kids by going to ballgames or practicing with them.

Summer sports are also a great way to keep them social and meeting new friends. Make sure you give them the choice of what sport they would like to play.

2. Going for a Swim

Summer can definitely heat up, especially if you stay in your stuffy home all day. Take a dip in your pool. If you don’t have your own pool, visit a friend or take advantage of community swimming pools.

3. Hiking

Take your kids on a hike. You will work up a sweat and get some fresh air in your lungs. Make sure to go on cooler days or earlier in the morning when the sun is not as intense. Remember to bring water.

4. Biking

It’s time to dust off that bike that’s been sitting in your garage. An early morning bike ride is a great way to start your day before settling in for a delicious brunch. Just remember your helmet.

5. Camping

Sometimes, it’s nice to get away from the house and enter into the wilderness, if only for a few days. Camping is full of all sorts of fun and physical activities that the whole family can enjoy.

6. Summer Programs

Summer is a great time for group camps and community programs. Some programs allow you to participate with your kids; though don’t expect it as most summer programs limit attendance to just kids.

7. Surfing

If you’ve wanted to take surf lessons, summer just might be your time to learn. There are plenty of surf schools near beaches and surf board rentals are very affordable. Learn with your kids and tear up the waves.

8. At the Beach

The beach is one of the most popular destinations during the summer, and there are tons of fun activities your kids can do at the beach. At the beach, your kids can swim, snorkel, play beach volleyball, and so much more.

9. Aerobics

Aerobics are important to building strength and flexibility. Yoga has become very popular with the youth. You might be able to find children’s yoga classes at your local gym or community center.

10. Take a Walk

After dinner, instead of sitting down and watching TV, go out for a walk with your kids. You’ll digest your meal while enjoying the beauty of the summer evening.

Guest post by Tim via MyBlogGuest.com