You may have seen my segment on Philadelphia’s “10! Show” on NBC-10 the other day when I spoke about saving memories. (Actually, it’s here on the blog.)

When my friend Ronnie saw it, she told me how she had “portfolios of ’stuff’ from each grade in school and all the buildings Randy drew as a kid because he always wanted to be an architect.” She also said she had tapes of him speaking.

I love so many aspects of this because imagine the special “stuff” you must have had from each grade. Wouldn’t it be neat to look back at it today? (Do you STILL have it, Ronnie?) And, then the idea of storing memories of a special hobby. If Randy had become an architect, he would have loved to see his early sketches of buildings.

And, then — the best to me — is taping voices. It’s different from watching a video where the entire image is what you view. Just listening to a voice is so special — especially, if you kept one tape of his voice over the years. Wouldn’t that be something? Randy first speaking at two, then at four, then reading a sentence at age 6, reciting a poem at age 8! Well, you know what I mean.

How do you save special memories? We all have our own ways — even if it’s stacks of old photo albums or thousands of digital photos!

Thanks, Ronnie — you probably didn’t realize how many good ideas you had in those two sentences in your e-mail!

In case you missed it, here is the video of my appearance on NBC10s “10!” Show, which was broadcast live this morning (August 25, 2010).

Did you ever write anything — read it a couple times and think it’s perfect? I did — this morning. But, somehow 15 minutes later I realized I made a mistake and I imagined people reading Rainy Day Picnic thinking I might be a little crazy. So, I was so busy laughing at my error, I thought I should share this “good time!”

I wrote to put a sheet over a table to make it an indoor tent and I included over a coffee table. Now, I thought to myself, how is a child going to sit upright underneath a coffee table??!! Then I realized why I wrote that. Putting a sheet over a coffee table is ideal for crawling like a snake in a different KIDFUN activity!! Oh boy … I mixed the two up!

So — have an indoor rainy day picnic by putting a sheet over a kitchen table, dining room table, a portable bridge table anything but NOT a coffee table! Uh oh — sorry about that!

Have fun … anyway!

Today — at this moment — it’s cloudy and just looks like it could be one of those “stuck-inside”, lazy kinda’ days. And, if it’s not that for you, why don’t you save this KIDFUN tip for a time you might need it?

Have a picnic — inside. Not just “inside” but inside a tent! What? You don’t have an indoor tent? (Of course!) I can solve that! Throw a sheet over a table. It can be a cocktail table, a bridge table, the kitchen table or even dining room table. Have the kids help prepare their “indoor picnic”. You may even want to place a tablecloth on the floor under the table. How nice if it were a red-checkered tablecloth to add to the mood! Paper plates are just fine. And, well, after it’s prepared and the kids go into their tent, you may want to go into another room because it could be really noisy with all the giggles and silliness that may take place during this “rainy day picnic!”

Hi everyone!

Just thought I’d share this link if you’re thinking about having a family picnic. Here are some ideas you might enjoy that appeared in the New York Family Magazine Newsletter. If you go to newyorkfamily.com — just search for Picnic Party. This might be easier — check out this link!

http://www.newyorkfamily.com/newyork/article-494-picnic-play.html.

This is so easy … you may already do it! It’s Back to School time and that means lots of artwork will be coming home with the kids. Of course, you can post them on the refrigerator or on a Gallery Wall but then you’ll want to save the more special drawings and artistic wonders!

Make a homemade portfolio and stash them in there. Have the kids help. Take two large (12 x 18 at a minimum) pieces of construction paper, any color, and decorate them. Use markers. Use stickers and be sure there’s space to write your child’s name, nice and large, in the center. Include his age and the year. Then staple three sides together leaving one of the wider sides open. Be sure to have the staples close together so nothing falls out. You have just made a giant envelope — perfect for 9 x 12 papers to stuff into. And, then store it under a bed … so it doesn’t get creased.

By the way — you can see me demonstrating this and other tips for Making and Saving Memories on Wed. August 25 at 11 a.m. on the “10! Show” on NBC 10 in Philadelphia and probably the nbc10.com website. Actually, you’ll be able to see my appearance here, too. I’m sure Michael (our webmaster) will add it to kidfunandmore.com! Have a nice day!

Okay — who cares if it’s plastic and it doesn’t really play! I was at a festival last night and they gave out life-size, plastic, colorful guitars. You know, the inflatable kind! I don’t care how old you are, these things are just plain fun! I saw adults strumming them and little kids, too … and, of course, I wondered how could this apply to KIDFUN.

Simple! I bet if you shopped at a party store, you’d find one of these guitars for a couple dollars, if that. Imagine the surprise if you presented this to your child! Imagine the surprise if you gave him a couple to share with friends. There’d be a real rock band playin’ in your house … the most silent band you ever heard! Except for their laughter, of course!

It was as simple as this …. we went shopping. After all, it’s back to school season and Ryan needs new shoes. For some reason, shoe shopping is just plain fun for her. And, before you knew it, we were playing shoe store IN the shoe store. The world of imagination …. if only we all did it more often! While waiting, I became the salesperson and she was the customer, and, besides buying (for real) four pair of shoes, it led to today’s KIDFUN idea. Play shoe store at home. What’s your inventory? The child’s closet!

Set up a chair or a stool near the closet in your child’s room and line up some stuffed animals or dolls. Then, the child is the salesperson and she can start trying on different selections for her “customers!” If your child has a play cash register and play money, even better. Let’s see how many orders she can handle!

And, be sure she understands that keeping the inventory in order is very important so she easily find a shoe for her next customer. (Maybe they’ll be a cleaning up lesson in this game, too!)

Okay — now I am really dating myself! I remember being so hot that my mother would bring a bucket of water outside and we would sit on the step and put our feet in it. They were probably the days before room air conditioners were popular and we did anything just to cool off. Now, I really sound like I’m ancient!!

But, that good ol’ bucket of water can be lots of fun for lots of creative ideas! Like bringing out a basting tube, filling it with water and spraying it! If you think it might lead to spraying each other, I suggest bathing suits be the attire. Or have a science lesson … look around the kitchen for objects that might float or sink. Have the kids try it, too — even with toys like plastic blocks vs. wooden blocks. For little ones, just bring different size containers for pouring — perhaps a plastic pitcher and some plastic tea cups.

Ya’ know, the more I write this, the more ideas I get! You try it! Have the kids try it with you. Hope you have a “Cool KIDFUN Day … or Night!”

Every now and then, KIDFUN will just be me talking to YOU! I’d love to know what one of your favorite activities is that you do with the young children in your life. Want to get them a little “press?” I’ll share their names (even if it’s just their first name) and talk about the KIDFUN idea that “Josh” does, for example!

Plus, I’d love to know how I can help you. Was there a situation when you were seeking an easy tip to keep your kids occupied? Direct me and I’ll be happy to supply an answer, the best I can.

And, maybe that is a lead for KIDFUN … Ask your children for something you’d like or have them ask you. Politely, of course. It’s not about a chore … but maybe one more request of something THEY’D like to do before the summer is over. Or, even one activity YOU’D like to do with them!

Thanks so much — I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to write here on the comment page.