That can lead to boredom, and the chance to get into trouble.

Here are some ideas to keep your child busy, active and learning this summer:

• Keep your child moving. Encourage him to walk, bike or swim daily. If he’s interested, sign him up for a team sport.

• Consider whether your child is ready to earn some money outside the home. If he is, pet care, baby-sitting, or helping a neighbor with gardening can be good ways to earn spending money and learn

responsibility.

• Try a book club. Let your child pick a book. Read it together and then set a date to talk about it. Suggest that he include some of his friends.

• Give your child a research project. Do you need the best price and model of a small appliance? Are you trying to decide where to go on a weekend trip? Ask your child to do research on the Internet or at the library.

• Help your child learn to cook. Give him the responsibility of preparing a simple family meal at least once a week. Frozen dinners don’t count!

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