Fun Things for Spring

As the weather warms you'll have more opportunities to take kids outside. After a long winter of board games and pillow forts, the great outdoors may seem open and free, but it's still not quite summer yet. These helpful hints will keep the kids, the parents -- and you -- happy.

Questions to ask the parents

Before you venture outside with your charges, be sure to ask their parents the following questions:

• Does the child have any allergies, including pollen or bee-sting allergies? What is the appropriate medication? Ask the parent to give you the medication with the dosage instructions clearly marked. This is especially important for prescription meds.
• Does the child have a set of play clothes? If not, keep her away from dirt and mud after April showers.
• Are there any special outdoor rules already in place? Are there, for example, toys that aren't allowed to leave the house? Is she allowed to swim in public pools?

Outdoor safety kit

Also, pack an outdoor safety kit that you can keep in your bag or your car. Include:

• bandages and boo-boo ointment
• baby-wipes (for general clean-up)
• insect repellent
• sunscreen

Outdoor activities

You don't need to plan an adventure every day.

• Take a simple indoor activity, such as reading, outdoors for a nice change of a pace.
• Turn the outdoors into a classroom: Look for native trees, or plant a small garden.

Indoor activities

Have a back-up plan for a rainy day.

• Set up an indoor scavenger hunt.
• Try baking cookies.
• Play a game of Apples to Apples, Crazy Eights, or other favorite family board or card game -- preferably one they haven't played all winter.

Cabin fever strikes when boredom sets in -- it's your job not to let this happen.

The bottom line

Springtime can be as much fun for kids as it for you, but you need to be responsible before setting them loose. Talk with parents as the season approaches, and always plan ahead for bad weather.