Know who's fun, cool, insightful and loves to be entertained? Of course, kids! Actually, dogs too. But we're focusing on kids right now. Everyday is like a new adventure, if you're a kid. And correspondingly, if you have a kid, everyday is like brainstorming a new adventure.

Don't freak out. There are many fun activities you can do with kids. And kids love repetition. So once you find activities that are fun, easy, and entertain you both, you can keep doing them again and again. And we're not talking about watching videos of Barney over and over until you want to knock your head against a wall. Nope, we're talking about things that get you out and about.

There's no need to feel constrained to home just because you're hanging out with a little guy or girl:

• Go fly a kite. Pack a lunch, some toys, a blanket and head to the local park for a picnic.
• Volunteer. Kids learn fast. And volunteering is a worthwhile experience for everyone involved. They learn. Someone else benefits. You watch how smart kids can be.
• Macaroni's not just for cooking. It's great for craft projects. Do-it-yourself craft projects are a great way to expand your creativity. And fortunately there are plenty of easy, affordable ideas online.
• Hit the stacks. Libraries are fun and free. Sometimes there are even planned reading events in the kids section. Get him or her used to reading. It's conditioning that will help and last a lifetime.

These are just a few examples of great ways to spend time while you're with your smaller loved ones. If we can think of this many, you and the kids can think of a million more. Especially if you expand the criteria to include things you pay for... like zoos, botanical gardens, water and theme parks.