Fall is a perfect time for kids to be active outdoors. Even though the temperature has started to drop, there still can be plenty of warm days. Windy weather that can accompany fall is a natural invitation to fly kites. Rather than buying kites for the kids, make it more fun and build and fly kites together. Kids love both crafts and kite flying. So this should be a double winner with most.

This project and activity can be done with parents, grandparents, teachers, babysitters, and more. Any adult who works with children may find this beneficial to them. Kite building guides and instructions can easily be found by doing a simple internet search. Supplies to build and fly kites can easily be found at most large craft and hobby stores. There's another fun activity kids love: shopping for project supplies. Let the kids pick out their plans and supplies (within your pre-set budget, of course).

Once the guides have been found and the supplies purchased, adults can help the children build the kites. The backyard or neighborhood park may be the best place for building, as there will be plenty of room. This especially is true the more people there are participating in the activity. Adults may decide to simply instruct and let the kids do the rest or to join in on the construction of the kite. When the kites are finished, they may need to dry, depending on materials. If so, kite building and kite flying might be separated into two different days. Just be sure the children know ahead of time to avoid surprising them with that news when they least want to hear it. If no drying or other waiting is necessary, go ahead and fly your kites!

When kite flying time has arrived, be sure the children have on comfortable footwear suitable for running. This fun outdoor activity involves plenty of that and a grassy open area is best for flying kites. This leaves plenty of comfortable running space and also helps prevent kites from getting snagged on things like tree branches. Safety first, of course!

Sources:
http://www.kitebuilder.com
http://www.blueskylark.org/zoo/class.html

Take kids on a colorful tour of history with the use of a boat tour. Many cities have them available, some even free of charge. Even if your city does not have a boat tour, you could check with a neighboring city or state. Boat tours are a great outdoor activity for the summer because it keeps kids learning, but also lets them have fun at the same time. Just don't forget to dress everyone for the weather and include some comfy boat shoes. Here are just a few of the interesting boat tours around the U.S.

Sam Houston Boat Tour - Port of Houston Authority
The Port of Houston is one of the busiest in the world. Take the Sam Houston Boat Tour with your kids so that they can see firsthand what happens along the Houston Ship Channel. Though Houston's ship channel is one of the busiest, this public boat tour remains free of charge. Just be sure to make reservations in advance. A beverage is provided, but be sure the kids have eaten, as no food is allowed. Because customs and security measures are strictly enforced, the kids can get a great lesson in what that entails firsthand.

River Tour Blackstone Valley, RI
Kids can board the Blackstone Valley Explorer in Blackstone Valley, Rhode Island. This one-of-a-kind riverboat will take them on a fun and educational tour of the river. Parents may opt to take the kids on the general tour or to utilize the River Classroom Program. This unique program combines boating with hands-on activities and lessons. Both tours are informative and offer beautiful scenery and fun.

Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY
The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, New York offers exploration in education in a variety of ways. Parents will no doubt have the kids first tour the boat museum and participate in hands-on learning. The beautiful St Lawrence River is the perfect setting for such an extensive boat collection. Here kids can not only participate in educational boat tours, but also in a wide variety of activities. Field trips can be customized to fit the needs of each group of kids.

Sources:
http://www.abm.org/
http://www.portofhouston.com/samhou/samhou.html
http://www.rivertourblackstone.com/

Today reading is the most important academic skill that your multiples can develop. Reading is required to do nearly everything in life from finding employment to finding your way through traffic. While reading skills are taught in school, you can enhance your multiples' ability to read by making reading a family value.

Family Reading Activities
Family reading activities are a great way to get your multiples excited about reading, as well as to reinforce the notion that your family values reading. Both of these things will help your multiples to develop a passion for the written language. Family reading activities include things like reading stories together and playing games that require reading. As your multiples learn how to read, you can take turns reading and listening.

Word/Picture Pairing
If you want to jump start your multiples' reading education, consider posting word cards under objects in your home. This is a common exercise for people trying to learn a second language, however, it works just as well when learning your first. You may want to start with basic items that your multiples use everyday like the refrigerator, doors, walls, chairs, booster seats, pictures, bookshelves and potty chairs. You can also focus your labeling activities on specific types of items such as clothing, rooms, animals, people and food.

Real World Reading Experiences
Another great activity that requires no preparation work is to simply read the signs that are already posted in the real world. You can take your multiples for a walk and read the signs that you come across such as "Stop," "Don't Walk," "Walk" and various street names. As your multiples learn to read, you can start to read more complex signs, such as those posted at historical points, landmarks and even in elevators.

Family Spelling Bees
Since spelling is a part of reading, it is important that you work spelling into your reading activities. For example, you can hold family spelling bees using your multiples' vocabulary words from school or you can make up your own list based on the words that you have been working on together. These spelling bees will help develop both spelling and reading skills as you take turns giving words to spell and spelling words.