5 Things to Do This Weekend Besides Go to the Movies

1. Go to a dinner theatre

Live entertainment is always best. The more sophisticated and more fun older brother of the dinner-and-movie tradition is going to a dinner theatre. For hundreds of years, people have entertained themselves with live-action portrayals of drama, romance, and humor.

2. Fly a kite

While you might end up with a popular children’s movie song in your head, it can be fun for all ages to go fly a kite. The internet is full of schematics to build your own, or simply buy one from the local dollar store or home supplies store. Find a park or open field with few trees, and let the fun begin.

3. Throw a backyard tournament of games

Invite friends and family over for a potluck or no-fuss barbecue and have a made up tournament games. Pool noodle sword fighting, tug-of-war, bag races, and even glow stick bowling can be a live entertainment blast for everyone.

4. Go to the library

When was the last time that you spent a day at the library? As children, it was something that most of us couldn't wait to do. Libraries also have stepped up their game. Most of them have a great schedule of events, with local authors, celebrities, and community events. Not to mention, you could discover your next favorite book.

5. Find an animal show

Nothing is more entertaining than watching animals perform. Some options are amusing, like monkeys, birds, or other animals performing tricks. Others are serious, like horse performances or dog shows. Do a quick internet search for live entertainment with animals, and have more fun that if you went to the movies.

If you would like to learn more about live entertainment in Chicago, visit Medieval Times.

5 Reasons to Check Out A Live Tournament Game

1. Learn something new

Often, busy work and personal lives leave little time to learn about other cultures, historical times, and new things in general. A great way to incorporate learning something new with daily living is to go to a few tournament games. It can be a lot of fun learning about the Medieval times sword fighting, the Spanish Jai-Alai tradition, or the origin of Rugby.

2. Mix up the typical date outing

When the date lineup has gotten in a rut of movies, dinner, repeat, it’s time to shake things up a bit. Going to tournament games can be exciting. You can learn about the sports being played together, research the competitors, and then cheer for your favorites. Food is always included in the festivities, so it is a great all-inclusive outing option.

3. Passionate athletes performing

No one can deny that watching elite athletes is entertaining. They also appreciate that someone cares about the sport they have dedicated so much of their time towards. No matter what the sport, it can be fun to watch professionals. Bull riding, AAA baseball, and even jousting are a blast to watch.

4. Just plain fun

Live tournament games are just plain fun. There is a certain energy around them that can’t be denied. People training hard for this moment to prove themselves, judges working hard to be fair, and fans excited to see their favorites in action are all reasons to join the fun.

5. Why not?

When you are bored and not sure what to do, it can be hard to think of something new or interesting. Keep tournament games in mind. Look online for local options. Some are seasonal and some are offered year-round. Find something of interest and put it on the calendar. It could be the excitement that your schedule needs.

If you would like to learn more about tournament games in Chicago, IL, click here.

5 Fun Things To Do With Hard-To-Please Kids

Sometimes, it can seem hard to find fun things to do with kids, especially if some of the children in the bunch come across as hard to please. The truth is that most children just need a positive challenge. The key is to find a good mix of physical activity and mental stimulation.

1. Build a fort

Whether it is with blankets and sofa cushions in the living room, a series of camping tents at the local state park, or a homemade scrap-wood and cardboard project in the backyard, kids always love forts. It’s one of those fun things to do with kids that even adults love to talk about. Get creative and make it look like a Medieval castle, a steampunk hideout, or a traditional clubhouse.

2. Get crafty

All children love crafts. Fine age appropriate options, like coloring, gluing, and needlepoint for young kids and models, sewing, and rockets for older ones. No kid has ever turned down an opportunity to play with clay, plaster of Paris, or paper mache. Even painting rocks to look like animals, people, or letters is actually fun, once you start.

3. Go to a dinner theatre

Sometimes, when everyone is bored and you are looking for fun things to do with kids, it is best to pack everyone in the car and head to a dinner theatre. This form of entertainment has been around for years. Kids of all ages can get excited and involved with the show, and dinner is taken care of for the night. Everyone in the family is happy.

4. Imagine

Sometimes, the best things to do with kids involve lots of imagination. Make costumes together and then pretend you are back in time as princesses and knights. Tell a chain story together, with each person picking up where the last left off. Even watching clouds or a game of I-spy can be a fun way for kids to pass the afternoon with their imaginations.

5. Learn a new sport

Sports are a great way to help kids work out their energy in a positive way. Learning a new one could be a lot of fun for the whole family. Start at home by teach sword fighting basics with pool noodles, or breaking out your old hacky sack.  Or join a local club and teach them tennis, racquetball, or swimming.

If you would like to learn more about fun things to do with kids in Buena Park, visit Medieval Times.

How to Explain Horsemanship to Kids

Kids love horses, and learning good horsemanship is a big part of teaching them responsibility. The details of equestrian sport techniques are complicated and can take years for both the rider and the animal to learn. However, the basic logic behind the activity is common with many other life lessons. While working with any animal, especially one as large and intelligent as a horse, it is good to always be strong, but respectful.

Good horsemanship starts with respect and trust. Equestrian sports are just as much about good character and trust between a horse and its rider as it is about the particular skills they are performing together. The first step in learning to ride is getting to know the animal and gaining trust with them. Show children that the horse is responsible for their welfare, as they are responsible for the horses’ while riding. It is important to know that they are the leader, but that they have respect for the animal under their care. It is always wise to pay attention to personality. Some children are high spirited and others are quiet. The same is for horses.

Patience is another facet of good horsemanship. Horse and rider need patience with each other while they learn things together. Taking on new challenges can be frustrating, but children can be taught the invaluable tool of being patient and trying again until the skill is mastered. Patience with themselves and with their animal can help build a long and strong bond.

Of course, no horse competition is complete without skill. While it takes years to properly learn many of the tricks and performances, the hard work is always worth the effort. Some people and animals have natural talent, while others have to work a little harder. Either way, skill can be mastered in time, with patience and trust between horse and rider.

If you would like to learn more about horsemanship in Buena Park, CA, visit Medieval Times.