Did you ever heard of Laughter (or Laughing) Yoga?

It is a combination of laughing and yoga breathing and it is based on the assumption that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter, and that their physiological and psychological benefits are thus identical. People get together just to laugh, which is stimulated by eye staring and playfulness.

Ever noticed that the children are naturals for this? They make funny faces, quirky noises and peculiar moves and I’m sure your child would love to laugh along, if you make those.

So, when you have a few minutes, make your child ROFWL (roll on floor with laughter).

Did you like it? Please share your comments below!

You might also like other 49 ideas and activities in the “50 Law of Attraction Games for Children” workbook to help you teaching children while you play.

If you were an animal, which one would you choose?

Would you be brave as a lion? Hard-working as bees or ants? Deceptive as a fox?

Now think about these questions:

• Why would you select this animal?
• Which characteristics would you like to have?
• What would you do with your power (or brains)?
• What would be your message to the people?
• Would you choose to help someone special with the quality you possess?

I would really love to hear your answers. Please post your comments below.

And if you liked the idea, you might also like other 49 games and activities in the workbook “50 Law of Attraction Games for Children”.

When our Tina (the younger one) was at the summer camp, we went to visit her.

She was having great time with the scouts, where everything was really natural, even tables and benches were freshly made from the tree, they make the fire to cook  and they wash themselves in the river.

It’s a tradition that parents spent the Sunday with the kids at the camp and get involved in different activities.

So, we packed, together with some food and extra clothes:

• cooler box (to have our drink fresh and cold)
• GPS navigation (to find the way)
• portable DVD player (if Anja gets bored in the car)
• 2 iPod’s (to have the music if radio signal is lost)
• 3 mobile phones (everyone took its own; just in case…)
• 2 cameras and a portable disc to download pictures (again, just in case…)
• and of course for each device extra charger, cables and plug-ins for the car electricity…

And we were going to enjoy our family time together at the wilderness of the National Park?!?!

Well, of course we left everything in the car to be with the kids and to have a good time with other parents, but it makes me think.

Why don’t you assign at least one day for being unplugged. Leave behind all the devices and just enjoy your time! Find places you would never go, explore the nature and use nature’s materials to play with them. Do you know how to make a water mill from branches?

“…When I get older I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a wavin’ flag
So wave your flag, now wave your flag, now wave your flag…”
(Waving Flag by K’Naan)

If you watch the World Cup or not, you could not miss the anthem song, as it can be heard everywhere you go. 

If you were to compete or represent your family to the world, what colors would your flag be? What message would you want to give to your fans?

Find the pictures and words and put them on your flag to represent your family, your values and ideas, your mission and your wishes.

I would really love to see your flag! Post a picture or describe it in the comments below!

The best museums and museum exhibits about science or technology give you the feeling that, hey, this is interesting, but maybe I could do something here, too. Paul Allen

Why don’t you spend a hot summer day in the museum?

I am sure there are some great exhibitions and events at the local or near-by museum. Find out if they have something special, like a workshop or hands-on experiments. You can learn something new or relive the past.

Every June we visit the Museum Night, which is held every year for a whole day (and night) at every museum and the custos prepare special workshops, tours and events. Our favorite is going to the school lessons from the past. We get to wear old school uniforms and the lessons are taught in the “old” language. We write with a quill pen and at every lesson there is someone who misbehave and have to kneel on the corn:).

Museums can be as fun as they are educative so don’t avoid them just because its name is a museum and you think of them as bored. Nowadays you can learn through visual, interactive presentations as well as through your own involvement. And what better way to remember than by trying it by yourself. Just make sure you have lots of time as you can easily get carried away.

A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. Lao Tzu

In the summer time and during the school holidays, families are more likely to travel and take some vacation time together. But until then, you can learn about new countries and see how it would be to spent the summer there from the comfort of your home.

Pretend that you are traveling around the world. With some help from the parents, internet and atlas find your way around the globe. Where would you go? How would you travel?

Collect colorful pictures from magazines of different destinations and make your own photo album. Find out what there is to see and to do.

Discover different possibilities for different places. If you have lots of time, collect more data for each country that you would visit. Learn about everyday life of the nations and dig up interesting facts.

Besides passing time and have some fun doing it, you will discover what you like the most – what kind of places would you go and what kind of activities would you do. After that it will be easier to imagine your dream vacations or your future destinations.

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea. Henry James

Ever since the late 1700’s, tea time has been an integral part of English life. When people from other countries imagine life in England, they almost always picture the English sitting down at a table set with delicate china, socializing over hot cups of tea and little cakes.

But lately it’s more often drunk on the run or in front of the computer screen.

Make an afternoon tea time a tradition in your family too. Get together at the specific time every day to have a cup of tea (or lemonade or whatever drink you choose) and some cookies, cakes, pastry or fruit . Enjoy each other’s company. Discuss the day’s events and your plans. Listen to each other. And turn off your phone or TV.

You will notice that after some time family members become more aware of each other, they develop deeper bond and they feel really connected. The kids get their chance to share their stories and they see that the parents are really there for them, listening and appreciating their feelings and concerns.

I am sure you can work around your schedules to find some time to do it every day, but even if you can’t, at least try it during the holidays.

And don’t forget how much fun it can be to bake the cookies or cake. Maybe the kids can prepare some on their own. Try recipes at Joy of Baking

Are your friends away for the summer? Do you miss them?

Why don’t you write them some letters?

Describe your days, what are you doing, how are you spending your holidays…

And don’t forget to mention how you miss him (or her) and how happy you would be to spend some of the time together.

You can also include a poem, quote or your drawing.

Imagine you could go on your holidays wherever you want. For as long as you want. And you can afford whatever luxury you want.

Where would you go? 

Who would you take with you? 

What would you do there?

• Imagine every detail.
• Describe every bit of the scenery.
• Picture yourself enjoying your best holidays ever.
• Hear the sounds of the nature and animals around you. 
• Smell the air and scentes that surrounds you.
• Feel the excitement.

You can even draw a picture or write a letter to your friends describing your magical holidays.

The summer should be fun for everyone. Look around and see if it is not. There are lots of kids who are too shy, or pushed aside. Wouldn’t it be great to meet a new friend?

Look around your neighbourhood and invite someone new to play with you.

It doesn’t have to be perfect stranger, it could be someone from you school you never talked or played with before.

Or maybe a younger brother or sister of your friend, that you ignored so far. Think how great it felt when someone older played with you.

Invite your new friend to your house to have a lemonade or to enjoy the pool. Ask him (or her) to join your group of friends and to participate in your games. Listen to his story.

Remember it’s about being positive and paying it forward. You never know what jewel you might discover.