up for something different, they are in fact creatures of habit. Any parent who has sat through the 82nd home viewing of “Finding Nemo” knows this. If kids like something, they will watch, listen and/or eat that thing over and over and over and over until you, the parent, not only know every word, but the exact song sequence to the Lion King CD that has not been out of your car player for 18 months.

But here’s the thing: new can be very good for a kid; new is necessary. They need to have new experiences, new learning opportunities, they benefit from meeting new friends and being made aware of new possibilities.

We know this isn’t always (ever?) easy. One way to make it go a little easier is to have plenty of new ideas in your holster, lots of possibilities to be presented when the previous one gets turned down. And summer is a great time to present these ideas. Without the mad dash of getting to and from school, there’s time to try something different––a new sport or hobby; maybe sing a song or tell a joke in front of an audience; or build a boat or a rocket, maybe even, gasp, go back to school (trust us, it’s good).

Now, the cover says we’ve come up with 10 new things you might try for your kids, but that’s a lie. We have 10 items in this article, but within those are several suggestions, so, as usual with Kidsguide, you’re getting much more than you paid for. What’s (lots) more, you’ll find hundreds more ideas and providers of new things here in the pages of Kidsguide, so have at it.

New ideas? Yes.

New ideas that lead to happy, well-rounded kids? Definitely.

1

(GET INTO THE) ACT!

Any parent who’s ever tried to get a straight answer as to how the kitchen ended up looking like that, knows kids are natural actors. And there are lots of local outfits that can not only develop their performance skills, but all the things necessary to put on a good show. Long Beach-based Kid’s Theater Company (562.209.1894) offers kids not only the opportunities to act, sing or do a bit of improv, but also learn the critical behind-the-scenes skills of set design, lighting and such. Director Kyle Becker knows that the performing arts are critical for any kid. “Being in a production makes a kid feel part of a team,” he said. “It teaches them dedication and self-esteem while giving them the foundation of performance art.” And Becker’s productions, which have included music revues, improv comedies and Alice Rocks Wonderland, are tailored to each kid, so that a boy who may be less inclined to sing, may prefer to hit stuff and is given parts that include stage combat, or work behind the scenes with set design. Now, if your child goes more for new media, there are also camps available that will give them the opportunity to perform on both sides of a camera. Movies By Kids, for example, offers kids the opportunity to pursue numerous types of filmmaking: kids can make animated shorts, film their own live-action sequence, produce a music video or newscast, and lots more (www.moviesbykids.com).

2

(SING) MUSIC!

One of the best things you can not only do for your kid’s brain, but soul, is introduce them early and often to all types of music: singing, playing, singing and playing. It’s wonderful and basic to who we are as human beings and, unfortunately, our schools don’t have the money to provide it much anymore. Fortunately, there are plenty of other companies and organizations to fill the void. As for the bit where they open their mouths and let loose, there are a few favorites that include the Southern California Children’s Chorus (www.sccchorus.org), or Sandpiper Children’s Chorus sponsored by Alley Kat Music Center in the city of Cypress (www.alleykatsheetmusic.com). The International Peace Choir (www.internationalpeacechoir.org) was founded in Long Beach more than 20 years ago, and offers kids not only the chance to sing, but to learn about other cultures. Kids represent a particular country, research it and wear the national garb from it. The choir has performed at the Hollywood Bowl, before Pope John Paul II, at Dodger Stadium, and at Lincoln Center in New York City.

3

(PLAY) MUSIC!

And this is the bit where they keep their mouths closed for the most part (ah, one can dream) to make beautiful music come out of an instrument. Again there are lots of places to make this happen. Jammin’ Music offers all kinds of possibilities, from private lessons to summer camps to Rock School (www.jamminmusic-lb.com). Kids can learn how to play piano or guitar or drums. They can improve on their own and learn to play with others. And they can learn all of this WHILE NOT IN YOUR HOUSE. Which is something the neighbors would probably appreciate. Golden West College also offers beginning drums for kids (www.goldenwestcollege.edu) and Cypress College (www.cypresscollege.edu) offers a similar opportunity to learn the cello.

4

(BIG KID) SCHOOL!

And yes, we can hear you asking if we have gone out of our minds! True, the whole point of summer for kids is to be away from school––the school of uniforms and rigid time schedules and classes they aren’t particularly excited about. But what about a little school we like to call college? Schools like that offer classes to young folk over the summer on how to make iPhone apps or video games. That’s the kind of stuff kids learn at iD Tech Camps (www.internalDrive.com) located on college campuses throughout the Southland. For kids into time-tested apps, like writing, Cal State Long Beach offers its well-regarded Young Writers Camp (www.youngwriterscamp.com). Camps like this not only offer new experiences and skills, but the opportunity for kids to start thinking, and become excited about, the college experience. One of the most extensive kid programs is at Cypress College where there are hundreds of classes ranging from creating your own Web page to computer animation to baking, plus lots of other new things (www.cypresscollege.edu). “We’re offering digital filmmaking, digital music mixing, stop-motion animation,” said Cypress’ Rita Pierce. “It’s really fun stuff that kids can not only learn but take with them.”

5

(OTHER) SPORTS!

Yeah, we know. If anything is not new, it’s sports for kids. It seems at times all we do is drive them to one sport or ano

ther. But, for a lot of kids, it’s the same sports as everyone else: soccer, baseball, basketball, etc. How about introducing them to some new ones? New ones like archery? You can hook up with the folks at the Junior Olympic Archery Development Program at Long Beach’s El Dorado Park (www.eldoradoarchers.com). If you want something equally combative and artful, introduce them to fencing (and now we don’t mean chain-link). You know, fencing, as in sword play, w

hich isn’t play but a serious sport steeped in history and pointed things. You know, swords. South Coast Fencing offers kids the opportunity to learn this beautiful activity called the “chess of sports” in classes and even a beginner’s camp (www.southcoastfencing.com). Now, if you’d like to get your kids off dry land you might try the equally artful synchronized swimming which the City of La Mirada offers (562.902.3191). Or you can try something equally combative, a little bit of aqua-wrestling called water polo. Los Al Youth Water Polo takes kids as young as 5 and teaches them a sport that director Bahram Hojreh says is one of the few “to force a person to use every muscle in their b

ody” (www.losalamitoswaterpolo.com). Sounds like fun, not to mention a good night sleep.

Or take it to dry land with Ping Pong. Yes, there are actually not only youth programs, but lessons and camps for the beginner to advanced player (www.powerpong.org).

6(JUST) PARTY!

Perfect for an un-birthday or if your birthday happens to fall near or on a major holiday, or just because it’s summer. The idea here is to get a group of neighbors or friends together and pitch in for a wing-ding. Rent a bouncer, play street games, have a marine biology expert bring tidepool animals to your backyard (Blue Submarine, 888.218.8085) or go to California Pets for a puppy or reptile party (www.californiapetsoc.com).

7

CRAFT(Y)

OK, there are literally way, way, waaaaay, too many craft opportunities offered at schools, parks and grandma’s homes. But we love two. The first is sewing. Yes, sewing. Now you may think this is for old ladies, until you have a hole in your sock or find the new $150 jeans you just bought are way too long. This is why you go to Sewing With Jane (562.431.1943). Jane Loper offers classes and camps that teach kids to work with textiles and make some very cool projects. Sewing? Cool? Uh, for any of you kids interested in becoming the next winner of Project Runway, you will notice that every one of those people know their way around a needle, thread and sewing machine. OK, now equally as classic is learning to build model boats. Our area happens to offer one of the best programs around in Long Beach’s Model Boat Shop run by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. Kids from the ages of 7 on up not only learn how to build model sailboats, thereby learning a good bit of history, culture and language of the sea, but race their creations in weekly regattas. Captain’s hat optional (562.570.3100).

8

(SCIENCE?) SCIENCE!

Yes, yes, it’s not every kids’ favorite subject, but a lot of that has to do with science learned out of a book. In the summer, kids can be exposed to science … in the raw! This is the way science was supposed to be experienced, hands-on like at Cal State Long Beach’s Young Scientist Camp for kids in grades 3 to 8 (www.youngscientistscamp.com). Other favorite science-y type things include Long Beach Marine Institute camps. They have a couple of age-appropriate camps to introduce and foster a fascination and love of the ocean for kids 5-12 and teens ages 13-16. Teens actually live aboard a research vessel for a week and participate in all manner of exploration (www.longbeachmarine.org). And the Ocean Institute in Dana Point offers a Seafarer’s Odyssey for 9 to 10 years olds that includes helmsmanship, treasure hunts and real sea-cave exploration (www.ocean-institute.org). This, in scientific terms, is very cool.

9

(DRIVE-IN) MOVIES!

One way to get kids excited about the new possibilities of movies is to show them how they used to be experienced with movie stars 50-feet tall! Yeah drive-in movies still exist, and they make a great, evening excursion. Mission Tiki Drive-In in Montclair features eight, first-run movies every day of the week. Adults are just 7 bucks, kids 5 to 9 just a buck (www.missiontiki.com). Even better, during the theater’s “Summer Under The Stars” program, they show a weekly classic movie—and it costs just one buck a car. ONE DOLLAR! Do you know what else is one dollar these days? Nothing. You might also check out the Vineland in City of Industry (www.vinelanddriveintheater.com); the Van Buren (www.vanburendriveintheatre.com) and Rubidoux (www.rubidoux.icyspicy.com) in Riverside.

10

NOTHING!

Hey, it’s summer. Why don’t you and your kids try a little something new called nothing? Sit on the steps and share a popsicle. Lay on the grass and look up at the clouds (Hey! That one looks like my small intestine!) In the midst of our over-scheduled, over-achieving lives, when we all seem to be in a constant state of becoming, wouldn’t it be great for all of us—adults and kids—to just be in a state of being. Just. Be. Happy Summer!