NEXT WEEK:NEXT WEEK: HAPPY HOLIDAYS – Stay safe and have fun

IT’S nearly holiday time: six weeks of fun in the sun with no school.But do you think you’ll be able to get through these summer holidays

without using the “B” word? Of course you can.There are loads of things you can do to be entertained but sometimes you

need inspiration. Jack and Phoebe are here to help with some tips on howto enjoy these summer holidays

THE BUCKET LISTWITH your friends and family,brainstorm a list of activitiesyou could do during theholidays. Write each item onthis list on to individual piecesof paper and place them into abucket. When you needinspiration for an activitychoose two or three from thebucket and decide which oneto do.

SCAVENGER HUNTARM yourself with a camera.During the holidays yourmission is to find the objectsor perform the tasks on thislist and take a picture of them.Once you have completed thismission, keep the evidenceand write a caption for eachphoto. Your local newspapermay require you to submit thisas proof of accomplishing thistask. It could be:■ A family member readingthe local newspaper■ A wheelie bin withsomething painted on it■ Someone climbing a tree(safely)■ A bird■ Someone riding a bike inthe rain■ A letterbox

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Someone drinking a glass ofwater■ A park bench■ Someone playing with a ball■ A sunscreen bottleNOTE: Always ask whentaking a picture of someone ifthey are happy to be in thephoto.

AN OBSTACLECREATE an obstacle course inyour own backyard usingchairs, cardboard boxes orcones. Then run or ride yourbike or scooter through it. Usea stopwatch to see who makesit through in the best time.

DARING DICEMAKE two square boxes(check out the NiE webpageon your local paper’s website

for a pattern). These are yourdice. On one die write adifferent activity on each side:for example, do a cartwheel orwalk 10 steps backwards. Onthe other die write mentalchallenges: list Australia’scapital cities or spell yourname backwards. Each personrolls the dice and does thechallenges at the same time:for example, walkingbackwards while spelling yourname backwards.

MOVIEMAGICTHIS summer on wet or hotdays, a great idea is to go tothe cinema. You’ll find a movieguide and session times inyour local newspaper. Be sureto check the movie’s rating.◗ The Chronicles of Narnia –The Voyage of the DawnTreader (PG)◗ Megamind (PG)◗ TRON: Legacy (PG)◗ Rare Exports: A ChristmasTale (M)◗ Harry Potter and The DeathlyHollows Part 1 (M)◗ Gulliver’s Travels (to beadvised)◗ Little Fockers (TBA)◗ Unstoppable (TBA)◗ Yogi Bear (TBA)

WEATHERWATCHDECEMBER sees the official start ofsummer and holidays for you. Thedays will be hot and will likely breakthe 30-degree mark. The probabilityof storms, bushfires, heat waves anda cyclone or two increases. Beforeyou plan each day we suggest youfind out what the weather will bring.Your local newspaper has a reporteach day or visit the Bureau ofMeteorology website,www.bom.gov.au. The mostimportant thing to remember is thatthe sun is very intense and spendinglong periods of time outdoorswithout protection increases the riskof cancer and premature ageing ofthe skin.Be sun safe this summerSLIP on sun-protectionclothingSLOP on SPF30broad-spectrumsunscreen at least 20minutes before headingoutdoors and reapplyevery two hoursSLAP on a hat thatshades your face, neckand earsSEEK shadeSLIDE on sunglasses

Beach safetyONE of the best ways to cool downis to jump in the pool or go to thebeach. To stay safe this summerfollow these rules. (Lennox Headbeach safety guide,www.lennox-head.net)◗ Always swim or surf at a beachpatrolled by lifesavers◗ Swim between the red-and-yellowflags. They mark the safest areas toswim◗Always swim under supervisionor with a friend◗ Read and obey the signs◗ If you are unsure ofconditions, ask a lifesaver◗ Don’t swim under theinfluence of alcohol or drugs◗ Conditions change regularlyso check before you enter thewater◗ If you get into trouble in thewater don’t panic. Signal for help,float and wait for assistance◗ Float with a rip current orundertow. Do not swim againstit.

User: Paul.Stuart Time: 12-06-2010 12:12 Product: SCN PubDate: .Bank Zone: All Edition: Main Page: nie summertime Color: CMYK