BOREDOM BUSTERS Cool Indoor Activities for Kids & Pets SUMMER’S TOO HOT!
By C.A. Ritz ~ Author and Illustrator cynthialeopoldritsko.com
Hey Kids! Springtime has long faded. You and your favorite pet-pal are outside but the temperature is over one-hundred degrees in the shade! Your pet is panting, staring at you, and waiting to be led back into the house! It’s definitely time for cool indoor activities you can both enjoy while maintaining your pal’s health.
PET AEROBICS
You’ll all benefit from indoor aerobic games including “Fetch”, “Toy Tosses”, and “Follow the Leader”. If there are stairs in your home, it’s fun to watch your pet run up and down after toys. If not, a hallway works. Teach your dog to drop toys into a basket after fetching to get rid of tripping hazards. With cats, you’ll get more exercise since they let you clean up! To peak a pet’s interest, sit on the floor about 12 feet from another person and toss a toy back and forth. If no one else is available, just use a soft item against a wall. Cats enjoy chasing, but don’t expect them to bring toys back to you like playful pups! “Follow the Leader” trains animals to watch your lead. Stop and praise your animal when obedient. Pets will follow as you dance to music, too! Games like “Hide and Seek” allow animals to practice listening and smelling skills. Hide toys or treats like a treasure hunt. You can call out and be their “prize”, too!
CREATIVE PROJECTS u u u u u u
Draw or Photograph your pet with favorite toys. Write a story starring your pet as the main character. Keep a journal with your pet’s accomplishments. Create a cartoon sequence with a humorous or surprise ending. Practice reading aloud to your pet! Make a pet fire escape plan.
HUGS FOR HAPPY HEARTS
We all like hugs! Whether quietly in a chair or rolling together on the floor, hugging your pet gives emotional health. Then, relax so you both cool and calm down after activities. Before bedtime snuggle with your pet; you will both sleep better and feel secure finding joy together this summer, indoors!
Las Vegas Pet Scene Magazine • KIDS EDITION APRIL 2020
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