Evening star., 1925-07-31

r F. you do not see your way clear
to give your children a vacation
away from home, you can at least
Ill arrange matters so that they will
not be inclined to NOPE around in
gloomy discomfort. With very little
effort on the part of parents. it is
POSSIBLE to provide the children with
happy outdoor vacations at home.
THE first thing necessary for a
successful vacation at home would
be to provide a vacation atmosphere
in as many ways as possible. Let
the children wear beach romperS so
that they will feel free to do just as
they please Plan vacation meals
and let the children eat them out
doors. picnic fashion, and let them
help in the preparation and clearing
away.
If the children are old enough,
they will enjoy camp cooking in the
open. Supply paper picnic plates,
paper napkins, and enamel or paper
cups Even if your garden or lawn
IS very small, the children will love
the novelty and informality of meals
In the open. You could arrange, in
addition, outdoor sleeping quarters
on a porch or balcony. or even in a
home made tent in the garden, pro-
Viding, of course, protection from
rain or cold.
Then there is the matter of making
the garden or back yard attractive
for play purposes. Some sand and
tub of water sunk in the ground
Will provide hours of contented
occupation for younger children. A
swing and a trapeZe, such as play
grounds are supplied with, could be
made at home, if there is a con-
venient tree from which to hang the
swing.
Most daddies could make an mex
pensive seesaw or a temporary vault
ing gate and hurdle jumps, which are
not difficult to contrive. A length of
stout rope. hung from a tree, jutting
beam, or balcony will provide
healthy eXerices and fun in climbing,
stretching and swinging.
A post driven in the ground, with
a strong cord fixed at the top and
terminating in a bag containing a
ball, will suggest all kinds of games
TO the childrens inventive minds.
Long jumps could be marked out on
the ground. showing the distances in
feet. Targets for throwing" games
could be painted on a wall or fence,
Trips to neighboring parks or
woods could be arranged. Nature
rambles will be popular If one of the
adult members Of the party knows
something about botany, insect life,
birds and kindred subjects. 1t would
be good plan to teach the children
something more about their own
city or town during a home vacation.
Walking or bicycle outings. taken
with a definite aim in view, might
also be possible. Tell your children
about the beauties and wonders of
washington and surrounding places.
Away from Home.
Mothers who take their children
away on a vacation do not always
realize that the youngest member OF
the party will need the same care and
attention during the vacation as was
given at home. The natural tendency
IS to give up the child's daily routine
and allow him to spend the whole day
on the beach, or to accompany the
parents on tiresome expeditions or
pleasure trips. Meals are taken at all
hours, strange food Is eaten, bedtime
is frequently very late, and the child
lives in a constant state of rush and
excitement. All this sort of thing is
q great mental and physical strain on
young child, and keeps him from de-
ftving benefit from the vacation
The mother who is prepared to put
her child's health and wellbeing above
her own personal comfort will main
tain the child's home routine as far
S possible throughout the vacation.
] he time for getting up and going to
he'd should remain unchanged, and,
dn addition, mother should see that the
children have their usual nourishing
midday meal and an hours rest
afterward, whatever may be the plans
Of the rest Of the party.
1t can usually be arranged for mem.
bers of family or vacation party to
take turns remaining with the chill
dren while the others are out on ex.
petitions which would prove to be
too firing for very small children.
A very small child's comfort with
regard 10 clothring also needs to be
studied while at the beach. Many a
child has caught a severe chill from
damp clothing because he has been
afraid to tell his mother of some va
cation accident with puddles or sea
water. Weather changes, OF course,
are sure 10 be frequent, so that the
children may need woolens in the
early morning and straw hats and cot
ton dresses In the afternoon.
Very small children dislike change,
and so will be much happier at the
beach with familiar toys, familiar
foods and the same simple beach
games every day.
Keep a watchful eye during the va
cation to see that your child's head