Fortunately, I’ve got a list of ideas to keep my kids moderately busy and mildly productive. Unfortunately my list is boring and reads like a Polly Anna authored article for Parenting magazine; however, if you really just want to keep your kids out of your hair this summer, and don’t give a damn what Parenting magazine might say, then here is my alternate list of 5 fun “techie” activities for kids this summer.

1. Learn how to really edit video:

Kids of nearly all ages love to get a hold of the family camcorder and make their own mini-movies. Unfortunately the “free” editing software that came with the camcorder is often terrible or impossible to use. Capitalize on your child’s love for making mini-movies but make it easier and more rewarding by getting your hands on a “real” video editing application and couple it with some decent training material.

Applications such as Adobe Premier Pro CS3 offer 30 day free trial versions of their software (that’s just about 1/3 of the summer vacation). Once you have the software, you can buy a one month subscription to Lynda.com and get nearly all of the video training your child with need for just $25. Between learning how to use the new software and filming the mini-movie itself, your child will be kept busy and loving it for a better part of the summer vacation. Of course, if your child becomes proficient at the editing software and really likes it, then you have a whole new problem. To resolve this new predicament you’ll either have to break down and purchase the software, or move on to the next activity on the list.

2. Scanning old photo albums:

If you’re like most people, you’ve always wanted to scan every single print photo onto your hard drive. Of course, the family memories often occupy dozens of shoe boxes and/or large photo albums. The task of scanning all those photos is far too daunting to take on. But fear not, if you have a computer literate teenage around the house, then you have the perfect candidate to become “The Scan Master.” All you need to get your child started is a flat bed scanner (I have the Epson Perfection V500), and a little persuasive banter about the joys of photo scanning. Unfortunately no matter how great your “sales pitch,” not every teenager will jump at the chance to scan like a lemming. For those cases, you need to move on to activity number 3.

3. Learn a little Linux:

Even the most non-technie kid has dreamed of being a “computer hacker ” (if your kid is the exception, show them War Games for a little inspiration).  And everyone knows that “real hackers” are masters of “real” operating systems like Linux.  If you have an old computer lying around, you’ve got the perfect resource for days to weeks of frustrating fun. Just show your kid the computer, then make the “hacker” pitch without mentioning the word hacker (you don’t want to overtly advocate illegal cyber activities). Once you’ve sold them on the idea, help get them started by giving them a quick intro to the various distros available at Linux.org.  Keep in mind, this activity can work as either entertainment or punishment. The requirements you place on the final installation will determine how your child interprets this activity. Of course, if you’re child is too successful with this task, it’s time to immediately move to activity number 4.

4. Open it up and see how it works:

Learning Linux was a good idea to kill a few weeks of summer vacation, but now it’s getting out of hand and needs to stop. Encourage your child to open up that computer and learn how it works by disassembling all of its pieces. Most important is to have them open up that hard drive and remove the platters. This activity is both fun, educational, and helps you reduce that computer you’re dying to throw out into several little pieces you can easily toss in the trash. And once that extra computer is a pile of worthless rubbish, summer is almost over and it’s time to let kids be kids.

5. Let them play games:

If all went well with this list, your kids have managed to stay out of trouble, made a few mini-movies, scanned boxes of photos, learned Linux, dismantling that trashy extra computer and best of all, stayed out of your hair. It’s been a good summer, you’ve kept them busy and got a little something out of it in the process. Now, however, it’s time to let them fry their brains with hours upon hours of questing in World of Warcraft (Please Note: This last step is also a fall back in the event that all other activities don’t last long enough).

First thing you need to do is get your kid hooked on World of Warcraft with their free 10 day trial account. Then, as day 8 and 9 of the trial rolls around check to see if your kid has lost weight, needs sleep and talks incessantly about places, people, and objects you’ve never heard of.  If so, then you’re ready for the next step.

Take your child to Walmart or Target (make sure they bring their own cash) and show them the pre-paid time card. Tell them if they want to keep playing, they’ll have to buy one of these cards because you have no intention of funding their addiction — Oops! I meant to say you have no intention of giving out your credit card out to some unknown online entity. If they want to play, they’ll have to pay.

Your kid a little short on cash? Perfect, because there is nothing like a little hard work around the house to earn a few extra bucks — think lawn mowed, hedges trimmed, gutters cleaned, tires rotated. You get my drift. The possibilities are only limited by your own imagination and your home project to-do list. Of course, when school rolls around, you’ll have a whole new problem, but that’s what support groups are for — managing addictions.

With proper planning, it can be a great summer

Summer is a great time to get out and enjoy the warm weather. Visits to the beach, family hikes, bike rides around town are blissful activities suitable for the pages of Parenting magazine. We all know, however, that weather throughout summer is never perfect. Heat waves force you to hide in air conditioned buildings and rain ruins those trips to beach. Basically, at some point this summer, your kids are gonna be stuck inside with nothing to do. And when they utter the infamous phrase, “I’m bored.” You’ll be ready with this list.

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What annoys me about the U.S. Postal Service? Two things in particular: Postal worker interrogation whenever I use Media Mail, and double checking my package whenever I arrive with my own shipping label attached and paid for.

• Interrogation: Media Mail is a method of shipping books, CDs, DVDs, etc for a very reduced rate. Transport time isn’t very fast, but the cheap rate often makes it worth the wait. I always ship books I trade on bookmooch.com with Media Mail; however, using this method means you have to endure interrogation from the postal worker receiving your package (e.g. What’s in the package? Any letters? Any note cards, packing lists, or post-it notes?). Even when I’ve start the conversation with, “I’d like to ship this package with Media Mail. It only contains a book and nothing else.” interrogation always follows.
• Double Checking: I love using the eBay print a shipping label option whenever I sell something: Click button, fill out a few details, click to print and then cut and tape output to the package. Take your package to UPS and you can drop a pre-labeled box and walk out without a hassle. Geez! The UPS people even smile and say thanks as you walk out. Try to “drop-n-run” at the Post Office and they want to weigh your package and make sure you’ve included enough postage. Okay, so tell me WHY I could automate this process online only to go through most of it again here at the Post Office? Who knows.

My Brother’s U.S. Postal Service Shipping Tips

After hearing of my frustration with the U.S. Postal Service my Brother had these tips for getting the most out of this very archaic shipping service:

• Don’t bother with Media Mail: Forget the discounted rate, it’s not worth the interrogation. For a little bit more money use First Class mail, bypass the interrogration and the package often arrives sooner.
• Sign up for Click-n-Ship at USPS.com: The online manifestation of the U.S. Postal Service offers Priority Mail and Express Mail only. Use Priority Mail from this site and you get FREE delivery confirmation (that feature costs extra at the Post Office). Priority Mail also offers FREE boxes. You can get the boxes at your local Post Office or order online and have them delivered for FREE. If possible, grab a couple extra boxes and keep at home to speed up the packing process.
• Flat Rate Priority Boxes: Make sure you have a small supply of these handy boxes nearby. If you have something small but heavy, use one of these gems as Flat Rate can be cheaper than normal Priority Mail and it still gets Priority Mail service.

His tips were great but I have one of my own to add:

• Whenever possible, screw the U.S. Postal Service and use UPS or FedEx. Those services do cost more, but at least you get a “real” tracking number. Ever get a USPS tracking number and actually try and use it online? What a joke.

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