When having a family party or get-together make sure there’s plenty to keep the kids occupied. And I’m not talking tv. (At least not until later!)

Keep it low-key and simple with the goal of keeping them active and, preferably, outside. Balls are a necessity: soccer or football in the yard or basketball if you’ve got a hoop.

Younger kids will enjoy chalk, hula hoops, jump ropes and scooters for the driveway or patio. If the weather isn’t cooperating, crafts, board games and a Wii tournament will do just fine. And enlisting older kids to supervise younger kids might give parents more time to engage with fewer interruptions.

And of course there’s nothing wrong with cuing a kids’ movie to wind everyone down as it gets later.

(This tip comes courtesy of my 12 year old.)

Have a great weekend! -alyce eyster