KidsCast

Another Reminder About Not Littering

In the news this week has been a story from Minnesota about a black bear that got a plastic jug stuck on its head. After six days of trying to tranquilize the bear and save its life, wildlife officials decided the bear was creating too much danger for residents. It had become hungry and wandered into a town. The bear was killed. If the plastic jug hadn't been left out, the bear wouldn't have been able to get its head stuck inside it. Just remember, anytime you litter, you're not only creating problems for the environment, but also potential hazards for wildlife. 

Exercise for Money

On this week's show, get tips for our latest summer job idea, washing cars. It's a great way to get to know your neighbors, to get a little exercise and to earn a little money. But the first key to a good business is quality. Make sure you do a good job on the vehicles you wash. That's the only way you'll get repeat business and be able to keep it going.  Washing cars is also a great way to help you stay fit while on your summer break.  Just don't let yourself overheat out in the sun. 

Download/Listen to 5 min mp3

D.A.R.E. to Have Indoor Fun

On a rainy day, a great website to look up is the one for Drug Abuse Resistence Education, also known as D.A.R.E. There's a great section just for kids.  You can go there to play games, solve puzzles and read interesting features about being a healthy happy kid. 

Dog Walking for Dough

A great business for young pet lovers to start is a dog walking service. You'll not only be giving the pooches much needed exercise, but earning some cash. Listen to this week's show for tips about getting started and potential problems to watch out for. Check out some of our other recent posts for more summer job suggestions.

Download/Listen to 5 min mp3

How Movies Can Open Conversation

A lot of buzz is surrounding the new film The Dark Knight. It's mainly because one of its stars, Heath Ledger, gives a great performance as the Joker.  Ledger died earlier this year from an accidental overdose of prescription medication. He had spoken in interviews about having a hard time sleeping while playing and after finishing the film. Some of the prescription drugs in his system were sleeping pills. The Partnership for a Drug Free America has tips to explain how important it is to dispose of prescription medication properly and how to avoid getting hooked on it. 

Cleaning for Cash

There are few kids out there who enjoy cleaning their rooms.  But when there's a financial incentive to clean, that makes it a little easier.  One summer job you could start is a cleaning business. Check in with neighbors and relatives to see if they could use your help around the house.  Listen to this week's show for tips on how to get started. And after reading various expert cleaner's suggestions for keeping a clean home, it's been decided that three of the most important things are to:

1. Keep the dishes washed and out of the sink.
2. Make your bed.
3. Make sure the bathroom is clean.

Download/Listen to 5 min mp3

Staying Fit with Summer Fun

The American Journal of Public Health recently reported that American kids gain more weight in the summer than they do throughout the rest of the year. That shouldn't be the case when there are so many outdoor activities to participate in during the summer months. Forget about the DVDs, video games and computers. Get outside and play. You'll feel better, look better and maybe even have a better relationship with your family members. July is Parks and Recreation Month. Take this time to hit the playground with some pals or go on a hike with your mom and dad. If you don't stay active, you can gain weight. And when kids become overweight that can lead to health problems later in life. 

Recognizing Teen Behavior

Anyone who knows teenagers, knows that most can act a little wacky at times.  They can go from happy to irritable at the drop of a hat. A lot of it may have to do with their patterns of brain development. Changes in the body can sometimes be difficult to handle, and those changes often start before a kid even becomes a teen. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America has a site dedicated to this very topic. Find it here. Find out what behaviors may be explained by your brain.

Making Money by Quenching Thirst

A great way to make a little change this summer is to build your own lemonade stand. Listen to this week's show to get tips for building your stand and how to decorate it. If you're not interested in lemonade, try another drink, like kool aid or flavored water. Then tell us how your business worked. Send in pix of yourself running your stand.

Download/Listen to 5min mp3

Fireworks Safety

The 4th of July is one of the funnest holidays of the year. There are lots of things to do and see.  But if you plan on shooting off fireworks make sure you do it safely. Below are some safety tips to follow for Independence Day fun.

1. Never play with fireworks without an adult.
2. Read and follow all the package's instructions.
3. Keep water and sand nearby.
4. Don't attempt to make your own fireworks or combine existing ones.
5. Don't try to relight a firework that didn't work the first time. It's a dud.
6. Don't lean over the top of fireworks to light them. 
7. Even after they go out, don't touch the stems of sparklers or other handheld fireworks. They can still be very hot.