From guest blogger Jeremy Olson, the Strib's new children and family reporter...

Today's story on the association between video gaming and attention problems must have been interesting, because even my 9-year-old son read it start to finish.

His first reaction was instinctually defensive. "But dad, I read every day this week!"

After assuring that the story wasn't about him, we discussed how screen time can pile up when including TV and gaming and computer. We even came up with a new system, based on the examples offered by two parents in the article. For every minute he reads, he can have another minute of screen time (up to a limit).

Reader comments on the online article do reflect some of the "duh" factor to the story – that most people have already heard this warning before. But science is all about little pieces of research contributing to the bigger picture.

And I did like the timing of the study – right in midsummer when kids are in need of fresh ideas for fun. Speaking of fresh ideas, author Silvana Clark has offered a few as part of a new book, Fun-Filled Parenting: A Guide to Laughing More and Yelling Less.

Here they are. (Note: some of the book author's ideas contain Christian references, but the majority are non-religious.)

Outdoor Activities:
1. Surprise children with a morning trip to the park as soon as they wake up. After playing on the playground equipment, eat a simple breakfast at a picnic table while having devotions or reading together.
2. Invite neighborhood kids over for an old-fashioned game of Hide and Seek. (You might be surprised at how some children have never played this game.)
3. Check the paper for listings of summer concerts or activities. Attend an event new to the family.
4. Take an evening walk together. Often children open up with serious questions when there's no direct eye contact with a parent.
5. Use chalk to outline childrens' shadows on the sidewalk in the morning, noon and afternoon. Why are the shadows a different length?
6. Take an ordinary sprinkler and attach it securely to a tree or swing set so the water sprays down. A whole new way of enjoying water fun!
7. If friends come over, play an adapted version of Duck, Duck, Goose. The person who is "It" walks around the outside of the circle, saying, "Dry, dry, dry, dry….WET!!" and dumps a cup of water on the selected person.

Artistic Activities:
8. Make homemade face paint by mixing ½ cup solid vegetable shortening and ½ cup cornstarch about 3 minutes. Divide mixture into 3-4 small containers and add 1 tsp powdered paint to each batch. Stir. Apply with paint brush or cotton swab.
9. Set out an assortment of paper, stickers and markers. Ask children to make cards with general themes such as "We thought about you today" or "I'm glad you are a part of our family". Send to people as a surprise.
10. Give everyone a stack of newspapers and a roll of tape. Try to create a costume or outfit from the paper. Sunday comics work great. Don't forget to take pictures of the designer creations.
11. Make a giant chalk mural on the sidewalk or driveway by your house.
12. Many local newspapers sell their newsprint end rolls at a low cost. Trace children's bodies on the paper. After children embellish their bodies by drawing hair and clothing, display the life size bodies for everyone to admire.

Indoor Activities:
13. Plan an "Extra Fancy" dinner. Have children help set the table with candles and fresh flowers. Get dressed up and use formal manners at this elegant dinner party.
14. Offer to do volunteer work at your church. Decorate Sunday school bulletin boards, help fold church bulletins or disinfect toys in the nursery. Children learn the practical application to Christian service.
15. Try a new restaurant. One mother took her two daughters to a restaurant that offers ONLY rice pudding, in dozens of flavors! The restaurant looks like a space ship, and the bowls are UFO shaped.
16. Plan a Backwards Day. Say "Good evening" as children wake up. Serve pancakes for dinner and pray after eating meals.
17. Make a giant list of "Things We Are Grateful For": Brainstorm as many ideas as possible, ranging from food in the refrigerator to having a friendly neighbor.
18. Make an indoor obstacle course. Set up chairs, sofa cushions, boxes, etc. Have timed races to get through the course. Messy, but oh so fun on a rainy day!
19. Plan an indoor scavenger hunt…with a purpose. Give children a list with things they need to find or do such as: Find a hat with a logo. Take out one bag of trash. Find a dirty sock. Sing a song that includes the word "Jesus". Put away two items from the floor in your bedroom.
20. Ask each family member to dress up and act out a scene as a character from their favorite book. Take turns guessing each character.