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To go or not to go: That is the question many families are asking this summer. With soaring gas prices and steamy hot temperatures, the answer for my family this summer is to stay at home a little more each week. There are only so many afternoons that one family can spend doing puzzles, reading books or playing board games, and I hate to hear the whiny "I am bored!" So, as the family fun expert, I came up with a few ideas for the days that we decide not to go.

Mad scientists

The summer edition of the Louisiana Arts and Science Museum newsletter contains some great and easy science experiments that really appeal to my crew, including an at-home art gallery, testing iron content of dried cereal and invisible ink. A copy of the newsletter with these and more ideas is available here.

Experimenting with food recipes has become another summer favorite. We are going to the grocery store less and being creative with what we find in the pantry and fridge. I have to warn you that the blender is involved in most of these creations, but I am noticing that the children are much more interested in eating the food since they were involved in the decision-making process and preparation.

Summer journal/scrapbook

Let the children have a disposable camera and experiment with photojournalism this summer. Each child can decorate a journal and individually tell the story of his or her summer through drawings, writings or pictures. Most children love "journal time" because it is all about the special things that happen to them, and most parents love looking at these special moments told through the eyes of their child.

Home movie night (or day)

Forget Blockbuster this summer and get out some of the videos the family hasn't viewed in a while. We always have the biggest laughs watching the girls sing their first songs or learning to walk.

Stationary creations

While things are slow during the summer, plan ahead for the busy school year and make some personalized stationary, including birthday cards and thank-you notes. Of course the computer is great for this, but consider experimenting with calligraphy, stamps, fingerprint creations and drawings.

Enjoy your summer days at home.