(ARA)  Summer vacation . . . remember how those words used to be music to your ears? Now that you're a parent you're more likely to experience panic rather than joy when the subject comes up. Like a lot of people, you're probably asking yourself: "How am I going to keep my kids entertained all summer?"

There are lots of ways you can lure your kids away from the TV and keep them happily occupied during their vacation. Whether you are spending time at the beach, the pool or just in your backyard, here are a few ideas for preventing the summer doldrums:

* Water games. "Water volleyball is an event that will keep people of all ages engaged and active," says Norm Mears, CEO of Rave Sports, a family recreational equipment company. "This kind of game is very flexible, will work on land or water and can be adapted to fit younger kids or teenagers and adults," adds Mears. The Rave inflatable volleyball court can be adjusted to different heights and widths to accommodate players of varying ages and larger or smaller groups. It is easily portable -- no bigger than a sleeping bag.

* Get out the hula hoops. Have your kids discovered the fun of hula hooping? Make it interesting by decorating their hoops with streamers. Cut brightly colored fabric ribbon into two-foot lengths; tightly tie individual strands to the hoop, spaced about 5 inches apart. When your child spins the hoop the streamers will fly.

If they get tired of just spinning on their own, here's a game to try. For this relay race, you'll need 2 teams with the same number of players and a hula hoop for each team. Create a course, such as a straight line to a tree or trash can and back, or create a slalom-type trail around a series of obstacles. The first player from each team rolls the hoop (using his hand or a stick) through the entire course and then and passes the hoop to the next player. The first team with all members through the course wins.

* Sidewalk games. Here's one you can play anywhere and kids love it: Jump the Trap. Tie somebody's shoe to the end of a rope about 5 to 8 feet long. One player holds the shoeless end of the rope and spins around -- not too fast -- so that the rope sweeps in a circle. The weight keeps the rope fairly near the ground. The players must jump over the rope as it passes them (this is easiest if kids spread themselves around the circle so they're not all in one clump). If the shoe hits a player's foot or leg, he's out. The last person still jumping gets to turn the rope during the next round. You don't have to make it an elimination game -- just have everyone take turns jumping and spinning. To make it more challenging, have the center turner spin the rope progressively faster so that it rises higher.

* A new twist on a classic game. Your kids have probably played twister, but have they tried it while floating on water? The Aqua Jump from Rave Sports is a floating trampoline that provides a soft surface for all kinds of activities on the water including games. "These platforms can be used for everything from sunbathing and relaxing to jumping," says Mears. Michele Krolczyk, a mother of three boys, bought an Aqua Jump six years ago and says the platform combines the best of all worlds. "It doesn't have any sharp corners, it's very comfortable to lie on and it's good for just relaxing and playing board games or for having jumping contests." Krolczyk says it's been a great way to keep her kids entertained at the lake: "We've had it for six summers and they have not lost interest in it," she adds.

So enjoy all that extra time with your kids this summer. The games will keep them entertained and the best part is -- you'll all be spending time together.

For more information about RAVE family water sports equipment, visit www.ravesports.com or call (800) 659-0790.

Courtesy of ARA Content