Spend some extra time with the family on Kids Day

NEW YORK (AP) -- On Mother's Day, moms get flowers. On Father's Day, dads man the grill. On Kids Day, families are going to spend time together.

Four youth organizations have united to declare the first Sunday of August National KidsDay.

On this year's inaugural KidsDay on Sunday, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 4-H, KidsPeace and YMCA are hoping to launch a tradition that fosters relationship-building activities.

The mission of this new "holiday" is to celebrate and honor children -- whether it's by taking a family bike ride, enjoying a community celebration, creating a family photo album or distributing toys to a children's hospital.

Other ideas from the KidsDay Alliance:

-- The Big Coupon Reversal. Adults make a coupon book for kids filled with activities the family doesn't normally have time for. Tell the kids they can redeem the coupons any time they want extra attention.

-- National KidsDay Chronicle. Write a family newsletter. Each person takes on a different job: reporter, illustrator, photographer, writer, editor or designer. Make the cover story about your National KidsDay celebration, highlight current events in your family or tell funny stories. Send them to your relatives or create a family Web site using your newsletter as a home page.

-- Ring Around the Family Tree. Draw a family tree. Where is your family from? How far back can you trace? Ask elder members to help with this project and utilize old photo albums, the library or Internet to learn more about your family roots. As you study your family history, take time to tell stories about the people you add to your tree.

-- Swap Art. Create art together by asking one person to start drawing a picture. Pass it on to the next person, and the next -- and the next -- until each family member has contributed.

On the Net: National KidsDay Web site: http://www.kidsday.net/