Rock legend Alice Cooper commemorated the joy of the last day of school in the band’s ubiquitous 1972 hit “School’s Out.”

With no school to fill the teens’ last weeks or days of summer, it’s up to parents to figure out how to keep them busy and out of trouble. Start planning now to stretch your creativity muscles with fun activities.

Here are 10 to make memories.

#1. Broadway Babies.

Have the children write, produce, and put on a play. Check out books from the library about plays and theater, and ask them to encourage their friends to participate. If your kids are tech savvy, let them create movies.

#two. memory makers.

Start a scrapbook. Let the youngsters take pictures of anything their hearts desire, using a digital or disposable kid’s camera. Have them work on scrapbooks of their work each week. For winter, they’ll have a keepsake that will capture tons of memories.

#3. Free Frenzy.

Visit the website of your local convention and visitors bureau. Look for possibilities like free movie nights or free or low-cost tickets to museums.

#4. Host a pirate party.

Gather your little Blackbeards for a pirate-themed party. Fill a treasure chest with candy and other goodies and have the kids dress up. Draw a treasure map and have the children complete tasks before receiving the following clues. Consider activities like putting puzzles together, solving brain teasers, or competing in cake-eating or bubble-gum-blowing contests.

#5. GetGlobal.

Every week, check out a book from the library about a foreign country. Learn with the children about different cultures, foods and clothes. Declare “(Name of Country) Day”, in which everyone prepares typical foods, learns phrases and plays popular games of that nation.

#6. Big savers.

Institute has a coupon clipping contest and have your kids help you find savings. Put them in charge of coupons for every other week and keep an up-to-date record of what was spent each week. For Halloween, whoever has the fewest dollars wins a prize.

#7. Freezing time.

Build a time capsule for the summer of 2008. Have your kids collect all their summer memories and photos and have them make a mix CD of their favorite songs. Then secure the items in an airtight container and bury it. In 10 years, they can dig it up again and laugh at the funny times they shared. Bury it at least 4 feet below ground, but check with your utility companies before you dig. Mark the spot and record where you have buried the time capsule.

#8. Wild and wet weather!

When the weather forecaster calls for hot, humid weather, throw an old-fashioned sprinkler party. It’s fun, cheap and always fun. Ask your neighbors, friends and family to bring different types of sprinklers, water guns and slides, and fill water balloons. It will be a great way to keep the neighborhood entertained and cool.

#9. Children’s kitchen.

Have your kids create fun meals of their own. Start with a cookbook like “There’s a Chef in My Soup” by Emeril Lagasse. Let the kids do everything from setting the table to seating your guests and serving the food. Be prepared for a disaster, and for a good time and great photos. But always make sure you or another responsible adult is available to supervise kitchen activities.

#10. Karaoke, anyone?

The next rainy day, try a children’s karaoke DVD. They can set up a stage, make costumes out of old clothes, and rehearse. They will be ready to give a concert in the late afternoon or evening.

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