Your life begins to change as your child enters high school, whether you like it or not. Boy, did I not like changes. Many of your family’s practices change, just because your children won’t always be around for them. Accepting these changes as gracefully as possible is part of your maturation as a parent.

Family dinners were our first casualty. I grew up in a family that dined together every day, especially at dinner. We continued that practice when our children were younger. But sports practices, play rehearsals, invitations to friends’ houses began to leave kids’ places vacant at dinner table. Or you’ll get exactly opposite – everyone’s girlfriend or boyfriend comes over unexpectedly for dinner. I’ve learned to plan plenty for dinner, and then enjoy leftovers for lunch next day if everyone isn’t here.

I have listed 10 Ultimate Army Party Games and Activities to help get you started.

“Water Brigade” For their first high priority assignment, your unit must put out a fire that is destroying civilian crops! Divide soldiers into two teams; line teams up next to each other. Put a bucket full of water at head of each line and give first person in each line a large cup full of water. Place an empty bucket for each team about 35 ft away. Blow a whistle or say “GO!” first person runs to empty bucket, pours water into it, and races back to their team with empty cup. They should pass off cup to next teammate who fills cup, runs to bucket, pours water in it and brings cup back for next player. When each team member has run down and back game is over. To see which team has carried most water down, insert sticks into each bucket and compare water lines.

“Drill Sergeant Says” This is a simple game of Simon with a twist of Army. Next you are going to need a Drill Sergeant. Any volunteers? Oh yes, we have honorary Mom and Dad. Try and dress up with a hat, sunglasses and shaved head. To play game, Drill Sergeant will give commands like: Drill Sergeant Says run for 10 seconds! You can have them respond with a Yes Drill Sergeant. If Drill Sergeant didn't say "Drill Sergeant Says" and a few kids keep doing commands, they have to go down for a few pushups. This really gives kids feel of Army-like drills!!

“Pack Up Relay” Find or borrow full size backpacks and things that would go inside (canteens, compass, pack of food, plate, etc). You will need one pack per team and one item per person. Have teams line up with their pack. The first person must run to pile of item #1 with pack on, take pack off, put item into pack, put pack back on and run back to their team. Continue this until each child has picked up at least one item. The kids will love this game because they get to work as a team.

“Missing In Action (MIA)” Hide plastic Army Men outside and inform your soldiers that there are some fellows Soldiers Missing In Action. Send your soldiers out on a Top Secret Mission to locate and bring back as many plastic Army Men as they can find. You can keep score by how many they bring back.