Now that it’s June, the kids will soon be out of school, summer will soon be in full swing–and millions of people will soon be packing up their homes and moving. (Summer is the most popular time for people to move, you know.)

In case you happen to be planning amove and need to hire a mover, here are 14 questions that NorthStar Moving Corporation suggests you ask before hiring a mover:

1. How long have they been in business?
2. Has the company won any awards for service?
3. How many letters of recommendation have they received and can they provide recommendations to you, a potential customer?
4. What would the Better Business Bureau have to say about your moving company? (You don’t actually ask them that–this is more of a question to ask yourself so you’ll be sure to check with the BBB before signing on the mover’s dotted line.)
5. What insurance does the moving company offer? (If they don’t offer insurance, find out if you are covered with your homeowner’s or renter’s policy and if not, look into supplemental insurance.)
6. What do your rates really include and even more importantly what don’t your include.
7. Are there additional charges such as fuel surcharges or worker’s comp. surcharges?
8. Can I get a better rate if you move on a Sunday or a Tuesday, as opposed to a Saturday or a Monday?
9. Are moving supplies included? If not, how much do they cost?
10. What type of care will the moving company take with your treasures? (Grandma was right; an ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure).
11. Will the moving crew wrap and protect your furniture to prevent damages?
12. How many movers will they use for the job?
13. How long is the job estimated to take?
14. What will you be charged if there is overtime?

Have I missed any important questions that you’ve asked of movers in the past?

In just a few weeks, it will be my kids’ last day of school. I know that my daughters are looking forward to staying up later and then sleeping in this summer vacation. But I also know that, inevitably, they’re going to get bored and then look to me for things to do.

I’m lucky in that I’ve got them signed up for a patchwork quilt of camps between now and September. But when they’re home and bored, and my creative well is running dry of things to do, I’ll probably tap into this list of 10 low-cost ways to keep the kiddies entertained this summer, courtesy of Primrose Schools, a family of 200 accredited private preschools. (Yes, these ideas are mostly for really little kids but I’m thinking my teen and tween might enjoy ideas #6 and #9 nonetheless.)

1. Banish the Boredom Jar: Encourage your children to share their own ideas and help you decorate and label a simple jar as the family “Banish the Boredom Jar.”
2. Stories Alive: Make reading even more fun by finding ways to bring the stories to life.
3. Art Treasure Chest: Put art supplies, empty oatmeal boxes, paper towel rolls, and old magazines in a special box to help fuel your children’s creative juices. Plus, you’ll be recycling and reusing items you might have just thrown out.
4. Family Performances: Break out old clothes or costumes to create a family play. Record the performances.
5. Fort Building: Got any leftover moving boxes in the basement? Let the imagination begin!
6. Cookbook Fun: Ask your children to choose a recipe from your favorite cookbook and enjoy cooking together.
7. Summer Scrapbook: Encourage everyone in the family to draw pictures of favorite activities and collect mementos throughout the summer.
8. Listening Game: Lie down in the backyard or den and listen. Talk about what you hear.
9. Camping Out: Pretend to camp out in the backyard. Or get out your tent and do it for real. Raining on your camp out night? Pitch your tent in the living room instead.
10. Scavenger Hunt: Make a list or picture cards of common household items and have your children find the items on the list.

What are some of the fun and low-cost ways you keep your kids entertained over summer break?