How to Keep Your Small Fry From Becoming a Couch Potato

School’s out for summer. Now the question is, what can parents do to keep their children from becoming seasonal vegetables?

The answer, surprisingly, could be video.

There are some absolutely marvelous videos that will spark the child’s imagination and encourage participation while still managing to entertain.

First, let’s look at the young child--grade school age. There are so many videos for this age group, one can have considerable difficulty in separating the good from the bad. So let’s begin with a trusted name: Captain Kangaroo. The same captain so many of us grew up with is still making quality programs for kids, he just makes them on PBS now (7 a.m. weekdays).

In his video series, as on TV, the captain talks with the child, never to the child. In so doing, he is able to show children the marvels of the world while teaching them self-respect. For example, in “Captain Kangaroo Goes to the Zoo,” the captain introduces the child to different zoologists who, in turn, tell the child about the different animals.

Naturally, Mr. Green Jeans and Dennis are along to help the captain pet or feed the animals. A partial list: the woolly monkey, a hungry lion cub, a hungrier baby elephant, a water-spitting walrus, a pair of white whales and a baby white-tailed deer. There’s even a marvelous bit where the captain motors about with a royal Bengal tiger in a tiny, two-man boat. Or try “Captain Kangaroo’s Favorite Stories,” a video that has the captain reading various children’s books. Look, too, for other videos in this wonderful series.

Another trusted name shows up in the “Jim Henson’s Play Along Video” series, designed as interactive playmates and tutors for children. An absolute must is the entry “Neat Stuff to Know and Do.” In this video, your child will learn how to: hang a spoon from his or her nose, say “Wow, that’s amazing!” in five different languages, sing in “scat,” and land a jet airplane on an aircraft carrier. The child will even learn the ancient Oriental art of movement called Tai Chi. Pretty far-ranging lessons for the price of a rental. Look for others in this series.

Another sound investment would be a set of videos titled “Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.” It is based on a British program called “The Railway Series” and is narrated with a marvelous sense of fun by Ringo Starr.

The videos tell the tales of a group of trains on the imaginary Isle of Sodor. Each train is an actual working model, zipping around the miniature scenery scowling, smiling or rolling its eyes depending upon its individual personality.

Try “Thomas Breaks the Rules and Other Stories.” In the title story, Thomas whisks along his tracks so briskly that he awakens a sleeping policeman and is promptly ticketed.

For beautiful artwork and classic storytelling, it would be hard to beat a series of videos put out by Rabbit Ears Production. Each video takes a classic children’s tale and adds the drawings of a respected artist. Toss in narration by one of today’s leading Hollywood stars and you have an incredible package. For instance, “The Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Three Little Pigs” is illustrated in soft and subtle hues by artist David Jorgensen. Holly Hunter narrates both tales with a delightful abandon, using so many voices you feel as if you’re on a vocal roller-coaster. Her thick Brooklyn-accented rendering of the wolf in “The Three Little Pigs” is not to be missed . . . “Yo, Pig!”

But what if the child is too old for fairy tales? What about the child who is that dreaded entity: the junior high schooler? Sadly, quality programming is very hard to find for this age level. Hard, but not impossible.

“Newton’s Apple” is a series that appears on PBS and makes science fun and accessible for all ages. It is now available on video.

In the first volume, host Ira Flatow shows us how to build a dinosaur, how bulletproof vests work and how killer whales enjoy having their backs scratched. The viewer is even shown how to make his own comet (it’s actually just a big, dirty snowball). Following in Captain Kangaroo’s footsteps, Flaton introduces the viewer to working scientists and respected professors who then explain the various scientific principles. And, yes, it’s entertaining!

Perhaps you have a budding artist at home. You might then want to try “How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way.” This tape has veteran comic book greats Stan Lee and John Buscema presenting a crash course in what one could call Super Hero Drawing 101. Lee and Buscema take the viewer from the very beginning (supplies and terms) all the way through drawing form, figure, action, perspective and composition.

The course is straightforward and gives one the itch to draw. This despite the fact that the viewer may have an uncanny feeling he is back in school. Lee is like that teacher everyone seems to remember: a bit goofy, far from hip, but for some strange reason, likable. Artist Buscema, too, is an excellent teacher and makes this tape perfect for anyone wishing to learn comic art.

A superb series for the budding musician is “Rock School.” Imagine learning to play guitar, bass, keyboard or drums from such greats as Elton John, Michael McDonald, James Ingram, John Entwistle of the Who or Tony Banks of Genesis. Perhaps you prefer Andy Summers of the Police or Jools Hollard of Squeeze. And if none of these names sounds familiar, how about B.B. King or Chet Atkins? These are just some of the performers acting as tutors in the series. “Rock School” is hosted by Herbie Hancock and was originally a BBC series. Members of the Rock School Band are the primary tutors and take the student from Vol. 1, in which he or she will learn the basics (such as equipment selection), all the way through Vol. 6, which deals with rhythm, harmony and arrangement.

The band is composed of several Brits, including a woman named Deirdre Cartwright on guitar whose explanations and examples are quite easy to follow. The entire band is very good, down to earth and personable. Students can learn chord structures, rhythm patterns, string bending, walking bass, trills, licks, extended chords, samplers, harmonics and pyramid harmonics--all in just one summer! (Note: This series is designed for both the beginning musician and the seasoned player, which means that once the kids have gone to bed, parents can begin practicing for the garage band of their dreams.)

“Captain Kangaroo Goes to the Zoo” (1985), produced by Bob Keeshan. 58 minutes. Not rated.

“Captain Kangaroo’s Favorite Stories” (1985), produced by Bob Keeshan. 30 minutes. Not rated.

“Jim Henson’s Play Along Video--Neat Stuff to Know and Do” (1988), executive producer Jim Henson. 30 minutes. Not rated.

“Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends--Thomas Breaks the Rules and Other Stories” (1985), directed by David Mitton, 40 minutes. Not rated.

“The Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Three Little Pigs” (1989), directed by David Jorgensen and Mark Sottnick. 30 minutes. Not rated.

“Newton’s Apple” (1988), directed by Bob Muens. 60 minutes. Not rated.

“How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way” (1988), produced by Jim Gates. 60 minutes. Not rated.

“Rock School, Vol. 1 to Vol. 6” (1987), produced by Chris Lent. 55 to 80 minutes, varies. Not rated.