While waiting to board a plane at the South Bend airport this week, I overheard a family discussing their weekend plans.

“I’m bored with South Bend. Let’s move to Atlanta, Mom,” said one preteen girl.

“That’s just because you’ve seen everything here. Maybe you should spend the weekend cleaning your room if you’re so bored with home,” a woman, presumingly “Mom,” replied.

We’ve all had this conversation — probably several times in our lives. Sometimes it’s a healthy conversation to have, because there obviously is more to the world than our own little corner of it here in southwest Michigan.

I don’t know about you, but if I hopped on a plane or train every time I felt the need to satisfy my wanderlust, I wouldn’t have any money to spend once I made it to my destination.

The cool thing about living in Michiana is that there truly is no shortage of things to do and places to explore. My 5-year-old cousin — one of my best pals — constantly reminds me that you can find an adventure anywhere if you set your mind to it.

Of course, an exuberant imagination makes everything more interesting

Families have all sorts of opportunities to enjoy kid-friendly fun. There are bowling alleys, fun parks, zoos and more — not to mention all the outdoor recreation that keeps the family active.

Truthfully, once you start to outline all the things there are to do in Michiana, it can get a little overwhelming.

As you kick off your summer this Memorial Day weekend and start planning all the fun you’ll have this season, Explore Michiana, our entertainment magazine, will be the best tour guide you can find to southwest Michigan and northern Indiana.

In fact, because there is so much to explore, we are producing not one, but three magazines packed full of fun things to do in Michiana this summer.

Look for issues two and three in July and August.

This way, the next time the words, “I’m bored” cross the lips of your little ones, you can hand over the magazine and tell them, “let’s find an adventure.”

Ambrosia Neldon is the general manager at Leader Publications. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7700, or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com