Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Summer Activities

Looking for new ideas to entertain your little ones? Here are a few ideas that you can do with items that you probably already have around your house.


Outside Spray Painting:
Fill old spray bottles with coloured water (food colouring or tempera paint). Have the children spray the coloured water on paper or sidewalk.

Watermelon Plants:
Plant one or two watermelon seeds in a foam cup. Water daily or when needed. Soon the seeds will grow into little watermelon plants.

Worm Tracks:
Have the children dip a piece of string or yarn into water or paint and drag it across paper or sidewalk. The children can make their strings wiggle like a real worm.

Sun Prints:
Place items such as a pencil, block, eraser, coins, or rocks on a dark piece of construction paper and place it in direct sunlight. Remove the items at the end of the day.

Making Rain:
Boil some water in a pot or a kettle until steam forms above it. Fill a pie plate with ice cubes and hold it above the steam. When the steam comes in contact with the cool air from the pie plate, drops of water form and fall back into the pot like rain.

Fun Straws:
Cut out a simple shape (leaf, heart, etc.) from construction paper. Cut two slits in the middle of each shape, about one inch apart and slide the straws through the slits.

Ice Skating in the Summertime!
Outline a carpeted area with masking tape. Give each child two large pieces of waxed paper. Fasten the waxed paper to their ankles with rubber bands. Play music and let the children skate. (This is a fun indoor activity when it is storming.)


popsicles! Pictures, Images and Photos
Need more ideas?

Don't forget to check out your local library's calendar for free story times, puppet shows, and special guest that my be visiting.

Check out the Zoo and Children's Museum websites for summer discounts.

How about a kid swap? Give a follow mom a break for a few hours and have them return the favor in the near future. It's always exciting for kids to go play with other children's toys!

How about investing in a children's cookbook. Let your child help you make lunch or dessert and invite a friend over to enjoy your delicious masterpiece.

How about a pool party? Have the children decorate foam or plastic sunvisors or flip flops. Enjoy homemade popsicles after a refreshing swim.

No pool? How about water games that include cups of water, sponges, water guns, buckets of water, eye droppers or turkey basters. If you provide the items for the children, they will come up with their own games.

The internet has plenty of ideas for beating the summer heat! Find an activity and share it with friends!





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