Ok week two is here. Can you believe it’s almost July already? Summer is just flying by. My kids enjoyed all these activities this past week and I hope yours will too. Leave me a comment with your kids’ favorite summer activities. This week’s activities again should run under $10 and work for kids of varying ages.
- #1 Marble Painting- This one is so simple, fun, but does use up a lot of paper because the kids love doing it over and over. Simply put a piece of paper in the bottom of a tray or container, or box that has sides. Now add some paint you only need a few drops. Let the kids pick out all sorts of colors then drop in a few marbles and let them shake the container side to side, back and forth, and around in circles, to make different designs. You can pick up bags of marbles at most dollar stores or Wal-Mart. If your paper is moving use a small amount of tape to hold it in place. Thin out paint with water as needed for the marbles to move better. *Mom tip if you don’t have any paint on hand you can mix corn starch, water, and whatever you have in the fridge or food coloring. Just put it in the blender and tada paint. I have used things like beets, blueberries, peas, juice, really if it has color and you can blend it with the corn starch and water and make a color. Motherhood isn’t about being perfect but flying by the seat of your pants and making things work. Suggest supplies- paper, paint, marbles, tray or container with sides, tape.
- #2 Whipped bubbles– We have been making up bowls of whipped bubbles for years. I have made whipped bubbles out of many different dish soaps and shampoos but my all-time favorite is Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo mainly for the tear-free benefit but any liquid soap like Dawn works just as well. Simply mix 2-3 tablespoons shampoo and about 1/4 cup water in your kitchen aid or large bowl, using a whisk attachment start slowly then increase speed and whip to stiff peaks. You want the bubbles to hold their form so depending on what soap you used you may have to adjust your soap to water ratio. If you want to make colored whipped bubbles simply add some food coloring gel before you begin to whip. Dump the bubbles onto the ground or cookie sheet. You can give the kids some cups, kitchen utensils, pots, pans, or drop in some hot wheels, even marbles to find. Let the kids go crazy. Mine like to see how high of a bubble mount they can make or pretend to be cooks.
- #3 Q-tip Fireworks- Perfect easy 4th of July project. The only tips here is to cut the qtips with wire snips. If your kids have a hard time making circle shapes use a coin in the middle then let them put the qtip pieces around. Suggested Supplies- Q-tips, paint, glue, black paper, coins.
- #4 Fourth of July Scavenger Hunt- If you’re new to scavenger hunts, here’ s a little explanation! A scavenger hunt is a game where those playing have a list of specific items that they have to find. These items aren’t usually purchased to play the game, rather, items that are found around the house, the neighborhood, etc. My kids love scavenger hunts! I like to offer a small prize for each kid that plays normally an otter pop or something small like that but feel free to reward or just congratulate them when they complete the list. I will attach a sample here that you are welcome to print or a quick google search of scavenger hunt will provide you many options. Supplies Suggested- Scavenger Hunt list, clipboards, pens or stickers to check things off.
- #5 Marshmallow Shooters- Marshmallow guns are great for a few reasons. First off, they’re exceptionally easy to make. With the right tools, you can knock out a basic model in less than 10 minutes. Second, they’re surprisingly effective and often capable of firing your ammo 20 feet or more. Lastly, they’re dirt cheap to make. Assuming you have a pipe cutter or a hacksaw, the materials for one gun will set you back less than $5-10 at most hardware stores. Below is a tried-and-true design, but you can make countless variations by extending the handles, making the barrel shorter, or using different connectors. Then decorate don’t skip adding some decoration or the kids will be fighting over who’s is who’s. I like decorating with colorful duct tape, stickers, or spray paint. Suggested Supplies- 1/2 inch PVC (6) 3-inch pieces, (1) 6-inch piece, (2) 1/2 “t” connectors, (2) 1/2 90 degree elbows, (2) 1/2 inch caps, spray paint, stickers, duct tape, bags of mini marshmallows.
Motherhood Done Wright 