Schools Out!

School is out today and what are we doing about it? Min. Golf! I have always felt that you need to celebrate the end with a bang! Last year we also golfed and then had an outdoor movie. I think that in Feb/Jan time when they are sick of school they can remember all the fun at the end of school and it gives them a little more strength to make it to the end!

School Is Out!

Treasure Hunt!

Well this is a "treasure website", so I thought we better have a treasure hunt listed. My kids school sent home an idea for the summer. It was to go to different Museums in Utah and answer questions from each one. The questions were provided. I thought that was very unrealistic for our family and so I got thinking.

I have decided that one day I am going to surprise my kids with a treasure hunt "Around Town". Now I plan to go to grandmas, aunts houses, McDonald's for ice cream, the park for lunch, farm, school, museums, and any other place I can think of that will be interesting and fun for them. I will bring the clues with me and while they are looking I will place it somewhere. It is going to be all day. Anyway if you are cheap and don't want to pay for gas you could do an "Around the Neighborhood" hunt. It would probably be easier for clues and such.

Anyway that is an idea that I thought I would share!

Have a great day!

Help Please!

So this site is for helping and sometimes I hope you will comment with something you need help with. But today I need your help.

So I am in cub scouts now and need a really good behavior reward system. I am in a pickle so it needs to be really good. Keep in mind that I have a boy who can't have sugar so it needs to be either a mix of something or no sugar. Also I want it as an individual thing. From what I have heard these kids are little devils. Any idea would be great!

Weekly Web!

So this week I thought I would highlight the link called Brain Teaser! It is a really good website. It gives brain games, but also has a good history of the brain and how it works. It also has images that show the brain and how it affects the rest of your body. On the left hand side of the page it has topics like: Disorders, Behavioral Problems, Bilingual Education, Early Reading, Motivation, etc. I found these really helpful for my kids. Anyway these are really helpful and I think everyone could use a site like this. So go to the Brain Connection or just use the link on the right: Brain Teasers!

All About Me!

Check out the web link called All About Me! It looks like a big project, but a lot of fun for children of all ages. It would be a good thing to do once a year. Have A great Day!!!!!!!!

Bored Can

I found this list on http://www.stretcher.com/ and I loved it. I am going to decorate a can (or better yet, that can be their first activity), and we will print and cut up these activites into strips. This list was made by mostly kids and it requires no help from a parent. The other list I have on this site does need a parents help. Anyway if they say they are Bored, I can tell them where to go...... To The Can! What a great way to keep kids happy in the Summer!


ride bikes
roller blade
basketball
play board games
make a tent out of blankets
squirt with hoses
run through the sprinkler
jump rope
read books
blow bubbles
make homemade play dough
play with play dough
press flowers
do crafts with pressed flowers
write a letter to a relative, friend or pen pal
clean bedroom
vacuum livingroom
clean bathroom
make a craft
draw
color
paint
pull weeds
watch a movie
write stories
use binoculars
use magnifying glass
use microscope
bird watching
write a play
act out a play
invent circus acts
perform a circus
play card games
make art on the front walkway with sidewalk chalk
play catch
play baseball
collect rocks
collect leaves
collect feathers
play Frisbee
make Frisbee's out of old plastic lids, decorate with markers
dust the house
brush the pet
write letters
read a magazine
play dress-up
play Cowboys
pick vegetables
play outside with the pet
build a fort in your rooms
build a fort in the backyard
do a jigsaw puzzle
play on the Geosafari
play on the computer
listen to a story or book on tape
do extra schoolwork to get ahead
do brain teasers (crosswords, word searches, hidden pictures, mazes, etc.)
cook
prepare lunch
surprise a neighbor with a good deed
play store
prepare a "restaurant" lunch with menus
hold a tea party
have a Teddy bear picnic
play with toy cars
play dolls
play house
chase butterflies
collect caterpillars and bugs
plant a garden or a pot
collect seeds
hunt for four-leaf clovers
learn magic tricks
put on a magic show
plant a container garden
sprout seeds or beans
make sock puppets
put on a puppet show
make Christmas presents
make homemade wrapping paper
make homemade gift cards
make picture frames from twigs glued onto sturdy cardboard
crochet or knit
make doll clothes
sew buttons in designs on old shirts
run relay races
make bookmarks
take a quiet rest time
take a shower or bath
bathe a pet
feed the birds or squirrels
watch the clouds
organize a dresser drawer
clean under the bed
empty dishwasher
vacuum under the couch cushions and keep any change found
write these ideas on pieces of paper and pick out one or two to do
whittle
whittle bars of soap
practice musical instruments
perform a family concert
teach yourself to play musical instrument (recorder, harmonica, guitar)
fold laundry
sweep kitchen or bathroom floors
sweep front walkway
sweep or spray back patio
sweep or spray driveway
wash car
vacuum car
vacuum or dust window blinds
clean bathroom mirrors
clean sliding glass doors
clean inside of car windows
wash bicycles
clean garage
play in the sandbox
build a sandcastle
work with clay
copy your favorite book illustration
design your own game
build with blocks or Legos
create a design box (copper wire, string, odds-and-ends of things destined for the garbage, pom-poms, thread, yarn, etc.)
plan a neighborhood or family Olympics
have a marble tournament
paint a picture with lemon juice on white paper and hang it in a sunny window and see what happens in a few days
finger paint with pudding
make dessert
make dinner
give your pet a party
paint the sidewalk with water
start a journal of summer fun
start a nature diary
have a read-a-thon with a friend or sibling
have a neighborhood bike wash
play flashlight tag
play Kick the Can
check out a science book and try some experiments
make up a story
arrange photo albums
find bugs and start a collection
do some stargazing
decorate bikes or wagons and have a neighborhood parade
catch butterflies and then let them go
play hide-and-seek
create a symphony with bottles and pans and rubber bands
listen to the birds sing
try to imitate birdcalls
read a story to a younger child
find shapes in the clouds
string dry noodles or O-shaped cereals into a necklace
glue noodles into a design on paper
play hopscotch
play jacks
make up a song
make a teepee out of blankets
write in your journal
find an ant colony and spill some food and watch what happens
play charades
make up a story by drawing pictures
draw a cartoon strip
make a map of your bedroom, house or neighborhood
call a friend
cut pictures from old magazines and write a story
make a collage using pictures cut from old magazines
do a secret service for a neighbor
plan a treasure hunt
make a treasure map
make up a "Bored List" of things to do
plan a special activity for your family
search your house for items made in other countries and then learn about those countries from the encyclopedia or online
plan an imaginary trip to the moon
plan an imaginary trip around the world, where would you want to go
write a science-fiction story
find a new pen pal
make up a play using old clothes as costumes
make up a game for practicing math facts
have a Spelling Bee
make up a game for practicing spelling
surprise an elderly neighbor or relative by weeding his/her garden
fingerpaint with shaving cream
collect sticks and mud and build a bird's nest
write newspaper articles for a pretend newspaper
put together a family newsletter
write reviews of movies or plays or TV shows or concerts you see during the summer
bake a cake
bake a batch of cookies
decorate a shoe box to hold your summer treasures
make a hideout or clubhouse
make paper airplanes
have paper airplane races
learn origami
make an obstacle course in your backyard
make friendship bracelets for your friends
make a wind chime out of things headed for the garbage
paint your face
braid hair
play tag
make a sundial
make food sculptures (from pretzels, gumdrops, string licorice, raisins, cream cheese, peanuts, peanut butter, etc.) and then eat it
make a terrarium
start a club
take a nap outside on your lawn
produce a talent show
memorize a poem
recite a memorized poem for your family

Bike Safety!

If you are like me you sometimes need to give your kids a refresher course on bike safety. Earlier this year we had a kid in our area that was hit by a car when he was passing by a driveway. So I guess as drivers we could also use a refresher course. Anyway I found this on a site and thought it was useful info. for our kids.

Riding a bike can be a lot of fun! But just like your parents who have to be careful and obey the rules when they’re driving a car, there are rules you need to follow when you ride your bike on the road. It’s easy to fall off a bike and get hurt, especially if you don’t know the rules of the road or your bike isn’t working right.

1. Always wear a helmet that fits your head
– not too big or too small.
2. Wear the helmet flat on your head.
3. Before you ride your bike, make sure it is safe and working right. Ask an adult to check your bike for safety, especially if your bike has been in a crash.
4. Test your brakes.
5. Make sure the handlebars are straight and there’s enough air in the tires.
6. If you fall off your bike, tell an adult right away. You might not know that you’re hurt.
7. Be sure to follow the Rules of the Road:
8. Make sure you know and obey all traffic laws.
9. Always ride on the right side of the road.
10. Use proper hand signals to let others know that you are turning.
11. Look both ways before crossing the street with your bicycle. Walk, don’t ride, your bike across the street.
12. Never ride in between parked or moving cars.
13. When riding through a curve, ride in single file, slow down and stay to the side of the road.
14. Never ride out from a driveway or hillside.

More info., games, and activities can be found in the safety section on this site.

Weekly Web!

So this week I thought I would highlight a site I just found out about. It is http://www.kidsites.com/ What I like about it is that it is a category website that lists subjects and then it will give you links to those categories. They have an education categories and then it goes into sub categories. It has a few other major categories, and they sub also. Anyway I have searched for awhile for Math free learning sites and I was complaining to Brianna's principal and she turned to her computer and gave me this site. It was great! Anyway that is this weeks feature.

Grow A Crystal!




Epsom salt
a tablespoon
a cup of water
a paper circle
a jar lid


Cut out a paper circle the same size as the jar lid. Put the circle in the lid.
Measure 4 big tablespoons of Epsom salt. Don't worry if you add too much - the more, the better.
Dissolve all 4 tablespoons in the water and stir the mixture thoroughly.
Pour the water mixture into the jar lid. Stick the lid in a place where it won't be disturbed. It will take a few days, but let the water evaporate and see what happens!

The Art Lesson!

I love Tommie dePoala because of a book he has called the Art Lesson.

THE ART LESSON, written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola, was published in 1989. "Tommy knows he wants to be an artist when he grows up. He draws pictures wherever he goes. His family hangs them all around the house and his friends think he's the best artist ever. Tommy can't wait to start school and have real art lessons with Mrs. Bowers, who wears a blue smock and carries a box of colored chalks when she goes into the classroom. But Tommy is surprised and dismayed when he gets to school and finds out that there are 'rules' to follow. He must use the school crayons and not his new box of sixty-four different colors. And, instead of doing a picture from his imagination, he's supposed to copy Mrs. Bowers' drawing up on the blackboard. But Mrs. Bowers is quick to recognize that in Tommy she has a talented and original young artist, and together they reach a fair compromise, which allows Tommy the freedom to imagine and create. A wonderfully perceptive picture book about growing up and keeping one's individuality."

If you don't have this one, I recommend it.

Do Your Kids Want Extra Money?

Growing up I never got allowance. That was always not something that you should do. It did teach me to work hard, but because I didn't have any money. But later in life when I did it was hard to learn to budget. I heard of this idea a couple of years ago and we love it. Well my oldest loves it. I use this blank wanted sign and attach stars with stuff I want done that I have not had time to do in the week. I have another example below. I don't say anything about the sign. It is their choice if they want to earn money. They still have jobs they have to do. This is just Extra to earn money. Then I feel like they still get money, learn about budgeting, and get to practice working hard and responsibility. And I get things done that I didn't have time to. Win Win! Just wanted to pass the idea on if anyone else needs a new idea!

65 Things To Do This Summer

Make a scrapbook of everything you do this summer
Have a picnic
Write a letter to your best friend
Learn about another country
Go to a ballgame
Become a photographer
Make dinner for your family
Compare a book to a movie
Write a poem
Learn about fireworks
Bake some cookies
Take a boat ride
Sketch a picture of your house from the outside
Visit a farm
Go Camping
Take a walk and record the sounds
Keep a journal of what you do during the Summer
Go outside and find 10 different kinds of flowers
Visit the Zoo!
Make an obstacle course in your back yard
Make a treasure hunt
Learn a New Sport
Have a family game night
Learn a new sport
Make a movie
Make a collage from magazine words and pictures
Create a terrarium
Discover a new favorite author or book series
Go to a museum
Invent your own board game
Build a time capsule
Act in a play
Have a paper airplane contest
Make something from recyclables
Share your favorite movie with a friend
Make home made ice cream
Stargaze and track the moon phases
Learn how to sew
Roast marshmallows
Play in Water!
Play Costume Volleyball
Make Snow Cones
Go on a Bike Ride
Have a Bubble Party
Teddy Bear Picnic
Make Bird Feeders
Go on a Leaf Walk
Wet Sidewalk Chalk and paint on paper
Watercolor
Make Potato Stamps
Make Can of Activities to do when bored
Go on a Sound Scavenger hunt
Go, Set, Get Ready: Obstacle course backwards
Play T.V. Bingo
Duck Racing: Go to a small stream, bring rubber ducks
Go fishing!
Have an Outdoor Movie
Do A Car Wash
Visit a Museum
Create your own Olympic Games
Play Balloon Volleyball
Have a Water Balloon Fight (make kids fill them)
Self Portrait: Sidewalk chalk of yourself
Do service for Grandparents
Go To the Park & have picnic

If you do one of these everyday but Sunday, you will have enough to get through the whole Summer!

Weekly Web!

Each week I have decided to feature one of my favorite sites and what you can do with it. This week I have chose two sites that I think you all could use at one time or another. The first one is Moms Mini Van and the Second one is Travel Games. So both of these sites are for when you travel. I know it is easy for those of us that just plug in the DVD, but I also realize that not everyone has it. And even if you do, don't you want to be a considered a fun mom?

Example of what you can find on the site: A couple of years ago I went to the Mom's Mini Van site and found an idea of bringing bubbles in the car. So I bought some and when I didn't think we could handle the car anymore I put the AC on high and put the bubble stick in front of it. We found we could move the air so it would go all the way back to the trunk! The kids loved it! I think people in other cars thought we were insane. Now I don't travel without my handy bubbles! Perfect for toddlers, but it makes even teenagers laugh!

Keep Looking!

Welcome Everyone!
Please feel free to make comments, and please put this site on your links! I just wanted to tell you I have added a new section of links (thanks for the idea Nicole) It is Famous Authors! I have also added a story site that I couldn't find and Nicole found for me (thanks again). I also added Thomas the Train and A Really Neat Butterfly Website! Anyway I hope you enjoy!

Painted Pet Rocks

Are your kids like mine? They are driving me crazy to have a dog. We decided we didn't want a dog and so we are having kids that are really sad. So I saw this and thought it would be a fun activity. I know it won't replace the dog, but at least they could say they have a pet! Kids can let their imaginations run wild when creating creatures out of rocks. They can think about how to use the different shapes to make their own creation.

Materials
(rocks, acrylic paint, glue, brushes) Collect a lot of rocks. Be sure there are different sizes and shapes. Start by choosing the rocks that will make up the pet (head, ears, maybe a nose, body, arms and legs). Paint the entire rock, top and bottom in one color. When the first coat of paint dries, paint on the details (eyes, whiskers, fur). When everything is dry, glue the pieces together. Almost any type of acrylic paint will work. Try to find some thick paints so that the rock won't show through. If the kids get tired of the pet, it can become a door stop, book end, garden ornament, or paper weight.

Welcome All!

Well I am so excited to start this new little website. We are all about ready for Summer aren't we? I am the type of person who loves it for the first month and then hates having my kids home. Then I flip when school starts because I miss them so much. Anyway I started this today and I wanted to do a quick entry to say hi. So Hi!

Welcome!

Well I decided that I have found over the years many links to great websites that help parents and kids learn. So I decided that I would make a website that listed all the links and had ideas occasionally that would be fun to do with children of all ages. With my degree in Early Childhood Education and my years of teaching and owning my own preschool, I felt like I have