Umbrella Ball!

Simple, but fun game. Get 1 umbrella and 5 pairs of rolled up socks. Then take turns throwing all five into the umbrella from about 10-15 feet away. The umbrella rolls, rotates, etc and makes it a challenge to get it in. Another way would be like shuffle board and have white socks 5, and then colored socks 5, and be on teams. That way you can try and knock someone else out. If you are in the umbrella at the end of your turn, 5 points. It is really a fun game.

Karo Syrup Painting

I think painting with Karo Syrup is one of the coolest looking finished product you could ever do. If you are drawing a picture and then painting check out this link and you can see all the steps.

www.eighteen25.blogspot.com/2010/05/summer-craft-ideas-part-five.html



When I did this to get my degree, we did it preschool style. We used thick white paper plates, and we would put drops of Karo syrup all over the plate. Then we added food coloring all over the plate. The kids then would move the plate and make swirls and watch the colors change colors. When dry, we cut off the rim of the plate and we had an awesome painting.



When painting with Karo Syrup I suggest going to the dollar store and buying brushes that you can throw away. Or you can go preschool style and just hold the plate and blend. Remember that Karo syrup if gets warm will stick to everything and will melt and make a mess. I made this mistake of putting the art in my binder and leaving it in the car. It stuck to everything. Hanging on a fridge, would be perfect though.

Not Edible Crystal Snowflakes and Ornaments

What you need:
String, wide mouth jar, white pipe cleaner, borax, boiling water, and pencils.

Take a white pipe cleaner and cut into thirds and twist them to make a snowflake or you can do whatever shape you want. Make sure it with fit into the jar.

Tie a string to one end of the snowflake and tie the other end to the pencil.

Fill Jar with Boiling Water. Add 1 Tablespoon of Borax (It is found on the Laundry soap lane of the store- don't use Boraxo Soap) to the water and stir until it dissolves. Add the rest of the Borax. You need 3 tablespoons to every 1 cup of water. You can also add food coloring to the water, if you want colored snowflakes. I personally like the plain old white.

Hang the pencil over the jar, with the pipe cleaner completeley covered in the water, but not touching sides or bottom of jar.

Let sit over night.

Borax is soap, so remember not to keep low for a child to drink. I still have mine that I did years ago on my Christmas tree. Over the years the crystals have changed a little, but it still looks pretty cool on my tree.

Crystal Fun!

Rock Candy To Eat!

Needs:
1 Cup of boiling water
3 Cups White Sugar
Jar
Pencil
wool or cotton Yarn
Food Coloring
Flavoring

Instructions:
Tie the yarn to the pencil. Set the pencil on top of the jar and see if it will hang without touching the sides or the bottom, but almost to the bottom. Boil water. Stir in sugar a spoonful at a time. Keep adding sugar until it starts to collect at the bottom of the jar and doesn't dissolve while stirring. This is called Saturated. You can't have too much or too little or it won't grow crystals on your yarn. Add food coloring of the color you want and flavoring. Pour into the glass jar and don't let any dissolved sugar into the jar. Hang the string again in the jar. Put it where no one can mess with it. Put a paper towel over the top so nothing gets into it. After one day you should see it start to grow. Let them grow until they stop or it is the size you want, about 4-7 days. When sugar crust comes at the top of the jar, then remove it and eat. If it forms on sides and bottom, but not on your string, remove string carefully, reboil and cool like you did before. Pour into a clean glass jar and replace the string. When done Allow to dry and then eat.

Having a rough kid day?

I have found this year to be really challenging with my kids. I am fighting one everyday to get her work done. We finally have gotten to the point that when we are ready to go do something fun, she misses out. One time it was riding bikes in the front yard, another it was visiting a museum, watched people eat crickets, did crafts and games (she went to grandmas). I find that I personally start having the worst day, when she is acting up. So I have been trying to let her do her thing, and focus on the other kids, until she chooses to obey. The easiest way for me to be happy and them is to put them in water. Here are 10 generic ideas to do in water. If you are like me, sometimes you need a little reminder.

10 ideas to do with water!

1. Go to the swimming pool
2. put your own little pool up in the back yard
3. do wet sidewalk chalk drawings
4. do a slip and slide
5. Duck races at a little stream. (this is really fun)
6. give them water guns or squirt bottles
7. Let them wash your car (this is the best)
8. Sprinkler under the tramp or on the ground
9. Have spounges and a bucket of water
10. Make a water slide, by putting your hose on down your slide of your swing set!

Coin Toss and Walk

Need something fun to do today?

Take a quarter and go on a coin toss and walk. Start in front of your house and let your child toss the coin. Heads means left, Tails means Right. at the start of every street do this and see where you end up. Your kids will have lots of fun trying to see where they will end up.

Some of my views on Summer!

Schedules:

Studies have been made that show that schedules for ALL ages of children and teenagers are needed and benefit the child. Now I am not talking a rigid schedule that makes them crazy and you. But more a general schedule, or routine rather that gives them the security they naturally seek. now that I am a grown up, I have learned that you ALWAYS have to have a schedule. I personally get more depressed in the day, when I have no direction in my life..... and that is how children are as well. If you have a teenager and they sleep until noon, they will probably be more moody and feel unsuccessful in life. A general plan that they know is going to happen, will help them: have the proper amount of sleep, feel accomplished everyday when they complete what they need to do, It will help them when they are returning back to school-they will adjust faster, it will give them enough structure, that they feel happy and secure, and hopefully you won't hear so much, I Am Bored! It has been proven that children with behavior problems do better with a schedule.

Homework:

Talk to any teacher and they will tell you how much a child loses, educational wise, through the Summer. I can't tell you even this year, how many people are shocked that I make my kids do homework through the Summer. In the fall your child plays catch up for at lease two months. Last year EVEN WITH DOING SUMMER READING, my daughter went down two levels in her reading. I was so discouraged, until I thought about where she would have been if I hadn't done what I did.

Bored:

If you don't want to hear I am bored all Summer, take some time and plan things to do. Do something as a family daily. Go to the park, have a picnic by dads work, go on a family bike ride. Yesterday I spent the evening jumping on the tramp with my kids. It was great and they loved it. Also have activities, projects, etc. of things to do everyday that will make them happy and feel special. Sidewalk chalk, watercolors, a special movie, bubbles, jump ropes, play dough.

Work:

Make them do work. It is not going to hurt your child to learn to work. It will help them. In my doctors office it says that if you want a child that is successful, goes to college, has a good job, is married with a family, and overall is happy........ teach them to work. Does that mean they get to be your slave? No! But they can be expected to do jobs and learn from them. Just remember the jobs will not be done perfect. That is o.k., as they get older they will improve.

Family:

I have worked very hard to get the family that I have. And so my next thought is, spend time with your child. If all Summer long you are trying to be somewhere else, instead of at home with your kids, you are showing them that they are not important. Always eat dinner together (unless on a date of course), do activities together, take time to talk to them, vacation together, and always let them know that your priority is them. Likewise do not let your child be away from the home everyday, all day. They also need to learn to be a family and learn that you can work together and play together. Your child's best friends in life will not be a friend, but family. Take opportunities to grow closer as a family. In my family we are NOT perfect. We have lots of times when life seems to be falling apart. But I think one thing my husband and I have always done, is put the children first and our family first. Friends, cars, sports, running, shopping, etc. always are second to our children. If you show them, they will know by example what is important.

Well that is some thoughts I have been having today. I might add more later, but just remember that Summer is a great happy time. Enjoy it! A song by Trace Atkins is called You're going to miss this, really touches me. I know no matter how stressful life with little kids can be, I know I am going to miss it. Take sometime to google that song. For me it always makes me remember to be patient and loving.

Fun Things To Do In Summer!

I found some lists last year, so if you need more ideas than the ones on here, then go to the right side almost to the bottom and find Summer and you will get more ideas.

2010 List of Ideas for Summer:

1. Find some Falls
2. Grow a Garden
3. Splash at a splash park
4. Have a Paper Airplane Contest with the neighborhood
5. Have a sidewalk chalk art contest with the neighborhood
6. Have a bubble party
7. Go fishing
8. Go Camping
9. Go to a Rodeo
10. Start a Dog Walking Business
11. Do a obstacle course
12. Have a outdoor Scavenger Hunt in your yard
13. Have a Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
14. Do Library Day at your public library
15. Have a neighborhood Olympics (even babies can do an eating contest)
16. Have a block party
17. Visit your state capital and take a tour!
18. Do a Day Trip to a close National Park
19. Flashlight tag at night
20. Night Games Outside for Older Kids
21. Duck Races in a stream (Rubber Duck)
22. Feed ducks at a pond
23. Visit a Farm
24. Set up a Candy Store on your porch
25. Shadow Puppet Show
26. Join a Movie Show Program
27. Have a Family Game Night
28. Movie Night once a week
29. Have a Pizza Making Night. Mom and Dad are the judges
30. Make Homemade Play dough
31. Have a "BORED" game day!
32. Decorate T-shirts


So I am ending here for now, but post in the comment section with your fun ideas!

Geocaching For Kids!

One Summer activity that has gotten really popular with families is Geo Caching. I found this website that answers questions about geocaching. It is pretty interesting. I think it would make a really fun birthday party. Anyway if you are interested in trying this, go to: http://www.geocachingkids.com/ and learn more about it.

Everyday A Summer Game!

So on Family Fun they have a place that lists and explains fun games. It gives you one per day all through the Summer. Anyway check out June:

http://familyfun.go.com/games/indoor-outdoor-games/specialfeature/summer-games-june/

Summer Fun!

I found a new website that I really like. It is called Mrs. Bee's busy classroom. I found it accidentally, but I really liked what I saw. What I was looking at was the Camping Out Section. It was really a cool section. It has tons of camp crafts, outside crafts, recipes for camping, Camp Ice breakers, 5 minute filler games, Camping indoors, songs, safety, Mini survival kits, and book recommendations. Anyway you can go to her main site:

http://www.dcrafts.com/contents.htm

or if you want to see the specific Camping Out Section just click here.

http://www.dcrafts.com/camping.htm

I think I am going to make a things to do in Summer, and copy her crafts in the camping out section and put them in the jar. It seemed like so many fun ideas! Alot of it can also be used for Any age!

Summer School

I don't know how many of you do Summer school with your kids? But I have found that if you don't, your kids play catch up for at least 3 months of the school year. This year I went to Utah Idaho Supply and bought some Summer books for my kids. What I like about these books is 2/3 of the book is a review of the last year and 1/3 focuses on the next year. I like that they are already familiar with what they will be learning. I also like that they go upto 8th grade. I got mine for about $13 if I remember right. I have had a really hard time finding stuff for fourth grade and up. So if you are interested their name is Summer Bridge and I will give you a link to their website:

http://www.summerbridgeactivities.com/

The store I was talking about has this website you can order from. Great resources for home school, summer school, and special helps for kids.

http://www.uisupply.com/

x

Rainy Day Activities

Today it is raining. There is nothing worse than a rainy day in the middle of the school break, when children are cooped up inside, you have nothing planned, and the inevitable cries of “I’m bored” are not far away! So here are a few ideas to make the day not so boring! You will find ideas for all ages.

1. Sort through the toy room:It’s surprising how much fun this can be! Get everyone together and aim to clear one shelf or drawer. You will probably find that old treasures are rediscovered, odd pieces can be thrown away, and some things will be ready to be passed down or sold. If you are not sure whether to get rid of some of the toys, try packing them away in a box and hiding them in a dark corner of the cupboard for a few months. When they come out again they will either cause a sensation, or not - which will make it easy to decide on their fate!
2. Record the sounds around you:Get out the tape recorder (Do we still have these?) and make a project out of recording everyday sounds. Try water running in the bath, someone ringing the bell and opening the door, or flushing the toilet! It certainly makes you think about things a little differently than usual. Suggest that some friends or neighbors do the same thing and then get together to see if you can identify each other’s sounds!
3. Make a video:Supervise your children using your video camera to make a neat movie, find a story they enjoy, Each child can take on the part of a particular character. Make the appropriate noises too! You will probably have to practice a few times to get the hang of it, and be prepared for lots and lots of giggles! Tip: a homemade story tape makes a great present for a child who has to go to hospital or is bedridden for a time.
4. Have a puzzle afternoon:Get out all your puzzles and invite some friends around with theirs too! Clear plenty of space and have a marathon puzzle session.
5. Have a mammoth junk modelling session with friends:Invite a few families around and ask them to bring their craft-cupboard junk with them – boxes, containers, and other bits and pieces. You provide glue, sticky-tape, scissors, and encouragement. You could make houses, or creatures, or boats, or modern art – or you could all combine together to make one giant model!
6. Make a card house:If you don’t know any good card games or haven’t anyone to play with, try building a card house! Start by balancing two cards against each other so that they stand up in an inverted V-shape. Take it from there!
7. Make an indoor obstacle course:Use easily movable furniture (kitchen chairs, coffee tables) to mark out a course. Create a tunnel to crawl through with a blanket draped over low tables, or space cushions around the room to use as stepping-stones. You will have lots more ideas!
8. Practice balancing:Balancing is fun! Try walking the length of the room with a book on your head. When you can do that, try balancing two or three – then add a cuddly toy to the very top!
9. Create an indoor den:A few blankets and tablecloths can create the most wonderful indoor den. Drape blankets between sofas and chairs, over stepladders and clothes-dryers, or tie the ends to cupboard knobs and door handles. Once the den is created find some special snacks, coloring pages and pencils, a CD player and music, a torch or two, and camp out for a while!
10. Play with string:Older children can create some wonderful inventions with a ball of string and their imagination! A toilet roll and a sloping length of string make a great message chute or rocket. Get some action toys involved too: try making them a lift (elevator) out of a box or a basket and hoist them up! Adults should supervise constantly if there are younger kids around.
11. Last One Playing: Do a challenge of your favorite game. Last one playing (and winning) is the winner. You could do Clue, Monopoly, Uno or even a younger game for younger kids. Once you lose you play a different game and wait to see who is the ultimate winner!
12. Cook: With parent supervision this could be really fun to make something yummy on a cold rainy day.
13. Do it with them! Have you ever taken the time to watercolor with your kids, play play dough, Play a game, etc. Put away the cleaning supplies and spend the rainy day with them.
14. Go puddle splashing! Dress warm and have a blast, then come in for hot cocoa!
15. Put on bathing suits and then color all over yourselves with bathtub crayons. Draw silly faces on your stomachs or write funny messages. Then get out in the rain and wash yourselves off. It's nature's shower! FYI: only do this one when it is warm rain on a Summer day.
16. Camp Out: Pitch a tent in your backyard when the clouds start to gather. You'll stay nice and dry when the rain starts, but the change in scenery will make it feel like an adventure, brightening up a dreary day. Once inside, enjoy the soothing rhythm of the raindrops hitting the tent as you tell ghost stories and create flashlight shapes on the walls. Or play a board game until the rain lets up.
17. Paint With Raindrops: Start by putting several colors of powdered tempera paint into empty containers with plastic shaker tops. Give each kid a sheet of heavy white construction paper and allow them to sprinkle two or three colors onto the paper. Lay a plastic trash bag on the ground, and help your kid gently place their powdered papers on the plastic. Watch the light rain turn the powder into beautiful art, and then take the pictures inside to dry.
18. Do dried bean and peas murals
19. Do a home jeopardy and let them make up the questions.
20. Make a box for all these ideas and let them decorate.

Everyday is a Holiday!

I found this website and thought it was a good laugh! I can't believe some of this stuff and I thought some of it would be fun to do with your kids.

February 19 is . . . . National Chocolate Mint Day
February 20 is . . . . Hoodie Hoo Day
February 21 is . . . . Card Reading Day
February 22 is . . . . Be Humble Day
February 23 is . . . . International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
February 24 is . . . . National Tortilla Chip Day
February 25 is . . . . Pistol Patent Day (Samuel Colt)
February 26 is . . . . National Pistachio Day
February 27 is . . . . International Polar Bear Day
February 28 is . . . . Public Sleeping Day
February 29 is . . . . National Surf and Turf Day

Want to look at all the months? Click here!
http://www.oshel.com/everyday.htm

Then I found this site and I like it the best. It lets you pick: what happens in the month, what happens weekly, or what happens daily. She also updates it all the time.

Here is a sample of hers:

23- National Rationalization Day
23- National Banana Bread Day
23- International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
23- Tennis Day
23- Tootsie Roll Birthday (1896)
24- Nylon Toothbrush Birthday 1938
24- National Trading Card Day
24- Gordon's Birthday Sesame Street
24- National Tortilla Chip Day
25- Let's All Eat Right Day
25- Hudson River Tunnel Anniversary 1908
25- Quiet Day
26- Thermos Bottle Day
26- New York Subway Birthday 1870
26- Movie Cartoon Birthday 1909
26- National Pistachio Day
26- For Pete's Sake Day
26- Levi Strauss' Birthday Born in 1829.
26- Tell a Fairy Tale Day
27- Mardi Gras New Orleans Birthday 1827
27- International Polar Bear Day
27- No Brainer Day
28- Car Keys and Small Change Day 1590 Pockets were Invented
28- Inconvenience Yourself Day
28- Public Sleeping Day
28- Floral Design Day
28- DNA Discovery Day 1953
28- M*A*S*H Bites the Dust Day (1983 Final Episode)
29- Leap Day

Wouldn't some of these be great for a calendar? I think tomorrow I will definitely pull out some Tortilla chips and tell my kids what a funny day it is.

anyway go to:http://www.holidaysforeveryday.com/ to see this site!

Baby & Toddler Fun!

So now the kids are in school lets talk Baby & Toddlers! I found this on Family fun and thought it was really good. I think my little boy could use a little bit of mommy and Payton time. What could be more perfect than doing some of these little activities and games.

http://familyfun.go.com/parenting/child/dev/specialfeature/famf0703familyfun123-games/

Score!

My really neat friend gave me a REALLY COOL website of free stuff. I am so excited about it. It has categories of: File Folders, Card Games, Bingo, Tic Tac Toe Games, Learning in the car games, Game Spinners, Worksheets, Word Puzzles. They are colored and you download the games and print them and then they can play. The website is located under My Favorite Websites and it is: www.webeans.net/hutt/index.html

Really check it out! It is great!

A few new websites!

pioneerlibrary.org is a fantastic resource for anyone living in Utah. It has CultureGrams that are made for kids for the 50 states and the countries of the world. With those CultureGrams, they have recipes and sound clips and all kinds of cool stuff. They also have an eMedia feature where they have purchased episodes of Bill Nye the Science Guy, American Experience, Frontline, and others that you can download for free. This feature also has all kinds of educational video clips. Through Pioneer, you can also get to World Book Encyclopedia, which has tons of cool stuff, including history activities for kids. This is ONLY for people with students or any contrivable connection with schools in Utah. Anyone that fits this can go to their school and request the login and password.

uen.org also has some cool resources, especially in their K-12 Students section. On the right in that section, they have "interactives." That means games Anyway, just a few cool things I learned about

www.shedoeshair.blogspot.com/ Need some ideas to do hair? Scroll down on this blog and you will get lots of help!

Learning To Work

I grew up in a farm community. My father chose that spot so we would be able to have a big garden and orchard. We worked every Saturday all day long. We had 100 fruit trees and the garden was massive to support through the year a family of 8. I can't say I loved every minute of it, but I do have great memories, special moments, and a work ethic. Now my father is gone and we, the children are still running the big orchard. At first I really hated all the work that we had to do on the farm. It was such a change in my life. Now 5 years later I have a new philosophy. It hit me last week that our life is too easy for my children. I don't want spoiled/snotty kids. I want kids who value money and hard work. Our yard is fully landscaped and I think it takes about 30 minutes to spruce it up every week. For a family of 6 that is not enough work. During the week we clean the house, but still with 6 of us working it doesn't require too much work. So I am so grateful that my children get to learn how to work at Grandma's house. When we come home we are always tired, but everyone has a happy smile. So if you are in my same shoes, you might want to do a little service for someone else. I also found two websites I thought were good on the issue of teaching your children to work. They are:
http://www.parentadvisor.net/ethic.htm

and

http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-to-work-hard-without-complaining/

99 things to do this Summer in Utah

My friend gave me this and I thought it had some good ideas

www.uvmag.com/mayjune08/46_47.htm

My friend had this link on her blog and I really liked it. It is 99 things to do in Utah this Summer.



www.uvmag.com/mayjune08/46_47.htm