Most kids are out of school and the long lazy days of July and August lay ahead. You’ve probably already heard the dreaded phrases “I’m bored” or “There’s nothing to do.” So, what can you do to entertain those kids that are bored and don’t know what to do? Here are some helpful ideas to fill in those long summer days and to cure those rainy day blues.
Fun with Bubbles
A jar of bubble liquid will provide hours of giggles and fun. You can purchase bubble mixture just about anywhere, but part of the fun of bubbles is making your own. Concoct your own bubbles solution and then blow them both indoors and outdoors and on calm and windy days. Try our bubble recipe and
make a fun bubble machine.
Picnic Time
Whether it's in a park, at the beach, or in your backyard, picnics are so much fun! Bring a picnic basket, cooler, beach bag, or cardboard box, a large blanket or tablecloth for sitting on, recyclable plastic or disposable plates and cups, and sunscreen. Pack nonperishable foods such as drink boxes, prepackaged cheese and crackers, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, trail mix, raisins, etc. Don’t forget to include the special things that kids need: bubble liquid and wands, butterfly nets, bug jars, sand pails and shovels, sidewalk chalk, a beach ball, a Frisbee, and a ball, bat and glove.
Water Activities
• Provide children with a hose that has a sprayer and a cloth. Let them wash their toys and other surfaces.
• Fill a small bucket with water. Using an old paintbrush, allow children to paint or write with their paintbrush on the sidewalk, steps, etc.
• Listen to squeals of laughter as children run through the sprays of water of a water sprinkler. Attach a garden hose to a sprinkler, and then turn on the water and let the fun begin.
Cool Treats
• Make and serve some cool treats. Keep grapes, berries, and chunks of cheese handy in the refrigerator. Let children make their own kabobs for a simple lunch (choking hazard—not suitable for under age 3).
• Make popsicles out of your child’s favorite fruit juice. Place juice in an ice cube tray. When juice is partially frozen, place a craft stick in each cube.
• Cut a peeled banana in half. Insert a craft stick into the end of each banana half. Cover the bananas with peanut butter, and then sprinkle with crisp rice cereal. Dip in chocolate syrup and place on a plate in the freezer for several hours.
• Check out cookbooks for kids from the library and let your kids experiment with making simple meals.
Beach Party
Watch The Little Mermaid movie, and then have a “beach party.” Fill a small “kiddie pool” with water (adult supervision required) and let kids wear swim suits, bring beach towels, and play with beach balls. Make our Mermaid craft.
Oceans of Fun
Learn about ocean animals and keep a variety of craft materials on hand to make some of our
ocean inspired crafts.
Sun Prints
Cut shapes from paper, spread restickable glue on the back of the shapes, and then stick them to construction paper. Tape the paper to a sunny window, facing out, and leave for at least a week (longer for higher contrast), and then peel off cutouts.
Buggy for Bugs
Look for interesting insects in your own backyard or at the local park. Look for bugs under rocks, old logs, leaves, and patio planters. Examine them under a magnifying glass.
With your young entomologist, identify your finds (have a notebook and crayons handy to make some scientific sketches).
Things to Do in Your Local Area
Make a list of things to do in your area: visit the zoo, a museum (art, history, science, children’s), or a park; go fishing, hiking, or biking; take a trip to the local library; go to see a play, or better yet, plan your own neighborhood play; or do a community service project such as picking up litter or visiting the elderly.
To find other easy-to-make
summer craft ideas and fun ways to occupy summer days, visit
www.kidssoup.com.
