Summer Links and Lists

This post is also appearing on Latter-Day Homeschooling today.

Are you having a great summer?!

I am.

My boys are busy working on their summer fun chart, interspersed with some other activities. 

I thought that for this links and lists I would give you some fun activities, that cost little or no money, to do with your kids.  These are great for the last min "Mom, I am sooooo bored.  What can I do?!" times in your children's lives!

Enjoy.

• Kids love being monsters right?  Just mine...I am sure it is not!  This is a great idea for those monsters to have big monster feet.  Walk in the sand or puddles.  Leave big monster feet prints behind.
• For my son's birthday this year he got a bow.  Since then my boys have been really excited about bows and shooting them, and even making them.  Here is a simple bow your (older) kids could make.
• Have you seen the baked cotton balls making their rounds?  My boys really want to try them, and we will as soon as it is not so stinkin hot out and I can turn my oven on!  They are practically free though so good fun.
• Are you lucky enough to have a sandbox?  If you are, my boys are jealous because they want to turn a sandbox into one of these mud boxes.  They think this would be so much fun.  (and I think girls like getting dirty just as much as boys do...at least I did!)
• I just picked up a pack of shower caps (12 for a dollar) for this fun activity.  Super fun with lots of kids or just two.
• If you have a few kids at your house and they are all bored, this would be super fast and easy to put together and I think it could keep them busy for a while.  I did a popcorn fight once and it was FOREVER to pop enough popcorn for a 20 min fight...worth it, but this activity seems a little less work to me.
• How about chalk?  Do you have some?  Water balloons?  I am sure you have both.  If you do, this activity looks like lots of fun.
• If you used paper plates, you could do this little man tea party on the super cheap.  My boys are obsessed with moustaches so this is right up their alley.  (Yes, even the big one!)
• And because I secretly long for the simple days of the pioneers, this whistle is right up our alley too.  I think if kids had a little patience it would be a very rewarding activity.
• Right now we live in a rental and spray painting our lawn is kind of forbidden...but as soon as we aren't, this is going to happen here.  What fun!
• OK, we did this last month and my boys had a blast.  I had to make a rule that no hands were involved for the big boys because they were just wrestling, but as soon as the hands were taken out of the equation, this was a BIG hit here. 
• Last year the biggest hit of all was our shaving cream war.  Serious fun here.  Cheap, but not free.
• Here are a couple other ideas that I had featured on my summer camp series on my blog this summer.

Have an awesome summer!

Cheers

Summer Camp - Garden Fort

My Mom has a large garden that she likes to grow. 

She also likes to get everyone involved in the garden.  I saw this article in Family Fun one year and sent her the pages to build a garden fort.  She was thrilled because then the grandkids could play in the garden and eat the beans.  (she likes it when they pick things to eat)

I thought I would share a few photos of the structure so you could maybe see what it looked like.

That was the only photo I took of my kids in there.  Sad isn't it?!

My Mom had put a couple photos of them IN the fort though, so I took a photo of her photo...it was in a scrapbook so sorry for the quality.

It was pretty easy to build and my boys loved picking the beans that grew on and down into it. 

I found a couple more links though to different styles and when we get our land, I am totally doing one or more of these.

Living Den
Willow Den (that just keeps growing)
Using a Trellis to make fort spaces

Enjoy summer!

Cheers

Summer Camp - Painting the Sheet

When we moved to the city we are in now, we lived with my parents for 13 days. 

I joke with people that you should NEVER move in with your parents when you are an adult, but it was really  not that bad.  We had lots of fun. 

One of the funnest (is that a real word?  I tend to speak in child speak and it looks like it is real when it is not...) things we did was totally my Mom's idea. 

She is creative like that. 

We painted a sheet to use as a picnic blanket. 

My boys (who are REALLY young in these photos) loved every second.

Please excuse the undies...that is how they lived in the summer time!

First we hung the sheet on a fence.

Painted some paint on our hands...

...and painted all over the sheet.

Bodies were painted as well!

We left the sheet to dry and then ironed it to make the paints permanent. 

Use frequently as a picnic blanket because summer doesn't last long around here!

Cheers

Summer Camp - Ice Excavation

About 10 years ago I met Amber.  She and her hubby Evan lived below us when they were first married.  We used to joke that living under us was effective birth control!  Fast forward a few years and Amber has become a good friend to me.  When I asked her if she wanted to do a post for me she was excited (I know you must have been Amber!) and knew just what she wanted to do with her kids. 

I first found this idea on pinterest and I knew my kids would love it!! I was right, they loved it and wanted to do more but I had only made two. Next time I will have to make more!! This is such an easy to prepare activity that will give your kids a lot of enjoyment.

Step 1: Gather small plastic toys. I used animals and bugs.

Step 2: Get a container to put your toys and water in. I used an ice cream container that was going in my recycling anyways. I was glad I used this because I just ripped it apart to get my ice chunk out. You can really use any container, like a small bowl, muffin tins, an ice cube tray or a Tupperware container.

Step 3: Place your animals in the container and pour the water over the toys. If you use a lot of water your kids will be able enjoy this project for a long time because it will take them awhile to get the toys out. If they are smaller and have a shorter attention span, pour a small amount of water over the toys so they can get the toys faster!!

Step 4:  Place your containers in the freezer until the water is completely frozen.

Step 5: Remove your containers from the freezer and let sit for about 5 minutes. Remove your ice block.

Step 6: I put all the supplies they would need to excavate their animals on a cookie sheet and carried it outside. They were so excited.

At first we started with the plastic hammers but they weren’t getting the job done fast enough. I had to bring out the real hammers. My kids especially loved that!!

The cookie trays got in the way so we ended up putting the ice on the grass or on the cement.

Clean up was easy. The ice melted on its own and I just gave the toys and tools a quick rinse in the sink. I totally recommend this activity. My kids loved it and ask me everyday if we can do it again. Have fun!!

I am sorry, I just can't get over the cuteness of her son in his little hat!  He is in my nursery and is such a hoot!  Amber has more recipes and ideas on her blog here. 

Cheers

Summer Camp - Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere

I can't have a guest post series without having my sister come visit!  Once upon a time I graduated and left my little sister behind.  She was only 6 so I was not really very sad.  :)  Fast forward MANY a few years and she is one of my very best friends.  She has some adorable little girls that I love so very much and wish I lived closer to.  (Seonaid, I wish you lived closer too...but your girls are so very cute!)  When I was thinking of someone who had some really little ones at home, I naturally thought of her.

My post is a how-to on how to make your own bubble blowers out of straws. My sister gave me the idea which was super fun and literally took minutes to prepare. I started with some straws that I had around the house and a little bit of scotch tape.

Next I just stuffed one end of a straw into the end of another straw and just taped the seam. I made them three long cause two is just boring and four seemed a little excessive and bent around too much.I definitely enjoyed this

Then we all ventured outside. As you can tell from my pathetic pictures it was really tricky to get a picture of the bubbles. Especially since I'm the only one that can blow bubbles and I was the one taking the pictures.

The bubbles worked really well though and it was fun for everyone involved. Here are just a couple more pictures I had to include just cause my kids are cute :-)

I always enjoy doing activities with bubbles, so this was super fun! Besides, it is really hard for kids to make a big mess with bubbles. This is definitely something I would do again.

Seonaid doesn't blog often, and her blog is a work blog, so I am not linking.  BUT if you leave comments on here for her I will make sure she gets them!

Cheers

Summer Camp - Using Your Noodle

When I first started discovering this wonderful new world of blogging a few years ago, the very first blog I ever started reading on a regular basis was Montserrat's.  Even now, over 4 years later, I still make time to read her blog as one of my "must read's".  Lucky for me, she has also become a dear friend.  She has wonderful ideas, a huge heart and is just one of the very nicest people you could ever "meet" in bloggy land. 

While waiting an exorbitantly long time at the orthodontist I browsed through a Family Fun Magazine and came upon a summer idea I KNEW my kids would love to do. See we live out in the middle of nowhere.



Yup, that's our farm surrounded by mountains and desert and sand dunes. The only chance my kids get to actually swim is if we drive 40 minutes to town or if their dad fills up our "redneck" swim tank. Recalling the article in the Family Fun Magazine we decided to use our pool noodles for something else.



Gather together six skinny pool noodles, two thick pool noodles {not pictured}, six toilet paper rolls cut from top to bottom, duct tape, and two 1/2 inch thick dowels {not pictured.



Take a toilet paper tube and roll it into a smaller, tighter tube. Stick half into the end of a noodle, bend the noodle into a circle and stick the other end over the toilet paper tube.



Tape closed with duct tape {it comes is so many fun colors and patterns now!}. Do this to all six smaller noodles.



Lay the six circles and two thick pool noodles out as pictured. Tape circles together where they touch and then to the end noodles.



As is it can be placed on the ground for part of an obstacle course.



Or tap the dowels into the ground and place the end noodles over it. Let 'em have at it trying to throw noodles or balls into the rings.



Think outside the box, use your noodle!

Super fun!  I am going to go get some noodles right now from the dollar store!  If you haven't read Montserrat's blog, go check it out.  You will be glad you did.

Cheers

Summer Camp - Simple Joys of Summer

A few years ago I got to exchange emails with a lovely woman.  Then this year I actually got to meet her!  Yahoo!  She has become a dear friend and I enjoy our association so very much.  Shauna is a homeschooling momma in BC.  With three young children to keep busy she was a natural for my series!

As I was thinking about this post, I was feeling quite overwhelmed with all the great ideas there are in Blogland and Pinterest for engaging and entertaining children through the summer. My mind was boggled. How do I find something unique that Jaime doesn't already have on her awesome list of summer activities that I got a sneak peek at in April? How do I pick just one? What will happen if I can't stop once I start on that path to finding the perfect project to feature? ( I can be a little crazy sometimes...)

Then, as I started looking back through our photos from last summer, I realized that often it is the simple things we do in the summer that are going to be the memories that my children carry through their adult lives. Sure, I remember the big trips we made to California and Wyoming but they don't cast a shadow over the memories I have of camping in the rain every summer or hanging out in the backyard with my siblings. So, instead of a post telling you how to do one of the amazing things I found online or of an amazing place you can visit, I reworked one of my favourite Primary songs to showcase some of the fun (and mostly free) things we did together last summer as a family. Do with it what you will...maybe it will inspire you to have some fun adventures with your kids or maybe it won't. However, it reminded me that sometimes the joy of summer is found in simplicity...it isn't about always jetting off to exotic locations or doing the amazing projects that I find online. Sometimes, the best thing about summer is just being together in a simple moment!

Shauna blogs a private blog, but her school blog is filled with wonderful ideas.  Check it out for more of her positive outlook and ideas.

Cheers

Reading and Playing - In Black and White...

I was asked if I had a black and white version of the reading challenge, so I popped it into my picassa and changed it.

I thought that maybe someone else might like the black and white versions too so I am posting them here for you.  :)

Enjoy.

Cheers

Summer Camp - Tie Wind Socks

Mandy has been a good friend of mine for quite a few years now, since we lived in the same ward at one time, and does some pretty crafty things with her kids.  She also is super creative in sewing.  I have had a lot of fun with her and admire her creativity.  She agreed to guest post for me and I am grateful for that...look at the super fun idea she came up with!

The girls and I decided to make these fun tie wind socks again. We had made one a few years ago, it has long since been blown to pieces, but I have a box of ties left over from that project that have been waiting to be used for something wonderful. So why not recreate the original something wonderful?

So this is what you need; sour cream container, old ties, glue gun, fishing line, scissors, knife, a heavy big needle and pliers.

We actually didn't end up using the stapler this time, we just used the glue gun.

First you cut the bottom off of your container with a knife. 

Cut each tie in half .

Now glue the cut side on the inside of the container and then fold it over to the outside and glue it down. Don't be afraid to use LOTS of glue, especially if you live in a windy area like we do. If you are ambitious you can finish the edges of the cut tie with a sewing machine, or do like we did and just use more glue gun glue to hold it all together.

We alternated between the fat end of the tie and the skinny end. When that was all done, we glued the skinny end of the tie all the way around to give it a finished look.

The next step is to thread the fishing line through the needle and using the pliers push it through the top part of the wind sock to make the hanger.

Now go hang it up and let the wind blow...or go jump on the trampoline with it.

Thanks again Mandy!  Check out Mandy's blog for more fun ideas, recipes and thoughts.

Cheers

Summer Fun Reading Chart

Last year I saw a really cute little "bingo" type reading chart on a friend's blog.  She always has amazing ideas and I love her virtual space. (if you click on the bingo link she also has a great list of books) 

My boys did the reading chart and were all pleased with the new books they discovered.

This year as I was sort of loosely planning what we were going to do this summer, I asked my boys what they enjoyed most last year.  Of course they mentioned our Summer Fun Chart (which seems to look a little different each year!) and then they surprised me and said the summer reading chart.  Then they surprised me further and asked for another only with MORE books on it!  Knock me over with a feather!

This year I thought I would share with you what we are doing for our chart.  (and here is the chart just for you if you want it for your kids, just click on it for a bigger version)

There are 50 different words or phrases on this chart. 

The deal here is that they must cross off the ones they read.  For example, if they read a book like "The Red Pyramid" by Rick Riordan, there are a few things they could cross off.  Pyramids, A Boy Hero, A Girl Hero, Action/Adventure, just to name a few.  The trick is that they have to cross it off on their own.  They can not ask me what I think the book is about.

They must eventually cross off all 50. 

I am letting them do this from Mid-June until the end of September.  Then I will let them pick a large prize if all three boys complete their charts.  Last year they were trying to earn a trampoline but one of them didn't finish his.  I extended the deadline and made it so they could cross off multiples for each book.  Hopefully they can all complete their charts.

I hope your kids enjoy it.  I tried to make it friendly for both girls and boys and to make it all age friendly so your elementary and your high school children could all use it.  (of course rules could be changed for each age group as well)

Rules could change for your family too.  If you want to have the complete 20 or something, or choose to have all the blue colored words...the choices are endless.  You don't have to reward your kids either.  Make it work for you.

Please let me know if your children enjoy it.  I would love your feedback.

Cheers

Update...Black and White Version is here

Summer Camp - Summer Fun Chart

To kick off this series of Summer Camp ideas, I thought I would start with something my boys love.  I really hope that you are all like me.  I hope that when summer comes, you try to find things to keep your kids occupied because they need to have something to do each day!

My boys love looking forward to summer though because that means that I make up our summer fun chart. 

For the past few years I have been printing out a list of activities, putting it in a cheap frame (think dollar store) and each time they do one, they cross it off with dry erase markers.  The beauty of having it in a frame is that I can just wipe it off.  Easy Peasy.

This year I thought I would get fancy and make all of you (who want one) a printable list as well.  Just click the photo for a larger one to print out.

Coming up these next few weeks, I have some wonderful guest posts.  These ladies have some really cool ideas for you to try out.  I will be posting summer camp ideas every Monday and Thursday.   Come check them out, and...

Enjoy summer!

Some of these things are just links to a photo, or an idea on Etsy and I figured I could totally do it (without buying them) I hope you will also find them useful.

Make a Catch a Ball             Learn How to Embroider (this is a link for 100 Stitches)
Learn How to Quill            Make a Tin Can Mug
Fishing Tackle Bracelets (for a more "manly" version leave off the beads)
Yarn Dolls                        Salad Spinner Art
Yarn Book Worm               Play Tent (with a hula hoop) and here is another one
Family Dolls (Nesting)          Monster Pillows
Take Close Up Photos (then make a simple book out of them)
Monster Page Corner Bookmarks
Marshmallow Popper           Monster Dolls
Baked Marbles                    Province/State String Art
Bag of Toy Soldiers             Make a Fork Ring
Make Tie Tacks/Earrings out of the end of a spent bullet casing
Make a Giant Flower            Make a Flower Press
Make Rock Candy                Make Rubber band Guns
Tiny Bubbles with straws        Bath Boats with Ice Cubes
Catapult with Popsicle Sticks  Frozen Treasure Dig
Water Hose Gun                   PVC Sprinkler
Flour Tag                            Glitter Balloons
Clay                                   Sumo Wrestle with Cushions
Drums out of Cans                   Fabric Bowls
PVC Periscope                     Superhero Masks
Jellybean Bracelets               Make a Jellyfish in a Bottle
Lip Straws                           Redneck Waterbed
Tape Ball                             Laser Tag with Balloons
Shaving Cream War               Popcorn War
Bubble Wrap Hopscotch         Pudding Painting

Cheers

Angry Birds

Once upon a time, I didn't know what "Angry Birds" was. 

BUT last year when we bought our iPad with our school funding, we were introduced to this phenomenon.  Let me tell you right up front, I am not sure if I like how the birds are "killing" the pigs, but it is still an addictive game of skill.  My boys LOVE the games that are out there (we own all of them) and play it often, and are much better at it than I am.  (In fact, I get my oldest to pass levels that I am stuck on for me!)

Anwhoo...

While browsing many months ago, I bookmarked THIS site where you could DIY for stuffies.  I really thought I would make them for Christmas, then birthdays, then I figured out I would probably not make them, but they are a grand idea!  :)

When I joined pintrest I found THESE ONES almost right away.  My boys like to see what I have pinned and LOVED the idea of painting rocks.  I told them we weren't shooting them with a slingshot like in that post, but we would do the painting part.  :)  Apparently this is the summer of painting rocks, so we went at it.  BUT we also had a cousin join us and she didn't want to do birds...so we went on a search (google painted rocks) and found a bunch.  The boys and our cousin spent a good two hours painting their rocks.  Here are a couple of photos of the process:

And because I am a joiner...

We are going to spray them after they dry with some nice glossy spray, but you could also modpod them if you want to seal it all up.  (river rocks are slimy! :D)

Whew, I think we are done with rocks now this summer!

Cheers