Category: Holidays

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Just Out in Nature!

Rivers, lakes, streams, ponds… we’ve enjoyed them all this summer!  The kids had a blast at our friend’s floating dock… They got a real kick out of the fish who would come and nibble on their fingers and toes! The kids have spent lots of time exploring and playing in the creek behind our house and looking out for critters. The tadpoles have turned into little froglets and the skinks...

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Egg-tivity: Seatbelt Safety to Protect an Egg

While LD was away at summer camp, the girls did a few egg-tivities of their own. First in preparation for the activity, they made their own pinewood derby cars (just kits that we got from Michaels).   Once the paint was dry and the wheels were on, I told them they had a challenge… to create a seatbelt safety system to protect an egg as the car traveled down our...

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Summer Activities: Tie Dye Shirts

It’s not summer if we don’t do some tie dying! Most every summer we get one of those kits to make our own tie-dyed shirts. The kids love doing this.  We used the Jacquard Tie Dye kit because it had such great reviews. The colors are definitely bright and vibrant. Our entire family aunts, uncles, cousins, kids were able to make shirts using this one kit. We had to buy...

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How To Make Cute Bead Snakes and Lizards Out of Pony Beads

Here’s another fun craft to keep the kids entertained when it’s blazing hot outside! A couple of years ago the kids’ cousins went to camp and taught DD and LD how to make these pony-bead snakes and lizards.  I thought they were so cute I thought I would share the general procedure here. At the bottom, I’ve included a pdf that you can download with these instructions. What do you...

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Strategy Game: Quoridor (ages 6+)

I don’t know about you, but there are times when the kids complain about being bored and not having anything to do.  We’ve been trying to bring out some board games that don’t get much use during the school year. A couple weeks ago, I wrote about a game called Quarto. Another quick strategy game we’ve been playing this summer is called Quoridor. (affiliate link) The goal of this game is...

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Summer Activities: Making Marbleized Paper (20-30 mins)

Here’s a fun indoor activity that takes under 20 minutes. All of my kids and my niece (13) enjoyed making their own stationery.  All you need for this activity is shaving cream, tempera paint and a thicker paper. We used medium weight drawing paper.  Here are the easy steps: Spray the shaving cream, Add spoonfuls of the desired paint, Mix lightly with a finger or spoon, Press the paper down...

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Summer Activities: Clay and Cinnamon Ornaments

This is such an easy idea, I hesitated even to mention it, but it occupied the girls for well over an hour. It was simple, easy, creative and mess-free — so I just had to share!!  This would even be a great activity to keep the kids occupied on a long car trip. Our local Dollar Tree had some modeling clay available and the consistency was perfect.  I wish I had...

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Make Your Own Paper-Maché Mushroom Playhouse

When it’s really hot outside, it’s great to have a project indoors to keep the kids entertained.  One year we made Mushroom Playhouses.  The kids still have their mushrooms… and they have been used as fairy homes and the Littlest Pet Shop’s play houses.  Here’s how you and the kids can make your own mushroom playhouse: 1) We covered rolled-up cardboard and a balloon with paper maché. [1/2 cup flour +...

How to make a bead bowl 2

Summer Activities: Make a Bead Bowl (20 mins)

It has been very hot here. Here’s a fun indoor activity that only takes 20-30 minutes — Bead Bowls.   My girls loved this activity!  I first saw this on Erica’s blog, Confessions of a Homeschooler, back last January.  (She has lots of awesome ideas-be sure to check out her blog!).  I kept this in the back of my mind because I knew it would be a great activity when it was...

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Quarto Strategy Game

This summer, we’re trying to bring out some of the board games that are often ignored during the school year. Board games and strategy games can foster the ability to think, focus, and problem solve. Games require players to plan ahead and can help develop more sophisticated thinking skills. Games are beneficial because they foster social interaction and social skills. Everyone practices taking turns and following the rules.  Games also help...

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Summer Activities: Slip-n-Slide

Slip-n-Sliding is really fun when it’s hot out, just as long as there are no water restrictions.  For some reason, ED asks all year long when we’re going to go slip-n-sliding… It will be mid-January, snow everywhere and she’ll ask when it’ll be time! This year I promised myself I’d bring it out as soon as it was warm enough. So, we set up the slip-n-slide a week or so...

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Perfect 4th of July Frozen Treat

With watermelons in season, we’ll have some with our 4th of July barbecue.  Sometimes when we get a big melon there’s more than we can eat in one sitting. The kids love when I freeze the watermelon and bring it out as a frozen treat.  We use cookie cutters and then put it on a meat skewer. You could also use clean Popsicle sticks. The picture above is before they...

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Kids’ Songs Packet — Summer Camp at Home!

I went to girl scout camp every summer for years… and then worked as a girl scout counselor for several years after that.  I loved when we sang songs after our meals. Those songs have stuck with me all these years.  This past school year we didn’t do nearly as much music as we normally do.  I wanted to add in some fun songs this summer… especially for my youngest....

12 Books Celebrating America 2

12 Books Celebrating America

With the 4th of July right around the corner, I thought I would highlight some books you and your kids can read that celebrate America. I’ve selected books about the American Revolution and Constitution, but also wanted to point out some books about our beautiful country. If I were to recommend just one book, it might have to be They Called Her Molly Pitcher by Anne Rockwell. It is the...