Digital Reflections

Are you ready for summer?

I was featured over at Tip Junkie last week for my list of 100 FREE THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS THIS SUMMER.  Check out the list for ideas to beat the summer boredom blues.  And stay tuned for our Big Summer Fun to kick off here next week. 

Some of you are finishing up school like we are here this week, and I wanted to share a few ideas for teacher appreciation gifts.  A few simple handmade cards and some summery gifts any teacher would love. But for a nice alternative, we were able to get some baby oak trees made ready for planting.  We attached a poem (written with the aid of my 10 year old) and look forward to being 'green' in our gifting this year.

 

 

This card and all cards are made using the amazing digital scrapbooking products available at  designerdigitals.
I think handmade cards are a great personal touch especially when your kids can get involved in the process the way my son (and my daughters did).. We also made a collage print for the kindergarten teacher, and had all the children sign a mug for her.  One of our favorite things to do at the end of the year is to give classmates a little something, too.  This year we made little pouches to hold beach balls, which said, "have a ball this summer" on the outside.  It is fun to think outside the box just a tad and do a little something for the friends your kids have come to know during the year.

Gearing up means getting prepared...

We have less than two weeks of school left, and aside from being really excited, I am taking the time while I have less kids at home to get organized and prepared for our summer activities.  I think this is one of the few times I make lists, and lots of lists, so I thought I would share that organization and preparation process here.  If you are planning to follow along with us this summer, this is a great heads up and sneak peak into some of our hands on ideas.

Load up on books, do the research, pick activities...

Be creative and be flexible....

Keep it kid friendly...

Stock up on the basics.... (art supplies, misc. sales items from Michaels and Hobby Lobby go a long way when you have a house full of kids) start saving toilet paper and paper towel rolls, baby food jars, etc. Check with appliance stores about getting some large boxes, or carpet stores for large carpet rolls, check with the schools art teacher to see if they are disposing of partially used items such as colored pencils, crayons, etc.... they will often donate them to you.

As we move through the decades this summer, we will embrace the music, fashion, and food of each decade.  This has required some research so I went straight to the local library.  I have checked out books, that are decade rich, and have been pulling ideas and started planning activities around some of the typical daily life during each decade, and planning field trips (if I can relate it to a decade) and creating menus...  Along with daily activities, the kids will be creating a notebook from their summer, so I ordered as many copies of newspapers and magazines as I could find that had to do with major events of the decades.  One of our activities, is to watch a black and white film (of course on dvd, lol) as well as watch popular television programs from each decade.. I found a record player on craigslist, and some cool records on ebay.  We will study the evolution of the automobile during each decade.  I am having a lot of fun preparing everything and I know they will enjoy learning more about these different decades as it related to their grandparents and to my husband and I growing up.  Of course we will touch on all major events that occured and shaped our world during this time. I have also researched our area to find homes built during each decade so we can study architecture and building supplies and how they changed.  Here is a site where I have found some great and relavent information, the peoples history site... The kids will all work on posters comparing things like the price of gas, milk, houses, etc.... I also wanted books for the kids to flip through and I searched at AMAZON and found these.

      

 

When it comes to Egypt I have been gathering supplies for the kids to use to construct a pyramid out back.  We will also construct pyramids from sugar cubes and glue on a smaller scale.  I found a great kit

with some activities for the kids.  We will write in hieroglyphics, learn about mummies (this is probably a little scary for my younger ones, so we will touch on it lightly for now).  And a few other activities.

One thing I want to point out, a lot of our activities require some preparing, but most require little money, and when it does cost for supplies, I look at it this way... a family vacation for 6 would cost a few thousand dollars, and so far I have spent less than $80.. I know I will spend a little more probably, but in comparisson, it really is a frugal way to have fun.  My intention with summer activities is to involve learning with fun and to keep my kids from being "bored".  

I will post more this week about basic summer fun, including recipes, arts and crafts, and party ideas. 

It's Easter and Spring time

the birds are singing, the weather is warming, its time to celebrate spring in all its glory. for us that means a lot of time outside and a lot of crafting for spring and for easter..

here are a few of the things we have done so far.  Using Mindy Teressawa's Hunny Bunny kit from DesignerDigitals  I created these little pennants for our Easter banner over the fireplace.  Using Making Memory Eyelets really made the threading of the ribbon easy...  

 

We also made these matching cards for the preschoolers, and actually I found that my older kids like to play with these too... It is so easy when you can go somewhere like DesignerDigitals and get seasonal items to print off on your home computer for your kids arts and crafts and school too..these were made simply by printing out these cute Egg Pebbles on cardstock and then using my 2 5/8 inch punch. 

Another decoration - and gifts for the kids teachers are these little lanterns.. I found them at our local craft and hobby store on sale and then added the images from Katie Pertiet - vintage spring greetings which are adorable by them selves - you can totally make cute little easter cards with them.

We made these littl easter chick puppets and the little kids really loved them. I created the chicks using several items from designerdigitals and then we taped them to the sticks, I found them on our dining room table by days end sticking out of one of the flower arrangements, I guess my little guy thought that was as good a place as any to put them.

Also on the dining room table is our Easter Egg tree.  We loved the one we saw in the Pottery Barn catalog, but instead of just buying that one, it was a lot more fun to make one of our own.

Again for the little kids we made this fun little tic tac toe set..

And the kids are handing out these pencil toppers on cute spring pencils for their friends.  Our schools dont allow us to remotely celebrate ANYTHING, nor are we allowed to send in edible treats (store bought or handmade) and as much as it bothers me, I am still trying to teach my children that we love our neighbors as ourselves, that we do for others what we would like done to us.....so we are thinking outside the box and honestly it is so much more fun spending the time crafting with the kids than running into target and buying up treats to hand out.

Here are some books we added to our bookshelf recently.

We have a lot of nature ideas for this time of year too. So please staye tunded for those in the next few days. And tomorrow being April Fools day - we have a lot of fun planned..

In the meantime, if you are looking for more Easter ideas for your kids be sure to check out the following:

The crafty crow

Martha Stewart's kids Easter crafts 

Spell Outloud
 
 
 
 

Spring Break Boredom Busters

 Having kids at home for Spring Break can prove to be challenging if you havent prepared for them.  One thing we do is try to plan our time so its constructive and filled with fun hands on activities...We dont overschedule because one of the things my kids do really enjoy is just being kids, so I am always open -first to their suggestions and second to being spontaneous...

But incase you are stressed or looking for ideas to keep your little ones (and big ones) entertained here are a few ideas for you....

Arts and crafts:
*make a pet rock
*potato painting
*finger knitting - check out this blog post.. imagine childhood
*salt clay:
1 cup flour
3/4 cup salt
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup cooking oil
Food coloring
mix wet add to dry -mix both and let kids sculpt something and cook 300degrees 1-2 hours
*give the kids watercolors and paper and let them go outside and paint what they see (fun if you can get a cheal frame (ikea) or some canvas and then hang their paintings
*place a box or bin in the kitchen and collect items that would usually be trash during the week - such as papertowel rolls, glass jars, egg cartons, food boxes, junk mail, etc... then add some basic craft items - like yarn, glue, etc. and let them have a fun craft time
*tie dye tshirts
*shrinky dinks - or do you remember melting plastic spoons and forks
*spaghetti art - its messy its fun - cook pasta - put out paperplates of paint - hang LARGE paper across a fence or hanging from a tree - they throw the pasta at the paper - its makes cool designs, patterns, its fun - but messy (did i say that already)lol
*get large (butcher paper) and take a light and shine it on the child standing in front of paper and trace their shadow - then the kids can color and decorate their selves
*make goo - using baking soda and water - we like to stick our army men in them or just play in the 'quick sand'
*paper mache eggs - any easter crafts would be fun...
favorite kids craft blog::: crafty crow

nature:
*let kids plant some veggies or flowers from seedlings or sprouts - they can make a chart and watch it as they grow
*go geocaching - or go trail blazing (something we like to do) mark a path going out on some trail or in nature in general with ribbons - etc. have the kids mark in a nature journal the coordinates using a compass and then let them find their way back using their coordinates and see how close they get to finding their ribbons, etc. - its fun
*take pinecones and coat in peanut butter and roll in bird seed let the kids hang it from tree branches
*give the kids disposable cameras and take a nature or neighborhood walk, its fun to see what gets their attention and what is at their eye level - they can make a little photo journal with the developed pics
*get magnifying glasses for the kids and take them in the back yard, let them do a macro discovery day - and find all the things on and under the ground, its great when they move rocks or leaves, or find snails or rollypollys...
*make birdfeeders (you can buy little kits from a home store) the kids paint them, and build them (may only require glue or possibly nails - which your oldest should be able to do with supervision)
*make a fort/teepee/hut
*make boats and go to a creek or pond and see how they float -check out this blog post
unschool me
*pack a picninc - have each child responsible for one item to add to the picnic basket (making sure they count how many people and how many items -its a great counting reinforcement) then go somewhere new to enjoy the picnic, or just the backyard :o)
*visit a science center or arboretum

literary/drama
*go to story time at the library - check their activities

*visit a firestation, postoffice, polica station, etc... then when you go home have the kids dress the part or make puppets or invite neighbor friends over for some role playing
*read them their favorite story then let them dress up and reinact the story
*get a book on cd and let them listen to it (while you tend to the baby) and then let them make puppets and act out the story with their puppets
*pick an era and do a day in the life (requires some prep time and thought - but its soo fun)
*play hide and seek - check out this blog post  teach mama with the kids favorite things - print out the kids favorite cartoon or toy - printing off several of them for each kid then hide them (easy for the younger and harder for the oldest) then either outside weather permitting or inside have a hide and seek party
*go to the zoo and have the kids pick out their favorite animal then come home and make paper plate masks or paper bag puppets


just because:
bake bread
make homeade icecream
make cards and deliver to a childrens hospital
rake a neighbors yard
have tea time
deliver cookies to a friend

Thanksgiving Ideas for the kids in your life

This is such a wonderful time of year in the life of a curious child.  There are lots of goodies and treats to make and also a lot of learning experiences that can unfold right before your eyes.  Children love this time of year, and I love making it a little more fun and a lot more memorable.

Part of the downtime on the blog has been to allow for my little preschool venture to take off and I am loving it.  Just a handful of kids all under the age 4 and aside from the high energy level, its a whole lot of fun. So, as I try to merge my passion for teaching, exploring and living with these little ones a few days a week, I really want to get back to the blog. I miss my posts, and the creative outlet that is shared among fellow bloggers, moms, teachers, grandmothers, etc.  We have so much we can learn from each other, and this blog is just a way I get some ideas out there of what we do around here to expose our kids to as much LIFE and FUN along their journey of childhood.

Thanksgiving is upon us, and I will be hitting the high seas soon, so wanted to start with a lengthy post to give you lots to check out, and ideas to plan while your kids are either out of school for the holidays, or to add to your daily idea list. 

This is a countdown to Thanksgiving we did last week, the kids colored the turkey, and we glued on a poem

Thanksgiving

The year has turned its circle,
The seasons come and go.
The harvest is all gathered in
And chilly north winds blow.
Orchards have shared their treasures,
The fields, their yellow grain.
So open wide the doorway-
Thanksgiving comes again!

Each day the pumpkin moves closer to the turkey until it reaches the last day before Thanksgiving. This is great for number recognition, counting, calendar skills, etc.

Below we made a Thanksgiving Tic Tac Toe, We are working on the letter T, so after tracing the letter T with our fingers, and going on a nature walk to name all the things we saw that started with the T sound, the kids colored these little turkeys and pumpkins and we used my circle cutter and glued them to cardstock, and then I had printed out these tic-tac-toe sheets, the kids picked up right away how to play, and we had fun with the whole process.

Also, you can see our nature bags, the kids and I grab these each day we go out for our nature walk, we talk about what looks different from the previous day, and gather items that have fallen so we can inspect them back at home.  This is great for classification, sorting, size, color, and seasonal sctivities.  We also read a few books (I will be updating the AMAZON links to your right).  And we have talked about the pilgrims and indians, so today they also made their little indian headbands.

  We cook everyday, I get the kids all lined up at the island in the kitchen and we take turns preparing whatever happens to be the snack of the day, this day it was carrot, bananna, and chocolate chip muffins.... they liked that we put carrots into them, you would be surprised what you can sneak in (or not even sneak in this case) and have them love it, they really liked the process and they look forward to snack time everyday.  I found the following snacks around the web, and we will be making them this next week.

Arent these cute - you can find them at FAMILY FUN.

These with directions can be found HERE.

Now then, if you havent checked out the following - you should instead of picking one or two ideas from these sites - for you to see, just click the link and you wont be disappointed because their list and blog roll is FABULOUS and has all sorts of great ideas to help your creativity get going during that last week before Thanksgiving.

ART PROJECTS FOR KIDS

THE CRAFTY CROW

SPELLOUTLOUD

AUDREY's THANKSGIVING LINKS

Well, this should get you started! Hope to be back to regular postings for the upcoming Christmas season as well as have a few more ideas for you before I head off on my 4 day adventure!  
  
 
 

50 fun fall activities

 There is so much to enjoy about Fall and so many opportunities to create memories, traditions and just have good time.  Here is our list for this Fall, given the number of days from Oct. 1st to Thanksgiving, this is pretty much an activity a day type of list.  Hope you enjoy the list, and check back every so often for more details on the ideas, and photos of our projects.

1.  Take a Nature Walk

2.  Collect leaves, identify, sort and do leaf rubbings.

3.  Make a Fall Tree Centerpiece (crafty crow link to show details).

4.  Make Corn Prints or Apple Prints 

5.  Use items from your nature walk, to create a Fall sensory board/Nature Table.

6.  Visit an Apple Orchard

7.  Collect variety of apples and use for matching, sorting, addition, subtraction.

8.  Make Applesauce from scratch.

9.  Bake apple pies, or apple cakes and deliver to somone who is under the weather, or in need of some cheering up.

10.  Make homeade apple cider, package up dry ingredients for gifts for the mail man, librarian, teachers.

11.  Make and go fly a kite.

12.  Make a pinecone votive.

13.  Enjoy the Outdoors.

14.  Go to a Fall Festival.

15.  Go to a Pumpkin Patch. 

16.  Host a Pumkin Carving Party.

17.  Paint Pumpkin faces.

18.  Roast Pumpkin Seeds.

19.  Bake pumpkin pies.

20. Create Pet Rock Pumpkins.

21. Make playdough apples and pumpkins.

22. Make and give away these cute little Apple Yarn Favors.

23. Plan a neighborhood EyeSpy with a list of Fall items.

24. Make a Paint Stick Scarecrow.

25. Go to a farmers market.

26.   Visit a petting zoo.

27.  Knit scarves or hats for a Fall/Winter Clothing Drive.

28.  Participate in a Canned food drive.

29.  Enjoy a Fall Picnic.

30.  Make hand and feet print art and tuck away after the Fall season each year.

31.  Host a Halloween party, complete with costume contest, bobbing for apples, and a cake walk.

32.  Host story time at your house, and pull out your favorite Fall books.

33.  Make your own marshmallows for roasting over a campfire.

34.  Make your own TickTac Toe  and use all sorts of manipulatives found on your various fall outings, from acorns to small leaves, stones, or minipumpkins from the craft store.

35.  Rake a neighbors yard.

36.  Make your own paper.

37. Dry fruit for snack time.

38.  Make 4 season posters (use a painted hand and wrist for the tree and let the kids paint the scenery and tree according to the season.)

39.  Create a countdown to Thanksgiving calendar.

40.  Make A Thankgiving Tree, and each day have the kids write one thing they are thankful for and on Thanksgiving day, everyone reads the tree and is reminded of all their blessings.

41.  Make a corn husk doll.

42.  Make a plaque with your fall finds.  Ordinary life magic  (a great blog find)

43. Visit a planetarium, read about the seasons and weather patterns and space.

44.  Take a photowalk around your neighborhood and let the kids take photos of the seasonal changes and then create a collage with their photos.

45.  Create beautiful Fall Mixed Media pieces (i love these ideas and this blog is a family favorite).

46.  Visit the library and check out Fall themed books.

47.  Camp Out in your backyard.

48.  Make cute button/candy corn napkin rings.

49.  Can some jam, veggies, sauces to store up for the winter (introduce your children to hibernation and get some books on animal habitats.)

50.  Do one thing each day that relates to the season, bake bread, take a walk, enjoy the crisp air, read a Fall related book, everyday is an opportunity to create memories, spark creativity and enjoy the treasure that life is.

Weekly Roundup

Our tea party camp was a great success. Lots of girly activities and the boys were all dressed up to help out too.  That is one of the things that made the camp work in a house of 2 boys and 2 girls, giving them all something to do keeps the peace and makes everyone happy.  And as promised here are a few photos and details about the 2 day camp.  I hope to have more photos to post soon, as I was lucky to have a friend hang out and take lots of pics so I could focus on the girls and activities of the day.

The girls decorated the containers on the first day, and then during the morning of the second day they made these tissue paper flowers.  These were the main centerpieces on our table.

These are the napkins the girls helped make the day before. On the second day each girl got a piece of a papertowl holder and covered it in paper and decorated it with scrapbooking header stickers.  These are a very quick and an easy way to get the kids involved in setting the table. 

My kids have already made another set to go on our everyday table.   They are asking me to help them make more napkins, too.

Here is a sampling of the bunting the kids helped make.  They used rulers to draw the lines and cut out the triangles, then using double sided tape I adhered the two pieces together sandwiching the string in between them.  Over night I decided to cut out some butterflies like the ones I loved at Pottery Barn Kids.  These were easy to do, the key was allowing there to be a 1/2 or more gap in the middle, so they were not exactly folded in half, that way there was an allowance to staple them to the wall and it helped keep them open.  I just cut out scrapbooking paper (cardstock holds up better).

This is just a little different shot of the table. the girls each got a little gift container and a decorated cookie to take home (I managed not to get pics of their cookies, but am hoping my friend did.)

This was the table the morning before the girls began arriving. You get a general feel of what the table looked like.

Here is a close up of the food. The girls cut and filled the strawberries, and dipped the whole straberries into chocolate. We made muffins, and the girls cut the cheese with Pampered Chef pastry cutters (they are small and a perfect size for bite sized treats for kids - I use them all the time).  We also made finger sandwiches, just cheese, and pb&j (with homeade jam...so good!)

We had story time and I read

                                        

We also talked about holding and serving tea, using our napkins, treating our guests kindly, etc.  The girls even balanced books on their heads, and it was quite fun to watch.  At the end of our day together, the girls made necklaces and played hide and seek and ran around being silly.  All the things that make a day with a house full of kids a great day.

Well, back tomorrow with our next weeks plans and lots more summer activities. We have started our back to school countdown with the calendar today.

               

I made this calendar using Andrea victoria's skinny calendar at designerdigitals.com.  You should check it out, and start thinking about calendars for this years Christmas gifts.  Here is what Cassie Jones did with this same calendar here.  I fell in love with the idea and how crips and clean her looks and plan to use Andrea's 2010 skinny calendar to make a few gifts this year.

Summer Camp Wrap Up & Friday Finds for the Fourth and beyond

First summer camp done, 3 more to go.  This week we had about 9 little girls over for some fun crafting, games, story time and songs.  The kids had a great time and here are the last few pictures from the week.  I didn't realize how hard it was going to be to remember to take photos but in the moment with all the giggles, glue, paint, glitter, etc. its easy to forget to snag the camera to document the fun.

 

And I couldn't believe I grabbed the camera as we headed outside on the last day for some fun in the sun and slip-n-slide.  But I did, and I sat at the end of slide camera in hand hoping I was far enough away to prevent my beloved lens from getting wet! I was and I love the action shots I got as the kids came down the slide.  Next week is jammed pack with boys science projects, we are talking rockets, bubbling things, building things, exploding things, measuring, catapults, cars, slimy things, it'll be a blast! More detail on Sundays this Summer.

Here are a few things I stashed into my files this week as I meandered the world wide web.

Things to make:

CRAFTY CROW 4th of July Games

CRAFY CROW 4th of July sweet treats

4 CRAZY KINGS -modge podge 

 COUNTRY LIVING -Old fashioned 4th

Vintage Holiday Crafts - Vintage downloadable 4th postcards 

Things to bake:

Pioneer Woman - 4th of July menu

SMITTEN KITCHEN - Summer Slaws/Salads

SURVIVAL COOKING - Campfire Pockets 

SIMPLE MOM - Summer Desserts 

Things to read:

 

Hope you enjoy the 4th surrounded by friends and family, making memories, enjoying one another, and celebrating life.

Summer Camp -1

Two days down and two to go.  So far we have had 9 girls under the age of 7 and its been a blast.  Crafts galore, camp songs, games, and creative snack times make the days go by so fast.  In a quest for all things creative and crafty I have discovered a slew of awesome blogs that I will share later on.   Here are a few highlights of the first two days.

 

We are doing a few 4th of July crafts this week too. And I love adding decorations the kids make around the house no matter the holiday.  Our favorite game has become we went to grandmas house.  I was so amused at the items the girls "found" at their grandmas house... The funniest ones are stinky socks and dead ol' rat.  While I clean up from lunch time my son volunteered to do story time with the girls - he is so animated reading the books to the girls and they just giggle and are completely attentive to him.

Here are some GREAT links - so just check them out if your kids are starting to squirm with boredom. This is one of those sites that I clicked on and just sat for an hour - camp songs, camp crafts, ice breakers, you name it - - and you dont have to use them for "camp"... ULTIMATE camp resource.

CRAFTY CROW lots of 4th of July crafts here

THE ARTFUL PARENT playing with puffy paint 

WHIMSY LOVE homeade playdough 

FIRST PALETTE flower crown 

ART SMARTS FOR KIDS Create your own Ojo de Dios

THAT ARTIST WOMAN bird puppet

PLUM PUDDING  EVERYTHING here - seriously go look around

SCRUMDILLY DO spinning fireworks

CRAFTZINE BLOG summer camp crafts  

LETS EXPLORE origami and lazy summer lunches

there are some more - but I am sure this is a great list t get you started if you are looking for some creative ideas to entertain your little ones this summer. I will be back with a wrap up at the end of the week. 

100 FREE THINGS to do with your kids this summer

 

A little break from our summer activity to bring you list of things to do this summer, that wont break the bank, and if you are handy they will actually be FREE.  If you are keeping up with our summer you know I am all about keeping the kids from being bored, but also about enhancing their education in the process and bringing them back to nature.  (update on Wild West Week tomorrow).... so here goes (if its blue its a link for more information)

1.  Library-check out books that have IDEAS - give reason for further hands on study (activity).  Reserve books through your online service at your local library that have items of interest for your childs age group, how to make paper airplanes, science experiments, craft projects, etc. even as we are learning about different artists we are practicing our learning by completing art projects...get creative with the books you can get...

2. Library-STORY TIME - something about a different setting breaks up the routine for the kids, gives them something to look forward to.

3. Local Park - go early, pack a lunch, bring a drawing tablet, enjoy the outside before its too hot.

4. Take a field trip.

5.  Visit a fire department. 

6.  Play in the water - but aside from the everyday play in the sprinkler, kiddie pool - make games with the water - use the water with paint brushes and paint the fence (it dries clear, lol)...put coloring in the water and stretch paper across a fence - fill water guns with this colored water and then they are really painting with water colors. 

7.  Build a fort, go to nearby woods, gather sticks, broken branches, etc. build a fort, or house this will provide days worth of enjoyment both in the gathering/building/playing inside.

8. Take a nature walk.. take along a journal, let the kids bring cameras, then go home, identify everything your photographed, create a nature book.  Thats a whole nother days activities (paper, photos, glue, scissors, notebook) this is especially good saved for a rainy day.

9.  Take an  "Alphabet tour"... again camera(s) in hand, journals - letter guides for younger kids - drive to town/city - begin with the letter a (Apple street) b (building) c (colosseum) d(dairy queen) e(eatery) you get the drift - when you are done - each child has a personal and creative alphabet memory book.

10.  Check out kids free days at your museums.

11.  Make homeade ice cream (if you dont keep heavy cream on hand you will have to buy it, but hey its still pretty cheap entertainment/enjoyment).  Make popcicles, smoothies, ice cream sundaes.

12. Go on a scavengar hunt

13.  Host a neighborhood carnival (we're talking bean bag toss, use the water gun to shoot the ducky, egg on the spoon, those kind of games)  - each neighbor hosts a game/activity and gives out a snack/drink - makes for a very fun day..

14.  Go to an outdoor concert (most towns/cities have a website where you can see what/when and which ones are free.)

15.  Check your movie theatre for free summer movies (usually morning showings)

16.  Go to the beach.

17.  Check out your local hardware store - they offer free kids club building projects.

18.  Cook with your kids (my kids are still loving to cook the evening meals with me) but let them plan it, be apart of the shopping, table setting - make dessert!)

19.  Host a cooking party - invite some friends (your kids arent the only ones home and wanting something to do) - have each mom bring a few ingredients and spend the day making cookies, treats, etc. (maybe you know someone who could use some extra love and attention - make a whole meal with these friends, let the kids make cards, and go make someones day brighter and happier).

20.  Teach the kids frisbee golf.

21.  Go fly a kite (why not make them first).

22.  Do a sewing project together.  Make a picnic or story time blanket, apron, or summer dress.

23.  Make sock puppets - put on a puppet shows.

24.  Go outside for reading time.

25.  Make and blow bubbles.

26.  Hide all the army men, mini animals, etc. in the sand pit - have a excavation. (even read a book about archeologists before hand).

27.  Play dress up.

28.  Have a tea party.

29.  Make an obstacle course out of your back yard and have races.

30. Play jacks.

31. Go fishing.

32. Go on a bike ride.

33. Camp in your back yard.

34. Melt and create with crayons.

35. Visit a local state park.

36. Go bowling (a lot of the alleys offer students 2 free games over the summer).

37. Plant a garden using seeds from your vegetables/fruits.

38. Tour local historic sites.

39. Make a star gazing map.

40. Teach the kids to knit.

41. Check with a local farm - offer to help feed the animals.

42. Set up a lemonade stand.

43. Set up hotwheels races in the driveway. (my guys love this - they always want to see which of their 100's of cars is awarded 'the fastest" - have them make a trophy to give to the winning car - then next time  - the new winning car gets the trophy.

44. Have a LEGO building contest (using x# pieces, only using blue pieces, creating something a certain height, create something that moves, etc.)

45. Make a doll.

46. Hunt for animal tracks. (get a book from the library to help identify them).

47. Have a dress up party (doesnt have to be halloween to wear those costumes).

48. Learn bird calls.

49. Use magazines to make mosaics.

50. Check your craft stores for make and take craft projects (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc.).

51. Tour a factory.

52. Make musical instruments and become a 'home band' sensation! (think - pie pan tamborine, papertowl holder rain stick, string and cereal box guitar) - dont forget to dress the part!

53. Make tye die shirts. (play some groovy tunes, too)

54. Take a picnic to dad/mom/grandma/ etc... give them a nice break from their work day.

55. Make a tent in the living room.

56. Go to an Arboretum.

57. Make a bird feeder with pine cones & peanut butter (and bird seed of course).

58. Paint with fruit and veggies (and anything else you will let them paint with - think q-tips, old toothbrush, sponges, leaves.... etc.)

59. Play charades.

60. Have a "BORED" game day - pull out all those dusty games and let each child pick a game - if its nice outside - take em out on your picnic blanket.

61. Walk your neighbors dog.

62. Blow up Diet coke with mentos.

63. Make sillouettes.

64. Check out local VBS offerings - a lot of time you can volunteer while your kids attend.

65. Learn/Go Orienteering.

66. Make a compass. (ties in to 65)

67. Gather friends and have a "clean" the park day - celebrate your good deed with a picnic and play time.

68. Sculpt with homeade SALT CLAY.

69. Collect Seashells. (then sort by color/size. etc. - make a seashell necklace or use the shells to decorate an empty jar - adults should use the glue gun).

70. Play "I Spy" as you walk around your neighborhood.

71. Go to a farmers market.

72. Check with a local pizzaria to see if you can come in for a tour (they will probably want you to buy a pizza - so it may not be "free" - but fun!)

73. Check your newpaper for local summer festivals.

74. Make school related activities fun - create your own matching cards (I make mine using these cute digital supplies found here and here). Use maccaroni for math reinforcement, make a clock with a paper plate, help with geometry by giving building tasks, etc.)

75. Learn (play) street games.

76. Make Taffy.

77. Make a checker board and your own checkers. then play for a bit...

78. Make your own board games.

79. Make a Milk Carton Boat - and head to a pond.

80. Have a Christmas in July party and ask all the guests to bring donations for your local food pantry.

81. Participate in a free activity at Bass Pro Shop.

82. Have a major league team in your area - call about free kids tickets this summer.

83. Take a trip to tour your state capitol, local courthouse, etc.

84. Gather, paint, make pet rocks.

85. Plan a theme week (keep checking back here for more details about our themes this summer).

86. Volunteer at a local charity/Habitat for Humanity.

87. Have a pajama day, enjoy movies and popcorn (great for a rainy day).

88. Color.

89. Make a Windchime.

90. Write your own poems.

91. Do a toy swap (pack up those forgotten toys and swap with a friend - kids love new "to them" toys as much as they love :NEW: toys.

92. "Play" school.

93. Make paper dolls for boys, for girls, or for the more advanced.

94. Travel around the world. Have English scones for breakfast, Chinese Stir Fry for lunch, Italian for dinner. Make a craft to go with each country, get a library book with photos of these places. (maybe even see if you have a friend your child can become pen pals with.)

95. Have a switcher-oo day, you send your kids to someone elses house and their kids come to yours... kids LOVE this... just plan a few activities (you can choose from some on this list) and give them a great day as your friend will do with your kidos.

96. Play tennis, soccer, kickball, football, etc.

97. Make slime.

98. Make glowing fireflies. we get our glowsticks at Target's $1.00 bins and they come with 10, so its practically free.

99. Make a sandcastle. If you dont have a sand box, gather up all sorts of containers and some water jugs and head over to your local park - spend the day building a great sand castle together -lots of kids will want to get in on the action so its a great social time, too.

100.  Enjoy an art lesson.

Most importantly remember the simplicity of childhood is found in the quality of the time spent together - enjoy each moment, create an environment of joy and excitement, learning and fun and I am certain this summer will be one we all remember for a very long time.

(basic paper yellow alpha by katie pertiet at designerdigitals.com)

Please note that if you use this list in part or in whole you should please credit and link back to digitalreflections. Thank you.

craftiness finds

Well, here is a quickpost witha few of my favorite finds among the blogworld with crafty goodness for your Easter weekend.

Look at these cute little bookmarks - available

from Jinjerup to download here jingerup.blogspot.

I love the colors and I am certain I dont know a kid

who doesnt love to have bookmarks handy when

reading a book.  My 6 year old cant have enough of them

and I think she is going to love helping me cut these out.

I dont think you can ever go wrong when

Martha has holiday crafts. And this is

my favorite in her Easter section this year.

Easy enough for all kids to help make.  Not too

many supplies needed. And you can find

all the directions and photos in her Easter

Craft Section here.

 RootsandWingsCo. has this cute little

paperplate craft.  I love its simplicity

and sweet nature.  I know my preschoolers

will making this little chic-a-dee this weekend.

I really love the idea of making           

this cross that I saw over at the

Artist Woman Blog.  Spend some

time on her blog and you will be

ready to pull out all your art

supplies and have some messy

good times with your kids.

And you probably

 already know

about Bakearella

and she has some

adorable edible

Easter Treats.

I just cant get

enough of her

pops....

you should really try them - soo good... go ahead.. try them, you know you want to !!!

Well, these were just a few of my favorites - but check out these blogs below for tons of crafty goodness this Easter weekend.

The Crafty Crow

kiddio 

Artful Parent 

well, thats about it for today, we are heading out for story time at the library and to play with some friends... good times!