need ideas to keep the kids happy this summer!

[jstanawa]

My older 3 kids are 5, 12, and 14. For the last couple years we have been using spare time to volunteer at the local veterans home. It gives the kids a chance to learn to give back to our veterans. It gives the veterans a chance to have younger people for companionship. My kids have walked away with pride, a sense of being important to someone else, and it has given them history lessons from real people who have lived through the depression, WWII, Korean war, and the Vietnam war.

We also spend 1 day a week at our local park, where we eat lunch picnic that we brought from home. We spend at least 1 evening a week at the beach for sub sandwich dinner that we make in the afternoon. We also take 1 morning and go to the library where everyone picks out a book for the week (we also check out videos, cd's of music, and a cookbook to explore). Thursday is always our home down day where we don't do a single thing but sit in our jammies and basically do nothing.

[contrary1]

Before gas prices went sky high...........we used to put a map up of our state & mark on it where we had explored during the year. Kids would post things that reminded them of the spots we had been, we could put up pictures too..... (we have a HUGE bulletin board)

This could be scaled down, by getting a local map and doing the same thing, marking off all the playgrounds, parks & local attractions you visit during the summer.

One of my favorite things to do is to cover my big table with a sheet of clear plastic (got mine at the fabric store........heavy grade) Then, we slide maps underneath so they almost covered the table. Great way to have conversations at meal time, in addition to being in front of you when someone NEEDS to know where a place is located. Great conversation starters for adults too, who traveled where, who lived in another country, etc.

I also like to keep the digital camera available whenever we go somewhere. Taking memory shots of the places as well as the kids at the place make for some great crafts when back at home. Print them off on regular paper, make a book, put in notebooks, contact paper them to make re useable placemats or give as gifts to grandparents. Hours of activities with photos.

[markio26]

thanks for all the suggestions.. we are doing alot of them this week.. also, printed your ideas for the next two weeks... thanks bunches......

[Scamper]

Things I do with my kids for entertainment.

I take three large soda bottles. Fill each with two – three cups of water, so they won’t fall over. Then stand two in the back and one in the front. This is all set up on my pool deck. Then I give them 4’ x 4’ bean bags that I make to toss at them. They sit and play for a long time.

I also make a sponge ball for them. Either a large or a small. I lay a cable tie on the table. Then cut the sponge lengthways into thirds. Stack them onto of the tie. Then twist the whole stack a couple hairs. Then secure it tight with the tie. Cut off any excess.
The sponge size is up to you. I make both depending on age of child.

I make water yo yos. For them

I make hacky sacks to kick around.

I make little dolls with the girls

We make dish detergent bottle dolls.

My husband makes tree houses for the boys.

I make rackets out of hangers to hit light weight balls

I give the girls beads and they make necklaces.

They make pretty occasion cards out of a plain ones.

We make loads of silly putty.

Even loads of play dough..

We all bake together. I just supervise.

I make them monster crayons out of plain ones.

We make pop cycles ,and pudding pops of all kinds.

I’ve done so much with mine, there is never all dull moment. I’m sitting here trying to remember.

I’ve bought t –shirts from a factory, and had them design their own for a birthday party. We go through a lot of fabric paint.

For Christmas. I bought sponges and we made feet. They put Santa’s feet all, the way up the side walk to the front door. Every one that saw them, thought they were the coolest.

Have given little ones a bucket with water and a paint brush. Let them paint my house.
Or a sponge and let them wash the car. Naturally you’ve go to rewash it. The point is it keeps them busy.

Kid’s love to help, and I let them.

You can also find an area in the yard, like under a tree, and set up a horse shoe pit.
We bought the hard plastic shoes for ours.

Croquet is another. This is fun for the whole family.

Badminton, or volleyball. Depending on the age.

Kiddies pool. This entertains for hours.

We paint our sneakers.

We’ve made a sand box out of a pool.

We’ve put corn starch in a kids pool, and made a sand box for in the house.

We’ve even set up an area where the kids can be themselves. Sing dance, draw or whatever. Even paint. Just put an old shower curtain on the table, to catch any spills.

When we travel with them, I take a bag of cheap toys with us. Keep them up front with me. Give them one on the way, and another on the way back. Sometimes I take an old cookie sheet or two along. Flip it over, so they can use the back for any drawings.

Most of the time they count the different cars, or animals they see.

They sing and we record it on tape. Send it off to the grandparents.

Or they record something they want to say to them.

There’s more they just escape me at the moment.

[markio26]

thanks scamper:
i will use some of your ideas on the kids tomorrow... keep the brainstorm going.. it is gonna be a long summer... we have a huge kiddie pool with a slide and lots of pool toys.. i gave them 2 brooms today and they cleaned the sidewalk and driveway... we have been playing golf and tennis daily... we read books, watch one movie, and walk daily... we also picnic on a daily basis, all of our meals are scheduled every three hours for 6 mini meals and a snack at bedtime... i give them lots of watered down juices and milk... our energy levels are amazing this way...

[Scamper]

No problem Markio. Glad to assist.

Make some water yo yo's. Kids like these. Put a little water in some 9 " balloons. Tie the necks. Then get a large rubberband and tie it on also. Now yo yo. You just don't want them so heavy that they break. Great for summer fun.

We also make drums out of the large coffee cans. Cover with pretty contac, and beat with chop sticks.

the hacky sacks are easy to. Take a funnel and fill a 9 " balloon. Now tie the neck.
Take a second balloon and cut the neck off. Now slip this over the neck of the first balloon. Boys like these.

Silly putty. Just use 1 cup of liquid starch, and 1 cup of Elmer's white glue. Put in 4 drops of any food color. Now knead this like bread for about 5 mins. Pretty colors. Then keep it contained in a jar with a screw on lid. This keeps it workable. Girls like this and boys.

Girls like the lip gloss too. Take 1 pkg of kool- aid and 2 tbsps crisco and mix up. Can melt it in the mic first. Then put it in a film canister. Into the freezerfor about 20 mins. Even mix up flavors we do.

I used to take a tarp and put it on an incline. Then slick it up with dish soap.
Very slippery and lots of fun to slide down hill on. Need bathing suits.

We all used to play ball throgh a sprikler.

All put on swimsuits and play dodge ball with big water balloons.

Or play duck duck goose, and plop a water balloon on someone's head. Swimsuits needed.

I keep a thinkin.

[Scamper]

Correction- I used to take a tarp above.

I forgot to mention you need to wet the tarp first. Squirt dish soap all over. Then they slide down on their stomachs. I also kept the hose close by to re- wet the tarp, when needed.

Enjoy today Markio, and do use some of these. Wish I could be there to help out. Love doing things with the kids. I'm still a kid at heart. They love it to when the parents get involved. Way to many parents set their kids free to do whatever. Don't take time or have time for them. Wrong answer. Then they wonder why so much, destruction, terrorists, and killings. They never took the time to teach them any skills. So they end up doing the only thing they know.

People get involved, your kids need you. Mom after all you're the one that brought them into this world. So go and enjoy them.

I'm giving you guys short cut tips. Just read them. They will help you get your housework done faster, so you can get out as a family on the weekends, and enjoy your kids. Nothing is forever. Their here today, and gone tomorrow sort of speak.

I do one chore a day. That way on the weekend, I don't have so much to do. For instance today, I do all my dusting, tomorrow maybe all my cleaning, or washing, or mopping. Don't leave every thing for the weekend. That's when you are home, and the family needs to. So lighten your load.

Another thing I dispise is to see parents, take there kids to a social function. Tell them to sit there and be quiet. Then the parents go off an have a good time. This is not a way to raise a child. He needs to be enjoying himself, and using his motor skills too.

So Knock It Off. Life's tooooooooo short.

[cschin4]

Sign them up for music lessons and rent an instrument for the summer to see if they like it. They will have time to practice and may learn quickly with so much down time.
But, of course, turning off the TV is the number 1 thing I do in my house. Otherwise, they would plop themselves in front of it all summer.
Also, get them involved in cooking. Kids love to cook, grill, etc. We do "Iron Chef" competitions and the kids enjoy trying different ingredients and spices. Plus, I get some help cooking supper.
But, I think kids just need time to be kids. A couple of balls to play with, some water fun with the hose, ride their bikes and just let them find their own fun. There is already too much adult-controlled scheduled time in their lives.

[markio26]

all of the comments are helpful.. thanks very much, scamper, cschini4..... i made bubbles today, play dough, we went to the store and shopped for sidewalk crayons, new colorful sunglasses, suckers, baloons, ice cream and cones... they have been playing alot of the day with these items, plus softball... it rained last nite and the lawn is wet... we had the cones on the patio for our snack after breakfast... we are gonna make grilled cheese, and baked nachos for lunch...with velveeta cheese of course.. i agree with scamper, play with the kids and have fun, i enjoy them so much... and they are a hoot.....now, about the chores, we do laundry throughout the day and fold at nite, while reading and playing a game.. we do dishes in the dishwasher prior to bedtime.. i always plan a weekly menu, so, that is in place.. we pay bills on the puter, after breakfast, if needed, takes about 5 minutes.. we washed all bed linens on monday... we dust as needed, which is every two days, because air conditioner is off and all windows and fans are running...more dust than usual...

[Scamper]

Markio you have some fabulous ideas. It’s going to be a great party. But I have a few more suggestions you may find helpful.

For kids parties, have the child hold all favor bags until the end. Then let him pass them out, and thank all coming.

If any children act up, then make him or them your little helpers.

Give all children a name tag. Then they’ll know who is who.

The kids can see how long they can keep a hula hoop in the air, without touching the ground.

Put some nachos on a plate. Cheese tops each. Then microwave 25 seconds.

Make stickers. Kids love this. Take 2 parts of white Elmer’s glue, and 1 part white vinegar. Brush this on anything you want, to make a sticker out of. Comics, a magazine picture etc. Then let it dry good. Now it’s ready to stick.

I put sand in a zip lock bag. Squirt in a few drops of food coloring. Squish it all up, and they’ve got colored sand. Then we make a design on construction paper with glue.
Sprinkle on colored sand. Shake off any excess. Pretty pictures.

I have my kids write all their thank you notes. Then they get the chance to say what they want to

.Relatives we take pictures of, with the gift they gave and our child.
Then we send another with the child wearing it, if the gift is clothing.
This will please the relatives, because they can see the child is making use of it.

I do not serve plain ice cream to the children. My name is fun. I like to incorporate a lot of it, into the things I do. Other wise no sense doing it. Anyway I take an make ice cream balls for each child. Roll it in chocolate syrup , then into nuts and freeze. They love getting these.

I write all my invitations on blown up balloons. They deflate and mail them.
Also include a note, telling them to blow up the balloon and read.
Blow these up with an air pump.

So the children know a little of the games being played, I have also written an invitation on some of these an mailed them off to them.

I have had backward parties. Every body comes with their clothes all on backwards.

I have had parties where they had to bring a gift that fit the theme. Example Pooh Bear. Then they had to bring something associated with him. My son even got Pooh’s p j’s.

I have had colored parties. You pick the color that you want brought.

I’ve had so many, I can’t remember off hand.

Pony rides is another.

[markio26]

we went to the library today and borrowed 9 story books and 4 childrens videos... chase lost his new green sunglasses, we could not find them, left our name and cell phone number with the librarian...he spit a small pc of gum on the floor and would not retrieve it, so, we left and came home, no movies, no storytime, just lunch and naptime... he is so cute, it is hard to correct him at times, he already knows how to double talk me, i just ignore him, and boy can he ask questions when he is in trouble... yesterday, he got into some hersheys candy and hid under the kitchen table.. it was funny.. i had to look away, i just held out my hand and he gave it back to me.. then i made him spit it out in the trash...

[PrincessPerky]

Awww, cute kid! A handful I am sure.

[markio26]

update:
the nice male librarian called my cell phone this morning.. he found chase's new green sunglasses.. so, off to the library we went... chase said awesome to the young girl librarian who waited on us.. then thank you.. i was so touched.. we returned 4 videos and 4 books, then borrowed 6 videos, and chase selected a few of the movies, one is " the polar express," he just loves it... he has a complete train set in his room in nc... so, he was quite pleased with it... simple things make him smile...i gave him his leap frog learning desk set, and lexie the dog farm set, from the trunk of my taurus se and they love them... so, timing is everything... i bought these from toys'r'us, thru an amazon deal last month...

[PrincessPerky]

heh, glad he found the glasses.

We get to go to the library next saturday, we finished all 30 books we took out, and they are both alsmost at the '10' thing of the reading club. (is 10 hours for older, 10 sessons for younger, with GMC we split the difference)

bonus our neighbor is at 10 too! we have to go pick up our 'prize' (I don't care what it is, I just care the kids can 'show off' which they love doing)

[markio26]

we went to the library today and dropped off our books and videos in the drop off box... it was raining so hard, we did not get to go in and get new items... we went to mcd's after breakfast and ordered 3 waters, no charge.. kids played well for an hour and a half... came home and ate a wonderful cheese sandwich with carrots dipped in yogurt... for supper we had crockpot potatoes, onions in cheese soup....and corn on the cob...plus my supper for the adults listed under my menu for the week post...

[mverch]

You can't go wrong with acting classes. Generally, they're not too expensive and kids of all ages LOVE them.

[markio26]

we are going to have a birthday party for me on saturday... july 1st.... yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we have been having alot of fun... too many giggles.. my jaw and tummy hurt from laughing.....if we look at each other we start laughing..... kids are health food eaters now... they will not eat junk food..... lexie was educating a boy and his sister at mcd's the other day and telling them, we don't eat here, we eat at home.. we only play here... she said we like to eat homemade food... too funny...........but, she added we may eat some of this food on a trip.... mcd's do have nice salads, apples, and other things she may eat at another time... she has the menu memorized... and when we went grocery shopping today at savealot for a few items, she knows how to look at the first 5 ingredients and compare.... she chose the brick cream cheese over the soft for bagels, because it had more calories, etc....very proud of her..

[PrincessPerky]

adorable!

[markio26]

Update:
We Had The Party... Great Fun For All.. Food Was Wonderful... All Of It Homemade.. We Have A Children's Container Garden Now... Chase Is Gonna Take His Diapers Apart And Use The Absorbancy Part In The Bottom Of The Milk Jugs With Holes In The Bottom, Then Add Compost, Then Flowers.... They Already Have Flowers Blooming In The 7 Up And Pepsi Containers... They Have Tomatoes In The Other Milk And Juice Jugs, Bearing Fruit.. Garlic In The Container, They Made From Yogurt... They Feed The Banana Peels From Breakfast To The Tomatoes, Lol.
They Water A Lil Each Day, It Does Not Rain....
We Play Outside Alot... Softball, Swimming, Golf, Bowling, Hide And Seek, Picnics On The Front And Back Patio...

[markio26]

wonderful ideas.. please keep posting them.... we are learning something new everyday... a new word, etc.. trying out a new recipe, etc... making up storytime, exercising in bed prior to sleep, learning new prayers.. writing notes and pics and mailing them to family members, etc.