need ideas to keep the kids happy this summer!

[notmadeofmoney]

Re: need ideas to keep the kids happy this summer!

Some of our fun summer time activities include playing in the slip-n-slide, outdoor games, going to the zoo (we have an annual pass), gardening, swimming, more library visits, making paper plate crafts, visiting different parks, and painting with water color paints.

[crazymom]

Re: need ideas to keep the kids happy this summer!

A really good website is www.starfall.com

It is very fun and educational, teaches kids about reading.

[fultron]

Re: need ideas to keep the kids happy this summer!

my kids love Noggin, the kids tv channel. Their website has great printables including coloring pages and hand puppets: http://www.noggin.com/

[Scamper]

Re: need ideas to keep the kids happy this summer!

Kid’s Party Games Part 3

Follow the leader.
Form a circle . The appoint someone to be the leader. The leader can go up to anyone and tell him to do what he does. For instance something with his feet. If he doesn’t do it exactly, he’s out. One prize given at the end.

Close Detail.
Everybody chooses a partner. Sits across from him. Then looks him over really good, before he leaves the room. In the meantime the partner, has to change something on him.
Then when the other one returns, he has to guess what he changed.
Can have more than one winner.

Back to back.
Choose a partner. Now stand back to back and lock hands. When the whistle blows you runback to back to the finished line. Then back again. If you separate, you have to start over. One couple wins.

Cone Race.
Get a cord and put it through a cup with a hole in it. Two teams. One from each team has to try and blow it to the other side. When he does the next 2 players go .
This is timed for 20 seconds. One couple wins.

Blind wheelbarrow.
The driver gets blindfolded. Then he gets down on the ground. The second guy that is the barrow, picks up his back legs. Now the barrow has to tell the driver, where to go on the ground, to get to the finished line. One couple wins.

Water Vault.
Get a garden hose and spray a stream with your finger. All jump through.
Keep raising it each time. The driest one wins.. Wear swim suits.

Doge Ball.
Form a circle. Now get someone to stand in the center. One person from the circle is given a wet sponge. He has to try and hit the guy in the center. If he does he’s out.
The guy that hit him takes his place in the center. One winner.

Balloon Splat.
Fill some balloons with water. Give one to each child, to throw on the side walk.
Someone stands by, and marks that spot with the name. The one that throws the farthest is the winner.

Musical buckets.
Need swim suits. Have for instance 9 buckets of water for 10 children.
Then play music as they all walk around. When the music stops they all have to, quick find a bucket to sit in. The one with no bucket is out. One winner.

Water Relay
Two at a time race across the pool, and try to hit two on the other side, from the opposite team with a sponge. If they get hit their out.

Cold Potato.
Take and fill some balloons. Prick each with a pin. Two teams across from each other.
Toss the balloons back and forth until no water left. The first ones to empty the balloon are the winners.

Killer Whale.
Every body gets in the pool, except the whale. Now no one can swim close to the sides. They need to stay 2 ft away. Then the whale jumps in and swims around. He can go anywhere. He can’t eat anyone, until some one yells Killer Whale.
Then all have to swim to the sides where it’s safe. If he touches you, get out. One winner.

Duck Duck splash.
Everybody sits in a circle outside the pool. Someone goes around and says “ Duck Duck” and taps you on the head. But he says Duck Duck Splash” he jumps in the pool and you have to catch him. Time how long it takes for each player. One winner.

Looking For Gold.
Someone turns with his back to the pool. Then tosses three coins in the pool.
When the whistle blows, all jump in and try to find them. The one with the most coins wins.

[Scamper]

Re: need ideas to keep the kids happy this summer!

Just bare with me folks. Will send some in every chance I get. Sometimes I get tied up.


Scamp

[jstanawa]

Re: need ideas to keep the kids happy this summer!

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]

Re: need ideas to keep the kids happy this summer!

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]

Re: need ideas to keep the kids happy this summer!

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]

Re: need ideas to keep the kids happy this summer!

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]

Re: need ideas to keep the kids happy this summer!

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]

Re: need ideas to keep the kids happy this summer!

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]

Re: need ideas to keep the kids happy this summer!

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]

Re: need ideas to keep the kids happy this summer!

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]

Re: need ideas to keep the kids happy this summer!

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]

Re: need ideas to keep the kids happy this summer!

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.