Summer fun!

 

Summer is almost here, and I love it! Beautiful warm weather. School is out, so kids can relax and be kids again for about 90 days. I have three children of my own, so I know the challenges of keeping young ones occupied. I like to write a column at this time of year to give some fun, inexpensive ideas that will provide you with a small break before they say, “I’m bored.” (For the record, saying “I’m bored” in my house leads to extra chores.)

These are my ten favorite activities for summer fun! My kids and I have checked each of these off our list. (Yes, even the food fight…) So, believe me when I say they are tried and true.

1. Food Fight Party – Adventurous moms will allow this party once and maybe only once, but it is fun. From experience, I suggest the following rules: Rule one: If you won’t eat it, don’t throw it! This prevents the neighborhood children from making disgusting concoctions of refrigerator left over’s and throwing them on my head. (Try to get old cottage cheese and gravy out of your hair… not easy!) Good ideas for ammo: Chocolate pudding, Hershey’s syrup, whipping cream spray, cake, ice cream, you get the idea. Rule Two: To play, you must be inside the circle. We used a garden hose to make the boundaries; that way, if you needed a break, you had a safe place to go. Just step outside the circle. Rule Three: No food can be thrown from outside the circle. Rule Four: Don’t throw food at the cameraman. And Rule Five: This is an Outside game only!

 

2. Powder Sugar Fishing – Take powder sugar doughnuts and tie them to a string. Attach the string to a pole and dangle the doughnut over someone lying on their back. The “fish” try to bite the doughnut. We use powdered sugar doughnuts because they are the messiest.

3. Blue Food Breakfast – Make everything blue using food coloring. Blue pancakes, blue scrambled eggs, and blue milk. This comes from Zoë’s favorite book, “No Blue Food.” I think the milk is the hardest to get past the color. It just doesn’t seem right.

4. Make a Candy Gram – Using candy bars and treats to make messages on a poster board is really fun. The kids learn to be creative too. The RIESEN for this greeting is to wish you a CAREFREE summer. Don’t go NUTS while you are fighting the MOUNDS of people at the park. Don’t worry about getting CHUNKY as there will be GOOD and PLENTY of time to worry about that next winter! HUGS AND KISSES! Your, SWEETHEART.

5. Shaving Cream Cars – A can of shaving cream and matchbox cars are a fun afternoon game. Cover an outdoor picnic table with a plastic cover and shaving cream. Drive the vehicles through the “snow.” It will be good practice for next November’s driving.

6. Jello Shots –Try making your favorite flavor combinations of jello and juice. Just replace the cold water with fruit juice and put the jello into little cups. My favorite is peach jello with orange juice.

7. GoldFish Trail – This is like Hansel and Gretel following bread crumbs into the forest, but I think the orange goldfish crackers show up better. Have one child start the trail and see if the rest can follow it. You might want to take the family dog along to pick up the crackers along the way.

8. Sweet Bubbles – Make homemade bubbles and use flyswatters over the outside air conditioning unit when it runs, and you will not believe the bubbles! Use two flyswatters as one is just not enough. Sweet Bubbles: 1 Tablespoon Corn Syrup, 2 Tablespoons dish soap and one cup water, mix well.

9. Pick Apples and Make Apple Sauce – There is nothing like homemade apple sauce, and the kids will learn that it doesn’t have to come from a jar. Peel, core, and slice six cups of apples (try different varieties); place in a pan and add two cups of water, cook down to make the sauce add more water if needed, mash with a potato masher and add sugar to taste.

10. Make Celery Roses – If you cut a stalk of celery about two inches from the bottom, you will see the part usually thrown out is a perfect rose. Dip in paint and press onto paper to make prints. Pretty!

And try these refreshing drinks! Creamy Lemonade is my new favorite. Have a great Summer! Peace, Sandy