What are some fun and frugal ideas .......

[Heather]

to keep the kids busy for the summer? :)

We have a pool so that is in constant use but the kids also like to go to the lake every so often (5 minutes from our home)

~Running under the sprinkler

~Blowing bubbles

~laying in the hammock looking at the clouds

~programs at the library

~bike riding

~making pictures on the sidewalk or driveway with chalk

Please add your favourites...

[pita1213]

my sil is going to watch the kids for us this summer. she doesn't drive so they will mostly be going to teh swimming pool and to the playground. on my days off, i'll take them down to the other end of town to the big city park. there are quite a few different playgrounds there so we can go to a different one each time we go. and there is a reading program at the library. we'll go there weekly. there are a lot of historical sites around here and i want to take the kids to those places some too.
things i have planned for them to do with sil while i'm at work:
they will have 1 or 2 chores to do each day (not fun but needs to be done)
coloring books
make christmas ornaments(not sure which ones yet)
write letters/draw pictures for great grandparents
movie day( i'll let them make popcorn and watch a couple of movies, rainy day thing)
they have board games and puzzles they like to do
they got a no spill bubble tumbler for Easter they can play outside with
ride their bikes

[dolphindream]

It's so hot here during the days that outside play isn't ideal. Ds is on a tiger kick right now so he wants to learn about tigers and make a tiger notebook starting next week. I have plenty of supplies on hand already and we'll be using library books and the Internet for his research.

[heartathome]

I bought several things from the Kids Camp section at joann.com to have on hand for crafting this summer. One is a bucket with all kinds of craft things in it. We have kites to fly, sidewalk chalk. We have a neighborhood pool right behind our house so we'll be there a lot.

Another thing we will do is shaving cream painting - put shaving cream in a cookie sheet and drop food coloring in it. Let the kids swirl in around. Then lay a piece of paper on it and pat it down. Pick it up and use a spatula to scrape off the extra cream. It leaves a cool swirl design. I might let them do this on cards.

[Heather]

Thanks for all the great ideas!! :) I'm printing them out!

Shaving cream painting sounds fun and the Christmas ornaments are a wonderful idea.

Kim, you gave me an idea. I've been wanting to start the Prairie Primer with Delaney (The Little House books) and this would be a perfect project and time to get started.

[dolphindream]

Heather - A veteran homeschooler I know used that with her daughter years ago and raved to me about how much she and her dd loved it!

[debbiepittman]

I let my kids go stay with their cousins in Texas a week. They did a lot of neat things, got some new clothes and shoes, etc. Do you have family especially with small children they could visit?

We plan to do some fishing, swimming, walking at the area lakes also.

Debbie