Summer Fun

Well its summer and school is out, the weather is nice...or hot...

but either way we have been out finding all kinds of new ways to play.

Because so many of the ideas I have seen around were such a hit with my boys and the neighbor kids, I figured I'd compile our favorites and share!  Any other ideas you might have, be sure to comment...I'm always looking for more activities to keep the boys busy!

Here are a bunch of Fun Summer Activities for kids. Lots of easy and inexpensive ideas to keep any kid busy for hours.  Great ways to cool off, entertain, or just try something new!

Since we live on a bit of a hill, this was a big hit for the kids.

I found it at Camo and Bows.

15 backyard games from IMOM.COM

Here are some fun printable Scavengar Hunts found at Smashed Peas & Carrots

More Scavengar Hunts (indoor, outdoor, walks, colors, etc) I previously posted Here.

This was a great idea for all ages. Found over at Parents.com.

A fun twist on the idea, add some glow sticks in the bottles and make it night bowling.

Simple fun from Counting Coconuts...

we dumped ours upside down out of the container and them then hit away.

Hit the balloons into the baskets.

Parents.com had this fun idea...and 19 other fun activities.

Come Together Kids had this simple but ingenious idea.

You can buy the container at Walmart for 5 dollars.  

This can be purchased over at Chasing Fireflies...

or we just used Hula Hoops and Dollar Store Balls and it was a big hit.

My boys loved this!  Just be sure not to inhale...

super easy directions found at Betz White

50 things to do with your trampoline!!!

From really simple, to fun entertaining and night ideas.

Check them out at Rave & Review

One Charming Party had some great ideas for the outdoors and entertaining.

With tutorials and cute decoration ideas.

Fun Water Games from Create My Event

And if you have little ones, this is a collection of fun, easy things to do with toddlers.

All of which are a big hit with my little guys.

Found at Mixie Studio

And for when its just too hot outside here are a few indoor activities to keep the kids entertained...

What kid doesn't like playing with Homemade Gak.

Lil Luna shares the recipe to make it yourself.

Homemade Silly Putty from Making Memories with Your Kids

Mommy Savers had this fun idea.  Freeze colored water in Ice Cube Trays.

Then drop them in the tub and let the kids chase them around the water.  They slip out of their hands making a fun game and slowly add color to the bath water.

Bath time paints are also fun, Team Dischinger has an easy recipe to follow

or use food coloring and shaving cream for a fluffy paint... I will post about it soon.

This cute little idea came from Pigtails & Tutus.

And be sure to look through her blog it is full of tons of fun ideas for kids year round!

10 minute Reese's Pieces Chocolate Cookies

Super Easy. Super Fast.

Chocolate

Reese's Pieces

Ten Minute Cookies.

Ingredients:

1 Devil's Food Cake Mix

2 eggs

1/2 butter (melted)

1 c Reese's Pieces baking chips

Directions:

Mix first three ingredients together.  Then add the Reese's Pieces chips. Spoon onto parchment lined cookie sheets (for easy clean up).  Pat down slightly.  Bake @350 for 8 min.

DIY Kids Chore Books with Printable

Kids and Chores...an ongoing search for the perfect solution.

This Chore Book has been my favorite. We still use a reward chart as they are completed, but using this book helps them be independent.  

It is simple, open the book and follow the pages until they are done.  

At bedtime, turn the book over and follow the pages.

Now I am not the one saying, "did you brush your teeth? did you...?"

*UPDATE 6/24*

here is a picture showing how my 3 year old:

1. picked up his room

2. made his bed and

3. put his pajamas under his pillow

All without my help or nagging. So for us this is working.

For our house this has worked amazingly well.  In the morning all I have to say is, "Time to do your jobs" and they know to get the job book.  We race to see who can finish first.  And at night, they start them 30 min. before bedtime.  The faster they finish the more time they get to read before bed.

The pictures are also great because they help even little ones visually see what the job looks like in our house.  

And I can easily slip in and out new picture as their jobs change, or the order needs to be switched up, etc.

One simple thing that has made our house run SO much smoother.

Free Printable Cover Pages Below.

Right now our Job books include:

Morning Jobs:

Go potty,

Get Dressed & Put PJ's away,

Make Bed,

Brush Teeth,

Brush Hair,

Say Prayers

Night Time:

Clean Up Toys,

Go Potty,

Brush Teeth,

Put on PJs & Dirty Clothes in Hamper,

Say Prayers

Family Prayers & Scriptures

Free Printable Cover Pages. (Click on the Picture to Enlarge and Save)

Front Cover:

 Back Cover:

Here is the link to a few different

 Free Printable Chore Charts we us to keep track of all the jobs completed:

chore charts

Kids Tape Race Track

It's summer time and I'm loving it.

But there are times we need some quiet play in the house, so I can get things done.

(My kids aren't old enough to play unsupervised outside...yet.)

And since cars are a big favorite at our house, I tried changing it up.

Instead of using our old car mats and tracks...we made our own with tape.

We made them on the carpet, the tile, in the bedrooms, etc.

After a little trial and error I decided:

Masking tape for the tile, because the blue painter's tape peels of too easily...even from the tires of the cars.

And blue painter's tape is best for carpet...it doesn't stick as well, so it doesn't leave any residue on carpets of pull up the fibers.

But this was a huge hit and it was cheap and quick with materials we keep around the house.

The only draw back...my kids don't want them removed, so we'd keep ours for a few days and we got several confused looks and questions from visitors.

linked to:

Herb Chicken & Wild Rice

This has to be one of my favorite and easiest meals.  It has great flavor and it takes no time.

I'm no photographer and these images are a little rough...but its worth trying.

Ingredients:

2 chicken bouillon cubes

2 c hot water 

1 tbsp butter

6 oz box Uncle Ben's Wild Rice

2 chicken breasts chopped in large pieces

Directions:

Mix everything but the Chicken together.  

(You can use 2 c chicken broth instead of the water and bouillon) 

Then add in the chicken.  

(I usually add frozen...just add an extra half hour or so to the cooking time)

Cook for 1-2 hours on high

Printable Playroom Wall Art: Vintage Silhouette

Again, with the help from the Graphics Fairy, I compiled some wall art for 

a Play Room.  Two Vintage Silhouette 8x10 Printables.  Enjoy!

Click on the image to enlarge then save.

Printable Wall Art: Guest Room

Thanks to lots of help from the Graphics Fairy, I compiled some wall art for 

a Guest Room.  And some 5x7's an 8x10's.  Enjoy!

Click on the image to enlarge then save.

5x7

 5x7

 5x7

 8x10

Emergency Binder: Free Printables

I have been compiling a Family Emergency Binder. 

Things like: Evacuation Plans, Emergency Plans, Medical Information, Family Information, & Important Contacts.

While researching different Emergency Information I stumbled across these printables:

These are from Pinch a Little Save a Lot.

She has a great website I highly recommend looking through, and these printables are excellent.

Supper concise and they include all the basics.

So I used those and added this Personal Information Sheet myself.

It is for identification purposes.  

Print off, add a picture, information and finger prints of children.

Free Printable Emergency Information Sheet

(click on the picture to enlarge and print)

Another Great Site with free printables...these are very thorough and great information.

From: Prepared Not Scared

And more Printable Labels

More Labels!

Just some basic labels.  I have been organizing the office/work space.

So more labels it is.  

For previous labels look: here & here.

Free Printable Labels.

(click on image to enlarge then save or print)

Sea Foam:

 Taupe:

Coral:

 Dusty Blue:

Beige:

 Sunshine Yellow:

More Printable Labels

So, I went a little label crazy.  It goes along with my organizing craze.  Something about spring cleaning leading to organizing...and it just keeps me going.  New storage containers, so new labels.

These are similar to the Kid's Room Labels found: here.

And a few different colors for different closets & cupboards.

Enjoy!

Free Printable Labels:

(click on image to enlarge, then save or print)

Kid Room Labels- Free Printables

I have been reorganizing the kids rooms.  It seems like it is a regular event.  They grow through clothes and toys quickly when they are little that I keep rotating things out.  

I just finished making some easy inexpensive storage bins out of old diaper boxes and contact paper that I will post about soon. But here are the labels I made and thought I would share. Enjoy!

Free Printable Kid Labels:

(click to enlarge and save/print)