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Summer Fun - Beat the Boredom Blues
Summer vacation is all about fun and games
-- no school or routine. Oddly enough, boredom can set in,
leaving the kids wondering what to do next. There are plenty
of activities to cure those "I'm-bored blues". Here are a
few to get you started.
Outdoor Activities
 OBSTA-COOL
COURSE: * Course stations could include drop-kicking a
water balloon, jumping rope in the sprinkler spray, shooting
a squirt gun at a predetermined target, or any other creatively
wet challenges. You can use a stopwatch to keep track of time
for each player or run a relay with two teams going through
in opposite directions.
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND: * At the beach
(or local playground with sand), firmly press both feet into
the sand (the moist, hard-packed sand near the water's edge
works best). The prints should be about 1/2 inch to 2 inches
deep. * Mix up plaster of paris with fresh water, according
to the directions on the package, so that it has a thick,
creamy consistency. Pour the wet plaster gently into the footprints.
* After 20 to 25 minutes, gently dig the footprints out of
the molds and brush away any excess sand. Set sole-side up
in the sun for about an hour to let harden.
BUBBLE PRINTS: * On the driveway or
yard, in aluminum pie tins, blend 1 cup of bubble soap with
1/2 cup washable kids paint. * Have the children blow into
the bubble solution with a straw to make a big mound of bubbles
(for younger children, pierce a small hole halfway up the
straw with a pin; this will help prevent accidental swallowing
of the paint, but won't interfere with the bubble-blowing
process.). * Gently touch a piece of white copier paper or
light-colored construction paper to the bubbles, repeating
until the paper is sufficiently covered. * Try printing one
color over another for different effects!
STICKER TAG: * Give each player an equal
number of stickers. * Have everyone scatter to different areas
of the yard. * Players try to tag one another with a sticker
(1. can't stick the same person twice in a row, 2. can't take
stickers off yourself, 3. designate a "safe zone" like a central
tree and as long as you're touching it, no one can tag you).
* Once everyone has used up their stickers, the person with
the fewest on them wins! WATER COLORS: * Hang an old sheet,
t-shirt or pillow case outside. * Spray with water to soak.
* Using various tempura paints, sponges, brushes, stamps,
squirt bottles, create a masterpiece! If you don't like the
design, simply spray the fabric with water, and start again!
Rainy Day Activities
FOOD
Cookie Fest: Mix up a batch of your favorite cookie
dough. Roll it out or have the kids flatten it with their
hands. Using various shaped cookie cutters, let the kids create
their own cookies. After baking, decorate with different colored
icing, sprinkles and decorations. A tasty treat which gives
kids a sense of accomplishment and appeals to their creative
side!
Edible, Safe Campfire: Lay down a flour
tortilla base, wrap a string of licorice rope 1" from the
edge in a ring. Build a peanut rock ring inside the licorice
ring. Spread a circle of peanut butter in the centre. Lay
down a few fried Chinese noodles or pretzel sticks for kindling,
and add tootsie rolls on top for logs. Use candy corn for
fire! Have water (juice) and dirt (cookie crumbs) on hand
to demonstrate ways to put the fire out safely!
WEARABLE CRAFTS
T-shirts: Take a plain white t-shirt and decorate with
fabric paint pens or spread fabric paint on a paper plate,
dip children's hands and feet, then press onto shirt. Slam-dunk
t-shirt: Slide cardboard inside the shirt. Let a little air
out of a basketball, apply a light, even circle of paint on
a spot with the most intersecting lines. Press the ball onto
the shirt. Repait the ball for each print.
Sunglasses string: Thread decorative
beads onto a string. Attach plastic eyeglass holders at each
end (available at bead & craft stores), tie knot to secure.
Slide glasses arms through eyeglass holders.
HOUSEHOLD DECOR
Memorable Placemats: * Collect postcards from  your
summer vacation trips. * Have the children arrange the cards
on the sticky side of an 11 x 17 inch piece of clear Con-Tact
paper.* Cover with another piece of Con-Tact papter, sticky
side down * Seal the edges with a little strip of Con-Tact
paper or clear packing tape. * Preserve the memories!
Kids Art Greeting Cards: * Have the
children finger paint, use paintbrushes, chunky stamps or
zoom matchbox cars through paint to make neat tracks on construction
paper. * After dry, cut into card size (4 x 5). * Cut a piece
of translucent vellum paper slightly smaller than the artwork
card. * Center on artwork card, punch 2 holes at the top,
loop a scrap of ribbon through the holes & tie together. *
Write your message on the vellum paper - thank you cards,
greetings for Grandparents, etc.
Info. from www.familyfun.com
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