summer

DIY Water Color Ice Paint

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DIY Water Color Ice Paint

Summer has officially begun in our house- swim lessons are well under way, the boat has set sail many times, and we are diving feet first into our 50 summer activities for kids. Like so many other kids- painting always seems to rank among my kids favorite “things to do list“. This activity is a combination of art, science, and sensory time fun. The beautiful color combinations, the coolness of the ice as your little ones paint, and well, the art part goes without saying. It is not very time consuming and with a little planning ahead he or she will be painting the rainbow in no time.

kids, art class, sensory fun, preschool

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You will need;
Kids, art class, sensory bin, water colors

Instructions; 

  • Add a few drops of food color to each slot of the ice cube tray
  • Fill with water
  • Cover with foil and poke sticks through- placing one stick in each of the 12 slots.
  • Freeze until firmly set and then let your little paint away

DIY Frozen Ice Paints- Summer is just around the corner keep their little hands busy with this multi-sensory activity

For More Summer Fun Activities – Be sure to print our “2014 Summer Bucket List”

50 Summer Fun Activities For Kids

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Tired of Hearing - "I'm Bored" ? Here's 50 Summer Fun Activities For Kids To Help Keep Those Little Hands and Feet Busy

I don’t know about you but every summer seems to start off with a bang of activity, it fly’s by at lightening speed, and before I know it I’m reading teacher manuals-prepping lesson plans for the fall. 

 
Where did our summer go? What did we do?
 
I am a total advocate of letting kids be kids and fostering all things ‘creative’. I want my children to grow up as well rounded, giving, and selfless individuals.
 
Year after year I see–ha, who am I kidding? I’ve created ‘lists’ of things to do during the Summer months only to fall short and not follow through. This year, I am determined to complete our 50 summer time activities. Not because we need more to do but rather quite the opposite- my family is my focus.
 
So often we get caught up in the daily grind of life, sporting events, and travel plans- we forget to do life. We forget to be intentional, creative, and free. Free to “let it go” – the house work will be there- the laundry isn’t going anywhere as long as you choose to be clothed- and, the floors will be dirty as long as there is dirt outside. We are inside cooking and cleaning while, the kids run free. Unstructured creative play is so important for brain development – but, so is spending quality time with mom and dad.
 
Most of these activities are short in duration, require little to no prep, and guarantee some time with those who mean the most. A home is just that- it’s the people in it that really matter- so prepare to step off the ‘priority’ train and cut loose. 
 
Join us as we dive into summer – print your list and lets get started–we would love to hear all about your family summer adventures so be sure to leave us a comment here or on our facebook page– accountability will be the key to our success- let’s hold hands and see that our kids have the best summer ever. 
FREE Printable SUMMER BUCKET LIST PRINTABLE

50 Summer Activities For Kids

Grab Your FREE Bucket List Printable

  1. Have a picnic at a nearby park 
  2. Visit the local splash pad 
  3. Go to the zoo
  4. Deliver treats to the fire department 
  5. Visit the nature center
  6. Go on hike
  7. Visit a bee farm 
  8. Make our own Dairy Free Ice Cream
  9. Buried sandbox treasure hunt (pirate theme)
  10. DIY side walk paint
  11. Keep a Summer nature journal 
  12. Wash the cars
  13. Pick blueberries 
  14. Have a backyard camp out 
  15. Alphabet Adventure Scavenger Hunt 
  16. Attend vacation Bible school
  17. Take swim lessons 
  18. Have a lemonade sale 
  19. Join the local library reading program
  20. Have a tea party luncheon 
  21. Play water balloon toss
  22. Build a fort
  23. Family movie night
  24. Sponge Ball Toss
  25. Watercolor Ice Paint
  26. Have a Frozen party
  27. Family field day 
  28. Make play doh
  29. Tye-dye  night shirts 
  30. Glow stick dance party 
  31. Dinosaur dig 
  32. Make a fairy garden 
  33. DIY Chia Pet
  34. Painted Rock Tick-tack-toe 
  35. DIY stepping stones
  36. Make bubble snakes 
  37. Make your own snow cones 
  38. Write pen pals
  39. Painting with pudding 
  40. Make freezer banana pops 
  41. The Ultimate Cheetos Toss
  42. Painting with yarn 
  43. Go horse back riding 
  44. Milk a cow
  45. Host a book exchange 
  46. Paper plate ping pong tournament 
  47. Indoor hopscotch 
  48. Make paper 
  49. Playdoh animals 
  50. Passport Dinner Experience 

Did you remember to print your summer bucket list? Also don’t forget to visit often as we tackle our summer adventures together- everything is better with great friends.

 

Behind the Scenes; Packing for Paradise

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It’s a party! Nope it’s just a typical Sunday with the ’12’ of us! Most of our weekends are spent out on the lake with friends and family.

There is good food, drinks, fellowship, and lots of laughs to be had by all. It is a time to kick back and relax with the family. It is when my family connects and truly takes the time to enjoy each others company. The fresh scent of the Summer  air, the cool evening breeze, the mouth watering s’mores, breath taking sunsets, and many afternoons spent fishing are just a few God sent bonuses of Summers on the island. 
What you do not see on these weekend getaway pictures is the countless hours of prep! The food prep; oh, the food prep! With so many food issues this in itself is not easy. The endless loads of laundry to wash, fold, and pack/re-pack. You also don’t hear the sound of over tired children and their ‘off routine’ bedtime drama. 
Regardless, of the prepping hurdles and bumps along the way. With one in nature is exactly where we are suppose to be. Enjoying each others company and soaking up all that God created. Leaving the mess at home and the ‘undone’ aside. It is not easy for this ‘get it done’ perfectionist mother of four, but oh, so necessary! Dreams are not built by watching and memories are not made without putting forth the effort either. So are you going to stand by the way side and just let life happen? Or are you going to join me in putting the ‘undone’ aside and make some memories this Summer!!
Join me and some blogger friends as we show you the ‘Behind the Scenes‘ …no fluff, raw truth, behind all of those ‘perfect’ Instagram pictures.