23 Ways to Play With Water This Summer

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Are you ready to play with water this summer? From going to the pool to facing off with water balloons, we’ve found the best water play ideas online for you!

Fun Ways to Play With Water This Summer

Add colored ice to your water table for a fun sensory activity. via Kids Activities Blog

Throw a summer splash party! via Jornie

Sponge water bombs are a fun way to have a water fight in the backyard! via Endlessly Inspired

Paint with squirt guns — so awesome! via Fireflies and Mud Pies

Build a backyard car wash for kids! Washing the car has never been more fun. via Design Mom

Make a slip and slide using a few supplies from the hardware store. via The Relaxed Homeschool

Throw a bunch of glow sticks in a kiddie pool for a super fun night swim. via Saving By Design

Break out a toy dinosaur from  a block of ice. via Kids Activities Blog

 

Set up a pouring station and watch what happens when the colors mix together! via Busy Toddler

Use old bottles to make a backyard water wall. via Kids Activities Blog

Make gigantic bubbles using a small pool and a hula hoop! via The Nerd’s Wife

Make a huge water blob for hours of fun! via The Clumsy Crafter

Have squirt gun water races! via Design Dazzle

Make kids walk the plank over a kiddie pool. via The Clumsy Crafter

Make your own sprinkler and hook it up to the water hose! via Ziggity Zoom

Make ice chalk and watch it melt in the sun. via Growing a Jeweled Rose

Have a frozen T-shirt race — who can thaw it the fastest?! via A Girl and a Glue Gun

Fill a slip and slide with water balloons for the most epic slide ever! via Hallmark Channel

Play water balloon baseball — everyone will love getting wet! via Overstuffed Life

Make a water balloon piñata  for a different twist on water balloon play. via Fireflies and Mud Pies

Launch water balloons with homemade milk jug launchers. via Kid Friendly Things To Do

Add glow sticks to water balloons for a fun summer party! via The Scrap Shoppe Blog

Jump on a trampoline filled with water balloons. via A Subtle Revelry

 

Looking for even more fun ideas? Don’t miss these outdoor family games for summer.

 

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25 Creative DIY Projects For Kids Rooms

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Creating a perfect design for your child’s room is challenging, plus it can get pretty expensive.  But it shouldn’t be like that. For that reason I gathered a list of DIY projects that we  can easily make ourselves. Some are harder than others, but mostly they are easy projects which will make your child’s room look like from a magazine.  And who doesn’t want that!

What you really need is some open mind, some few basic crafting tools and inspiration.

Let’s get inspired!

Need a wall art for your child’s room? Pinwheel art would look amazing! Pretty simple tutorial – such a huge room transformation.

How about a super cozy mini rug?  Make it out of pom poms!  Super cute.

Have you ever heard of magnetic paint? Couple of creative  parents decided to use this paint and make a race track on the wall. Perfect idea for smaller spaces.

Whether it’s for imaginary play or to make the room cozier  this DIY flame-less fire pit will do the job.

Too many headbands? Make this super simple, yet gorgeous,  headband holder.  

Involve your kids in decorating their room by letting them draw on their curtains. Trust me, it will look super cool.

Make a  giant ruler growth chart. Not only it will help you track the growth of you children, but I will also be a great decor item for their room.

The coolest hanger with pencils  is next on my to do list.

Yes, it is possible to sleep in clouds. You just have to make them.  

Brighten up the wall with a playful  canvas project. It is easier than you think.

This simple hanging organizer will keep all the essentials right by the bed.

Have too many hot wheels cars laying all over the kid’s room? Build this pretty awesome (and simple) car “garage.”

All you need is some wooden boxes and some paint. You got yourself a  perfect bookshelf  for kids room.

Too many flush toys can work to your favor if you make this adorable barn toy storage.

We all know bunk beds can cost an arm and a leg, unless you make it yourself! You only need few basic tools, a trip (or two) to home improvement store, a free weekend and a lot of enthusiasm. Oh, and three kids to sleep in it later. Get your free bunk beds plans here.

 

Make a teepee for your child’s room. This could be a place to read and would be a great design addition to any room.

This  DIY mobile is just too adorable. And it’s  pretty simple to make.  

Need some extra seats for your child’s room? Make  these.

I love this original wall art  idea for the boys’ room.

Make your own  bubble gum. How fun would that be for a party?

Got a climber at the house? This DIY rock climbing wall might just be the perfect  family project.

And here’s another great DIY to make for kids to stay active inside the house.

I could see my son swinging for hours in this  homemade hammock chair. It looks so cozy.

This DIY  LEGO table is a huge help in our house to keep all the blocks  in one place.

More DIY projects:

Don't Buy It “ Make it! Things You Never Knew You Can Make Yourself

Re purposing old furniture into fabulous toys for kids

 

 

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The Best Homemade Lemonade Recipe

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Summer is here and it’s time to start thinking about delicious and refreshing drink recipes to make for friends, family and of course yourself! My kids love this recipe because it’s the best homemade lemonade recipe that you’ll ever make!

Remember if you love strawberries to try our Strawberry Lemonade recipe too, it’s just a different version of refreshing deliciousness!

There’s just something about a good lemonade that’s refreshing and reminds you of the sunny days of summer. And after you’ve made this recipe, you’ll never have lemonade any other way if at all possible. It’s hands down the best and most delicious lemonade!

How to make the Best Homemade Lemonade Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 1/2  cups fresh squeezed lemon juice (you can use the bottled juice too)
• 5 cups cold water
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 lemons, for garnish
• Ice

Instructions

1. Combine lemon juice, water, and sugar into a large pitcher and stir until sugar is completely dissolved.
2. Dump lemon slices onto the top of lemonade.
3. Top with ice to keep it nice and cold.

You could also make a simple syrup with the sugar and 1 cup of water before mixing it with the lemon juice and remainder of water. This ensures that you have no sugary grit in the lemonade. I typically do this with my lemonade but it’s not a step that you must do.

I like to use fresh lemons for this recipe, but in a pinch, I have used lemon juice from a bottle and it’s pretty darn good!

For adults only: You can make this an adult recipe by adding a little vodka into the recipe. This is not necessary at all but is an option!

We love to make Watermelon Lemonade too during the summer, it’s just another delicious version that you’ll get addicted to once you make it! Be sure to check out that recipe too!

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Simple Summer Activities for Kids

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Simple Summer Activities for kids will keep everyone busy and having fun this summer!

When we see that we have 2 months of free-time on the calendar before school starts back up, some parents start to panic… but don’t!

You can easily find fun things to do with your kids that require very little planning and are a whole lot of fun.  We’ve found that sometimes the most simple games and activities are the ones that are the most fun: think Hide & Seek.   Kids love simple ideas. So do we!

Here are some so-simple summer activities for kids:

• Put together a family bucket list. This can be a fun way to add in some fun activities.
• Keep a list of inside activity ideas on hand for rainy days.

• Commit to a regular playdate at the park with friends. Decide that every Tuesday at 9am you will meet a specific park. Having a regular outing on the calendar can be very helpful.
• Do one fun out-of-the-box activity a day- whether it is at home or out of the home.  We love doing scavenger hunts!   This nature hunt is so much fun! 

• Come up with a basic schedule. Even though we love the relaxed summer days, keeping nap time and meal times around the same time can help create a sense of normalcy.  The worst way to start a day is without a plan… it causes stress for everyone involved.  Even if you want to have a down-day… plan it.  
• Have fun with a theme for each day such as Make It Monday, Take a Trip Tuesday, etc.
• Research parks in your town and make a checklist of them so you can visit them all during the summer.   You can easily turn this into a lesson for the kids.   Have them each research an area (with your help) and create mini reports or projects from each place that you go.
• Join a summer reading program. Most libraries have one and they are a fun way for kids to get excited about reading!
• Get a pass for a fun outing such as pass for the zoo, water park, or pool. This can be a fun addition to your summertime.
• Create regular quiet time for your kids to rest each day while you have a little time to yourself.
  
• Stock up on basic art supplies for the kids to have fun creating together.

What tips would you add?   Find more helpful tips on our Facebook page... where we share our favorite things and you share yours!

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Silly Straw Bead Threading Busy Bag

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This Silly Straw Bead Threading Busy Bag is sure to keep preschoolers busy while teaching them how to sort colors and strengthen fine motor skills.

Busy Bags are a great way to keep preschoolers occupied whether you use them while eating out, during appointments, or just a quick activity to have on hand for those moments when you need a little quiet time or a chance to cook dinner.

Silly Straw Bead Threading Busy Bag

This busy bag is easy to put together since it only uses two items. It packs two early learning skills into one activity–kids will sort beads by color and they will work on fine motor skills at the same time. This is a simple and straight-forward activity with little prep time.

To make this busy bag you will need:

• Silly Straws (I found a pack of 6 at the dollar store)
• Large hole round beads (Pony beads are too small, find beads with a larger opening. I found mine at Hobby Lobby.)

After gathering your supplies, invite the kids to place the beads on the silly straws. Encourage them to sort the beads by color and place the same color bead on the corresponding straw.

When the kids are all done with threading the beads on the silly straws, you’ll have a fabulous rainbow of fun! Kids will be proud of themselves for finishing this task perfect for strengthening little fingers’ fine motor skills.

 

For more fun busy bag ideas, check out the book Busy Bags Kids Will Love: Make-Ahead Activity Kits for a Happy Preschooler and a Stress-Free Parent by Sara McClure.

This book is packed with easy-to-make activities to make skills of math, literacy, fine motor skills, and fun…well, fun! It is 128 pages with 52 busy bag ideas (one for every week of the year) AND each section of the book (math, literacy, fine motor skills, and just for fun) has an explanation of early childhood development in each of these areas. Plus, there’s an explanation of busy bags and their uses, information about how to host a busy bag swap, and a list of 100 Things Kids Should Know Before Entering Kindergarten. Be sure to grab your copy today!

Other Quiet Time Ideas

Click the links below for more fun and creative busy bag or quiet time ideas!

• Preschool Busy Bag Ideas
• Portable Felt Activity Binder
• 16 Nap Time Play Ideas
• 55+ Quiet Time Activities
• Felt Button Chain Quiet Time Activity for Kids
• Preschool Activities That Are Quick To Set Up

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Cupcake Liner Frog Craft

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In this post, learn how to make an adorable Cupcake Liner Frog Craft with kids. This inexpensive, easy, and fun craft is perfect for home or school.

Cupcake Liner Frog Craft

Last week, my kids and I found tadpoles in a puddle. We set up an aquarium in the kitchen to observe them and have spent the week learning about frogs.

This cupcake liner craft was so much fun! My kids loved flattening, crushing, and cutting the cupcake liners to make jumping frogs on lily pads.

To Make This Craft You Will Need

• large pink cupcake liners
• small white and green cupcake liners
• green construction paper
• light green construction paper
• blue construction paper
• scissors
• glue
• small wiggly eyes
• black marker
• yellow button

Directions

After gathering supplies, invite kids to cut a lily pad from the green paper. Glue it to the blue paper.

Next, flip the pink cupcake liner inside out. Invite kids to cut small triangles out of the cupcake liner to turn it into a flower. Do the same with the white cupcake liner, then glue the cupcake liner to the pink cupcake liner. Glue a button to the middle of the white cupcake liner. Now you have a flower for your lily pad!

Invite kids to flatten the small green cupcake liner. Glue 2 wiggly eyes to the top of the cupcake liner, then use the black marker to draw a nose and smile on the frog’s face.

Cut thin strips of green paper, then fold it accordion style. Glue the paper strips to the back of the cupcake liner. Glue the frog and flower to the lily pad.

More Frog Crafts for Kids

Frog crafts are perfect for summer! Click the images below to view more creative frog crafts for kids.

Paper Plate Frog Craft

Craft Stick Frog

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At Home STEM Camp for Kids

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What if I told you that you can liven up your kids summer break with your own at home STEM camp?

With kids being bored during their break from school and traditional summer camps being entirely too expensive the Steve Spangler at home STEM camp is the perfect way to keep your kids having fun and learning this summer!

Summer STEM Camp for Kids

The STEM Camp collection from Steve Spangler’s Science Club is a collection of 5 kits that will be mailed to you for one week of DIY science camp fun. The kits include enough activities for 2 hours worth of STEM activities for 5 days.

We love Steve Spangler’s Science Club and have participated in their fun activities before on Kids Activities Blog! Here are our activities from the subscription box:

We learned all about Newton’s Laws of Motion and had such a fun time doing it! The kits come with all of the materials that you need to conduct the experiments, all you need is kiddos to help!

The best part about ordering activities from Steve Spangler’s collection is that kids are learning new things, but are having so much fun that they don’t even realize that they are learning!

This STEM Camp Kit is geared towards kids ages 5-11, but honestly I had a blast with their activities too so I would say that kids older than 11 could enjoy it too!

STEM Camp Curriculum

The curriculum in the STEM Camp kits will cover subjects related to science, engineering, technology and math. Specifically the 5 kits subjects are:

• Mad Scientist Laboratory
• It’s Electric
• Bubblology
• Water Magic
• Newton’s Antics

The pricing for the kits vary depending on how many kids you are purchasing for. You can have a STEM camp for just your own children or invite a few others and have a group summer camp!

A week of activities for one child will cost you $89.95 or you can buy 15 kits for $69.95 each and save.

This at home STEM Camp for kids will give your kids something to remember this summer without you spending a fortune on summer camps or activities!

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