Showing posts with label 101 Fun & Frugal Summer Activities for Kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 101 Fun & Frugal Summer Activities for Kids. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Fun & Frugal Summer Activites for Kids #35 Super Cute Pet Rocks





An oldie but a goodie, the Pet Rock!  Just yesterday Computer Girl made me a pet rock.  See, isn't she cute....





There are lots of ways to decorate rocks.  You could make some fancy bug rocks like these ones....


Pet Rocks


 You might like to give your rocks a hair do and googlie eyes....

pet rocks
Photo Source


How about Minion rocks...He's my favorite!
pet rock minon..calvin will love this! 
In honor of Monster's University you could make these little guys...

pet rocks  - popculturez.com 

Hope these ideas inspire you all to get creative!


 

  Have Fun!

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Fun & Frugal Summer Activites for Kids #32 Start a Family Read Aloud





There are so many great books out there!  Summer time is a great time to kick back, relax and start a family book together.

The Sower Series are wonderful biographies that we have really enjoyed.  We actually just started the one on Abigail Adams , and we are already hooked!

The Jungle Doctor is another great series about, you guessed it a jungle doctor {smile}.

Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Green Gables are also really good choices.  


Product Details


Have you checked out The Lamplighter Series?  You can't go wrong with these.  We have Three Weavers, Hedge of Thorns, Mary Jones and Her Bible and Stepping Heavenward.

You could simply pick something your child/children are interested in and do a search at the library.  

I highly encourage you to read aloud with your children.  Even your big kids will love to snuggle up next to you on the couch for a read a loud!  





  Have Fun!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Fun & Frugal Summer Activities for Kids #30 Make Candy & Cream Freezer Pops




Here is a quick and easy treat, that also allows the kids to have a little fun in the kitchen.  Candy & Cream Freezer Pops are sure to have your kids saying "Mom, your the best!" or "Mom, you go relax, I'll do all the laundry today."  Ok, maybe I am getting carried away, a mom can dream, right? 

Photo Source

Don't these little babies look yummy, Candy & Cream Freezer Pops are sure to be a hit!

Ingredients
{this recipe makes about 15 pops}

  • 1/2 package sandwich cookies {about 12 to 14 cookies}, crushed
  • 15 peanut butter cups, crushed
  • 10 ounces M&M's {about 1 cup}, crushed
  • 1/2 gallon vanilla or chocolate ice cream, slightly softened {Breyer's All Natural is my favorite}
  • Fifteen 5-ounce paper cups - you know, Dixie cup size
  • 15 Popsicle sticks
 Directions
  1. You have two choices, you can either add a spoonful of the crushed cookies, PB cups and M&M's to have a mixture of flavors going on or you can just do one fixin' per cup.  So, fill your cups about 1/3 -1/2 way full of your goodies.  
  2. Next, fill your cups almost to the top with your softened ice cream.  
  3. Place a popsicle stick into each cup.  Place your cups on a platter or cookie sheet, then place into the freezer until the ice cream has re-frozen.
  4. Once they are completely frozen, tear off the paper cup and ENJOY!  
There are sooo- many different variations that you could do with these. Here are a few more ideas:
  • Banana, Strawberries and Chocolate Ice Cream
  • Hot Fudge, a Cherry and Nuts in the Bottom with Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Peaches and Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Your Favorite Candy Bar with Complimenting Ice Cream Flavor  


  Have Fun!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Fun & Frugal Summer Activities for Kids # 28 Go See a Summer Movie {For Free or Super Cheap}


Many movie theaters offer free, or nearly free, kids movies in the summer time.  You can check with your local movie theater to see what kind of summer programs they offer.  
 


Our local theater used to be free, but now they charge $1 per person, still a HUGE savings when you consider that tickets are generally $8-10 per admission.  Plus popcorn, of course.

Another option is to see if your city, or one nearby, is offering Movies in the Park.  Many parks provide a free movie, all you have to do is bring your blanket and kids.


One thing on our summer bucket list is to visit a sort-of close-by drive in movie theater called Bengies. The price is right, and you get to watch up to three movies for the price of one.  Not sure we'd make it through three, but we'd sure try!

Have you ever taken the kids to a drive in or a movie in the park?



  Have Fun!

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Fun & Frugal Summer Activity for Kids #27 Go on a Nature Walk





For those of you that are familiar with the Charlotte Mason way of schooling, this will not be a new concept for you.  Hopefully, it will at least be a gentle reminder of the beauty of nature walks.  



 I heard about nature walks about 5 years ago. A nature walk is simply that, a walk in nature.  Your and your children can walk around a local park, trail or even in your neighborhood.  We we've done nature walks my kids collect lots of goodies.  My kids have brought home rocks, flowers, leaves, bugs, pine cones, bark, one time we even found the bone of a raccoon's jaw.  And yes, we brought it home {smile}.

My kids have collected items, come home and sorted them into categories of sorts.  They have researched things they've found online.  The have even sketched the things that they have seen on our walks.


When we are walking I try to let them explore on their own a bit.  I also love to share things that I have previously learned with them.  We also talk about how awesome God is, and what an amazing creator and artist He is! 

A nature walk is lots of fun.  It is a great way to start a collection of plants, bugs, rocks or whatever.  Something fun to get you started might be a nature scavenger hunt.  You could print out one with pictures for younger children, or one that is just words for the older crowd.

If they are really into it, they can start a nature notebook or box to keep track of their findings. If we have found something of great interest we usually follow it up with a visit to the library for more information.




  Have Fun!

Fun & Frugal Summer Activities for Kids #26 Explore Local History!





Something that the family and I have enjoyed this summer is checking out historic sites and local museums.  I am almost ashamed to mention that there is a historic stable in my neighborhood, that we had not checked out until about a month or so ago. We have lived in this neighborhood for almost 15 years! 



Come to find out, we all enjoy checking out historic sites.  For instance, that stable I mentioned, had an open house one day.  They offered pony rides, crafts, and a tour of the stable and connecting house for us to check out.  They even had a beautiful Clydesdale horse that we got to pet.  After we checked out the stables, we walked a short distance to the historic mansion, which we also got to tour.  

Tomorrow we plan on going to another historical site to watch a Civil War reenactment.  Also a freebie! 

I plan on packing a lunch and snacks, checking out what else is in the neighborhood and geocaching while we are there.  Did you know that many of the National Parks and historic sites have geocaches that are actually hidden by the park rangers?

One thing I have learned this past spring was that our little city has a lot to offer.  Most are free or very inexpensive.  These little spots have actually become some of my kids favorite places to visit.  I have also found that most of these little spots are quite kid friendly, and hands on.

Have you checked out what your city has to offer? 




 

Have Fun!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Fun & Frugal Summer Activites for Kids #21 Patriotic Candle Holder








These little babies would look adorable outdoors on tables for a July 4th.  The kids will love making these holiday keepsakes, as well as feeling like they have helped decorate for the party.

patriotic candle holder

Supplies you will need:
  • Votive holders
  • Votives
  • Tissue paper in patriotic colors
  • Modge Podge
  • Craft Paper Punches
  • Paintbrushes
You can head over to My Little Me to see exactly how to make these Patriotic Candle Holders.


 

Have Fun!

Monday, July 1, 2013

Fun & Frugal Summer Activites for Kids #20 Firecraker Crowns




This next 4th of July craft is AWESOME and EASY!  How fun it will be to make Firecracker Crowns and then wear them to watch fireworks or a July 4th cookout.
Paper Firecracker Crown Craft for Kids

Supplies you will need:

  • Craft foam, red and white
  • Blue tape (we used plastic tape, 1 1/2 inches wide)
  • Sticker stars
  • Scissors
  • Gold pipe cleaners
  • Tape
  • Yellow foam stars

You can head on over to Spoonful to for complete directions to make your own Firecracker Crowns.  BTW, adults can wear them too!  {wink, wink}



 
Have Fun!

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