Fun & Frugal Summer Actvities for Kids # 14 Soda Geyser

 

This afternoon one of my boys asked if he could make a soda geyser.  I, of course, had to ask what in the world a soda geyser was.  My 7 year old informed me that all we needed was a bottle of soda and mints.  I continued to have the "do what?" face on until I went online to see what my dear son was talking about.

After an hour and a trip the dollar store, we were ready.  We had Mentos and a bottle of soda.  We opened the 2 liter of soda (diet soda is better because it is less sticky) and dropped the Mentos in.  It all happened pretty quickly, but the show was well worth the $2 we spent in supplies.

The Mentos hit the soda and BAM! the soda shot up into the air like a geyser!  The kids, especially the boys (and dad), loved it!!! We also got all education-y and checked out Old Faithful on YouTube. {smile}

You can actually purchase a Geyser Tube to make the soda shoot higher!

I recommend grabbing a few bottles of soda when they are on sale, and an equal amount of Mentos packets to use with them.  While doing one is fun, I wished we had done one for each child.  Maybe even seeing who's bottle shot the highest would have been fun. Another day, perhaps.

Check out my other Fun & Frugal Summer Activities for Kids. 

 

Have Fun! 
 

 Please note there are affiliate links in this post.  If you order from Amazon through my link I will received a small compensation, at no additional cost to you.  Thanks!

Fun & Frugal Summer Activities for Kids #13 Lightning Bug Craft

Lightning bugs never seem to get old.  They are a really neat example of God's creation.  In addition to catching lightning bugs this summer, we are going to MAKE some too!

Isn't he just adorable!  I can totally see my boys flying these around the yard in the at night.

You can find step by step insturctions over at Crafts for All Seasons.

There are several books about lightning bugs out there that we plan on reading, they include:

 

 

 

Check out my other Fun & Frugal Summer Activities for Kids. 

 

Have Fun!

 Please note there are affiliate links in this post.  If you order from Amazon through my link I will received a small compensation, at no additional cost to you.  Thanks!

Fun & Frugal Summer Activites for Kids #12 Hand Print Garden Stepping Stones

 

I love all things hand prints!  I think that a child's hand is a wonderful keepsake that can be cherished for years and years.  I actually still have a hand print that I made when I was in kindergarten, it is very similar to this one...

 

 

This one serves double duty, it is a hand print keepsake as well as a garden stone.

I am just going to prepare you up front, these garden stones are fun and frugal, but they are a little involved. I am going to plan these for a Saturday when The Hubs is home and can help. 

Be sure to check out my other Fun & frugal Summer Activities for Kids! 

Have fun!

Fun & Frugal Summer Activites for Kids #11 Homemade Wind Chimes

I love wind chimes!  They are somehow soothing as they clang together in the wind. Plus they just look cool {grin}.

Did you know that you can make your own wind chimes?  Really, honest you can!  

There are several different kinds of  wind chines that you can make.  For instance, you can make really neat ones like this one from I'm Feelin' Crafty.... Here you melt beads and make sun catcher thingies, then use them to make a wind chime.

If you are a recycling family, then you will probably really dig this!  Hands On As We Grow used old cans to make this creative wind chime.

 

 The James Family made some really cute wind chimes out of dixie cups and beads.  I really love these, they would look really pretty hanging from a tree.

 

Which one are you going to make? 

Be sure to check out my other Fun & frugal Summer Activities for Kids! 

Have fun!

Fun & Frugal Summer Activities for Kids #10 Ice Cream in a Bag

We've had a few pretty hot days round these parts.  If your kids are anything like my little people they are always asking for something to help them cool off.  A friend of mine mentioned to me recently that you can make ice cream in a bag.  REALLY??!!  

I do not ever remember hearing of such a thing, but indeed you can make ice cream in a bag!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup half and half
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup salt (The bigger the granules, the better. Kosher or rock salt works best, but table salt is fine.) 
• Ice cubes (enough to fill each gallon-size bag about half full)
• 2 pint-size ziplock bag (I double bagged it after we had a leak the first time) 
• 1 gallon-size ziplock bag

Directions

1. Combine the sugar, half and half, and vanilla extract in the pint-size bag and seal it tightly.
2. Place the salt and ice in the gallon-size bag, then place the sealed smaller bag inside as well. Seal the larger bag. Now shake the bags until the mixture hardens (about 5 minutes). Feel the small bag to determine when it's done.
3. Take the smaller bag out of the larger one, add mix-ins, and eat the ice cream right out of the bag. Easy cleanup too! 

Each recipe serves 1. 

You also can add chocolate syrup, fresh fruit or another favorite topping.

 

If you are interested About.com makes Ice Cream in a Bag into a science lesson! 

Be sure to check out my other Fun & frugal Summer Activities for Kids!

Have fun!