Fun & Frugal Summer Activities for Kids #29 Sprinkler Fun & Games!

The weather here has been HOT! HOT! HOT!  One way to get the kids to play outside for a little while is to say something like "Hey! Do you guys what to play in the sprinkler for a bit?"  Usually my kids are out the door in 3 minutes flat.  

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So, after the sprinkler gets boring, and they've already played with the hose on the slide it's time to pull out the "big guns."

The "big guns" would be Sprinkler Games! 

You can visit Savvy Mom for ideas like Water Colouring, Fill "Er Up and Musical Sprinkler/Freeze Dance.

Embrace Your Chaos share games like Simon Says, Water Limbo and Sneaky Sprinkler for your kids to enjoy.    

If you really want to get crazy, you could even make a DIY Kid Wash, like Totally Smitten did, in your yard.  You'll be guaranteed to have every kid in the neighborhood over to play! {he, he,he}

Do you all have any fun sprinkler games to add?  

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  Have Fun!

Menu Plan Monday {Massachusetts and Connecticut Style}

 

Wow!  I haven't post a menu plan in a loong time! 

We are continuing with Trail Guide to Learning this year, and moving on to Paths of Settlement.  I am sure you are wondering what in the world that has to do with meal plans, right?  Stick with me. 

A large part of TGTL is geography, and this year we are studying the states.  From what I can tell, we are studying about two different states a week.  TGTL suggests that as you study the different states, you could also enjoy foods from the different states.  

We are going to try to incorporate at least one food from each state this year.  We gotta eat anyway and besides, it sounds kinda fun!

Along with Paths of Settlement, we received Eat Your way Through the USA. There are lots of great recipes and fun facts for each state.  My kids love the fun facts, by the way.  I have already learned how lollipops and Tool House cookie came to be. {smile} 

This week were are learning about Massachusetts and Connecticut, so a few of our meals are either popular there or originated there.

Breakfasts

Cereal

Oven Eggs, Toast and Fruit

Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal with Banana Slices

Blueberry Waffles

German Apple Pancake a.k.a "Dutch Baby" (popular in New England States)

Banana & Apple Breads

Lunches

Hot Dogs, Boston Baked Beans (MA), Veggie

Bean Burritos, Salsa and Rice

Tuna Pita Pockets, Carrots and Apple Slices

PB&J's (my kids never tire of these), Chips and Fruit

Mini Pizzas (make from biscuits)

Ploughman's Platter {slightly more kids friendly}

Dinners

Connecticut Chicken Rice Casserole

BLT's, Tomato Soup

Tacos 

Cranberry Apple Chicken (they grow lots of cranberries in Massachusetts), Asparagus, Parmesan Noodles 

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Hamburger, Corn on the Cob with Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Connecticut Beef Super

Dessert

Not sure which one yet, but we will either make an Election Cake (CT) or a Boston Cream Pie (MA).

What are you cookin' up this week?  If you happen to be from MA or CT, please feel free to chime in with any good local recipes that you have. {wink, wink}

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.  

 

Here is a list of several of the movie theaters that are currently participating in free Summer Movies. 

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?

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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.

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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? 

Click here to see more Fun & Frugal Summer Activities for Kids.

 

Have Fun!