The summer is winding down, and kids are preparing to go back to school. (In my case, starting VPK for the first time!!) However, there are still a few precious weeks left to spend making memories and having fun playing together. Here are six ideas to start your creative juices flowing!
1. Beat the Heat –
Transform a 2-liter bottle into a fountain that produces a super-misty spray!
Use a pushpin to poke eight holes in one side of a 2-liter plastic bottle. Widen each hole with a bamboo skewer. You’ll need a 3/4-inch female by 3/4 -inch female swivel hose adapter, which threads onto the bottle and onto the hose, a part found in the plumbing section of a hardware store. While you’re there, pick up some rubber hose washers and insert one in the bottle side of the adapter to minimize leaks. Carefully screw the adapter onto the bottle and tighten (the threads may not match perfectly).
Attach the hose and turn on the water for some wet and playful fun! (parents.com)
2. National S’mores Day on August 10th –
August 10th is National S’mores Day. What could possibly be better than kids and s’mores to start off the week? Make the traditional kind or experiment with spreadable options added to the graham cracker. Your favorite flavor of jelly or jam, Nutella, caramel, or peanut butter are tasty additions!
3. National Smile Week August 11 – 14th –
National Smile Week is August 11th through the 14th. Keep track of who smiles the most throughout the day, and allow them to do their favorite, most smile producing activity at the end of the day. Or, take them to Krispy Kreme Donut Shop and let them choose from one of their five fun face donuts in honor of smile week, sure to put a smile on their faces (and yours!).
4. Best Friends Day on August 15th –
August 15th is Best Friends Day. What a fun way to celebrate one of the final Fridays of the summer – with best friends! Make ice pops with 1 cup of pineapple chunks and 3 tablespoons of vanilla yogurt blended together until smooth. Fill ice molds, freeze, and honor their best friends with the universal symbol of friendship: pineapple!
5. International Geocaching Day on August 16th –
August 16th is International Geocaching Day. Take a weekend adventure to find geocaches nearby. This is a great activity to include Dads in as well, since it involves a GPS! There are apps (Geocaching) and websites (www.geocaching.com) to help you plan your route and your finds.
6. Foil Creations –
Take the opportunity for a last minute weekend getaway before school starts. It can be a day trip or an overnight stay, but make sure it includes play, and unplugging, and relaxing together as a family. While your kids are in the car, give them aluminum foil and encourage creativity and imagination. They can sculpt people, animals, airplanes, crowns, or a memento of your visits!
Above all, and no matter what you do, make the most of these final few weeks before school takes your kids for most of the day. These summer days are precious opportunities to spend making memories and enjoying learning and experiencing things together. Here’s to August!