Entertaining Children During the Summer Months
Creative and Low Cost Ideas for Summer Fun
May 16, 2009
The summer months are full of fun celebrations. Start by discussing the seasons and what makes summer special. It could be the sight of bright flowers, the taste of summer fruits, cold Popsicles, swimming outdoors, and the smell of food cooking on the barbecue. Take time to note these things together and try these ideas to beat the summer "blahs."
Kids Love Ice Cream
Celebrate National Ice Cream Month by inviting the neighborhood children over for an old-fashioned ice cream social. Set the table with sliced bananas, sauces and sprinkles. Scoop out the ice cream and allow the kids to create superb sundaes. Or, try cooling off this summer with "ice cream snowballs." Roll a round scoop of vanilla ice cream in a bowl of flaked coconut.
Fun with Watermelons
Nothing says summer better than a thick, juicy slice of watermelon. Participate in the National Watermelon Festival this season with some special activities. Give the children spoons or a melon ball utensil to scoop out watermelon for a fruit salad. Ask the kids to predict how many seeds they will find. As they eat, ask the children to place the seeds on a paper napkin for counting. Dry the seeds in the sun and save them to make a watermelon slice picture.
You will need a half-circle shape of green construction paper. Glue another half-circle (slightly smaller) from pink or red paper on top. Adhere the seeds randomly on the pink paper slice.
Let's Go to the Animal Fair
Summer is a traditional time for an "animal fair." Round up the neighborhood kids and their pets in your yard (stuffed animals are OK for very young children). Judge the animals in such categories as biggest, smallest, furriest, best smile, longest tail, etc. Encourage the children to make up more categories. Give out small awards making sure each child's pet is a winner. Serve animal crackers and juice for a snack.
Bathing Dolls
Have you checked the condition of your child's dolls lately? This is a perfect time to have an outdoor "doll wash." Put on swim suits and set out dishpans of water, soap and brushes. Invite the children to bathe these babies. String a low clothesline so the kids can hang out the wash. You'll be encouraging cleanliness and responsibility while the children have fun and stay cool.
Bubble Magic
Get outside for some bubble experiments. Make tubs of suds and allow the children to experiment with different types of blowers. Household items make great blowers: try straws, funnels, hangers, and plastic six-pack holders, just to name a few.
Everyone Loves a Parade
Make a few parade props to carry to the local fireworks display or in an impromptu parade at home. Make "freedom batons" by having the children color the outside of paper towel tubes and tape streamers to each end. Streamers can be the paper kind or ribbons. Another idea is to finish by stuffing wads of colorful tissue paper sticking out of the ends. The kids can hold their batons proudly as they sing patriotic songs or parade to a recording of Sousa marches.
It doesn't take much to turn summertime "blahs" into "ahhs." All that is needed is a little inspiration and a few hours of together time.
