On the last day of school I took a cue from my sister-in-law, Tracie, and decorated my car for the last day of school. The kids were so surprised and loved it! For $5 I was the coolest mom around.
I decided to put together a bunch of new, fun summer stuff for the kids this year. Because of Emery's nap schedule we will need to spend more time at home than the past couple of summers. I know I will need LOTS of stuff to keep the kids busy and happy this year. This was waiting for them after school:
The bucket included:fixings for s'mores
homemade popsiclemolds
a huge roll of newsprint
water shooters
pool toys and dive sticks
a new sprinkler for under the trampoline
glow bracelets and sticks
a new board game (already played and so fun)
waterballoons
shaving cream (to play with on the wet trampoline)
summer fruits candy
activity jar
summer checklists
rootbeer extract + homemade rootbeer recipe
(I would have also put in new craft supplies, bubbles, goggles, beach towels, sand toys, sidewalk chalk, etc. if we had needed any of it)
Like last year, I made the kids summer checklists. I know we won't do everything on the list every day but it is a good guideline. As an extra incentive I included "Piano Pizzas" that C&M will mark off a pepperoni every day they practice and earn a trip to our favorite pizza joint. The kids will have to work together to fill their reading rainbow every day and they will be working toward a trip to the water park at the end of the summer.
Finally, I made an activity jar that they can choose from every day. I know these are on about every blog out there for this summer but I made sure that all of our activities would be able to be completed without help from me. You won't find "bake cookies" in the jar I made, even though we will also do plenty of those types of activities. I'm hoping each activity will keep the kids occupied for at least 30 minutes every day.
Write a letter to the Tokyo Frosts
Write a letter to the Cobia’s
Write a letter to the NC Frost’s
Write a letter to the Jacksons
Write a letter to the Lewis’
Write a letter to the MS Frost’s
Write a letter to Jake & Erica
Write a letter to the Stradlings
Write a letter to G&G Baldwin
Write a letter to Gma Frost
Play a board game
Play with Play Do
Draw targets on the wall in the backyard and squirt with water shooters
Play with the marble track
Play a board game
Play with sidewalk chalk
Make Snowcones for everyone
Make a craft with a paper plate
Paint something
Build a blanket fort
Make a music video
Jump on the trampoline with the sprinkler
Make up and perform a puppet show
Make up a play
Do an ABC scavenger hunt with a camera around the house.
Draw a family portrait on the wall outside
Finger paint
Play with bubbles outside
Look at your scrapbook
Write in your journal
Build a sandcastle
Make something with Tinker Toys
Have a beauty parlor and do each other’s hair/makeup
Do a self portrait
Have a tea party with your stuffed animals
Wash the car
Play with water balloons
Have a water fight with your squirt guns
Make paper bag puppets
Splatter paint
Clean coins with Salt and vinegar
Have a picnic lunch inside
Work on the dance for the family reunion
Make up an obstacle course and time each other
Finger paint with pudding
Shaving cream fight on the trampoline in your swimsuits
Jump on the trampoline with bubbles
Organize a talent show & perform for mom & dad
Make a structure out of toothpicks and mini-marshmallows
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I am officially ready for summer
14 comments:
OH MY GOSH I would adore a letter. So much.
Also: you should stock up on bubble wrap. Hours of entertainment.
Fun Stuff!!!! Love the car, I'm soooo doing that next year (my kids will be so embarrassed and that's the best part!).
Love the charts too, we are in the process of deciding what needs to be on ours!
It looks like you are ready for summer! That is great that you are so organized.
can i copy some of your activities? Yesterday I was nervous of being able to be a fun mommy around summer chaos in my house . You are awesome.
What great ideas! I'm looking at a lot of time at home this summer and hoping my kids won't be completely bored. I am totally wiped out, forgot how tiring a new baby can be!
You are hands down the most fun, most organized Mom I know. I was never this on the ball. Love it!!
Geez, I feel like such an underachiever! One day...one day...You're amazing!
Oooh, inspiring! I REALLY need a game plan for this summer because I'm too tired, sore, hot, etc. to entertain anyone...Thanks for the fun ideas!
Your great ideas are going to be passed on this Wednesday in our Relief Society evening meeting. I don't have to worry about finding cool things to do on these nights because I have your ideas to lean on any time I want. Thanks for being so creative.
Mom
Will the summer be long enough to do everything!!! This looks like a 2-year plan. I hope the kids realize what a creatively cool mom they have!
Your mom
You are sooooo hot!
BA
These are definitely steal-worthy. Where did you get the rainbow reading charts?
I seriously have a love affair with car paint now. My kids think it's so fun when I show up with writing all over the windows! This year, we're doing a surprise beach party on the last day of school! I'm so excited!
I tried to call today - thank you so much for taking my brother in this week. You have really helped my family in a difficult situation. Again.
Thank you so much for posting this! I love your ideas and intend to steal most of them. We are in our third week of summer and I just barely got my job charts laminated today. I don't know what is wrong with me but I'm pretty sure summer is not going to fix it, LOL.
All I have to say is I wish I were you. One day...
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