Summer Fun!

Summer is here and many sites have easy, creative ways to kick off your summer fun. If you love building sandcastles you might want to make your own 'Everlasting Sand Dough' to create a permanent sand sculpture. Makingfriends.com has a recipe at http://www.makingfriends.com/r_sanddough... If you have left over sand try making sand candles. SpellBox has an easy method http://www.spellbox.com/candles.html - sand, be sure to get help from your mom or dad with this one. If you still have sand left over, funroom.com has an easy way to create sand paintings http://www.funroom.com/summer/sndpntng.h... TIP: Have mom mix dry tempra paint with your sand, to create colored sand, or try funroom.com's recipe http://www.funroom.com/recipes for fun/sandcoloring.html.

When you can't make it to the beach to jump the waves, try making your own Wave Maker. Here's a simple recipe that recycles empty soda bottles. If you don't have a soda bottle, water bottles work just as good http://www.funroom.com/summer/wavemkr.ht... Also, you can substitute baby oil for vegetable oil. Add some left over sand, and maybe some small seashells to create a day at the beach in a bottle. For a fun twist on water and coloring that makes good use of the sun, try http://www.sci.mus.mn.us/sln/tf/i/indica... This fun craft takes a little work but it is well worth it when you can add a new dimension to an old-fashioned water fight with the Kamikaze Water Flyer http://www.best.com/~pvdl/fold.html.

When Spring's blustery winds turn to gentle summer breezes try making a parachute. Science Museum Network has a tried and true method and includes a challenge http://www.sci.mus.mn.us/sln/tf/p/paperc... Also, check out their whirly-gig http://www.sci.mus.mn.us/sln/tf/w/whirli... If it is windy enough, try flying a kite. Kite designs for both big and little kids can be found at http://sound.net/~kiteguy/contents.htm.

For simple fun in the sun, try making sunprints. This page recommends sunprint paper but try darkly colored construction paper instead http://www-ed.fnal.gov/trc/sciencelines_... Family.com uses the construction paper method to make sun cards http://family.go.com/Features/family_040... Don't forget to wear sunscreen and protective clothing while doing this project outside. An easy activity that encourages your child's imagination is a sun catcher. Try Family.com's method at http://family.go.com/Categories/Activiti... Finally, make a refreshing drink with mom's okay, 'Sun Tea' http://family.go.com/Features/family_040... Try using raspberry or peach tea bags for a different flavor. A neat experiment that teaches your child the power of the sun is http://family.go.com/Features/family_040...

Well, whether its wind, water, sand, or sun, have fun this summer!

Go To Page: 1

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic