Summertime blues- no- FUN, fun, I mean fun

              Well, there is no denying it.  It's summer. It's waaaayyyyy too hot for my comfort zone. There is strange yellow ball of fire in the sky. Birds are singing and people are annoying cheerful.  School is almost on break. (AHHHHHHHH)  Feisty pants goes year round but will have two weeks at either end of her summer session for vacation.  Normally I am a big proponent of vacations and kids getting bored (seriously- that's how they get creative) but she can't do everything for herself when she is so I have to get creative for her.  Sooooo, these next few weeks will be full of posts of me trying desperately to come up with things to keep her occupied.  Interwebs don't fail me now.

                 In that line of thinking, here are three quick recipes for activities I fall back on lot.  Bubbles, glitter things and paint.  If you add stickers and boy bands, this would become a preteen girl's nirvana.  But on their own should give you an afternoon of little whining.  And also entertains 5 month old puppies if you don't mind the mess. (The first time we blew bubbles at Cheweverything Pants, she spent twenty minutes looking for them after they popped.  A fun time was had by all.)

 

Bubbles- three variations on a theme

1) 1/2 cup dishwashing soap (try Dawn or Joy), 2 cups water, 2 tsp sugar.

2)1/4 cup dishwashing liquid, 3/4 cup cold water, 5 drops glycerin

3)1/2 cup dishwashing liquid, 4 and 1/2 cups water, 4 tablespoons glycerin

It is said that these work best if left to sit overnight.  I have adhd and children so I wouldn't know about that.  I have heard legends of glow bubbles involving dumping the contents of a glow stick into the bubbles but others have tried it and said it did NOT work.  Anyone out there know of a way to accomplish glow bubbles please hit me up in the comments.  I would LOVE to give FP some of those for a summer night's memories.

 

Fairy Lanterns- a quick glitter craft.

You will need: a mason type jar with lid (any quart jar will work.), a couple of glow sticks, glitter.

At dusk works best. 

Simply crack the glow stick to activate, then cut open the stick and dump into the jar, add glitter, screw on lid and shake.  (The younger your kids, the more you look like Dumbledore. Savor that.)

 

Paint- diy liquid sidewalk chalk type paint

You will need:

Dishes or cups (one for each color) Or try a muffin tin perhaps...

For each color-

1/3 cup cornstarch

1/3 cup water

1-2 tablespoon washable paint OR several drops food coloring

Mix the cornstarch and water. Stir well.  Add paint or food coloring until desired color is achieved.  (Stir often as the cornstarch will settle)

 

Have fun. :)