welcome summer!

​​The sunshine has arrived. It’s time to break out those flip-flops and sunscreen… and then what? With restless little ones, it’s hard to always keep them occupied enough that they don’t drive you mad. 
 
Here are some helpful and handy activities you can use for your kids this summer that won’t break the bank and offer giggles for both child and parent. 

tin foil river

What you need: Tin foil, hose, objects that float
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​This may take a lot of tin foil so be prepared to bring out the box. Line the sidewalk and fold up the edges so the tin foil can hold liquid as I runs down the sidewalk. A hose is the most helpful tool to keep the water flowing down the river, but you can also use buckets or large bottles of water to pour down your river. Your kids can find various things to float down your new makeshift river. Little wild flowers and little bottle caps made into boats are easy floaters. Soap with make things slippery and add bubbles. You can also choose to add swirls of color when adding food coloring to the running water. 

sensory play

What you need: Storage bin, water or other substance, toys to play with, soap, and or food coloring.
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This is best used outside but can be used inside on rainy days as well. Just keep towels handy because substances will spill! For this activity a plastic storage bin works fine. The bigger it is the more it can hold. You may also be able to find water tables online that are purposefully designed for this and work well holding sand as well. Fill your bin with a substance of your choice. You can use water, sand, flour… ect. Just remember, if you are working with younger kids or toddlers they will most likely try things with their mouths too. When working with water, try adding soap for bubbles or food coloring to change the color of the water. Measuring cups, measuring spoons, toy cars, plastic animals, toy boats and rubber duckies are always fun options to add as well. 

sprinkler

​What you need: An object to sprinkle water.
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If your home doesn’t have a sprinkler system in place, a sprinkler hose or even an attachment could keep your little ones occupied. 

neighborhood walk 

What you need: Clipboard, Checklist, Shoes
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Take a checklist with you that your child can check off. Maybe add pictures if they are not at reading level and pick objects for them to find along the way. (Dog, cat, bunny, car, building, park, lake, flower… ect.)

shaving cream paint

What you need: Food coloring and shaving cream.
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This one may get a little messy but it’s a great way to pass the time. Pick a surface that you would want this form of pain on. You can choose if you want to give them a popsicle stick or toothpick to swirl the color in. Pour the shaving cream onto a plate or into a cup and add the food coloring. 

whipped cream dip

What you need: Whipped cream, food coloring, and fruit. 
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Whipped cream can be used in the same way as the idea above, but you can also have fun using it as a fruit dip. Cut up some delicious watermelon, apples, or even banana. It’s delicious and fun for you and the kids. 

bubbles

​What you need: Soapy water and a wand.
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Don’t forget the bubbles! Pinterest has many cool ways to make homemade bubbles if you wish to make it a creative experience. Bubbles and wands are a fantastic way to send your kids out into the yard to play. 

sidewalk chalk

A classic activity that requires only two things. Chalk and a surface. Let your child’s imagination run wild. ​

diy race car track

​What you need:Foam noodle, hot wheels, something to cut. 
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Foam noodles are quickly becoming a multi-use tool. At the daycare I worked at we used them for racecar tracks. Cut a noodle in half (top to bottom!) and use each half to run hot wheels down. See which car is faster.

HAVE FUN & BE SAFE THIS SUMMER!!

Clara is the former case manager at New Beginnings. She is engaged to be married this summer to her fiancé, Jeremiah. Clara studied pre-nursing at Highline College, and currently has a job as a nursing assistant at Aurora West Allis Medical Center.