Pool Noodle Fun!

I saw an article in a recent Parents magazine about all the fun you can have by getting creative with pool noodles called, "Use Your Noodle: Pool Noodle Backyard Games".  I was a little worried about the cost, since I'd never bought a pool noodle before but, I found them at our local Dollar Tree for $1.00 and I figure I could do the activities listed in the magazine for $12-15.00.  I am sold!!!  The next time I'm out and about, I'm buying a bunch of pool noodles, pulling out my husband's duct tape and using chopsticks from our recent trip to our favorite Chinese restaurant.  Then we are going to make it a family activity by working together to create our own obstacle course/backyard games.  My kids can't wait!!!

Painting with Shaving Cream

A few weeks back I found a picture online of a muffin tin filled with different colored shaving cream.  I thought "What a great idea!" and I immediately wanted to try it.  However, I thought it would be much more fun for my kids to do in the shower. 


Although a muffin tin would be great for a dry activity, it wasn't my first choice to use in the shower.  So, I used a divided rectangle Ziploc container I had for my husband's lunches.  We can keep it in the shower and not worry about rusting and it's easy for the kids to hold.  Having the separate compartments makes it easier to keep the colors separate but it isn't necessary.  The shower walls and clear shower curtain were a perfect blank canvas for the kids. They had a blast!


This is what you need:

• Shaving Cream
• Food Coloring
• Paint Brushes
• Container for "paints"

I used my husband's shaving cream which is only about $1.  The food coloring I already had but, it's only a couple of dollars a box of four in the grocery store.  The paint brushes I picked up in a 3-pack for only $1.  You can use anything laying around the house to keep you "paint" in: old yogurt bin, plastic bowl/plate, etc. 


If your shower is tiled, be careful because the food coloring might stain it.  This activity would also be fun to do outside in the summer too.  I think I'll let my kids do this in our inflatable pool!  Be creative and have fun! 

Quick Tip: Summer Playdate Contact Cards

Every summer my kids miss their classmates.  Since teachers don't send home classroom contact lists, I don't have anybody's information.  So, to be sure we stay-in-touch with my children's friends, I make Summer Playdate Contact Cards.  On index cards I wrote my child's name, my name, my contact information and a short note saying my child would like to get together over the summer.  I gave each of my kids three index cards to hand out to friends they want to visit this summer.  I've already gotten two calls from moms and school just ended two days ago!  Looking forward to a summer fully of friends and fun.

Fun Ideas for Sleep Overs

My son is having a friend sleep over tonight and I want to make sure they have plenty of things to keep them busy.  So, I came up with this list of options. 

Sleep Over Fun

• Card & Board Games
• Kid Friendly DVDs
• Multi-player video games
• Outside Play and/or Walk
• Play-doh
• Scavenger Hunt or Treasure Hunt
• Wall Football (football template)

We'll see how it goes!  If you have any ideas, please share them by leaving a comment.  Thanks! 

Simple Construction Paper Crafts

Yesterday, my kids and I made an Alphabet Book that we saw on the The Goodnight Show on the Sprout Channel.  Since my two younger children aren't capable of making an Alphabet Book, they used their books for other things like a book of shapes. 

When making our Alphabet and Shape Books, I used a three-hole hole puncher.  In order to make our construction paper fit in the hole puncher, I had to trim each sheet down.  After making three books, I had a bunch of colorful paper strips.  Instead of throwing them away, we plan to use the paper strips to make Paper Chain Snakes and Caterpillars.

Construction Paper Craft Instructions

• The Good Night Show Alphabet Book
• Paper Chain Snake
• Paper Chain Caterpillar
• More Crafts from The Good Night Show

These are great crafts to do with your kids this summer when it's too hot to play outside.  Get creative and have fun!

Fun with Streamers

Some summer days are just too hot to take the kids outside.  So, for some indoor fun, I grabbed some popsicle/craft sticks, streamers (left over from birthday parties) and tape to make homemade rhythmic ribbons (like those used by ribbon gymnists).  It was super, simple and the kids played with them for a long time.

Here are more craft ideas you can do with your left over party streamers.  Have fun!

• Rainbow Streamers
• Handheld Ribbon Streamers
• Wind Socks
• Streamer Bed Curtains

The Good Night Show Crafts for Kids

Last summer my kids and I would watch The Good Night Show on the Sprout channel each night before bed.  It was a great way for our family to finish the day together.  The best part of the show is they tell you how to make a different craft each night.  If it's a craft my kids are interested in, we would make it the next day. 

Don't worry if you don't have the Sprout channel, you can still go to their website, Sprout Online, and click on the link for The Good Night Show.  There you will find the instructional video and a printable version of the instructions.  If you want more crafts, Sprout has a great selection of quick and easy crafts here.  Have fun and happy crafting!

Inexpensive Summer Fun for Kids

As a stay-at-home mom, summers can be challenging.  You have to find a way to keep the kids entertained all summer long without breaking the bank.  A couple of weeks before summer vacation starts I like to take the time to make a tentative plan of how our weeks will go during the hot, summer months.  And the more thrifty ideas, the better.  Below are some ideas on how to have fun with your kids this summer without dishing out too much dough.

• Day at the Zoo - Pack some snacks, a picnic lunch and drinks and head to your local zoo for the day.  Print free coloring pages including animals the kids will see at the zoo and bring them with a box of crayons, for a break from all the walking. 
• Miniature Golf - Check your mail for your free Valpak!  They usually have great deals for local miniature golf locations.  If you can't find a coupon, call your nearby miniature golf place and see if they have any summer events.  Our local Putt-Putt has a different even each day of the week, like: Wacky Wednesday with 3 attractions (18 holes, 20 arcade tokens and 3 batting cage tokens) for $10/person.
• Pizza Party - With a pizza party you kill two birds with one stone - something fun to look forward too and dinner served!  You can order in or let the kids make their own pizzas.  For extra fun try out a dessert pizza part.
• Sign Up at Your Local Pool - Check out the prices for your local pool.  They are most likely less expensive than you think.  If your church has a pool, they often only ask for a donation.  Whatever the cost, you may find it's worth it by the end of the summer.  It's a great way to keep the kids cool and good and tired for bedtime. 
• Treasure Hunt - You can find some great pirate stuff at your local Dollar General/Dollar Tree to help make a great treasure hunt for you and your little pirates.  Michael's craft store also has some great pirate crafts.  But since they can be kinda pricey, use them as inspiration for making your own.  You will be amazed at how much you can make with construction paper, crayons, scissors and tape.  (Click here to print a pirate hat and eye patch for free.)

• Sundae Party - Invite some of your kids' friends and ask them each to bring a fun sundae topping: licorice bits, sprinkles, Mini-M&M's, Oreo crumbs, etc.  Don't forget the whipped cream and cherries!  Let the kids get imaginative and try out some new sundae ideas.  If you'd rather not deal with the mess, head to an ice cream parlor.

However you choose to spend your summer this year, get creative, have fun and be safe!  For great FREE ideas check out my post Free Summer Fun for Kids. 

Free Summer Fun for Kids

Are you looking for FREE ways to keep your kids busy this summer.  Here are some great ideas that may help you through these long, hot summer months. 

• Public Library Events - Check out your public library.  Most libraries have summer events that the kids love, like: pet shows, magic shows, family movies and age-appropriate story times. 
• Go to the Park - Try out a different playground/park whenever you can.  You may find a new family favorite.  Take bikes, bubbles and pack up some snacks or a lunch for a day that will surely wear the kids out.
• Movie Nights - Break out your DVDs/Blu-Ray Disks, pop up some popcorn, grab a few candy bars for the sale bin at the grocery store and lay out a blanket on the living room floor.  You are all set.  If you and your kids are tired of the same old movies, try Netflix.  They have great trial-offers for free and inexpensive monthly plans too!
• Game Night - Dust off those board games and have some good old fashioned family fun. It's a great way for everyone to stay connected and have fun.  If your family wants a new game to play, ask a neighbor to swap board games with you for the night.
• BBQ Fun  - What is summer without a good, ole cook-out?  Let your hubby grill up some burgers and dogs while you and the kids have fun in the backyard.  Blow bubbles, run through the sprinkler, play volleyball...the options are only limited to what's in your garage.
• Head to the Beach - If you are blessed to live near the beach, pack up the sunscreen, sand pails & shovels and a picnic lunch for a fun, sun-filled day. 
• Find more summer fun ideas in my post Inexpensive Summer Fun for Kids.