Summer Fun on a Budget - At Home

Just a few things to keep the littles busy during the long hot boring summer. :)

Bubble Pictures
This is a great craft idea for the summer. We tack up some pieces of construction paper on a fence at the children's face height. Then we mix a little bit of food coloring in some bubble solution. We usually mix up a couple of bottles in different colors. Then we have the kids blow bubbles onto the paper. They have a ball doing this, but make sure they are wearing old clothes or swimsuits so they won't get food coloring on good clothes -- it could stain.


Contact Paper Sun Catchers
Peal back the protective covering halfway down a piece of contact paper, exposing the sticky side (The contact paper can be any shape or size) Tear small pieces of various colors of tissue paper and stick to the contact paper. Peel off the rest of the protective cover and fold it over the tissue paper side. Trim the sun catcher to any shape or size desired. Punch a hole in it and string a piece of fishing line through it to hang.


Ice Cream in a Bag
Milk can become homemade ice cream in five minutes by using a bag! This homemade, creamy treat is a summertime delight for kids and adults alike.

What you'll need:
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup milk or half & half
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
6 tablespoons rock salt
1 pint-size plastic food storage bag (e.g., Ziploc)
1 gallon-size plastic food storage bag
Ice cubes

How to make it:
Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add the rock salt. Seal the bag. Put milk, vanilla, and sugar into the small bag, and seal it. Place the small bag inside the large one, and seal it again carefully.
Shake until the mixture is ice cream, which takes about 5 minutes. Wipe off the top of the small bag, then open it carefully. Enjoy!

Tips:
A ½ cup milk will make about 1 scoop of ice cream, so double the recipe if you want more. But don't increase the proportions more that that -- a large amount might be too big for kids to pick-up because the ice itself is heavy.


Pet Rocks
Pet rocks are a fun way to express your creativity and your own personal style. Whether it’s a cute animal or a creepy creature, pet rocks are lots of fun and have no limits!

What you'll need:
Rock
Acrylic craft paint
Decorations: yarn, wiggle eyes, markers, glitter glue, sequins, beads, pom poms, etc
White craft glue

How to make it:
Start by washing your rock with warm soapy water. If your rock is jagged or has nooks and crannies, use a scrub brush to get all the dirt out. Decorate your rocks however you like using just about anything. If it will stick, use it! For Example, to make a Pet Rock Piggie, paint a smooth oval shaped stone with pink acrylic paint and let dry. Glue a pink button to the center of the rock and two miniature pink pom poms toward the top for ears. Use the handle end of a paintbrush dipped in white paint to create the whites of the eyes. After that dries repeat the process with black paint to add the blacks of the eyes. Add a little red paint to the pink paint in your palette and dip your finger in. Dab off excess and put a spot on either side of the “nose” as the rosy cheeks. Use a black fine tipped marker to dot on freckles. When projects are completely dry, spray with acrylic sealer spray.

Tips:
Use your imagination; match your pet rock colors to your room or school colors.
Cut ears out of felt to make a floppy eared puppy dog!
Pet rocks are great for paperweights, so these make a great addition to your homework desk.

-Lori