grab a pail of water and a paintbrush and "paint" the walls, sidewalks, and fences. (thanks Molly)
try letterboxing with your family (thanks Heather)
create buried treasure bottles, instructions here for one version (suggested by Jude)
make walking staffs and go on a hike.
Let older kids make their own stamps (with supervision) out of Mastercarve blocks (available here) or make potato prints (above, photo from Jane Cumberbatch's Pure Style Living). Thanks Jen.
Find old boxes at thrift stores and make a collage on the outside with Mod Podge (thanks Leah)
Make friendship pins (thanks for reminding me of these Jessica and JoAnna) and friendship bracelets (these bracelets should be worn all summer, right??)
Build a city out of recycled materials
Read and act out Pete's a Pizza. This is an old favorite of ours, which we are now inspired to get out again. Maybe even take it a step further and let the kid's help make homemade pizza for dinner. We use an old recipe for mixing the dough that uses whole wheat flour, the kids love it and its super easy. If you can't find a recipe you like, let me know and I'll post ours- suggested by robiewankenobie
perform a few science experiments (thanks for the idea Sarah). I know my kids love science of any kind, so we'll be doing some of these.
print out and make some paper toys (we've always loved the spinners)
bake a loaf of bread together - maybe on a cooler day (thanks for reminding me to do this Heidi)
let each child make their own summertime journal or scrapbook (this is where all those National Geographic mags that Peter saved will come in handy for pictures to cut out)-thanks Emily
Collect story props/starters from around the house and have siblings tell stories using what the other found (thanks Angela)
how about a lunch picnic (thanks Dawn)
join your local library's summer reading program (we have done this every year since Emma could walk)
or a good old fashioned scavenger hunt (thanks Andrea)
art lessons at home from Joyce Raimondo art books (thanks Kristine)
make homemade paper- thanks Janie
Websites that have loads of information and ideas ~
Books ~
The Rainy Day Book by Jane Bull- thanks Sheree
Nature Crafts by Joy Williams (thanks Samantha)
Summer Crafts by Marjorie Galen
Highlights Magazine (thanks Sara)
The Children's Year (thanks Lorien)
a great list of children's craft-inspiring stories put together by Cassi
There are other great lists I've seen around too. Courtney has complied a list for her younger children over at Camp Russell, a list of ways to leave your mother (alone)- love that title- at Robot Jumping Rope, and 60 things to do from Jess.
Its going to be a very fun summer. Thank you guys for reminding me look forward to it.
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