Tag Archives: summer

Summer Fun On A Budget

Uncategorized April 28, 2016 Leave a comment

It’s hard to believe that summer is only a couple months away and before you know it, the kids will be home from school.  For some parents, that puts you in a panic of “what am I going to do with my kids all summer?!?!?”  Here are a few ideas and tips that I have used over the years that have made the summertime enjoyable for both myself and my kids….oh yeah, and I didn’t break the bank either!

 

  • Create a Daily Schedule:  Although the idea of sleeping in and waking up whenever you and and your children feel like it all summer long, the reality is that more chaos will ensue unless you plan properly.  Creating a Daily Schedule will help you keep your sanity and your kids will actually feel less stressed knowing what the day will bring.  NOTE: It doesn’t have to be the SAME schedule each day, but consistency certainly helps.

summer fun picture chart

  • For younger kids, use pictures like this one:(free printable picture cards here)
  • For older kids that can read, simply use a chalk board or dry erase board and write the schedule each day.
  • Sample Schedule:
    • Breakfast
    • Chores
    • Free Play Time
    • Project (craft, cooking, science, etc.)
    • Snack
    • Games & Outside Play
    • Lunch
    • Water play
    • Workbook/Quiet Time/Reading Time
    • Free Play
    • Snack & Short TV Show
    • Dinner

Summer Chores

2015 Chore Chart

 

  • I don’t know about you, but it’s hard to fit chores into our daily schedule during the school year.  The kids are swamped with homework and activities and at the end of the day I just want them to relax and be kids.  I want them to go outside or play a game.  So…when summertime comes around, it’s time to instill those good habits of completing chores and participating in the general upkeep of our home.

Projects

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  • Use what you have around the house to come up with projects.   It’s amazing what you can do with plastic cups, paper plates, straws and a camera.  Some of our favorite projects:
    • Cooking (Popsicles, smoothies, cookies, trailmix and of course cheerio necklaces)
    • Bubbles (giant bubble wands, colored bubbles on paper, bubble popping)
    • Crafts (painting with colored ice cubes, giant chalk drawings, cards and letters to send in the mail)
    • Check out Pinterest for lots and lots of budget friendly ideas!

Games

  • We love a friendly game or two in our house.  Keep it simple and enjoy the time connecting and having fun!
    • Scavenger Hunts (Photo Hunts, Treasure Hunts, Collections)
    • Obstacle Course (time each other for those that are more competitive)
    • Backyard Maze (grass getting long? mow a maze and run through it before mowing the rest of the yard)

Water Play

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  • You don’t have to have a pool to have water play time!  The hot afternoon is a great time to get wet and cool off.  We have a small pool, but here are some other ideas:
    • Water Balloon Toss
    • Water Balloon Baseball
    • Limbo using a hose
    • Sprinkler
    • Water Bottle Squirt Tag
    • Car Wash
    • Bicycle Wash
    • Wet Sponges and Targets

Quiet Time

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  • We order the Summer Bridge Books every year and the kids complete 4 pages a day. We also participate in the local Library Summer Reading program where the kids earn prizes for reading (reading together as a family or listening to a book in the car count too!)

Field Trips

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  • The summertime is a great time to see new sights and try new activities.  There are lots of inexpensive places to check out when you’re ready to tackle a “Field Trip” day:
    • Creek Stomping (pack a lunch, wear a bathing suit and go walking in a creek)
    • Playground Review (visit different playgrounds and have the kids journal their reviews)
    • Library Programs
    • Get a group together to visit a zoo or museum and get the group discount rate
    • Check out Kids Bowl Free and find a local bowling alley
    • Try a real treasure hunt and go Geochaching

Got any good Summertime Boredom Busters?  Please share in the comments! 🙂 Mama Nice

Summer Theme Week – Parks and Picnics

Theme Weeks, Uncategorized May 7, 2013 Comments: 2

Parks and Picnics Week

Each day we will make a picnic lunch (together) and visit a playground to play and eat.  A fun and simple idea!  By the way, it’s FREE!!

Here are some great playgrounds in our area.  Post yours below and join the fun!

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Manderach Memorial Playground – Montgomery County

Swamp Pike & Ziegler Rd

Limerick, PA 19468

**Mondays the park is closed until 2PM for maintenance**

           manderach park  heart park

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Rustic Park – Berks County

Directions:  from Reading, follow business 422 east, turn right on Rt 82 South  into Birdsboro; don’t take the detour, rather continue straight on 82 through Birdsboro, all the way to the road closure.  Rustic Park entrance will be on the right-hand side at location of road closure.

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All Abilities Playground (at Kerr Park) – Chester County

1 Park Ln, Downingtown, PA

all abilities playground

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Park Sci (at Parkside Place Complex) – Montgomery County

1 Parkside Pl North Wales, PA 19454

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Smith Playground – Philadelphia

Smith is located at 3500 Reservoir Drive in East Fairmount Park, just above Kelly Drive near 33rd and Oxford Streets.

** Closed on Mondays, see website for open hours **

smith-memorial

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Just in case it rains….

Mr. B’s Coffee House & Indoor Playground

Located at Calvary Church | 820 Route 113, Souderton, PA

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Picnic Ideas:

  • Ring Bologna, cheese, crackers, grape kabobs
  • Peanut butter & jelly cut with cookie cutters, yogurt, carrot sticks
  • Ham &  cheese roll ups, melon salad, goldfish
  • Homemade granola bars, cucumbers, pasta salad
  • Egg salad in pita, apple slices & peanut butter, cheese stick
  • Visit my Pinterest page for more ideas!  Click Here

Don’t forget to share your ideas below!

Back to Theme Week Home

Summer Theme Week – Art History

Theme Weeks, Uncategorized May 4, 2013 1 Comment

Art History Week

  • Day 1: Piet Mondrian.Mondrian_CompRYB
  • Read Biography.
  • Watch video to view artwork.
  • Create a painting using Mondiran’s technique.  See project idea here (we will probably use canvas, black marker and paint):
  • Math connection: Graph the number of squares, rectangles, colors, corners, etc. in the finished projects.
  • Complete on-line painting.
  • Worksheet for younger students.
  • I will probably premake these cookies as a special surprise snack on our field trip day.
  • Day 4: Georgia O’Keeffered-poppy
  • Read “My Name is Georgia” by Jeanette Winter
  • Watch video
  • Go for a walk in the yard and collect objects.  Then draw or paint what was found.
  • Another project idea – Flower Drawings
  • Write an Acrostic Poem using Georgia O’Keeffe
  • Make flower cookies using a cookie cutter 0r cut sandwiches into flower shapes.
  • Day 5: Visit the Art Museum: We are blessed to be close to the Philadelphia Art Museum.  Kids under 14 are free.  Since my kids are young, I won’t be taking them through the whole museum, just the parts that apply to what we were learning this week.  I will also bring some drawing supplies along so we can draw outside the museum while we eat a picnic lunch.

philadelphia-museum-of-art-600

Do I have any art enthusiasts out there that will be trying out “Art History Week” this summer?

Back to Summer Theme Weeks

Summer Camp Review

Ideas To Make Your Kids Smile February 28, 2013 Comments: 2

Yes, it’s not even Spring yet but guess what?? Summer Camp registration is OPEN!!!!!  So now that you are hyperventalating, here is a short and sweet review of the camps and programs that we have been a part of.  Please post some of the camps you love so we can all be informed!

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422 Sports Complex

My youngest has been taking soccer classes here all year.  They are WONDERFUL!  The complex is basically a large sports arena with ice hockey rinks, roller hockey rinks and a large turf field.  The kids in the “Soccer Bugs” program get a uniform and class once a week for 50 minutes.  The coaches are great with the kids and my son gets out all his energy by the end of class.  The facility offers summer camps, summer classes and also “Days Off” classes for those holidays when you need child care.

SMGHeader

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Perkiomen Watershed

If you’ve never visitied the Perkiomen Watershed, you must!  During the school year, they offer preschool classes for $10.  This includes a lesson, craft and free playtime in the nature discovery room.  During the summer, they offer week long day camps and special one day events.  Last year my oldest particpated in a one day camp where he explored the Branch Creek all day.  He loved it.  Check it out:

 http://www.perkiomenwatershed.org/index.aspx

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Camp Men-o-Lan

This is the first year my oldest will go to this camp.  Men-O-Lan offer a sleepover or day camp.  It’s a Christian camp and the facilites are amazing.  Our church has held retreats there in the past.  We’ve gone swimming, paddleboating, went down a waterslide and attempted the obstacale course.  I think it will be a wonderful and exhausting week for me oldest.  They offer theme based camps that will surely attract your youngster!

Men-o-lan Christian Camp and Retreat Center

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VBS (Vacation Bible School)

My kids really enjoy VBS and we usually sign them up for one or two each summer.  Our church does not host a VBS, but as the summer draws near you will see signs up everywhere for churches that will host a VBS week.  The cost is usually very minimal if any at all.  My kids love the music, crafts, games and new friends.  The lessons reinforce what they have learned at Sunday School and what I teach at home.  Love it!  If you are nervous about sending your kids to a place you don’t know, offer to volunteer.  Most VBS camps need volunteers and they are happy to welcome you on board.

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Looking for an alternative to camp?  I will be posting my “Camp At Home” ideas in the weeks to come.  For now, leave a comment on your favorite camps.  Thanks!