Learn about Picasso and create a beautiful summer keepsake collage!

What You’ll Need:
*Large piece of oaktag or construction paper
*Tissue paper
*Old magazines
*Photos from summer vacation
*Pamphlets, brochures, tickets from places you’ve been
*Other small items such as seashells, leaves, rocks, etc. collected on your vacation

Preparation:
*Talk with your child about Picasso, the artist.

A hula hoop, a hose, and a blindfold are all you need to play this fun family game. Great for parties, too.

What You’ll Need:
*Hula hoop
*Hose with spray nozzle
*Blindfold

Preparation:
*Before playing, be sure the spray of water from your hose won’t be too hard. During the course of the game, the child holding the hula hoop may be sprayed in the face with water.

Activity:
*Player #1 holds the hula hoop out to the side, making a target.

Going on a road trip this summer? Use these great activities, games, and printables to keep your kids happy while riding along in your automobile!

You can print out this entire sheet of ideas by clicking here

What You’ll Need:
*Coloring pages/coloring book
*Crayons

First paint your rock, and then hide it for your friends. See who can find the others’ rock the fastest! Perfect for indoors or outside.

What You’ll Need:
*Rocks
*Paint
*Paintbrush

Preparation:
*Wash and dry rocks to remove sand or dirt.

Activity:
*Paint your rocks. You can do any pattern or bright solid color, or turn them into little animals!

Seashell Memory

Don’t know what to do with all those seashells you’ve collected this summer? Make a memory game!

What You’ll Need:
*Seashells – an even number
*Paint
*Paintbrush

Preparation:
*Wash and dry shells to remove sand or dirt.

Activity:
*Decide on some symbols to paint on your shells, or use or suggestions below. Paint two of each symbol (in the same color) on the underside of two shells. Allow to dry.

A fun, wet twist on traditional tag. Use wet sponges to “tag” players out and keep everyone cool! Great for parties or with a large group.

This image courtesy of www.markstechnologynews.com.

A perfect game to play at dusk for younger kids, in the dark for older kids or adults. Great for parties, too!

What You’ll Need:
*Flashlights, one per person playing
*Reflective tape or reflectors

July 10 is Teddy Bear Picnic Day! Gather up your favorite stuffed friends and go outside for a picnic.

What You’ll Need:
*Teddy bears or other stuffed animals
*Blanket
*Picnic lunch or snacks

Preparation:
*Make your favorite picnic lunch or grab some snacks.
*Don’t forget to sing the “Teddy Bears Picnic” song. Don’t know the words? Check out our YouTube link below in “suggested resources.”

Activity:

Are the kids getting tired of the same old sandbox or beach toys? Make this dinosaur fossil out of pasta. Bury it in your sandbox or at the beach and watch your young archaeologists go to work!

What You’ll Need:
*Dinosaur template (optional) see attachments below
*Cardstock or construction paper
*Pasta, dry (we used cut ziti and elbows), about 1 cup per craft
*Glue
*Dry paintbrush (optional)

Preparation:

Make these cute t-shirts just in time to celebrate Independence Day. They’ll look so great, your kids will wear them all summer long!

What You’ll Need:
*1 t-shirt, 1 tank top or 2 tank tops (one should be red and one should be blue)
*Chalk
*Star or heart template, see attachments below (optional)
*Chalk
*Sharp scissors
*Need and white thread

Preparation:
*Wash and dry both shirts according to instructions.