Summer Activities

 Summer is in full effect. In Georgia, we are almost hitting a record with the number of 90 degree days this summer. I have ideas you can use to beat the heat or to use for outside sensory play. Whichever you chose, I got you! 

Bubble Painting

I chose to do this inside as it was way too hot to do it outside this day. I set up this activity for my toddler and 1 year old. I set up the bubble play on a tabletop for the toddler. 

I placed a plastic tablecloth on the floor with the paper and bowls of colored water inside a plastic container for the baby.  I used 2 colors of food coloring and placed it in a bowl of bubble solution. My toddler mixed the colors until it was uniform.

You can make bubble painting with water colors or paint. I chose to use food coloring to make it a safer option for the younger one. BJ was very eager to explore this new activity. Instead of a bubble wand, I gave BJ a kitchen tool to use. He tried to eat the bubbles instead of blow into the want. I don't know why I even thought about him blowing bubbles. 

Swipe Painting

The new activity across social media is swipe painting. Professional artists are using this technique to make beautiful art. Kiddos are also using a version of this technique to make very cool designs onto paper. I saw a thumbnail of this activity and decided to make my own swipe technique using a popsicle (craft stick). I actually meant to use a squeegee for this activity but could not find it when it was time to use it. I do not know what it is about things that disappear right out of thin air.. We also lost a shoe this week- one of my son's shoes which I am quite sure is in a landfill somewhere lol. But, back to the original programming lol. 

Step 1- Collect your colors 

Collect 4 or more colors of acrylic paint. I used 4 colors in this activity. I suggest more colors or a pattern of colors across the page for a fuller picture. 

Step 2- Dab the paint onto the surface

Each color gets a dab of paint onto the paper. I used mixed media paper since its thicker.

Step 3- take a popsicle craft stick or squeegee and use a sweeping motion downward onto the paper. The acrylic paint dries quickly so you can admire your masterpiece in a few short minutes. But it didnt dry fast enough for these little hands to make this an abstract painting. 

Lemons are a favorite for Spring and Summer time fun. I love this activity because its science filled and it also has a great scent! This is an easy activity and most of the steps are child friendly.

Materials

• 2 Lemons
• Baking Soda
• Food Coloring (can only use liquid watercolors)
• 1 Craft Stick
• Dawn Dish soap
• Shallow Tray
• Cup & Spoons

Directions

1. This first step is for adults only. Slice the bottom off of the lemon. (This will cause the lemons to sit flat). Then,slice the lemon in half.

2. Use your craft stick to mush the center of the lemon. Do not drain the juice from the lemon!

3. Place a few drops of food coloring or liquid watercolors (do not dilute) in the center of the lemon.

4. Squeeze a liberal amount of dish soap to the lemon.

5. Add a spoonful of baking soda into the lemon. It should start to fizz. Use the craft stick to stir the lemon. The lemon should start erupting as you stir.

Tip:

Add more baking soda to keep the reaction going. You may also squeeze the lemon to create a reaction from the juice that is still inside of the lemon.

The school year is finished. The kids are out of school. Now what? Check out these activities if you want to prevent summer boredom and keep your child learning through the summer. Pretend play or imaginative play also has it benefits in developing language, social-emotional development and learning about social studies.

These activities are ones that my kids enjoy so these are proven to be entertaining! I apologize that I do not have articles written on all of them. I have so many things to add to the website. Some of the items on this list can be searched using the website's search bar. Have fun!

1. Car wash
2. Colored ice (add food coloring to water and freeze. When slushy, add a craft stick)
3. Spray bottle painting (add food coloring or diluted watercolors to a spray bottle)
4. Magic Milk Experiment and Painting
5. Condensed milk painting (add food coloring to 1 tbsp condensed milk)
6. Ice cream in a bag
7. Yogurt painting
8. Cloud dough
9. Pasta sensory noodle play
10. Play Beach Sand made with baby cereal
11. Homemade pizza
12. Dance party
13. Loose flowers play
14. Nature collage
15. DIY finger paint
16. scissors /cutting station
17. Sticker art
18. Paint on bread
19. Paint in a bag
20. Jello dig
21. Bubble wrap painting
22. Painting with lemons
23. Tape escape letters (use painters tape to attach letters to a surface) children will remove the tape to help the letters “escape”. Use with numbers or small toys as well!
24. Balloon tennis
25. Sun catcher
26. Shooting letter baskets
27. Photo puzzles
28. Ladybug headband craft
29. Stacking with paper cups and plates
30. Erase the abcs
31. Whipped cream sensory play
32. Oobleck
33. Backyard camp out
34. Outdoors story time
35. Sack race with pillow cases
36. Water blob
37. Relay race
38. Build an outdoor fort
39. Create a DIY slip and slide with a tarp, water and some dish soap.
40. Melting Crayons in the sun
41. Make your own giant Jenga game.
42. DIY Scavenger Sensory Bag
43. Use an old bed sheet to play a parachute game.
44. Strawberry banana smoothie
45. Water and Ice sensory bin
46. Exploding bag
47. Karaoke Contest
48. Hair salon Dramatic Play
49. Homemade water wall
50. Lemon Volcano