Cold Weather, Warm Crafts

By Beth Engelman and Jenna Riggs of Mommy on a Shoestring

Weather too cold to play outside? Keep your kidswarm and cosy with these memeory making activities and crafts.

Family Scrapbook

You will need: Photos, paper, felt, stickers, magazines markers and anything “crafty” you have lying around the house.

Instructions:

Have your kids design their own scrapbook pages, which you can then assemble into a book. It is a perfect multi-age activity because the younger kids can color and glue while the older kids can do the “collage” thing by looking through magazines for cool letters and words. At the end of the day you can bind the pages with a hole punch stick in a binder for more scrap booking fun in the future.

DIY Snow Globes

You will need: Clear plastic bottle, 2 photos , Light corn syrup, Clear packing tape, and glitter

Instructions:

1. Make sure all labels are removed from bottle. Use warm soapy water or Goo Gone if necessary.
2. Crop your pictures, so they are about ½ inch shorter than your bottle.
3. Place your pictures back to back, making sure they are exactly the same size.
4. Waterproof your photos by completely covering both pictures (which are still back to back) with clear packing tape.
5. Roll your waterproof photos into a tube and plop them into the bottle.
6. Fill the bottle with a mixture of ½ water and ½ corn syrup.
7. Add glitter and sequins.
8. Close the lid and shake.

Block Photo Puzzle

Not only does this 6-sided photo puzzle provide hours of family fun, but it’s also a great way to reuse favorite family photos.

You will need:

9 – Wooden Blocks (I recommend using either old alphabet blocks or a wooden block puzzle)

6 – 8 x 10 Photograph Prints (colored copies work equally as well)

Ruler

Scissors or X-Acto knife

Mod Podge and Paintbrush

Directions:

1. Arrange blocks in a square and measure the length and width of the square.
2. Measure and cut print to the exact same size as the 9-block square.
3. Arrange blocks in a square on top of the print. Position blocks so they’re lined up neatly and as close together as possible.
4. Trace the outline of each block onto the print and carefully cut out using scissors or an X-acto knife.
5. Use a small paintbrush and Mod Podge to adhere the print pieces to the blocks.
6. Wait several hours until the glue is completely dry and then seal with a final layer of Mod Podge.
7. Repeat this process until your have covered all 6 sides of the blocks with different photographs.

Thank you to the creative folks at www.photojojo.com for sharing the snowglobe and photo block ideas!   Be sure to check out their website for more fun photo ideas.

Jenna Riggs and Beth Engelman are the creative talents and owners of Mommy on a Shoestring, a website and weekly radio show chock full of ideas on how families can live creatively and large on a small budget.

 

Spring Crafts on a Shoestring

By Beth Engelman and Jenna Riggs of Mommy on a Shoestring

Have some springtime fun with these budget friendly crafts!

DIY Chia Pet

You will need:

• Plastic container
• Acrylic paint
• Soil
• Grass seeds (such as wheatgrass or rye)
• Craft items such as fun foam, googly eyes, buttons, etc to make the Chia’s face.

Directions

1. Paint the plastic container with several coats of paint.
2. When the paint dries, give your Chia a face and personality with buttons, fun foam, googly eyes etc.
3. Fill the container ¾ full with soil.
4. Add seeds and cover with soil.  Water and place in a sunny location. Green hair should emerge within 3-5 days.

Math Beach Ball Catch

Practice math facts while playing catch outside

Directions:

1. With a permanent marker, write numbers 1-10 (or as many as will fit) on a beach ball.
2. Players take turns playing catch with a “catch.”  Each time a player catches the ball ~ he has to add, subtract or multiply the 2 numbers that closest to his hands.
3. A great way to reinforce math skills and get the kids moving!

Bird Feeder

Welcome back our fair weathers friends with a special treat!

You will need:

• Recycled plastic bottle
• Wild birdseed
• Wooden spoons (or wooden dowels*)
• Peanut butter

Sharp scissors (adult use only)

*NOTE:  Dowels are available at most craft stores.

Directions:

1. Turn the bottle upside down.
2. Fill the Bottle with birdseed (3/4 full works best).
3. Use sharp scissors to poke a hole through the bottle on both sides.  ***Make sure an adult does this step!!
4. Push the wooden spoon or dowel through the hole.  This is where the bird will perch.
5. Cut a smaller hole (about 1/3 inch in diameter) directly above the spoon or dowel.  This is where the bird will get the seed.
6. If desired, add peanut butter and birdseed to one end of the spoon or dowel.
7. To add a second spoon, repeat steps 4-7.
8. To hang: poke 2 holes at the top of the feeder and thread wire or twine through each hole before tying into a loop.

Wrapping Paper Kite

You will need:

• 1 ~ 20 inch wooden dowel* or stick
• 1 ~ 24 inch wooden dowel* or stick
• Twine
• Wrapping paper
• Glue
• Sharp scissors (adult use only)

*NOTE:  Dowels are available at most craft stores.

Directions:

1. Make a cross with the two sticks by placing the shorter stick horizontally across the longer stick. Make sure that both sides of the horizontal stick are equal in width.
2. Use a dab of glue to connect the sticks at the center.  Then, wrap twine around the middle to secure the sticks.  Make sure the sticks make 4 right angles
3. This step requires an adult:  Use sharp scissors to cut a notch at each end of the sticks (4 total). Make the notch deep enough for the string to fit in
4. Cut a piece of string long enough to stretch all around the kite frame. Tie the string at the top.
5. Use twine to make a loop at the top and bottom of the kite’s spine.
6. Lay the kite frame on a piece of wrapping paper. Cut around it, leaving a ½ inch margin. Fold these edges over the string frame and tape or glue it down so that the paper is tight.
7. Cut a long piece of string and tie it to the top loop and thread it through the bottom loop.  Wrap excess string around a dowel or piece of cardboard.
8. Make a tail by adding ribbon to the bottom of the kite.  Now…go outside and fly a kite!!

Garden Apron (Made from old jeans)

Sara Perry, author of “Weekends with the Kids”, inspired this idea.  To learn about this book and others by Ms Perry visit: www.saraperry.com

You will need:

• Old jeans (waistband should fit the apron’s owner)
• Puffy Paint

Directions

1. Cut the jeans so that the entire waistband and back panel (including back pockets) remain intact.
2. Decorate with puffy paint.

Natural Easter Egg Dyes!

Thank you to our friends Lynn and Corey at www.celebrategreen for sharing these natural dyes!

For each color you will need:

• Pink/red: Beets, cranberries/cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, red grape juice, red onion skins, rhubarb stalks (chopped), raspberries, some types of tea
• Orange: Yellow onion skins (from about 12 onions), paprika, chili powder
• Yellow: Lemon peels, orange peels, carrots (shredded), cumin (ground), turmeric (ground)
• Green: Spinach, some types of tea, golden delicious apple skins (may be a green/yellow)
• Blue: Blueberries/blueberry juice, purple grape juice, red cabbage, blackberries
• Purple: Violet blossoms + 2 tsp lemon juice, hibiscus tea
• Brown: Strong black coffee, tea, dill seeds, black walnut shells

Directions:

1. For every 4 cups of water, use approx. 4 cups of fruits / veggies, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of spice.  The longer you soak the egg, the darker the shade.  You can even soak the eggs overnight!
2. As always, choosing organic and local foods is preferable. Be sure to eat, use, or compost any leftovers. Note that chemicals (such as chlorine) and minerals in your water may affect the dye’s intensity.

Jenna Riggs and Beth Engelman are the creative talents and owners of Mommy on a Shoestring, a website and weekly radio show chock full of ideas on how families can live creatively and large on a small budget.

Create a Winter Wonderland in Your Own Backyard

By Beth Engelman and Jenna Riggs of Mommy on a Shoestring

Don’t let the chilly weather stop you and your kids from having fun outside with these “cool” crafts and activities.

Play Ice Cube Hide and Seek

A twist on the classic game, this activity is fun to play after a big snowfall.  Prepare the ice cubes by mixing water and a few drops of food coloring in an ice tray or muffin tin and placing them in the freezer (or outdoors) until frozen.  To play the game, choose one player to be the “hider” while the others will be seekers. The “hider” buries the colorful cubes in mounds of snow around the backyard.  Then its up to the “seekers” to dig around the snow and find the frozen ice cubes. The player who finds the most ice cubes, gets to be the “hider” during the next go round.

Make Ice Sculptures

Sharp tools and ice picks are not necessary with this creative activity.  To get started, gather an assortment of containers around the house.  To add variety, choose containers that are different shapes and sizes such as muffin tins, jell-o molds and cake pans.  Add water and a few drops of food coloring to each container and place in a freezer (or outside) until the blocks of ice are frozen solid. Remove each block from its container.  If this proves to be difficult, try thawing the ice for a few minutes or submerge the bottom of the pan in a bowl of warm water.  Once the blocks are removed, it’s time to build outdoors. Encourage your cold weather sculptors and construction workers to make decorative statues, enchanted ice castles, skyscrapers or ice forts.  Use salt or layers of slushy snow as “glue” to make the blocks stick together.  Best of all, when your kids are all done playing with their blocks, they can leave them as is and let Mother Nature take care of the clean up.

Paint the Snow Red (and Yellow, Green and Blue)

This craft is a dream come true for my four-year-old son who loves to spray water at anything and everything.  Fill up empty spray bottles with water and a few drops of food coloring. The children can then take the spray bottles outside and spray the snow different colors creating a colorful mosaic, rainbow, or their very own abstract painting.  Just imagine what passerby’s will think when they see your rainbow colored yard.

Make Snow and Ice Cream

This recipe should only be made with freshly fallen snow.  I recommend setting a large bowl outside so you and your kids can collect the snow before it even hits the ground.

Ingredients

3 cups of fresh snow
1-cup milk
¼ cup sugar
1 tsp of vanilla

Directions

Mix ingredients and serve immediately.

Jenna Riggs and Beth Engelman are the creative talents and owners of Mommy on a Shoestring, a website and weekly radio show chock full of ideas on how families can live creatively and large on a small budget.

BOOtiful Halloween Crafts and Eats

By Beth Engelman and Jenna Riggs of Mommy on a Shoestring

This Halloween, scare up some holiday fun with these clever craft ideas that are easy to make, even at the last minute!

Recycled Bag Luminaries

(Thanks to the folks at www.iparty.com for contributing this idea)

This easy and affordable craft is perfect for last minute decorating. It’s also a great way to reuse paper grocery bags.

Materials:

• Paper grocery bags
• Light Sticks (available at most craft and hardware stores).

Directions:

• Use a black marker to draw a face onto the middle of each bag (I recommend using the side that has no writing).
• Use sharp scissors to cut out each face (this should be done by an adult).
• Place light stick inside the bag.
• Place luminary in a dark area and enjoy.

Helpful Hint: This craft also works well with plain brown paper lunch bags.

Glue Ghosts

This craft is perfect for young children who love to pour glue all over everything. Be sure to make these ghosts a day in advance, as they need roughly 10-12 hours to dry.

Materials

• Glue
• String, yarn or pipe cleaner
• Waxed paper
• Craft stick or plastic spoon
• Googly eyes
• Construction paper (for the mouth)

Directions:

For each ghost, lay a piece of string in the shape of a ghost onto a piece of waxed paper. Be sure to leave the bottom part open.

Have your kids pour glue to cover the entire ghost area. Use a plastic spoon or craft stick to make sure the glue is spread evenly. Note: the thicker the glue, the longer it takes for the ghost to dry.

Add personality by placing googly eyes and a construction paper mouth onto each ghost. Let dry for about 10-12 hours.

Once dry, peel each ghost off the waxed paper. Trim rough edges if necessary.

Poke a hole at the top of each ghost with a pushpin and thread a piece of string through the hole for hanging! Bootiful!!!!!!!!!

Glow-in-the-Dark Creepy Crawlers

(Thanks to the folks at www.iparty.com for contributing this idea)

Delight your kids with these easy to make crawlers.

Materials:

• Ping Pong Ball
• Styrofoam Cup
• Mini Light Stick
• 3 Glow Bracelets
• Mini Light Stick
• Tacky Glue

Directions:

Paint cup and let is sit until dry.

Poke a small hole in the ping-pong ball. (I recommend using a pair of scissors or pushpin). Use a black sharpie to draw the creepy crawler’s face.

Push mini light stick into the hole of the ball.

Glue the ping-pong ball to the bottom of the Styrofoam cup.

Poke three small holes on each side of the cup and slide a glow bracelet through each hole.

For maximum effect, place creepy crawlers in a dark area and watch your kids face light up when they see them glow.

Candy Wrapper Bowls

Once Halloween has ended, don’t throw away your old candy wrappers! Instead use them to make this “sweet” bowl.

Materials:

• Newspaper ripped into small pieces
• Mod Podge or PVA glue
• A bowl with a smooth bottom (to be used as your mold)
• Aluminum foil

Directions:

Wrap the outside of bowl with aluminum foil.

Begin wrapping bowl with newspaper pieces dipped in Mod Podge. Be sure to smooth out each piece and overlap edges. Continue process until you have wrapped the entire bowl, in 3-4 times. Note: The more layers of newspaper, the sturdier your bowl.

Arrange the desired order and pattern of your wrappers and carefully glue on them on your bowl with Mod Podge. Cover the entire bowl with an additional layer of Mod Podge to ensure everything is sealed.

Let stand for 48 to 72 hours until dry.

When your bowl is completely dry, pull the original bowl out from under the paper and remove the aluminum foil.

Paint the inside or outside if desired.

Note: This bowl is for decorative use only! It is perfect for holding school supplies, wrapped candy, and trinkets. Do not use it for serving food.

How about a few treats?

There is nothing “tricky” about these treats that come courtesy of Bean Sprouts Café in Madison,Wisconsin. Be sure to visit their website for more information! (www.beansproutscafe.com).

You will need:

• 6 whole fresh strawberries
• ½ cup white chocolate chips or vanilla candy chips (melted)
• Chocolate sprinkles or mini chocolate chips
• 6 lollipop sticks (available at most craft stores)
• Wax Paper

Directions:

Dip entire strawberry (except for the stem) into the melted white chocolate.

Place berry on a plate covered with wax paper. Make sure the pointy end of the strawberry, which will be the top of the ghost, is facing up.

Add eyes and a mouth with chocolate chips or sprinkles.

Repeat with remaining strawberries.

Place “ghosts” in freezer for 8-10 minutes, or until coating is solid. Use a table knife to cut off the stem and place a lollipop stick in the bottom of each strawberry.

Bean Sprouts Pumpkin Pops

This tricky treat adds a nutritious boost with whole-wheat flour and chickpeas but all your kids will notice is its sweet flavor.

For the vanilla cupcakes you will need:

• 2 1/2 cups wheat flour
• 2 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 6 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 Tbsp. white vinegar
• 1/2 cup pureed chickpeas
• 1 1/4 cups water
• Cupcake liners

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Line a muffin pan with 12 cupcake liners.
• In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and baking powder.
• Stir in olive oil, vanilla and vinegar.
• Fold in pureed chickpeas, slowly add water and stir until smooth.
• Divide the batter among the muffin liners and bake for 16 to 18 minutes. Let cool

For the pumpkin coating you will need:

• 2 cups white chocolate chips or vanilla candy chips
• 2 tsp. milk
• Natural orange food coloring (available at health food stores)
• Mini chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup pretzel sticks
• Lollipop sticks
• Wax paper

Directions:

• When the cake is cooled, place it in a bowl and mash it up into tiny pieces.
• Add milk until the cake becomes sticky.
• Form 1-inch diameter balls using the sticky cake.
• Carefully slide a lollipop stick in each ball.
• Place on a plate lined with wax paper and put in the freezer for at least 8-10 minutes, or until the cake hardens.
• While the cake balls are in the freezer, melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, so as not to burn the chocolate. Stir until smooth.
• Add food coloring and stir until the chocolate is pumpkin color.
• Dip each cake ball in the orange chocolate coating and place on wax paper. Add eyes and a mouth with mini chocolate chips. Top off with a “pretzel stick” stem.
• Repeat with remaining cake balls.
• Place in freezer for 3-5 minutes until coating is hard.

Jenna Riggs and Beth Engelman are the creative talents and owners of Mommy on a Shoestring, a website and weekly radio show chock full of ideas on how families can live creatively and large on a small budget.

Expressing Your Family Identity in a Whole New Way

Families with purpose are families who dream together and work together to make their dreams and goals a reality.

New starts, renewed energy, and fresh enthusiasm are all signs and feelings of the start of a new school year.  This time of year is often a time where families take time to reflect on their lives and try to make changes and improvements for the better.  So before the renewed energy and enthusiasm fades under the stress of daily life, take some time to reconnect as a family and reaffirm your family identity with this project.  It is a simple low cost way for families to remind themselves of their family goals and a fun way of expressing their family values, identity, and mission.

Purpose of this Project

The purpose of this activity is to build family closeness and unity by discussing and creatively expressing your family values, identity, goals, and mission.

Supplies You’ll Need

Paper Mache letter of the first letter of your last name (you can find these at your local craft or fabric store – we used a 23.5″ letter)

Mod Podge (you can find these at your local craft or fabric store)

Paint Brushes (one for each family member)

Scissors (one for each family member)

Paper plates or paint cups (one for each family member)

Old magazines and photos

Newspaper to cover the table

Optional: Copies of your family goals, vision statement, and mission statement

Things to Keep in Mind

The younger the children the smaller the letter – Smaller letters will take less time to cover and will be more suitable for younger children with smaller attention spans

The more children you have the bigger the letter – If you have a lot of kids, you might want to opt for a bigger letter, so there is less crowding and less arguments.

Short last names – if you have a short last name you may want to go with smaller letters and spell out your entire last name rather than just the first letter.

If your children are younger consider breaking this activity up into smaller segments.  Use this first segment to discuss your family characteristics, goals, mission, and values and then use the remaining time to cut out the pictures.  Save the gluing of the pictures and words for a different time.

Turn the TV off prior to starting this activity.  TV will only distract the kids and take away from any meaningful conversation.

The Activity

Set aside some time on your regular family night or on your family calendar for this activity.  Depending on the size of your family and the size of letter you chose, you will need about 60 – 90 minutes for this activity.

As a family begin discussing the things important to you as a family and what qualities and characteristics make your family unique.  If available use your family goals and mission statement to help you get started.  For example for some families this may be things like doing well in school, having regular family nights, taking fun vacations, or being open and honest.  Be sure to include any hobbies or special interests.

After you are finished discussing the things important to your family and your family characteristics, begin cutting out pictures and words from magazines that express all of these qualities.  If old enough, give each family member a pair of scissors and a magazine and let them go through each one cutting out different pictures and words.  While cutting out pictures, take the time to talk about things going on your lives.  This busy time is often a good time to check in with the kids on how school is going, remember old memories, or plan family outings.

Once all of your pictures and words are cut out, it is now time to begin attaching them to your letter.  Cover your work space with newspaper to protect it from the Mod Podge and give each family member a paint brush and small paper plate or paint cup with Mod Podge in it.  Using the pictures and words you cut out, use the Mod Podge to glue them to the letter.  This part can be messy and a little tricky on some of the angles, so parents may want to let the kids do the attaching while they help and assist.

After your letter is completely covered, let it dry overnight.  Once completely dry, display the letter in a prominent spot where everyone can easily see it and enjoy it.

Good luck!

I want to give a shout out of thanks to my dear friend Louise for this idea.  You will be forever in my heart. – Polly

These Are the Days We’ll Remember

Parents never know which gesture, tradition or spur-of-the-moment childhood adventure will become a treasured memory.   However, chances are more treasured moments will occur during the summer months when most parents have more time to spend with their children.  Embracing the moments of life is one thing, but capturing those moments and turning them into treasured memories is something altogether different.

Here are some ideas (reminders) to help extend the celebration of summer’s meaningful moments, all of which are opportunities to grow your relationships, learn more about each other, laugh out loud, discover new things together, and have TONS of fun.

THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH PHOTOS

Whether your summer memories included a trip to the Disneyland or a dude ranch, wearing costumes to a friend’s birthday party or selling homegrown produce at your local farmer’s market, use these methods to relive the moments.

Scrapbook and Shadow Boxes

Before you begin your project, decide whether you like traditional or digital scrapbooking. Either you’re computer savvy, or you’re not.   Either way, you’ll end up at a craft store or on the internet and you must choose a theme.   Talk about your favorite summer memories.   What was the most fun?   What still makes you laugh?   What surprised you? Then tailor the project to your child’s interests.   If he wants to gather objects that won’t tuck into a book, consider alternate ways to preserve the collection, such as a shadow box he can display on a wall.

Here are a few theme ideas:

All About Me (Us)

Exploring the Great Outdoors

Roadtrips R Us

Somewhere Out There is…

Summer Buddies

A Camper’s Life

Video

Videography has come a long way in the past few decades.   Before digital camcorders, home movie buffs had to use VHS camcorders, and before that, 8mm film.   Fortunately, smaller cameras are capable of producing clearer images and the whole process of capturing, preserving and enjoying memories is much easier.

SUGGESTION: Schedule and then devote time to putting finishing touches on your videos.   At the very least, add labels and some front and back end graphics if you have the software.   Don’t make the mistake of putting one person in charge of the project.   The fun part is working together.

If you don’t have a video camera, you can create dynamic videos by uploading digital photos onto websites such as animoto.com.   Users of Animoto pay a $25 yearly membership fee allowing them to create an unlimited number of videos for one low price.   Animoto adds the fancy special effects, graphics and music; however, a project can be remixed if you don’t like their choice.   A high-resolution version will cost $5 extra.   Animoto is one of many websites offering this service.

Lastly, for a quick and easy way to make a time capsule of your summer vacation, find a large, clean, wide mouth jar such as a mayonnaise jar.   Gather ticket stubs, shells, maps, souvenirs, subway tokens, pressed flowers or anything with sentimental value.   Be sure to check local regulations if you want to gather natural items, such as fossils, feathers, or plants.   If you include photos, write names and dates on the back of images.   Place all of your items inside the jar.   On brightly colored paper, write a few notes about each event after interviewing family members.

IMPORTANT: Don’t put your scrapbook, photobook, shadow box, DVD or souvenir jar in a drawer. Instead, place it in a prominent place of honor so children can revive their cherished summer memories for many years to come.

By Jodie Randisi, author of 201 Things to Do When Children Say I’M BORED! The Checklist and Journal for Busy Families.  www.201thingstodo.com

8 Free or Low Cost Family Activities for the Summer

A few weeks ago we were discussing on our forum ideas for free and low cost family activities, so I thought it might be helpful to offer a few up here.

Letterboxing – Letterboxing is a treasure hunt hike that families take in search of hidden letterboxes.  Using clues found on the internet (most letterboxes are hidden in a park or central community location), families set out on a hiking adventure in search of the hidden letterbox.  .  Once the letterbox has been found, families then use the pen to leave a message in the logbook along with an image from their personal stamp.

Bike Riding – Take advantage of your local parks and trails by taking a family bike ride.

Berry Picking – Help your local economy and eat healthy too by spending a day picking berries from a local farm.

Backyard Campout – Pitch or make a tent and spend the evening making s’ mores, telling ghost stories, sleeping under the stars.

Treasure Hunt – Keep your kids guessing and moving all summer long with a summer long treasure hunt.

Make a Family Journal – Family journals are a simple way of expressing and recording your family’s life, dreams, and memories without a lot of fuss and most importantly without a lot of anxiety and time.

Homemade Rockets – Add a little science education to your summer by making rocket launchers.  Just do them for fun or add them to your July 4^th celebrations.

Nature Scavenger Hunt – Enjoy the outdoors and the thrill of a scavenger hunt with a nature scavenger hunt.  Use this nature hunt list to get you started or make your own.

For additional ideas for free or low cost family activities see our page with boredom buster ideas and family fun ideas.

Cider Mills, Corn Mazes, and Haunted Houses

Here are some great sites to help you find cider mills, corn mazes, and haunted houses in your community.  Also be sure to visit our local area family activity page for links to family activities near you.

Apple Orchards and Cider Mills – All About Apples has a great listing of apple orchards and cider mills in each state as well as apple guides and recipes.

Corn Mazes – If you are up to trying a corn maze this year, visit The Maize to find one in your local community as well as tips and suggestions.

Haunted Houses – If scary things are more your style then visit HauntedHouses.com to find something spooky near you.

 

Build a Fort

Welcome to Week 6 of our 8 Week Summer Boredom Buster Series. 

This week’s boredom buster idea is a great way to get your kids using their imaginations and learning to work in teams. 

Dig through your basement or garage and even possibly visit your local appliance store for old cardboard boxes.  Give them to the kids along with some old blankets, markers, and paint and let them build and decorate a fort.  If you have enough boxes and enough kids, let the kids split into teams and have a contest to see who can build the biggest and best fort.  After their fort is built they can use it to play in or hold secret club meetings.  This oldie but goody boredom buster idea will keep them busy for hours. 

Star Gazing

Welcome to Week 5 of our 8 Week Summer Boredom Buster Series. 

Take some time during the cool summer nights to star gaze with your kids.  It is a great way to wind down your day and you can keep the kids busy during the day researching and getting ready for the star gazing event.

How to Get Started

Check your family calendar or planner for a date that works best for everyone.  To make the most of your star gazing event, you will need to wait until after the sun sets and the sky is very dark, so be sure to pick a night when the kids and you don’t have to get up early the next day. 

Get your kids started on researching the constellations in the sky.  You can do this in a variety of ways and here are some ideas and resources to help get them started.

Create an Interactive Sky Chart – This online sky chart will show you where the stars and planets are in relation to your horizons and zenith.  It is a free application, but does require a parent registration.

Make a Star Finder – Kids can download this neat star finder project to help learn about the constellations.

Constellation Crosswords – Use these constellation word searches and crossword puzzles to help reinforce what your kids have learned.

Book It – Visit your local library to find some books on star gazing and constellations

Astronomy 101 – Use this online guide to help orient you and more easily find the stars and constellations.

Things You Will Need

Here is a quick list of things you will need to make the most of your star gazing adventure.

The star chart or finder

A big blanket or reclining lawn chairs

A red flashlight or a regular flashlight with red cellophane over the lens.  A red flashlight makes for easier night vision.

Snacks

Bug Spray

A dark location free of artificial light

Optional: Binoculars

Good Luck!

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