Bright Ideas for the Summertime

I thought I would share a couple of things I do at the Deaton homestead to stimulate our kids creative side.
(1) Karson took a couple art classes this summer at Memphis Marsha's, and I was introduced to Creative Clay. This clay is just the coolest. It's quick, air drying and you can make just about anything with it. Once it hardens, you can paint it. LOVE THIS STUFF!!!


(2) Wanna keep your wild and crazy kids busy for an hour or two, head to Dollar General and purchase some cheap shaving cream. They can spray it on themselves, the table, trampoline, everything. The clean-up is easy, the smell is fresh, and you can read a couple chapters of a good book---win, win!!!

(3) Most of our landscaping consists of white rocks and river rocks which I love (mainly because you don't have to replace it yearly). The kids enjoy painting the rocks with watercolor paint, and when it rains, the color is gone.

(4) I attempted Paper Mache yesterday. I cut a milk jug in half while the kids tore strips of newspaper. I concocted the nasty flour, water, salt mixture for some gluey mess. We're going to, hopefully, finish today with computer paper. The rain nearly destroyed our masks last night--they are supposed to dry for 24 hours. This is not a quick project (nor a clean one), but it's worth the effort. We may try a volcano next =). This is definitely an OUTDOOR activity.

(5) Nothing is more exciting than a treasure hunt. Isaac got a really cool treasure box at Disney World which has become the object of our hunts. I draw all kinds of things around the house, and the kids find those things with clues. At the end of the hunt, they have to find the treasure box filled with a special surprise.

(6) This project is time consuming and can sometimes be frustrating. You can create pets or other designs (we went with pets since my kids love them) with little plastic beads. When finished, you melt the beads together with an iron. *Speaking of pets, our beloved Princess Sparkles has been missing for almost a month now. While the kids were at Pap and Nana's (and we were vacationing in the mountains), her cage was left open and she hasn't been seen since. The kids seem TOTALLY unaffected by their missing pet which is nice. I miss ol' Sparkle Poo, but we'll probably be pet free for a while.

(some other ideas I've come across but haven't attempted)
(7) Good to Eat Crystals

1 1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. boiling water

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring water to a boil and add sugar until dissolved.

2. Pour solution in a cup and add food coloring.

3. Tie end of a string and paper clip to the end of a pencil and place on top of cup. Make sure it dangles in the mix.

4. Set aside and check daily. DO NOT TOUCH or SHAKE (3-7 days).

(8) Goofy Goo (non edible)

2 tablespoons white glue
2 tablespoons water
Paper cups
1/4 cup water
3/4 teaspoon borax laundry booster

1. Mix glue with 2 tablespoons water in a paper cup.
2. In another paper cup, mix 1/4 cup water, borax and 10 drops of food color.
3. Stir 2 tablespoons of the borax mixture into glue mixture until well blended. It's fun to play with in your hands! Store in an airtight container.

(9) Playtime Pasta

Assorted uncooked pasta shapes, such as ziti, macaroni, shells, bow-ties or rotelle
White vinegar
Small resealable plastic bags
DIRECTIONS
1. Put a handful of pasta, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 2 to 3 drops food color into a resealable plastic bag. Shake until pasta is tinted.
2. Spread pasta on paper plate or paper bag to dry.
3. Tint pasta different colors in separate bags.

String and make necklaces or bracelets once dry.

(10) I got these foam visors and stickers at Hobby Lobby for half price last week. I'm in charge of coming up with church camp activities for our kids. We're having church camp in Hendersonville at the end of the month. I'd love any other, non-messy, craft ideas any of you may have for camp.