Summer And Kids!

Summer is upon us, and that means the days get longer and the sun shines brighter, but before you know it, you have a bunch of kids chiming in that there’s nothing to do with all of those long, carefree days. If you’re looking for a way to keep kids of just about all ages busy for an afternoon of crafting fun without it costing you a fortune, then grab a few inexpensive flower pots at the local home improvement or craft store and some craft supplies that you have lying around your house, and let them go to town!

One of the nice thing about using a pot as the basis of a craft activity is that it offers a different “canvas” than usual. Unlike the flat expanse of white paper, the shape and size of different types of pots can make for a wide variety of projects, and can remain interesting to kids, so they won’t easily be bored because they feel like it’s something they always do. In fact, you can fill more than a few lazy summer afternoons with a pot decorating project and each time the project can be different and interesting.

The best part about using flower pots as the basis of a summer craft project is that when the kids are done creating, you are not left with an art project that you put on your fridge for a few days out of obligation or send to the trash after a few initial “oohs” and “aahs”. Instead you are left with a functional item that can be used around the house, either inside or out, to plant some flowers, herbs or a plant or two – or you can earmark the finished flower pots as the perfect personalized gifts to give to teachers, grandparents, neighbors or anyone that you think could use a little pick me up.

So what do you need to get the kids creative juices flowing? Here are a few ideas, although there is really no right or wrong way to proceed with this type of craft project.

• Pots (you can buy clay or plastic pots in home improvement or craft stores and they’re pretty cheap)
• Acrylic paint
• Oil pastels
• Colorful gems, stones, shells, rocks or other small trinkets
• Glue (make sure it is strong enough to hold larger items like rocks, if used)
• Photos, magazine pictures, wrapping paper, or colorful strips of paper with modge podge – your kids can create a colorful collage right on the pot!
• Ribbon of varying widths (just glue in place)
• Waterproof sealer – if the kids are painting, using pastels, or creating a collage, you should apply a waterproof sealer over their finished artwork so it doesn’t get ruined the first time you go to water the flowers inside.

Just about any type of craft items you have in the house can be used to decorate the pots – just let their imaginations be their guides. Then, if you want, you can fill another afternoon by getting a bag of soil and some seeds, flowers or small plants, and having the kids plant them in their newly decorated pots.

This summer fun craft idea was contributed by Andrea Cohen, an editor at DIY Her Way.com,a site filled with home improvement advice, how-to info, and creative project ideas geared to women of all ages.

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Are your kids interested in running a lemonade stand this summer? Whether or not you have allowed them to do this, may have depended on if you have a lemon juicer or citrus juicer available. It is a daunting idea to juice enough lemons to make lemonade enough to sell by the jug or cup, and no doubt you have thought of this when your kids thought they might like to run a lemonade booth, because you, the parent, may end up juicing the lemons yourself, or perhaps helping when the kids gets bored (which does happen, of course) or when their hands get tired from all that fruit juicing.

Therefore, you might want to think about which kind of citrus juicer would be right for the job. There is the simple lemon reamer, which will turn juice out of your lemons with a simple twist, where you hold the lemon in your hand and the reamer int he other hand, turn it around a few times while pushing the fruit half onto the juicer and you will get plenty of juice out.

Then there is the citrus press, which by way of force and a lever will bring the juicing mechanism into the fruit half and squeeze a lot of juice from your fruit. This will probably be easier on your hands then the reamer, because of course you would not need to twist it. It is only operated by the lever, so kids will probably find it easier too.

Then there are electric citrus juicers. If you want to use one of these then it will make it much easier for everyone involved, because it will either press, masticate or turn in such a way that the juice gets out of the fruit without you needing to do any manual work. Usually the push of a button or at most you may have to hold the fruit lightly in place.

When you have made your lemon juice with whichever juicer contraption you chose, you can then dissolve sugar in water or use a glucose syrup mixture, mix with the lemon juice, mix with water to taste, and chill. Get glasses together or plastic cups if the children are small, and straws, and if you like cut some slivers of lemon with a slice into the middle that can sit over the edge of the cup. Then, let your kids decorate the stall and set up a sign or a poster advertising the stall. Your kids will be sure to get some customers because in this day and age, real fresh lemon juice is pretty hard to come by! Most of all, encourage your kids to have fun!

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Want an inexpensive way to keep your kids busy in the backyard all summer long? Unroll that old canvas tent sitting in your basement or garage and turn it into a playhouse! A tent is the perfect hideaway for kids and can be used as a playhouse, fort, school house, or backyard getaway, providing hours of imaginative play all summer long.

One of the nice things about using a tent made from canvas as opposed to nylon is that a canvas one feels more like an enclosed space for the kids. Since the material is heavier and is not easy to see through or to even hear through as much as nylon, it really feels like a playhouse with four walls and a roof where the kids are free to play games and explore inside without adults seemingly lurking nearby. Another great thing about using canvas, from an adult perspective, is that the material is breathable and most tents have mesh covered windows and doors to keep air flowing through the tent while keeping the bugs and the bees out.

There are many ways that kids can turn an old tent into a playhouse. They can set it up inside as a house or school with some small furniture, art supplies and toys. They can set it up as a fort or make the tent become “home base” during active games like tag and capture the flag. The tent can be transformed, taking them to any location the kids want to be, and can become something different each time they are in the mood to play.
The tent can also be used to make believe they are on a camping trip and the kids can dream up exotic or interesting locales where their travels take them to. Kids can make believe they are away on safari and the tent is surrounded by wild animals, or they can imagine themselves whisked away to a tropical island and the sand and surf are just outside their door. They can make believe they are camping out under the stars within the confines of the Grand Canyon, or they can pretend that they are at their favorite cousin’s house that they may not get to see too often.

There are many ways to keep kids occupied all summer long without it having to cost a fortune. By unrolling an old tent lying around, you can open up endless play possibilities without ever spending a dime.

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