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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One of the best ways for kids to learn how particular insects and spiders behave is to observe them up close. The challenge is to replicate the bugs habitat with the appropriate temperature, light, and moisture levels. Try this easy craft and have a nature camp in your own back yard!

Cut off the upper third of a 2- liter clear plastic soda bottle. Fill the bottom with a little dirt or sand. Then create a hiding place using some vegetation, a crumpled piece of paper towel, or a paper cup. Next, wrap a piece of nylon stocking or cheesecloth around the spout of the bottle top and secure it with a rubber band. Once you’ve got your new tenants inside, simply invert the bottle top and insert it into the bottle bottom.

Before your guests move in make sure you;

1. Spend some time observing them in their natural environment so you’ll know how to best provide for them. If you can’t identify a bug consult a guide or a web site so you’ll know if it’s safe to catch.

2. Provide water buying lightly misting the interior of the container or by placing a bit of clean damp sponge inside.

3. Don’t forget food! Plant eaters are easier to satisfy since you’ll often find them on or near their preferred food. Predators will require you to capture prey. Either way, or for a fresh supply daily and to remove any food that hasn’t been seen.

4. Keep your insect apartment out of the direct sunlight or your bug may overheat and die. Plan on releasing them within a day or two and place them back in the same spot you found them you can then look for new residents.

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Summer’s here and it is really time for some fun! Who does not like playing in the hot sun and getting a tan in the process? If you live in a sunny state, then you must be quite lucky because you would be able to get some sunshine. I know of some places that are dark and gloomy like London and the sun is pretty hard to come by. So hopefully from where you are reading this article, you are looking at some pretty good sunshine now!

Well anyways, the best kind of summer is spent with the family. If you are married and you have got some kids, my congratulations to you and hope that your summer would be filled with fantastic activities. Life can be so monotonous and boring without kids and once you have got them, how can you ever live without them! I know my kids regularly pester me to buy them some toys and this summer I understand there are some cool new toys to look at. If the toy maker is smart, they would be putting out toys which can be played in the pool because that is where most families and kids would be hanging out this summer. So what are some of these interesting toys?

First up would be the toy water guns. Gone are the days when the toy guns were simple contraptions which squirts little amounts of water out for fun. These days these toy guns have got bigger and meaner. Ever seen the range of Super Soaker toy water guns? Those toys are really for the big guys. Not to mention the power of the water blast can be overwhelming. Don’t try playing with these toys at home on dry land because everything is going to be wet!

If you want less violent toys to play with this summer, maybe you should check out the Little Tikes Ultimate Beach Ball Sprinkler. This baby is the perfect toy for the scorching summer sun. The toy is in fact a giant beach ball with many sprinklers or in layman terms holes sporting the outer layer of the ball.
To really have some great fun you only need to connect a hose to this over sized, colorful beach ball sprinkler, and bingo! What you have now is a new wet and wild summer water playground for your kids! The benefits of having water is that kids just love to play with water and getting wet and also splashing each other! That is why you should get this cool Beach Ball Sprinker.

These are just some of the many toys that I would recommend you to buy this summer. If you are interested to buy more cheap toys online, do check out my website.

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