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.

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.

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.

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.

There are many types of trampolines to choose from for your backyard. If you don’t have tons of space, but still want enough room to be able to jump, an 8ft trampoline is a good choice. This model is large enough for people to jump on without getting hurt but is not so big that it takes up your entire backyard, leaving room for no other amenities. The only thing to consider about a trampoline that is only 8ft in diameter is that it is best to keep the number of jumpers to one or two at a time so no one falls off or gets hurt.

Of course, you can get trampolines in a variety of other sizes as well, depending on your needs, the size of your backyard and your budget. Larger styles will allow multiple jumpers at the same time but will of course take up more room in your yard. They will also be more expensive to purchase. Small models are okay, as long as you take the necessary precautions to keep jumpers safe within the confines of the jumping surface.

When it comes to safety, no matter what size you decide on for a trampoline, a good investment is to get an enclosure that goes around the edge of the apparatus. This keeps jumpers safely inside and prevents them from falling over the edge and onto the ground. Some models come with this safety feature included as part of the package you buy and with others you may need to buy it separately. However you have to get it, it is a very worthwhile investment in your family’s safety.

Having a trampoline is a great way to get the kids moving all summer long and may even inspire you to get out and get moving as well! It can be a source of fun for the whole family all summer long.

There are many fun activities for families with children, especially in the summer! Summer is time for pool parties, sand castles, and don’t forget the great parks to discover! My two children absolutely love the pool, or beach! They are content to play all day and not even want to leave for a burger bribe! The only way is to pack a lunch in a cooler, which happens to be the most cost effective way to play! All you need is a couple of swimsuits, towels, maybe a pail and shovel, and time! At the beach there’s always sand, so sand castles are a great option for entertainment. Its cheap, fun and a great way to spend a hot, summer day with the family.

Also, going to state or national parks is a wonderful, and educational way to entertain little ones. Nature is all around us, all the time, so the more you know, the more there is to explore! Summer doesn’t last forever, but with some great activities planned and a lot of love in between, you and your children will be remembering all those exciting summer activities all year long!

Oh, and don’t forget amusement parks and water parks! These two are always a hit! Everyone in the family can have great fun, get exercise (which is just an extra) and spend time together. There are places to eat, so you don’t have to leave and come back. Also the shows at places like Busch Gardens are awsome! Theres always time for one more ice cream, right? Amusement and water parks are sometimes expensive, however there are season passes available if you live near by. If you don’t live close enough for a season pass, check with local grocery and food markets for valuable coupons, if needed.

For my family, education is key. I have two toddlers and anyone who has kids knows that at this phase they are absolute sponges! They pick up so much knowledge just observing and listening! So this summer, make sure to stimulate their bodies and their minds! Have a great time, and don’t forget the sunscreen!

Children who meet the required age limit, (set by each participating bowling centers) are eligible to register for two free games a day, all summer long. Click the link below to check for one in your area.
Free Summer Bowling.

Register directly on the bowling center page (The registration is valid only at the bowling center where you register and cannot be used at any other bowling center unless otherwise noted.)

After your registration you will receive two (2) emails. The first email is a welcome email and contains your account information. The second email is very important. This email does not contain coupons, but you will need to click the link confirming your subscription. If you do not click the link, their system will not send your weekly coupons to you.

The “program start” and “program end” dates are listed on the bowling center page that you register with. You can sign up for the program before the start date, but the coupons and family passes will not be loaded into your account until the start date has occurred.

Once the program has begun, you will receive an email every Sunday morning that contains a link to your coupons and family passes for that week.

Free Summer Movies

Sunburn results when the amount of exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet light source exceeds the ability of the body’s protective pigment, melanin, to protect the skin. Sunburn in a very light-skinned person may occur in less than 15 minutes of midday sun exposure, while a dark-skinned person may tolerate the same exposure for hours.

Sunburn is better prevented than treated. Effective sunscreens are available in a wide variety of strengths. Most doctors recommend a sunscreen SPF level of 30 or greater.

Sunscreen should be generously applied. If out in the sun for a prolonged period of time during the day, wearing a hat and other protective clothing is recommended. Light clothing reflects the sun most effectively.

If you do get a sunburn:
* Try taking a cool shower or bath or placing wet, cold wash rags on the burn.
* Avoid products that contain benzocaine, lidocaine, or petroleum (like Vaseline).
* If blisters are present, dry bandages may help prevent infection.
* If your skin is not blistering, moisturizing cream may be applied to relieve discomfort.
* Over the counter medications, like ibuprofen, may help to relieve pain from sunburn. (Aspirin should be avoided in children who are running a fever.)

Call your doctor if you have a fever with the sunburn or if fluid-filled blisters, dizziness, or vision problems occur with it.

Keep in mind….
* Children and babies are more sensitive to the sun and are more likely than others to get a sunburn.
* Your risk of a burn increases when you’re near things that reflect the sun, including snow, water or sand.
* The harmful rays of the sun are strongest and most dangerous between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
* Certain medications, including antibiotics, can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

Located on Lake Lewis Smith in the Wm. B. Bankhead National Forest 6 miles east of Double Springs, AL. Campground requires 2 vehicle / 2 tent maximum per single site. An additional vehicle fee of $4.00 will be charged at arrival. First- come / first-serve sites available.

*Quiet Hours 10pm to 6am
*Gate hours open 9am to 6pm Sun-Thrus, 9am to 7pm F, S; After hours access is available.
*Modern restrooms; full hookups available
*Site must be occupied within first 24 hours or forfeit Annual Day Use Pass is available for $30.00 Day Use fee is $4.00 with a $.50 fee per person over six (6) people. Golden Age / Golden Access accepted, but cardholder MUST be present.

Campground is open from Mid-March – December 1.
Campground Phone number: 205-489-3165

Services & Amenities Within Facility:

* Boat Launch
* Dump Station
* Electrical Plug On Site
* Firewood
* Flush Toilet
* Grills
* Interpretive Programs
* Picnic Tables
* Restroom
* Water Faucets

*No alcohol allowed in park
*Pets must be leashed at all times
*Reservations must be made four days in advance
*2 night minimum on weekends
*3 night minimum on holidays
*Dump Station $5.00 per vehicle
*Ice $1.25/bag
*Firewood $4.00 per bundle