When it’s hot outside, I Love to use water with my kids as much as possible. In fact, I am what you would call a water park junkie! My first job was a lifeguard at Six Flags.
Ideas that go with playing in water: Get a kiddie pool or a plastic sand box fill them with water. Set up a water station outside with buckets and containers (my kids play with this for hours) or a sprinkler. I got a free Little Tikes slide on freecycle (you can search your local yahoo groups to find a local freecycle in your area) and put it in our kiddie pool. This has been hours of enjoyment for my 4 and 2 year old. Older kids may enjoy using a slip n slide. I got a good quality one on clearance two years ago and my son played with it for about an hour each day for almost the entire summer last year. Going to the beach is a great all day adventure!
Take pictures of what you do each day, get them printed (with good deals, like this one for 50 free prints and a free 8 x 10 from Snapfish!) and let the kids help you make a mini scrapbook if they are old enough. If they are too young, make it by yourself while your kids take a nap. Because, you will find that they will take a seriously long nap after they have been outside playing with water!
(Here’s the link to the 50 prints and special 8×10. You’ll still pay shipping but it’s maybe $3.)
Stop by Rock’s In My Dryer to find out other ways to cure the “I’m Bored” Syndrome!
Shannon also has a cool Wow HITS Giveaway you need to check out! Wowonline has more info about this great collection of CD’s!
03 Jun 08
I love the scrap book idea. My daughter loves the water play, but for those days we can’t go outside she would really enjoy doing something crafty.
On my post, I was going to add a link to our theater, but was sure that not everyone lives near me
If you have links for other areas I would love to post them all.
03 Jun 08
I’ve also seen the idea (though we’ve not tried it) to let them “paint” with water on the sidewalk.
04 Jun 08
you could always fill a bucket with soapy water, give the kids sponges, and let them wash the car!
thanks lori!
we used to have “pretend baths” when summer showers stopped us from playing outside. i would put haile in the bathtub, nakey, with no water, and give her watercolor paints and let her go crazy painting the tub and sometimes herself! i have some cute pictures of pretend baths.
04 Jun 08
We got a dual slip n slide and things have never been the same. Something about racing down the waterway keeps them busy for even longer!
04 Jun 08
Oh yes! We love playing in the pool during the summer! And my boys sleep soooooo hard after a good time in the water. Thanks for the great scrapbook idea, and for stopping by my blog!