Next week is the last week of summer vacation for my kids. I was planning on having it be a slower paced week but lots of activities we can do together that don't involve a screen for anything- tv, computer, video games. They are 8,7 and 3.5. I'd like to find a website that has jump rope songs and clap songs but haven't seen what I'm looking for yet. I wouldn't mind learning a new game or two myself along with them, maybe marbles, or a different ball game. I figured sidewalk chalk and maybe a new craft for us, like soap making. Any ideas?

By Colette on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 09:04 am:

I can't think of to many jump rope songs but I am taking the kids peach picking today and then we are going to make homemade peach ice cream.

found this site

http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/spring/

http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/summer/

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 09:12 am:

Spring Activities

Summer Activities

Jump Rope Rhymes

Lots to pick from, on Google

Clapping rhymes

Soap Making with Kids

By Nicki on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 12:27 pm:

I used to love playing marbles at school, but I sure can't remember how. Colette, what a neat thing to do with you dks! I wish I was that motivated.:-) Have fun.

By Colette on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 12:47 pm:

yes, we had a great time, until my oldest dd (16) bit into a peach and promptly broke out in hives.

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 12:54 pm:

Just another idea...

A couple of times this summer, Natalie and I have painted outside on really large newsprint - kind of like a mural idea. It was different from regular painting, and we just kept adding to the "story" we made up. We used to do that when I taught K. You can get rolls of newsprint for free at your local newspaper. We taped the corners down to the pavement then went to town, making it up as we went. We had a great time, we were outside, and we got pretty creative with our story.

Have fune whatever you decide to do!

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 01:18 pm:

PamT does an unplugged month each year, I'm sure she has great suggestions!!
I love bubbles, sidewalk chalk, hopscotch (our office building was evacuated a couple months ago, and we were playing hopscotch while we waited for it to be cleared, I forgot how fun it was, minus the serious circumstances!), baking is always fun with kids, scavenger hunts. That's all I can think of off the top of my head, but it sounds like a fun week!

By Nicki on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 01:31 pm:

Oh no, Colette. I hope your dd is okay! My dd struggles with allergies. First time she ate a strawberry, her lips swelled up. Those surprises we could do without, huh?

The other night, dd wanted to pretend we were "camping". So, we took a blanket outside just after dark and had a snack dd helped prepare. We couldn't find our camping lantern, so we took a flashlight outside and set it inside a basket on the middle of the blanket. It sounds simple, but my dd had more fun! I was surprised all the different sounds she heard and how much she enjoyed looking at the stars. Perhaps your dks would like to "pretend" they are camping in the backyard. We since then set up our tent, so Lara is playing in it during the day.:-)She's not ready to sleep in it overnight, even with mom and dad, but she's enjoying it just the same.

By Rayelle on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 09:12 am:

Thanks! These are some great ideas! Ugh, Colette, is she ok? Hives are no fun.