Let your grandchildren create a pet rock by decorating a rock using markers, yarn, sequins, felt, and anything else you think might be interesting. It can be spooky, silly, glamorous, or alien. They can also make a house for their pet rock using a shoe box. Print out the “All About My Pet Rock” booklet so they can fill in all the information about their pet rock. Have them read the booklet to you to practice their reading skills. This is a great way to let them use their imagination. Hint: When you print the “All About My Pet Rock” booklet, print one page then put it back into the printer the correct direction to print the second page on the back. Then it will be in booklet form.
DOWNLOAD BOOKLET

You can make this simple star garland to decorate your table, door or banister for your 4th of July celebration. Your kids and grandkids can help.
You’ll need:
String or yarn
Paper stars of various colors (you can buy them, cut them yourself or use a dye-cut)
Directions:
1. Decide how long you want your garland and cut the string.
2. Arrange the stars on the string.
3. To glue the stars apply glue on 2 stars then put them together like a sandwich with the string in the middle.

Decorations: Use balloons with swirling, bubble like colors.
Food: Bake a cake in a round mold or a metal mixing bowl. Frost it smoothly with white frosting. Save 3 or 4 tablespoons of frosting to color then swirl the different colors of frosting through the white frosting on the cake, the way colors swirl through a bubble.
Serve punch with round ice cubes floating in it.
Make sandwiches of bread cut in circles.
Activities: Give each guest a large plate covered with bubble mix and a straw. Let them practice blowing bubbles then have a bubble contest.
Give prizes for:
The biggest bubble
The highest pile of bubbles
The pretties bubble
The longest lasting bubble
Blowing a bubble inside a bubble
Favors: Bubble gum, jars of bubbles, candy that looks like bubbles, or balloons.

I found this idea in the book Science Wizardry for Kids by Margaret Kenda and Phyllis S. Williams

Here’s a fun poem to recite while you’re gardening with your grandchildren.
It’s written by Moiselle Renstrom.

Little seeds lie fast asleep
In a row, in a row.
“Wake up, wake up,” calls the sun,
“Wake up now and grow.”
Little seeds wake one by one
In a row, in a row,
Then they stretch up toward the sun
And begin to grow.

A remarkable letter from Mother Earth asking for help from children everywhere and entrusting them with her protection. The illustrations are exquisite.

Your family will be surprised when they taste this white chocolate covered popcorn and it’s easy to make!

Surprise Popcorn
8 cups Popped popcorn
1 lb. white chocolate candy coating
¼ cup Peanut butter

Put chocolate and peanut butter in the microwave and heat until melted. Mix well. Be sure to watch it closely so it doesn’t burn. Pour over popcorn and mix well. Spread on a cookies sheet to cool. Let is set up overnight or put in the fridge for a quick set up. Break up in chunks. You can add nuts and Rice Krispies for more crunch (do this before you pour the melted chocolate).

Materials: Sandwich bag, a piece of paper the size of the sandwich bag, a variety of items you might normally throw away or recycle (magazines, colored paper scraps, wrapping paper, ribbon, yarn, sequins, etc.).
Directions:
1. Create a picture with recyclable items and glue on one side of the paper.
2. Write a short story or poem on the opposite side of the picture. If your grandchild isn’t writing yet have them tell you what to write and they can sign their name.
3. Slide the paper in the sandwich bag. The items from the picture won’t get lost and your grandchild with have the picture and the story they created together.

Variation: You can use a photograph of a special event or a post card from a vacation and write about it. The sandwich bag will keep it protected.

You can get Easter cards and envelopes from Jan Brett and they’re free. You can even create your own message.
Get Cards and Envelopes

Materials
Round wooden beads in different sizes (the holes need to be large enough for double pipe cleaners to fit through)
Pipe cleaners
Acrylic paint
Mini pom-pom
Fine-point pen

Instructions
1. Paint two beads (one larger and one smaller) with acrylic paint.
2. Bend a pipe cleaner into an M shape.
3. When the beads have dried, bend the ends of the pipe cleaner under the larger bead to form two big feet, and adjust the loops above the smaller bead for ears.
4. Glue on a mini pom-pom tail.
5. Use a fine-point pen to draw on eyes, nose, and whiskers.

More pipe cleaner crafts at Family Fun.