Category — Summer

The Saturday after school is out, for me and my grandkids, we have a “School’s Out Party”. Everyone comes for dinner and I use all the extra napkins and other items left from special occasions throughout the year. Nothing matches but that’s the fun. We even have party hats. The highlight is when I give each child a bag filled with activities and projects for the summer. This doesn’t have to be expensive. I collect items over the course of the year that I find on sale. Some items I make myself. It’s always a fun event.

My friend Barbara shared this fun idea with me.

You’ll need:
Paper
Crayons or markers
Scissors
Tongue depressor or popsicle stick
Pipe cleaner
Directions:
1. Trace your child’s hand on a piece of paper. Only do the fingers and have them spread out as if they are wings.
2. Cut out the shape and color.
3. Color the tongue depressor. If will be the head and body of the butterfly. Glue it onto the handprint.
4. Make the antennae using the pipe cleaner and glue on the head.
Your grandchild can hold the tongue depressor body and make it fly.
Learn this poem to say as the butterfly is flying around.

Butterfly
Butterfly, oh butterfly
Dancing across the sky.
Butterfly, oh butterfly.
First you are low then you are high.
E. Naccarato

You’ll need:
Empty egg carton (heavy paper kind works the best)
Crayons, markers or paint
Scissors
Pipe cleaner
Directions:
1. Cut the egg carton in half the long way.
2. Have your grandchild decorate with paint, markers or crayons.
3. Cut the pipe cleaner the length you want the antennae. Make 2 small holes on the head and from underneath stick the antennae in so they come out the top. Shape into antennae.
Learn this poem to recite as your grandchild plays with the caterpillar.

Little Caterpillar
Little caterpillar
Crawling on the ground.
Did you know that someday
You’d be fly up and down.
Little caterpillar
Crawling on the ground
Did you know that someday
You’d be flying all around.
E. Naccarato

This is a fun and easy way to play catch with your grandchild. It’s especially great for younger children who may have difficulty catching with their hands.  You can even play inside the house.
Materials:
1 gallon milk carton  with handle (empty, of course)
Ball or bean bag
Directions:
1. Cut out a section of the milk carton large enough to catch a ball or bean bag. Be sure to leave the handle intact so you can hold the catcher.
2. Take turns tossing the ball and trying to catch it in the milk carton catcher.

I came across an activity that Kimberlee Woodward, a teacher in Michigan, used in her classroom that I thought would be fun for a family reunion or a family gathering. Each person has 3-5 different-colored paper strips on which they write a different talent. They create a mini paper chain by linking their talent strips together. Now, get the whole group together and taking turns, each person reads their talents. Link the individual chains together using extra strips of paper. Now you have one long chain. Talk about what the chain demonstrates. For example: All our family members have talents. If we help and support each other we can accomplish more. We’re a stronger family when each individual is willing to share their talents.

Download Ice Cream Cone
Print out an ice cream cone pattern for each family member. Each person cuts out the single scoop ice cream cone and writes their name on the scoop of ice cream. Put the cones on the fridge or a bulletin board so everyone can see them. Cut out the remaining scoops and put them in a place that is accessible to all members of the family. When a member of the family catches someone doing a good deed, write the deed on an ice cream scoop and attach it to their cone. Watch the ice cream cone get taller and taller as good deeds are being done.

Download Lady Bug
Print out copies of the lady bugs for each math problem you want to create. Cut out the main body and the wings. Attach with a brad where indicated with a circle. On the wings write a math problem such as 5 x 7 or 12 + 3. Write the answer on the body. When the wings are together your grandchild solves the problem. To check to see if the answer is correct, separate the wings.