Public school kids in our area head back to class on Wednesday. The first day of September seems to be an appropriate time to kick off the new academic year. Meanwhile, my Catholic-schooled daughter has been back in class for more than a week. Honestly, it pains me to drop her off at school each morning when the weather is gorgeous and I see other kids riding their bikes to the park or heading to the pool… but that’s fodder for another blog.
If you are looking for ways to make the most of your child’s last days of summer vacation, consider the following outdoor activities:
SPRAY PAINT
Hang an old white sheet between two trees and weigh down the bottom edges with rocks. Next, fill plastic spray bottles with water and paint. Then, allow kids to spray their oversized canvas to create one huge outdoor masterpiece. If you don’t have a sheet to spare for this project, use a large piece of white paper instead. You can tape it to the wall of the garage or the side of the house.
FLOWER STATIONARY
Go on a morning stroll around your neighborhood or to a local park. Have your kids gather wildflowers and other unique greens. Take the natural treasures home and press them between heavy books. If the flowers or greens are particularly moist, gently wrap them in paper towels before sandwiching them between the books. Check the flowers once a week until they are completely dry. Once dry, have your kids carefully glue them to note cards and envelopes to make customized stationary.
BUG BOX
Dig through your closet for unwanted shoe boxes or look in the kitchen for old plastic containers or jars. Poke holes in the lid of the container and allow your children to decorate the outside. Next, send your kids outside and have them collect bugs, grass, sticks, leaves, or other natural treats. To make the activity even more educational, have your kids take photos, draw pictures, or write about the bugs they find.
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