summer fun

In a past life (otherwise known as my single days), I worked at a summer camp! BEST.JOB.EVER. Who wouldn't love hanging out with some great kids, playing all day, soaking up rays at the beach AND getting paid for it! I learned a lot in those years as I put myself through college working with kids. One of the things I learned was how to entertain kids in the summer without a lot of fuss or money.

Here are a few of my fave easy summertime games/things to do with kids!

Water Painting: Here is a super easy thing for all ages! All it takes is a bucket of water and some old clean paint brushes of any size. Find a fence, or side of house or sidewalk even and "paint" the water on. It darkens the tone of whatever is being painted, but dries quickly...no mess but tons of fun!

Drip Drip Drop: This is best played with a few kids (and kids at heart). Basically Duck Duck Goose, but with wet sponge instead of a tap on the head!

Shadow Tag: This can be played two ways. One like regular ole "tag your it". The other like "freeze tag". You tag the person by stepping on their shadow! If you play the freeze tag way, you get defrosted by having your teammate match their shadow with yours!

Beach Collage: Bring a piece or two of construction or cardstock and white glue to the beach with you. Then make a design with the glue on the paper. Sprinkle sand over the glue to create your masterpiece. You can add shells and other treasures to it as well.

Here are a few links to help add some fun to your summer fun roster. Remember that games are usually easily adapted to meet every age and ability level...just use your fun creative side!

Games Kids Play - not a fancy pants site, but FULL of great stuff. I used this site all the time.
Ultimate Camp Resource - everything summer camp here!
Kaboose Holidays - mash up of everything