Summer Time Fun

I know it did snow just two days ago, but it should be time for summer.  Time to eat dinner outside, walk around in the cool grass barefoot, eat food without any utensils, and end the day with a party, just because all your neighbors are outside too.  These simple things is what makes summertime great.  

This summer is going to be different than any other summer for me.  I have a 18-month old little girl, who loves to be outside.  She doesn't care what she is doing, as long as she is out in the sunshine.  I am new at summertimes with kids, so I wondered if any of you had any fun ideas of what you do to pass the time outside in beautiful weather, as long as the weather starts cooperating.  I don't think building snowmen is a fun summer activity!  

One thing my daughter does love to do is blow bubbles.  Every once in a while she will blow and actually get a few bubble to come out, but mostly she just dips the bubble stick in and out of the bottle, laughing all the while.  For those of you with older kids who do like to blow bubbles, my neighbor taught me a fun new twist to bubble blowing, and a great way to reuse old water bottles that seem to collect on hot days.  To start you off, here is the activity I learned about that could occupy a few minutes or hours of a day.

What you need:

Empty water bottle

Old, thin rag

Rubber band

Container for dish soap

Dish soap

Directions:

Cut the bottom off of an empty water bottle.  Get an old rag, one that isn't too thick, and attach it to the bottom of the water bottle with a rubber band.  Get a container and put dish soap in the bottom, mixed with a little water to make it last longer.  Dip the water bottle in the dish soap and blow through the part of the water bottle you usually drink from.  (Be sure not to suck in, the bubbles will come out the top!)  The bubbles will come out the end with the rag attached to it and will actually make bubbles that are hooked together, like bubble snakes.  

My older nieces and nephews had a blast trying to make letters out of bubbles to spell their name on the grass.  Little children have a good time too because they can actually catch the bubbles without them popping and hold them in their hands. It is a fun way to blow bubbles in the summer time.  For pictures to guide you along the way, visit http://www.howdoesshe.com/making-bubbles.

Let me know if you try it and if your kids enjoy it, and if you have any other great ideas to help pass the summer days of being outside!