easy, frugal, backyard water fun

It’s H-O-T.  Hot, hot, Hot with a capital ‘H’.

I know I’ve been a total complainer, but I really don’t care.

So rather than complain any more, I thought I’d just skip to some of the fun–inexpensive–things we’ve done that involved water, since we’re rounding out the Water Fun Smart Summer week.

Sure, these are mostly fun and silly activities, but they involve water. And lately, around here, any reason to hang around some agua is a good one in my book, learning or no learning involved. . .

 

Here’s the skinny:

• Pet Rocks: Who doesn’t LOVE Pet Rocks??! Find rocks.

 Clean them.

 

 Make them into the easiest pets you’ll ever have.

• Pimp that Cozy Coupe: It’s sitting in your back yard, and it’s probably so sad-looking.

Double hand-me-down from two different neighbors, so make him happy.  Your kiddo and the coupe.

 

Pimp that Cozy Coupe!

 

And while you’re at it, Beautify that Baby Slide!

•  Water Painting: The hotter the sidewalk, the quicker they have to write!  They write, and you guess the word–and then switch!

All you need is water and brushes. . .

 . . . and words, letters, or numbers to paint!

•  Clean Toys, Play with Bubbles: Gather all of the pieces to the tea set, all of those Matchbox cars that’ve spent the spring outside, and let the kids clean ’em.

Then find all of the medicine droppers you used for infant medicine, and let the kids play with them!

Water droppers double as toys.

 And toys need to be cleaned.

• Sneeeeeaky Backyard Learning: While you and your kids are watering the flowers, cleaning the toys, or just playing in the hose, these ideas will maximize what little time you do spend out back this weekend.

 

• Water-Happy Cupcakes: For any summertime party, these Teddy Graham Bears have never been happier than they are having fun in the sun!

 

Week #6 of our Smart Summer Challenge starts tomorrow–so I’ll share some cool ideas for you to rock your way through this last exciting week.

But you can still link up your Week 5 Smart Summer Challenge ideas. You have ALL week–until late Thursday, August 4, 2011, to link up your ideas to win last week’s prize. SO worth it–so take a second and share your ideas for a chance to win $200 from Guidecraft!

We’re now only one week away from our HUGE giveaways which I cannot wait to share.  Please check out the skinny on our Smart Summer Challenge, the 6-week fun summer learning campaign I’m running with Candace and MaryLea, where we’re challenging all parents to do what they can to throw in a little bit of fun learning every day (or as often as they can!). And seriously–summer reading counts!! So link up your ideas through the whole week and win prizes.  That’s how much we love our readers and value summertime learning!