Fun Projects to Keep Kids Busy During Summer Break

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

08 Aug 2009 11:23 AM

In Hawaii public school kids headed back to class last week. Meanwhile, parochial schools in the Atlanta area open for the new school year in less than two weeks. But here in the Midwest, public school students don't begin classes until September 8th.

For parents, that means four more weeks of summer, and subsequently, an additional month's worth of hearing: "Mom, I'm bored!"

If you are looking for simple boredom busters to help get through the rest of August, consider the following fun ideas:

EDIBLE DIRT

Ingredients:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 (8-ounce) Cool Whip

1 cup powdered sugar

2 small boxes instant chocolate pudding

3 cups milk

1 (14-ounce) package of Oreo cookies

Gummy worms

Clear plastic cups

Directions:

Blend cream cheese with sugar until smooth.

Add Cool Whip and blend until smooth. Set aside.

Mix chocolate pudding with milk. Blend until thickened. Add to cream cheese mixture and chill.

Pulse Oreo cookies in blender or food processor.

In small cups, add a layer of the cookies, and then top with pudding mixture. Next, top with remaining crushed cookies.

Decorate with gummy worms before serving.

HANGER PEOPLE

Materials:

Two wire clothes hangers

Construction paper

Ribbon

Directions:

Tape together the bottoms of the two wire clothes hangers.

Cut two large identical construction paper circles for the head.

Glue the circles together with one end of the hanger in between them.

Cut out facial features and hair from construction paper.

Glue on cut paper features and hair.

On construction paper, trace around each of your hands and feet twice.

Cut them out.

Place one of the cutout left hands on top of the hook of one hanger and one of the right hands underneath.

Glue the hands together. Do the same to the other hook.

Glue the feet on the other end of the hanger, opposite the head.

Decorate the shoes with ribbon.

KOOL-AID PLAYDOUGH

Ingredients:

1/2 cup salt

2 cups water

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 cups flour

2 tablespoons cream of tartar

Kool-Aid (your favorite color)

Directions:

Boil salt in water until salt is dissolved.

Add Kool-Aid for color.

Add oil, flour and cream of tartar.

Knead until smooth.

Keeps well, has a nice smell and is very colorful.

Related Articles:

Rainy Day Summer Fun

Summer Fun for Kids in the Great Outdoors

Super Summer Sanity Savers for Parents

Affordable Ways to Keep Kids Busy This Summer

Super Summer Fun for Kids

Edible Sand Castle and Other Summer Fun for Kids

Serious Summer Fun

Fun and Affordable Family Activities

Ways to Have Fun on a Budget

Family Fun for Less

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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