FUN AND FRUGAL SPRING/SUMMER IDEAS FOR KIDS

Eggshell Sidewalk Chalk:

Materials Needed:

* 4-5 eggshells
* 1 tsp flour
* 1 tsp hot tap water
* food coloring, optional, use when you want colored chalk

Instructions:

* Wash and dry eggshells.
* Put in a bowl and grind into powder.
* Throw out any large pieces.
* Pour flour and hot water plus 1 TBSP of the eggshell powder in another bowl.
* Mix until mixture looks like paste.
* Add food coloring at this point if you wish.
* Shape and press the paste into the shape of chalk sticks.
* Roll up tightly in a strip of paper towels and allow to dry for about three days.

Homemade Watercolor Paints:

Materials needed:
*3 tbsp baking soda
*3 tbsp cornstarch
*3 tbsp vinegar
* 1 1/2 tsp light corn syrup
*food coloring

Instructions:
In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons each of baking soda, cornstarch, and vinegar with 1 1/2 teaspoons light corn syrup. Wait for the fizzing to subside, then seperate the mixture into several small containers or jar lids. Add eight drops of food coloring to each batch and mix well. Put a different color in each batch or combine colors to make new shades. Kids can either use the paint right away, or wait for them to harden, in which case, they'll need to use a wet brush before painting.

Homemade Sprinkler:

Materials needed:
*1 clean 2-liter soda bottle
*Knife or scissors
*Duct Tape
*Water hose

Instructions:
Just cut three 1-inch vertical slits in one side of a clean 2-liter soda bottle. Or make the slits at different angles so the water will squirt in different directions. Attach the nozzle of the hose to the bottle top with duct tape (make sure it's fastened on tightly). Turn on the tap, and let the fun begin!!

* please note duct tape is not waterproof, and the adheseive will eventually wear off from water usage.

Homemade Bubbles:

Materials needed:
*10 cups water
*2 cups Dawn dishwashing liquid
*8 Tbsp glycerin
*Bubble wand (directions below)

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a large container, such as a cooler. Let sit for two hours. Submerge bubble wand in liquid and see what appears!

To make bubble wand, you’ll need:

*1 plastic coated wire hanger
*yarn

Instructions:
Straighten handle part of hanger. Reshape hanger portion to make a circle, approximately 18” in diameter. Wrap yarn tightly around circle portion of hanger and tie off.

Homemade Kool-Aid Play Dough

The children will love the smell of this playdough!

Materials needed:

*2 1/2 cups flour
*1 cup salt
*3 tablespoons vegetable oil
*2 cups boiling water
*2 packages unsweetened Kool-Aid

Instructions:

Mix dry ingredients. Add oil and water. Wearing gloves, knead for 10 minutes. Store in zip lock bag in refrigerator.

Notes:

Your hands may smell of the Kool-Aid flavor even with gloves.

***Another fun activity:
This is a great and yummy activity if you're outdoors. Pour a small box of instant pudding mix in a sealable plastic bag and add the amount of milk called for on the box. Seal it up and then seal that bag in another sealed bag. Now you're ready to play football. Toss the bag of pudding around with your friends until it mixes and the pudding forms. Open the first bag and remove the second bag. Pour the pudding flat-bottomed ice-cream cones and chow down.