With school out, and some Covid restrictions still in place, many parents are looking for easy ways to keep their kids happy and entertained. I'm a big fan of flexible schedules during the summer months. I like a little structure to keep the family on track... but with lots of free time to play and relax. I love the idea of creating theme days, don't you? You could do it for a week, or you could apply it to the entire summer. Check out the poster below.
To print a copy of the schedule (above):click on the schedule, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo. I have also included some helpful links below.
Use your imagination to take a pretend trip, learn about a new place, go virtual sightseeing on YouTube, camp in the backyard, go on a fun outing, etc..
Doesn't this look like a fantastic way to spend a week? The great part is that the summer theme day schedule is super-flexible. You can just do one activity a day, or you can fill your days with fun adventures. It's totally up to you. Have fun! ♥ Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)
With Covid restrictions in place, and many organized sports on hold, this is a great way to get kids active and excited. Put together a Summer Fitness Challenge Jar. I've included a free printable label, instructions, and activity ideas below.
To create a fitness challenge jar: grab any jar, add a label, and fill the jar with slips of paper containing simple fitness activities. Whenever kids (or parents) need to get moving, someone can draw one of the ideas out of the jar.
To print the free label I designed: click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 picture.
You can come up with your own challenges, or you can use mine.
To print my challenges: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.
I love this idea, don't you? I also think it would be fun to offer an
incentive to finish the jar. For example, the whole family could camp in the
backyard when all the challenges have been completed. Fun, right?!?!
I love a DIY party because (even thought it takes a little effort) it's memorable, unique and budget-friendly. My two youngest boys have July birthdays, so a "camping" theme was perfect for them. What's better than a party where kids run around outside, play games, and eat s'mores? You are going to love all the DIY details of this DIY camping-themed party. It's pretty special!
I started out by setting the stage with some simple DIY camping decor. I used Picmonkey.com (an online photo editing software) to create a photo banner for the entrance. I also created some simple signage and placed it in inexpensive dollar store frames.
I also used camping gear (that I already had) to add to the atmosphere.
We had a camp schedule that included: registration (signing in and guessing the number of jellybeans in the jar), a scavenger hunt, games, prize punch, cake and s'mores, making candy kabobs, and parent (and loot bag) pick up.
The scavenger hunt was a lot of fun. I set up clues all around the neighbourhood, the kids broke into teams, and the race was on! There was a mixture of puzzles to be solved, activities to be completed, and clues to be found. I think this the highlight of the party for most of the kids.
After the teams completed the scavenger hunt, they were all allowed to claim a prize from the prize table.
Other popular activities at the party were: "guess the number of jellybeans" in the jar, make a candy kabob, and make a s'more.
To download a copy of this sign for your party: click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.
To download a free copy of the s'more bar sign for your party: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.
And of course there was lots of camping party food set up on a dollar store checkered tablecloth. (Scroll to the bottom to download the food labels for FREE.)
We served: hot dogs, bug juice, camp candy, bears, campfire flames, and goldfish. Check out the cute little signs I made below.
Of course, we also had campfire cakes. I made a chocolate one for my middle son and a vanilla one for my youngest boy. (The logs are cookies, and the flames are fruit roll ups.)
Look at my sweet birthday boys and their wonderful smiles! I love these little faces.
My boys had a fantastic time celebrating with their birthdays with their friends. A camping-themed birthday party really works wonderfully for all ages.
When the kids left at the end of the party, they each chose a goodie from our prize punch and grabbed a balloon loot bag.
For another peek at our party, check out this short video I made.
I hope you love this DIY camping party as much as my boys and I did. A camping-themed birthday party has endless possibilities for activities, food, decor, and fun!
♥ Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)
PS (If you want to download the food labels: click on the photos below, save them to your computer, and print them like regular 4x6 photos.)
Today my boys celebrated their last day of school. It was a bit different this year (because of Covid 19 and the fact that my boys have been studying at home since March), but we still had a bit of a celebration.
As always, my boys had an end of year "finish line". The difference this year, was that instead of running into the house, they ran out of the house.
We also gave some treats out to our neighbours.
The boys also got their "last day of school" ice cream. Through the years, we have eaten in, but this year, we enjoyed it in our car.
It was a different school year for us, and the summer will look different too... but we are looking forward to an easier schedule and lots of fun. Happy last day of school everyone! ♥ Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)
Over the years, my boys have shared many cute last day of school treats with their classmates, teachers, and friends. This year, there will be no "in school" celebration, but I still wanted to find a way to keep this tradition alive. So, I decided to put together some treats for my boys to deliver to the neighbours on our last day.
Our plan is for the boys to deliver these tasty treats to our neighours on the last day of school. How cute are these Freezies with little "Isn't it COOL that school is over?" notes attached?
To download the FREE printable tags I designed:click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.
We have a big batch ready to deliver. Aren't they cute?
I love this simple way to spread kindness in our neighbourhood... and I love that we are still able to celebrate the last day of school by sharing a sweet treat. Happy last day of school!
