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Summer Word Wheel

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Fran W

Summer Wordplay: Words Within Words 1

Word Hunt Puzzle #1

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Summer Songs Cryptogram

Posted on August 18, 2022 by Fran W

The cryptogram below is made up of fun summer related songs. As you figure out the number to letter code, write the number under the corresponding letter. To print, right mouse button click and save to your computer.

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Water Balloon Running Bases

Posted on August 11, 2022 by Fran W

For a fun water game version you will need:

50+ Half-filled water balloons, 2 buckets with water, hula hoops or something to make a base out of (two trees, chalk squares, baseball bases, street cones, spray paint, etc.), and 3 or more players

Tip: Less water can make the water balloons more sturdy.

Alternately, 5-10 splash balls can be used instead of water balloons. Keep them in the water when not in play.

Water-less version:

A small soft ball such as a playground ball, or a tennis ball, something to make bases with, at least 3 or more players

This is a “Monkey In The Middle” type game where two players throw a balloon or a ball back and forth. But instead of the ‘Monkey’ trying to get the object being thrown, they run between the bases and try to avoid being tagged or hit with the object being tossed.

Set-Up

Place the bases 20-40 feet apart, depending on how many players you have. This is a great game for groups or a large party.

Put a bucket of water at each base and place the half-filled balloons or splash balls into the water.

Decide who will catch.

How to play:

Catchers: Throw the balloon/ball back and forth to each other, but instead of keeping the balloon/ball from the runners, they can hit or tag the runners with what is being tossed back and forth. As the runners are running from base to base. Catchers must stay on their base unless they have to chase a wild ball. They can not chase a runner to tag or hit them.

*Players should decide if runners will be tagged or hit with the item being thrown before starting the game.)

Runners: Run from base to base without getting hit or tagged. If a runner catches the item being thrown, they can keep playing, if they get hit or tagged by the object, they will need to sit out the rest of the round. The last runner becomes a catcher.

More players make this game much more fun.

Start the game: Runners can stand between the two bases while the catchers toss the balloon/ball back and forth 2 or 3 times. On the last throw, all the runners must run to any base for safety. Runners can stay on or behind the base for 1 or 2 throws but then they must run after that. If a player doesn’t run, they will need to sit out the rest of the round or another consequence chosen by the players before the game begins.

Ending the game: The last runner wins the game and can choose to be a catcher if they want to.

Players should decide the rules before the game begins.

Fun With Balloons

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Summertime Criss-Cross Puzzle

Posted on August 4, 2022 by Fran W

Use the words in the word bank provided to fill in the blocks below.

Criss-Cross Word Puzzles: Summer Fun Page – Pecan Fun Page – Paper Clip Fun Page – Watermelon Fun Page – Fibonacci Fun Page – Coral Reef Fun Page – Revolutionary War – Radio Fun Page – Hot Air Balloon Fun Page – Frog

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Observe Life At A Pond

Posted on July 28, 2022 by Fran W

During the summer, ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water are full of life. Take some time to observe what’s going on. Use the following suggestions to create a one of a kind summer study.

Visit a pond, lake, river, creek, or ocean (if another body of water is not available). Observe life at the pond, lake, etc. and take pictures, videos, write, and/or draw what you see and hear.

Study the pond for the rest of the season into the next or for the rest of the year into next spring. Notice how life changes while you are watching.

Bring a chair and observe for as long as you can – unless the bugs are too awful.

If you take pictures or videos, take time to identify, via books, websites, or knowledgeable people, what you observed but could not identify.

Start a pond study and take time to learn about all of the plant and animal life that can be found in the area. Bring a friend.

Bring a magnifying glass or a pocket microscope along with you so you can take closer look.

Adult supervision suggested for this activity.

Word Hunt Puzzle #1

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Summer Words Within Words

Posted on July 21, 2022 by Fran W

Words Within Words

Summer Wordplay: Words Within Words

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Make A Night Of It!

Posted on July 14, 2022 by Fran W

Take advantage of some especially nice summer evenings with a fun family activity under the stars.

Here are some suggestions:

· Observe the moon. Find out when the full moon will be and take some time to moon gaze. Bring a telescope along with you if you have one or view it through a cardboard tube. A spotting scope or binoculars can also prove useful.

· Have a bonfire. Take time to gather up some wood or purchase some from a local store. Find a safe place to start a fire and consider telling stories, roasting marshmallows, hot dogs, or bring a grill that goes over a campfire and cook up something your family will enjoy. Don’t forget a thermos full of hot cocoa! Alternately, some parks offer charcoal grills that can be used by the public. Check your local park for closure times.

· Star gaze. Take advantage of a moonless night. Set up a blanket or some chairs and take time to watch a clear night sky. Bring your telescope, binoculars, spotting scope, or cardboard tube so you can take better look. Print out a SKYMAP and take it with you to help navigate the evening sky.

· Have an evening picnic. Do something different by having a picnic in the early evening instead of the afternoon. It’s a great way to beat the heat of the day! Bring a flashlight along so you can play a game of flashlight tag. Glow sticks/items can be fun to play with too as it gets dark.

· Plan a camping weekend. Plan a camping weekend if possible. This can be at a real campsite, or in your own backyard. Some national parks offer cabins to rent as well. Take time to get away from the rat race and enjoy nature for a while. Being able to listen and watch nature without the traffic and bright lights can give you a new perspective and fresh your senses. Don’t forget to take time to moon and or star gaze while you are there.

· Watch and listen to what’s around you. Sit outside on a pleasant summer evening and take time to watch and listen to what’s going on around you. See how many sounds you can identify: Owls, birds, scurries, leaves rustling in the breeze, ect. How many night creature you can identify such as lightning bugs, mosquitoes, raccoons, opossums, frogs, cats, etc..

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Summer Word Scramble

Posted on July 7, 2022 by Fran W

How long will it take you to unscramble these summer-related words?

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DIY Backyard Tic-Tac-Toe

Posted on June 30, 2022 by Fran W

Getting outdoors to play while the weather is nice is great for everyone!

Game Board

To play tic-tac-tac you will need a game board. This can be made from any of the following suggestions, or something of your own choosing.

· A PVC pipe and four 4-way connectors the same width as the PVC pipe. To cut the PVC pipe, you will need a PVC pipe cutter, or a hack saw

· Pool Noodles

· Thick rope cut to the desired length of the tic-tac-toe board

· 9 Hula hoops

· Wooden pieces cut to length

· Painters Tape

· Spray Paint

· Chalk

Playing Pieces

A quick word about playing pieces. You do not have to use a traditional X and O, use whatever shape or letter you like. You will need 5 for each player.

· People: If the board is made large enough, people can be used as playing pieces. Each player can choose 5 players for each team. Give players a colored ribbon to indicate what side they are playing on.

· Rope: Duct tape can be used to keep whatever shape desired together.

· Bean Bags or Socks: Outdoor bean bags or socks can be made or purchased. Toss or place them on the board.

· Frisbees: Use different colors or paint a shape or symbol on them.

· Large Rocks: Paint them before you play.

· Colored Water Balloons: Colored balloons can be purchased and used to play. Filling them with less water will make them less fragile. Store balloons in a bucket. Players can place rather than toss…unless tossing causes the player to lose the space if it breaks as part of the challenge/rules.

· Strong Paper Plates

· Wood: Simple wood blocks can be made and painted or written on.

· Cardboard: Cut into squares, or circles, or to shape, and painted.

· Sea Shells: Use large shells.

· Water Bottles: Fill water bottles with colored water or spread paint inside.

· Use Whatever Works For You!

How can the board be used for other games?

· Last one standing: Place one playing piece in each space, each player will take one or two pieces off the board on their turn. The player that needs to take the last piece loses the game.

· Red, White, & Blue: Make 9 pieces: 3 red, 3 white, and 3 blue, and get them in that order for the win. The first person to make a set match wins.

· Go Together Shapes: Use triangles, circles, X’s, Squares, ect. Players can decide what goes together to make a match. For example:

· Number Match 3 In A Row: The first player to get to a number, decided on by the players before the game begins, wins.

· Color Mix and Match: To get 3 in a row, you will need to know how to mix colors:

Black + White = Grey

Blue + Yellow = Green

Yellow + Red = Orange

Red + White = Pink

Blue + Red = Purple

· Make up something on your own.

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A Summer Adventure

Posted on June 23, 2022 by Fran W

Use the following questions to create a one of a kind summer adventure that can be used to inspire a story (written or told), comic, video, or some other kind of writing or drawing projects. It can also be used to plan a real life adventure, a tour, or to jog a memory.

What would you do if you came across a cave or cavern?

Where is this cave located? In a park, in the woods, under water, on the water, ect.?

How did you come across this cave? Walking, diving, hiking, boating, a tour, ect..

Would you go in? Alone or with someone?

Who would you bring with you?

What would you bring with you?

Would you plan to go in or go in spontaneously?

If you plan to go in, what would you take, who would you take, and who would you tell?

If you decide to go in spontaneously, what items do you already have with you?

What do you think the inside of the cave/cavern looks like?

What is the temperature within?

How would you document your adventure?

Have you ever been in a cave or a cavern? What was your adventure like?

Write about, draw, tell someone, or record (audio/video) the story of your adventure.

How did it feel to go into a cave or cavern?

If you planned a tour of a cave or cavern, how do you think the tour went? Write a review or talk to someone about your experience.

I hope you enjoy creating or reliving this adventure.

Creative Inspirations #1

Summertime Fun June

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DIY Backyard Skeet Ball

Posted on June 16, 2022 by Fran W

Make your own skeet ball themed game for the backyard or to take to the park.

The follow ideas are only suggestions, please feel free to come up with your own way of making a game with this theme.

Suggestions:

Something to make a ramp out of: A box, small slide, wood and a few bricks, wood and nails, etc.

A large ball: Playground ball, soccer ball, beach ball, etc.

A Target: Buckets, baskets, or boxes that your ball will fit into

Paint, paint brush, markers, razor blade, or whatever tools are needed to cut wood or cardboard

Options for a small scale game:

Ramp: Cardboard box or wood and some bricks

Target: Bucket/Pail/Laundry Basket

Ball: Tennis, soft balls, baseballs, splash balls, etc.

Some rocks or sand may be needed at the bottom of a container/bucket, etc. to prevent the ball from bouncing out and the container from falling over as easily.

The basic idea is to set up the game so that a ball jumps a ramp and lands into a target. Make up a point system and encourage players to keep track of their own score, or have a whiteboard and marker handy to keep score, or chalk and a chalkboard or sidewalk.

Try to get different sized containers to use as a target.

Word Hunt Puzzle #1

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