After a busy weekend of festivals and fireworks, we’re looking forward to a cookout with our parents and kids for the day itself. Nothing too high key, and I think we can all use the break! However, if the kids get a little bored, I may have to look at some of these 4th of July themed crafts and activities.

Enchanted Learning
FamilyFun
Kaboose
DLTK

Hopefully, that’s enough to get you started, too. Enjoy!

photo credit: Sister72

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We met some friends this week at a new park in our area. A friend (hi, friend ) was so excited to share this find with us and all the kids. And the kids had a blast!

Have you been to a spray park (I’ve also heard them called a “sprayground”), yet? They seem to be popping up at parks in this part of the state, with one even expected soon at the park next to our house. With large, colorful structures shooting water out in all directions, they are an exciting attraction to the kids. I like the fact that I can go with all of my kids by myself to a place where they can enjoy the sunshine (make sure they have sunscreen!) and the water, without the dangers that I would face trying to watch them all at a pool. When they’re older, maybe, but not at these young ages!

The youngest was none too thrilled with all of the surprise blasts of water being shot at him, but the oldest two couldn’t get enough of the buckets of water dumping on them! I was wondering what happened at the park if there weren’t any kids around when another friend (hi, another friend! ) told me that the whole park was motion activated by a sensor near the center of it all. That was cool.

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Well, we didn’t quite get the whole alphabet, but we did get a few letters in there, as well as some squares, hearts, and other shapes. The main goal, though, of having a bit of fun and learning away from our regular curriculum was accomplished.

The kids love to help mommy in the kitchen, so I try to remember to plan regular recipes and activities that involve lots of flour, rolling pins, and substances that are fun to squish between fingers. And even better if that substance can be boiled, baked, lightly salted and cheerfully consumed.

What are your favorite things to cook with your kids? Are my kids the only ones who beg to taste the flour?

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After folding eight of these cranes, he had all of the moves down for memory, and so he showed the kids and me how to fold our own cranes. We used construction paper for ours, and I could see why you would want a stronger paper for these as some of the tighter spots started to tear. Still I think they turned out pretty cute and colorful. It was a fun activity for us, and I can’t wait to learn something new!

Pictured above is the flock that Bald Man made for me. He said the first one took him about an hour, and then last 7 took him another hour total. He seemed like a pro by the time he taught us!

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A foot covered in goo from stepping on a rotten pumpkin, an itchy bumpy hayride out to the fields, and wonderful memories of a fun day out with buddies on a crisp, chilly October day. It’s a great time.

We didn’t make it out to the actual field this year, as the boys were not in a mood that would mesh well with a hayride. But we still got them to sit long enough to take a few photos.

You didn’t think I could get them all looking at me in one photo, did you? What are some of your favorite fall traditions?

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