Smorgasbord of Summer Ideas

Long ago I stumbled upon Everything Nice. I was hooked. Megan's a dream mom. She is who I aspire to be. The projects she does with her girls amaze me. One of my favorites that she did is a stay-cation with her kids- 1,2,3,4,5. I was so happy when she agreed to post some of her favorite ideas here:

Job Jars:

This is a sure fire way for my kids to do all the chores and jobs that they need to do before they have their free time to play. I have done these job jars many summers and they work. It seems to be a fun way for them to get their check list done and without the nagging and eye rolling. So, it makes it "funner for the mother in the summer." What you need Jars Popsicle sticks the thick ones Markers

What you do Get the kids involved. Have them have ownership. Have them pick the color they want to be and color one side of the stick. Write different jobs and chores on the opposite side of the color. Place into a jar for each child. Leave out in a place where the kids can see and reach them.

How they work When the child completes a job you have them turn over the popsicle stick with that job on it so the color is on the up side. Repeat until all the popsicle sticks are turned over. When every stick is color up that means they are done and ready to play.

Before the jobs are done. . .

After the jobs are done. . . .

There are no questions if my kids ask me if they can go out and play I just look at the jar and that tells them and me the answer. Chore ideas Make bed Brush teeth Pick up dirty clothes Take out the trash Mom's Choice (this allows for you to pick one that needs to be done)

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Art Station

When your kids get out of school and bring home their all of their school supplies what do you do with them? Do you put them away until next year or toss them? I put all the markers, scissors, glue sticks, water colors, paint brushes, crayons and pencils together in an art station.

Get a round serving tray

Mount a lazy susan to the bottom of the tray with a glue gun

Put cups of different sizes and shapes on the tray. Sort the art supplies and place them into the cups.

With the art supplies neatly organized you are ready for some fun. The best part is that the tray will rotate and spin on that lazy susan now attached to the bottom of the tray. Totally portable for indoor and outdoor use. Have an extra cup to put some treats or some sort of surprise for the kids to find.

Hours of fun!

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Fairy & Gnome Houses

My kids get so excited when we make our garden a place where fairies and gnomes can play. They are easier than you think to put together. If you like to plant in your garden or in pots then this is perfect for you and the kids. This has become a tradition for my family every summer. First get some bird houses at the local craft store and paint them. You can even use jewels and other things to make them into whatever you like. Moss on the roof to make it more woodland like. We painted ours white because it was first easier and second I love how simple it looks. Also at your local craft store you will find miniature trinkets that you can use to dress up your fairy or gnome garden. Look in the doll house area to find a picket fence, miniature furniture and pots.

Get your pots out or purchase some along with your plants and greenery for your garden. I look for some ground cover and english moss for grass. Use basically anything that you would like, your options are limitless.

For the pathways I use small pebbles or glass stones that you can find in the floral section of a craft store.

Usually you can find toad stools and small gnomes in the garden area.

Make a fairy clothes line for your guests. Miniature clothe line clips with silk flowers hung along some twine tied to two twigs stuck in the dirt.

Through out the summer my kids love to check on the different little nooks in the yard where we have placed little homes for the summer guests to live. It makes it feel enchanting and magical. At night I put a little battery operated tea light in the houses to make it look like we have renters. I also sprinkle a bit of fine glitter on and around the houses, that is a sure sign to my kids that fairies have come.

This little gnome house is just in the yard.

This is how we transform them into the Holiday season. . .

Thanks so much Megan for sharing your fantastic ideas!