Guest Post: 12 Fun Ideas to Spice Up Your Late Summer Traditions

 Disclosure: I have not been compensated for this post nor does it contain affiliate links. 

Author: Whitney Hollingshead

Your family most likely has several traditions for Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas. Does your family have a tradition for Labor Day? Since we’re a few days passed we decided to come up with fun things to do this time of year. You will find 12 great suggestions below that you can easily adapt to start some exciting yearly tradition with your family any time around Labor Day.

1. Kids Make Breakfast

Labor Day is designed to celebrate the achievements of the workforce. So why not promote a true day off of work? Inform the kids that they are in charge of making breakfast for the whole family and encourage them to go all out this weekend.

2. Family Olympics

Turn your backyard into an Olympic arena. Each family member gets to design an event and explain their rules to everyone. Fun examples include an obstacle course, water balloon toss, dance off, or relay race. Everyone then competes at every event.

3. Work Project

Has your family been hoping to complete a project? Do you need to clean up or organize an area in your home? Before you begin the project, decide on a reward that the whole family can enjoy if you complete the project together. For example, you could all go out for ice cream afterward. Then put everyone to work and make the experience more enjoyable by telling jokes, listening to music enjoyed by the whole family, or setting a timer and trying to beat the clock together. When the work is done, enjoy the reward together.

4. Sunrise Hike

Has your family watched the sunrise together recently? Have you taken the time to experience nature in your area? You can find a nearby hike that matches the abilities of family members. Bring flashlights and start your hike before sunrise. Pack a simple breakfast picnic and enjoy the view as the sun brings everything to light around you.

5. Enjoy Ethnic Food

Find a restaurant near you that you have never visited before that serves food from another culture. Take the whole family out for lunch or dinner and explore the tastes of another land together. Next year, you can repeat the tradition and explore another new cuisine.

6. Outdoor Movie

Plan an outdoor movie to ring in the days around Labor Day. You can start the movie after dark the weekend after Labor Day and let the kids stay up late without worrying about everyone having to wake up early for school and work the next day. As suggested here, you can even project the movie onto your garage door. So make your favorite movie treats and choose a movie the whole family has been hoping to see.

7. Anonymous Service

Hold a family meeting and ask family members to consider someone they know who needs help. Decide together who you can help and plan to carry out your goal in secret (if possible). If you know someone who needs food, money, or other items, discuss a plan and make a secret delivery this weekend.

8. Water War

Send summer out with a bang by declaring a water war on the whole family. Give family members 10 minutes to plan their strategy and meet in the backyard. Anything goes in this kind of war so consider grabbing a squirt gun, buckets, water bottles with squirt tops, and especially the lawn hose. You can also divide family members into teams and hold incremental time outs for necessary refills.

9. Family Talent Show

In case the weather doesn’t cooperate, it’s always a good idea to have a fun indoor activity planned. You can hold a family talent show and make every family member participate. Depending on your family’s style this may be a showcase of musical, dance, or artistic talents. Or perhaps your family is more into joke telling or silly human tricks.

10. Tin Foil Dinners

The web is full of great recipes for tin foil dinners and you can spend the evening letting each family member assemble their own dinner. You can cook the dinners outside over a campfire, or use the oven indoors. You can also make s'mores wrapped in tin foil for dessert.

11. Lazy Day

If your family is sprinting in every direction year round, then a holiday dedicated to being lazy together might be the perfect new tradition. You can all sleep in and spend the day watching movies in your pajamas and playing board games. Order pizza and have it delivered.  

12. Spontaneous Road Trip

Buy or print out a map that covers all destinations within a three hour radius of your home. Measure the distance with a ruler and piece of string. Use the string from the center to trace a circle on the map. Hang up the map and have a blindfolded family member point to a spot on the map. Make sure it’s in the circle as this is now your destination. Pack up the whole family early in the morning, drive to the location, and spend the day exploring the surrounding area together.

Whether you use one of the ideas above, start a new tradition, or stick to your existing traditions, the point is to make the most of this time of year with the whole family together before the summer ends.

Volcano Facts for Kids!

Volcano Facts for Kids

Before you jump into the volcano science experiment, share these interesting facts about volcanoes with your little learners:

• There are about 1,900 active volcanoes on the earth. This means they have erupted recently or they might erupt. Some volcanoes are extinct. Over 80 volcanoes have been found in the ocean.
• Most volcanoes happen on fault lines, or cracks in the Earth’s surface.
• Most of the earth’s volcanoes are in the Pacific Ocean, in an area called the Ring of Fire.
• The word “volcano” comes from Vulcan, the Roman go d of fire.
• Lava from volcanoes can reach temperatures of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Volcanoes spew out ash and toxic gases, as well as lava and lava boulders.

Volcano Science Experiment for Kids

Check out these kids use household chemicals to recreate a volcanic eruption! 

Using the Volcano Kit from the video, little scientists are asked to mix chemicals to make the volcano erupt! This will be an experiment that Young Scientists will want to repeat again and again!

Want to get a discount on science experiments for kids? Save 50% on the Magic School Bus Science Kits on Educents! Offer ends 8/26.

Magic School Bus Science Kits

Get an exciting new Magic School Bus Science Kit delivered to your doorstep every month for a YEAR! These science experiments for kids include hands-on experiments with magnets, water, bacteria, fungus, lights, rainbows, and more! Educents has the award-winning Science Kit subscription for 50% off (Get free shipping within the U.S. and $2/kit shipping to Canada)!

Want to get a discount on science experiments for kids? Save 50% on the Magic School Bus Science Kits on Educents! Offer ends 8/26.

Guest Post: 25 Budget Friendly Summer Activities!

25 Budget Friendly Summer Activities

Disclosure: This is a guest post, I am not the author of this post. I have not been compensated for this post.

Author: Andy Andersen

One of the best kept secrets of the modern world is that you don’t have to spend money to have fun. Don’t let a tight budget get in the way of your having a good time this summer! Here are 25 budget friendly summer activities to remind you that the world is still an exciting place regardless of whether or not you have the funds for the most popular commercial entertainment.

1. Plant a Garden

Growing your own garden can cut monthly grocery expenses significantly. The money you spend to grow fruits and vegetables will be a small fraction of what you would otherwise spend on produce at the market. Not to mention it can be a fun new outdoor hobby. Click here for more information on how to use your garden to cut monthly expenses.

2. Refurbish an Old Bike for Summer Cycling

Cycling is a very popular hobby these days. Most people who make cycling their main mode of transportation, or who frequently cycle recreationally, argue that it’s good for the environment and for personal health. If you’re looking to get into cycling, but don’t have the budget for a brand new bike, try buying an older, cheaper one and refurbishing it. This will make for a great summer activity and save you loads on gas when your bike is refurbished and ready to roll.

3. Park Exercise

Cancel your gym membership and get the same workout using your local park. Work with the playground equipment, benches, hills, and lawns of your local park to create a comprehensive workout routine. This way you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoors and summer weather, get a great workout, and save a fortune on gym membership fees.

4. Mow Your Lawn with a Push Mower

Using an old-fashioned, non-electric push mower on your lawn can turn an otherwise effortless activity into a good little exercise. Mowing with a push mower will get your blood pumping, your muscles moving, and save you the money you would have otherwise spent on gas for an electric mower.

5. Staycation

Taking a staycation can mean way more than just sitting around the house during your summer time off. No matter where you live, chances are there are local attractions that you’ve never experienced before. Take advantage of your summer vacation time and find some new activities that are waiting for you in your own neck of the woods.

6. Themed Local Trips

There’s no end to the themes you can incorporate into discovering what your own backyard has to offer. Spend a month eating at every ethnic restaurant in town, or take tours of all the local factories, or research all historical landmarks and see them in succession. Get out there and experience it all!

7. Camping

Getting out into the wilderness can be one of the most exciting budget friendly activities out there. If the weather and environment permits, cut down even further on costs, ditch the tent, and sleep under the stars. Cooking by the fire is almost always a fun, cost-effective way to eat as well. Take the opportunity to get back to nature this summer!

8. Try New Recipes in the Kitchen

It can be really easy to fall into routine in the kitchen, especially if you’re on a tight budget. This summer might be the perfect opportunity to do some research and try out new recipes. These days social media forums like Pinterest are full of budget-friendly recipes that will breathe new life into your family’s dinner habits.

9. Museums

During the summer, people are more inclined to get out and explore new places and activities. Why not take the opportunity to visit local museums. Do some research and see if your local museums have any free admission or discount days and take the whole family to see and learn something new.

10. Free Concerts

Summer is the best time to jump head-first into the concert scene. Taking advantage of the summer concert season means experiencing something unique to your town and it’s a great way to make memories tied to the magic of the summer season.

11. Learn a New Sport

Summer is a great time to get outside and exercise. Why not make it a social thing by learning a unique new sport with friends. Learning a new sport together can be a great way to reconnect, revitalize relationships, and get a great workout in the process.

12. Picnic

The traditional picnic basket is usually full of food that doesn’t cost much to put together. Spend the summer enjoying a budget-friendly meal with family or friends and picnic a few times each month.

13. Have a Yard Sale

As thrift and vintage clothes stores have become more popular in mainstream culture, so have yard sales. Now is a better time than ever to assess your vintage inventory and sell it to someone who is looking for that perfect object to re-purpose. Make a community event out of it and invite neighbors and friends to contribute items to the yard sale too.

14. Geocaching

Geocaching is a popular outdoor recreational activity where you use GPS to find objects that others have hidden. As it has become a popular hobby in recent years, you can find geocaches practically anywhere. Take the family out geocaching this summer and see your city in a whole new way.

15. Wash Your Car at Home

Washing the car may not be the ideal outdoor activity for everyone, but there’s no better time than summer to wash the car in your own driveway and shave a few bucks off your monthly budget. Make it a family activity and take the opportunity to cool off from the summer heat.

16. Hit the Tennis Courts

Local schools and parks usually have solid tennis facilities. Summer is a great time to hit the tennis courts with friends and enjoy a fresh new way to exercise. If you have access to a lit-up court, tennis can be an especially great way to exercise at night.

17. Go Camping in Your Back Yard

You don’t have to travel far to enjoy the great outdoors. In fact, you don’t even have to travel beyond your own backyard. Summer is a great time to pitch a tent on your property, enjoy a tinfoil dinner cooked in your own stove, and tell ghost stories around the flashlight.

18. Make Homemade Ice Cream

Homemade ice cream is a cheap and easy summer treat. With a plethora of recipes available online, there’s no end to the delicious flavors you can create. When the Fourth of July barbecue rolls around, make a fun activity out of providing the desert.

19. Start a Book Club

Reading is perhaps the most budget-friendly activity possible. If you’ve got a bit more time on your hands during the summer, make it a social activity and start a book club with friends.

20. See a Drive-In Movie

There aren’t very many drive-in movies left these days, but if you do have close access to one, it can make for a great budget-friendly weekend activity. Take your favorite snacks, or make your own to further cut down on costs, and bring friends to enjoy a summer blockbuster under the stars.

21. Have a Vegetarian Barbecue

Want to cut-down on food costs while serving an interesting new dish? Find a tasty barbecue recipe and use vegetables from your garden as the main dish. Use vegetables that are especially delicious when grilled and you’ll surely please even the most carnivorous BBQ aficionados.

22. Watercolor

A great activity for the creative type, painting with watercolors is extremely cost-effective. Research some techniques online and take to the watercolor canvas. Make it a social activity and have a contest with other watercolor novices.

23. Visit the Library

Because everything is so easily accessible online, it may have been a long time since you visited the local library. Now is a great time to renew your library card and make the library a prime destination for your lazy summer day schedule. Invite friends and family to check books out from the library this summer and you can all go together.

24. Visit a Nearby National Park

America is home to many, many more national parks than Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. There just might be a hidden gem of natural wonder near your home that you’ve never seen before. Research online and find out if there’s a national park near you.

25. Create Your Own Backyard Obstacle Course

Summer is a better time than ever to turn your own backyard into a challenging obstacle course. You can use household items, or build some obstacles out of second-hand building materials. Summer is the time for high-adventure, and even with a tight budget you can bring the adventure to your home.

What is your favorite Summer activity?

Anything above grab your attention?

Guest Post: 25 Fun Ways to Get Your Kids Out of the House This Spring!

25 Fun Ways to Get Your Kids Out of the House This Spring! 

Author: Alyssa Craig

Spring has sprung and it's time to get your kids out of the house. Encourage your kids of explore the great outdoors with some of these great activities. 

1. Plant a Garden

Now is the time to get started on planting flowers as well as fruits and vegetables. Help your kids start a garden of their own and then watch the kids grow with pride.

2. Picnic in the Park

Pack a healthy lunch or snack and set off for some fun time in the park! Enjoy the sun on your faces and enjoy some munchies before it gets too hot. 

3. Go for a Run

Take advantage of the perfect running weather and hit the pavement with your kids. A quick family jog around the block will get everyone's blood flowing and get them warmed up for some more fun! 

4. Play Softball

Get the mitts out and invite all the neighbor kids to the nearest park to play a little softball. The more, the merrier! 

5. Bike Riding

There is nothing quite like the wind in your hair as you and your buddies take the neighborhood by storm on your bikes. Safety first though! Don't forget the helmets. 

6. Visit a Farm/Petting Zoo

Find a farm or petting zoo near you where you can see and interact with animals. Spring also means there should be a lot for baby animals for the kids to see and hold. 

7. Soccer

Spring is a big part of soccer season, so get the cleats out and get the kids playing a pick up game. 

8. Hiking 

Take your family up to the mountains, hills or a good trail to enjoy the fresh air. 

9. Fly a Kite

Head to the park or just an open area and let the kids learn how to fly kites. You can even have a craft day and help the kids make their own. 

10. Puddle Jumping

Spring showers don't have to keep the kids inside. Let them dress in clothes they can get dirty and then go puddle jumping in the rain. 

11. Create Sidewalk Chalk Murals

Sweep the driveway and give your kids some sidewalk chalk. Encourage them to work together to create a large mural that tells a fun new story. 

12. Feed the Ducks

Save up some old bread and then take it to a pond and feed the ducks. This is an activity even the little ones can participate in and enjoy. 

13. Shoot Hoops

Get out the basketball and let the kids shoot some hoops. If you don't have a hoop in your driveway, now is a great time to add one to your property. Check out the variety of hoop options here. 

14. Skip Stones

If you have a pond or lake nearby, take the kids out and teach them how to skip stones. It can take a while to get the hang of it, so this can provide hours of entertainment. 

15. Build a Fort Outside

The kids might be used to building forts with couches and chairs available, so give them a new challenge and let them build their fort in the backyard! It may even become their new hangout spot as summer approaches. 

16. Go to a Baseball Game

Spring training and many games provide for that perfect, all American experience of going to a game with your kids. Don't forget to get a hot dog! 

17. Tie-Dye T-Shirts

This will be a fun activity your kids can show off for a while! Buy some white t-shirts and a tie-dye kit and then help your kids pick their colors. This is best done outside where you can make a mess. 

18. Make a Bird Feeder

Let your kids make their own bird feeder and then do bird watching after putting it up. They can learn about birds in the area and see how many birds they can learn to identify. 

19. Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

Make a list of things that could be in your backyard (or neighborhood for older children) and then let them go on a scavenger hunt to find all of these things. They can either bring them back or simply take a picture to prove they found the items. 

20. Mini Golfing 

Miniature golfing is a fun family activity that your kids will love. This may work best for kids elementary school aged and older.

21. Play Catch 

Whether they use a football, or a baseball and mitt, encourage your kids to play catch and improve their throwing and catching skills. 

22. Head to the Beach or Mountains and Explore

Choose a fun location close to you and then go with no agenda. Let the kids explore and see what they discover in their new surroundings. 

23. Start a Collection

Rocks, leaves, and other outdoor items may be something neat they can start collecting. Be wary of letting bugs in the house! 

24. Driveway Hockey

For older kids, encourage them to get out their roller blades to play a game of driveway hockey. 

25. Jump Rope

From rhymes about Cinderella to mastering the double dutch, jumping rope is a great for of exercise and entertainment for boys and girls of all ages. 

With all the fun things to do outside, your kids should have no problem jumping right in. You may actually end up having a hard time getting them inside for dinner! 

What is your favorite Spring activity? Looking forward to doing anything in particular? 

Disclosure: This is a guest post meaning I am not the author of this article. I also have not been compensated for this article. 

Try Green Kids Crafts for FREE!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I will be compensated if you make a purchase after you click my link.

TRY GREEN KID CRAFTS FOR FREE!
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Have fun creating drama in darkness and light - for FREE! Along with all of the literacy benefits of having children tell stories, in this kit, kids will also learn how to build their own shadow puppet theater and all about how light travels away from a light source until it meets an object. This Shadow Puppets Kit shows kids how to put on plays that are sure to astound their family and friends — without a shadow of a doubt! 

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- punch-out puppets of 6 nocturnal animals
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*Note: This is a sample kit. This Shadow Puppets Kit is one of 3 projects from the award-winning Nocturnal Animals Discovery Box. 

TMNT Birthday Party Supplies & Ideas!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links



The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have made a comeback with a new movie in theaters on 8/8/14. If your little Ninja has an upcoming birthday party, throwing a TMNT birthday party is a great choice. Birthday Express has a huge selection of TMNT party supplies, party favors, decor and even costumes!

Read along and check out some of our fabulous TMNT party planning ideas.



Food & Drink Ideas - Fill up TMNT themed cups or regular clear plastic cups with ice and green Gatorade, which can be found at the grocery store. The neon green color of the Gatorade will match the party theme. Serve your little party guests a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cookie Asst. as a sweet treat. 

Party Activities - Give each party guest a ninja mask upon arrival. You can easily create the masks using colored construction paper and elastic. Just cutout eyeholes in the construction paper and staple or tape the elastic to the construction paper. To keep guests entertained, you can go the classic party route with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shaped Pinata Kit that's full of fun little party favors and candy. 

Party Decor - Add to your TMNT themed party supplies with some pops of solid color such as blue, red or green. For a fun way to decorate the party table, you can use a TMNT table decorating kit. Make the birthday boy feel extra special by adding a Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Foil Balloon to his chair.

Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Party Packs

Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Personalized Invitations (8)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle - Leonardo Kids Costume

For a full selection of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles party supplies and party decor, visit BirthdayExpress.com!