homemade bubbles
Mix this up the day before you want to go out and blow bubbles. These bubbles are so good you won’t mind waiting.

What do you need:
Empty half-gallon milk container, water, a measuring cup, liquid dish detergent, measuring spoons, glycerin or corn syrup, shallow bowl or disposable cake pan, scissors, and bubble blower.

What do you need to do:
Rinse out the milk container and fill with water, then pour in 1/3 cup of water. Add 1/3 cup of liquid dish detergent and 2 tablespoons of glycerin or corn syrup to the milk container. Close the container and turn it over a couple of times SLOWLY to mix it. Don’t shake it! Let it sit for 24 hours. Then pour some of the mixture into a shallow bowl or disposable cake pan. Dip the bubble blower into the solution and blow. You’ll make nice thick bubbles that float longer than store-bought ones.

Try to make your own bubble blower:
Chenille sticks (pipe cleaners) are easily bent and twisted to form a loop. Make heart shapes, moon shapes, experiment and find out what works and what doesn’t. Be resourceful and recycle objects. Cut a circle out of a margarine lid container, glue a stick to it for a handle, and see how it works. Try the plastic ring from a six-pack of canned soda.

Take it to the next level
These bubbles are so strong that you can make them bounce. Yes, bounce.

What do you need:
White cotton gloves available at most arts or crafts stores, 4 straws, and a stinger (about 4 feet long). Thread the straws with the thread end to end and tie a knot where the stingers meet, creating a square. Dip that square into the bubble solution and gently pull it out. Hold it up and have a partner blow bubbles onto the trampoline and watch them bounce off. Then try putting on the white cotton glove and let the bubble bounce off your gloved hand. It may take a bit of practice like the trampoline, but it works!

magic railway
Young children seem to be fascinated by trains, as evidenced by the popularity of characters like Thomas the Tank Engine.

What do you need:
Sidewalk chalk and a sidewalk.

To do:
Bring your bucket of chalk outside and get everyone involved in building a railroad. Trace a complete railway with stations, water towers, cities, towns, whatever your imagination wants to visit on this railway. Add lakes, crossings, bridges, tunnels. Draw trees and flowers along the sides, paths for cars to cross… Then when you’re done, get everyone on board and ride the Magical Railroad. Let them get down on their seats and play.

Children’s paper mural
What do you need:
Large paper roll (48 inches tall by 50 feet wide) Try Fadeless paper rolls available at Michaels and any online craft store for about $16, crayons or markers (wide tips work best), tape

To do:
Take the kids to the park or backyard, with the roll of paper and the broad-tipped markers and crayons. Tape it against the building or spread it out on hard ground. Have everyone pose very dramatically against the paper. Children working with partners take turns tracing each other. Everyone then fills in the details of their own faces, clothes, shoes, etc. The rough, gritty cement of the building or ground creates the most interesting textures. They can turn it into a mural by adding pictures, words and whatever comes to mind.

Note:
The papers come in white and colors and even patterns like clouds and landscapes. Be sure to choose a lighter background that can be easily covered with markers or crayons.

soda fountains
Want something more explosive and messy?
Try this in your backyard.

What do you need:
A 2-liter bottle of soft drink (not diet), Funnel, Tablespoon and Salt.

To do:
Open the soda bottle, insert the funnel. Throw in the tablespoon of salt, remove the funnel, and come back! The soda fizzes and makes a big mess!

Take it to the next level
This gets really tricky, but it’s so much fun that you might want to double your supplies to have enough on hand for a second round.

What do you need:
Outdoor space that is okay to get dirty. Unopened 2-liter soda bottle (non-diet), a plastic straw, and a packet of Wintergreen Lifesavers.

To do:
Open the soda bottle and place it in a clear spot on the floor. Open the Lifesavers and push the straw through the centers. Put them all in the straw. Carefully now put one end of the straw into the opening of the bottle and all at once, for all the mints inside. Return! The contents of the bottle will shoot several feet into the air.

Here are some ideas to try with your own children this summer. Hang out with them and be a fun parent. Get dirty, have fun!