colored felt pieces and let the pretending
begin. You can also make felt boards to
match their favorite storybook.
Play Clay Creations
Creating with playdough is such a
fun way to spend time on a summer day.
Design your own creations and embellish
with google eyes, pipe cleaners, or small
plastic gems. Kids can build towers or ve-
hicles by adding popsicle sticks and bottle
caps. Make patterns with shells, brushes,
or pasta. Stuck for ideas? Print out samples
of playdough creations and let the kids cre-
ate their own version. There are a variey of
recipes online that will allow you to make
your own version of play clay inexpen-
sively and the kids will have fun helping
you make it!
Bust Out the Basics
to Banish Boredom
T
— by Pam Molnar
hroughout the school year,
kids wish for the freedom of
summer. They envision days
filled with fun activities and friends to
share them with. Unfortunately, the friends
aren’t always available and the everyday
outings can get expensive. It isn’t long be-
fore you will hear, “I’m bored.”
Have no fear mom and dad! There is
plenty of entertainment for your kids using
simple items found in almost every house-
hold. Whether your kids are playing alone
or with a group, breaking out these basics
will provide your kids with hours of cre-
ative playtime.
Paper Possibilities
Newspapers are a great source of
entertainment. Look for how-to videos to
make paper dolls, hats, flowers and pirate
swords from old newspapers. You can even
make wigs by gluing newspaper strips to a
bathing cap. Cut out inspirational or sports
related words to make a unique wall hang-
ing. Check out Instructables.com for doz-
ens of other ideas.
Think inside the box. If you remember
the days when your appliances were deliv-
ered in large shipping boxes, you know the
joy of playing in cardboard boxes. If you
aren’t expecting any deliveries, purchase
cheap boxes at stores like Lo