gutter shape and put directly on the grass in a place where the
ground slopes gently. You can use the hose to create the water-
way, or let the kids pour water down your river with a cup or
bucket. (Note: Check to make sure the ends of the metal gutter
are not sharp; if so, cover with duct tape.)
www.crumbbums.com
Ice Exploration
Freeze plastic toys into
blocks of ice for kids to
excavate! To prepare this
activity, fill plastic cups or
small food storage contain-
ers about two-thirds full
with water, and then drop
one or two small toys into
each container. Freeze each
filled container until the
water is a solid block of ice,
then remove the ice block
and place outside in a large
plastic bowl or metal baking
dish. Now, let the kids fig-
ure out how to get the toys
out of the ice. Offer options such as squirt guns filled with warm
water, salt, or cups of warm water. Older kids can chip away
at the ice with metal forks or butter knives. For a fun twist, try
tinting the water blue with food coloring and use ocean-themed
toys, or pair green water with tiny dinosaur toys.
Sponge Balls
Make fun “sponge balls”
from dollar store sponges.
Cut two rectangular sponges
lengthwise into four pieces
each, then stack the strips
into two layers of four piec-
es each. Wrap a rubber band
tightly around the midpoint
of the stacked sponges. “Fluff”
and pull the sponge strips until you
have a ball shape. To play, give kids a
bowl or bucket of water to dip the sponge balls into. Wet sponge
balls are great for tag, target practice, or just tossing back and
forth between kids!
Colored Ice Cubes
This is a great one for toddlers. Take an ice cube tray and
add several drops of food coloring to the bottom of each section
of the tray, and then fill the entire ice cube tray with water. Once
the cubes are frozen, dump the colored ice out into a baby pool
or plastic bowl filled with water. Toddlers will enjoy playing
with the colored ice, and watching it melt and turn the water
pretty colors. Since the water is tinted with food coloring, ice
cubes will be safe to nibble on. Of course, parents should al-
ways closely supervise children when near any water!
Tiffany Doerr Guerzon is a physician assistant by trade, a stay-
at-home mom of three by choice, and a writer by inspiration.
A New York vacation rental website
that connects Travelers and Owners.
Book Direct & Save Money…
NO Booking fees/No Commissions
NO Communication Barriers
Best Owner Direct Rate
NewYorkRentalByOwner.com
August 2019 WNY Family 11