Silly Putty, Lint Dough, Moon Sand and Cool Science Craft Recipes

My kids loved to make stuff in the kitchen; preferable messy stuff! And explosives with noxious smells was also a plus (lol). Summertime is great for backyard or kitchen chemistry crafts. Here are my best recipes for messy, sticky, bouncy, glittery goo! Read on for silly putty, farting putty (makes disgusting sounds boys--and girls--don't tell--love!) flubber, play dough, melting goop, Ectoplasm (slime like from that ancient cartoon Slimer and the Real Ghostbusters--I'm dating myself), oobleck and moon sand recipes. I'll even throw in a few surprise recipes because you're all so nice! I advise you make outside where it won't goo up your kitchen.  Silly Putty, Lint Dough, Moon Sand and Other Science Recipes

Repurpose Summer Toys for Indoor Preschool Learning Play

 I homeschooled four kids in a single-wide old mobile home. So I know about space-saving as well as money saving. A favorite way to do both is by repurposing. We made outdoor toys do double duty in winter with indoor uses. For example, their Little Tikes Sand Turtle was filled with Lake Michigan beach sand and enjoyed all summer. Then in winter, I cleaned it out, bleach and sanitized and brought it indoors. Repurpose Summer Toys for Indoor Preschool Play

Free Printable Educational Crafts

Summer is an excellent time to explore the wonderful world of free printable craft projects. Cut and paste activities are perfect for day care, kids at home, road trips, rainy day fun and summer craft camps. During the summer, teachers and homeschoolers have an opportunity to make educational games and activities for their classrooms. Free printable activities are the perfect resource for educational games.  Free Printable Educational Cut and Paste Projects and Activities

Outdoor Summer Life Science Activities, Biology Nature Crafts

Life science, or biology, is an essential school subject. But kids often hate science because it's taught from boring textbooks in meaningless paper-and-pencil activities. Rediscover the inherent fascination of life science this summer with hands-on experiments and crafts. Teach green, using recycled supplies.  Outdoor Summer Life Science Activities, Biology Nature Crafts

Easy, Green Earth Day Gardens

Do you love to garden but find yourself cursed with poor soil in your yard? Or maybe you're one of those unfortunate apartment dwelling green thumbs. Either way, it seems impossible to reconcile a love of gardening with a lack of basic garden essentials. With spring planting, Earth Day and the lure of summer bounty right around the corner, would-be gardeners long to tend plants even more. If you find yourself in this situation, do not abandon hope of gardening. You can have a flourishing garden right on your patio, deck or porch.Easy, Green Earth Day Gardens

Free Printable Summer Olympics Crafts, Games for Preschool, Early Childhood

The 2012 Summer Olympics kicked off on July 27 in London, England. They'll run through August 12. Looking for hands-on activities to engage young ones in the Olympic festivities (or keep them occupied so that you can enjoy the events)? Look no further--here's an assortment of Olympic-sized goodies for the youngest fans. Preschoolers and early elementary age kids will love these activities designed especially for their developmental level. Free Printable Summer Olympics Crafts, Games for Preschool, Early Childhood 

Free Printable Summer Beach and Nature Craft Activities

Family Fun magazine is the best family magazine to hit newsstand since the Saturday Evening Post. Family Fun focuses on inexpensive, diy crafts, games, recipes and activities for the whole family. Here are free printable summer fun crafts and scrapbook activities from Family Fun's free printables page Printapalooza (click here for Family Fun Summer printables home page)You know I never can resist sharing links for the free printable activities I find all over the web. And with Family Fun, you can always be sure the you'll get safe, inexpensive, green, diy family activities from fun other great families. Free Printable Summer Beach and Nature Craft Activities 

Free Printable Summer Camp, Nature, Beach Craft Activities

Free Printable Summer Crafts, Beach Crafts, Nature Craft Activities
Family Fun magazine is the best family magazine since the Saturday Evening Post. Family Fun focuses on inexpensive, diy crafts, games, recipes and activities for the whole family. Here are free printable summer fun crafts and scrapbook activities. Read More

Easy, DIY Child's Hooded Beach Towel

Quick, Easy, Inexpensive Child's Hooded Beach or Bathrobe You've seen those hooded childrens' beach towels? Cute, but expensive, right? Here's a simple pattern for a hooded beach towel or bathrobe that will fit most any child. Inexpensive and quick to make. Green, recycled craft. Read on

Beach Toys and Garden Tools from Milk Jugs

Green Crafts:Beach and Sand Toys or Gardening Tools from Recycled Milk Jugs Want to have a day of fun with only a milk jug? Here's a guide to make beach toys, sand toys and gardening tools from a recycled milk jug a pail, strainer/sifter, funnel, mold, garden rake, hoe and spade for the beach or garden using recycled milk jug. Perfect green crafts! Click here for details

Homemade Girls Summer Dress and Purse Sewing Crafts

Easy Kids Sewing Crafts: Summer Dress with Matching Headband and Purse
Make a simple, fast, cheap summer dress with matching purse and headband. Cost: under $10. Time: under 30 minutes. View more »