10 ideas for activities to do with children during the summer

What activity to do during the summer vacations?

July and August are finally the long awaited vacations: the beach, the sea (or the mountains), the idleness, the excursions... But it is also a time of the year that some parents dread. Generally, it is accompanied by the eternal question: how to occupy oneself during the school vacations? Besides salt dough, swimming and coloring, we're looking for crafts that kids can do on their own or with you.

Here are some easy craft ideas for family activities to do all summer long:

1. Make homemade slime

Slime is a soft, elastic paste that kids love to make. Making slime is a fun manual activity to do with children but under adult supervision!

Here are some simple and easy recipes to make at home:

• How to make flubber slime?
• How to make homemade slime?
• How to make fluffy slime?

It's up to you! (This paste is not edible, it should not be ingested).

2. Make Hama ironing beads

Do you know Hama beads? They are cylinder-shaped ironing beads with many colors, of which Hama is the best known brand. They allow you to create figurines by assembling them on a support. Thanks to the heat of the iron, the beads are welded together to make beautiful DIY creations.

Beware, for this activity, the final step is assigned to you: the ironing.

You still have the option ofusing the ironing beads without an iron. The children will be able to make :

• jewelry: let them make necklaces, bracelets, phone jewelry, or rings by simply stringing the Hama beads on an elastic thread.
• Customized flower pots.
• brooches
• a key chain or hair clips.

Try them and you'll love them! This handicraft activity appeals to young and old alike. Go for it!

7. Make Brazilian bracelets

Popular and timeless, the famous Brazilian bracelets, also called friendship bracelets, we love to make them when we are children... and even when we are grown up. When summer comes, we multiply these colored bracelets on our wrists and we sublimate our ankles.
To be safe, think of the cotton thread assortments. You'll have a multitude of colors on hand that will last at least all summer. In addition, you can bring your threads everywhere with you, because unlike beads, it is impossible to lose the thread in the sand. Your children will have in heart to offer it to their best friend at the first recess of the school year.

Never made a Brazilian bracelet before? It's time to get started! Get inspired by our friendship bracelet tutorials or check out our technical sheets to learn how to make a Brazilian bracelet yourself.

3. Paint pebbles

Pick up some pretty, flat pebbles after a family walk. When you get home, wash them, then decorate them with acrylic paint or posca markers.

Suggest that they make, for example, a tic-tac-toe game, funny animals, flowers, leaves, the names of fruits and vegetables to decorate the vegetable garden, dominoes, letters of the alphabet, numbers... The most meticulous will be able to draw mandalas with a dooting tool double point.

It's a very easy activity that requires little material. Plus, it will stimulate their creativity and imagination!

4. Making beaded jewelry

This is an easy manual activity to set up and that always pleases. You only need a few materials for a necklace, ring or bracelet. Elastic thread, colored beads of all sizes... and you're done! No need to put a clasp, a simple surgeon's knot will be enough to close the creations.

Think of large resin or wooden beads that are easy for little fingers to grasp. The more adventurous may prefer seed beads or heishi beads.

Be careful, the little ones might swallow the beads.

5. Make erasers

The vacations are well underway, but by now you should have had the list of supplies for the upcoming vacations in your hands. And erasers, of course, are part of your child's school kit. Suggest that they make their own kawaii erasers. They'll love these cute erasers.

Use with adult supervision.

6. Make rubber stamps

Drawings will become more fun using homemade rubber stamps! Choose the final shape of your stamp, simply transfer it to the stamp rubber andcarve it outusing the tools provided. Once carved, your DIY stamp can be used with the inkers of your choice on wood, paper, a pebble...

7. Make crepe paper flowers

Make bouquets of pretty, multi-colored crepe paper flowers to decorate your home or to give to someone. Help your kids make a large crepe paper flower to decorate your guests' table.
A good alternative to traditional flower bouquets, paper flowers are non-perishable, so you'll keep them for a long time.

8. make crazy plastic

Don't know what crazy plastic is? Also called crazy plastic or magic paper, it is a transparent plastic sheet, white or colored, that you cut, draw or color before heating it in the oven.
After baking, the sheet becomes 7 times smaller and 7 times thicker. This material is ideal for making small objects or costume jewelry. Make key chains, earrings, pins, pendants or bookmarks with your children.

9. Store and sort toys

Books, stuffed animals, toys of all kinds, creative activities... Too many toys in your child's room? It's time to sort! To do this, get three bins:

• In the first bin, put the toys that your child wants to keep,
• In the second bin, put the toys your child no longer plays with. If they are in good condition, you can give them away or sell them.
• In the third bin, put the toys that are too damaged, for recycling if possible or for the trash.

Involve your child, it will be easier for him/her to get rid of the toys he/she doesn't want anymore!

10. Go for a walk

You don't have to go far to go for a walk! Take a walk around your home, it will be good for the whole family: get out, take a deep breath of fresh air and get moving! Take advantage of this opportunity to help your children discover the richness of the area and introduce them to the collection of raw materials for your next creative leisure project. Relax, walk and contemplate!