Summer Ideas

Check out some of these posts from summers past.



 



Turn a small swimsuit into a cute two piece swimsuit.
Did your daughter have a growth spurt and her swimsuit is too short now? Don't throw it away, turn it into a two piece swimsuit. See how here. 

 



Take the kids on an aquatic bug hunt.
Try something new this summer and go aquatic bug hunting with this tutorial from Delia Creates.

Make a book to catalog all the fun things you do this summer.
Two Penny Blue shares a tutorial how to make the book and free downloads. Tutorial and printables here.




 


Go on a shape scavenger hunt.
This is perfect game for preschoolers  and can be played indoors or outdoors.
The Mother Huddle shares a free shape scavenger hunt printable to help you play.

Have some fun with PVC pipe. 
Kids will love this PVC pipe target that Simple Simon & Co made. They also have a few other PVC pipe games to play too.
I love the PVC pipe water mayhem.

75 Things To Do With Your Kids This Summer

Summer is my favorite time of year! I love not having too many obligations and having more time to relax and play. In honor of my favorite season I put together a list of 75 things to do with kids this summer. Most of them free too!

1. Run through the sprinklers
2. Have a picnic in the park
3. Outdoor movie nights. If you don’t have a free movie night in your area, make your own.  
4.  Make giant bubbles 
5. Go on a hike 
6.  Create your own treasure hunt
7. Take a tour. We have a few fun free tours here in SLC like Mrs. Fields Tour and Sweet's Candy Factory Tour.
8. Play bigger or better in your neighborhood
9. Have a side walk chalk contest. Recruit friends and neighbors to compete.
10. Slip and slide
11. Head to the library. Not only can you get some great books but they also have some fun activities but they also have story time.
12. Go fly a kite
13. Tour the fire department
14. Play with animals at your local pound. Some have programs where you can come and walk the dogs.
15. Make your own play dough.
16. Go camping (even if it's in the backyard)
17. Build a float for the 4th of July. If you don't have a 4th of July parade near you make one with the kids on your street.
18. Go roller skating or rollerblading
19. Go for a bike ride
20. Teach your kids the constellations
21. Collect bugs
22. Create your own play or puppet show
23. Gather the kids on your street and play kick the can
24. Have an eating contest
25. Collect and press flowers
26. Create your own garden
27. Learn a dance
28. Make a lemonade stand
29. Tie Dye some t shirts
30. Paint rocks
31. Make ice cream in a bag
32. Build a hut or tree house
33. Go to the local farmer's market. Can you say samples?
34. Make your own Popsicles
35. Start a journal
36. Write a pen pal
37. Make a family tree
38. Have a pillow fight
39. Wake up early to watch the sunrise
40. Go on a hike
41. Have a bubblegum blowing contest
42. Make your own paper bag puppets
43. Change your voicemail recording...make it fun
44. Start a kickball game
45. Feed the ducks
46. Have a toy sale. Encourage your kids to clean out their old toys and games. Let them sell what they don't need anymore.
47. Play Chinese jump rope
48. Do some face painting
49. Make potato stamps
50. Frost and decorate cookies
51. Have a theme movie night
52. Go on a train ride
53. Teach your kids how to budget
54. Visit a local farm
55. Make paper Father's Day ties
56. Go fishing
57. Have a water party
58. Take a walking tour of your town
59. Attend free concerts in the park
60. Play night games
61. Create a neighborhood Olympics
62. Do some tumbling
63. Make and decorate paper mache masks
64. Learn to skip rocks
65. Make S'Mores
66. Play tennis
67. Build little boats to race down the gutter when it rains
68. Head to the swimming pool
69. Visit a splash park
70. Have a car wash and earn a little money
71. Go on a nature walk
72. Cook in the dutch oven for dinner
73. Have a craft day
74. Visit the zoo
75. Finger paint. Use pudding if your kids are small.

For a printable version of this list click here.  

what are your favorite Summer activities?

Hogle Zoo

We love going to the Zoo!
Brody loves watching the train almost as much as he enjoys riding on it.
Even though you can't tell from the picture though.

We always have to measure up next to the gorillas.


What do you like to do at the Zoo?

Backyard Pool

Sometime you don't need a big fancy swimming pool to have fun.

Brody loves playing in our little pool in the back yard and I get a chance to sit and relax while he splashes water on me.
It's a great way to cool off.

Sweet's Candy Factory Tour

Last week we made a little trip to the Sweets candy factory tour.

Did you know it takes seven days to make a jelly bean? That is just one of the cool things I learned on the free Sweets candy factory tour.

The tours run Monday through Thursday 9:00 am- 3:30 pm by appointment only.
Allow one hour for the tour and time to shop in the outlet store.
Believe me, You will want to shop in the outlet store.
I may or may not have bought 27 pounds of chocolate covered cinnamon bears.
What? They were a great price!


They are very strict on no bags, outside strollers, cameras, phones, jewelry (even wedding rings) and no open toe shoes.
Don't worry they do provide umbrella strollers and a free bag check.
Oh and everyone has to wear a hair net, even the babies.

Brody didn't mind his hairnet, in fact he left his on long after the tour was over.


We had such a fun time on the tour and will definitely go back!

You can find Sweet Candy Company on
Sweet's website. Twitter. Facebook

2010 Millcreek Movie Nights

Enjoy a movie night in the park with your kids. It's free.
Movies start at dusk.
For more information visit the Millcreek Township website.

Mrs. Fields Factory Tour

Last week I went with some of my family on the Mrs. Fields Factory tour here in Salt Lake City.

We got to see where they bake, package and ship their cookies and gifts.

We got to taste some yummy treats.
My favorite was the double dipped chocolate chip cookie.
They even have yummy ice cream in their gift shop.

Did you know that Mrs. Fields has a blog?
Check it out for great tips, secret sales and giveaways.


If you are looking for a free fun day with the kids
go take the Mrs. Fields Factory tour.

To do this Summer

What are your summer plans?

Playing at the Park

We took a break from all of our usual day off errands and cleaning to take Brody to the park.
We had such a great time!

The Big Red Barn

On the way home from St George we stopped in Santaquin at South Ridge Farm's Big Red Barn. I had never been there before and was excited to check it out.
Rowley's South Ridge Farms has been around since the early 1900's. They have a large assortment of jams, honey, salsa, fresh produce, homemade pie crusts and darling gifts.

They store their produce in a giant cooler to keep the apples crisp and and the produce fresh. The items in the cooler change daily so make sure to stop on by.



Don't forget to stop by the treat counter for some yummy taffy, cookies, ice cream, fudge and other treats.

The Zoo

Yesterday we went to the zoo with Travis' mom and dad.

Of course Brody fell asleep on the way there

Brody was a little too sleepy in the beginning

Travis measuring up with the gorillas

Trav and Brody four wheeling with the stroller

One of Brody's favorite things was playing with the big ball

He also loved the meerkats

One meerkat kept coming up on the window sill and Brody would try to grab it

Thanks Dan and Beth for taking us to the zoo!

Millcreek Movie Nights

Tonight kicks off the first Millcreek movie night of the summer. It's free, it's fun, it's outdoors.

Bring your family to the Canyon Rim Park to watch Kung Fu Panda. Did I mention it's free?

For upcoming movie nights see the list below or click here for more information.

Shaved Ice

I love shaved ice! Don't confuse this with a snow cone, shaved ice is WAY better.

Lately I have been going to Ice Age for my shaved ice.

Where do you get your shaved ice?

What is your favorite flavor? Mine is bubblegum.

Is this just a Utah (and Hawaii) thing?

It seems like in Salt Lake you can find a shaved ice shack on every corner.

Happy 4th Of July

Via Spoon Sisters

4th of July

I was reminded of all of the fun 4th of July crafts over at Martha Stewart by Marta Writes.
Here are my favorites.

Patriotic lanterns

Flag cupcake

Clothespin pinwheel

Dining decorations

California Adventures

I had so much fun writing my guide to Disneyland yesterday, so today I am writing my guide to California Adventure.

Food

• Cool down with a margarita or frozen drink {keep in my California Adventure serves alcohol so make sure to ask for a virgin margarita} at Rita's Baja Blenders
• Lunch with the Princesses at Ariel's Grotto
• Find any vendor cart and enjoy fresh cotton candy
• Get a sugar cookie dipped in white chocolate or a giant rice krispy treat at Greetings from California shop
• If you go in the Spring or Winter grab a hot bowl of soup at Pacific Wharf Cafe

Shopping

• Make your own Mr. Potato Head at Engine Ears Toy shop { pick a box and stuff it full of all your favorite Mr. Potato parts for one low price}
• Pick up your trading pins at P.T. Flea Market
• Don't forget to buy your Disney sweatshirt at Greetings from California

Fun

• Have to ride California Screamin
• Ask for the first row when you ride Soarin' over California
• Tower of Terror is a ride you should ride over and over again. If their is a long line, get fast passes. {don't forget to ask for the front row}
• Stop by the Animation Academy to learn how to draw your favorite Disney characters {did I mention its air conditioned}
• Take the kids on Monsters Inc ride
• Relive your childhood Disneyland memories by watching the electric parade {make sure to check out the calendar for dates and times}
• Make sure to watch A Bugs Life {3D}

Extra

• If you hang out by the bathrooms in the back lot section you will get to see lots of characters.

D Is For

is for Disneyland!

Disneyland is one of my favorite places!

Here is my must see/must do/must eat, etc... guide to Disneyland.

Main Street

• Eat potato cheese soup at Carnation Cafe
• Buy yummy treats {rocky road, taffy, etc...} at the Candy Palace
• Get a silhouette made
• Have breakfast with Minnie and friends at the Plaza Inn
• Get a locker
  

Adventure Land

• Get fast passes for Indiana Jones ride {I like to sit in the very back or the very front}
• Grab a skewer or two at Bengal Barbecue

Critter Country

• Get fast passes for Splash Mountain {if you don't want to get soaked, ride in the back}
• Stop by Pooh Corner for yummy treats { snicker doodles and sugar cookies}

Tomorrow Land

• Get fast passes for Space Mountain
• Take a trip to the 1970's and ride Star Tours
• If your hot go see Captain EO. Great way to rest your feet and cool down
• Eat a hot churro
• Kill aliens on the Buzz Light Year ride

Fantasy Land

• Walk through Sleeping Beauty's castle
• Ride Matterhorn bobsleds
• Ride Small World to cool down and rest your feet
• Ride the tea cups over and over again
• Get your own Mickey ears made at the Mad Hatter Shop
• Try to pull the sword out of the stone

Frontier Land

• Ride Thunder Mountain Rail Road {hold on to your hats and glasses, this here is the wildest ride in the wilderness}
• If you like Mexican food stop by Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante

New Orleans Square

• Ride Pirates of the Caribbean
• Go in the Haunted Mansion
• enjoy a refreshing {virgin}mint julep

Mickey's Toontown

• Ride Roger Rabbits' cartoon spin {gotta love Jessica Rabbit}
• Ride Gadgets go coaster
• Pose in front of all the silly Toontown houses

What is your must see/must do/must eat guide to Disneyland?

Don't forget to check out my California Adventure list here.

Park City Art Festival

It seems like I am always out of town during the art festivals. I was sad I had to miss the one in June and now I wont be here for the one in Park City. At least I will be having fun at my cabin in Flaming Gorge! Make sure to enjoy the art festival for me. August 4th and 5th.

Summer Fun

For excitement and adventure go to Lagoon. Lagoon has over 40 rides plus all the water slides in Lagoon a beach. My favorite ride is Jet star 2.
Here are some discounts.

For fun summer shopping head to the Tanger Outlet Center in Park City. Here are some coupons.
One thing I love about summer is the patio dining. Cafe Molise has one of my favorite patios!

Try the gnocchi di patate, its delicious!

Head to Dottie's putting course for some old fashioned miniature golf. Some of you may remember this course as Arnold Palmer's miniature golf course. Look here for coupons.