This is the perfect time for the adults to also put their devices away and get back to the basics with their little ones. The only time your smartphone should come out is to captured your child’s completed masterpiece.
Take a look at great activity ideas to do with your kids today.
#1. Elephant toothpaste!
A little science and patience will create this easy to do elephant toothpaste. This activity will need close adult supervision if the kids are involved in the actual making of the toothpaste. You will need safety goggles (also for kids), dry active yeast, warm water, 6% hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, liquid water color, and a thin-neck bottle.
#2. Why is dad out of shaving cream?
A little bit of shaving cream, corn starch and colouring will create this delicious looking mess.
#3. Glowing bath water
You can make safe and edible glowing water. Bath time just got a lot more cool with warm water and vitamin B-50 Complex.
#4. Gluten free play dough.
Some kids are unable to play with play dough if they are sensitive to gluten. Here is an easy to make at home recipe that is gluten-free. Baby rice cereal, vegetable oil, cornstarch unsweetened applesauce and food coloring mixed together. And yes, this is edible play dough.
#5. Do you want to build a snowman?
No need to skip building a snowman if you live in warmer weather. Your snowman comes courtesy of baking soda, dish soap, salt, vinegar and whatever accessories you want to put on your new friend.
#6. Mini water beads.
Kids will love the texture and arrangements they can make with the beads. An added bonus, these are edible for both kids and pets as they are made with basil seeds and food coloring.
#7. Play dough that glows!
We all loved getting our hands right in to the play dough growing up. Kids get a perk by having it glow-in-the-dark. This is what you need to make your glowing play dough: glow light, glowing vitamin, flour, water, vegetable oil, cream of tartar, and salt.
#8. Rainbow soap.
Create a mini car-wash or teach kids the colors with this fun foam soap. You’ll need dish soap, water, mixer and food coloring.
#9. A different kind of slime.
This fun, gooey slime with dots is made courtesy of clear school glue, liquid starch and pom poms.
#10. Forget excavating fossils.
How about excavating for their own toys. Take a container, fill it up with toys and water. Put it in the freezer. To get the toys out, give the little ones eye droppers with water and salt and their own brushes.
#11. Snow without the blizzard.
This is such a fun, sensory play. The modern way to make snow requires baking soda, shampoo, water,food coloring and citric acid powder.
#12. Salt sculpture.
Building a sculpture is fun, but painting one made out of salt is better. To build the actual sculpture use the mold design you desire,table salt and water. To paint the final product use eyedroppers, and food coloring.
#13. Colorful beans.
This celebration of colors is just beans, many beans and food coloring. For best result use lima beans.
#14. Spring flowers.
What a great way for your kids to get in to spring fever than to make giant flowers. Paint, white paper plates, large yellow pom pom, hot glue gun, glue sticks and large chenille stem will make you gorgeous flowers.
#15. Sparkling slime.
Use liquid detergent, liquid starch, PVA-based glue, liquid coloring and glitter. You end up with pretty, glittery slime.
#16. Erupting volcano.
Every kid loves erupting volcanoes. To make, use baking soda, water, vinegar, dish soap, diluted food coloring and eye droppers.
#17. Watercolor easter eggs.
Why just paint one egg when you can do several to create a vibrant garland. Choose white card stock to cut 12 egg shapes, apply glue liberally to create a pattern, color glitter to paint. Use threat to tape thru the back and you have an easter garland.
#18. Puffy paint.
Take painting to the next level by getting it to puff up for extra dimension. Use flour, water, salt, food coloring to mix. Paint on card stock and just microwave it 15 to 25 seconds.
Bonus.
Have a picnic surrounded by fall foliage
Who says picnics are just for spring and summer? Grab a blanket and head to a favorite park for a festive outdoor lunch (be sure to pick a spot near some changing trees).
Go hiking
You don’t need to live near one of America’s most stunning hiking trails for a memorable hiking experience. Find a trail near you and enjoy the beautiful fall scenery. Plus, you’ll all get some well-earned exercise.
Go on a scavenger hunt
While you’re on your fall hike or during a walk around the neighborhood, challenge your kids to find the most colorful leaf, the biggest acorn, the funniest-looking cloud, and other fall items to hunt for. Winner gets the first piece of pumpkin pie when you get home.
Go apple picking
Visiting a local orchard is a tasty excuse to get out of the house. When you get home, use your pickings to make apple pie, homemade applesauce, or other fall treats.
Jump in leaf piles
This year, make raking leaves a competition. See who can make the biggest pile, and that’s the one you jump in first.
Make your own Halloween costumes
Spend a day planning and creating your Halloween costumes. You’ll save some cash, and you won’t be limited to whatever costumes are left at the store.
Visit a pumpkin farm
Pumpkin picking is a must in the fall. Firm pumpkins with sturdy stems take the longest to decay, so inspect them before you buy them. Many farms have hayrides and petting zoos, too. Bring a camera to document the family fun.
Carve (or decorate) pumpkins
Once you’ve picked out your pumpkins, it’s time to carve. Cut your prep time in half by using an ice cream scoop to clean out the gunk. Then put your artistic skills to the test. Since carving may not be the safest activity for little ones, there’s always the option of no-carve pumpkin decorating.
Host a sack race
In lieu of actual potato sacks, use large plastic bags or old pillowcases. Otherwise, tie ankles together and race that way.
Snuggle up for story time
Get in the Halloween spirit with by telling ghost stories, or have your kids make up their own.
Have a fall movie night
Choose one of these lovable Halloween movies for kids. Serve popcorn with candy corn mixed in and hot chocolate or warm apple cider to drink.
Get your fill of corn
Take a spin in a corn maze, or buy some locally grown corn while it’s still in season. Spice things up with one of these unique grilled corn recipes.
Decorate your house
See how many uses you can find for pine cones
They’re everywhere in the fall, so it’s good that pine cones are so versatile. Paint them, put them in a bowl for an instant centerpiece, or make your own scented pine cones.
Shop a farmer’s market
Support local grocers and buy fresh, healthy produce from a farmer’s market. You can save money by asking for “seconds,” visually imperfect fruits and veggies that you can buy at a discount. These make for great soups and jams.
Roast pumpkin seeds
If you’re carving pumpkins, you’ll have tons of unused pumpkins seeds, especially if everyone in your family carves one. Simply wash them, toss them in olive oil, and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Camp in your backyard
Take out the tent and spend a night under the stars—and just steps from indoor plumbing. If it’s too cold, build a fort inside and sleep there for the night.
Make thankful turkeys
Make a paper turkey by tracing your hand on construction paper and cutting it out. Write one thing you’re grateful for on each finger. Then go around and have everyone share what they wrote. You can also use the turkey hands to answer other questions, like five things you’d take with you on a desert island or five places you want to visit anywhere in the world.