#5 – Get Down And Dirty

Have your child get in old clothes and encourage them to get dirty. This gives them the freedom to explore and experiment without having to worry about getting in trouble.

#4 – Create An Ice Painting

Freeze paint by filling ice-cube trays with warm water and adding a one-eighth teaspoon of powdered tempera paint to each cube section. Stir until the paint is dissolved. Place a popsicle stick in each cube and freeze overnight. Get out some thick white drawing paper. As your child paints, talk about how the mixture is melting. (Don’t forget to cover your table with a plastic tablecloth.)

#3 – Press Flowers

Pressing flowers have been around since Victorian times. Go on a hike with your kids and gather flowers, grasses, and even interesting-looking weeds. Cut clear contact paper into wide strips. Peel off the backing and place them in front of your child, sticky-side up. Place the plant on the bottom half of the sticky plastic. Encourage your child to add torn pieces of colored tissue paper and/or glitter. Fold down the top half of the vinyl over the bottom half and press into place. Use these for bookmarks or large specimens can be used for placemats.

#2 – Take A Hike

Have your child join you in making homemade trail mix. Then, take a hike! If allowed, gather plants or flowers (for pressing later.) Take photos of birds or other animals you don’t recognize so your kids can look them up later. In fact, have them make a little scrapbook and have them journal about the trip.

#1 – Create Bubble Prints

(This activity is for kids who are old enough to know how to blow bubbles, and not blow in.) Mix ½ cup tempera paint with ½ cup detergent in a container filled with water. Practice blowing through a straw with your child. Ask him to place his hands through the end of the straw so that he can feel the air. Take the jug outside and pour the paint mixture into a low pan or pie plate. Blow bubbles! When a mountain of suds forms, gently place a piece of art paper over the bubbles. As the bubbles pop, they’ll leave a one-of-a-kind design on the paper.