TASTY SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

There's nothing we love more here at Tastybaby than some good old-fashioned fun in the sun.  As parents know, it can be challenging to keep kids busy in the summer months; school's out and kids just wanna have fun!  Here are our Top 10 summer activities that we've come up with to help you and your little ones have a great time and still be nice to planet earth while you're at it.

10.   Go to the Zoo

Plan a trip to your local Zoo with your kids and help them become an expert in five types of animals that are on the endangered list. Learn why they are endangered and what is being done to help save their species.Visit the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to find a Zoo near you. Don't forget to take lots of pictures too!

9.  Make Homemade Popsicles

What's more fun than eating popsicles?  Making your own popiscles that you can eat! The best part is, you control exactly what goes in them!  Have your kids pick out their favorite organic fruits and fruit juices and mix and match flavors...the possibilities are endless!  You can purchase popsicle containers or use recycled paper cups or yogurt containers and popsicle sticks for a tasty treat that's planet-friendly!  Check out Tastybaby's own popisicle recipe here.

8.  Plant a tree

If there's one thing we need more of in this world, it's trees.  One thing you can do that is fun and great for the environement is to plant a tree. Planting a tree involves a little homework (even in the summer) but once you have all the right information, it can be a rewarding experience.  You can plant a tree in someone's memory, or just to watch it grow over the years.  There's nothing quite like having your very own tree!!  Learn the right way to plant a tree from TreePeople.org.

7.  Create a piece of Eco-Art

At Tastybaby, we are big fans of Eco-art; art inspired by and created with recycled materials.  With Eco Art, the sky's the limit.  Spend some time gathering up some recycleables and build your own collection of crafty materials; then get out your scissors, string and glue and get creative.  Need some insipiration?  Check out some projects done here and here, by Tastybaby's favorite Eco Art company, Tinker. 

 6.  Become a Photographer

Document your summer of fun!  Become an amateur photographer.  You can easily purchase an inexpensive camera (new or used), or borrow a family members and take artsy pictures wherever you go.  Visit your local library and check out some books on different styles and techniques in photography, then adopt your own.  Don't forget to make a photo album at the end of the summer to share with all your friends when you go back to school.

5.  Try a watersport!

If you live near a beach, lake or a pond then we have some fun activities for you.  This is great for kids who love to swim and spend their time in the water. There are many watersports you can try: surfing, boogieboarding, kneeboarding, waterskiing, windsurfing, wakeboard, watertubing, white-water rafting, snorkeling, etc.  Try one out, maybe even take a lesson.  Not only is it great exercise,  but it's also a lot of fun.  Don't forget to wear your sunscreen though!

4.  Build a Treehouse

If you've always had an eye on that perfect tree in your backyard as a secret refuge, than this is the perfect summer activity for you.  Building a treehouse takes careful planning and adult guidance, but can be a lot of fun. You can make your treehouse as simple or elaborate as you want.  Not sure where to start?  Check out the the Treehouse Guide to answer all your questions and even help you get blueprint plan.  

3.  Make jewerly out of recycled materials

This is a great project for all the girls who love jewerly and fun arts and crafts projects.  Making jewerly out of recycled materials is not only fun, it's environementally friendly. Jewerly can be made from typewriter keys, guitar picks, Scrabble pieces, sea glass, old bicycle parts and more! That's only the beginning… Imagine some of the little things you could make jewelry with around your home.  Here are some tasty ideas:
    * bottle caps, both plastic and metal
    * hair pins, old jewelry pieces
    * all sorts of old game board pieces (I bet Monopoly jewelry would be a hit!)
    * dried beans painted in fun colors
    * old keys (a favorite) or old silverware
Don't forget to wear your homemade jewerly with pride!

2.  Set-up an obstacle course in your back yard

This keeps kids busy for hours!  This activity involves setting up an obstacle course using everyday household items like boxes, jump ropes, step-stools, etc. The course can be set-up to race against a friend or just to beat your own time!  To get a better idea of where to get started, check out eHow's instructions on How to Set Up an Obstacle Course. Don't forget to put everything away when you're done too!

1.  Have a sand scuplture building contest with your friends

Are you planning on spending the day at the beach with your friends? Why not turn it into a fun and challenging event!  Break into teams and have a sand sculpture building contest with your friends.  Get out your buckets and shovels and give yourselves an hour to build something fantastic.  You can create anything from big castles to sand animals to magical creatures.  Let your imagination guide you!  Other beach goers are sure to flock to your beautiful works of art.  Just watch out for high tide! Check out Sand Castle Central for tips, tricks and inspiration from some great sand sculptures.