In the Pacific Northwest July 4th is considered the beginning of Summer. As a kid Summer meant visiting my cousins in Arizona and Texas. Talk about sun, heat and fun! We played outside for a majority of the day. And, to be able to live through the heat, we’d be:
•In the water or
•On the water or
•Using water to stay cool.
I really should say cooler because I don’t think anyone can say they’re cool in 110° + heat!
Highlights were going to the pool or floating down the Verde River* but some of the MOST fun we had were water fights in the neighborhood streets. These battles could last more than one day! Water balloons thrown back and forth and hoses letting loose with a gush on anyone who ventured out in no-man’s land! Such fabulous memories!
Do you let your kidlets throw water balloons at each other? Water balloons are a lot of fun! I acknowledge, though, they can be problematic if they’re thrown at someone’s face. One solution: Have them thrown at the side of a house, concrete wall or down on the sidewalk! Unfortunately, there’s still another problem: All the tiny pieces of balloon need to be picked up after they’ve popped!
Afraid of the potential for injury that comes with water balloons?
Dreading the idea of picking up pieces of popped balloons?
——————Sponge bombs could be the perfect solution!
Soak up, then release, water on impact AND without risk of injury with sponge bombs! Also, you won’t have little pieces all over to pick up–your back is going to thank you! An extra added bonus: Sponge bombs can be used over and over again!
FUN in the SUN IDEA:
Sponge Bombs
Materials Needed:
Kitchen sponges, variety of colors- (3) per sponge bomb
Scissors
(1) hair elastic
Optional: buckets
Instructions:
• Gather materials
• Cut sponges into thirds length-wise (making 9 sections)
• Wrap hair elastic around cut pieces
• Pull/arrange sponge sections so the are evenly distributed
• Let your kiddos soak the sponge bombs in water and either throw them at each other (or opponent’s buckets) either way they’ll give wet!
I was stunned by the heat and humidity on one of my past trips to St Louis around this time of year; it felt like I was going to melt! We kept Grandbub #2 cool and entertained in a wading pool. I can’t wait to see what he does when I add sponge bombs this time around! Let me know if you try them!
Yours in Play!
Teacher Karen
*When I was a kid I didn’t give a thought to water safety but now, as a parent and grandparent, I know how critical water safety is!
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