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 into the night. And, to be able to live through the heat, we’d be:
•In the water
•On the water or
•Using water to stay cool!
To be more accurate, I really should say cooler. I don’t think anyone can say they’re cool in 110° + heat!
Some FUN in the SUN…
My summer highlights were going to the pool or floating down the Verde River.* Some of the MOST fun we had, though, were the water fights right out in the neighborhood streets. These battles could last more than one day! We’d throw water balloons thrown back and forth. There’d be 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. Possible solutions: Have them thrown at the side of your house: a concrete wall or down on the sidewalk! That solves the potential injury problem. Unfortunately, there’s still another one: 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!
Directions: Use sponge bombs to soak up water. Throw sponge bombs to release water on impact without risk of injury! Extra bonus: There won’t be little pieces all over to pick up. Trust me, 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! 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 a few years down the road! 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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