In the Pacific Northwest July 4th is considered the beginning of Summer. Growing up Summer meant visiting my cousins in Arizona and Texas. Talk about sun, heat and fun! We’d play outside for a majority of the day and on into the night. To be able to live through all that heat, we had to have water. We were either:
• In the water
• On the water or
• Using water to stay cool!
I guess, to be more accurate, I really should say cooler. NO one can say they’re cool in 110° + heat!
FUN in the SUN…
My Summer highlights were playing in the pool or floating down the Verde River.* Some of the MOST fun we had, though, were water fights right out on the neighborhood streets. These battles could last more than one day! Part of our arsenal were water balloons thrown back and forth. Then we’d up the ante with hoses–letting loose with a gush on anyone who ventured out in no-man’s land. Such fabulous memories!
How about you? Do you let your kidlets throw water balloons at each other? Water balloons are a lot of fun! I acknowledge, though, they’re a problem if they’re thrown at someone’s face.
Some possible solutions: Throwing water balloons 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 are the Perfect Solution!
Directions: Submerge sponge bombs in bucket (or sink) to soak up water. Throw sponge bombs to release water on impact without risk of injury! Extra bonus: There aren’t little pieces all over to pick up. Trust me, your back is going to thank you! Plus an extra added bonus: Sponge bombs can be used over and over again!
FUN in the SUN IDEA…
Water Activity–Sponge Bombs
Materials Needed:
Kitchen sponges, variety of colors- (3) per sponge bomb
Scissors
(1) hair elastic
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 throw them at each other (or their opponent’s buckets) either way they’ll get wet! BTW, sponge bombs are just plain fun in a wading pool to squeeze and watch the water come out for the younger set too!
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 with sponge bombs a few years down the road! Let me know if you try them!
Yours in Play!
Teacher Karen
*As a kid I didn’t give a thought to water safety but, having been a parent and now grandparent, I know how critical water safety is!
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