Chores, chores, chores! Printable chore cards

With the summer in full swing, I have 2 extra people running around the house the entire day. More dishes,  more laundry, more mess!

Unfortunately I am NOT Super Woman. CRAZY I know! So I do need help from the men in my life and I came across a great idea to get the kids involved that I wanted to share.

Chore Cards

First off we came up with a list of all the rooms that needed to be cleaned. Then for each room, what needed to be done, and finally what supplies they would need to collect to do the job right. (I left the supplies blank as I may use different cleaning products then you.)

On Monday we pick what cards we will use for the week. (There are 6 cards + 1 bedroom card, so we each get 2 cards + our bedroom to take care of) Its great because I know who has / hasn't been doing they're chores.

We go through the cards and do each of the chores on the list. At the end I go through the rooms with the boys and make sure the jobs are done well. (I have found I have had to relax a bit, they're kids and don't necessarily clean the way I do - Matteo apparently feels that dishes are only clean if 1/3 of the
soap bottle is used per load of dishes.) I keep track of everyone's points on a white board.

You can easily get the cards laminated so you can write on the cards with dry erase markers. (I haven't yet)

Each chore has a corresponding points value that the kids can use to "buy" different fun activities. (Computer time, sleep over with friends etc.)

We also came up with some extra chores they can do to earn extra points if they need them.

You can print the Chore Cards HERE.

Puff Paint

Today was a bright and sunny day so we decided to head outside and do some painting.

I saw this on a Pin recently and thought it looked like fun.

Ingredients
1 Tablespoon self-rising floor
1 Tablespoon salt
Food coloring
Enough water to make a paste
Cardboard (I used the heavy cardboard that wrapping paper is rolled on)

Directions
Mix flour, salt and water together in a small bowl.

Pour into plastic container ( I used a ice cube tray) and add the colors of your choice, mix with a toothpick. (I ended up tripling the recipe to make 6 colors)

Use paint brushes or cotton swabs to paint on cardboard, make sure to brush paint on thickly so it puffs up when when you microwave.

When the masterpieces are finished microwave your painting for 10-15 seconds, do not microwave for too long.

Fun Things to do with Boys this Summer

If you're like me, you have been dreading hearing "I'm Bored!" this summer break.

I am trying to be more proactive with my boys so they don't just sit on their butts playing video games all summer long. (Which is more difficult then I thought it would be)

So I created my home version of Summer Camp. A way to keep their creative juices flowing and muscles moving.

Here's my list of  fun activities to do with boys this summer!


Stepping Stone Project - use your hand print, or foot print, decorate with pretty stones or just paint, its a great way to add a little touch of your kids to your garden.

Scavenger Hunt - Why not enjoy the great out doors? Leaves, bugs, stones, flowers, the possibilities are endless! (for a free printable scavenger hunt list click here)

Go to the Zoo - You would be amazed at what you will learn too!

Water Fight - Water balloons, water guns, water pinata (fill balloons with water and hang from string and let the kids hit the balloons with a stick), sprinklers, sounds like fun to me!

Hit The Library - Your local library had not only books but movies and lots of fun free activities all summer long.

Drawing Day - go outside with a sketchbook and draw your surrounds, maybe a bug on a leaf, or a bird on a branch, let nature be your inspiration.

Build a Project Day - My boys love working with their hands, we are going to build some bird houses.

Robot Day - Use recycled items from around the house like boxes, paper towel rolls, add a little paint  and let their imaginations run wild!

Science Day - Remember when you were a little kid and you were amazed that when you mix baking soda and vinegar it bubbles up? Well they will be amazed too!

Baking Day - We love to bake around here. (surprised I'm sure!)  Why not bake up some Fudgy Brownies, or a batch of Strawberry Yogurt Cupcakes?

Painting Day - finger paints, puff paint, acrylic paints canvas, wax paper, fabric, the choices are endless!!!

Make Puff Paint

Make Playdough

Make Flubber - post coming soon!!!

Make Claydough - post coming soon!!!


Board Game Tournament - forget the video games! why not break out the Monopoly, Clue, Guess Who, Connect 4 or my favorite - Jenga! time each game so you play 45 mins. each (so you can avoid the 4 hour game of monopoly!) and who ever wins the most times gets a prize. (a simple toy from the dollar store wrapped up)

Stepping Stone Project

Salt Dough Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup salt
1 cup plain flour
Up to half a cup of water

Directions

Mix together into a large bowl and knead it until smooth and stretchy. This last part is important otherwise the dough remains sticky and quite granular from the salt. If it is still too sticky add a bit more flour, if too dry and crumbly then add a tiny touch more water. A little bit of trial and error is all that is needed and it really is so easy.


Once the dough was kneaded I divided it into equal parts and found a shallow pan(the lid from a metal heart container) that was big enough to allow them to create whatever they want to. (maybe hand prints, or drawings)
Squished one part into the bowl and flattened it around to the edges.

Tease it away from the edges slightly and flipped it out onto a plate. The underside was very smooth perfect as a canvas!

Push their hand firmly into the dough.

Bake the plaques for 3 hours at  200F. It needs to be on a very low heat for a length of time to thoroughly dry out and harden. If you want to hang yours on the wall then you need to add a hole with a straw before it goes in the oven.

The next day you can paint using acrylic paints and leave them to dry for a couple of hours.

Scavenger Hunt

Why not enjoy the great out doors? Leaves, bugs, stones, flowers, the possibilities are endless!

To print the scavenger hunt list below click here!

 

I've also received a few emails from people asking for a blank version of the scavenger hunt. You can get it here.

Playdough

Ingredients
1 cup flour
1 cup warm water
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
1 tablespoon oil
1/4 cup salt
food coloring






Directions
Mix together. Cook over medium heat until it reaches the consistency of dough, stirring continually.(It takes a little time)   Let it cool and knead it. You may need to knead in a bit more oil. Add food coloring to dough and kneed.