by Jamie Elizabeth

Created on: January 26, 2010

When kids are on summer vacation it can often be difficult to find affordable pastimes to keep them busy. Thankfully, there are plenty of crafts available that are great summertime activities. Rock painting and pinecone bird feeders are just two of the simple options that will keep kids occupied during those long summer days.

Rock Painting

Supplies Needed: Variety of rocks, acrylic paints, paintbrushes, water, newspaper

1) During a trip to the beach or even on a walk around the neighborhood, encourage your kids to pick up interestingly shaped rocks, or rocks with a flat surface.

2) Bring this collection of rocks home, and rinse them off. Allow them to dry overnight so that the paint will stick to them.

3)Lay out newspaper on a picnic table, or if it is raining, in the basement or rec room of your house.

4) Set out the rocks and the paints and paintbrushes and allow your kids to paint designs on the rocks. The finished products make great garden ornaments, tablecloth weights for the picnic table, or napkin holders for outdoor meals.

Turtles, ladybugs, and smiley faces are great ideas for any round, smooth rocks that you find. This is a great project that allows kids to use their imaginations, be messy, and see the final product prominently displayed. It might also inspire them to go out on their own to search for more rocks in the backyard or around the neighborhood.

Pine Cone Bird Feeders

Supplies Needed: pinecones, peanut butter, bird seed, string or yarn, butter knife, newspaper, paper plate

1) Take a good sized pinecone and tie a piece of yarn around the top so that it forms a loop. This loop will be hung from a tree branch.

2) Lay newspaper down on the floor or on a table.

3) Using the butter knife, cover the pinecone with peanut butter.

4) Pour some birdseed onto the paper plate and roll the peanut butter-covered pinecone around in the birdseed so that it sticks to the peanut butter.

5) Carefully carry the pinecone outside and tie it to a tree in your yard.

6) Watch the birds arrive and eat the birdseed off of the pinecone!

Both of these simple crafts are affordable, fun, and can be easily made with materials found around the home or at a local store. Kids will love seeing their finished products put to use and will be kept occupied as they use their creativity during those long days of summer vacation.

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