Plan things which gets the kids moving. If it's hot, plan for something which will keep the kids busy and get them to be creative indoors. Kids like experimenting and they especially like it when food, water and the associated mess are involved. As the temperatures rises, people like to cool off with a cold drink.
Forget the fact that summer and lemonade go hand in hand; here are 3 cool drinks kids can make on their own with some adult supervision:
1. Fruity Sodas
Take two cups of frozen cut fruit (single variety or mixed). Make sure these fruits go with each other. An adult needs to run it in the food processor. Top it up with double the water and add honey to taste. Stir the whole thing well. Get the kids to have a nice big jug or container to stir it all in to minimize spills.
2. Sweet Milkshakes
Get the kids to peel and ready the fruit in big chunks. Make sure the kids pick a single fruit or a combo of fruits which complement each other. For milkshakes avoid the citrus fruits. Run it in a processor with some milk. Then dilute as required. Want to add a handful of dried raising? Go on have fun!
3. Mash ups
These are fun to think up. Some fruits and some veggies. Toss in a cucumber and some pieces of honey dew. Run it in a processor to make a coarse puree. Add some water and a dash of some flavor. Sprinkle a pinch of spice powder. Chill it well and enjoy!
Make sure the kids are dressed for messes. The things they are doing should all happen at about their waist level so they can hold things and get a good look at what they are doing. Make sure there are wipes for spills. Give the the juice-makers a separate bowl with some sugar/honey to avoid messes of the main containers. Give them a tub full of ice and some glasses within easy reach. Be available to help with food processors and to separate flying fists(if any).
There's no fun in just giving kids a worksheet from JumpStart or Activity Village to keep them busy on a hot summer day. It's smart parenting to get them to do something interesting and then hang around to help and oversee. At the end, when you get that drink, relish the fact that the kids want to do something which does not involve a device, forget the cleaning and enjoy!
Forget the fact that summer and lemonade go hand in hand; here are 3 cool drinks kids can make on their own with some adult supervision:
1. Fruity Sodas
Take two cups of frozen cut fruit (single variety or mixed). Make sure these fruits go with each other. An adult needs to run it in the food processor. Top it up with double the water and add honey to taste. Stir the whole thing well. Get the kids to have a nice big jug or container to stir it all in to minimize spills.
2. Sweet Milkshakes
Get the kids to peel and ready the fruit in big chunks. Make sure the kids pick a single fruit or a combo of fruits which complement each other. For milkshakes avoid the citrus fruits. Run it in a processor with some milk. Then dilute as required. Want to add a handful of dried raising? Go on have fun!
3. Mash ups
These are fun to think up. Some fruits and some veggies. Toss in a cucumber and some pieces of honey dew. Run it in a processor to make a coarse puree. Add some water and a dash of some flavor. Sprinkle a pinch of spice powder. Chill it well and enjoy!
Make sure the kids are dressed for messes. The things they are doing should all happen at about their waist level so they can hold things and get a good look at what they are doing. Make sure there are wipes for spills. Give the the juice-makers a separate bowl with some sugar/honey to avoid messes of the main containers. Give them a tub full of ice and some glasses within easy reach. Be available to help with food processors and to separate flying fists(if any).
There's no fun in just giving kids a worksheet from JumpStart or Activity Village to keep them busy on a hot summer day. It's smart parenting to get them to do something interesting and then hang around to help and oversee. At the end, when you get that drink, relish the fact that the kids want to do something which does not involve a device, forget the cleaning and enjoy!
