By: Emily Shwake

1. Squirt gun fun: Set up an easel, pack a water gun full of liquid watercolors, and you have an afternoon filled with an art project that requires little to no patience, but turns out beautifully every time. Thanks to Fireflies and Mudpies for the fAuntastic idea!



2. Playing with a pipette is a great way to help them work on their fine-motor skills. Set up a few bottle caps on a tray and let your niece or nephew have fun trying to shoot them from a distance or to delicately pour them into a few of the smaller ones. Check out Fantastic Fun and Learning for more details.



3. Water balloon tosses: Load up the water balloons for games that can last all day – without the danger of someone getting hurt! Use some of the chalk from Week 2 of Aunt Camp and draw a target on the sidewalk. They can throw the water balloons for a bull’s-eye instead of at their brother or sister!



4. Make the biggest bubbles EVER: First, make the wands out of two wooden dowels and two pieces of yarn or string. Then, fill a kiddy pool with water, dish detergent, corn syrup and glycerin. Dip the strings into the chemistry combo, and you’ve got beautiful fun in the sun!



5. Time for the coolest science lesson ever: Teach the kids about evaporation! Tell them to hold a cotton ball over a cup of water outside. The cotton ball will fill up with the evaporated water. Make it rain by squeezing the cotton ball.



Photo: Emily Shwake
Published: June 24, 2015