Hello all-
I hope that you and your families are all safe and well. I truly believe that brighter days are on the way, and happy days will soon be here again. For the time being, Day Camp in the Park would like to offer you some fun projects that you can do with your children to exercise their creativity and help pass the time. I’d like to suggest a few fun projects that can be done with items you may already find in your homes. I think the kids will really like them.

1) Create a vision board
A vision board is a board or piece of paper (card-stock) that you display pictures of whatever you want to be, do or have in your life. Vision boards are like bulletin boards with words or pictures that mean something positive for you. Boys and girls of all ages can make them. Once made, your vision board should be kept in a place that you can see it to motivate and make you happy every day. we can all use some happiness everyday especially during these trying times.
Supplies needed….

-Magazines
-Junk mail
-Scissors
-Glue

2) Salt dough ornaments
One of my favorite things to do. Salt dough is fun and easy to make. 3 ingredients are all you need…..

-2 c flour
-1 c salt
-1 c warm water

Once you make the dough, you can use cookie cutters or just create your own shapes to make ornaments. You can use a straw or pencil to make a small hole at the top of your ornament when you are done. Place the ornament on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and bake at 250 degrees for about an hour. The end results are beautiful. You can paint the ornaments or even use sharpies to decorate them. Embellish them as you like. They make wonderful gifts too.

3)Silly Putty
We all remember how much fun it is to transfer pictures from the Sunday comics to silly putty. It’s really easy to make your own. What you’ll need is …

-1 cup liquid starch
-1 cup white glue
-Paint or food coloring

To make- mix in a few drops of paint or food coloring with glue. Mix thoroughly. Add in starch and let sit for 5 minutes to let settle together. Store in a sealed plastic bag.

4) Rock painting
This one is my favorite. Now that the weather is getting a little warmer, take your child outside and go rock collecting. The flat river rocks are great for painting but any rock will do. Bring them in and clean off any dirt with a paper towel. Kids can paint them with acrylic paints, nail polish or even markers. I love to paint inspiring words or turn them into owls, ladybugs or smiley faces. You can shine them up after with clear nail polish or gloss spray if you have it. They are great to give as gifts.

5) Milk carton bird feeder
You can turn an empty pint or half gallon of milk into a bird feeder. First clean out the container. Cut out a nice shape for the door. Paint the container with acrylic paint. Embellish the roof with sticks or whatever you can find outside or around the house. Add stickers and draw designs to embellish. Be creative. Add some string or yarn to hang outside. Put in some bread or bird seed and watch the birds come.

I hope you have fun creating with your children. Remember we will get through this tough time together.

Stay safe and well-
Dena Fischett