Messy Outdoor Projects

I had shaving cream fights all the time growing up, and just a month ago it was the main attraction of my 6-year-old's birthday party. To throw one together, grab a handful of kids in swimsuits, have them strap on goggles (for eye protection) and toss each one a can of foam shaving cream (you know, the kind that smells like a forest). Before turning them loose, lay down some ground rules and make sure a hose is handy!

If, like mine, your children love blowing bubbles in chocolate milk until it spills over, this messy project will be a winner! Combine equal parts liquid dish soap and water in a cup, and stir in tempera paint. Using a straw, blow (don’t suck in!) bubbles until they are overflowing. Take out the straw and lay a piece of paper over the top of the cup, repeating until the kids are happy with their masterpieces. Lay out to dry.

Now that we are two months into summer, the slip and slide may have lost its luster. To add a little extra slip to the slide and excitement on your child’s face, drizzle dish soap down the runway. I recommend using goggles and a natural brand of dish soap. Having a camera handy is also a must. Other than that, sit back and enjoy the laughter.

Kids with paint can stress out even the most seasoned of crafters (myself included). However, bringing this project outdoors means you don’t have to worry about what section of carpet or furniture will get an “artistic” treatment. Gather acrylic paint, small paintbrushes, seashells in various sizes (available at craft stores) and a drop cloth or craft paper to work over.

To modernize tie-dye, make hombre shirts. You'll need fabric dye, plain T-shirts, a medium container and water. Follow the directions on the dye and dampen your shirt. Dip the lower part of the shirt in dye and leave for 10 minutes. Lower further in dye for another 10 minutes. Next, dip shirt a little further in dye for a couple seconds and then remove. Follow directions on dye to finish, and repeat steps for the pictured two-toned version.

This messy project was extremely entertaining. For the edible paint, mix 1/3 cup flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and two cups water in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until mixture thickens, divide among cups and add food coloring. When paints have cooled, give each its own paintbrush, bring outside and let kids get busy painting themselves, each other and you. The paint is edible but not delicious, and the food coloring can stain. And, it tickles!

My kids use spray bottles to cool off and for water fights, watering plants and drinking from. When I added equal parts water and acrylic paint, they were in heaven. We hung white pillowcases to spray and used painter’s tape for monograms. When the paint dried, we peeled the tape, rinsed the pillowcases with the hose, and washed and dried. You could also paint white cloth napkins or a large sheet for picnics.

Your kids will oooh and ahhhh over this project. Along the top of a piece of card stock, punch holes about one-fourth of an inch apart. Using string or twine, secure crayons between the two holes. Next, find your yard's hottest part, and prop crayons and paper up at a slant. As the sun melts the crayon, the colored wax will drip down the paper. Your kids will want to check often to see the progress!