If you are looking for some tasty, cool treats for you and your kids to enjoy this summer, or need some great boredom busters, here are ten great ideas to get you started.

FROSTY FRUIT
Wash, dry, and freeze berries, cherries, or seedless grapes in a sealed container. Enjoy on a hot day.

DRIPLESS POPSICLES
Dissolve one 85 g package of Jell-o powder in 1 cup boiling water. Stir in 1 1/4 cups juice. Pour into molds and freeze.

SENSATIONAL SLUSH
Fill a small yogurt container 2/3 full with juice or pop. Cap with lid and place in freezer for 1 1/2 hours. Then, mix with fork every 1/2 hour or so until to desired consistency.

WATER-GUN TARGET SHOOTING
Stand plastic bottles up on a wall, fence, box, or table, with ping pong balls or empty film canisters set on top of each one. From behind a firing line 3 - 4 paces back, shoot water at targets.

WONDERFUL WET-PRINTS
Pour water into a cake or bread pan. Dip your bare feet or hands into water and make wet-prints on the sidewalk.

SPLASHY SIDEWALK PAINTING
Use a large paint brush (or plant mister) to create pictures on the sidewalk using water mixed with a little paint powder, food coloring, or Kool-Aid powder.

BUBBLEMANIA
Mix together 2 cups warm water, 1/4 cup good quality dish soap (i.e. - Dawn), a little food coloring or paint/Kool-Aid powder, and 2 tbsp. glycerine or corn syrup. Use straws, funnels, whisks, small cookie cutters, etc. to make bubbles and more bubbles.

SANDCAST FOOTPRINT
Dampen, pat down, and smooth out a small area of sand. Make a footprint in sand about 1/2" deep. Mix together 1 cup water and 2 1/4 cups plaster of Paris until it reaches the consistency of a milkshake. Pour mixture to fill in footprint. Leave to dry for at least an hour. Record date and name on back.

NEON SIDEWALK CHALK
Mix together 3 tbsp. plaster of Paris, 2 tbsp. paint powder (bright color), and 1/4 cups water. Pour into 2 solid-stick deodorant lids greased with butter. Let dry for half an hour. Loosen sides and knock chalk out.

SCOOP BALL
Make ball scoops by cutting two or more 1 litre (or 1 quart) plastic milk jugs in half horizontally. Toss a small ball back and forth to a partner, using only the scoop to catch and throw the ball.

About the Author:
These fun summer ideas were reprinted with permission from "Help! I'm Bored!", (Bluebell Cockle Shell Books) The author, Janine Lynn is a parent, author, and educator. Born and raised in Alberta, she is the author of "Help! I'm Bored! - Over 300 Children's Activities for Ages 2-12". She wrote this book because she wanted allof her favorite teaching ideas collaborated into one place. Find out more about "Help! I'm Bored!" at: http://www.telusplanet.net/public/cscltd/page16.html

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