This is such a simple little project! You can make this using the following supplies:
Chalkboard Paint (purchase at any craft supply stores or many hardware stores)
Small paint brush (I recommend using one with bristles, not a sponge applicator, just to have a smooth finish)
A dish or plate (I used one from the dollar store!)
Depending on how large the plate is, you can use it to serve and identify appetizers (like a cheese plate), use it to list the dinner menu, use it as an ever-changing welcome sign, a humorous sign for family, and so much more!
Rain putting a damper on your kids’ summertime fun? Simple Solutions Diva has some fun and active ways to keep kids entertained! Try one of these themes to keep them busy!
Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain. ~Author Unknown
Game Day Fun:
Indoor Scavenger Hunt – A little preparation ahead of time will make this something easy to pull together when you need it! This is a great way for the kids to have fun and maybe even work together to solve some clues! Think of “Eye Spy” in your own home. Being as creative as you can (maybe even do a poem), describe an item in the house the kids have to find. Once they find the item, the next clue will be there. Make them run up and down stairs, climb under beds, etc. Each clue answer brings them to the next clue. The kids can work together as a team or as individuals to solve the clues. Make the prizes at the end enjoyable for both you and the kids – homemade cookies, trips to the bowling alley, or other appealing activities!
Can of Sardines – This game of hide and seek has you finding the person who is “It”, but instead of announcing you found them, you cram into the same space with them and wait. The last person to find them is the next “sardine”!
Broom-Hilda, Created by Russell Myers.
Broomhilda The Witch – Broomhilda The Witch is a game I used to play with friends MANY years ago (I will not divulge exactly how many!). The play area should be a circle of some sort, maybe around a table or big space cleared in a family room. The person who is “It” (the Broomhilda) is blindfolded and given a broom to hold upside down. The others quietly hide in spaces within the circle/play area. The lights are dimmed and “Broomhilda” begins her slow and careful march, banging the broom handle on the ground with each step, letting the others know she is coming. “Broomhilda” can say anything to make the others giggle, giving up their hiding place. If she finds you, you are out. If you are the first one to be found, you are the next “Broomhilda”.
Mini Marshmallow Popping Contest – Plastic cups, mini marshmallows, scissors and balloons are the simple items you need for this project/game. Cut off the bottom of the plastic cup with the scissors. Take a balloon and tie off the balloon. Using scissors, cut off the top of the balloon and attach the part of the balloon with the knot onto the open bottom of the cup. Make sure it fits tightly onto the cup, bringing the knot almost flush with the bottom of cup. Repeat the process for as many players as you have.
Take a mini marshmallow and place in the bottom of the cup, fitting it into the knotted part of balloon. Pull the balloon down and “pop” the marshmallow out of the cup. The person who can shoot the marshmallow the farthest is the winner.
The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. — Dolly Parton
Camp Out in The Family Room:
This theme is always my go to favorite!
Make Microwave S’mores – So simple and easy! Assemble your s’mores fixings (graham cracker, chocolate piece, marshmallow, and another graham cracker on top!) on a microwave-safe plate and microwave until the marshmallow gets big. Keep a close watch on them — 15-30 seconds, depending on your microwave.
Make An indoor “Camp Fire” -Use yellow, orange and red tissue paper to create a “torch” using a flashlight. Perfect to use in those tents you make with blankets and chairs!
Communications Fun – Make 2 tents and have the kids make a communications system using the old idea of two cans (or cups) with a string between them!
Tea Party:
The Table – Set a beautiful Tea Party Table on a table or maybe even on a blanket. Consider using the china – great time to teach the kids to be gentle with things!
The Guests – Have kids create a character they will be. This is a great way for kids house their imagination. Have them create that character’s silly back ground. Have the kids:
Speak in funny accents.
Dress up in mom and dad clothes.
The Food – Serve tea sandwiches (any sandwich that has the crust cut off and is cut into four small, triangular pieces can be a tea sandwich) and tea (or favorite beverage).
Baking Day:
My personal feeling:Anytime you can make real, homemade baked goods (from scratch) with the kids helping will be a special time. With so many boxed dessert products out there, it is nice to show your kids what real homemade cookies taste like!
– Bake Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies or brownies
– Use some of the cookies (or brownies) to make Ice Cream Sandwiches, then roll the edges in different toppings.
Ice Cream Sandwiches from SimpleSolutionsDiva.com.
Want A Few More Ideas?
Bright And Ready: If you need some simple ideas on what to do with the kids (without having to spend a lot of money), check out the Activity and Learning Decks from Bright and Ready. They have terrific and creative ideas to encourage your child to learn and grow! They have a variety of activity decks for babies, on up to 9 years old.
Thank you to WTLV-TV’s First Coast Living for inviting me on to speak about these fun activities!
Cheese of Choice – Version 1: Sharp cheddar cheese, Version 2: Boursin Garlic and Herb Cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Placing potato on a clean work surface, make slices in the potato without cutting all the way through (like an accordion). To make it easier, place a chopstick on either side of the potato while cutting to keep the knife from cutting all the way through, like this:
Easy Way To Cut Hasselback Potatoes
Slice the entire potato. Alternating between the slices, place a small pad of butter into the slice, then in the next slice, alternate with your cheese of choice. Do this until the potato is completely stuffed with cheese and butter (no one said this was low calorie!). The potato will be somewhat arched.
Drizzle the potato with a little olive oil and sprinkle on salt and pepper to taste.
Repeat the process with the other potato. When completed, place the potatoes on a baking sheet (cover the sheet with tin foil to protect it), doing your best to make them stand up (like a delicious tasting little rainbow!).
Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the inside of the potato is cooked (it will be somewhat firm but not hard). Be sure to check on the Boursin cheese potato a little sooner than the cheddar cheese – mine burned a little (but still tasted AWESOME!).
One large potato can easily satisfy two people (as a side dish).
I am always looking for simple ways to do things in the kitchen, hopefully saving time and energy! These simple kitchen hacks are just a few of my favorites for the summer:
Don’t Lose Hot Dogs In The Grill: For perfectly grilled hot dogs that don’t curl, use 2 wooden skewers, soaked in water so they don’t burn, and thread hot dogs between two skewers. Grill the hot dogs, then turn them over by using the skewers.
Banish The Fruit Flies: Summer time equals fresh fruit – which also means fruit flies in the house! Ugh! This is my favorite way to get rid of the flies easily! Click here to see my video, Get Rid Of Pesky Fruit Flies!
The Perfect Sliced Onion: Perfect slices of onion for hamburgers or other recipes are easier if you use a vegetable peeler to get perfectly thin slices of onion!
Grilled Cut Veggies: For perfect sliced veggies for the grill, like zucchini, squash, or potatoes, use an apple slicer to slice them!
Got A Recipe That Calls For Lots Of Tomatoes (or grapes)? Slice cherry tomatoes or grapes in large quantities by using this tip – place the tomatoes between two dishes; using a sharp serrated knife, slice through the tomatoes. Voila! And, I just happen to have a link to one of my favorite summertime appetizers using grape tomatoes – Caroline’s Tomato Feta Dip
Easy Way to Slice Zucchini or Potatoes Hasselback Style –
Hasselback Potatoes
Hasselback potatoes (or zucchini) are a great way to serve stuffed potatoes, but sometimes it is hard to keep from slicing all the way through the potato! If you place chopsticks on either side of the potato and then slice, the chopsticks prevent you from completely cutting through the potato! Like this:
Easy Way To Cut Hasselback Potatoes
Keep Your Iced Coffee Strong, Not Watery – Extra coffee in the coffee pot? Pour leftover coffee into ice cube trays and freeze. Perfect way to make the iced coffee without watering it down!
Keep Wine Chilled In Your Glass – Add frozen grapes to your wine glass to keep your wine chilled, without watering it down!
Thank you to WTLV-TV’s First Coast Living for inviting me on the show to share these simple summertime kitchen hacks!
