Slacker Saturday -- Know Your Library

Today's Slacker Saturday activity is simple -- visit your local library! For families on a budget, getting to know your local public library can be a tremendous resource. Make it a habit to visit your library on a regular basis, and pick up a calendar of events. Resources your library may offer include: free cultural passes for local museums, free DVDs, free audio CDs, free VHS tapes, free magazines, and most importantly lots of free books! You may also find story time, crafts, or even puppet shows for kids. Many local libraries offer Summer reading programs, so it is worth your time to find out exactly what your library has to offer.

Here are some of our family's favorite library tips:

1. A Card of Their Own -- If the kids are old enough, encourage them to get their own library cards. This is a great way to teach kids about responsibility and the value of books. Plus, you can borrow books that interest you without having to check out kid books that cut into your borrowing limit. 
2. Avoid Fines -- Be sure to keep all library materials in a central location within your home. Also, keep track of due dates to avoid paying any overdue fines. Google Calendar works well for this, and you can set it up to send email reminders.  
   
3. Power of Example  -- If you want your kids to grow up to be avid readers, make sure they see you reading. 

I would love to hear about your favorite aspects of your local public library! Is it the convenience of renewing materials online? The selection of movies? The story time for the kiddos? Leave a comment and share your stories with us!

Slacker Saturday -- Paper Boats

For this week's Slacker Saturday activity, Emily and I made paper boats! She liked decorating hers with crayons, and get this.... they float! For a little while, anyway. At least until the paper becomes too soggy. These are very simple to make, and you start off with a simple paper hat. There are only a couple more folds before it turns into a boat. For more instructions, click here. She was able to follow along with me quite well, but younger kids might need some help. These use regular letter-sized paper, and they are quick and easy to make! Have fun!

Slacker Saturday -- Bug Hunt

Bug hunting is probably one of Emily's favorite activities. Even if it's raining outside, she likes to hunt for bugs inside the house! I think she inherited this bug-loving gene mostly from Mark. Although when I was a kid, I was known to have a fascination with caterpillars, but I think most kids are naturally curious about creepy crawlers. I gave her a mason jar, but those twist top ziplock containers work very well too. She gets lots of use out of her magnifying glass, and we try to identify any bugs she finds. 

One thing we don't do is keep the bugs for very long. I always tell her they need to go outside to be with their friends. 

This little activity can keep her busy for a long time.

Happy bug hunting!

Slacker Saturday -- Shadow Puppets

Today's Slacker Saturday activity is Shadow Puppets, and there is something to be said for the simplicity here. Mark showed Emily how to make some easy versions of shadow puppets like a dog, butterfly, and duck. Then, she entertained herself with her own little stories. Sometimes the best activities are the most simple ones, and with just a flashlight and your own imagination, it doesn't get much easier than this!

Slacker Saturday -- Chalk Outlines

It's time for Slacker Saturday, and today's activity is chalk outlines! Emily enjoyed doing this, and she got a big kick out of drawing a funny face on her outline. This activity kept her busy for a long time, and didn't involve a lot of time or effort on our part. Have your child lay down on the sidewalk or driveway and trace his/her outline with sidewalk chalk. Hand the chalk over to your child to draw clothes, shoes, hair, eyes, ears, mouth, and more -- while you take it easy! Have some lemonade or something. It's Slacker Saturday, and you deserve it!

If the weather isn't cooperating in your neck of the woods, just roll out some craft paper instead. Easy and fun!

Slacker Saturday -- Dandelion Bouquets

Do you remember how all the flowers seemed so beautiful when you were a kid -- even the dandelions? That is the concept behind today's Slacker Saturday activity. Today we made dandelion bouquets. Emily got to spend lots of time outside, and we have the added benefit of enjoying a dandelion-free lawn! Send the kids out with a basket to collect the dandelions (try to do this before they go to seed). When all the dandelions are picked, get out some small glasses with a little water and let the kids arrange the dandelions into little bouquets. 

Slacker Saturday -- Pouring Practice

Just before Emily went off to bed tonight, I set up a quick and easy pouring activity for her. This sort of transfer activity is very Montessori-inspired, and it was good practice for her. Start with a small pitcher and a medium sized bowl. Fill the pitcher with dried beans and have your child practice pouring into the bowl without spilling any beans. Next, try dry rice into a small bowl or cup. When your child has mastered pouring the rice, try pouring water into an even smaller bowl or cup. Emily asked if she could practice this some more tomorrow!

Slacker Saturday -- Easy Phonics Game

The idea behind this phonics game is simple: separate cards into two piles (one with categories and one with letters). Have your child pick one card from each pile. For example, "Animal" and "G" means she must name an animal that starts with the letter G. 

Emily seemed to enjoy this game, and afterwards asked if she could arrange the letters in alphabetical order, which kept her busy for awhile. 

Here is the template to download and print. If you are feeling particularly ambitious, you could glue them onto index cards, but this is Slacker Saturday, so gluing is completely optional!


Phonics Game

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Puzzles & Games phonics game

Slacker Saturday -- Flying Saucer Frisbees

It's time for another great Slacker Saturday activity, and this one is very simple, super frugal, and lots of fun! Today's activity is... Make your own flying saucer frisbees! To make yours, you will need 2 paper plates stapled together as shown, aluminum foil, and some stickers to decorate. If you are feeling particularly ambitious, you can decorate with glitter glue too, but this is Slacker Saturday so feel free to omit it!

Staple two paper plates together as shown, and invite your child to cover the plates with a sheet of aluminum foil. Your child can decorate their own flying saucer frisbee with stickers, and then go outside and throw them!

Also, the slacker parents out there might enjoy this article from Wondertime detailing the many benefits to lazy parenting. Makes me want to prop my feet up and kick back! Hope you are all enjoying a fabulous weekend!

Slacker Saturday -- Star Garland

This intergalactic garland could not be any simpler, and the kids love making them to hang all around the house! This one is hanging up in our dining room now. To make your own star garland you will need string and star-shaped Post-It notes. That's it! Simple, right?

Lay out the string and invite your child to sandwich the string between two sheets of star-shaped Post-It notes (stinky sides facing each other). Press together firmly, and repeat down the length of the string. Hang it up to display and enjoy!

New Series -- Slacker Saturday!

Do you want to do crafts and activities with your children, but just do not have the time or energy to do so? Want to try an activity that is quick, easy, and budget-friendly? If so, Slacker Saturday is for you! I am starting a new series every Saturday here on Frugal Family Fun Blog to feature a craft or activity for even the biggest slacker parents out there. You know who you are! If you are too lazy to visit the blog every Saturday, you can always subscribe to the feed so you don't miss any of these great posts (plus, it's free!). Click here to subscribe.

Today's Slacker Saturday activity is....

...hopscotch! This take no time to set up, and keeps the kiddos occupied for a long time. Plus, it burns off some of their endless amounts of energy! First, draw your hopscotch course.

Then, hop, hop, hop away!

Who can resist??