May 2009 - Posts
Splash into Summer: Make a Dog Washing Stand!
Sick and tired of the summer blues? Make a splash in your neighborhood with a dog washing stand! Nothing beats summer boredom like getting outside, getting wet, and earning a few bucks while you’re at it. Invite your neighbors to bring their pooches to get a good cleaning for just a few dollars. Use this as a fund-raiser for your school, community, or a local charity, or simply as a way for your kids to earn a little extra money over the summer.
Checklist
STEPS
- Set a date and spread the word: Distribute fliers around your neighborhood. Be sure to check the weather beforehand. The rain is a poor substitute for your expert washing techniques!
- Get Supplies: Gather your old towels and purchase any items from the checklist that you don’t already have on hand.
- Make a Sign: Get a colorful poster paper, or colorful markers to make a bright and fun sign to post at your dog washing stand. You may want to mimic the design of your flyers so that people recognize your stand. Be sure to include prices.
- Now you’re ready for opening day! Set up your stand in a highly visible location and in an area where the kids can work safely. Hang the sign from table, set out the cash box, and invite cutomers to “step right up”.
- Doggie treats will go a long way in gaining the cooperation of those dogs who don't relish taking a bath. Once the dog is thoroughly wet, lather it with soap and then rinse well. The dogs can be towel-dried or dried with a blow dryer. IMPORTANT: If using a blow dryer, keep it away from the water basin to prevent an accidental electricution!
- Play it safe by having a parent present at all times. Don't take the risk of a child being bitten. If a dog exhibits threatening behavior, turn the customer away.
Tips
- If you want to attract more than just your own neighborhood residents, put up fliers in your local grocery store, church, library, and community centers. In this case, be sure to have multiple washing stations, plenty of towels, and several volunteer helpers on hand so more than one dog can be washed at a time.
- Let one of the children oversee the cash box. This is a great way to teach them how to count change.
"Printable Dog Wash Stand Flyer."
As it gets warmer outside, it's time to get out of the house!
Fun, laughter, and good times are often born spontaneously, but if you want to get the most fun out of a family outing, it's a good idea to do a little organizing beforehand. Some pre-planning can avoid the inconveniences that can put a damper on those good times.
If you launch into elaborate preparations that cause delays when everyone else is ready to just jump into the car and go, the whole excursion can get off to a frustrated start. Here are some suggestions that will help cut down on preparations and frustrations when it comes to "spontaneous" fun. Once you've packed a grab-n-go backpack, and packed a few essentials in the trunk of your car, all you'll have to worry about the next time you hear "Let's go!" is making sure everyone has visited the bathroom before heading out the door.
Things to Keep in the Trunk of Your Car
In the trunk, off your mind. Having these things pre-packed means you'll have less to remember (or forget!) when it's time to head out the door.
Things to Keep in a Grab-n-Go Backpack by the Door
Keep a backpack stocked and ready to go at a moment's notice. Keeping it in a handy visible location near the door will prevent you from forgetting it in the excitement of departure. Here are a few items that can make the difference between fun or fiasco.
- Sunblock lotion
- Non-refrigerated snacks
- Bottled water
- Pre-moistened towlettes
Round 'Em Up for a Rootin' Tootin' Good Time!
When it comes to planning an outdoor party for kids, the sky's the limit. Hosting an outdoor party opens up a whole new world of options. More space, more fun! And there's no need to spend a lot of money to have a lot of fun. If you're planning a party during the summer months, check out some of these fun and easy games and a few menu suggestions to go along with a western party theme. Test their squirt gun skills with "Sharp Shooters", allow them to sneak up on the Sheriff in "Giddy Up, Whoa!", and let your li'l buckaroos search for hidden cowboy toys in a "Haystack Hunt".
Tips
- Use colorful bandanas for costumes, table decorations, or to wrap up party favors for your 'lil buckaroos.
- Make each guest a simple fringed cowboy vest from paper bags.
- Take pictures and develop them with a sienna filter for an old-fashioned western look.
Checklist
- Lifetime Picnic Table
- Lifetime wheelbarrow
- Squirt guns
- Empty cans
- Bag of plastic cowboys & indians, or just horses
- Hay
- Sheriff's badge
- Bandanas for decorations and costumes
Sharp Shooters
Checklist
A squirt gun for each child to use and take home- Empty pop cans or plastic cowboys, indians, or horses toys to use for targets
Steps
- Line up targets in a row on the table
- Have each child stand at a reasonable distance facing the table and take a turn shooting at the targets.
Giddy Up, Whoa!
This is a variation on the old favorite "Red Light, Green Light". The object of the game is to be the first child to tag the Sheriff.
Steps
Choose one child to wear a cowboy hat or badge to designate him/her as the Sheriff. Have that child stand at one end of the yard.- Have the rest of the children line up across the other end of the yard to wait for the signal from the Sheriff.
- The Sheriff turns away from the children and hollers "Giddy Up!" which is the signal for the children to run towards him/her.
- After a couple of seconds the Sheriff whirls around to face them, hollering "Whoa!" which is the signal for the children to freeze in their tracks. If the Sheriff notices a child moving, that child is out.
- The Sheriff then turns away from the children again with the signal to "Giddy Up!". This process is repeated until the Sheriff is tagged. The first child to tag the Sheriff gets to be the new Sheriff.
Haystack Hunt
Checklist
Hay- Plastic cowboys, indians, and horses that the children can take home. Be sure to count them so you'll know when they've all been found!
- A Lifetime Wheelbarrow, or something similar, like a large wagon, to put the hay in.
Steps
- Before the party, hide the toys in the hay
- At a designated time during the party, have the children search through the hay together to find the toys (you may have to help to make sure every child finds some).
Suggested Chuckwagon Menu
Try to incorporate authentic western grub on the menu. The following are just a few easy-to-make suggestions.
- Pork-n-Beans with hotdogs
- Cornbread
- Wagon wheel macaroni with cheese and hotdogs
- Cupcakes decorated with western symbols, like a cactus or a star.