Popsicle Stick Summer Fun

Some days, being a mom is tough. Occasionally—especially during school vacations—I even feel a sense of dread about how I’m going to fill the days with my little half-lings.

It is during these times that I am more aware than ever for my need of the Holy Spirit to help me give my girls the love, patience, gentleness, and joy that they need to thrive. But I’m also aware that there are some practical things I can be doing in preparation for those afternoons where restless children have lost the ability to entertain themselves, and need some creative ideas to set them on the right path again... After all—to slightly mangle a proverb—“the wise man [or mom] thinks ahead” (Proverbs 13 v 16).

So this summer I've brainstormed some activity ideas perfect for writing on popsicle sticks and placing in a jar, ready for those moments when little hands are in desperate need of a little creative inspiration.

Why not take a look and add your own ideas at the bottom of the screen. The more the merrier!

(And if all else fails—and your little ones are still clamoring for a screen—at least you'll have fun eating the popsicles...)

30+ popsicle-stick activities:

• Make a cake for a friend or someone you love
• Write a letter or make a card for someone you love and mail it
• Have an impromptu dance party
• Make a craft from the craft book
• Create an obstacle course around the yard and time yourself around it
• Create and perform a short play
• Create a “count your blessings” jar and fill it with thanks
• Listen to your favorite story CD
• Write a list of all your favorite foods and some you'd like to try
• Tidy up a room of your choice
• Ask mommy if there's something you can do to help her today
• Build a bug hotel in the yard and go on a bug hunt
• Go shopping to get some food to take to the local food-bank
• Read a book
• Spend 20 minutes coloring/ working in an activity book
• Re-enact your favorite Bible story
• Make paper-chains to decorate your room
• Watch a YouTube video to learn how to create a new hair style
• Create a picture of your favorite memory and then share it with someone
• Play a board game
• Make a chalk mural on the fence or patio
• Build a fort
• Use a mirror to draw a picture of your own face
• Create a vet’s practice with all your soft toys
• Play a sports game on the Xbox
• Practice face-painting on a willing sibling
• Paint your finger and toe-nails
• Make a rainbow collage
• Make a robot or something else from stuff in the recycling
• Find some snails and have a snail race
• Build a Lego tower that touches the ceiling
• Plan a treasure hunt
• Play hide and seek
• Find 1 thing in your room that you can give away to someone
• Make mommy a drink and a snack

For lots more play ideas for little ones check out Play Through The Bible.

Got any other ideas? Join the conversation and comment below. You can also like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our YouTube Channel, and download The Good Book Company App straight to your phone or tablet.