It’s summer vacation and the kids are driving me nuts! HELP!

It’s the same old story. I work from home, but when the kids are on summer vacation all work stops and my home turns into a full time daycare. I can’t afford to send them to summer camp and I also can’t afford to take my own summer vacation to play all day. The solution? Imagination. Between the kids imagination and my resourcefulness, we’ve found a long list of activities that keep them busy without breaking the bank. Here are my top 5 favorites:

1. Salt Dough - Possibly the coolest stuff since sliced bread, salt dough is easy for the kids to make and they love it! The ingredients are super-cheap, and you can add color and fun scents by mixing in dry kool-aid powder to the dough.
2. Wading Pool - Those cheap hard plastic wading pools are good for so much more than wetting your feet. They’re an emergency shelter in a waterfight. They’re an easily washable wrestling rink when filled with jello. And right after you wash it you can have your kids bob for mini marshmallows. Plus, fun in the sun is almost always followed by strangely subdued and exhausted children so naptime makes this one a double bonus!
3. Sock Puppets - Using a marker and whatever crafty supplies you have around the house, you and your kids can create the coolest to creepiest little sock creatures ever seen! Any box or window can be converted to a “stage” while they let their inner-thespians shine!
4. Dry Erase Markers - Whether you have a white-board or not, dry erase markers can keep kids busy for hours and they’re really easy to clean up. You can find a spare whiteboard at most thrift shops, but any glass surface will do the trick. Whether they’re playing teacher and student, drawing up plans for their latest invention, or just coloring for the pure fun of it, the re-usability of this office supply makes it a winner.
5. Box City - This requires a certain tolerance for a temporary mess, but large appliance boxes have always been entertaining for kids. Get a couple from your local hardware retailer and build a town!

Wii Fit is at the top of the current MUST HAVE video game list, but for those still on the fence:

Check out this youtube video posted by some guy who’s obviously just lucky to be there!