26 May 2010

Summer Fun Container

My preschooler and I have been talking about different things we want to do this summer.  I wanted to turn our list into a visual representation of what we want the summer to look like.  Preschoolers love to see accomplishment and have things to look forward to - at least mine do!  I came up with this idea as a way to "choose" activities for the summer.  Most activities are free, some cost a little bit, but the idea is to have a bucket of ideas - and to do every single one before Labor Day.  Some will be used as a reward and others will go into the "What are we going to do today?" category.  Here's how we made our Summer Fun Container.  

We started by writing down all the fun things we want to do on a summer fun list (in the shop) like this:

 I typed out our list:

Cut each event into strips:

We covered another Trader Joe's coffee container with summery scrapbook paper, glue, stickers, and paper ribbon.


We used border stickers to cover the fronts and backs of clothespins.



We put the clothespins in the container with the strips of paper.

We'll choose activities between Memorial Day and Labor Day and hopefully at the end of the summer, our Summer Fun Container will look like this:
Have you started making plans for the summer?  
How do you plan?  No planning, make a list, or something visual and tactile?

I'm linking this up to some parties - check them out!

25 comments:

  1. This is a really great idea! I'll bet my boys would love something like this! Thanks for sharing.

    Jeanine

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  2. You are so making me look at clothes pins in a new and exciting light. First the big ones for pictures and now this.

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  3. Such a cute idea, and beautiful design:) In my planning, I am a huge list-maker....I just made my own 'day planner" cork board that I'll post up next week if you are interested. It has daily chores, pre-school activities, etc.

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  4. Very cute! I've been working on my summer "bucket" list too!

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  5. What a fun idea! That's so sweet. And the clothes pins are so great, in all those prints. I was at All Things Related today and saw they were having a "kids activities for summer" link party soon - you should link this up!

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  6. I love this idea! I'm visiting from New Friend Friday. I signed up to be a follower.

    Paula@One Mom's Corner of the World

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  7. I'm a new follower from New Friend Friday!

    I am LOVING your blog and store and am having a blast going through your archives this morning!

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  8. Great idea. I love how you decorated the jar!!!

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  9. I blogged about this great canister at my blog

    www.kimboscrafts.blogspot.com

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  10. great idea for summertime! come and link up to making monday marvelous!

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  11. Very cool idea! I'm a new blogger, so check me out!

    http://gettingintotruffle.blogspot.com

    Shannon

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  12. What a super cute idea. I love getting the little ones involved and this is a perfect way to move through the summer! So creative and adorable! Thanks for joining the Sunday Showcase! I greatly appreciate it! ~ Stephanie Lynn

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  13. Such a cute idea, thanks for linking up!

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  14. Oh I love this idea! I might just have to steal it this summer!

    Rachelle

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  15. Great idea! The ones you picked would be just what we would pick so you made it easy for us. Thanks so much for a fun idea.

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  16. Love this. I love summer fun ideas!! I am featuring this as part of the "Look at me" Party..come by and snag a button. Thanks for linking up!

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  17. thanks so much for the fun and super simple idea! keep 'em comin'!! i've linked to you on she's crafty-
    http://crafty.littlerockmamas.com/index.php/2010/06/08/a-jar-full-of-summer-fun/

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  18. I love this... I think I am going to adapt it to to the boys chores (HEY at least they will be fun to look at)- I've tossed around a job jar and the Popsicle stick chore chart.... hmmmm i'll link up to you when I figure it out...

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  19. Well, this is adorable. It's an idea that could be changed up in a variety of ways. Thanks for sharing!

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  20. Love your idea. We use this plan: I have teenagers and they do jobs all week long while I am working outside the home. Every morning I leave them a list and they do "a job a day" or more depending on the jobs. I am off on Fridays so we have Adventure Fridays and plan something to do that fun for all of us (or at least those that can participate). Our home gets the TLC that it needs and I don't have to do all the work. It totally gives them ownership and life skills that they are starting to need.

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