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Mini Marshmallow Shooters (or Pom Pom Poppers) A few months ago, when I was first introduced to Pinterest, I came across this idea from Real Simple.

Mini Marshmallow Shooters (or Pom Pom Poppers)

I thought it looked like something the kids would enjoy, but we just never got around to doing it over the summer. Then this week the kids had a day off school and it was the first day it didn't rain in what seems like ages! I gathered up some balloons, plastic cups, mini marshmallows and pom poms and we had a great time. These little contraptions are really easy and inexpensive to make, but boy, can they really launch a marshmallow! Here's how we made ours ( I made a few small changes from the original idea) You'll need: * plastic cups (ours were 9 oz) * balloons ( ours were 12") * mini marshmallows (or pom poms) * scissors (not pictured) And here's what you need to do: 1. 2. 3. That's it! **NOTE** The marshmallows went MUCH farther than the pom poms, but I have enough problems with food in unwanted places inside the house. Make-your-own "Lava" Lamp.

I'm embarrassed to even admit how much time I've spent on Pinterest this summer.

Make-your-own "Lava" Lamp

I always plan on just looking for a few cool ideas after the kids go to bed, but the next thing I know, it's 2 a.m. and my mind is spinning with all my new "pins" and the fun I'll have with them. The downside is that the kids have to deal with a tired mommy the next day, but the upside is that I find cool ideas like THIS Lava Lamp. As soon as I saw it, I knew it would make it onto our Summer must do list. I suspected my kids would get a kick out of it and they did!

Here's how we did it: 1. 2. ** NOTE ** We liked watching the water layer "sink" to the bottom, but we had to wait awhile for the bubbles to disappear for the next step. 3. 4. 5. 4. My kids loved it so much they worked really hard to be good so they could "earn" more antacid tablets to do it over and over again. Really BIG Bubble Maker. This activity was so cheap and easy to do, but the results were awesome and the kids LOVED it.

Really BIG Bubble Maker

Check out these really BIG bubbles! Now look how easy it is to make this bubble maker. Here's what you need: plastic straws cotton string ( I think mine was cotton, I found it in my junk drawer)bubble solution ( See THIS POST for recipes and a refill container)shallow container 1. 2. 3. 4. . ( I actually had two different sized straws, but I'm sure if you pinched the ends, you could still push in the straws for handles. ) 5.

NOTE: I adapted it to add the extra two straws as handles, but the original idea came from this cool book of games and activities for kids. Bubble Refill Container. On a nice day, bubbles can keep my kids entertained outside for a long time.

Bubble Refill Container

Quite often, the only the thing that cuts their bubble play time short is when they run out of "bubble juice". When I was browsing at Target the other day, I saw a container that could solve that problem. It's just a simple one-gallon plastic container with a "faucet". I love that we'll be easily able to refill any size bottle of bubbles without spilling. To fill up your Bubble Refill Station, here are two homemade bubble recipes that you can use to make up your own batch of bubbles!

Recipe #1 1 gallon hot water 1/4 cup glycerin (available in many pharmacies and craft stores) 1 cup Dawn dishwashing liquidGently mix all ingredients together. Recipe #2 2 1/2 cups water1/2 cup corn syrup1/2 cup Dawn dishwashing liquidPut water and corn syrup in a bowl and microwave for 3-4 minutes.