Sharks are some of the largest, most fascinating creatures in the ocean.  

It’s no wonder these awesome sea creatures have inspired numerous books and movies.  There is even a whole week dedicated to sharks each summer. 

Whether you’re looking for some family friendly activities to do during Shark Week, or you are planning a shark birthday party, these DIY Shark Party Games are sure to get the kids smiling and having fun.  

You may also want to check out some of these other shark games for kids.

Affiliate links have been provided below.  See my full disclosure policy here.

Do you know a child that loves sharks?  

Like so many boys his age, my son loves sharks.   He has even had a shark-themed birthday party, complete with a variety of  shark party games  and a “Jawsome” DIY shark cake.

If you are looking for shark party ideas, these games are a great place to start.  

DIY Shark Party Games

These 4 simple DIY Shark themed Games are perfect for a shark birthday party.  They’d also be fun to play during Shark Week in the summer.

Feed the Shark Game

Start by creating your very own game of “Feed the Shark.”   

Use a large piece of cardboard to create this simple ball toss game. 

Simply draw a basic shark head and cut out the mouth.  You can even add in some pointy teeth with white construction paper.  

(Want to see more detailed directions on how to make your own cardboard ball toss?  Check out our Feed the Monster game.)

To feed your shark, tape tissue paper tails to some plastic ball pit balls to make fish.  You could also use bean bags, or you could even use rolled up socks.  (Sometimes simple is best!) 

Put your “fish” in a bucket, and have kids take turns tossing the fish into the shark’s mouth.  

Kids of all ages will have fun “feeding the shark.”  

Have older kids stand farther away from the target.  Younger kids can stand closer to it.  

What’s great about this game is that once you are finished playing, it makes a fun picture opportunity! 

It’s perfect to print out and hand to party guests as a fun souvenir.

Related post:  The BEST Shark Books for Kids. 

Keep the Shark Away

Another very simple party game is “keep the shark away.”  

Use a permanent marker to draw shark faces on blue balloons.  

Cut several pool noodles in half.  

Have kids try to keep the balloons in the air, and not let them touch their bodies, while only using the pool noodles pieces to keep the “sharks” away.  

Walk the Plank

A wood board makes a fun pretend plank for this game.   

Turn it into a kids shark game by placing a blue plastic tablecloth under the plank to serve as your ocean. 

Create shark fins by cutting large triangles out of cardboard. 

Cut a slit in the bottom of the triangle and slide a smaller rectangle of cardboard into the slit to make your triangle fin stand up.  

Place the fins around the plank.  

The object of the game is to walk the plank and not fall in to the shark-infested water.    

Save the Sea Animals Game

Looking for one more shark themed party game? 

Have kids save toy sharks and other sea animals in the Save the Sea Animals game.

There you have it, simple and fun shark party games, just in time to add to your Shark Week activities.

You may also like:

• Educational Shark Themed Games
• Wacky Water Wing Game
• Fun Games for Kids 
• Super Awesome Camp Crafts
• How to Have an Awesome Star Wars Party on a Tight Budget

Originally published June 20, 2015.

The post Shark Party Games — Perfect for Shark Week or a Shark-Themed Birthday Party first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

Summer is almost here.  How will you keep the kids busy and having fun the next few months?

Host your very own summer camp in your own backyard.

From fun summer STEM activities to awesome camp crafts, these simple backyard summer camp ideas for kids 5-10 will have the kids learning and having fun all summer long.

If you are looking for fun ideas, you will also want to check out these backyard summer activities for kids. 

Backyard Summer Camp 

Most of these summer kids activities are low-prep and are good for a variety of ages.

Use them to create your own DIY summer camp, or choose one or two each week to try out with the kids.

From science and STEM, to creative summer craft ideas, there are plenty of backyard summer activities to make this the best summer yet!

Summer Camp Craft Ideas

Duct Tape Water Bottle Holder —  When it comes to family summer activities, it’s important to stay hydrated.  This colorful craft will help encourage your child to carry their own water on that nature hike.  

Duct Tape Sit-Upon —  What’s camp without a campfire?  Make your own sit-upons and always have a clean, dry seat to take on picnics or use around that backyard campfire.  

20 Watermelon Crafts & Activities —  Watermelons are a favorite when it comes to summer picnics.  These fun watermelon crafts and activities are perfect for celebrating everyone’s favorite summer fruit. 

Paper Plate Crafts for Summer —  Looking for a quick and easy summer craft? These summer paper plate crafts are a simple way to squeeze in craft time.

20 Sea Animal Crafts — Even if there’s no trip to the beach in your future,  you can still create a little bit of the ocean at home with these adorable fun sea animal crafts.

Squirt Gun Painting —  Squirt guns are part of summer fun for kids.  Turn the classic summertime activity into art with this idea.

Splat Painting — Summer is perfect for this messy art activity.  

Painting with Toy Trucks  — This messy art activity is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.  I know a few older kids that love it as well.  

Leaf Creatures —  Go on a neighborhood nature hike and then use some of those leaves and other fascinating findings to create unique artwork.  

Seashell Art —  This is the perfect summer art activity after that beach trip.  

Firefly Nightlight Craft — Summer is the time for catching lightning bugs (or fireflies).  This firefly craft makes a fun nightlight for that backyard camping.

Water Bottle Sun Catcher —  Recycle some of those water bottles into amazingly colorful sun catchers that look gorgeous in the garden.  

Tin Can Lanterns  — Kids will have fun creating old-fashioned looking lanterns, perfect for lighting up the back patio on those summer nights.  

Flower Petal Sun Catcher  — Create gorgeous sun catchers with real flower petals.  

Awesome Summer Camp Activities

Trail Marking Scavenger Hunt — Kids will have fun learning trail marking with this scavenger hunt activity, including a free printable.

Soap Carving —  No knife needed!  Teach kids basic knife skills and a little bit of whittling with this fun summer activity.  Check the directions to see how you can use a craft stick instead of a real knife for younger kids.  

DIY Shark Games  —  These easy to make shark games are perfect all summer long.  

Tin Can Stilts —  Make some classic tin can stilts and let the kids have some old-fashion fun using them to race and explore the world from a little bit higher.  

Save the Sea Animals Game —  This simplesummer kids gamewill have them cheering each other on!

Exploring Natural Clay — Ready for some messy fun this summer?  Let the kids explore the squishy fun of clay and try their hand at making their own sun-baked pottery. 

Water Wall  — Your child will have fun creating their very own water wall from recyclables.  Leave it up all summer for hours of water play.   

Sand Foam — Sand is a must during the summer.  The fluffy, sandy texture of this mixture makes it one of our favorite messy play summer activities.  

15 Awesome Water Play Activities  — Water balloons, squirt guns, and sprinklers are fun, but here are a few new ways to play with water this summer. 

Water Wing Fishing Relay — This silly summer kids game is perfect for groups of 4 or more and guarantees a lot of laughs!

Make Your Own Water Blob —  A totally unique experience.  It’s water play, without getting as wet.  

Make Soda Pop Slushies —  Use science to make soda pop slushies at home in this super simple and delicious treat that is perfect for that hot summer day.  

Spider Web Maze — The kids will have fun creating their very own over-sized web in the backyard that will inspire hours of fun as they weave their way through it.  

Science and STEM Activities for Camp

Solar Oven S’mores — This summer STEM activity ends with a tasty treat everyone will love.

Tin Can Stove — Kids will have fun learning how to make an emergency stove that’s perfect for camping.  Then, use it to cook a yummy snack!

Build a Solar Still — Learn how to use the power of the sun to filter water. 

Make Sun Prints  — Did you know you can use the sun to create some fun art?  This one is perfect for kids of all ages.

Make a Soda Pop Geyser — Get ready for some serious fun science!  This is one the kids will want to do again and again. 

Elephant Toothpaste —  Summer is the perfect time for messy science like this one. 

Inflate a Balloon with Science  —  This is a fun twist to the classic baking soda and vinegar science.

Build a Shelter — Kids of all ages love making forts.  Take it outside and build a shelter that will inspire days of pretend play.  

Build a Boat That Floats — Which materials float the best?  Kids will have fun designing their very own boat and then checking to see if it really floats.  

Craft Stick Catapults —  Kids love building things, and when you add in the chance to fling a bit of candy?  We are talking an instant hit!

Classic Egg Drop — The egg drop challenge is a classic STEM activity that is a hit with kids of all ages.  

Make it the best summer ever with these simple and fun backyard summer camp ideas that will have the kids learning and having fun all summer long.

You may also enjoy these posts:

• Plan a Backyard Camping Trip
• How to Make Sand Foam
• Make a Beach Keepsake

Updated from May 20, 2018.

The post Awesome Backyard Summer Camp Ideas first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

If you’re anything like me, you are looking for a few more ideas by mid-July.  

Your child will have fun learning how to make sun prints with construction paper in this simple summer STEM activity that is perfect for all those sunny days ahead.

Making sun prints is a simple science and art activity (STEAM activity) that is perfect for summer.  It works best on a clear, sunny day.

If you are looking for more  sun STEM activities for summer, you will also want to check out how to make solar oven s’mores  and this super simple solar water still.  

Affiliate links have been used below.  See my full disclosure for more details. 

How to Make Sun Prints 

For our sun prints we used black construction paper.   Black paper gives the best results, but if you don’t have black you can use another dark color, such as blue or purple.

Ask your child to find several fairly flat items to make your prints with.  The objects should be heavy enough not to get blown off the paper.

Take the paper and objects outside.  Be sure to place your paper where it will get at least 4 hours of direct sunlight.  (You may want to use a bit of tape to keep the paper from blowing away.)

Have your child arrange their items on the paper, and then allow it to sit in the sun for several hours.  

Wait at least 2 hours before checking your sun prints.  If you want your prints to be darker, wait at least 4 hours.

For best results, don’t move the objects. 

In the picture below the darker objects weren’t moved, but you can see my daughter moved a couple buttons part way through, causing their silhouette to be much lighter.

My son chose a few vehicles for his.   You can see how they each cast a shadow on the paper. 

The images left behind don’t have edges that are as defined.  But he was thrilled with the results anyway.

Sun Print Ideas

• The flatter the object, the crisper your prints will be.  Buttons and coins left behind some of our best sun prints.  
• Be sure to check out our second attempt of this sun prints experiment over on YouTube for more ideas.  
• You can also do this STEM activity with specially made sun art paper.  
• When you’re finished with your sun prints you can talk about the power of the sun and how much it faded the paper.
• Your child might also have fun matching the objects back up to the silhouette left behind.

Making sun prints on construction paper is the perfect summer STEM activity on a sunny day.

You may also want to add these to your summer list of ideas:

• Fun Backyard Summer Activities
• Make Soda Pop Slushies with Science
• Music STEM Activities
• Awesome Camp Crafts
• DIY Water Wall 

Updated from July 13, 2016.

The post How to Make Sun Prints with Construction Paper first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

With plenty of sunshine during the summer months, it’s the perfect time to try making a paper plate sundial. 

Your child will get plenty of practice telling time, learning about the Earth’s rotation and its affect on shadows, doing a little bit of writing, and even get some time outside.  

Plus, this one is also easy enough for kids to do on their own, making it one of our favorite simple STEM activities for kids.  

Before the invention of modern clocks and watches, ancient people people watched the position of the sun and the shadow on a sundial to help keep track of time.

In this activity your child will  make a homemade sundial and discover how to use the sun to keep track of time.

This solar STEM activity is fun, quick to set-up, and uses materials you probably already have at home, making it a win-win for everyone involved.

Your child will also love these other paper plate STEM activities. 

Paper Plate Sundial 

Materials Needed:

• Sturdy Paper Plate  
• Sharpened Pencil
• Permanent Marker
• Watch
• Tape

Use the point of your pencil to poke a hole in the center of your paper plate.  Try not to make the hole any bigger than it needs to be.  Having a snug fit will help keep the pencil stable.  

Turn the plate upside down, with the pencil poking through so the eraser end can rest flat on the ground beneath the plate.  

Use a bit of tape to secure the pencil to the plate with the pointed end standing up.  For best results you want your pencil to be straight up and down (perpendicular to the paper plate).  

Check the clock. 

A few minutes before the clock strikes the next hour, take your materials outside and place your plate in a flat area that gets plenty of sunshine.    This will allow you to start marking the hours on your sundial right away. 

Either tape the rim of the plate to the ground, or use a few small rocks to help weigh it down so it doesn’t blow away.  

Each hour on the hour go outside and use your permanent marker to draw a line along the pencil’s shadow on the plate.   Write the time next to the line you draw.

Try to do this several hours in a row if possible.  Do you notice any patterns?  

If weather permits, leave your sundial outside overnight and check its accuracy the next day.

How a Sundial Works

People can use sundials to keep track of time by observing where the shadow falls on its surface.  The same can be done with this diy sundial for kids.   

During the day the sun seems to move across the sky because the Earth is slowly spinning on its axis.  The different position of the sun in the sky during the day causes the shadow on the sundial to change.

Each day the sun is close to the same position in the sky as it was the day before at that same time. This allows your homemade sundial to be fairly accurate.   

You will also notice that when the sun’s position changes, the length of the shadow on the sundial also changes.  

In the morning the shadow continues to get shorter and shorter as noon approaches.  Then, in the afternoon, the shadow gets longer and longer.  

Try These after Making a Sundial with a Paper Plate

• Try making a more permanent sundial by sticking a strong stick into the ground and placing rocks around it to mark the hours. You can even write the hours with permanent marker on the rocks. It could be a fun addition to an outdoor play area or flower garden.
• Stand in the driveway or on a sidewalk and have someone trace your shadow with sidewalk chalk. Mark the time next to your shadow. Go back and do this again, standing in the same spot. Check out how the shape and direction of your shadow changes in your human sundial.

You may also enjoy these posts:

• Create a Sundial in the Sand
• How to Make Solar Prints
• Awesome Backyard Camp Activities 

Originally published July 2019.

The post How to Make a Paper Plate Sundial — Simple STEM Activity first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

One that I remember reading again and again as a child is Yertle the Turtle.  There was just something about it that made me return to it time and time again.

I was happy to discover that my kids love this story, too.  They wanted an activity to go with the book, and pretty soon, this Yertle the Turtle game was born.

It’s one of our favorite Dr. Seuss activities so far.

We love using games for kids in our homeschooling.  This is one of our favorite Dr. Seuss math activities.

Yertle the Turtle activities

Materials Needed:

• 2 or more empty egg cartons
• Construction paper (We chose green and brown, but your child may choose another color.)
• 1 or more game die
• Clear tape

Before you can play the game, you will need some turtles. 

This is the perfect opportunity for the kids to do a quick craft for Yertle the Turtle.  

Yertle the Turtle Craft

Begin by using scissors to cut out the sections of each egg carton. 

We used a blue Styrofoam egg carton.  But, if you are lucky enough to have a cardboard carton, you can use markers or paint to color each section to look like a turtle’s shell.  

Next, cut 1 inch long ovals from construction paper.  These will form the turtle’s heads.  

Use tape to secure a head to the inside of each egg carton piece.  

Your child can use marker if they wish to add eyes to each head.  

Yertle the Turtle Game

Once the turtles are made, it’s time to play the game.  

Start by selecting one turtle to be Mack (the bottom turtle in the book).  

Place “Mack” on a flat surface.  

Take turns rolling the game die to see how many turtle to stack on top of Mack.  If you roll a 3, you have to place 3 turtles on top.

The idea is to see how many turtles you can stack before someone makes Mack “burp” (like in the book), and the whole stack comes tumbling down!

We had so much playing this inspired by Dr. Seuss math game that the kids didn’t even realize they were working on counting skills and fine motor coordination along the way.

You can easily adapt the game to your child’s skill level.

For younger children one egg carton may make enough turtles to stack.  Older children will be able to stack more of them before the tower falls.

To work on addition skills you can use more than one game die and have them add up the total before stacking on the turtles.

More Yertle the Turtle activities

Yertle the Turtle Craft and Treat  —  Your child will love making this adorable turtle that they can stack and eat.

Crumpled Paper Turtle — This turtle craft would be fun to do after reading the book.

Cupcake Liner Turtle — Cupcake crafts are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.  This one makes some super cute turtles they can play with.

More Dr. Seuss activities:

• Simple Cat in the Hat craft
• I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today craft
• Activities for Hop on Pop
• Dr. Seuss Sensory Play
• Dr. Seuss Sight Word Game

More math activities:

• 15 Fun Ways to Practice Math Facts

Updated from Feb. 26, 2014.

The post Yertle the Turtle Activity: Stack the Turtles Game first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

The egg drop challenge is a favorite when it comes to STEM activities for kids.  

The idea behind it is designing a container that can hold a raw egg and keep it from breaking when dropped from a high place.

It’s simple enough that younger children can participate, but it can easily be modified and made more challenging for older kids.

The egg drop is fun when done on its own.  But it’s also a great Horton Hatches the Egg STEM activity.  

And with spring just around the corner, it is the perfect time to get outside and give it a try.

Affiliate links have been provided below.  See my full disclosure for more information.

Horton Hatches the Egg Activity 

We decided to pair this STEM activity with one of our favorite Dr. Seuss books, Horton Hatches the Egg. 

It fits perfectly with the story, as Horton is faithful in his promise to protect the egg.  The message of being faithful and doing what you promised, even when it isn’t easy, is so important.

We had fun making nests that would protect the egg, just as Horton promised he would do.

It has become one of our favorite Dr. Seuss STEM activities, and it’s perfect if you are looking for Dr. Seuss activities for older students.

If you have enough materials you can challenge your kids to each make 2-3 different egg drop containers to see what works best. 

If you are doing it with a large group of children you could have them work in pairs.

You can find a variation of this and 50 other engineering projects in my new book, Awesome Engineering Activities for Kids.

Egg Drop Challenge

For this activity you will want to have scissors and tape on hand, plus a variety of building materials for kids to explore. 

You will also need a few raw eggs for this STEM project.

Suggested Materials: 

• Small Boxes
• Cardboard Tubes
• Plastic or Paper Cups
• Shredded Paper
• Bubble Wrap
• Packing Peanuts
• Cotton Balls
• Plastic Shopping Bags (can be used as parachutes or for packing)
• Drinking Straws
• Yarn
• Pipe Cleaners (Chenille Sticks)
• Craft Sticks

Part of the engineering process is experimenting with different designs and materials.

Let your child test their ideas out and make changes if needed.  

Remind them that this is how scientists and engineers learn.  They make mistakes and they come up with new ideas to try.

Once the egg drop containers are built, and the eggs are safely tucked inside, it’s time to find a high spot to drop them from.   

If you have a ladder handy you can carry the containers up and drop them from the top of the ladder.

You can also stand on a sturdy picnic table like we did or even drop them out of a second story window.

Once they’ve been dropped, carefully open each container to see if it was successful.

Egg Drop Ideas

Once your child has been successful, you can increase the difficulty level and have them try it again.  

• Allow kids to only choose 2-3 items from your box of materials.
• Try dropping the containers from increasingly higher positions to discover which containers continue to work.
• Assign the items and the quantity they can use.  (For example, “You may only use cardboard tubes and 3 feet of tape.”)

This egg drop activity makes a perfect Horton Hatches the Egg STEM activity to go with the classic Dr. Seuss book.

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• Marshmallow Peeps Catapult Game 
• Engineer a Coffee Filter Parachute
• STEM Challenge:  Build a Boat That Floats
• Build a Shelter Outdoors 
• Simple Gardening Activity for Kids 

Updated from February 26, 2018.

The post Classic Egg Drop STEM Challenge first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.