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.

There are so many fun solar science activities you can do with the kids.

This solar still experiment is one of our favorite STEM activities for summer.

Learning how to make a solar still isn’t just a fun summer science experiment.

Solar stills are also a simple way to purify water for drinking, making it a great survival skill to learn.  You could use it as part of a survival themed camp, along with our buddy burner tin can stove.  

Or, try it along with some of our other fun summer backyard camp activities for kids.

How to Make a Solar Still

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

Materials Needed:

• Clean Glass Jar
• Wide Plastic Bucket or Bowl 
• Plastic Wrap
• Small Rock
• Rubberband or Tape
• Water

Find a sunny spot to place your solar still.  It should be a spot that gets sun almost all day.

Start by pouring an inch or two of water into your large plastic bucket.

To really demonstrate how a solar still can be used to clean and purify drinking water, we decided to use water from our pond.  You could also add a bit of dirt to tap water or just use clean water to begin with. The choice is yours.

Place your clean glass jar in the center of your bucket.  Be careful not to get any of the dirty water inside the jar.

Cover the bucket with plastic wrap.  

Your plastic wrap needs to form a good seal around the bucket.  Some brands of plastic wrap will cling tight, but if yours doesn’t want to stay put try using a large rubberband or a bit of tape.

Finally, place a small rock on top of the plastic wrap, right over the jar.

Then let your solar still sit undisturbed for several hours.

Use the time to learn trail marking in a no-prep scavenger hunt with the kids.  Or, try to make s’mores with a solar oven!

With the help of the sun, the water will evaporate and then collect on the plastic wrap.

The water droplets will then run towards the center because of the rock and fall into the jar, producing clean water that is safe to drink.

Another fun twist to this experiment is to try it using salty water.  The water that collects in the jar won’t taste salty and will be perfect for drinking.

While this isn’t the fastest way to purify water, this DIY solar still is effective.

We let our solar still experiment sit in the sun all day and wound up with about an inch of drinkable water.

If you enjoyed this post, you’ll also like:

• How to Build a Shelter
• Make Solar Oven S’mores
• Summer Science: Make a Soda Pop Geyser
• Fun and Foamy Elephant Toothpaste Experiment 

First published on July 17, 2017.

The post How to Make a Solar Still — Simple Summer STEM Activity first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

Discover how to make a pizza box solar oven to cook these tasty treats.  

Making solar oven smores may become one of your favorite backyard summer activities.

This summer STEM activity would be perfect as part of a backyard summer camp.   

Kids will have fun mud painting, building a shelter, and learning how to mark a trail before having this scrumptious camp snack.  

Solar Oven STEM Activity

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

Materials Needed: 

• Clean, empty pizza box (You can purchase these new if you don’t want to reuse an old pizza box.)
• Black construction paper
• Aluminum foil
• Clear plastic wrap
• Scissors
• Tape
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Graham crackers
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate candy bars (We love Hershey bars.)

With the pizza box closed, use your ruler to measure and draw lines 1 1/2 inches from the lid’s edge at the front and two sides.  

Cut along the lines, making a flap in the lid.  (Be sure you don’t cut the back edge.)

Wrap aluminum foil, with the shiny side out, around the pizza box lid.  You may need to use a bit of tape to hold the foil securely.  

Tape a second piece of foil, shiny side up, to the bottom of the box.  

Finally, cut a piece of black construction paper so that it fits at the bottom with 1 inch of foil showing on all sides.  

Secure the black paper to the foil, rolling the tape so it is hidden under the black paper.

Now your solar oven craft is ready to be used. 

Use the power of the sun to cook a yummy snack.  You can also use the power of the sun to make sun prints. 

How to Make Solar Oven Smores

Lay your s’more ingredients in the box, on the black paper, with one graham cracker at the bottom, followed by a piece of chocolate, and then your marshmallow.  

Keep the top graham cracker off for now.  (If you want to reuse your solar oven, place a small piece of foil just under your s’mores to keep the black paper clean.)

Cover the opening in the box with clear plastic wrap.  This will help keep the bugs off and hold in the heat.  Use tape to hold this plastic in place.

Finally, use your pencil (or a wooden dowel) to hold the flap open.  

Set the solar oven in the sun, positioning it so that the sun reflects off the foil on the lid’s flap.  

You may need to adjust the pencil’s position.  Tape can help keep the pencil in place.

Now you’re cooking s’mores with a pizza box solar oven!  

Check your s’mores every 10 minutes.  They are ready to eat when the marshmallows are able to squish under the top graham cracker.

Pizza Box Solar Oven Activities

• Use a thermometer to see how hot your solar oven gets.  How does this temperature compare to a real oven?
• The weather will affect how well your solar oven works.  Try it on different days.  How well does it work on a mild day versus a hot one?  What about a cloudy day versus a sunny day?
• The black paper serves as a heat sink.  What would happen if you used a piece of white paper or a different color?
• Can you think of ways to make your solar oven more efficient?
• What else can you cook with your solar oven?  (Nachos are super simple.  Just toss shredded cheese on tortilla chips.)

Making s’mores is a classic summer treat.  

This simple summer STEM activity teaches kids about the power of the sun, all while making solar oven smores. 

Looking for more fun ideas?

• • Awesome Camp Crafts
  • Make Soda Pop Slushies at Home (Fun science!)
  • STEM Challenge:  Build a Boat That Floats
  • STEM Challenge:  Craft Stick Catapult

And if your kids love science and STEM, check out Stevespanglerscience.com.   We love their science boxes! 

Originally published June 9, 2016. 

The post How to Make Scrumptious Solar Oven S’mores first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

For many this year, the day camps and sports are cancelled.   

You can still make it an awesome summer with these backyard summer activities.

They’d be perfect on their own or as part of your own  backyard summer camp.

Se

This post contains affiliate links.  See my full disclosure for more details. 

Hot summer days are perfect for squirt guns and other water play ideas.  But these fun ideas will have the kids saying it was the best summer yet.  

Backyard Summer Activities for Kids

Build a Shelter — Blanket forts are always fun indoors on a rainy day.  What about challenging your child to build a shelter in the backyard?  

Mud Painting — Let the kids get artistic outside with their very own paint, made with mud.  The texture is perfect for finger painting or using brushes as they express their creativity. 

DIY Water Sprinklers — Water play is twice as fun when you create your own sprinkler for the backyard.  Discover how an empty plastic bottle or pool noodles can be used to help kids cool off on a hot day.  

Sponge Water Bombs — Love water balloons but not the pick up afterwards?  Use some cheap kitchen sponges to create your own water bombs that can be used over and over again.  

Mobile Mud Pit — Turn a wheelbarrow or wagon into a messy play area that can easily be moved when play time is over.  

Water Wall —  Keep toddlers and preschoolers busy for hours with their very own water wall, made from recyclables.   Keep older kids busy by having them design and engineer the water wall.  

DIY Water Slide — Keep the kids entertained for hours with this homemade slip and slide.  

Nerf Gun Battle Field — Wood pallets and old tires make great obstacles to hide behind and shoot around for an epic Nerf gun fight your kids will remember.  When they’re finished, it’s easy to move and store out of the way until the next battle day.  

Water Balloon Activities —  Go beyond the classic balloon fight.  With these game and race ideas, kids of all ages will have fun.  And with the new self-sealing water balloons you’ll be sure to have plenty filled for everyone in record time. 

Giant Bubbles Recipe — Bubbles are always fun.  Even my 12 year-old has fun with the bubble machine we bought.   With this recipe your child can make the biggest bubbles they can imagine.  

Water Blob —  Create a marvelous sensory experience for toddlers and preschoolers with this idea.  They’ll have fun squishing and plopping on the water blob, while staying mostly dry.  

Backyard Coding Game —  In this game, one person acts as the Programmer and everyone else is a Computer.   Level 1 starts off similar to Simon Says, with the “computers” copying what the “programmer” does.  With 4 levels of difficulty, this coding game is great for a variety of ages.  

DIY American NInja Warrier Course — PVC pipes, wood pallets, and other inexpensive items are perfect for designing your very own ninja-style obstacle course.  And once the kids are finished, it can easily be taken apart and stored for another day.

Backyard Movie Night — Make a super simple outdoor movie screen and watch your favorite family movie on a projector under the stars.  Make it even more special with buckets of popcorn and a cuddly place for the kids to sit.  (An air matress is perfect!)

Make Ice Cream in a Bag — Perfect for all ages.  Just add the ingredients and have the shake their bag until their sweet treat is ready to eat. 

Cook and Eat Outside —  Cook a meal with the kids outside.  Instead of just using the grill, try making tin foil dinners on a small fire.  You could also make cheese quesadillas on a tin can stove or make a homemade solar oven to cook lunch.

Catch Fireflies — Whether you call them fireflies or lightning bugs, kids will love this classic summer pasttime.  No fireflies where you live?  Try making your own light up firefly craft.

Outdoor Games — There are so many fun games to play outside.  Teach the kids classics like Kick the Can and learn some new ones, too, with this list of over 30 games to play in your backyard.    

More Backyard Games

These fun backyard summer activities will ensure kids have fun even if all their usual activiites are closed.

You may also like these ideas:  

• Shark Activities & Games 
• Summer STEM Activities 
• Fun Activities to Stay Cool with Ice
• How to Make Tin Can Stilts 

The post Fun Backyard Summer Activities for Kids first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.