The web-site of Huddersfield South West Scout District. Find out what we are currently doing for the youngsters in our area. There is a section devoted to programme and Activity Ideas, with links aplenty. Our Archive section has just started. Sunny, summer days are here. Looking for easy kid summer Activity Ideas? How about taking the sun itself and plan a fun summer activity for kids? The sun is our closest star and very important to us. The sun gives us light, warmth, energy and life.

I recommend the book, Sun, Our Nearest Star by Franklyn Mansfield Branley to read with school age children. The book explains why the sun is so important to us in a colorful and lively format. If you have Internet access, check out the NASA Dynamic Sun web site. Before we had clocks and watches, people used sundials to tell time. Make a simple sundial with heavy cardboard. Cut out an 18" square of cardboard. To make the gnomon (the upward part of the sundial), cut out an 8" square of cardboard. Cut out a ?" notch from one corner. Fold up the two sides ?" to make the flap. Fold the square in half to create a triangle shape. Tape the flaps of the gnomon to the center of one side of the large cardboard square.

Some other summer Activity Ideas for kids include playing "shadow" games such as tag or charades, create a baker's clay sun to hang in the home, and brew sun tea. And at the end of the day, go out and watch a beautiful sunset together! Some kid craft Activity Ideas include puppets, box sculptures, science projects, collages and homemade gifts. Puppets can be made from all sizes of bags, socks and boxes. Create a marionette with a shoebox and imagination! Many science projects such as making a tornado, rain or terrarium call for a plastic soda bottle. Use berry baskets to decorate for Mother's Day, Grandparents Day or Easter gifts. Making a collage is an inexpensive art project when using a lot of the items listed above. Put out old greeting cards, calendars, magazines, postcards, and paper scraps for the kids to create a unique collage. Save leftover craft supplies such as buttons, ribbon, lace, fabric scraps, and beads to be used on the collage.

I hope this is a beginning of you creating your own Treasures from Trash projects. If you run out of ideas, just put the recycled items out and let the children create! They can be very resourceful and imaginative.