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Just Add Water! 5 Easy Summer Activities for Kids

Just Add Water! 5 Easy Summer Activities for Kids

Just Add Water! Summer Activities for Kids

Nope, it’s not an ad for an as-seen-on-TV product. We actually apply these words to raising our kids in Arizona – especially in the summer! Water activities + children = winning formula.

The “Just Add Water” formula breaks up tension and gives kids a fun change-up in their day. Whether it’s arguments, exhaustion, boredom, whining, or just big feelings, this trick seems to work – for both our kids and us!

Obviously, having access to a pool is helpful. Yet despite being an Arizona native, I’ve never lived in a house with a pool!  But the Just Add Water trick can still be done!

So if you’re like my family, in the desert with no pool, here are 5 simple and inexpensive ways we add water to our day.

Painting in the shower or bath

When our oldest was in his toddler years, we let him paint our tub in just a diaper or nothing at all. After he was done, we wiped everything down and filled the tub for bath time.  Now that he’s older, we put paint on the walls of the shower and let him paint while he showers. The best part is, it all washes away! Both bath paint or finger paint will do the trick!

Popsicles in the bath

Indoors and easy, simply put your kids in the bath and give them Popsicles or homemade ice pops. Pro tip: Steer clear of anything that could clog the drain (i.e. no fruit-filled pops). Its exciting for the kids and an easy clean up!

“Paint” the fence

A simple water activity for kids is to “paint” the wooden fence, brick wall, or driveway with water. Get a bucket of water or fill a kiddie pool with water. Grab some paint brushes and let your kids paint with water! No mess, and your kids still get to let their creativity flow. They can then color the wet surface with chalk, and you can dump the water on the fence to wash away when you’re all done!

Washing toys

Have your kids give their toys a bath! Fill one bucket with with soapy water and another bucket with their toys. Give your kids a wash cloth and let them scrub away. Not only does this incorporate water into your day, but it also give your kids a chance to partake in imaginative play. They could be a parent giving their baby a bath like they see you do, or a farmer washing their farm animals. Our kids love marine life and this is always a hit with their collection of plastic sharks.

Outdoor chores

We try to incorporate our kids into our outdoor chores. In the winter, this is often garage projects. In the summer, we attempt to keep pumpkin seedlings alive for fall harvest. This means watering the plants, spraying off the porch, and stomping in the cool mud!

I hope you enjoy these easy and simple ideas to break up the day and help you all make some summer memories at home. Enjoy!

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Raquel MacDonald

Doula, Babymoon Inn

Raquel is a mother to three boys and a certified Babymoon Inn Doula. She loves working in her community to reach and educate new parents on all things birth and postpartum care.

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Breastfeeding Snack Hacks!

Breastfeeding Snack Hacks!

Five Breastfeeding Snack Hacks

Breastfeeding can be so rewarding for you and your baby, but it often feels extremely demanding of your time and energy. Cluster feeding, pumping, toddler gymnurstics… we know how tough it can be at times. Plus, breastfeeding parents need an average of 500 extra calories to keep up with the physical demand of fueling our little babies!  So, here are my top 5 breastfeeding snack hacks to help you fuel your body!

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Pick a super fun water bottle like this one or this one. Breast milk is about 90% water and, while drinking to satisfy thirst (not forcing liquids) is sufficient, we know that with how busy you are it can be easy to forget or ignore the signs that your body is thirsty if there isn’t a cup handy. 

One-handed snacks are your friend!

Congratulations, you’re now a queen of multitasking! Read + feed the baby, chase a toddler + feed the baby, poop + feed the baby… yeah I said it. #beenthere So being able to grab a quick bite for yourself while you’re also feeding the baby can be a huge life saver. Try one of these ideas:

  • Popcorn
  • Edamame
  • Tortilla roll-ups
  • String cheese
A mother breastfeeds while her toddler takes a bite of her snack

When planning out your favorite breastfeeding snacks, remember to account for enthusiastic (and hungry) toddlers who may wander by!

No-bake/no-blend granola bars

Because who wants to heat up the house with the oven, and who wants to wake up the baby with the blender – not me! These are so tasty, and don’t worry if they don’t stick together in bars, you can always eat it with a spoon!

Non-refrigerated snacks

Picture this, it’s 2am, baby just finished a feed and settled back down to sleep and now you’re hungry – I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel like hiking down to the kitchen for a midnight snack. Keeping a stash of non-refrigerated snacks bedside can help you calm your hunger and get back to sleep! Try one of these:

  • Dried fruit
  • Whole-grain crackers
  • Trail mix
  • Mini-muffins 

Overnight oats

While there is no secret snack actually proven to increase milk supply (nurse, baby, nurse – it’s all about supply & demand!), oatmeal is a good source of iron. “It is known that maternal anemia/low iron levels can result in a decreased milk supply, so it makes sense that eating something high in iron might increase milk supply in some women.”

There are tons of variations you can try out, but here is my absolute favorite overnight oats recipe. It’s so nice to know breakfast is ready to go each morning! Bonus – they are gluten-free, and peanut butter could be substituted for sunbutter to make them allergy friendly. I’ve also used crasins or mini M&Ms as toppings instead of chocolate chips before!  Enjoy! 

Michelle Petkovic

Social Media Manager, Babymoon Inn

Michelle Petkovic received her degree in International Affairs from Sweet Briar College. She is a mother of one energetic toddler and one newborn, and she loves spending time outside camping, hiking and traveling with her family.

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