4th of July Glow in the Dark Hunt/Games

We've been doing Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunts for a while now.  Well every year for the 4th of July, before the fireworks start, my Aunt always gives the kids glow in the dark bracelets and necklaces.  I highly recommend doing this if you are going to a park or something.  You can keep track of where the kids are before the fireworks start.  Then, it hit me we should have a glow in the dark 4th of July Hunt, instead of just handing the kids some bracelets and necklaces.  We could also include games and activities the kids can play while we wait.
 

You can put them inside balloons,

make a ring toss game,

connect them into a ball,

make bracelets and necklaces,

make sculptures,

line a table,

mark the boundaries of the hunt,

put inside a treat bowl,

put them in water bottles for bowling,

Drop heavier thicker ones into and swimming pool a dive for them,

Get your creative juices flowing, the possibilities are endless.

We once took a glow stick, pushed it through the spout of a beach ball, blew up the ball, and played dodgeball. One with clear panels works best.

You could buy a glow in the dark ball or line your volleyball net, soccer nets or basketball court with Christmas lights/rope.

For a smaller quicker activity glow in the dark bubbles or silly string would be fun.

These would be fun to include in your hunt.

1

You could use the balloons and play glow in the dark hot potato.

We once took a couple of yellow flannel sheets, and spray painted them with glow in the dark spray paint and played capture the flag.

Really with glow in the dark paint, tape, and glue you can make anything glow.
Spray paint those old balls for whatever sport you want to play.

Have a good old fashion pillow fight, again you could paint them with glow in the dark paint or duct tape.

Don't forget to take fun pictures with the sparklers, play around with your camera settings to see which one your particular camera works the best on.  My kids call it sparkler magic, because it captures the entire movement of the sparkler as if it were a whip.

 

One year we had a shaving cream fight before the fireworks.  Here's the link

 

There just always seems to be a good half hour or so to wait after it gets dark for the fireworks to start.  These activities will keep your kids busy.

We'd love to hear how your hunt went or any other fun glow in the dark ideas you came up with.

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Ice Blocking would also be super fun before fireworks.

Country feel to the pallet flag for some patriotic décor.

Corn Husk Dolls would be a fun craft to make.

 

Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt

Who's the Dude?

Ice Blocking

Ice-Blocking

It's hot here in the summer, so we like to beat the heat with a little ice-blocking.  All you need is a grassy hill, block of ice and a towel.  

*This activity like sledding can be dangerous, so please take adequate precautions.  

**Only Ice-Block with a responsible adult.  

***Wear a helmet of some sort, and/or some sort of safety gear.

You want to pick a hill based on your skill level and age of participants.  If you have little kids, you might choose a smaller hill.  Remember, you pick up speed the longer the hill.  Plus, you have to carry the ice back up the hill.  Check the hill for lumps, holes or other dangers that you might hit on the way down.

*Check with the rules of your local park/hill, some forbid ice-blocking.

For the ice you can either just buy a block of ice at your local store or make your own.  I would bring one ice block per every two to three people.

Home made ice

We like to make our own, because the ones a the store are too skinny for bigger booties, and have no handle.  We picked up some water basins (similar to the ones you get at the hospital) and some dog ropes at the local $ store.  Fill the water basin a little more than half full with water.  Place a dog toy rope halfway in the water where you would like your handle.  Place water in the freezer at least overnight.

Head out to your favorite hill and climb to the top.  

Remove ice from water basin. 

 Fold your towel in thirds the long way, then again the shorter way.  Your towel should now fit nicely on your block of ice.  We like to use a full size towel for cushion and to keep our booties dry longer.  As the ice melts you will begin to get wet.  I might suggest bringing more than one towel.

We found everyone sat a little different on the ice.  Some people liked to cross their legs, others found it easier to to balance with their legs straight out, so whatever feels more comfortable and balanced to you and your particular body type.  The dog rope offers a little more stability and balance.  If you bought a block of ice from the store only sit on two-thirds of your towel and use the other third as a handle.  This helps you balance a little better.

*As the ice begins melt, you will go faster!

Wipe Out!  This is why I suggest wearing a helmet!

We found the dog rope handle made it easier to carry the ice back up the hill.

*If the ice starts to break a part or melt to much, discontinue use of that ice block!

Have Fun! Be Safe!
Take some funny Pictures!

(We even took a wet booty picture of the kids all standing together,

 that was pretty funny, but we didn't include it on the blog, sorry)

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Shaving Cream Fight


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Who's the Dude?