Sprinkler games for kids

Quick note on the Back-to-School Sew Along: I'm excited to see some of you jumping on board. Yea! A few others showed some interest over on Facebook. More details coming soon, but I wanted to address a question that came up a couple of times.

The images of kids' clothes I posted yesterday don't come from patterns. I was just cruising some online stores and blogs for inspiration. But I think I could make some pattern suggestions and I'd love for others to share their pattern/tutorial links. Do you have a favorite kids' clothes pattern, especially something that would work for school clothes and accessories? Put them in the comments and I'll create a blog post at some point that rounds them all up.

I'll try to find some patterns that somewhat resemble yesterday's outfits and share links to other good stuff in the coming days. Oh, and if you look back at yesterday's post, I added a few more images. The Mini Boden and Tea Collection catalogs came in the mail. Couldn't resist.

Tonight, though, a quick post about summertime sprinkler fun. 

The girls were playing in the sprinkler today, and I could tell after about 30 seconds that simply running through cold water wasn't going to keep them entertained for long. Go figure.

So I made up a couple of "sprinkler games." Worked like magic. They had a splashy good time, and I worked on my tan (long way to go on that front, let me tell ya).

Here are some of our sprinkler games from today. Remember: my kids are 2 and 5. These are pretty basic ideas:

1. One of you is a pirate. The sprinkler is your treasure and you must protect it from the mermaid. Mermaid: if you are able to jump over the sprinkler, you win a point. 

2. Simon Says. Just like the regular game, but the actions take place in the sprinkler, i.e., "Simon says get your hair wet ... Simon says run in a circle around the sprinkler."

3. Catch. Play catch with a large ball, tossing it through the spraying water.

4. We didn't do this one today, but Bo loves obstacle courses. You could incorporate a sprinkler into an obstacle course, either by telling the kids they need to run past the sprinkler without getting wet or requiring them to get wet as party of the mission.

And here are some sprinkler games I found online tonight:

5. Sneaky Sprinkler. Adult turns the sprinkler on and off randomly. Everyone must freeze when the water goes off. 

6. Go Touch. Call out items around the yard the kids must run and touch. For example, say, "Go touch the cherry tree." The first child to touch the tree and then run back and touch the home base (the sprinkler, of course), wins. 

7. I can't find the source for this one, but you could pretend the sprinkler is a car wash. Have the kids scrub down their bicycles and then push them through the car wash (i.e. sprinkler) to get clean.

Editing to add one more game we played today. Not necessarily a sprinkler activity, but it could be: charades. Very simple charades. As in, sometimes we have to use sounds to help Magpie win.

The forecast is getting hotter here. Any other ideas for sprinkler fun? 

P.S. Did you know Spokane has a polo team? We try to catch a match or two every summer. It's very low key here. Tonight we were attending a special function, but normally you just bring a blanket and a picnic basket, and watch the horsies run. Fast.

Oh, how I wish this were the scene out my kitchen window on any given day (although I know that kind of lifestyle requires more work than I can imagine):

   
  

Comments

[sarah]

so, sprinkler water is a little too cold for me most days but, what fun games to try.

also, i love the polka dot dress, where did you get it? perhaps that is something to be added to the school wardrobe?

off to look at your newest finds. i love those catalogs!

[Megan]

Sarah, your own creations are darling! Cute, cute.

The polka-dot dress is from Target. $9. Cherokee brand. Bought it about two weeks ago. I saw a kid wearing it in a park and had to go snatch one up the next day. Reason No. 92 why I sometimes wonder why I sew clothes for my kids.

[Chris]

I was just looking through my sick pattern stash and found a coat I've been wanting to make for my youngest (4) although the sizes go up to 7. It's Burda 9567. Also, I could use an excuse to buy the Oliver + S Jumprope dress pattern. Or any of their patterns, really. The Heidi and Finn Hampton Hat is so cute!!! And also their Sweet Pea Fall Coat, Perfect Little Party Dress and Urban Unisex Hoodie (SO cute!!). I'll check back with you if I find any more.

[Chris]

One more...LaCaPatters.etsy.com - the girl's bolero is cute AND they're having a sale - buy one get one free of their e-patterns! (Heidi & Finn is also on etsy, btw).

[Megan]

Ooh, thanks Chris. I was familiar with Heidi & Finn but not La Ca Patters. Cute, cute ideas. Thanks.