1. Go on a tracking adventure and look for "tracks" or footprints in the sand or dirt if you're on a trail. Take a walk at a local beach or park and identify as many different types of footprints as you can. Expand the activity by role-playing or creating stories about animals using Animal Stamping Stick or Plastic Animal Stencils.

2. Create your own version of the classic game show "Name That Tune." Divide kids into two teams. Help everyone write down the names of a few popular songs on small pieces of paper, and place into a hat. Let each group take turns choosing a representative to pick from the hat (no peeking), and "perform" a part of the song to their group (the supervising adult may provide hints if needed). The performer may choose to sing, hum and/or accompany themselves by using rhythm sticks, kid-size bongo drums, a triangle or even wooden spoons with pots and pans.

3. Lacing projects are fun and simple crafts that can also help little ones build dexterity. Precut shapes such as a flower or fruit shape from card stock or foam sheets and punch holes 1"-1-1/2" apart around the edges. Provide long pieces of yarn or ribbon, and let preschoolers practice lacing skills. Older children can lace together two shapes that they cut out themselves, and leave the top open to create a pouch for holding small treasures.

4. Many kids love to get their hands into slippery substances like slime or mud. Have some squishy, colorful fun (with minimal cleanup) using BioPutty® Solution. Simply pour a cup of it into a container, add some BioColor® paint (only BioColor® will work) and let the kids knead it with their hands. Watch as the paint transforms and slippery, stretchy BioPutty® miraculously emerges!

5. Now you see it, now you don't! Test your ability to remember details with a brain-teasing memory game. Place a dozen or so small items, such as a crayons, coins, feathers, rocks, acorns, shells, pens or pencils on a tray. Let everyone take a good look, and remove the tray from view. Players must write or draw as many objects as they can remember seeing. The player(s) who gets the most correct gets to choose the next tray of items. Items can also be part of theme, such as foods, toys, sports – the possibilities are endless!

6. Whether it is a birthday, the 4th of July, or no reason at all, you can turn an ordinary day into a special occasion by putting together an impromptu outdoor get-together! Set up a few games in the backyard, serve some simple snacks and let the fun begin! A bucket or a large empty can both work great as targets for a beanbag toss or as markers for relay races. A large jump rope can also provide hours of fun for small groups.

7. Beat the blahs on a rainy day with a simple indoor activity using craft sand (or flour from your kitchen) and a flat work area. Pour sand onto a baking sheet with sides, covering the entire surface, and place on a table. Have children draw in the sand with their fingers, practicing writing letters, words, shapes or numbers. Play a game of tic tac toe or take turns drawing pictures for each other to guess.

8. Go on an archeological dig in your own sandbox. Kids can pretend they've just discovered dinosaur fossils when they use the Dinosaur Bones Sand Molds and make these majestic creatures come alive in the sand. This works well for parties at the beach or in the backyard. Kids can use wet sand to sculpt creative, imaginary dinosaurs, too.

9. Journaling can be an excellent transition between activities or to wind down the day. Give older kids a "topic of the day" and have them spend 15 minutes writing about it in a blank notebook. It’s a great way to help prepare for back to school time. Younger ones can draw pictures on construction paper or color in a coloring book about the topics you provide.

10. Celebrate Friendship Day on August 1st! Have children show their friends how much they care by making them personalized cards decorated with markers, crayons, glitter and more! Kids may also like decorating colorful door hangers with their friends' names or funny messages to give them as gifts.