Staycation is off to a great start, I am unable to take off work full time this year but I have made a few allowances to let myself out early and relax in this pretty season. Hopefully you have been able to do the same! Today on my Staycation list, I have some fun outdoor activities to get the kids into. These are fun for the family but it’s also easy to let the kids out on their own as you relax.

Go Fly a Kite- A simple pleasure that’s equally simple to make, kites are a wonderfully active AND creative idea rolled up into one little ball of string.  Here is an idea for a kite you can make using items you already have around the house and no glue!  Add your own creative flair by using Sharpies to draw your favorite Young Rembrandts lesson, or add any other (light) decorative touch you can think of. The sky is the limit!

Shadow Drawing with Chalk- Tracing shadows on the driveway or sidewalk is an engaging visual way to see the sun move and experience shadows. Every hour go back out to the object and traces its shadow again (works best on a mailbox or basketball hoop). By the end of the day you will be able to see how the sun and earth move and how light affects your shadow placement. Work in some different colors for the ultimate final product!

Draw a Picture with Chalk: Pick your favorite Young Rembrandts lesson or pull up one of our How to Draw videos and recreate it on the sidewalk! Remember to make the drawing BIG for a tremendous impact. Teach your friends and family to draw with you.

Enjoy and keep me posted on how is your Staycation going!

Bette Fetter Founder and CEO of Young Rembrandts and Author of Being Visual [email protected] Follow Bette on Twitter