Crafts, recipes, activities, and games related to all kinds of bugs, insects, butterflies, and spiders can be found here on the Camp Au Pair – Bugs & Butterfliespinboard.
Outdoors – Kids today do not spend enough time outdoors. Take the kids in the backyard or another nature area (approved by your host parents) and do some activities related to this theme:
Allow them to search for bugs and butterflies.
Observe lightning bugs (also known as fireflies) in the evening. Here is a map showing what people call these little guys in different parts of the country.
After it rains, look for earthworms. Not bugs or butterflies, but very interesting creatures you can find in your own backyard.
NOTE: If you are outdoors with the children, be sure to check for ticks when you come back inside. Here is a blog post explaining the health risk ticks can pose and how to find and remove them safely.
Videos – You can find many great videos of butterflies and insects on YouTube. Check out these videos for kids about bees and ants. All about Insects covers lots of tiny creatures who crawl and fly. Here are a few videos to get you started.
Movies – A Bugs Life, The Bee Movie, Maya the Bee, and The Ant Bully all fit this theme.
Webcams – You can do a Google search for websites with webcams that allow you to observe bugs.
When kids are out of school for the summer, it doesn’t take long for them to become bored and sometimes that leads to sibling squabbles and mischief. Even though they don’t realize it, they are usually missing routine and predictability in their daily schedule. One solution is to make fun plans to keep them busy!
Each week this summer we will share a different Camp Au Pair theme. These weekly themes are designed to give you ideas to keep your host kids occupied and engaged all summer long. They will also be learning. (But shhhh, don’t tell them that part.) Check back each Friday, for the next week’s theme. This gives you a chance to make plans and gather materials for the next week. For each theme there will be crafts, games, snacks and activities. You can just use these ideas or add your own and customize the themes to fit the ages and interests of your host children.
If you get some great pictures doing these activities with your host kids, please send those to your counselor. We love to share your accomplishments and inspire other au pairs!
Play dough is the perfect modeling material for children. Their small hands can pat, poke, pinch, roll and knead it into many shapes. Keep it in an airtight container to use another day, or let it air dry into favorite shapes.
Measure 2 cups of flour, one cup of salt and 4 teaspoons of cream of tartar into a bowl. Add 1/4 cup of oil to one cup of water in a separate bowl then add the mixture to the dry ingredients. For colored play dough, squeeze 10-20 drops of food coloring into the water before you add it to the mixture. Cook the dough at low heat in a wide pan, stirring constantly until it becomes rubbery. Remove the dough from the heat and knead it for a few minutes. When it cools the kids can play too!
Summer is over, and in many places the air is turning colder. As the weather changes be sure to take advantage of what the fall season has to offer. Even if you don’t live in a place that sees a lot colorful leaves, there are fun family-friendly ways to get outdoors this fall:
• Go apple picking. Sure, most of us can get apples year-round from the grocery store, but there’s nothing quite like orchard fresh apples, picked straight from the tree during harvest season. That crunchy, tangy, sweet apple flavor is at its peak during this time of year. Many commercial orchards will let you pick your own. It’s not only fun, it’s also a great way to show kids where their food comes from. Get extras for canning applesauce, or making pies. When you’re done, warm up with a delicious mulled cider.
• Go on a nature hike. Bring along a field guide to identify different kinds of trees. Look for wildlife collecting food for winter. Explain to kids how animals are starting to fatten up and grow thick, protective winter coats. Watch for migrating birds.
• Collect fall leaves. Press them into books or preserve them in glycerin. Paste them onto handmade paper to create greeting cards, or glue them between two pieces of wax paper to make an attractive sun catcher. Go lightly on the glue, or substitute crayon shavings to add color; use a warm iron to melt the shavings and hold the paper together.
• Take a hayride. Many farms offer hayrides during the fall. This is a great way to kick back and enjoy nature with smaller kids who may not be up for a long walk.
• Visit the pumpkin patch. Don’t buy your Halloween pumpkin from the grocery store. Go straight to the source. Kids will love wandering around the patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin. Choose a couple of big ones for jack-o-lanterns, and grab a few smaller ones for painting or general household decorations. Smaller pumpkins make great additions to fall centerpieces. Roast the seeds in your oven with a sprinkling of tasty spices, and grab a few to make pumpkin pies.
• Visit a corn maze. Many farms earn extra income for the winter by turning their cornfields into large mazes. Test your directional sense, and get some fresh air in the process. Corn mazes are fun or all ages.
• Stuff a scarecrow. Dig out an old shirt and overalls, and stuff it with leaves until firm. Add a pumpkin head (from your trip to the pumpkin patch) and you’ve got a great fall decoration.
• Fly a kite. The gusty, brisk air makes autumn a great time for flying kites. Buy one from the store, or make your own from two long sticks, strong paper, and string.
• Have a bonfire. Invite some friends over for a backyard bonfire. The chill in the air makes fall the perfect time to sit together by the warmth of a blazing fire with a nice warm mug of cocoa or cider. Be sure to get any necessary permits from your town first.
Rhode Island is known for the beauty of each season, but it is undeniable that this little state really heats during the summer months! Hop a bus, catch a ferry or pitch a tent, this is just the beginning of a hot summer in Rhode Island. Without further adieu, here is a list of 24 summer activities:
1. Sip on Summer with Del’s: No summer day is cooled off in a more Rhode Island fashion than with a Del’s lemonade. If you are in a hot spot, you can rest assured that somewhere close by you will find a Del’s truck or stand. If not, you can take a short ride to the nearest Del’s location. Learn more about Del’s here!
2. Cool Down with a Cone: Rhode Island has a host of great ice cream shops that pride themselves on homemade delicious ice cream. It is likely that where ever you are enjoying the summer, there is a place close by to grab a scoop. Here are a few of our favorites.
3. Visit a Clam Shack: As early as I can remember, there was always a common question from the travelers…”where can I get chowda’ and clam cakes?” Rhode Island is known for this staple and certainly offers many locations. Here are a few of our favorites!
4. Al Fresco Dining: Of course, we are not called the Ocean State for nothing. There are plenty of restaurants that offer salty air dining as well as others that allow for the sights and sounds of the city. And, still others that offer a country vibe or a lakeside view. Here is a list of places to dine outside the walls.
7. Beach It: This goes without saying. A summer tradition in Rhode Island involves a suntan and a healthy dose of salt water. There are many beaches to choose from, some secluded and some that hop like a nightclub in the sand. Here is a list of Rhode Island’s beaches.
8. Visit an Island: Rhode Island, although not an island by definition, is home to a few islands that can make your summer memorable. Hop a ferry and head over to Block Island for a real summer experience. As their tagline says, “just leave your worries behind”, and get on the boat. There is definitely a carefree vibe that permeates Block Island. You can also cross a bridge to Jamestown where you will get a real local feeling. There is not a chain business to be found here. You will be able to eat and shop at some incredible local stores and restaurants. Head over another bridge and find your way to Newport, arguably one of Rhode Island’s biggest draws. Great food, sailing, activities, historical locations, concerts and so much more can be found all season long in Newport. By boat, you can explore a number of other islands. For example, Rose Island, Prudence Island, Hog Island, Goat Island, Dutch Island and perhaps your own undiscovered island.
9. Catch a FREE Concert: Wherever you are in the state, there is a FREE concert series happening nearby. These free concerts allow you an inexpensive way to enjoy Rhode Island and its favorite musicians. Pack a picnic, grab a blanket or lawn chair and prepare for a night out that will not wreak havoc on your wallet. Here is a complete guide to the free outdoor concerts!
10. Waterfire: No summer season is complete without experiencing the wonder of Waterfire in Providence. The entire city is booming with excitement around this event. Providence is best enjoyed when illuminated by the stunning display of Waterfire! Here is a detailed schedule of events.
12. Farmer’s Market: Rhode Island is bursting with local farms that produce locally raised and harvested goods. These farms are showcased at one of RI’s many farmer’s markets. Enjoy the local flavor of Rhode Island by stopping by a local farmer’s market. Here is a list of when and where you can find the markets.
13. Giggle!: Did you know that Rhode Island can be really funny? Well, if you attend one of the great upcoming acts, you will know what the laugh is all about. The Newport Comedy Series has moved to a beautiful location, The Hyatt in Newport. The hottest acts will be gracing the stage and will have your face hurting from laughter. The complete lineup is here. Additionally, you can head to East Providence and catch a laugh at the Comedy Connection. There is something hysterical happening most nights of the week. View the schedule here.
15. Meals on Wheels: Food Trucks have moved far beyond the days of the “roach coach.” In fact, there are entire evenings dedicated to consuming the goods of the local food trucks. Here are a few links to guide you to your next meal on wheels:
16. Take a Hike: Well not really, don’t go anywhere…keep reading! Beauty abounds in Rhode Island and one of the best ways to enjoy it is to put yourself right in the middle of it. Take a hike at any of the beautiful refuges, parks and the like. Here is a link that will help you plan the places your feet will take you.
17. Tour a Vineyard: The perfect way to unwind in the summer often includes wine! Why not take a tour of one of the picturesque vineyards in RI? Here are a few to get you started:
19. Why Buy when you can RENT: There are a boatload of locations in Rhode Island where you can rent your recreational equipment. From paddle boarding to scootering around…you can rent just about everything and anything in the way of water sports. Here are a few locations that offer rentals:
20. Catch a Game: The Paw Sox have been delighting fans near and far and are a prominent sign that summer is underway in the Ocean State. Do yourself a favor and catch a game at the original Paw Sox Stadium this sultry season. The complete schedule is here. You can also catch the Ocean State Waves for an exciting ball game which features some awesome talent. Here is their schedule. The Newport Gulls are also a local favorite and it is certainly worth catching a few of their games this season. Here is the schedule.
21. Hop on a Bus: Let someone else do the driving and see the state by way of a bus. There are several types of guided
The Rhode Island Brew Bus
tours available through Experience Rhode Island. You can also hop aboard the infamous Rhode Island Brew Bus and take a tour of the state’s local breweries. If you are just not up for driving, board the RIPTA and choose your destination. Mr. Narragansett himself will be giving guided trolley tours on Wednesdays, details here. Newport also offers the classic trolley as an option, details here. Providence and Newport are also home to the pedicab mode of transport. Check out Sol Chariots in Providence or Newport Pedicab to see the area in a environmentally friendly way!
22. Pitch a Tent: The coastline is no doubt an alluring destination in the summer. However, leave the coast by only minutes and you can take solace in the outdoor refuge provided by the local campgrounds. This is an affordable, albeit a rustic way, to enjoy Rhode Island. Here is a list of campgrounds in Rhode Island.
23. Sip Seaside: Bring your sand and your sunburns to these favorite local beach bars. Nothing says summer like a frozen concoction, typically decorated in sweet fruits. Here are a few beach bars that will welcome you, your sand and your tan-lines. Click here for the complete list.
24. Get Artsy: This state seems to have something in the water that breeds local artists. You would be remiss to pass over the local art galleries and museums that you can find in this little state. Here is a search to help you on your artistic venture.
At this month’s cluster meeting we had a guest who taught a class on how to make your own healing hand cream. The au pairs were taught how they can treat the children’s scrapes and bumps by using these creams. We all enjoyed the different smells and sampled a variety of essential oils as well as ingredients that make up the base of the cream like coconut, beeswax, and jojoba. At the end of the class the au pairs went home with 2 jars of cream and a salve!
Here are some activities that au pairs can do with their children to celebrate Thanksgiving. Click here to find crafts, coloring sheets, spelling worksheets, math puzzles, nametags and more. Enjoy!
1. Sip on Summer with Del’s: No summer day is cooled off in a more Rhode Island fashion than with a Del’s lemonade. If you are in a hot spot, you can rest assured that somewhere close by you will find a Del’s truck or stand. If not, you can take a short ride to the nearest Del’s location. Learn more about 
5. Tour a Brewery: Not only does this little state do food well, Rhode Island is also booming with a host of local craft brewers. The beauty is, they offer tours and samplings for you to enjoy the fruits of their labor. 
is booming with excitement around this event. Providence is best enjoyed when illuminated by the stunning display of Waterfire! 
19. Why Buy when you can RENT: There are a boatload of locations in Rhode Island where you can rent your recreational equipment. From paddle boarding to scootering around…you can rent just about everything and anything in the way of water sports. Here are a few locations that offer rentals:
