Saturday, July 31, 2010

Free Triaminic Fever Reducer Rebate

Triaminic™ Fever Reducer Pain Reliever can be used to temporarily reduce your child’s fever or relieve minor aches and pains associated with the common cold, flu, headache, minor sore throat and toothache.   Between August 2nd and 8th, they will be giving away 250,000 bottles of Triaminic™ Fever Reducer Pain Reliever by rebate.  Futher details are available here.
You can also print a $1.00 off coupon.

TGIF Teacher Fridays at Michael's


Teachers, treat yourself to extra credit on Fridays. Present your educator ID every Friday through September 24th and take an additional 10% off entire purchase including sale items. See a sales associate for details.

Friday, July 30, 2010

75% Toy Clearance at Target

Target has marked down select toys 75% off.  I haven't had a chance to make it to Target yet but I have read about some great deals.  I hope they have  some left when I go tomorrow.  Did you find any great deals?  Share your finds.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

FREE Olan Mills Portraits

Get your coupon for a FREE Portrait Package at Olan Mills! Your package includes a  1 - 8X10, 2 - 5X7s, and 8 wallets!!  


Can't wait until tax free days to start your back to school shopping.  The Children's Place has some great deals to help you out.  Clip these coupons before you head out to the store.

- Save 30% when you spend $60 or more -
- Save 25% when you spend $50 -
- Save 20% when you spend $40 -
This offer is valid in-stores only through July 31st.

The Knack Faculty Free Teacher Appreciation Crop Event

The Knack Faculty Free Teacher Appreciation Crop Event at Michaels on 7/30/2010 1:00 PM - 8:45 PM.
 
Create some fun for the classroom. Teachers and friends, join us for Teacher Appreciation Crop Event. Learn to create fun bulletin boards, bookmarks, signs and more. We provide the space and assortment of tools. Plus, we take care of the cleanup.

Frozen S'more Pops


I saw this recipe on Kraft Foods and just had to share it! It is a great summer alternative to the traditional s'mores. 

INGREDIENTS:
4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted
2/3 cup  canned sweetened condensed milk
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1-1/4 cups  cold milk
1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding
1-1/2 cups  thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
1 cup JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows
9   NABISCO Grahams, broken in half (18 squares)

DIRECTIONS:
Mix melted chocolate and condensed milk; set aside. Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in milk. Add dry pudding mix; beat until well blended. Stir in COOL WHIP and marshmallows.
Spread bottoms of graham squares with chocolate mixture. Place 9 squares, chocolate-sides up, in 9-inch square pan. Cover with pudding mixture and remaining graham squares, chocolate-sides down. Freeze 4 hours.
Remove dessert from freezer 5 min. before serving. Let stand at room temperature to soften slightly. Use serrated knife to cut dessert into 18 bars, following lines in top crackers.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

TAX FREE Back to School Shopping Days

Don’t miss out on the Tax Free holiday to buy back to school items. Listed below are the states and dates. Mississippi - yours is this week.


Alabama August 6-8           Connecticut August 15-21
Florida August 13-15             Illinois August 6-15
Iowa August 6-7                    Louisiana Aug 6-7
Maryland August 8-14         Mississippi July 30-31
Missouri August 6-8 (some cities/counties excluded)
New Mexico August 6-8      North Carolina August 6-8
Oklahoma August 6-8         South Carolina August 6-8
Tennessee August 6-8          Texas August 20-22
Virginia August 6-8
If your state is offering Tax Free days and we didn't list it please leave a comment so we can add it.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Pampers Guarantee

If you take advantage of the Pampers deal on Amazon.com and purchase Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers with Dry Max and are not completely satisfied you can get a full refund. Pampers is backing the new diaper with Total Satisfaction Guarantee.

To receive a refund, send you original receipt, the UPC from the Pampers Swaddlers or Cruisers Dry Max, your full name and mailing address on a 3×5 card. Mail all these to:
Pampers Dry Max Guarantee offer
POBox 900082
El Paso, Tx 88590
Or you can call a Pampers representative 1-800-PAMPERS.

This Money Back Guarantee is limited to one redemption per household on one pack! Refund is the full purchase price plus $1 for postage. Offer expires 10/31/10.

THIS IS NOT A REBATE!!

Amazon.com 30% off diapers +

You can still snag diapers for as little as $.07 each at Amazon.com.   You will need an Amazon coupon code from either Parents (pg 96) or Parenting the Early Years magazines, in order to get this great price.  Here’s what to do:


Visit the Amazon.com Coupon Page.  You might see $1.50 off coupon refresh browser to until you see the $2.00 off.  There is also a coupon for .50 off Pamper wipes. Click through the coupon to start shopping. Coupons expire 7/31.

Select the Pampers you want to order, then pick the size and quantity. Be sure to order with Subscribe & Save to get an extra 30% off!

Add the 20% off code from your August edition of Parents magazine or Parenting the Early Years magazine.  Picking up the magazine will be worth it to get this deal.

Place your order. After it’s placed, you can cancel your Subscribe & Save subscription online by logging into your account.

New Coupons

Coupons Inc.
Click above to get these great savings
Huggies - $3.00 off
Huggies Wipes - $2.00 off
Enfamil - $5.00 off
Enfagrow formula - $5.00 off
Power of Fruit All fruit frozen treats - $1.00 off ( BOGO at Publix starting 7/29)
Cedar Point (the best amusement park) - $7.00 off
Toys R Us - up to 60% at Mastercard Marketplace
Wow! Wow! Wuzbby! DVD - $2.00 off

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Michael's Free Family Event

Go green with Crayola® Black Markers.  Make your mark on the environment with Crayola's new eco-friendly markers. Bring the family to Michael's on July 31 from 10 AM - 2PM, join the fun and create something Mother Nature will surely love. The black marker barrel represents items manufactured with recycled plastic and the same superior quality. Ages 4 and up welcome. Powered by Crayola®. While supplies last.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Mixing Colors in a Bag


For young children, art is about the tactility of the materials, what they feel.  Sometimes that means messy.  Here is a no mess activity that will provide a tactile experience as well as show how you can blend primary colors together to create new colors.  Another bonus,  it  can help build small hand muscles.  


Materials:
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
4 cups cold water
Food coloring -red, blue and yellow
 3 Ziploc bags, gallon size
Duct tape

Instructions:
Over medium heat, combine the cornstarch, sugar, and water in a saucepan, stirring continuously. Once the mixture begins to thicken, remove the pan from the heat and stir for another minute or so until it thickens to a pudding like consistency. Let it cool for 30 minutes.

Spoon the mixture into 3 bowls, stir a few drops of food coloring into each bowl, creating 3 colors -  blue, red and yellow. Then place 1/2 of the red and 1/2 of the yellow in a Ziploc bag. In a separate bag, place 1/2 of the blue and 1/2 of the yellow.  Make a third bag with the remainder of the blue and red.  Seal the bags with duct tape and let your child mix and mash the colors.  Let them discover the new colors they make.  The mixture should keep for about 1 week.

Alternative: For an interesting light-table effect, tape a bag to a low window and let your child use his fingers to draw patterns while the sun shines through.


Idea and photo from Family Fun magazine

Friday, July 23, 2010

KMart Birthday Club


Sign your children up for the KMart Birthday Club and they’ll get a $5 Birthday Bucks to use at KMart plus, a crown, certificate and a birthday fun pack with surprise goodies.

Staples: Like Free Backpack Deal

YIPEE! Just in time for back to school. Staples is offering 100% back on a Staples Gift Card for a backpack purchase.  If you were planning to buy a backpack  this is a great deal.  The easy rebate cards usually come out at the end of the quarter.  Check with the store but it should be sometime in October. Be sure to shop early to get the best selection.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Amazon.com has  Melissa & Doug Products discounted up to 70% off. Scroll down the left side of the page, there’s a place where you can refine the search based upon the percentage of discount. Right now, there are 85 products listed at 70% off or more!  I had many Melissa and Doug Products in my classroom and they help up nicely throughout my teaching career.  Remember it is never too early to stock up for the holidays and birthdays.  Happy shopping!!
Shipping is free on orders over $25.

Tie Dye Coffee Filters

Do you want the fun of tie dye and blending colors but without all the mess?  My kindergarten students loved to experiment with colors and patterns during this activity. Tie dye filters are very inexpensive to make, fun for practically all ages, adaptable to many different holidays and seasons, and are quick and easy to create.
Materials:
Washable Markers
Coffee Filters
Spray Bottle with water
Newspaper

Instructions:
Protect work area with newspaper. Draw a pattern or squiggly lines on filter with markers. Spray lightly with water. Let stand while color spreads.  Let dry.

Once they are dry you can:
Hang in a window
Wrap small gifts
Decoupage a box, tray, or frame
Cover a glass ornament
Use for paper mache
Make flowers or butterflies by twisting with pipecleaners

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Baby Einstein Sweepstakes

Baby Einstein has a great new Sweepstakes, All About Baby.  The Grand Prize is a $2000 US Savings Bond.  Other prizes include Baby Einstein Product Packages and a $500 US Savings Bond. The Sweepstakes is open to US and Canada (excluding Quebec) and you must be at least 18 to enter.  Sweepstakes  ends August 20, 2010.

OshKosh BOGO sale

 OshKosh B'Gosh's BOGO  sale is going on NOW! Stock up on back to school styles, plus you can save up to 50% on school uniforms!

Little Tikes Christmas in July

Want to get a jump on your christmas shopping?  Little Tikes is having a Christmas in July Sale and there are some great bargains, and certain items have FREE shipping (expires 7/31)! You can save 10% on your order of $50 or more with coupon code LTPS1020.

Easy Tie Dye T-Shirt


Do you want to tie dye a shirt without all the mess?   This activity combines chemistry and art to create a designer t-shirt that is sure to get lots of attention whenever you wear it.
Materials:
Newspaper
1 clean white cotton T-shirt
Plastic cup (8 to 12 ounces)
Rubber band
Plastic water-bottle cap
Permanent markers (such as Sharpies) in various colors
Eyedropper
Rubbing alcohol
 
NOTE: On sale this week at Walgreens  you will find an 8 pack of Sharpies for $3.99 and t-shirts for $2.50.

Choose a work surface: an outdoor table(ideal), or a table indoors near an open window and away from any heat source (alcohol is flammable).  Cover work surface with newspaper.


Lay the T-shirt flat on the covered table. Position the opening of the cup directly under the section of the shirt that you want to decorate. Stretch the rubber band over the t-shirt and the cup to secure the shirt in place.

Place the bottle cap in the center of the stretched fabric. Have your child use a permanent marker to make a circle of dots around the bottle cap, keeping the dots  close to the bottle cap.

Remove the bottle cap.  Using an eyedropper, slowly squeeze 20 drops of rubbing alcohol onto the blank spot where the cap was, allowing the molecules of ink to spread outward from the center. ( As the rubbing alcohol absorbs into the fabric, the ink spreads in a circular pattern). The result is a beautiful firework like pattern. Allow the design to dry for 5 minutes before repeating on a new area of the shirt.


When the shirt is done and completely dry, place it in the dryer for 20 minutes to heat set the colors, then wash and dry as usual.  Rinsing the shirt in a solution of vinegar and water is another method you can try to set the colors.
 
Experiment with different shapes — a dotted star, a heart, or concentric rings of dots. To make flowers, when the designs are dry, slip some paper towels inside the shirt and draw stems with markers.

You can purchase a Sharpie Pen Science Kit from http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/

Idea and pictures from Wondertime and Steve Spangler Science

Monday, July 19, 2010

Lowe' Build and Grow

This project is out of this world! Bring your child to Lowe's Saturday, July 24th at 10:00 AM and they can build this UFO! Includes stickers and a blinking light!  Be sure to register in advance.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Pampers Gifts To Grow:10-Point Code

There is a 10 point code available. Just head over to Pampers Gifts to Grow and enter GTGTENMONTHCODE.  Expires 10/31/10.
Don’t have an account yet? Sign up for your free Pampers Gifts to Grow account here.  Additional link can be found on the right.
Additional codes available here.




Friday, July 16, 2010

BORDER’S BOOKS SPECIAL KIDS EVENT

Saturday, July 17th at 2 pm. Borders will be celebrating the movie release of Ramona and Beezus by having Storytime, Games, Giveaways and more.













Also, Target Arts & Wonder Free Family Event started yesterday, and will continue through July 18th. Target sponsors both free and discount admissions to arts and cultural events nationwide. Over this weekend, there will be  many museums and performing arts centers offering FREE admission to events. You can go HERE and choose your closest city and look for Arts & Wonder marked events to see what’s free in your area!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

SLIME

I love to provide hands on experiences for kids that combine math and science but also have a huge WOW factor.
This is simple and fun!!
SLIME
Materials:
Glue (only 25 cents at WalMart now)
Borax
Water
Food coloring (optional)
Instructions:  Cover work surface. Mix 1 cup glue and 1 cup of water (equal parts) together in a bowl.  If desired, stir in food coloring.  In another bowl combine 4 Tablespoons Borax and 1 1/3 cups of WARM water.  To make your SLIME, pour the glue mixture into the borax solution. Roll and knead the glue mixture around in the borax solution until the chemical reaction is complete.  PLAY!

Amazon.com 30% off diapers +

Hurry over to Amazon.com and score 30% off diapers and wipes.  And if you pick up the August edition of Parents magazine there is a coupon for 20% off any diaper purchase on Amazon.com

You can stack this coupon with the 30% off discount to get an additional 20% off the purchase of diapers and free two-day shipping! These codes are user-specific and can only be used once.
Here is how:
Go to the Baby section on Amazon and click on the “Special Offer” link at the top to see all products which qualify for the 30% off discount.

Choose the diapers, wipes, and/or baby products you’d like to purchase.

Add them to your cart using the Subscribe & Save feature and they should show up at 30% off plus you can get free Super Saver Shipping when you order over $25 worth.  If you have the coupon from Parents magazine be sure to add the code before checking out.

Reminders: Inexpensive Summer Fun

Can you believe back to school sales have started? Summer is disappearing. How are you doing on your summer to do list? Have you done everything on the list and need some help to keep them busy for a few more weeks. Here are some reminders:
Blockbuster - free movie rental for good grades

Sea World -$5.00 tickets for children

Bowling for free

Summer Reading Programs
and Incentive Programs

Take in a ballgame

Visit a National Park

Free Movies

If you have other fun activities or special events please feel free to leave a comment and link to let us know about it.  Keep enjoying the lazy days of summer.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Toys R Us BOGO 50% off Sale

 Toys R Us is having a BOGO 50% off Hasbro Sale.  You can mix and match your items.  You can also score a FREE  lunch box with a backpack purchase. Visit Toys R Us site for details.





Sunday, July 11, 2010

Free Slurpee Today

Reminder to stop by 7-Eleven today and pickup a free Slurpee.  See original post for details.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Ice Cream in a baggie

I have fond memories of making homemade ice cream at my granny's house during the summer. It didn't feel like summer without it and it tasted such much better than the store bought stuff! Don't have an ice cream machine? No problem here is a recipe for making ice cream in a ziploc bag! So simple.
Materials:
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup half and half
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup rock salt (table salt would work too)
Ice cubes (enough to fill each gallon-size bag about half full)
1 pint-size ziplock bag
1 gallon-size ziplock bag

Instructions:

1. Combine the sugar, half and half, and vanilla extract in the pint-size bag and seal it tightly.
2. Place the salt and ice in the gallon-size bag, then place the sealed smaller bag inside as well. Seal the larger bag. Now shake the bags until the mixture hardens (about 5 minutes). Feel the small bag to determine when it's done.
3. Take the smaller bag out of the larger one, add mix-ins, and eat the ice cream right out of the bag. Easy cleanup too! Serves 1.

Pampers Gifts To Grow: Another New 10-Point Code

There's a new 10-point Pampers code available! Just head over to Pampers Gifts to Grow and enter GTGFIVEMONTHS10.  You can redeem points for great prizes including registering for a trip to Seasme Place.
Additional Codes, each worth 10 points:
GTGFIVEMONTHS10
GTGLEARNMORE089
JOINTHEFUNGTG09
GTGSPRINGFREE10
GETSTARTEDNOW10
THRIFTYMOMMYGTG
WELCOME2VILLAGE
WELCOME2GTG2010
GTGPLAY3USA2010
GTGSUMMERFUN5PT
25GTGSUMMER2010
15GTGSUMMERFUN
OHAMANDAAWGTG08
GTGGETREADYSOON 
FACEBOOKJUL2010 
4THFACEBOOK2010
I THINK these are still active.  Please let me know if you discover any that do not work and I will remove them.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Cooking with Kids

Last week, I told you reasons you should get your kids in the kitchen to help prepare family meals.  Well, if you need another reason - how about $50.00. 
45pounds.com is looking for videos of children preparing meals.  If they use the video you will be paid $50.00.

Need some inspiration? Check out Two Kids (and a mom) Cooking.  The site has step by step videos of the kids creating yummy dishes.

Let your children "play the chef" with this cute "Kiss the Chef" set from Land of the Nod.  Click on the banner on the right, in the sale section.

Water Games

On a hot summer day water is the best way to bring a smile to a child's face and maybe even a few "grown ups".  Gather the kids, their friends, the neighborhood children, neices and nephews for a water party.  This is a fun, inexpensive way to stay cool and it is sure to be hit with all the kids.

Paint with Water

Supply your child with a clean paint brush and bucket of water. Let them paint the house, sidewalk, driveways, fence etc.   Watch it evaporate. 

Splash Tag
You will need a sponge ball and a bucket of water.
This is played like the classic tag  game. It requires one person to be "IT". "IT" tries to tag running players with a wet sponge ball. Once tagged, that person becomes the new "It".  No cheating in this game ...  the wet mark on their back will  give them away!

Water Relay

You will need two buckets and a sponge ball per team.
 Each team is given a full bucket of water at the starting line. The empty bucket is placed 10 -15 feet from the start line. Vary the distance based on the age of the players.  The goal is for the teams to transfer the water in the full bucket to the empty bucket, using only the sponge ball.  Players take turns relay race style pass the ball to the next player.

Variation: Instead of the sponge ball use a plastic cup with a whole in the bottom to transfer water. 

Over the River
You will need a water hose attached to the water. A  person holds the stream of water very low to the ground and everyone lines up and skips over it. Then the stream gets inch higher, everyone skips over it. If anyone hits the stream, they are out. The last person is the winner.
Variation:  Play limbo with the hose.

Dribble, Dribble, SPLASH
You will need one sponge ball and a bucket of water. This game is played the same way that Duck, Duck, Goose is played only you wring out the sponge on the persons head when you 'splash'. 

Sprinkler
If you want to keep things simple turn on the sprinklers.  Who doesn't love to just run around a get wet?

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Play-Doh Instant Win Game & Coupon

Log in or register for a chance to win one of ten $50 prizes from Play-doh. There will also be a Grand Prize winner who will receive a $5,000 Shopping Spree! Now that’s a lot of Play-Doh! (Just kidding- I am sure you can buy what you want! ) You can use the free code KDN185UV9JN34 to play if you don’t have one of your own. Even if you don’t win- you will be offered a coupon for a discount on a Play-Doh toy. They will likely be changing this coupon daily. If you choose to print- a heads up that an ad prints before the coupon and it will expire 7 days from when you print. Good Luck!

-Thanks Freebies4Mom & CommonSenseWithMoney!

Books for Under $2.00

If you weren’t able to find the books you were looking for in the $1.99 sale from Barnes and Noble, be sure to check out the $1.97 Books-A-Million Bargain Sale . They’ve got the lovely old classics, and some great children’s titles for only $1.97 each.

Shipping is free on orders over $25.00.
If you’re planning to place an order of $25.00, be sure to use coupon code MCCRENEW to get $5.00 off any order of $25.00 or more.
Thanks, Money Saving Mom!

Parents Magazine Deal

Best Deal Magazines offers low prices everyday on a variety of magazines. Today you can get a great deal on one of my favorite magazines, Parents. 
Deal of the Day 7/72010:
Parents Magazine, 1 yr subscription on sale for $4.29, use 15% coupon code PXCJ711 , makes it $3.65/year

TAKE AN EXTRA $5 OFF $30 ORDER COUPON with this code: MNDCJ711 Offer Expires July 11, 2010

Free Slurpee at 7-Eleven on 7/11

Looking for a way to beat the summer heat. Cool off Sunday, 7/11 by picking up a FREE 7.11-oz. Slurpee at your local 7-Eleven   from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Annie's Homegrown

Are you looking for information on healthy, organic food for your children?  Signup for Annie's Homegrown newsletter.  Also, why you are there check out the free bumperstickers and decals.

Enfamil Family Beginnings

Join Enfamil Family Beginnings  and you will receive nutrition information, expert tips and advice, up to $250 in free gifts, 1 week supply of Enfamil, and $60 saving on formula. Even if you don't need formula consider signing up and donating to a women's shelter or food bank.  Click the banner to sign up!!



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Yummy Popsicles

 Summer time is magical.  The time we spend with are children are the memories they cherish.  Create some fun summer memories for your child by making some COOL treats together. 
To get started you will need popsicle molds.  These are widely available today at WalMart, Target, Dollar Tree.... or you can use papercups and popsicle sticks. 
To make popsicles you can use just about anything that will freeze like juice, pudding, yogurt, or milk.  Here are a few creative recipes to get you started.

Dripless Popsicles
1 package fruit flavored Jell-o
1 package kool-aid
2/3 cup hot water
2 cups cold water
1 cup sugar
In a large pouring pitcher mix together: Jell-o, Kool-Aid, sugar and hot water, until dissolved. Then add cold water. Pour into molds and freeze. Will not drip!
Recipe from: recipesource.com

Creamy Juice Pops
1-6 oz. can frozen orange juice concentrate, softened (or grape juice, cranberry juice)
1-6 oz. can water
1 pint vanilla yogurt
Blend in blender. Pour into molds, insert sticks, and freeze.

Recipe for MasterChef

Chocolate Fudge Pops
1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup white sugar
3 cups milk
In a mixing bowl, combine pudding, sugar, and milk. Pour mixture into molds and freeze.  Serve when frozen.

Post a comment and share your favorite popsicle recipe?

Monday, July 5, 2010

Sponge Balls

Summer is here and so is the heat.  This week we are going to provide some ways to stay COOL and keep the kids entertained. 
Every year when I was teaching school we always ended the school year with a water day.  One of the kids favorite activities was water balloons.  How many of you have every filled water balloons for 800 children?  You can imagine how time consuming this is.  Luck for me I saw this wonderful idea for sponge balls in Family Fun magazine.  Made from kitchen sponges that are cut in strips and tied together, they last longer than water balloons and are softer and splash better than regular water balls. The kids loved them and we didn't have to fill balloons or pick up all the pieces when they were done.  The balls lasted for years. These are great for a game of tag on a scorching hot day.


Materials:
3 plain kitchen sponges (you can get a large bag cheap at WalMart or  6 for $1.00 at Dollar Tree)
Scissors
Strong string or floss
Bucket

Instructions:
For each ball, you'll need 3 plain kitchen sponges fresh from the package and still slightly damp. Use scissors to cut each sponge lengthwise into 5 strips about a half-inch wide. Stack the strips as shown. Loop a piece of strong string around the center of the stack and pull tightly. Double-knot the string and trim the excess.  Fill a bucket with water and let them games begin.  You can play tag, keep away, dodge ball, throw at a target ... be creative and COOL off. 

Courtesy of Family Fun

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Barnes and Nobles Summer Warehouse Sale

Keeping summer reading fresh and fun is a challenge during the summer months.  Making sure you have plenty of interesting reading material available is key to getting kids to read.  Barnes and Nobles is having a big Summer Warehouse Sale with titles up to 90% off.  Use coupon code Y9K7J7X to get 20% off one item at checkout.  Shipping is free if your purchase is over $25.   These titles are $1.99 each and there are tons of others to pick from. 
Check for events at your local store and don't forget about the summer reading program.

Make Your Own Fireworks

Do your kids love fireworks?  Don't wait to the 4th of Julyto enjoy them, create your own at home.

Milk Explosion
Materials:

•whole milk (no skim - MUST be whole milk)
•a 1" deep pan or bowl
•red and blue food coloring  ( or any other colors you like)
•liquid dishwashing soap ( prefer Dawn)

Directions:
Pour the milk into the pan.  Drop several drops of food coloring all around the milk.  Add two squirts of the dishwashing liquid, and watch the colors burst and swirl.

If the fireworks slow down, just add another squirt of dishwashing liquid.
Alternative:  Dip Qtip in Dawn and touch the drop of food color with Qtip.

Fireworks Painting

Materials:
newspaper or plastic(to protect your work surface)
straws
washable tempra paint
glue
fine poly glitter, white or silver (you can find this at the craft store)
cardstock or heavy paper

Directions:
Cover the surface you are using for this activity. This fun craft can get messy! Mix the paint and the glue until you reach a smooth consistency and the paint moves easily. You may need to add a drop or two of water to the mixture.  Pour several small puddles of the paint mixture onto the cardstock.  Use the straw to blow the paint around paper spray patterns. Sprinkle glitter over the top and let dry.

Picture from Family Fun