Family Night Plans is going to start taking advantage of the beautiful sunny weather. We are going to create some of our plans so the whole family can enjoy some quality time together in the great outdoors. This week we will be creating some wacky water yo-yo’s. It is a very simple craft that will bring hours of fun for the family. Let’s get started!!
Wacky Water Yo-Yo’s
Materials needed
- Water balloons
- Large size rubber band
- Scissors
- Permanent markers and stickers (optional)
Gather all the materials and place on your workplace. Let the kids pick out their own balloon. Have them decorate the water balloon with the markers and stickers. Be careful when using washable markers because you will be filling the balloons up with water. Depending on the age of your children, you can substitute the washable markers for permanent markers. Once the children are done coloring and decorating their balloon, fill the balloon with water about ¼ of the way.
Encourage the kids to try to tie their own balloon. This will depend on your child’s age, but have them practice tying the balloon and the rubber band. Understand that it may take a couple tries, but just be patient. By allowing your children sufficient time will help them practice with their tying. The best thing to remember is to have patience as you teach and help your children!
Take one rubber band and cut it making one long piece. Tie one end of the rubber band to the water balloon. On the other end of the rubber band, tie a loop (big enough to put our children finger in). We suggest that you allow your children to play with their wacky water yo-yo outside. Place the loop of the rubber band on your child’s finger. Just like a regular yo-yo, let it go and try to catch it back in your hand. Encourage the children to try new tricks with the yo-yo.
Explain to your children ahead of time that water balloons can easily break. If there is time maybe make some extra water balloons just in case or do the same activity another night.
Special Notice: This may be a great time to introduce an activity that your kids will remember for a long time. “Remember the time we were able to “legally” get mom and dad with the balloons…”
Suggested Conversation Starters (these are just ideas and can be altered depending on the ages or developmental stages of your kids)
- While the children are decorating their balloons, give some descriptive praise to them. Try not to say things like, good job, nice painting, cool. Use descriptive praise like, “Wow, that’s the best decorated balloon I’ve ever seen” or “Tell me what types of things you are decorating on your balloon”. Let your child to tell you what they are decorating without you guessing.
- Make sure to use this time to explain the “right time” to have a water fight and to respect someone’s request not to be “gotten”.
- Share with your kids what some of your favorite outdoor games were growing up
- Use this time to teach patience, especially with the tying
- It’s also a great time to explain that the world won’t end when or if the balloon breaks. Help them understand things can be easily replaced but they cannot.