15 FREE, Fun Family Summer Activities!

Summer has arrived. The kids are home from school and ready for some fun. If you are looking for ideas for connecting as a family without breaking the bank, I have FIFTEEN of them for you!

1. Friday Night Picnics

I've mentioned our practice of Friday night picnics in previous posts. For many years, I have packed up whatever I made for supper and we have headed up to the local park overlooking the river. My oldest sons have consistently voted "Friday night picnics" as their favorite memory while growing up. 

Tips for a successful picnic: 

• Keep a picnic basket pre-packed with plates, cups, silverware, a tablecloth, and napkins. 

• We don't use paper plates. Instead we have special Melamine tableware, which is dedicated to our picnic supplies area. It is nice looking and fairly indestructible. 

• Remember to take along a container of wet-wipes for quick clean ups for faces or spills.

• Be sure to pack a couple of plastic grocery bags or a cloth bag (if you don't use plastic) for taking home dirty dishes.

• A few wooden clothespins can be handy for holding down the edges of the tablecloth in windy weather. 

• Stick a pack of plastic storage bags in the picnic basket. This is handy for transporting food back home, especially if a child has part of their pizza or sandwich leftover. 

• If you don't often make dessert (I don't) then this is the perfect time to include  brownies or cookies as a special Friday night treat. 

You can keep nearly anything hot (or cold) for a short time - even in the middle of summer. 

• Make pizza portable by creating homemade pizza pockets instead of a traditional round crust. Take them out of the oven and wrap in foil to keep warm. 

• Transport soup in a crock pot. A slow cooker will keep things hot for a mighty long time. And it ensures less spillage in the trunk or back of the vehicle.

• Wrap cold items in a kitchen towel and then surround them with several layers of newspaper in a cardboard box for transporting. This is a trick I learned from my Mother-in-law years ago! 
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2. Gourmet Popcorn and Movie Night

 

Give your kids the "movie experience" without the cost of tickets and snacks! 

Step 1:

Borrow a movie from your local public library. Alternately, you could also find something that everyone would enjoy on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or any other streaming service that you are currently paying for. I don't generally encourage paying any money for movies. But, I will admit that my 20 year old recently bought a Netflix subscription and I'm finding it a little addictive. But, then again, I'm not paying for it. 

Step 2: 

Get the snacks ready! For that full movie experience, I recommend freshly popped popcorn. Popcorn is inexpensive when you purchase it in bulk. We get 50# at a time from SAMS for under $50. Air popped popcorn is so easy and fast to make! You'll want to get out some fancy toppings for that bowl of goodness! 

Gourmet Popcorn Ideas!

• Mexican Fiesta (a mixture of chili, garlic, and onion powders)  

• French Toast (cinnamon and powdered sugar) 

• Taco Deluxe (taco seasoning, cheese powder, and lime zest) 

• Peanut Butter Cup (powdered sugar, PB2 powdered peanut butter, and cocoa) 

• Spicy Indian (curry powder, a touch of cinnamon, and hot sauce) 

• Cherry Delight (cherry Kool-aid mix and powdered sugar) 

3. Attend a free or inexpensive concert!

There are a plethora of opportunities to expose your kids to great music at no or low cost throughout the summer. We have listened to everything from Bach to the Blues! 

*For many more ideas and a list of ways and places to find free musical experiences, read this post: "Music Appreciation for Little or No Money" 

4. Have a fight! (with Nerf guns) 

Our oldest two sons sent this photo was sent to my husband and I after we challenged them to a Nerf gun fight.

They included this note: "Challenge accepted! Thursday night at 6pm. We are faster. We are smarter. The adults are goin' down!"

Our response was: "We are more experienced. We are sneakier. Game on!"

I am serious when I tell you that having a family fight has never been more joyful! As a bonus, it won't cost you a penny!

Use the brightly colored Nerf bullets. It's makes it easier to find the "bullets" after the "war" is over. Otherwise, you'll find orange foam pieces scattered all over the yard the next time you mow. *I may, or may not, know this bit of trivia from actual experience. LOL! 

5. Have a "you are the artist" night

Get out watercolors, markers, colored pencils, and art paper. Stream a Youtube art tutorial. Everyone creates their best rendition of the art technique being shown by the artist on the screen. Be sure to have awards to hand out at the end of the evening. 

6. Write a play and then perform it.  

You are the star! Let the kids write a short play and then everyone acts it out. You may choose a theme that you have been discussing with them. You could also begin by giving them a moral dilemma that their play needs to showcase. It helps kids brainstorm how to use drama to depict real life issues like lying, stealing, gossip, jealousy, and more. 

7.  Perform an "act of service" together.  

There are a multitude of opportunities for your family to serve others! From experience I will advise you to call the person or agency whom you'd like to serve and make sure that it's okay to bring along the kids. Many places like food banks have a minimum age to be able to volunteer. Also, new mothers sometimes like you to leave small children at home if they are having a particularly difficult adjustment period. So, be considerate to those whom you wish to bless and call ahead to let them know of your intentions.

Here are a few ideas for your consideration: 

• stock the shelves at a local food bank

• purchase inexpensive items for needy children

• send greeting cards to the sick, elderly, or shut-ins from church

• Take dinner to a family who has just had a new baby

• Offer to mow and trim the church lawn

• Visit a local nursing home 

8.  Go visit a local cemetery

Okay, I know that some people would not find this either exciting or something that they would choose to do in their spare time. But, my family has always been fascinated by history. You can find out a whole lot about history and spend time in a very peaceful place when you hike at cemeteries. In fact, one of our local historic cemeteries is quite the attraction. It's filled with beautiful places of rest and families, joggers, and hikers can be found there year-round. 

9.  Attend a free day at the local zoo or museum

I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: nearly all attractions have free days scattered throughout the year. Find out when they are and mark them on your calendar. That way you won't forget that family fun can be had for FREE on that day! 

No free day on the weekend you have time to explore as a family? Ask at your local library. Sometimes they have free passes that you can check out to go to local zoos or museums for free!

10. Listen to a book on tape together 

This is a nice change from a read-a-loud. In this case, you get to sit while a professional reads the book out loud to you. There is something different about the experience, sort of like listening to old time radio programs together. If you've never tried it, do give it a try. 

11. "Trade" music 

I got this idea because one day I found out that my oldest son had no idea who the Rolling Stones were! How could I have missed this critical element of his education?! Believe me, I quickly remedied that situation! Although, I must admit that I'm not sure he saw the beauty of the Stones in the same way that I did.

Pick and convenient time to play some tunes together as a family. Grab some snacks and some LPs. Well, as close as you can get to LPs anyway! Youtube has all the hits of a few decades ago. All you need to do is Google the title. Let your kids introduce you to their favorite music! Then have them tell you why they like it and what message they believe the music is trying to promote. Then, you get to do the same! Reach waaayyy back! Grab that disco sound and then watch their faces! Bonus points if you once danced to this music together - especially if you actually dated your spouse in high school.

12. Cook dinner together 

13. Let the kids create a "restaurant"  

This is a unique take on cooking together. In this case, the kids do the planning, cooking, and serving. The adults are the "customers" at their restaurant.

 My older boys loved doing this when they were younger. They took over the kitchen and created a menu based on items we already had in the house. They even had a logo for their eating establishment!  They named their restaurant and then used the computer to create a customized menu. The table was set with our nicest dishes and candles were lit. We were then invited to enter the restaurant and have a seat. One son stayed in the kitchen to plate our choices, while the other dressed in an apron and became our chef for the night. 

We always asked the chef to come in so we could compliment him on how amazing the food tasted. We tipped them both liberally and then the adults did the dishes, while the kids relaxed. Please understand that I have never owned a dish washer. So, my boys wash and dry the dishes every single night. Having us take over this task for them for the evening was a tremendous treat for them. 

14. Charades (on the front lawn if you are brave) 

Bonus points if you get the neighbors to join in! 

Charades are so much fun and it is amazing how quickly the little ones catch on! I have been delighted by how creative some of the youngest members of our family can be! 

15. Create a back yard obstacle course 

My older boys and I spent an entire day doing this when we were learning about physics. We decided to use all of our yard equipment to make an obstacle course, which would move a large ball from one end of the yard to the opposite end. We had to use a lot of science and spatial relationships to get it to work. When we were finally successful, I whooped and hollered, only to see the neighbor across the street standing in her front yard and laughing at my obvious enthusiasm. I yelled over that we were having a "ball" and we proceeded to high-five each other and figure out if we could reconfigure the course and get it to work again.

BONUS IDEA! -  Plan a "media free" month

When I mentioned to my oldest son that I was writing this article, he told me that the most impactful thing we ever did was to have a media free month. At one point, we realized that we were not connecting as a family in enough meaningful ways. So, we unplugged for 30 days. No computers, no television, no social media. It was amazing! After about one week, we were coming up with all sorts of interesting and enjoyable ways to be together! We absolutely loved it! So, maybe this summer is just the time for you to deliberately unplug from anything that requires a cord to run it and plug into spending time together! 

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Hope

All Greens Are Not Created Equal

My CSA box this week contained a LOT of greens - lettuce, arugula, Swiss chard, mixed baby lettuces, and more! So, this week I want to focus on giving you ideas for using all those greens and explain why all greens are not created equal.


God made a variety of green things for a good reason. Each gives us a different set of nutrients and micronutrients. Our bodies need more than iceburg lettuce to thrive and survive. I'm not hating on iceburg lettuce, mind you. I'm just saying that you need to explore the wide, wide world of greens.  You'll find some surprises as well as some varieties that may take a time or two for your palate to adjust to their flavor. But, I'm hoping once you are armed with some ideas, advice, and information, you'll learn to love them all!

Before we get started: 

• Here's a reminder that this is the second post in my series on CSA boxes. If you missed my initial post, check out The Glory of Spring Produce! 

• WARNING!! I absolutely must add this cautionary information! Leafy greens contain some of the highest concentrations of Vitamin K on the planet. This vitamin is vital to bone health and blood clotting. But, if you are on blood thinners, you must be VERY careful to measure your vitamin K consumption each day. Having said that, it is quite possible to still eat leafy greens. My husband was on blood thinners for six months after a diagnosis of heart failure and a slight stroke. I kept a food diary and tracked every single mg of vitamin K that he consumed. With the food diary, the nutritionist, nurses, and I were able to balance his blood thinner medication and continue giving his body the nutrition, which enabled it to continue to rebuild and recover. DO check with your health practitioner if you are on blood thinners and ask about how the consumption of leafy greens will effect your medications. 

WHY SHOULD YOU EAT YOUR GREENS? 

Just exactly why should we want to be like Popeye? Because greens are POWERHOUSES of nutrition!

Greens are:

•  heart healthy 

• lower you chances of getting several types of cancer 

• low in calories

• reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol

• High in chlorophyl

• a great dairy-free source of calcium

Greens: 

• boost nitric oxide levels, which relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure!

• fill you up without adding fat or cholesterol

• help keep your system clean with their high fiber content

• can help boost your iron levels 

NUTRITIONAL PROFILE OF EACH TYPE OF GREEN

I mentioned in my introduction to this post that my CSA box this week contained several different types of greens. Let's take a look at why each one is special and what our bodies gain by eating them. 

SPINACH

One cup of cooked spinach contains: 

• Vitamin K - nearly 1000% 
• Vitamin A - Just over 100%  
• Manganese - Nearly 75% 
• Folate - Two-thirds (66%) 
• Iron - One-third (36%) 

* NOTE: Spinach can certainly be consumed raw or cooked and is very versatile. My family eats it every week in our salads. If you'd like to cook it, for best results and the least loss of nutrients, lightly steam spinach. I tell my boys that when it turns bright green, it's done. It should be tender, without being mushy. 

KALE

Kale is: 

• Rich in lutein, which supports eye health and helps prevent glaucoma.  

• Is a source of prebiotic nutrients when paired with lentils. 

• Provides excellent cardiovascular support, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.

• An excellent source of vitamins K, A, and C.

*NOTE: Kale is best when "massaged". That's right. Cut the kale into small pieces, drizzle on some dressing, then grab it with your bare hands and massage for a few minutes until the kale softens. Do make sure your hands are clean first. But, I believe God gave us two hands as kitchen tools. ✋

 LETTUCE

Magenta Lettuce. Look at the pretty red tips!

Leaf and head lettuces:  

• are low in calories 

• have high water content. (We don't think of our food as contributing to our body's need for water. But, it does!) 

• can trace their first cultivation back 4500 years to the Egyptians

• red lettuces can help prevent restless leg syndrome, because it adds iron to your diet  

• romaine has the perfect balance of omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids: a 2 to 1 ratio. 

• help with insomia! The white liquid you see when you break the leaves open is lactucarium. It helps the body rest and promotes better sleep. 

• All lettuces have a low glycemic index. This number (from 1-100) indicates the effect of that food on blood sugar levels. The lower the value, the lesser the impact of that food on your glycemic load. To lose weight, load up on foods low on the GI scale, like lettuce! 

*NOTE: To maximize the health benefits of lettuce, combine different textures, colors, and varieties. 

SWISS CHARD

Even I sometimes find out new information when I do research for articles. For instance, until today all I knew about Swiss chard was that we love eating it! But, now I have some really cool facts to share with you!

Swiss Chard: 

• is a member of the beet family

• is also known as silverbeet, spinach beet, perpetual spinach, crab beet, and mangold.

• one cup contains a mere 7 calories! 

• is high in vitamin K and provides a significant portion of Vitamin A as well.

• has red veins. Conventional chard has red stems. Rainbow chard has rainbow stems, ranging in color from off white to purple to red. It makes a very pretty finished dish! 

• has a sharp taste (but not as sharp as kale). The bitter taste fades when you cook it. 

*NOTE: If your Swiss chard is mature, it will have thick stems, much like kale. The stems are delicious, but they cook more slowly than the leaves. So, I always advise people to strip the chard by grabbing the bottom of the stem firmly with one hand. Place your other hand firmly around the leaves. Pull in opposite directions. The leaves will come loose, leaving the stem in your hand. Voila! You have separated the leaves from the stem! Slice the stems into 1/2 inch pieces, allowing the stems 10 more minutes cooking time than the leaves. 

ARUGULA

Arugula: 

• has a sharp, peppery flavor, reminiscent of mustard greens 

• has a distinct oak leaf like shape

• is called "rocket" across the pond in England

• is a member of the cruciferous vegetable family

• is related to radishes, kale, and cauliflower

NOTE: The taste of arugula is often a surprise the first time people try it. It is unlike any other dark, green, leafy vegetable. I LOVE it! Truly! I crave it in the middle of the winter. However, I will admit that the first time I tried it, I thought it was awful! So, please, please do give arugula a try - or two or three! If you find the flavor too sharp, add it in small quantities to salad or cook it. The heat mutes the sharp flavor. It is fantastic added to vegetable soup at the very end of the cooking time! 

Recipe Suggestions: 

Sauteed Kale With Apple Cider Vinegar

As a child, I don't remember cooked greens ever being consumed without a splash of vinegar over the top. It was only years later, that I learned this is apparently a Southern tradition. This makes sense, given the fact that my grandmother was raised in far Southern Illinois. It was she, who brought the addition of a sharp taste of vinegar added to greens at the last minute.

This recipe for sauteed kale is so easy and looks delicious! It has only three ingredients: onion, kale, and vinegar. Perfect!

Kale and Sweet Potato Salad 

I made this salad last year and can't wait to repeat is this growing season! It's a Forks over Knives creation and is the perfect combination of sweet and tart flavors. Double the dressing recipe to be sure to have enough to anoint the greens. I also added a Tbsp of real maple syrup to the dressing. It was a whale of a kale salad. You could certainly serve it as a main dish salad on hot summer nights along with some homemade muffins and fruit. 

Confetti Kale Salad

Confetti Kale Salad with a CRAM Muffin

Here's an easy to make kale salad that is very delicious. Instead of hemp hearts (which are quite expensive) you can sub sunflower seeds or just leave the nuts out altogether. 

The CRAM muffins are a family favorite and are from Chef AJ. They are egg, dairy, salt, oil, and sugar free and can be made gluten free by using gluten free rolled oats. 

Best Veggie "Big Mac" Burger with Arugula Slaw

I seriously cannot tell you how good this burger tastes. It was originally written for radicchio slaw. But, it would be absolutely perfect with a substitution of arugula!  The photos on the recipe post are stunning! Do give it a try!

There you have it!

This week I gave you a primer on greens and a list of delicious recipes to try! I can hardly wait to see what is in next week's bushel basket of CSA goodness!

I'd love to know your favorite way to serve greens and which ones are your favorites. Leave your thoughts in the comments section.

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Do all to the glory of God, 

Hope

TEN Inexpensive Ways To Teach Children Art Appreciation!

Living under the median doesn't mean that our children will never have the pleasure of seeing and experiencing great art.  There are plenty of opportunities to expose your children to famous artists and allow them to try their hand at creating artwork for little or no money.  

"Soul Warrior" - by: Daniel - age 13

 

Reflect on these quotes about the importance of art:

• Ralph Waldo Emerson. “Every artist was first an amateur”

• Henri Matisse. “Creativity takes courage”

• Pablo Picasso. “Every child is an artist."

• Ansel Adams. “You don't take a photograph, you make it”

• Hope Ware. "Great art touches your soul and changes you."  

Okay, that last person on the list is maybe not quite as famous as the others.  But, my point is, even though our personal tastes may differ, we all have a connection with art.  Art can be stunning, disturbing, inspiring, and thought-provoking all at the same time.

Let's take a look at how you can give your child an appreciation for good art without breaking the bank.  I'll give you a list of some of my recommendations at the end of this post.

(Posts on my blog may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my link, I will receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. Thank you.) 

1.  The Public Library 

Let's begin with what you all know by now is my favorite "go to" place for nearly everything - your local library. 

My nephew, Josh, learning shading

Stop by your local library and pick up their monthly activity guide or check on-line to download a copy.  You can find plenty of chances for arts and crafts.  My nephew enrolled in a series of art classes geared toward middle school students at absolutely no cost.  Supplies were included too!

2. Books, Games, and DVDs

Games are the perfect tool for teaching children about great art!

 For years my older boys and I toted home large tomes of famous artwork from the local library every week.  You can also borrow DVDs, which discuss the life and work of famous artists.

We have also bought inexpensive art books, supplies, and games at second-hand bookstores and garage sales over the years.  We spent hours playing the board game "Masterpiece". It featured high-quality postcards of famous works of art. But, one was a forgery. You had to buy, sell, and trade art in order to find out which of your opponents was holding the dreaded forgery! Great fun!


We have a bookshelf dedicated to art books. There are books on drawing, art history, specific artists, and crafts.

Dover is a great source for inexpensive art books and postcards.

some of the books from my art shelf

*A NOTE ON NUDITY.  

Every family has their own opinions and standards on nude artwork.  For the sake of modesty, I always previewed art books before my sons saw them.  I found that simple, inexpensive paper clips sufficed to stick questionable pages together so that young eyes did not see what I did not wish them to see.  There were plenty of other photos to look at together.  I also previewed websites before we visited them and bookmarked the appropriate pages for them.  However, in my opinion, there is an age at which nudity in famous art and sculpture can and should be studied in a mature and sober-minded manner. 

   

   3.  On-Line Resources 

ΙΧΘΥΣ (ichthys) - by Philip - age 11

My son, Philip, drew this symbol of the early Christian church using an on-line tutorial as his guide.

Google beginning art lessons and you'll find a plethra of information.  There are videos, tutorials, and websites, which will vary in quality, but your kids can learn introductory concepts and techniques quite well for absolutely nothing.

You'll find information on the lives, work, and methods of famous artists.  You can show your children everything from a simple color wheel to world famous masterpieces.

Most of the art tutorial sites are going to offer you the chance to sign up for a more extensive paid version. But, there is plenty that you can learn without opening your wallet.

This was harder than it looks! We all drew a ziggurat - following the on-line tutorial.

4.  Art and Sculpture Walks

There are two sculpture walks in our area, both with unique and interesting artwork.  Generally you can either download a walking "tour guide" on your phone or there are printed guides available.  Every year new pieces are brought in by new artists.  So, this can be a FREE yearly event for your family.  

5.  Architectural Tours

Architecture is a part of art!  Our town has a self-guided tour through our historical district, filled with grand, old Victorians.  As you walk, you can read the history of the homeowners, the construction, and details about the homes. 

I see education as being very multi-faceted and very cross-curricular.  So, really art can include math, architecture, history, and more!  That's the beauty of encouraging a love of learning in children! 

6.  Free Museum Days

 

 We have taken advantage of free days at both local and regional museums.  Check websites for dates and times. 

 


 Yearly Museum Family Passes:  When my children were young, we bought one premium family membership per year.  One year it was the zoo, another a local wildlife park, and a couple of years it was a museum.  At that time it was about $50 for a yearly family pass.  It's at least twice that amount now.  But, if you have a large family, it's worth it.  You may consider asking Aunts, Uncles, or Grandparents for a membership as a Christmas gift.  That way, the children can enjoy it all year long!

A NOTE ON CHILDREN AND MUSEUMS:  

When my children were young, we took them to museums and artist open houses.  We dressed them nicely, talked to them about manners in social settings, and kept our visits brief.  We did not tax them beyond their ability to behave well.

One of the first times I took my two older boys to a museum my oldest son, James, reached over and touched a 200 year old quilt hanging on the wall!  I leaned down on eye level with James and said, "When we touch things in a museum we leave the natural oils from our fingers on them.  It can damage fabric items over time.  You could also accidentally knock something over or put a hole in it.  That guard is here to make sure that  everyone can enjoy seeing these items for a long time to come.  You don't want to make him nervous and anxious that you may touch something."  After James told me that he understood and I had him apologize to the guard for touching the quilt, we left.  I wasn't angry. I told James that we would go back another day ... and we did!  Each time we went, we were able to stay a little longer.  But, for a long time, our visits were short and sweet, but frequent.

7. Virtual Museum Tours

My oldest son introduced himself to our local historical society staff when he was 15 years old. He procured himself a year long internship, cataloguing and entering information on artifacts on their on-line data base. Basically, he was creating links for anyone in the world to be able to see what our historical society had to offer. 

Thanks to the internet, you don't need to leave your home in order to experience the thrill of visiting some of the most famous museums in the world! Art appreciation is available at the flip of a switch and the stroke of a keyboard. Just Google, "Virtual Museum Tours" and you will find a whole host of possibilities right before your eyes! 

Need help getting started? Here are a couple of links: 

https://www.virtualiteach.com/single-post/2017/08/20/10-amazing-virtual-museum-tours

http://mentalfloss.com/article/75809/12-world-class-museums-you-can-visit-online

My oldest son's favorite for quite a while was the British History Museum's on-line suppository. 

8.  Artist Open Houses 

Yep!  Take your children to actually meet the people who do the work that they admire.  My children have love the opportunity to interact with enthusiastic, creative, and genuinely nice artists in our community.  

    9.  Art Festivals

 These events are often less formal than an artist open house.  Often outdoors, they have an almost "fair-like atmosphere" and often offer art booths for children to make something to take home with them.  There is a huge art festival in our town on the riverfront every year.  Admission is generally very reasonable to these family friendly events. 

 

10.  Low Cost Classes 

  

Check the following places for art classes.  You can find drawing, painting, and sculpture classes for all ages.  These are great fun and often you can take the classes as a family, so everyone goes home with a momento of your time together!   

• Local Park Districts

• Local Art Guild 

• Local Pottery Shops

• Local Art Studios

• Art and Craft Stores

As you can see, there are many ways to create, experience, and enjoy good art with your children and you can do it even while living .... under the median!

Other posts in this "Love Learning" series: 

This is the third in a series of posts on how to help your children fall in love with learning. 

Be sure to also read: 

Learn to Love History for Little or No Money

Music Appreciation for Little or No Money 

My Recommendations: 

*NOTE: I take great care in making recommendations to you that are good value, high quality products. I have personally used each of these art products and my children have enjoyed them. 

 

I LOVE the Draw and Write Through History books! They are so well done! These photos are of my personal copy of the Middle Ages book. 

There are several books in the series. So, no matter what time period of history you are delving into, you can find a Draw and Write Through History book to supplement that study. The illustrations and steps are super easy to follow - even I can do it.  (Ages 7-13)

The Art Book for Children is a great introduction to famous artists and their works! It encourages children to look for details in paintings. 

I own The Art Book for Children - Book Two.  (Ages 4-12)

Art Masterpieces to Color. Dover is a wonderful company! Their coloring books are absolutely top notch for a very reasonable price. Here's an example of their art masterpieces coloring book. What a great way to give your children a primer on artists and artwork!

We own the first book in this series, "Art Fraud Detective". Sadly, it is no longer available new. However, there are a lot of copies available used and it's such a great book that I wanted to be sure that you were aware of it. You can find copies on the used market.

 *Keep reading! The second volume in this series IS available new and I have a link for you below!*

We loved, loved, loved this great mystery book. We spent hours pouring over the pages. Here's the set up. One of the paintings in the art museum is a fraud. As you go through the book, you must look very closely at the original artwork, comparing it to the exhibits in the museum to figure out which painting is a fraud. Along the way, you learn about the artists, their techniques, and their most famous works.

Here's the second book in the series, The Great Art Scandal, which is available new and is priced at under $10.00!

Sister Wendy's The Story of Painting. Published by DK press, this book is on the expensive side, but you could easily use it for junior high school high school. I love the way it is laid out and it contains a LOT of information. You'll refer to it again and again.

*You can easily find a copy of this book used for a more economical price.

Your turn!

I'd love to hear your ideas about how to introduce children to great art and artists. Leave your thoughts in the comments section.

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Do all to the glory of God, 

Hope