A big Thank You goes out to Jessica H., for sharing some other fun summer activity ideas. After getting Jessica's email, I just had to share some of her great finds.

Here are a few fun things to add to your list:

Outdoor Games to Rock the Picnic - This article has some games that are similar to the ones in my last post, "Ask Anissa: What are some Fun Summer Activities for Kids to play outside?", but there are some that are different or have a twist to them. A great article and resource for fun picnics.

Educational Games and Activities - Education.com has a brand new section where you can select activities by grade level or subject area. This new area is a great way to find age appropriate activities for your children.

Create a T-shirt Pictograph - This is a really crafty way to disguise learning during the summer. And, it might also help clean out their closet or dresser drawers.

Produce a Family Yearbook - As big of a scrapbooker as I am, I have never thought of making a family yearbook! This is one of the coolest ideas that I have seen in a long time!

Thanks again for these great links, and if any of you ever find yourself with info and links you want to share with other readers, please don't hesitate to email me.

Question: I am always trying to think of new ways or new things to do with my family. We are a young family, and haven't been very good at making or taking the time to be together. Can you suggest or give us some fun outdoor family activities for us? Suzanne B., Farmington, NM

Answer: Suzanne, there are so many great things to do in the summer, and if you like being outside the list I have below should provide you with some really good family moments this summer.

Feeding the Birds

5-Minute Birdbath
A House for the Birds
Bird Feeding
Turn Your Birdhouse into a Planter
Mosaic Birdhouses

Garden Projects

A Pond in a Box
A Railroad Garden: Engineering Togetherness
How to Plan a Winning Family Garden
Rock Gardens
Teach Your Kids How to Start a Garden

Outdoor Projects

Best Seats
How to Hang a Tire Swing
Painted Floorcloths for Outdoor Spaces
Summer Pleasures

Question: My kids love playing outside, but often find themselves running out of things to do, especially during the summer. I really want to be prepared with new things to have them actively doing. What are some fun activities for kids to play outside? Mary E., Salinas, CA

Answer: Mary, I am not sure of your age, but, if you are like me and many of the other readers you probably played many different outdoor games as a child. There are even games we played indoors that can be taken outdoors. I like to get ideas from as many sources as possible, and it just so happens that Better Homes and Gardens, has come up with a list of activities like Red Rover, Red Rover, and Kick the Can and many others. Not only do they have a list, but they have info on each of the games. For those of us who don't remember all the rules or all of the words to the songs, this is a great resource! Remember that there are many things that we typically do inside that we can do outside. One of my kids favorite things to do during the summer is to play with sidewalk chalk, bubbles, kiddie pools or the hose, water balloons, playing house or store outside, having a lemonade stand and gardening. Check out Better Home & Garden's list, and feel free to share other things that you may have found!

Question: My kids love to use the craft foam to make things, and as it is getting closer to summer, I want to find more ideas to help keep them busy. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Lacey, ND

Answer: Lacey, there are many of these projects that you can purchase online or at your local craft store, but here are the instructions for one that's lots of fun for all ages.

One that I have come across that will keep the kids engaged for a while or can be split into two different activity times, is the foam glasses case. It's interesting and fun for all. This glass case can be used, given as a gift, or converted into a necklace purse.

To make the glasses case, you will need the following simple materials: a square of craft foam, plastic or large blunt needles, lanyard lace or thick yarn. Cut two rectangles from the foam, each 3-1/2 inches (9 cm.) by 6 inches (15 cm.). With a hole punch, make holes on three sides of each rectangle, leaving one short side unpunched. Make the holes 1/2 inch apart and allow at least 1/4 inch between the hole and the edge of the craft foam. The holes need to line up so that the two pieces can be laced together. If you are preparing the craft for small children, you should make the holes yourself. Otherwise, the crafters can do this step if you have enough pairs of hole punches.

At this point the crafters can cut decorative shapes from other colors of craft foam, or you can buy sets of ready-cut foam shapes. If you are doing the craft at a special event, like vacation Bible school, choose shapes that echo the theme of the event. For instance, if the Bible school or camp has a cowboy theme, find shapes that fit well, such as boots, cowboy hats, and stars. Let the kids choose the shapes they like and glue on as desired. You might also like to provide beads or sequins to glue on as well, especially if the crafters are a little older.

The next step in this arts and crafts idea is to thread the plastic needle with the yarn or lanyard lace. Yarn might be a little easier to handle, but lanyard lace is shiny and attractive. In a pinch, some teachers of small children use a bobby pin as a needle. It is certainly a safe alternative. Simply loop the yarn through the opening and use the open end of the bobby pin as if it were the point of the needle. The children can now begin to lace the front and back of the glasses case together.

To turn this arts and crafts idea into a necklace purse, simply attach a piece of lanyard lace to each corner making a long handle. Kids will enjoy using this case as a place to store secret notes and small objects. If they'd rather, they can give the glasses case to a parent, grandparent, or friend who wears glasses. Either way, this arts and crafts idea will be interesting for all.

My favorite place for crafts is JoAnn.com or your local JoAnns store.