We head away each summer to a cottage with my parents, sisters, brother, and all the spouses and kids between us. It is always busy, but something I look forward to every year. Lots of time to laugh and visit and catch up. Last year, the apple juice cups outnumbered the wine glasses. And this year, with the addition of newborn twins we are even more outnumbered. Time to break out the cottage craft ideas.

This year at the cottage there will be 9 children. Eight of which are under the age of 6 (And 5 of which are two or younger!) So I have taken to embracing the idea that this will really not be a vacation for me. I mean, of course it will in the sense that I will be out on the water, and surrounded by loved ones, but I will not be spending my days laying in the sun and relaxing.

There will be plenty of time for that in the years ahead. But for now, I will choose to make this week at the cottage magical and memorable for these little ones of mine. For my children, nieces, and nephews. I want them to look back at the cottage and remember swimming, playing, and having an incredible time.

Of course, if you follow along here, you know I will most certainly be bringing along our Quiet Bins. Because of course, if we are to have a magical, peaceful week we will need to be using our Quiet Bins! This Button Tree one will be joining us…

I will also be planning a special craft for each afternoon. After we have spent our mornings outside, our early afternoon resting, and our later afternoons outside again, by the time dinner is about to hit these little ones will be ready for a special craft.

So what will we be doing this year? I thought I would share exactly that. My sister is planning a few special ideas as well, but here is what I have planned for cottage craft ideas:

Cottage Shirts. I thought we would start this year with making cottage shirts for all of the kids. We will write Cottage 2015 on the front and then put each little hand print on the shirt. You know I get all mushy about little hand prints. And the bigger kids can decorate their shirts any way they wish.

(Update: they turned out adorable! Here’s the picture:)

Tin Can Lanterns. We will take some metal cans, some nails, and hammers to make sweet tin can lanterns. The little ones will just hammer in holes using the nails, and the older ones might like to try to make pictures or designs like these ones from Recycle Nation.

Fireflies. As soon as I saw these adorable fireflies on Apartment Therapy I knew we would be making them. Some plastic eggs and battery powered tea lights will certainly be in my suitcase (you know, the essentials).

TeePee Yarn Craft. By Zingzing Tree. I just stumbled upon these yesterday. How sweet? They will of course be too tricky for the little ones, but will make a great craft for my daughter and her friend (If I can get them out of the water long enough to make them!)

We will also be doing our annual scavenger hunt, the same basic one we have been doing since I was a little one at the cottage.

I am excited to head away. Excited for the busyness and the chaos. Excited for the crafting and spending time with all the little ones in my family. Of course I know I will also be excited for the Quiet Bins and any moments I might be able to sneak for some alone time in the sun. I will be embracing this year, this time with all of these little ones, because I know just how quickly these little years will fly.

Hope you are having a lovely summer friends. Thank you so much for reading.

Please be sure to pop over to check out my eBook and Book. And just for you, as a summer gift, you can grab the eBook for $6! Just enter the discount code “CottageHelper”