Bath Time with Achilles (and an Animal)
Fun little tricks to get recalcitrant kids into the bath
ADDED May 28, 2010
Or should I say: Everyone? I think almost all parents have to deal with the protest: "A bath? Again?"
As always, at Today Is Fun we want to use our wits to get our parenting way. To make the bath happen, we just frame it differently. We try to advertise the bath not as a required, annoying chore, but an opportunity for learning and for fun!
One trick is to have the kids magically turn themselves into animals.. . .
Classical Spring Music
Aural Edu-tainment
ADDED May 19, 2009
Springtime is upon us, and in honor of that fine season, we present some
beautiful classical music for you to share with your kids. Today, we celebrate Spring
with a free audio download, an excerpt from Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," and its first three movements,
Spring. Put it on your Ipod to listen in the car while you drive to
school, or make a CD and enjoy listening during breakfast tomorrow. This type of thing is an easy way
to introduce your kids to great music -- and just might save you from
having to listening to one of those wacky, guitar-toting children's troubadours.
To
make your listening time more educational, have your kid listen for
streams, thunderstorms, birds, trees rustling in the
wind, and a dog barking in the the music. Vivaldi wrote the music so
that the orchestra would make music that resembles each of those
things. You guys can find each of those: all you need is creativity
and some perky ears.
We
are big fans of classical music here at TIF, so drop us an email
info@todayisfun if you want many more kid friendly recommendations
(sorry, troubadours need not apply).
Click on the links below to play while browsing TIF.
Have fun!
Thanks to John Harrison for the beautiful music and skepsis and januszbc for the the photos!
Big Letters
Typing can be big fun for kids
ADDED May 06, 2009
A big part of being a kid is emulating your parents. It’s fun to act like Mom or Dad, and there are some learning aspects to this mimicry, too.
Kids these day see their parents on their computers quite a bit. Of course, much of this is checking todayisfun.com, we understand.
One way for very young kids to start learning about computers is to do something very simple. In Microsoft Word or google docs, you can open a new document and change the font size to something really large. Then your child can practice typing different letters on the keyboard.
We did this when my older son was first learning his letters, and he had a great time. He said, “Now I’m going to do a lot of B’s, now I’m going to do a lot of L’s.” Then he would say, “See? Just like Daddy.”
Quizmaster & Answermaster
Because all good games have funny titles.
ADDED December 19, 2008
To play this game you need two people the first person is the Quizmaster the second the Answermaster. The Quizmaster asks the questions and the Answermaster answers the questions. This game is fantastic for all ages because the questions can be tailored appropriately to make it easy for everyone to win. It also can be played as a group activity to include many more kids if needed.
First the person who is the Quizmaster thinks of two or three things that have one thing in common, for example shark, octopus and sea cucumber. Next the Quizmaster poses their question to Answermaster,” What is the same about these three things, a shark, an octopus and a sea cucumber?” At this point if you have a group of kids, in an orderly manner everyone in the group takes a turn giving their best answer to the Answermaster. When all the answers are tallied the Answermaster tells the Quizmaster the answer, “They all live in the ocean”. Now the Quizmaster becomes the Answermaster and it is their turn to think of of two or three things that are the same.
The game works great using a variety of topics and the questions can range from very simple to extremely difficult, here are some starters:
Quizmaster question:
What is the same about these three things red, blue and green?
Answermaster answer.
All three are colors.
Quizmaster question:
What is the same about these three things truck, car and van?
Answermaster answer.
All three are cars.
Quizmaster question:
What is the same about these three things elbow, toe, and nose?
Answermaster answer.
All three are parts of your body.
Quizmaster question:
What is the same about these three things sleepingbag, tent and flashlight?
Answermaster answer.
All three are used for camping.
Try it today and use the comments section to let us know what you little Quizmasters come up with!
1,2,3 Quiet Game
Quick game to help kids keep themselves quiet
ADDED July 27, 2008
I am not sure who taught my kids this game, but I overheard it from the back of the car, and it is too good not to pass on. Try this game in the car, at dinner, even in a store when your little ones are getting a little too loud.
All I do is say "1,2,3 Quiet Game" and anyone within earshot must be quiet. Once the silence is broken by any noise at all the game is over and there are no winners or losers. Amazingly, this game has a very calming effect on the noise that a small group of children can generate.
This game is not just a game that adults lead. I also let the kids police the game: if someone is being too loud, all they need to say is "1,2,3, Quiet Game" and the other kid will quiet down. It works like magic.
The resulting silence, no matter how brief it may be, is nice.
Try it with your kids and let us know how it works! And don't forget we are always available at info@todayisfun.com!
Great Gadzooks
Alphabetical word fun.
ADDED May 22, 2008
My kids are learning all about words at school, and lately I have seen their vocabulary increase greatly. What I do to encourage bigger words and a broader vocabulary is play a game I call “Great Gadzooks.”
It is slightly challenging and definitley something that makes them think but it can be played anywhere. The results are always hilarious.
All you need is a little imagination and some word power. You start at the beginning of the alphabet and use a adjective and a noun that start with the letter A. For example, ”Awesome Apples” or “Arabian Ant,” then the game moves on to the next person. They will use the letter B for their turn, they follow suit using the same adjective and noun formula, ”Burned Bananna” or “Bouncy Blanket” -- the more outlandish the better. The next person follows with the letter C then D and so on. Some letters do get hard but we have a few "go to" words that we will use for I,V,X,Y and Z (email me if you need some help with those letters).
It is always fun. For some reason “Vacuuming Vipers” always gets a huge laugh and “Marvelous Mom” elicits cheers of joy. Let me know what makes you and your kids laugh. It would be great to read some of your "Colorful Comments".
Fill in the blank
A simple, fun game to help pass the blank.
ADDED May 19, 2008
You say the first two words of a phrase your child knows, and wait for the blank to be filled in.For instance, “Grandma and Blank.” (Answer: Grandpa.)
“Brush your blank.” (Answer: teeth.)
“Stars and blank.” (Answer: stripes.)
Kids quickly pick up on how this game works, and are eager to provide the right answer. Mine are so enthusiastic at times, in fact, that they’re trying to fill in the blank before I’ve fully told them the clues. This leads to occasional mishaps such as “Grandma and Teeth”…which everyone seems to enjoy.
Entertaining learning in the tub!
$4.00 for a cup of bubbles
ADDED May 06, 2008
Tub time is one place where teaching is not the easiest. Most books, flash cards and personal computers are not made for the bathroom. But I have found a creative way to teach fractions and math related learning without the risk of electrocution.
I will take the set of measuring cups from the kitchen and relocate their usefulness to the bathroom. Here is where the fun starts.
I will fill the tub and then ask simple questions that require my kids use the cups to measure the water and answer my questions. I will say, “ how many times does 1/2 cup fill up the 1 cup” or “ does the 1/4 cup fill up the 1 cup”? Once they understand the concept of 1/4, 1/2 and 1 then we can build on that knowledge and assign a monetary value to each cup. I will pretend like I am at a store and ask,” If 1/4 cup of tub water is one penny how much is 1/2 cup or 1 cup”?
It is a lot of fun and eventually we will start measuring shampoo, soap and bubbles and in the end I always end up paying $4.00 for a cup of bubbles. I really do love bubbles.
Note: start with 1 cup,1/2 cup and 1/4 cup. The 1/3 and 2/3 cups still confuse me.
On the go hairdo
Did you know how entertaining hair care can be?
ADDED May 04, 2008
I don’t really spend time doing hair -- my kids' hair or my own. There are about a million other things in life to do before I get to those chores.
But when we’re waiting in line, or at the check out, it helps to pass the time to get out some hair care products.
Of course, I don’t really have any. But I make my hand into a ‘comb,’ and ask, “Who needs a good combing?” My kids volunteer, and I ‘comb’ their hair with my fingers. They think it feels weird, and kind of tickles.
Then I offer to use the hair dryer on them (a contraption that has always held a certain fascination for kids.) Making a loud, hair drying noise, I quickly move their hair around with my fingers and hands.
Then it’s time for some goop—a necessary finale to any good haircut. I hold an invisible goop bottle out, and squirt it all over the kids' hair. This involves random, crazy tickling of the top of their heads.
When I’m through, everybody’s hair certainly looks a little worse and a lot more messy…but everybody’s had a decent time, and the waiting is over.
Thinking of you
Fun way to help your kids learn your phone number
ADDED April 24, 2008
On the rare occasion that my beautiful wife is able to leave the house alone I like to encourage this activity. I will say, ”Who knows Moms phone number?” And whoever can recite it can call her and tell her they are thinking of her.
Next I will ask, ”Who knows my phone number?” Whoever can recite it can call me on my cell phone,of course I go to another room. 
”Who knows Grandfathers phone number?” and whoever can recite it can call him and ask if he wants to meet us at the park.
Then I will give them my cell phone a say, ”Who knows our home phone number?” Whoever can recite it can call the house and leave a funny message.
After all the phone madness we review how to use 911 and who we can call using that number and when to call that number. We also go over good phone manners and how to answer the phone.
It’s fun, the kids like using the phone and if your kids don’t know your phone number help them learn it, soon you could be on the receiving end of a thinking of you call.
Costco Fort
Hours of entertainment for kids thanks to your local gigantic warehouse store
ADDED April 23, 2008
Kids like to build—that’s why blocks (and Tinker Toys, and Lincoln Logs, and Legos) were invented.
Well, when your kids are at loose ends—and argue that they’ve already built every possible structure with their toys, direct them to your garage or storage cabinet. There you will find the bounty of Costco (or other, similar warehouse store).
My kids love building as much as anyone, but they get a special delight in stacking up rolls of paper towels, toilet paper, kleenex boxes, diaper packets, and the like. Because my wife buys these items in quantities of at least one hundred and fifty (or so it seems), we always have a lot of raw material for these structures—which quickly get bigger than the kids. If anyone causes a collapse (an inevitability—and kind of fun in of itself) no one gets hurt because, well, there are no bricks, just paper towel rolls. And then we build again.
Twist Tie Pterodactyl
Shopping can be prehistoric fun for kids with this activity
ADDED April 22, 2008
A Twist Tie Pterodactyl is easier than it seems. Take one of the twist ties in the produce section, gently bend it to form wings and a body. Now you have a little Pterodactyl for your little one and they can both help you shop.
My kids love to hold the Pterodactyl and pretend it is flying as we zip around the market. Terry The Pterodactyl also helps us choose our fruits and vegetables she is a very healthy eater for a prehistoric creature.
If your kids are old enough to be out of the cart, the basket acts as a perfect nest to they don't wander to far. Have fun.
Animal Hospital
Exciting Emergency Room style entertainment for kids.
ADDED April 20, 2008
My kids love their stuffed animals and every now and then one (or all) of them get hurt and need some special care. Setting up your own little ER is fun and can provide hours of entertainment.
First set up the hospital area. Make sure it is stocked with, a few band-aids to use for cuts, a roll of toilet paper to use for bandaging. You can even use an empty TP roll as a cast and popsicle sticks are great for splints. And don’t forget a baggie with a cube of ice for bumps and bruises.
Now that you are all stocked and ready for customers ask your kids to gather five or six of their stuffed animals and get to work.
Don't forget to ask your kids how the animals got hurt and what you can do to fix it. Or let them be the doctors and stand back as they diagnose and repair their injured friends.
For me the best part of this activity is hearing how the stuffed animals got hurt. I had no idea their stuffed animals are involved in so many dangerous activities. Have fun and send us some photos of bandaged stuffed animals.
What's Your Favorite On This List
List five items in a category, and ask your child for a favorite
ADDED April 16, 2008
This activity has definitely saved the day in our house, especially when the kids had to sit and wait for adults to finish eating dinner.
List five items in a category and ask your child for a favorite among the options. Some examples of categories are: farm animals, zoo animals, ocean animals, pets (if you break these animal categories out, you will have more to talk about than if your one category was just ‘animals’), colors, lunch foods, Sesame Street characters, etc.
After your kids has chosen, tell them your favorite. They’ll be interested to know.
My kids seem to enjoy this activity even more when I hold up five fingers and point to a finger with each item in the category. They look at their own hands and fingers when deciding.
This pastime is sure to be a favorite, on anybody’s list.
