Today is Fun is dedicated to helping adults entertain the kids in their lives. The ideas here will keep kids happy and occupied for hours on end, without you having to spend money or buy more stuff. The tips are always entertaining, often educational and developmentally appropriate. We are here to help parents, home schoolers, teachers, and more. Please subscribe now to receive an idea each day. Today is Fun!

Growing fun!

fun for young farmers

ADDED November 21, 2008

One of our favorite things to do with fruits and vegetables is keep the seeds and try to make them grow. Whenever someone makes fresh-squeezed orange juice, cores an apple, cuts an avocado, or carves a pumpkin, the kids are there, ready to collect the seeds and start the experiment.

We put the seeds on a damp paper towel, seal it all in a baggie, and carefully place the experiment on the window sill in the kitchen. Then we wait and check each day. (Checking each day is important and fun -- and sometimes we need to inspect the progress more than one time a day!) Once the seeds sprout, we transfer them to small paper cups, and when they look healthy and strong, we put them into the earth outside. Most of our seeds don't make it to this final step, but is fun to try and to hope!

Due to my obsession with free stuff, my kids have become avid seed collectors. Together we have grown watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, grapefruit, apples, oranges, avocado, corn, lemons, key limes and pumpkins. And by the way, we live in the middle of the city, not out in the country. Here is a photo of this year's pumpkin crop.

Try to grow your own plants from free seeds today. Healthy eating is really a lot of fun for kids, especially when they're the ones who served as farmers!

ages 3-12, educational, good at home, longer activity, no 'props' needed, verbal activity,

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Thanksgiving jokes

Easy to remember and funny.

ADDED November 20, 2008

Today we present five Thanksgiving-themed jokes to keep kids of all ages festively amused and entertained. We have made the jokes easy to remember and (most of all) funny. Use these jokes when the kids are getting restless. After you work through your "set," have everyone make up some jokes of their own.

Q: What type of music did the Pilgrims like?

A: Plymouth Rock!

Q: What key has legs and can't open doors?

A: Tur-key.

Q: What did the Turkey say before it was roasted?

A: Boy, I'm stuffed!

Q: What smells the best at a Thanksgiving dinner?

A: Your nose!

Q: What's the best thing to put into pumpkin pie?

A: Your teeth!

With quality jokes like these, you will be the life of the party. Don't forget to post your favorite jokes in the comments section.

ages 4-12, good any time, good for a group, good for a restaurant or public place, good for mealtimes, no 'props' needed, verbal activity,

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Secret Holiday Gourd

Toy and decoration all in one

ADDED November 19, 2008

Most houses around Thanksgiving have those little holiday gourds for decoration. They are festive, but really serve no purpose beyond that. But we have figured out a way to make them festive and fun all at the same time.

When your significant other is looking the other way, sneak a few of the festive gourds to your kids along with a Sharpie and instruct them to draw a face on one side of the gourd. Then play with the gourds, give them names, have them go on adventures -- they can even help walk the dog.

But remember, make sure all the secret gourd toys are put away and everything is back to normal before your significant other notices! (You could also save this activity for a few weeks, and spring it when your lovely spouse is ready to do away with the gourds.)

ages 2-7, art supplies needed, good at home,

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Thanksgiving leaf sculpture

Holiday beauty for all to behold.

ADDED November 18, 2008

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than have your little ones make a cool Thanksgiving leaf sculpture? Nothing says thankfulness like leaves.

First go out and collect some really big leaves. We used magnolia leaves because of their leathery texture, but really any leaves will work. Just make sure they are not to brittle and still have their stems. Next, have your kids lay two or three leaves out in an interesting pattern, making sure the stem and leaves overlap a little bit. Then mark where the stems overlap (you can use a pencil or just eyeball it) and make a tiny cut in the leaf. Once the cut is made, insert the stem into the leaf to connect one leaf to another. Continue inserting the stems into the leaves until your child's masterpiece is complete.

Have fun and send us photos of your sculpture and we will post them for all to admire.

ages 2-7, good at home, quick activity,

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Look the moon!

I'm sleepy already.

ADDED November 17, 2008

Here at TIF, we really like the moon, it's big, bright and looks like a big ball. We shared "First to find the moon" a few weeks back , and today we have another moon activity called "Look the moon." This activity is best played at night just before bed time; it is a simple activity that even the smallest kids will enjoy so much. We just know you will be playing every night.

First, you need to find a pillow or stuffed animal to play the part of the moon. Once everybody is in agreement about who or what will be playing the moon, on to the fun. Next make the moon rise in the sky. And when the moon rises everybody puts their head down on a pillow, the floor, or an available shoulder and goes to sleep. Then when the moon lowers on the horizon everybody opens their eyes slowly, stretches and wakes-up. Then rise the moon and repeat!

Try it tonight, remember "when the moon is up heads go down." Good night moon!

ages 2-7, may rile them up, see our disclaimer,

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