Your Child, Book Reviewer

Let’s hear your kids’ questions!

ADDED January 20, 2010

 

We like to read books with our children.  Kid's books are often so beautiful and fun -- they're a great pastime for kids of all ages.

 

In the past, when we finished reading a book, my wife and I would ask the kids some questions about it:

 

Did you like it?

Was it funny?

What was your favorite part?

 

Truth be told, the kids were okay with these questions.  Sometimes they had thoughtful responses, but more often than not, they were ready to move on to the next activity on the agenda.

 

So we turned the tables.  Now I ask the kids to make up some questions about the book we've just read.  

 

My kids ask, "What was your favorite part of the book?" but they also ask "deeper" questions -- and questions that lead to insight as to their own thinking:. . .

Animal Races

All animals win, really, just for trying!

ADDED January 18, 2010

 

Math Snowball Treats

The secret ingredient is math

ADDED December 01, 2009

 

Rice Krispy treats are nothing new, I admit it. But have you ever considered calling them "Math Snowball Treats?" 

 

I am sure you are wondering how I'm somehow going to work math into something called a "Math Snowball Treat."  Well, that is what we do here at TIF: we sneak learning into the most unusual places, and a Math Snowball Treat is easy learning once you know the secret. 

 

A whole pan of Rice Krispy Treats is quite dietarily decadent, and -- really -- who needs to make so many unless you are bringing them to a party?  So, I like to add some math to the treat by having my kids do some division.  Read the recipe with your kids and help them do a bit of dividing, so that you wind up with less to wrap up and store. 

 

Doing this will provide your kids with some wonderful, one-on-one math learning -- and you will wind up with only half as many treats.  (But kids, don't despair:  some treats are better than none).  Once the gooey dessert has cooled but is still pliable, butter up your kids' (thoroughly washed) hands and let them roll a few Rice Krispy Snowballs.  I've included a brief photo essay of our Math Snowball Treat adventure.

 

 

 

 

Kids are great helpers when it comes to stirring, but please make sure everybody is safe around hot pots.

 

 

Kids are also great helpers when it comes to (carefully) dropping marshmallows into the pot.

 

 

More careful stirring.

 

 

Some Rice Krispy pouring.

 

 

Buttering (thoroughly washed) hands

 

 

Once the mixture is cooled, it's time to make Math Snowballs!

 

 

We ended up making a "Math Snowball Snowman!"

 

 

Did this idea work for you? Use the comments section to let us know!  Happy dividing (and eating)!

Own Home Library

Check it out! (Get it?)

ADDED August 27, 2009

 

Length:  20 minutes

Parental Involvement:  Print and play

Kids Should Be Able to:  Play and have fun

 

We have a bookshelf that is quite full, and my kids really like to read books from it whenever they get a chance.  They also like going to the library and checking out books; it is a very "big kid" thing to do.  So my wife and I turned the library into our very own home library.

Every library has a few important qualities:


Really, that is it.
 
I made some very simple library cards and check out slips (you can download these popular items here.)  And once they were printed, our library was open for business.

This is a great activity to encourage sharing, working together, creative play and reading.  Needless to say we are big fans.

Remember, every library has different rules about returning books late;  at our house returning books late means you have to eat all your vegetables, even if they're brussels sprouts.


Click to download!

---

Fun with C-Clamps

Also known as "fun with old blankets"

ADDED July 23, 2009

 

Length:  About 30 minutes.  (At my house, though, at least an hour!)

Parental Involvement:  Help the kids set up the "forts" with blankets and c-clamps.  Keep the kids away from the good linen.  And that's it!

Kids Should Be Able to:   Build simple "forts" with old blankets.

 

Today's idea is quite fun and easy, but it's not revolutionary or shockingly innovative.  Please don't ask for your money back.

Kids love taking everyday objects and making "forts" that they can crawl into.  They also enjoy creating "castles," "palaces," and "houses."  (My kids call their version a "gopher home," which I guess makes sense in a way.)

Today, we're encouraging you to make a really fun, really temporary "play structure" with your kids.  Here's what you'll need:

•  a couple old blankets  (we've found a minimum of two works best)
•  a place to hang them
•  maybe, some C-clamps

Drape the old blankets over some furniture to make a space into which kids can easily and comfortably crawl.  The simplest method is to put a blanket onto a table like a table cloth.  Voilá!  A quick fort for the kids!

Other methods that work nicely:  arranging the chairs from the dining room away from the table and covering them with the blankets, or even covering the couch with a blanket.  (If the arms of the couch are high enough, this will make a small space in the sitting area for the "fort.")

And, as the title here might suggest, C-clamps work very nicely for this activity.  For instance, we have used our C-clamps and "attached" the blankets to door jambs.  By dangling an old blanket from the top of the doorway, we make a "door" or "gate."  Or a curtain for a "theater."  We've also C-clamped a blanket to a bookshelf and to a headboard to create a rather attractive canopy.  C-clamps can really add to your options.  (And if you're just a little bit careful, they aren't going to hurt kids or furniture.)

This activity certainly works in the backyard (if you don't mind the blankets getting a little dirty.)  And it works brilliantly inside the house on a hot day -- it's a great way of beating the summer heat.

Please, please, though -- and I shouldn't have to say this again -- the blanket on my bed is not available to be taken outside and added to your fort!  Otherwise, have fun.
 

Bring Me The Alphabet!

A fun game for beginning spellers

ADDED June 24, 2009

 

 

 

This is an easy activity to do with kids who are beginning to figure out how to spell words.  And here's a nice bonus for you:  parents can conduct this one easily while sitting down!

So get comfortable and demand that the kids bring you the alphabet.

Here's how you do it:  Say to your child, "Bring me the alphabet!  Bring me something that starts with the letter 'A.'"  Your child should then run off to find an object that will fulfill your demand.

For the letter 'A,' acceptable items to bring you would include:  an apple, an art book, and a toy alligator.  (An actual alligator, while starting with the correct letter, should not be handled by your kids, please!)

For 'B,' your kid can bring a ball, a block, or a toy bear.  (A toy bear.  Again, wild animals can be dangerous.)

Continue on in this vein until your child has amassed enough things to represent each letter in the alphabet.  (You might have to get inventive with some of the letters.  For 'X,' for instance, your kid could cross two Tinker Toys into an X.)

And did we happen to mention that you can pretty much be sitting down and relaxing for this activity?  Don't feel guilty about this --  don't you deserve it?  You work plenty hard . . . and your kids are having fun spelling and playing with the alphabet.  Fair is fair.  And fun!

 

(Many thanks to tomeppy for this perfect, toy-rummaging photo!)

Kids' Craft: Creature Creation

A DIY Craft and Toy

ADDED June 01, 2009

This week we are featuring Do It Yourself crafts and games!  Each activity will involve some sort of recycled or re-purposed item.  We will be posting three fun games and two great crafts all guaranteed to make sure that Today Is Fun.

We begin with a simple craft activity that all kids will enjoy for many hours.  (We have found that the best crafts end up being toys.)

Length: Construction for 10 minutes
Parental Involvement: Verbal instruction, participation
Kids Should Be Able to:  Be safe with scissors and color

To create your own creatures you will need an empty egg carton, some pens and pipe cleaners.


First cut the round bottom off of an egg carton, it should look like this. 


Next, with a paper clip or sharp pencil, poke one, two, three or fifteen holes on each side of your creatures.  It should look something like this. We chose four legs, so two holes on each side.


Third thread the pipe cleaner legs in one side and out the other, like this.


Fourth, use a pen to draw a face on your creature.  (This would also be a good time to give your creature a name.)  Add some flair, and they are ready to go.
Let your kids' imaginations run wild.  My daughter made this great vehicle out of the left-over egg carton for all the creatures to ride in. Have fun!

 

Line Drawing Practice Session

Get your lines in shape . . . and have fun doing it!

ADDED May 27, 2009

 

In case you haven't noticed, we think paper and markers are all the tools you need for hours of creative, learning fun with your kids.  Do you disagree?  Would you like to argue?  Go ahead and try!  Challenges can be entertaining.

 

(Please take a moment to check out our favorite, recommended drawing implements here and here.)

 

Today we're going to do some exercises to keep your drawing team in shape!  So get out some paper and pencils and start the drills.

Begin with swirls.  Tell your kids to draw as many swirls as they want.  Can everyone make swirls?  (Swirls are a personal favorite, I must admit.)

The next drill, zig-zags.  Followed by...

Wavy lines
Parallel lines
Dashed lines
Dotted lines (what is the difference between dashed and dotted?)
Curves and curvy lines
Squiggles and messy lines

In this post we've listed eight different types of lines for your kids to draw.  Can you guys think of any other ones?

This activity will get your drawers warmed up and ready to create.  So get creating, people!

Pretty Town

It is pretty. Well, it was pretty.

ADDED April 28, 2009

 

This is a great one for young boys -- boys who like to build up and knock down.  (Girls who want to build and demolish are certainly invited, too.)

In addition to some builders and knock-downers, you'll need some blocks for this activity.  (Here are some of our favorite, recommended blocks, in case you're interested.  They're sturdy and perfect for this kind of exercise.)

If you wouldn't mind a brief interruption, here's a quick story we'd like to share.

Once upon a time, there was a very pretty town.  So pretty, in fact, that it got named "Pretty Town."   (The town really was quite pretty.)

Unfortunately, Pretty Town had a problem . . . a big problem.  A giant problem.  Every so often -- and after all the townspeople had got their houses looking nice and pretty -- some grumpy, stomping giants showed up in Pretty Town.  As they stomped, the giants chanted "Fee Fie Fo Fum.  I think I smell someone!"  (That's pretty much a standard giant chant, as you probably know.)

Sadly, once the giants were done stomping and chanting, and once the dust cleared, not a house in Pretty Town was left standing.  Poor Pretty Town.  Not so pretty any longer.

The townsfolk, plucky and optimistic, dusted themselves off and built up again.  Pretty!  But no sooner were the buildings looking spiffy again than . . . the sound of screeching wheels was heard as the giants' RV rolled into town once again.

And so on and so forth.  Repeat.

We hope you enjoyed that momentary detour into story time.  And in case you haven't already guessed, that tale is also today's activity.  First, have the kids get out the blocks and build a pretty town.  (The buildings and houses should be simple -- definitely not too painstakingly constructed.)  When the kids are done, admire how pretty (and simple) the buildings are.  Then cup your hand to your ear and announce that you hear some giants coming.

The kids should switch from pretty-building-builders into grumpy, stompy giants.  Tell the grumpy, stompy giants to have at it!

Once the town is flattened, call back the builder-uppers to re-construct the town.  (And so on and so forth.  Repeat.)

This game, though simple, is a big hit in our house.  The kids really relish the two vastly different modes -- construction and destruction -- and they really like all the verbal building up we did about those scenarios.  (We also tried to trick each other by building 'hiding houses.'  These were homes built away from the main part of Pretty Town.  Sometimes the giants missed the hiding houses during their stompfests, leading to some celebrating by the surviving Pretty Towners.)

Pretty Town is sure to be a foot-stomping, fo-fumming good time.  (Please just don't plan your next family vacation there.)

 

--S

All About You

Well, it's all about your kids. And it's all about fun.

ADDED April 26, 2009

 

Here's a fun activity for you, your kids, and some crayons or markers. (Here are links to the crayons and markers that we like to recommend.)

You know your kids extremely well. You know all about them. You know your child's. . .

• Favorite color
• Favorite dessert
• Favorite animal
• Favorite book
• Favorite movie or TV character
• Favorite dinner
• Favorite sport
• Favorite friend
• Favorite game or activity
• Chores or favorite ways to help around the house

And so on.

So . . . sit down with your kid, and start to draw each item than you can think of. Even if you're not a great artist, no big deal. As long as you can represent these things fairly well to your child, well then, you're in business.

Don't tell your kid each item as you draw it, but instead, wait until they make a guess. Your children know themselves well, too, so it shouldn't be too hard for them to guess.

When you're done, you'll have a sheet full of drawings all about your child. Hooray! If your kid approves, hang it up in their room.

If your child wants, allow yourself to be the subject of an "All About You" sheet done by your kid. Or, you could ask your child, "Did I miss anything important about you? Why don't you make an 'All about Myself?' sheet."

We promise: you'll have your kid's full attention as you do this. It will be bonding time, and it will be fun. All about you!

Color Blind

See what happens when you combine crayons with a blindfold

ADDED April 15, 2009

 

(In case you can't tell -- and we wouldn't exactly blame you if you can't, the pictures here on today's post are a horse and a monster.)

 

As you might remember, we enjoy taste tests in our house.  It's easy!  All you need is a blindfold and some different foods.

Well, one day after finishing a breakfast taste test (strawberry jelly vs. grape jelly, regular cream cheese vs. strawberry cream cheese), the kids wanted to do another activity using the blindfold.  So we decided to do some coloring.

This one's pretty easy to explain:  put a blindfold on your kid and decide on something to draw.  Your child will have fun with the challenge (it is very challenging, as you might imagine) and you guys will get some pretty interesting results!

Try more simple subjects for this kind of drawing.  A face is funny to try -- also a house, a sun, a monster, a snake, and so forth.  More complicated subjects (a flock of zebras nibbling grass while lions prowl in the nearby grass) might not work so well. 

Have fun and tell your kids this is how Michelangelo got  his start.  (Not really.  But maybe Jackson Pollack?)

(Your family may already have some crayons handy, but check out some of our favorites to use here and here">here.  Our favorite markers to use are here.)

Structural Problems

Not-to-code buildings have never been so fun!

ADDED April 13, 2009

This is a great, entertaining idea for boys.  Boys like to break things, and here we're giving them a structured activity in which they can build up and knock down.

For this one you'll need some string and some building blocks.  (We've used both these lightweight cardboard building blocks as well as these wooden ones.)

Tie the string around one of the blocks, making sure that the string is well attached to the block.  (Make sure the knot is tight, for instance.)  The string should extend a few feet from the block.

Next, have your kids use the whole set of blocks to build a structure.  The structure could be a castle, cottage, skyscraper, shack, or just a generic 'building.'  Whatever it is they construct, make sure the block with the string is towards the bottom. 

Have your kids step away from the building.  One of the kids should hold the end of the string.  Instruct your child to choose a countdown ("3, 2, 1, blast off," for instance, or "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, cowabunga!")  and then yank the string.  Down comes the structure!  Spectacular, wow, and hooray!

Once the shattered remains of the building has been thoroughly admired, it's time to build it up again  . . .

This might sound odd or overly simple, but we assure you, boys will love it!  Build it up, knock it down, and keep the fun going!

Prisoner in the Dungeon

This game has fun all locked up!

ADDED March 29, 2009

 

 

The name of this activity might sound a little strange, but it’s sure to really capture your kid's attention.  (Yes, pun intended.)

For this one, you’ll need some of your children's toys, preferably ones with a lot of parts. For demonstration purposes right now, we’ll use two examples:  building blocks and Barbies.

Start off by explaining what a dungeon is.  It’s a place in a castle where people were locked up!  (And dungeons, to be perfectly honest, were not very pleasant places to spend time.)

Choose a room in your house to be the dungeon.   Take the toys you’ve chosen (building blocks, Barbies, or whatever) and go in the dungeon.  Tell the kids that a very rotten witch, with her magic wand and grumpy disposition, has locked you up as a prisoner in the dungeon!   This witch won’t let you out unless your rescuers (your kids) complete a special task.

The kids, having somehow escaped the witch’s notice, can move freely around the house and aren’t magically confined to the dungeon.  They can go where they want.

In order to help you escape your unfortunate enchantment, the kids have to take the toys into another, non-dungeon room and set them up.   You can’t come or  help in any way, of course, because you’re stuck in the dungeon.  The witch could demand that the children  build a palace or wall with the blocks, or set up all the Barbies and their belongings for a party.  Your kids must return each time to the dungeon to get another item from you.  And you can only give each kid one item per visit.  (Sorry to be so rigid, but that is what the cantankerous witch demands.)

 

 

If your kids are like mine, they’ll enjoy the fairy tale aspect of this activity.  They’ll also like that they have total freedom:  to roam the house at will and to set up the toys as they wish.  And they’ll also like that your fate rests in their hands!

This activity can also be beneficial because it gets the kids out of your hair for intermittent bits of time.  Yes, they return to you to get each new item, but they also spend some serious time in the other room. One weekend while the kids and I were playing this, I managed to organize all our family's tax documents from the confines my dungeon cell.

Once the spell has been broken, and you’re free again to join the world, have the unpleasant witch cast a spell on the kids.  Now it’s their turn to be stuck in the dungeon, and your opportunity to rescue them using some chosen set of toys.

Who would have guessed that being locked up in a dungeon would be so fun? 

 

--S

 

(Many thanks to sky#walker for the picture of the dungeon, and to crimfants for the photo of the Quadrilla blocks.)

My very own alphabet book

Cut n paste fun!

ADDED March 13, 2009

Today we have a fun activity that you can do with your kids to get rid of those old magazines and catalogs.  Work together to make an alphabet picture book.  This is an activity you can do over a few days (or even weeks), but when you are done you will have a handmade book filled with pictures and letters that your child has chosen.

Get out some scissors, glue, a notebook of any size and those catalogs and magazines.  This is a good opportunity to review the letters of the alphabet and when the review is done start thumbing through the magazines looking for photos of exciting things that start with the letters of the alphabet.  Since A is at the beginning of the alphabet we started with A.  We found a beautiful photo of some apples in Bon Appetite and some awesome close up Ants in National Geographic. When the A was completed we moved to B and found some pictures of blue sky, burritos and beluga whales.

We have only made it to the letter J so far but slowly are making our way through the alphabet.  It is fun too when the new magazines arrive because the kids are always on the look out for old magazines that can be replaced. Of course when we are done with magazines its off to the recycling bin.  Have Fun!

Letter Rubbing

Pop-art

ADDED March 11, 2009

For this activity, you will need some Legos, scissors, crayons, and white paper.  It also is a good idea to know you alphabet, if your child is still learning today is a great day to review!

 

To get started, have your child create their initials using the Legos; it should look something like this.

 

  We found that if you use skinny Legos to create your letters it works best.  But any size letter will do.

Also, if you can attach your letters to a bigger Lego like this, it makes the coloring easier.

Next, cover the Legos with a piece of white paper and gently rub over the letters with the crayons.

 

That should result in something that looks like this.  As your kid rubs with the crayons, the raised letters underneath will slowly be transferred to the paper. 

 

If your child likes this activity, move on from initials . . . to full names! Have fun making your own pop (and pop out!) art.

Big and Little Letter memory

A Print 'n' Play activity

ADDED March 09, 2009

A very important (and possibly quite fun) part of learning how to read is being able to identify upper and lower case letters.  Upper and lower case letters look very different and are sometimes hard to identify.   Of course, we are here to help.

Today we have created a fun page to print 'n' play.  The rules for "Big and Little Letter Memory" are the same as the traditional
"memory" game, but in this one, your kids must match the capital letter to its lower case counterpart.  That is it; simple, fun, and everybody wins!   (Except for me -- somehow I always lose.)

For more durable cards, cover the sheet of paper in laminate before you cut them.  Also, when you print out both pages, there will be 52 cards.  If that creates a game that is too large or unwieldy for your family, then try using half of the alphabet for one game and the other half at another time.  Have fun!  Mix 'n' match, print 'n' play!

 

Click image to download

 

 

 

thanks to cybjorg for the photo

 

 

 

Total Utter Chaos

Also known as Make Up The Rules As You Go Along

ADDED March 06, 2009

If you've been reading our blog for a while, you know that we occasionally present ideas that may rile up the kids and -- if you're not careful -- may lead to total utter chaos.

Well, we don't want things to get out of control.  Really.  We want you and your kids to have fun, but we don't want too much wildness and craziness.  We do want you to be the parent and to be in charge.

Today's game, though, involves throwing some rules out the window and being as creative as you guys can be!  It is a great fun activity for stuck-inside rainy days.  


Round up the kids and get a couple board games.  Get the pieces out of the boxes and you're ready to play.  You could also add some cards, some extra dice, some spoons -- whatever your creative geniuses think up!

The point with this activity is to play without rules.  Or rather, with any rules that grab your kids' fancy.  This activity allows your kids to create their own rules for a change and to be spontaneous.

Here are some ideas for some fun rules for you to try:

1.  Every three minutes, everyone switches pieces.
2.  Place two or three boards from board games together.  Pieces should bounce from board to board.
3.  Roll some dice whenever you want.
4.  Everyone switch chairs.
5.  Before you take your turn, do a dance.
6.  When someone says "smiggy bop," everyone move back one space.
7.  The "loser" wins.  Everybody gets a cookie.

You guys can be as crazy and silly as you want.  What other rules can your kids come up with?
 
Be creative and see what interesting rules you guys can create.  And once you're done with your hodgepodge make-it-up-as-you go game, choose a boardgame with the kids and play by the rules.  Compare the game by the rules versus the game without the rules.  Spontaneity is fun, but rules can be comforting and fun, too!

 

(For another creative, Today Is Fun twist on board games, check out our popular big-as-a-house game.)

Oh, and we do have one final rule to propose:  everybody have a great weekend!

(Game photo courtesy of dougww.)

Top to Bottom

Fun from head to toe

ADDED March 05, 2009

 

Here’s a fun and interesting way to look at the world:  divvy it up into a top part and a bottom part.

Start by choosing a topic to explore with your kids.  You could talk about a forest, an ocean, a restaurant, their school, or outer space.

Once you’ve got your topic, it’s time to make a list with your young one.  Or rather, make two lists:  one for the top of the “thing” and one for the bottom.  For instance, let’s say that you guys selected a forest.  What stuff (animals, plants and others) would you find at the bottom of the forest?    Rocks, fallen acorns, beetles, snakes, worms, and certainly much more.  What can you find at the top of a forest?  Birds (what kinds?), leaves, pine cones, treetops, bird nests, chipmunks, and so forth.  With a little thought, your kids could come up with quite lengthy lists.  

Top to Bottom would be a great game to pass the time in the car, when you’re stuck in traffic.

And if you’re at home and have some crayons handy, your kids could create depictions of their top-to-bottom lists in picture form.  You (or they) could draw a dashed line through the middle of the image, to further help everyone see the top and the bottom.

Once you’ve explored one area of the world, repeat this activity with another!

Have fun looking at everything from top to bottom.  You may have seen this wrap-up sentence coming, but:  we’re sure that in your house, this activity will be tops!

Play with a suitcase

Pretend . . . and you are there

ADDED February 26, 2009

 Here at TIF, we don't think suitcases are used nearly enough. Sure, an overnight trip pops up every now and then, and there are vacations and summer camp.  But that's it, and the poor suitcase remains unused and alone for the remainder of the year.  So today, why not release your suitcase from its exile?  It is travel week here, after all.  We think you should get those cases out right now and have a little fun!

Grab the suitcases and let your kids have fun packing anything they want. On this trip, they can bring all their toys and stuffed animals.  And on this trip, a week's worth of underwear is not necessary!  Or throw some underwear in, if your kids so choose.  (But one rule for this game is that what the kids get out to pack, they have to put back, neatly.)  When all the packing is finished, make the travel experience complete by grabbing some chairs and pretending you are on a plane, a train, or a ship.

And when the whole journey is over, your kids can experience that time-honored, end-of-the-trip chore, putting everything away.  Bon voyage!

This Land Is Your Land!

A colorful and informative print-n-color activity

ADDED February 25, 2009

Everyone's colored a map of the United States at some point or another. It's  always fun and sometimes messy.  But here at TIF, we are fans of art with a purpose.  We're talking about coloring that tells a story and provides deeper meaning.

Today we have a cool map of the USA to download and color.  The map includes a fun and informative key that your little cartographer can use to enhance the experience.  

Have your colorer use one color for your home state, another color for states where you guys have family or friends, and yet another color for states that you have visited. Finally, find states with names that tickle your funny bone, and assign them a "funny name" color.

Of course, for little kids, this map can be a great introduction to our States and to maps in general.  For both younger and older kids, this activity could serve as the starting place for some nice one-on-one, parent-kid time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have fun making your own infographic today!

 

(And remember, you can upload your infographic artwork to our Facebook page.  If you are not a Facebook fan of TIF, join on up!)

 

Click images to download 

 

 

Talk Differently Day

Talking about some fun!

ADDED February 20, 2009

 

You've heard your own voice before, and so have your kids.  Pretty much everybody is probably used to hearing your voice.

But we're enjoying the Week of Variation, right?  So why not try varying some your voice?  And the voices of your kids?

Gather the kids around and have them practice changing up their voices.

You guys can speak:

Loudly
Quietly
In a whisper

And if you're really brave, you guys can sing a sentence.

Your voices can be booming.  They can be scratchy.

Can you do any accents?  Give British a try, or a strong New York accent.  (In our house, we've also tried French, Spanish, German, and Southern accents.)  Doing accents is a fun (and occasionally odd) way to learn how different people speak the same language differently.

Also, ask your kids to talk like different "kinds" of people:

How does a King or Queen speak?
How about a Pirate?
How does a really nice person talk?  Or a really bad guy?
How does a grandparent speak?  How about a little tiny baby?
How would a robot talk?
How does a boss speak?  An new employee?

If your family is very adventurous (or if you guys are stuck inside on a rainy/snowy day), you could choose to declare a "Talk Differently Day," and everyone could try to avoid speaking in their regular voice.  It sounds a bit kooky, yes, but kids absolutely love this kind of thing!

Have fun, everybody.  Variations, variations, variations!

 

Green Eggs and Ham

Have you? Could you? Would you?

ADDED February 19, 2009

 

 

We're still playing with variations here on our blog, as the Week of Variation continues.  (Okay, now we're thinking we could have possibly come up with a catchier name for the week.  Oh, well.)

This week we've been busy changing up ordinary parts of life in order to get fun, different experiences and activities.  Today we'll be varying food.

Food coloring is possibly in your pantry now, and if it's not, it's extremely inexpensive.  Food coloring is completely safe, but it's probably not great to consume large doses of it everyday. However, a little food coloring once a week definitely won't hurt.  Here are some fun-with-food-coloring suggestions:

*  Green Eggs and Ham.  Add some food coloring to scrambled eggs (and serve with ham if you can.)  Pick up the book from the library and read it to the kids as they eat this meal (it doesn't just have to be breakfast, of course.)  If green eggs and ham goes over well, try red eggs and ham, or if you're quite brave, blue eggs and ham.  (Blue is not the most appetizing color for food, if you ask us.)

*  Colorful Cups of Water.  Fill some glasses with water and have your kids drop different colors of food coloring into each.  Experiment with different colors, mixing colors, and intensities of colors.  Serve the water with lunch or dinner.

*  Pretty Pasta.  Food coloring works quite well in pasta dishes, as noodles readily take on the added color. 

*  Try coloring these, too:  mashed potatoes, ground beef, yogurt, milk, vanilla ice cream, egg salad.

What else could food coloring do to mix up your kids' next mealtime?  If you have any ideas you'd like to share, please leave a comment

Add some color to your days for fun and variation!

 

(Many thanks to swearinglibrarian for the green eggs and milk photo.)

 

--S

Several Silly Snapshots

(Extremely Exaggerated Emotions)

ADDED February 17, 2009

 

You know we like to play with digital cameras.  Well, today we're doing variations with faces...

Have your kid stand in one place.  Tell your child that you’re going to take a bunch of photos and that in each photo the facial expression should be different. 

To help your model know what facial expression to display, you guys could go through this list:

Angry
Sad
Happy
Laughing
Scary
Scared
Confused
Cold
Hot
Hungry
Excited
Nervous

This activity can be a good opportunity to talk about different emotions and how people show their emotions with their bodies.

For maximum fun, try to make the photos the same as possible.  The framing of the photo and its size should remain the same.  (Don’t zoom in or out, for instance.)  It will be fun when you and the kids review to see basically the same picture, the same kid, with different emotions.

Once you’ve taken the photos, review them with your child.  You could print the photos and put them side by side.  You could also have another person (another family member, for instance) try to guess what emotion is being displayed in each photo.

Have fun, and have fun with all the variations!
 

Monster Names

A spruced-up way for your kid to write a name

ADDED February 16, 2009

 

Welcome to Variation Week here at Today is Fun.  What's Variation Week?  Well, this week we'd like to live by the famous old saying:  if something's fun and educational once, why not do again a little different?  

Okay, okay.  We haven't heard that saying before either.  In fact, we just made it up.  But the fact still remains:  it is a good idea to vary something good and to come up with more good things!  Each of our ideas this week will provide an opportunity for you and your kids to have fun with variations.  

 

 

Last week was full of Valentines and love.  Great.  Now let's change it up a bit.  It's time for monsters.

Take out a sheet of paper.  Write your child's name in large, thick letters across it.

Now pass the paper over to your kid, and say, "Turn your name into a monster."

Your young artist will have to somehow take the lines and shapes made by the letters and use them as parts of a monster.  The letters will need to become mouths, eyes, paws, tails, scales, spikes, etc.

(In our house, we have boys who happen to like monsters.  If your child is interested in something else, by all means let them express this with their name-art today.  Names could be turned into gardens, pets, firefighters, princesses or whatever!)

Once the name has been creatively transformed into a monster, do some variations.  Change the name into a different monster or a fancy house or into a completely different thing altogether!

The final step is to hang the art up on the wall or the fridge and admire!  Variation!

 

 

--S

Color Charades

A fun, print-n-play activity

ADDED February 10, 2009

Charades is a simple game that's fun for adults so why can't kids play? 

Well, now kids can.  We have created a simple, eight-card charades game for kids that uses colors, not words.  It is so easy, in fact, that even kids who can't read will love to play.

Here are the rules (in case you forgot):  first pick a card from the stack, and don't show it to anyone.  The idea is to use physical rather than verbal language to convey what color is on your card.  You can point to something that is the same color as the color or pantomime something that is the same color.  Remember you can point and act -- but don't talk.

If your kids are not understanding how to play, act out a few rounds until everyone gets it.  The game is so simple, however, that usually everybody gets it right away and is eager to play. 

At the end of this activity, all the kids will express their delight by doing some (possibly silent) thumbs ups.

 

Just click here to download!

 

 

Valentine Activity Jar

A great color-n-cut activity.

ADDED February 09, 2009

We're sure everyone knows that this coming Saturday is Valentine's Day.  With such a holiday looming, we have chosen to do the obvious and make this week's theme Valentine's Day.  We have complied our most original Valentine's Day games and activities, so you won't want to miss a single day this week!  (We will do our best to prove that even though love is yuck and gross, it can also be a lot of fun!)

 

 

Today's craft is a Valentine activity jar.  

 

First, have your child color, then cut out the hearts printed on the handy sheets we have provided.  (Each of the hearts on the sheets has a Valentine's-related activity or suggestion.)  Once you have the hearts colored and cut, place them into a jar.  Now you can use the activity-filled jar any time you are badly needing a few moments of kids' entertainment or just when you want some peace while you finish making dinner.  In such instances, simply have your kids pull a heart from the jar and follow the suggestion listed there.

We have made two versions of the this color-n-cut craft:  on one we wrote a few starter activities, including the usual silly fare that we are known for (suggestions such as "give someone ten kisses.")  The other sheet is blank so that you can customize it for your child.  (Clean your room and set the table might be popular activities in your house, at least for the adults.)  Print out two or three and let the fun begin!

(Also please be careful if you choose to use the TIF activities, as you will be in for lots of hugs and kisses.)

Click here to download
TIF Valentine Jar activity sheet and TIF blank Valentine Jar activity sheet.

 

Don't forget to use the comments section and let us know what fun activitites you come up with!

 

Grab a Tree

A tricky version of tag

ADDED February 06, 2009

 

 

For this one, you'll need some open space (backyard, large living room) and a number of big, "grabbable" things (trees, dining room chairs).  

The game is pretty simple.  Someone (you, for starters) is "it."  And by "it," we mean, "the bad guy" or the "monster."  You know, "it."

As with traditional tag, everybody else wants to avoid being touched by "it."

When everybody else is touching a tree (or dining room chair) they are safe and can't be touched by "it."

But in keeping with our trickiness theme this week, the reason this activity is trickier than normal tag is:  "it" can tell everybody else when to leave the safety of their tree trunk or dining room chair.   It yells, "Everybody switch trees!  Everybody switch trees!"  And so everybody must.

And this, of course, is It's opportunity to grab a hapless victim.

This version of tag is just a bit different and a bit trickier.  We think it adds a bit more spice to the game.  And in keeping with good ole fair play, isn't it nice to let It have a little more say in the proceedings?

Have fun running around this weekend, indoors or out.  And we hope you enjoyed our tricky tips this past week!

 

--S

 

 (Many thanks to wheat_in_your_hair for the photo!)

Taste Tests

Trickiness Week continues with some tricky fun with food

ADDED February 02, 2009

 

For us, food is endless fun.  Buying food, cooking it, eating it, and yes, even talking about it provide hours of enjoyment.  Anything with so much variety is inherently interesting, right?

And here's more fun with food:  Taste Tests!

Are you old enough to remember the Pepsi Challenge?  In that test, blindfolded people sipped both Coke and Pepsi, and then announced which they liked better.  (Big surprise:  Pepsi won, and was the favorite of most of the participants.)

Why not have a taste test tonight at your house?  All you need is a blindfold and some similar foods.

Your blindfolded kids can do two things:  (1) try to guess which food is which (this can be tricky!), and (2) announce which food is their preference.

Here are some similar foods for them to compare, side by side:

Oranges vs. Tangerines
Apples vs. Pears
Crunch peanut butter vs. creamy
Different kinds of sliced cheese (cheddar vs. Swiss)
Hot dogs vs. sausages
BBQ Sauce vs. Ketchup
Different flavors of yogurt (strawberry vs. rasberry)
Whole wheat bread vs. white bread
Ice cream vs. frozen yogurt
M & M's vs. Skittles

Have fun with this one.  Please use the comment section below to let us know about your results with your kids.  With all the fun and tricky tasting, everyone will pass the taste test!  (Oh, and one more thing:  try not to get any food on the blindfold!)

 

--S

Trace and color!

The game with two activities in one!

ADDED January 29, 2009

To play this game and make the craft you will need a few things that every house with kids is guaranteed to have.  First you will need some paper, any kind of paper will do but is should be at least 8.5 x 11. Second you will need a small basket of toys, these toys should be small enough that they will fit easily on the paper.  Lastly you will need a pencil and of course at least two people to play the game.

Once you have gathered everything, here is how you play.  One person will be the Tracer and the other person will be the Guesser.  First the Guesser should leave the room, next from the basket of toys the Tracer needs to select one toy and using the paper and pencil, carefully trace around the outside edges of the toy.  They really want to just get the silhouette outlined.  Once the outline of the toy has been transferred to the paper the Tracer should put the toy back into the basket.  Then call the Guesser back. Now it is the Guessers turn to guess what toy the Tracer traced. For older kid the guessing is usually rather easy but still fun. Once the toy is guessed the Tracer and Guesser switch each doing the others job.

After a few rounds of tracing and guessing grab some crayons and the Guesser and Tracer now both become the Artists and they can color their master pieces.  Have Fun!

Make-Your-Body-Like-This Cards

Can your kids position their bodies like this?

ADDED December 22, 2008

 

We are proud to announce a week of Great Gargantuan Giving here at Today is Fun.  In honor of Christmas, we will have fabulous give-aways each day!  Please, tell your friends!

We're kicking off the week with our patented and popular Make-Your-Body-Like-This Cards.

Download these PDFs and cut the cards out.  Have your kids choose cards and make their bodies like the positions depicted.  It's that simple.

 

Batch #1            Batch #2            Batch #3

The body positions on the cards are intentionally a little abstract.  It's up to your kids to use their creativity and ingenuity with their own bodies.  They can interpret the positions any way they want; they can do the positions standing, sitting, or lying down.

Some more ideas with these cards:

• Your kids can color the drawings in.  They can also draw faces on them.
• On a rainy day, do a 'speed round' with these cards to get the kids' bodies moving and exercising in the house.
• Do you have kids who like princesses?  Pirates?  Ballerinas or bandits?  (Or in our house at the moment:  bad guys.)  Have your kids do the positions as a pirate or princess or whatever their favorite character is.

If you like these cards, please by all means email us and let us know.  We'll make more... (Also, we happen to think that one of these body positions definitely looks like a sumo wrestler.  Another like a zombie from the Thriller video.  If you care to take a guess as to which number is which, please email or make a comment!)

--S

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!  

Handmade Mistletoe

Crafting and kissing.

ADDED December 17, 2008

My son the decided he was going to make some mistletoe. I am not sure if he has someone in mind to use it on but his ingenuity and enthusiasm for this craft was so sincere how can I not pass a great idea along.

First he created the leaves, this was accomplished by folding a green piece of construction paper in half lengthwise.  Second he drew three half hearts on one side of the paper with the point at the bottom and the curved top pointing down. Third on a white piece of paper he drew three small circles these are the berries.  Fourth he cut all the pieces out.  Fifth he unfolded the hearts glued them together to make the leaves and added the berries. Sixth he tied the mistletoe to a string and started kissing!
 
Here is the final result. It's great.

It was fun to see him create this truly unique craft, try it today.  Because Today is fun! And I am sure you’ll get some kisses out of it.

 

Snowflake Tortilla

Delicious edible momentarliy decorative treat.

ADDED December 15, 2008

Snowflakes are fun to make but they are even more fun make when you can eat them.  This is a great idea for an after school snack or just a fun cooking activity to do today with your kids.
 
First grab a few tortillas pop em in the microwave for a few seconds so they are warm, carefully fold the tortilla in half and then in half again.  Then using scissors cut triangles circles and diamonds into the tortilla to create your edible snowflake.  
 
When you finish cutting the tortilla unfold it put in on a plate and if you want a treat that is a little more sweet, toss the tortilla back into the microwave for about 15 seconds, spread some butter, cinnamon and sugar on it once you have your snowflake ready to eat take a few seconds to behold the beauty of your creation and eat it.  There is nothing like a nice warm snowflake treat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Good Old-Fashioned Penny Battle

Edge-of-your-seat thrills for your little ones . . . using just a little money

ADDED December 11, 2008

Well actually, this isn't all that old-fashioned.  We've never really heard of one before.  But it's so simple and straightforward that it could have been an entertaining pastime of yore.

 

You need two people for this game, one to take heads, the other to represent tails.  (A third person could be the 'designated flipper, if you so desire.  But two people can also take turns being the flipper.)

First, your child needs to create two "boards" using pen and paper.  To do this, draw seven boxes on each page.  One of the two pages will be designated heads, the other tails.  Get a bunch of pennies, at least thirteen of them.

Then flip a coin.  If it's heads, that penny goes into a box on the heads person's board.  If it's tails, well that goes on the tails person's page.  Keep flipping.  The first person to get seven boxes filled with pennies wins!  And after that person wins, clear the boards and get flipping again.

A bunch of people think that pennies are practically worthless.  Well, those people haven't experienced the fun of a good old-fashioned penny battle!  Game on!

 

--S

Cereal Box Puppets

Along with the whales, Save the Socks!

ADDED December 09, 2008

 

What's something around your house that you can use to make puppets with your kids?  Socks come right to mind, but there's a problem with them:  if you make sock puppets, you can't wear those socks anymore!  (The eyes, noses and mouths make for pretty uncomfortable footwear.)

So today we present . . . little cereal box puppets!  Little cereal boxes are often found on camping trips, but these days they're also available on the shelves of almost any grocery store.  If you buy these multi-cereal samplers, you should know that they are just the right size to make brilliant puppets with your kids.

First, cut open the boxes to flip them inside out.  Use the "blank" side as the canvas for your puppets.

Second, use markers, construction paper, glue, tape, and whatever you've got handy to make fun and funny puppet faces.

Finally, tape up the puppets back into their original box shape -- ready for little hands to use.

(Here's a couple insider secrets on making these things:  (1)  Make the puppet faces first and then tape the boxes up.  It's trickier if you reverse the order of these steps.  (2)  When you tape the boxes back up, start with a couple pieces of tape on the inside.  This will help in the sturdiness department.  (3)  Make similar faces for the front and back of the boxes, but with different expressions.  That way, during a puppet show, a happy character can suddenly switch around to be a completely shocked one!)

If you don't buy those little cereal boxes, you can save and use big ones over time.  Other kinds of boxes will probably work just fine, too.

After the puppets are done, you guys are ready for a spectacular, cereal-box-puppet presentation.  Everyone will have fun and will be able to say, "No socks were harmed in the production of this show!"

 

--S

Christmas chain

Countdown to Christmas

ADDED December 01, 2008

One of my family's fun Christmas traditions is to make a Christmas chain.  It is a great craft to do with kids: the construction is simple, and it is a fun activity to do together everyday.
 
Here is how we make ours:  first, cut 25 strips of paper that are about 6 to 9 inches long.  Next, using all the strips of paper, write the numbers 1 to 25 on the strips.  These numbers will represent how many days are remaining until Christmas.  Third, starting with strip number 1, glue, staple or tape the ends of the paper together creating one link, do the same with strip number 2, making sure link 2 attaches to link 1, then do the same with links 3 through 25.  Once the chain is complete and all 25 links are attached, your kids will have a visual representation of how many days remain until Christmas.

The excitement will build as the chain comes apart!

Have fun tearing the links off and counting down.

(but please don't stand on the tables)

 

 

Wheel of Fun

Round, random, and lots of fun

ADDED November 12, 2008

 

Sometimes it's all in the presentation.

If you suggest to your child, "Why don't you do eighteen jumping jacks?", they'd probably refuse.  But if a paper plate makes the same suggestion, well, to a kid that kind of presentation just can't be argued with.

Pat Sayjak and Vanna Williams, eat your hearts out, because today we are yukking it up with the Wheel of Fun. 

Draw lines on the face of a white paper plate in order to divvy it into ten equally sized segments.  In each, write a fun or silly activity for your child to perform.  Some examples:

1.  Spin in a circle while singing a song.

2.  Take three towels from the linen closet and make some funny clothes for yourself.

3.  Draw something very fast, then make people guess what it is.

4.  Call somebody in our family on the phone.

5.  Do eighteen jumping jacks.

And so on. 

After you've filled in the activities, punch a small hole in the middle of the plate.  Either insert a spinner from one of your family's board games (we used one from Chutes and Ladders in the photo) or find a wall with a protruding nail on which to hang the wheel.  Each child spins the wheel, and then gets to perform the task.  Repeat as much as you guys want.

This is a lot of fun.  It makes for a great rainy day activity. Kids love the excitement of getting random results, and they love spinning the wheel.

If you're feeling particularly cheeky, you can sneak a couple of activities onto the wheel that will benefit you alone.  You could try adding "fold the laundry" or "wash the kitchen floor" to the wheel to see what results you can get!   Have fun, and get spinning!

House band

Rock the house

ADDED November 07, 2008

Some days kids need an opportunity to be loud and rowdy.  With a few simple household items, you can make a little band that will make the neighbors consider calling the cops.
 
Collect a tissue box, the tube from an empty roll of paper towels, two plastic cups, two spoons, two pencils or even two Hot Wheels cars. Anything percussive will work perfectly.
 
Once you and your child have collected the necessary instruments, crank up your favorite music and play along.  Try and play with the percussion if possible.   If you don't have any musical training, it's not a problem; this activity is about noise, fun and creative instruments.
 
Rock it and make some noise!

The Big, Big-As-The-House, House-Sized Board Game

New fun with the toys and stuff you already have.

ADDED November 03, 2008

My kids and I have been playing board games for while now and this activity is a new twist on a old favorite, the board game.  With this activity, we will take a few items that you already have and use them in a different way to create a giant board game that can be played literally all over your house.  This game is as big as the house!

To play this game you need at least 20 blocks or Legos and a pack of playing cards or dice.  Each player will also need to select a favorite toy to use as a 'marker', like a bear, doll or action figure.

To start, create a trail around the house with the blocks.  Make it huge -- this is a house-sized game.  Each block in the path will be a space for your game. You and your kids can make the path go under chairs, around furniture, and upstairs.  Send your path thru the tub, slide it down the stairs, you can even make it go outside. Just make sure everyone knows where the trail starts and where it ends.

Each player will draw one card from the deck and then move the number of spaces on the card. For example, if you draw a five, move five spaces; if you draw a king or ace, move eleven spaces.  (Alternately you can use dice to come up with a number of spaces to move.)

Then add some fun rules of your own, at my house each player has to act like their marker when they are moving (roaring and snorting animals are best). Another rule we like to add is anytime your marker lands on the stairs you get to slide to the bottom, this often ends in a lot of stuffed animal tumbling action that is a crowd favorite.

Now that you have your giant, house-sized board game set up, play it!  And when you are done, change it and play again, then tear it down and play again tomorrow!  Also if you have a house that is over 10,000 square feet make sure you limit your game play to just a few rooms, like the ballroom and salon.  And make sure you stay away from the grand piano and elevator.
Have fun!

Miscellaneous Squiggle

A creative and fun drawing game

ADDED October 16, 2008

 

 

So easy, so fun, and yep . . . totally free!

First, have your kid take a crayon or marker and make a squiggle or line on a piece of paper. 

Well, that was easy.  Now for the more challenging part:  you have to take some crayons and your child's squiggle and turn it into something recognizable.  You have to look at the squiggle and say, "What could I make from that?" 

It's not hard, actually.  You'll have a look at the squiggle and see that it's actually smoke curling out of a chimney, or a leopard's paw, or a fairy princess's toothbrush, or whatever.

You don't have to be an amazing artist by any stretch.  Just try to make it clear to your child what you're drawing.

Now comes the fun part:  you make the squiggle, and your child has to create something from it.  (This is a bit more enjoyable, because you get to sit back and be entertained by your child's creativity.)

We think this is good, addictive fun, and in our house, kids and parents keep trading turns for quite some time.

And just as grandma used to talk about turning lemons into lemonade, you get to turn miscellaneous squiggles into fine art!

 

(In case you're interested, the above squiggle was drawn by a kid, and an adult made the art.  The squiggle below was drawn by the adult, and the beautiful art was created by a kid.)

 

CODE CRACKING

You're never too young to start deciphering secret-agent-style messages

ADDED October 02, 2008

 

This is a great activity to fill some of your kids' time.  It's both educational and fun, too.  It will even work for little kids who aren't yet reading. (But the participants do need to know their letters.)

In some newspapers and activity books, they have messages in code for teens and adults to figure out.  This is similar, but for younger kids, we suggest giving them a coded message *and* the key at the same time. 

With the key, young children can enjoy concentrating and figuring out the secret message.

We've provided a couple of secret coded messages here, and the keys necessary to decipher them. Print them up and let your young code cracker have at it!

(Note to very sugar concious parents:  two of the coded messages we've included here involve praise for cookies and cake.  We hope this is okay; we just want to keep your kids on their toes, not cause unpleasant altercations or additional trips to the dentist.  The possibly objectionable messages are the even numbered ones below.)

We hope you 99 • 13 •17 • 77 • 55 !

 

Click to download:

Code #1 Key

Secret Message #1

Secret Message #4

 

Code #2 Key

Secret Message #2

Secret Message #3

 

photo of deciphering boy by plasticrevolver

Tip Toe Practice

Sneaky stealthy and most important SILENT fun

ADDED September 30, 2008

 

If you have a pre-schooler in your house, have you ever lain in bed early in the morning and wondered if instead you actually had a wildebeest living with you?  Or an elephant?  Or some other loudly clomping beast of the jungle?

We have wood floors, two darling but heavy-stepping children, and a Mom who likes to sleep in whenever possible.

So in honor of sleeping in, and daring the impossible, we present Tip Toe Practice.

First step:  have a tip-toeing demonstration with your little ones.  (Kids seem to like this word, too, by the way.  There's something kind of funny about it.)

Secondly, try this game:  Sit cross-legged on the floor of a hallway, with room to get around you on either side.  Close your eyes and have your kids try to tip toe by. 

If you hear the tip-toe-ers, let out a loud monster growl and -- with your eyes still closed -- grab them.  If you're right, the kids get another chance to try to sneak past you. If you're wrong, your kids will be quite proud of themselves (and delighted to see you growling and grabbing at nothing.)

It's a fun, vaguely educational activity, and it provides hope for Mommy's pleasant Saturday morning.

And just think:  maybe when they're teenagers, this Tip Toe Practice activity will help them sneak back into the house after curfew!  Oh, wait a minute . . .

(For more fun quiet games we've posted try our 1, 2, 3 Quiet Game or What do you hear?)

Characteristics

Quirky Coloring Fun

ADDED September 29, 2008

Occasionally when you suggest that your child spend some time coloring or drawing, you will hear this response:  "Yeah, but I don't know what to draw" or "I don't feel like coloring anything."

Try this activity then, which we call "Characteristics."  It is one of our absolute, all-time favorite kids games.  We think it's fun, do-able, and creative.

Step One.  Have your kid choose a 'thing' to draw.

This thing could be anything that captures your kid's interest: a princess, a pirate, a monster or Mommy.  A supermarket or a superhero, a garden or a gargoyle.  Really, anything!

For example, let's say your kid wants to draw "a funny monster."

Step Two .  You and your kid(s) take turns thinking up characteristics of the "thing."  Write down each.

Here are some characteristics we came up with for "a funny monster:"

1.  Has long pointy hair
2.  Big pointy things coming out of his toes -- the same as a T. Rex
3.  Ears that stick out
4.  Curly curvy horns on his head.

 

Step Three.  Once you've made a list of ten characteristics or so, go back through and read each one out loud.  Have your child draw each characteristic you read until the 'thing' takes shape.

We play this almost every day in our house and find it an enormous "crowd pleaser."  It gets the kids' brains thinking and their fingers conjuring up art.

And there's an added benefit: you can show off around the pre-school by having your kid explain to other parents the meaning of the word 'characteristic.'

 

One Year Time Capsule

Some patience required

ADDED September 17, 2008

 

A year is a big chunk of time, especially for younger kids.  To them, a year feels like a decade.  Here's a way to make the passing of time into a fun activity for kids and parents alike:  create a one-year time capsule.

The concept is pretty straightforward:  you and your child should put aside "some stuff" and review it in a year.

You'll need a box, of course.  A shoe box would be perfect.  A big tupperware would work well, too.

Now, it would be an obvious dumb move to take your kid's favorite things and put them beyond reach for a year.  That would not please your young constituents.

Instead, it might be a better idea to take pictures of the favorite things, and put those into the box.  So, as part of this activity, ask your child what five (or ten) things he or she would like pictures of, to remember and review in a year's time.

Also, we've created a special Time Capsule Questionnaire for you to fill out with your kids (with questions like "What is your favorite thing to do inside?" and "What is your favorite food?")  Download it by clicking here, then print it out, interview your child, and add it to the Time Capsule.

Put the Capsule aside for a year.  Make yourself a note so you'll remember the day when you can open it.  

In a year, you and your child will be able to review similarities and differences.  And you'll both be able to reminisce a bit.

(We'll give extra Today Is Fun points out to any parent who actually buries their child's Time Capsule in a yard.  If you are up to this extra step -- one that is sure to excite your kids -- place the contents of the Capsule in a sealable plastic bag, and then wrap the outside of a box in a sturdy bag, too.)

Have some fun.  All year long.

How to Entertain Kids -- Free Fabulous Signs

Coloring and communication fun

ADDED September 15, 2008

 

Coloring is a fun and easy activity. And it is good exercise for your childrens' creativity . . . so why not work it into every day?

As you may have noticed, many of our daily ideas involve a twist on coloring and drawing.  We think this kind of artwork enhances any other kids' activity.

Here are some signs for you to print and for your kids to color.  These coloring pages are meant to be fun for your kids, and they're supposed to add to other fun activities around your house. 

During reading time, hang up the colored "Reading Quiet" sign.  When playing with stuffed animals, our "Animal Area" sign could add to the fun.  And our "Big Show" sign will help for any puppet show, play, or spectacle your kids want to present.

 

Click below to download the signs:

 • Science Experiment Area:  Look out we're learning!

 

 • Please try to be quiet.  Some READING is happening.

 

 • Cooking in Progress.  If it smells good, that's why.

 

 • Careful!  Workers are working and this area is very dangerous and possibly wet.

 

 • Careful.  You might get tickled in this area.

 

 • Sit down and watch!  This is the Big Show.

 

 • Animal Area.  Some of them might be wild.

 

So color them up and hang them up.  And please, as a wise Mom once said:  "Make art, not messes."

Shoe Store

How to entertain kids with their own stuff

ADDED August 10, 2008

Seems like almost every time we are ready to go out the door I hear, “but I can’t find my shoes.” And of course when you become a parent you gain some sort of magic shoe finding power that really does come in handy at times like these. And as I was thinking of my only super power, I realized it might be fun to take all of the kids shoes and let them play shoe store.

 

So I helped the kids open up a shoe store and it provided hours of entertainment.

 

It is really simple get all the shoes out, put them in a pile and have the kids match up the pairs. Show them how to fit each other for shoes and maybe help set up a little display area. You can also give them a box or bag to take the shoes they buy away in. And if you have any little stickers laying around that the kids can write the price on this too is a fun addition to the activity. And open the store for business.
It’s nice to have two kids for this activity because once you help them open the store they can just keep playing and pretending to buy shoes from each other. But if you have an only child they can also play with you. Get out all you old shoes and do the same thing with them.


Drop us an email and let us know how the store works out info@todayisfun.com don’t forget to tell a friend about us and remember Today is Fun!

How to entertain kids - The Marvelous Museum

Another of our fun games for kids that uses the stuff you already have

ADDED August 07, 2008

 

We always want you to be able to keep your kids busy and occupied without having to buy more stuff. So today we present the Marvelous Museum. (Sometimes also known as the Magnificent Museum.)

Explain to your child what a museum is: a special building with a collection of interesting things. Anyone can come to the museum and look at the things and talk about them.

Well, there is also a collection of things in your home.

You and your kid should choose some of those things and display them around the house. Place the chosen objects on the sofa, the coffee table, the kitchen chairs - whatever works.

For a recent Museum, my boys used: a toy car, a spatula, a shoe, a dog toy, and many other marvelous things.

After the Museum has been properly set up comes part two: people come and look at the assembled things. Each item is admired and discussed. (The "people" are you and your kids, of course.)

It's good to ask questions about each thing in the Museum:

What is this used for?
Do you think it is pretty?
Can you tell me something about this object that I might not already know?

Also, it's never a bad idea to exclaim "Marvelous!" or "Magnificent!" when viewing any given item.

The next day or so after making your house into a museum, you could take your children to a ‘real,' out-of-the-house museum. There, too, you all can admire the marvelous collection of things.

And here is the added bonus to this activity: museum visitors should use quiet voices. Everyone must be on their best behavior. And of course, in a Museum, kids really need to listen to their Moms and Dads, and do as they are told!

Have a great weekend with your curious, creative, and obedient museum workers and visitors!

How to entertain kids -- Quarter Collectors

More fun with money

ADDED August 06, 2008

 

Turn your kids into Quarter Collectors. This activity will make trips to the store more fun, and it will teach your children about all our American states.

As you may have noticed, quarters these days don't just have the traditional eagle on the "tails" side. Lately these coins have been showing up with representations of each state on them.

Here's all that you need to do get this activity going:

First, find a container to hold the quarters. Second, print up a map of the U.S. You can get a free printable map here or download a PDF one here.

Now you guys are all set to go. Have the container, the printed map, and a handful of quarters from different states on hand to help you explain this new activity to your kid.

Each time your child adds a new state to the collection, he or she should color the state in on the map.

With every new quarter, you and your kid should talk about the state and review the images depicted there. The Indiana quarter has a race car-why do you think that is? You can see a Scissor Tailed Fly Catcher (it's a bird) on the Oklahoma quarter. And what is that very long, boxy looking thing on the North Carolina quarter?

You can choose to give your kid a new state each day, or you both can review the change you get back from your errands.

Have fun learning with your Quarter Collectors!

And when you've got all fifty states, please mail the collection to us here at Today Is Fun. We also will accept any other forms of currency in your collection.

Kids Games -- What Will You Bring?

An amazingly simple and amazingly effective way of passing some time

ADDED August 05, 2008

 

This works well with a couple kids, but would also have fine results with just one child.

Have your children wait in one room, such as the living room. You leave the room, but before you do ask the kids, "What will I bring back?" (If you can pull it off, try to add a lot of mystery to your voice, in order to build up the anticipation.)

Then, return with one of your kid's things: a toy, or a book, or even a shoe.

"Wow! Who had any idea that I was going to return with your shoe?"

After everyone has marveled over the object and discussed whether it was very surprising or not, then it is your kid's turn.

"First return the object I brought out to its rightful place, and then surprise me with something. What will you bring back?"

This is one of Today Is Fun's kids games that is great for filling a little bit of time, or for when the kids are waiting at home. It saved the day recently as my boys and I were waiting for Mommy to get ready to go on an outing with us.

We are very interested to know: what will you bring back?