Childrens Books -- Who Took The Farmer's Hat?

A chapeau mishap leads to some fun hi-jinks on the farm

ADDED September 12, 2008

 

The farmer in this book really likes his hat.  What's not to like?  It's a nice hat.

Unfortunately for the farmer, he wears it outside on a blustery day . . . and the wind carries off his fine hat.

The farmer does what any hat-loving person would do:  he interviews all of his farm animals to find out if they've seen his beloved possession.

One thing leads to another, there's twists and turns, (we don't want to give away any surprises) but suffice to say there is a happy ending, though it's not exactly what the farmer had hoped.

Go to the library and pick up this book:  Who Took The Farmer's Hat? by Joan Nodset.  Read to those kids and have a great weekend!

ages 2-7, reading activity,

Kids Games - - Build a hopscotch court

Have fun this weekend with a classic.

ADDED September 11, 2008

This weekend why not put all of that sidewalk chalk your kids have in the garage to good use and make a hopscotch court?  It is an activity that you can do together and good exercise for everyone. You can build a traditional court that looks like this.

Or something more fancy like the French variant called “Escargot." It looks like this.

Try and make one of each this weekend.  Email a picture of your court to info@todayisfun.com. Hop to it!

ages 3-12, good at home, see our disclaimer, verbal activity,

Kids Entertainment - - Find the Quarter

Make waiting for a table a little more enjoyable.

ADDED September 10, 2008

While waiting for a table the other day at one of our favorite eateries, the kids started getting a little anxious. That was when this game was invented: find the quarter.  It is very easy to play and can pass 10 minutes of time for only 25¢.  That is cheaper than some parking meters.

Here is how you do it:  take out 1,2 or 4 quarters and secretly hide them around the waiting area.  Put them in potted plants, under newspapers near your chair anywhere you think will be a good hiding spot. Then tell the kids there is a quarter for each of them hidden somewhere in the waiting area and they need to find it. Make sure you tell them the boundaries of your hiding area and set them free.  

You will get at least 5 minutes of peace while they're searching if you let the group start their hunt at the same time, even longer if you have your kids hunt one at a time. And if you are short on quarters whoever finds the quarter gets to hide it next time.

Try it today and leave us a comment letting us know “Who found the quarter.:

ages 2-8, good for a restaurant or public place, see our disclaimer,

HOW TO ENTERTAIN KIDS -- WHAT DO YOU GET....

A fun problem solving activity.

ADDED September 09, 2008

Most things here at TIF are absurd and amusing.  What can I say -- we like to have fun. We revel in the ridiculous and savor the silly.  Today’s idea is no different.  I like to play this game in the car when everybody is buckled in, a little bored, and ready to get to our destination. It is called, "What do you need to get…?" 

I will ask my kids simple questions like, ”What do you need to get an egg?”
The answer is not as easy as it might seem, and there are many right answers: you might need a chicken or a store or even a hand to pick up the egg. The fun comes from the imagination used thinking up silly answers. Or the questions can be of a more educational nature, ”What do you need to get 5?”  The answer again is many things: 2+3=5 or 9-4=5 . . . and even 5 birthday parties is a correct answer. Or the question can be even more silly like, ”What do you need to to get to Hawaii?” An airplane, wings, a boat, or even money would all be answers!

This is a great activity because the kids have to figure out the answer, and the adults have to be a little creative as they try and stump them with more and more outlandish questions.

What do your need to get…
Toast.
A carrot.
A car tire.
A book.
Sand.
Seatbelt.
A dog.

Try it today and leave us a comment letting us know “What do you need to get…?”.

ages 4-12, good for home, good for mealtimes, good for the car, may rile them up, quick activity, see our disclaimer, verbal activity,

HOW TO ENTERTAIN KIDS -- Cleaning Lemon

Kids think they are playing (but they are really cleaning)

ADDED September 08, 2008

Sometimes it seems like everything is going green -- and here at TIF we are too.  And today’s Kids Entertainment is called the Cleaning Lemon (or if you have kids who are not interested in cleaning, call it the Racing Lemon.)  It is a great "green" way to have your kids help clean the tub.

You simply grab half a lemon and some baking soda (both non- toxic, very, very safe and surprisingly powerful cleaning agents). Put the baking soda in a shallow bowl and have your kids dip the cut half of the lemon into the bowl and start scrubbing or racing around the tub.

Make sure they race around the edges and in the middle of the tub, which can create some fun bumper car moments. And watch the time and soap scum disappear.  

This activity can be hands off for adults if your kids are a little older.  My daughter really likes this activity after a trip to the beach or a dusty hike. Sometimes I think she gets extra dirty just so she can clean the tub.

Try it today and leave a comment if it works for you.

ages 4-12, good at home, longer activity, see our disclaimer,