Mummy Mommy

(Or Mummy Dad. Or Mummy Kid.)

ADDED October 30, 2008

 

This website is all about keeping the kids on their toes for little or no money.  Terrific.  Everybody wins.  

And yet today, it's come to this...

That's right:  today we're using toilet paper to entertain the kids.  

One of the standard frightful Halloween characters is a mummy.  And what better material to 'play' mummy than toilet paper?

We recommend that you let the kids wrap you in toilet paper.  Let them mummify you.  Yes, it might not be your most dignified moment as a parent, but the kids will enjoy it.  

Much of the fun of this activity, as you will see, will be the kids trying to make the wrapping work.  It's not as easy as they might think.

If your kids are old enough, you can also use this activity to learn about real mummies.  

This activity will also further our goal of showing young kids that there really isn't anything real to be afraid of for Halloween.

If your kids are game, you can mummify them, too.  (Please be careful!  Don't wrap anyone too tightly, and watch noses, mouths, and necks please!)

Have fun.  Give it a try.  And we promise, tomorrow's tip will not involve toilet paper or anything from the bathroom!

The Scariest Thing in the Whole House!

Get those young minds working (and teach them that there isn't really anything to be scared of)

ADDED October 29, 2008

Sit your kids down on the couch and tell them that, in honor of Halloween, you are going to show them the scariest thing in the whole house!

Return with a small object, anything in the house.  (Maybe use a paper napkin to hide the object and build the suspense.)  Make sure it is as not-scary as can be.  One of the kids' teddy bears or girl dolls would work perfectly.  Present the item with a dramatic flourish and say, "Oh my goodness!  The scariest thing in the whole house!"

Your kids are sure to look at you like you've truly lost your mind.  Good.  That's the point.  

Now try to convince them how scary the thing you're holding actually is.  Try something like this:  "Oh, it is scary!  Look how curly its hair is!  And do you see that cute little pink bow?  Scary!!!"

Of course your kids will think you're loony, but they'll also get the joke here.  Really, the thing is not scary at all!  Duh!

Now it's a kid's turn to go off and return with something completely scary (but actually not).  They should reveal the item and try to convince you that it is in fact quite frightening.

Keep taking turns and trying to scare each other with completely not scary items.

And if you want, this would be a fine time to show your slightly nervous kids that there is nothing scary in the house!  Sometimes around Halloween, movies try to make things seem scary.  But really, nothing in your house is.

(But whatever you do: don't look in the drain in the downstairs bathtub, please.  For some reason, we haven't got around to cleaning it for almost a year.  It really, really is frightful.  But other than that, nothing in our house is scary!)

Extremely Spooky Baby Ghost Decoration

Made out of newspaper. Oh, and did we mention the word "spooky?"

ADDED October 28, 2008

 

Alright, we're not promoting this as ground-breakingly new or anything.  It's a craft, and it may ring a bell in your brain somewhere.

But it's fun, it's good for Halloween, and it's both cheap and easy.  Come on, people: work with us here!

Here's what you do:  Step One. Grab the newspaper and remove one "sheet."  This is one piece of paper, two full pages connected (and separated by a fold.)  This will be the ghost's body.  Spread it out on the table or floor.

Step Two. Have your child crumble up other pages from the newspaper.  Amass a certain number of them (let's say seven pieces, and let's say that your child is in charge of counting to make sure that number is what's there).  These will be the 'stuffing' for the head.

Step Three. Now, in one smooth, graceful move, gather the 'sheet' up around the 'stuffing' to create the head.  The rest of the sheet will droop down and become the ghost's body.  Use a piece of string or a rubber band to keep the stuffed head separate from the body.  Have your child draw some eyes and a mouth.  Use another piece of string to hang the ghost from an appropriate ceiling light or chandelier.

Will you have created something that you and your child will treasure for years?  Is this something that will become the envy of your neighbors?  Hmmm, probably not.  But will it be a fun way to pass some time for you and your child?  And something that your child enjoys?  Yes, it will.  

And you will enjoy your new spooky baby ghost as a beloved additional family member for the rest of the week!

The Haunted Egg

A spooky, fun-to-make Halloween treat (that is actually good for kids, too)

ADDED October 27, 2008

 

The other morning when we asked my son what he wanted for breakfast, he requested a "haunted egg."   My wife, challenged by such a concept, invented this "recipe."  And voilá, just like that, I am able to present here for the first time:  a Haunted Egg!

First, hardboil some eggs.  (Children can help to gently put the eggs in the pot.  They can turn on the faucet to fill the pot with water.)

When the eggs are boiled, remove the shell from the ones you guys will eat.  (My  wife, who rather knows what she's doing in the kitchen, suggests that when the eggs are ready to come out of the pot, hold them under running cold water in order to peel them easily.)

Once the shell is taken care of, look at the ends of the egg.  Usually, one end is flatter, and you can use that for standing the egg up.  (If there's not a good 'standing' end, you can cut one end off to make a flat surface.)

Now comes the spooky part . . . poke small holes in the egg to make a ghost's eyes.  You can also make a larger hole underneath it for a mouth.  (My lovely spouse suggests a sharp knife for this, such as a paring knife.  Obviously kids shouldn't handle these tools, but they can show where to make the eyes, mouth, nose, etc.)

Kids can have some input as to how the egg will look.  They can tell you to make the eyes circles or triangles or another shape.  They can request a happy egg or a frowning one.

Serve the Haunted Egg on a plate standing up, spooky face pointing towards the young diner.  It's the most delicious--and most scary--treat for Halloween.

Send Your Kids a Postcard

Use the post to tell 'em they are the most!

ADDED October 24, 2008

Everybody likes to get mail, but kids don't seem to get that much outside of birthdays and holidays.  So today, pick up a few cards or postcards and drop 'em in the mail.

Make each parcel special by adding stickers, writing in colorful marker, or adding stamps of their favorite animals.  You can also put on some lipstick and give it a kiss (Moms only), or add lots "X's" and "O's." If your little one has a nickname address, it to their cute little alter ego. Use your imagination to make the envelope and message fun.

Your child will love to get this special piece of mail, so try it today!

One more thing if you are feeling really adventurous: try sending a piece of mail from the dog.  That is sure to get a big laugh!

Hug Fight

A really nice kind of fight

ADDED October 23, 2008

Everybody has heard of pillow fights, water balloon fights, and even the perennial favorite from cafeterias across the land: food fights.  

But have you ever heard of a "hug fight?"

Hug fights are best at night, right before bed.  They are actually very peaceful, gentle, and don't take a lot of effort.  To have a hug fight, all you need to do is call out "Hug Fight!" and everyone in the room hugs the person or people closest to them.  After a few seconds someone else yells "Hug Fight" again, and at this point you need to switch and hug someone else. Keep yelling "Hug Fight" until everyone in the room has been sufficiently hugged.

I like to do this at night as we are putting the kids in bed, because I get a really good tight hug from everybody.  And it's fun to yell at night.

Why not have a hug fight tonight with the ones you love?

Super Shape Doodle Art Game for People of All Ages

Make-it-yourself game with a funny name and artistic results

ADDED October 22, 2008

Today why not make your own game?  With a name like "Super Shape Doodle Art Game for People of All Ages," everyone will want to play.  This game is sort of like Miscellaneous Squiggle , but with a lot more super shapes and doodles.

First, take ten small pieces of paper and draw a shape on each:  a square, a circle, a triangle, etc. or even a silly shape or two.  (I drew a glove, lollipop and a rocket.) These are your cards for the game.

Then take a blank piece of paper.  Make sure everyone has a pencil.

Place the cards face down and have everyone take a turn selecting a card. Each person draws the shape depicted by their card onto the blank paper.  This will be your artistic picture.  The shape can be added anywhere in the picture as long as it is touching another shape.

This is a really great for a rainy day.  You can play for as many rounds as you want, just turn the playing cards over and keep drawing.

In the end, you'll have a Super Shape Doodle Art masterpiece to be admired and cherished by People of all Ages!

Here are what our cards looked like…

And here is one of our finished Super Shape Doodle Art masterpiece to be admired and cherished by People of all Ages!

Measure the stick

A fun scavenger hunt for your next walk.

ADDED October 21, 2008

It has been quite windy at my house lately, and that has caused a lot of leaves and debris to fall.  (This might be the reason that this time of year was originally named "Fall.")  So my kids and I made up this fun game called "Measure the Stick".   It makes a Fall walk outside all the more entertaining.

As you are strolling along, scan the ground and choose a small stick.  Ask your child if they can find a stick that is the exact same length.  Once the hunt begins, you get to have fun watching your child measure and compare to see if other sticks match up.   To be honest, it is very difficult to find another stick that's exactly the same length.  So in the end, you might need to accept a stick that is 'close enough' as the 'winner.'

Enjoy all the measuring and comparing.

Book in review

A little review to help your little readers

ADDED October 20, 2008

Use this out loud reading activity at home to help your new readers (and even older ones) review words that cause stumbling.  It's called "The Book in Review," and it's not a game, but a way to build a familiarity with newly learned words.

Here is how to do it:  As your kid is reading a book out loud, keep a mental list of what words are new or that might need some review. When the reading is done, close the book and give your child a pop quiz on the tricky words.

Make it fun and, if you're up for it, make it a little bit like a game show.  Find a page that has a troublesome word, point to it and ask in a booming voice, "What is the word?"  If they get the word right, cheer and whoop.  Make "jackpot" sound effects and an all-around big deal.  

Then move onto another word and repeat the question.  If your child gets the word wrong, have them work on figuring it out, and keep that page marked for further review and move onto another word.  When your kid gets the next word right, quickly turn back to the word they previously got wrong, review it again until it is correct.  In the end, when you are finished with the review,  carry your young reader on your shoulders like they are champs that just won the big game.

Try a review with your little readers today. (But don't practice this book review with your significant other unless you are able to lift them up on your shoulders!

A Monster at the Fork Store

Bon Appétit! Well, almost.

ADDED October 17, 2008

Sit down on the floor of a room or the grass of your yard.  Tell your little one that you are a nice, healthy human being and as such, you are exactly what monsters like to eat!

And tell your child that, for the moment, he or she is the monster.  Have your kid come and pretend to eat you.

But wait!  Wait! As the monster approaches and is about to take a bite, stop and remind your monster that yes, even monsters need forks!  So, point to another place in the room or the yard and say, "You have to go buy a fork from the fork store!"

Once that 'purchase' has been completed and the monster returns for another attempt, ask the monster to go buy a spoon before starting the meal.  And ketchup.  And a napkin. And a place mat.

The trick is never to get eaten by thinking up more stuff for the monster to purchase.  Even better, try to have the monster come up with ideas as to what will be needed for the meal.

This is a fun, silly game that will provide a reason for kids to run around and release some energy.  Also, kids like acting like monsters, and adults enjoy not being eaten.

And don't forget to send the monster for a bib, eating humans can be messy business!

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.)

 

No Lights On An Old-Fashioned Night!

A fun way to learn about olden days

ADDED October 15, 2008

 

Today we're going to learn a little about . . . light bulbs.  This activity is fun and educational for kids of all ages.

Tell your kids (if they don't already know) that in olden days, people used candles to light their houses at night.

Ask your kids if they'd like to re-create an old-fashioned, candle night in your house.  Everybody has to agree that after the sun goes down, no lights will be turned on!

Rooms look much different in candlelight.  The absence of electricity will give the whole bedtime process a much different feeling.

(But by all means BE CAREFUL with the candles' open flames.  If you have very little ones, please keep the candles up and out of their reach!)

We've also included a fun fact sheet for you to refresh your memory as to the history of light bulbs.  And your kids might enjoy coloring it in, too.  Simply print it after downloading here.

Oh, to make the no-electricity thing authentic, no TV or computer games either!  How does that sit with you?  (Of course, when the kids are asleep, parents are allowed to check their email, send TIF tips to their friends, and watch a show or two.)

And for this activity, you don't need to go 100% authentic.  There's probably no need for you to unplug the fridge.

Candle power!  Learning is fun!

First to Find the Moon

Scan the sky every night for a very exciting sighting

ADDED October 14, 2008

 

 

This isn't a kids game, exactly, but rather a fun late afternoon ritual.  Who can be the first to find the moon?

Sorry to say, there isn't a glorious cash prize for the winner.  Rather, the first person who spots the moon is rewarded by being given the title "the Moon Catcher" for the day.  Hooray for the Moon Catcher!  Thank you for helping our family find the moon.

(I've found that reminiscing about past victories can help assuage the feelings of the second place finisher.  "Remember how you spotted the moon yesterday?  You were my Moon Catcher yesterday."  Another consolation prize for non-moon-catching siblings is the title "Airplane Catcher.)

Moon catching has become a fun late afternoon ritual in our family.  On a ride home from a play date, or on a walk around the neighborhood, I start to hear the kids ask, "Who's gonna catch the moon?"

It's always nice when Mother Nature provides a free, fun activity.

And please, there's just one request we have to make of the Moon Catcher of the Day:  Once you've caught it, please put it back.  Other kids are looking for the moon, too.

Kids' Car Exercise

What better place to get their hearts pumping?

ADDED October 13, 2008

 Okay, actually . . . the car is decidedly NOT a great place for exercise, as we all know.  There's not a lot of room for strenuous movement, and it probably wouldn't be safe even if there was.

But we're always thinking of ways to keep the little ones occupied and not whining when on the road or stuck in traffic. 

So, get those kids exercising in the back seat. 

With one hand firmly on the wheel and eyes securely on the road, raise your other hand.  Move your fingers up and down in unison and ask, "Do you like my new exercise?  Can you do it?"

When your child has done an adequate number of 'reps' with that hand exercise, show them a thumb exercise: make a fist with your thumb sticking out and have it do some big circles.

It'd be great if your child could take the lead and invent some exercises at this point.  Have them create exercises for normal body parts (arms and legs) and definitely encourage some funny work-outs (lips, mouth, nose, ears, chin, tummy).

The idea is to keep them entertained and moving.  It'll be fun for the kids and amusing for you.

 

However, there's one thing you won't want to forget to exercise.  As the driver, don't forget to exercise caution!  You've got some precious cargo!

 

(kid in car seat photo by raybdbomb)

Your own Freaky Friday!

Fun weekend bedtime activity.

ADDED October 10, 2008

Weekend bedtime is a great time to play this fun game.  (The weekend part for this suggestion is key, because it might rile your little ones up just a bit.)  But the joy on my kids' faces makes any rowdiness well worth it.

This game started one night as my lovely wife and I were putting our kids to sleep.  My beautiful spouse said, "Can you put me to sleep instead? Can you two be the Mom and Dad?"  Being the opportunists all kids are when it comes to staying up late, both kids in unison said, "OK!"  They quickly turned off the lights and closed the door, leaving the room dark.
 
I could see their shadows under the door wondering what they should do. They were the parents now. What exactly do parents do after the door closes?
 
I waited a few seconds and started to cry, then asked for water and said I was scared. Each statement caused a flurry of activity:  water was poured, questions were asked, hugs were given -- and each time the light went off very quickly and the door was closed.

Then I would get out of bed, and they would gently put me back in.  My wife would lose her blanket, and they would find it.   I would ask if I could eat a fried egg, and they would tell me it was best to eat eggs in the morning. It was so much fun, we played for about 10 minutes, and then the real parents put the real kids to bed.
 
My kids had a lot of fun pretending to be the parents, and they ask at least once a week if they can put me to bed.   Most of the time I say, "No, Not tonight, its to late."  But when I do say yes, they are thrilled.
 
Try tonight and have your own Freaky Friday style fun.  And try to stay in bed, okay?

Now it's your turn to read the word

Letters are actually words that kids can read

ADDED October 09, 2008

When my kids first started understanding that letters make up words, and words make up sentences, it was very exciting.  After all, they were reading, and reading is something I tried to encourage constantly. One our favorite reading activities was a game called, "Now it's your turn to read the word."

Here is how we would play. I would read to my kids, and stop occasionally, point to a word that was used frequently in the book and say, "Now it's your turn to read the word."  It was usually an easy word to figure out, and I would always ask them to read the same word (they soon caught on to my tricks).  The repetition was great, and it was fun to watch them try and predict when I was going to ask them to read.

Then just to mix it up, I would pick a word that we had not read yet.  If they did not know the word, I would ask them to read the letters, and we would figure it out together. This also created many teachable moments.

It helped move reading from a passive activity to an activity that they could take part in because they were reading, too.

Check out Racer Dogs or Dear Zoo at your local library and play "Now it's your turn to read the word" today.

Donate Used Toys

A fun activity and a helping hand for people in need

ADDED October 08, 2008

The other day, as the cleaning machines were working away (see our Cleaning Machines post), my son said, "Why do we have to put so many toys away?"
 
"Because you have a lot of toys!"  I said.
 
He continued, "If we had less toys, it would not take so long to put them away".
 
I though about it for a minute, and he was right.  My kids have far too many toys. I think if I were to divide their toys in half they would still have enough toys to last at least till the 7th grade. The sheer volume of toys in most houses has brought about an industry of organizational professionals jjust to tell parents what to do with their kids' stuff.
 
Since I am kind of a do-it-yourself kind of guy, I decided to do something about the toys, something that would not require a trip to Ikea or an organizing professional.

Since this site is all about fun, I tried to make a hard conversation fun.  My kids are a little older, so they understand that some people are not as fortunate as they are, and they understand what "donate" means.  And we decided to start donating.
 
So we took all the their toys out of every bucket, tub and shoebox.  We made a little game out of getting rid of the clutter.  (Just like on one of those ever-so-popular house de-cluttering shows).
 
The activity worked really well:  just a "keep" box and a "go" box.  No questions asked.  After the boxes were sorted, we decided what toys were worth keeping and what toys needed to go . . . and just like that, it was done.
 
It was amazing:  we de-cluttered, then donated.  In the end, everybody won.  In my son's mind, he had less toys to pick up and we were able to give some nice toys to some less fortunate people.  Not to be preachy, but it's one thing to donate when everything's going wonderfully, but it's also important to give during the bad times, when the economy isn't so great and when our natural instinct is to circle the wagons and cling to our stuff.  

We donated two boxes, and it felt good for parents and kids alike.

 

info@todayisfun.com 

Mirror dance

A dandy dancing distraction.

ADDED October 07, 2008

During the course of the day, we all have places to be and things to do. However getting these things done is not an easy task with a little one nipping at your heels. Sometimes kids need a little distraction so Dad and Mom can get dressed, put the dog in the car, or just make lunch.
 
So what my wife and I will do with our little ones is put them in front of a mirror, turn on something with a beat, and let the mirror entertain.  All kids love to look at themselves in the mirror, and when you add music and dancing, a winning combination is guaranteed.  Also, an added bonus is how cute it is to see your little one dancing and smiling in their own musical world.
 
A mirror is also a great entertainer of older kids as well:  they too love to watch themselves dance and move to the music.  My kids literally have spent hours dancing happily away to the smooth beats. Making up plays, stories and even trying to act-out the sounds from a cartoon sound effects.  So no matter what your kids age, crank up the tunes and dance the afternoon away it will be time well spent.

info@todayisfun.com.

Pass the thumb

Equals restaurant fun

ADDED October 06, 2008

Sometimes when we are out to dinner at a fancier restaurant and the kids are growing restless we will play this quiet game. It does not require anything other than our hands (and as I mentioned, it is a quiet game).
 
Here is how you play: Everybody sits with hands on the table in the "thumbs up" position.  The game starts when the person who is "it" uses their thumb to point at another person.  The thumb is now passed.  (No one's hand ever needs to leave the table to pass the thumb. We're not encouraging wild body movements with this game.)  

Once the thumb is passed, the next person is "it" and can pass the thumb to someone else. That's it:  simple, easy and a surefire way to keep everyone occupied till the Casoulet arrives.
 
If your kids are a little older, add some other rules to make it a bit trickier and keep everyone on their toes.  Make a rule that you can only pass the thumb with your left hand or you can only pass the thumb if you point to someone with two thumbs.
 
You can play until your meal comes or your thumbs grow weary, but everybody wins!  Next time you are at a restaurant don't ask to pass the salt and pepper, ask to pass the thumb.

info@todayisfun.com

Beware the Bopper!

A semi-magical method of ousting kids' extra energy

ADDED October 03, 2008

 

This is a quick and easy way to get kids' bodies moving.  It is particularly useful for times when you sense the kids have a lot of pent-up energy and are on the verge of acting rambunctious anyway.

First, you need to get yourself a Bopper.  This can be any household object that would be good for bopping the kids on the head:  an empty paper towel tube is ideal.

Tell the kids you recently picked up a Bopper at the special Bopper store.  Show them your fine new acquisition and, while you're at it, explain how the Bopper works...

When you say the name of an object or animal and then touch the top of a kid's head with the Bopper, the kid turns into whatever you said!

Try it out yourself.  It really works.

I like to start off by turning the kids into the craziest, wildest things imaginable:  a cheetah, a helicopter, an amped-up jumping bean.  

Encourage the children to really create the thing you name with their bodies.  For example, with a helicopter, I need to see propellor blades straight out and spinning.

And here's the trick:  after a couple of minutes of wild re-creations, I move to "medium" for a few minutes, and then I conclude with five minutes of "quiet and mellow."

For "medium," the kids could be a car, a raindrop or a dog.  You get the idea.

For the very popular "quiet and mellow" category, I bop them and conjure up:  a turtle, a snail, a clock pendulum, an opening and closing door, a chair (inanimate objects are great), or an ice cube.

And now, the grand finale:  when I sense that the kids have got some energy out and are getting pretty mellow, I tell them we're having a contest.  I bop them on the heads, tell them they're rocks, and whoever can remain a rock the longest wins!

Ah, but in such instances, I am really the winner!  Bop on, people!

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

Close Out Sale at the Hat Store!

Tons of fun with head gear

ADDED October 01, 2008

 

How many hats does the average family own?

Our family is a bit above average in that department, I think.  A quick tally of the hats in this house revealed an amount weighing approximately three and half tons. 

If you're similarly blessed with too many hats, why not turn them into a fun activity?

Assemble all your family's hats somewhere that's easily accessible for kids:  on a bed or sofa.

Each kid gets a turn to visit the store.  What works really well is if a parent is in the other room -- that way the kids can get the hat on, then march away and show off each "new purchase" from the hat store.  "Look at my new hat!"

If you have a digital camera handy, it adds to the fun to snap a pic of each new hat on display.

When each hat receives its fair share of admiration, it's time for the kid to return to the hat store.  Oh, and scarves and gloves are fair game to be retrieved from the hat store, too.

Are you guys ready to have some fun in your house today?  At the drop of a hat!