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.)

Clean, Dress, Brush, Go

You can only do one at a time -- so be calm and look at the chart.

ADDED March 27, 2009

 

As my kids get older, we've been giving them more responsibility. This, of course, can sometimes be overwhelming for them.  

I remember when I first said to them, "Today you need to clean up your breakfast, get yourself dressed, and brush your teeth.  Do all of this by yourself and to be done by 9 a.m."  The looks on my kids' faces were of sheer terror.  They were befuddled, frozen and sort of freaked out.

They cried.  "Why would Dad do this?" they seemed to be asking.  The list was too long with far too many things to do.  "How can we possibly remember everything?"

I quickly created something that I knew would help them make it through the next 15 minutes:  I made a chart.

I know the idea of charts for kids is a little old fashioned and maybe a little silly - but, yes, I made a chart.  The top of my chart contained only four words: Clean, Brush, Dress, Go!

When the kids finished cleaning up breakfast, I checked that off the chart.  When they were done getting dressed, that got checked off. When their teeth were brush, that one got a check, too.  When all the tasks were completed (and after I did a quick quality control inspection), we were ready for the last item:  we were ready to go.

I gave them some words of encouragement: "Take it one step at a time. Don't think of everything you have to do, just concentrate on the one thing you're finishing right now.  When you are done with that, then move to the next thing on the list.  You really only need to do three things -- and you already do all of them by yourself anyway.  So be calm.  If you need some help, ask.  If you forget what to do, look at the chart.  It's simple. You can do it."


I am very proud to report that the chart worked. The chart was quick to make. It was straight to the point: nothing cute, no stickers or markers -- just the facts necessary to get the job done.  Try it next time you are in a pinch and need to provide a little guidance.

Chart it! Go! No crying!

What Does That Make You Think Of?

Free Association at its Finest (and Funnest)

ADDED March 26, 2009

 

 Waiting for my beautiful wife to finish shopping at Target the other day, my kids and I made up a game called "What does  that make you think of?" (Very original, I know.)

It was a life saver.  (Have you ever noticed that Target is enormous, and to finish a shopping trip you need to make several laps around the store?) The game is similar to Cute and Not-So-Cute, but maybe a little more advanced.

To play, someone spots an item on the shelves and points it out to the other players.  For example, someone could choose a light bulb.  They would then say, in their best quiz show announcer voice,"The item is light bulb.  What does that make you think of?"  At that point, it is up to the other players to do a little free association.  What does a light bulb make you think of? 

(When we played, I said a candle, my son said darkness, and my wife said a flashlight.  All approved answers and all fun. The next named thing was paper towels.  The panel thought the best answers were a mess, a spill, and a clean up!   Other items discussed on that particular trip were batteries, baggies and hand soap.)

We had a great time and the trip went very quickly!   Now, a visit to the grocery store makes us think of . . . fun!

(p.s.  If you have a grammatical problem ending a question with a preposition, please email us, leave a comment or join our facebook page and we will issue a full refund along with a sincere apology.)

 

(Photos compliments of the talented jae_yong and m_e_l_o_d_y )  

Wish Collage.

A Cut and Paste activity

ADDED March 25, 2009

At our house, we seem to get catalogs by the truckload.  I often think that a special, dedicated mailperson is at work only delivering this type of advertising.

On most days, these fine publications go straight into the recycling.  But sometimes, I forget to take them to the trash, and they slowly multiply.  Soon we are up to our ears in home gardening magazines and catalogs hawking toys and tools made in China and sold by the dozen.  When we get to this point, there is only one thing to do: get out the glue and the scissors to make a Wish Collage.

Here is how we do it:  we take all appropriate catalogs that we can find, grab some glue, scissors and let the kids cut and paste together a wish list. This little handy item can be passed along to grandparents, aunts and uncles to assist in the gift buying process for birthdays, holidays or doing a good job on a report card day.

Of course, we try to emphasize the fun of looking and of options, not of pining fervently for a specific toy or doodad.  Even if it's something that's impractical (a riding lawnmower) or not right for our budget (a dollhouse model of Buckingham Palace), it's fine and fun to have on the Wish Collage.  Those kind of things will never actually be seen in our toy chest, and the kids understand that, and it's okay.

We also have made a "Someday Maybe" Wish Collage.  This variation can include future possible jobs, houses, vacations, etc.  The Someday Maybe Wish Collage is the perfect place to paste a picture of an astronaut, Easter Island, or a St. Bernard.

It is fun for kids to do and fun for adults to look at. Try it everybody will like it.

 

(Photos compliments of the talented brandejackson and wtlphotos ) 

All the things on my list

A little help please

ADDED March 24, 2009

 

 

I went to the market with one of my kids the other day to pick up a few things for dinner.   We only needed a few things, so a list was not necessary.  But somehow, I forgot two of the things we needed and brought back three things not on the list!

(I admit it:  I have a doughnut problem.  If the kids ask, I buy). 

Needless to say we had to return to the market.

On my return trip, I decided I would use my kids to help me remember what was needed.   Therefore, again no list would be needed.  This time, it worked perfectly.

Having your kids "be" the list makes the trips to the store a lot of fun. If they remember a few things, and I remember a few things, we won't forget anything.  Everyone does a little work; it's very democratic.

The fun for the kids is multiplied when they get to remember something that they particularly like to eat.   They love to remember blackberries, marshmallow creme or roast beef . . .  but on the other hand, it is not quite as fun when they have to remember potatoes, parsley or peppercorns.  It's also great fun to see if they can remember where some of the common items we buy are kept at the store.  (Of course, everyone remembers where the doughnuts are because I will always buy them.  I have something of a doughnut problem).

Next time you go to the market involve your kids, give them some responsibility and make it fun.  (And always saying yes to the doughnuts helps, too.)

(Photos compliments of the talented gtstuff and martinlabar)

Big Foot

Spend a minute in someone else's shoes

ADDED March 23, 2009

 

 

For some reason people don't wear really shoes at my house.  That's not a problem because my kids love to wear any shoes but their own.  And that got me thinking . . .

Line up a four or five pairs of different people's shoes and let the kids take turns wearing them and acting like the person that would wear those shoes.  Try to present them with shoes that would lead to much different slices of life: have your kids become a jogger or a business woman or a surfer dude.

Books on the Run!

What fun place can you guys find for reading?

ADDED March 20, 2009

 

 

Okay, today's suggestion isn't jaw-droppingly original or unheard of.  But it is fun -- and we're here to remind you guys to get out and actually do it!

We hope that you're big fans of reading and books.  Reading can be super fun, and it can provide that fun for your kids' entire lives.

Reading is so easy, though, that sometimes we forget how enjoyable and special it can be.  So today, we encourage you to have some special reading time.  Where can you guys take some books and read them?  What new and different location?

Here are some ideas:

• In the park.
• At the beach.
• At a friend's house.
• In your own backyard.
• At the library.
• At a restaurant or coffee shop.
• In the car.

Reading in a different location changes the experience a bit.  And reading outside can be especially fun and relaxing.

When you guys are reading outside, you can have your kids try to spot things they see in the books.  For instance, if there are birds in the book, can your kids find birds outside?  If you guys see a bus in the book, is there a bus in the real world, too?

Reading outside also allows your kids to re-enact things with their bodies.  They can put on a show about the book.  They could make themselves into birds, buses, lions . . . everything!

And bring a snack along, too.  Sometimes it's nice to munch while you read.

Have a great, fun weekend with your little readers!

Cute versus Not-So-Cute

Ask the cute ones in your house to divide up the world

ADDED March 19, 2009

 

This is a simple and quick game to pass the time while you're waiting with the kids.  Break the world into two categories:  cute and not-so-cute.

To get started, ask your kids if they think puppies are cute.  Do they?

Then ask if they think babies are cute.  And how about Dory from Finding Nemo? 

How about a barking dog?  How about a crying baby?

Now, how about an old rusty car?  Or an alligator?  Or a mushed up banana?  Cute?  Or not-so-cute?

Keep asking them about things until you get to words that really might be neither cute nor not-so-cute.  For instance, is a hamburger cute?  What does your child think?

For maximum fun and best results, the idea is to get your kids talking about their ideas about the world and the things in it.  If they start bringing their own adjectives into the discussion, you've really won.  For instance, if your child answers, "I wouldn't say a hamburger is cute or not-so-cute, but I would say it is delicious," your session has been a success.

The point here is that you can view the world in a million different ways.  Choose an adjective (cute) and its opposite (not-so-cute), and examine the world with it.  This will work, of course, with any adjective:  large, lonely, fun, yellow, and so on.

With a fun activity and some ever-so-cute kids, you can't lose!

Quick Tips: Thank You Brigade and Two Points

Ideas for getting the best out of your kids!

ADDED March 18, 2009

Every so often we offer a couple of Quick Tips.  Today's suggestions are about manipulating your children into behaving well.  (That's right:  we're going be doing some manipulating today.)

First, the Thank You Brigade.  This one is designed to get some politeness out of your kids (and to instill it in them!)  The idea here is simple:  your kids are in charge of handling all the thank you's for your family.  When you go to a store or restaurant, you can handle ordering and paying . . . but turn the thanking over to your kids.  

People generally like being thanked by a kid -- and this activity helps your little ones practice being polite.

And the next tip is Two Points.  We've tested this one successfully with boys, but we think you'll have great results with girls, too.  

With this one, you randomly assign points for desired behaviors.  

For example, "two points for everyone who brushes their teeth right now."

Or . . . "two points if you clean your room by four o'clock."

We don't recommend actually keeping track of points.  And there should be no winners or losers.  That's not the point.  This is just a creative and different way of getting your kids to tow the line.  And it works!

Of course, your kids should be obeying you no matter what -- points or not.  But if you're having a little trouble and want a little help, simply start handing out points.

Thank you for reading today's post.  Please give yourself two points!

 

--S

Spot the Green

(And other fun St. Patrick's activities)

ADDED March 17, 2009

Happy St. Patrick's Day, folks!  Did everyone remember to wear green today?  (One boy in my house insisted on wearing only blue.  We let him go with that color choice.)

Here are some fun and satisfying St. Patrick's activities for today:

First, your kids have seen a lot of green on people's clothes today, undoubtedly.  But on the ride home from school, how about having an out-the-car-windows green search?  Yes, your kids have probably seen the sights on the drive many times before, but have they focused exclusively on green before?   

Have them find all the green they can today, and ask them to point out green in two different categories:  "regular green," the green that's always there anyway, and "special green," which are any new signs, banners, balloons or other decorations for St. Patrick's Day.  How much regular and special green can your kids spot?

Second, you know we like dabbling in foreign languages.  Well, why not use this special day to learn some colors in other tongues?

In Spanish, green is verde.  Blue and yellow (which you need to mix to make green) are azul and amarillo, respectively.
In French, vert, bleu, and jaune.
In German, grün, blau, and gelb.
In Italian, verde, blu, and giallo.
In Japanese,  midori, ao, and kiiro.

(Voices pronouncing the words can be found many places on the internet, such as Wordreference.com, and for the Japanese, this About.com sub-site.)

St. Patrick's Day really is a day in celebration in honor of Ireland.  Have your kids join you at the computer for a Flickr trip of photos of Ireland.  And visit Wikipedia's article on Ireland, too.  What does Ireland's flag look like?  And does anybody out there know the capital of Ireland?

You might want to check out this fun Irish song on itunes.  It's only 99 cents.  (Use the comment section below if you'd like to mention one of your favorite Irish songs.)

Have a great day (from your friends here at O'Today is Fun!)

Which One Doesn't Belong?

Future standardized exams will be a piece of cake for your kids!

ADDED March 16, 2009

As with all our ideas, our activity today will be extremely fun for you and your kids.  But this one has an added bonus.  It might -- just might -- help your kids excel on future standardized exams.  Can it be true?  Read on, and you be the judge.

Today we're playing "Which One Doesn't Belong?"  

This one requires some mental effort on your part, but it's pretty easy, we think.  The effort is nearly effortless, really.

All you have to do is think of three similar items, and one that's a little bit different.

Here's an example:

* monkey
* lion
* elephant
* tree

When you've thought of your list of items, tell them to your child.  Ask, "Which one doesn't belong?"

(Did you spot the one that doesn't belong in the list above?)

Here's another, slightly different example:

* monkey
* lion
* elephant
* seal

Obviously you can spot the difference, right?  Can your kid?

For full credit, your children have to tell you *why* the thing they've picked is different.  That's the whole fun of the game!

We think this game can really go for hours.  It works wonders in keeping kids occupied during traffic jams and waits at restaurants.  There are just that many different things in the world, that many different things to be identified and discussed.  Here are some more ready-made lists for you:


1.  

*  snake
*  snow leopard
*  shark
*  snail

2.

*  flower
*  vine
*  rock
*  palm tree

3.

*  say goodnight
*  put on pajamas
*  brush your teeth
*  drink orange juice

4.

*  truck
*  motorcycle
*  Mommy's car
*  race car

5.

*  Daddy
*  Brother
*  Grandpa
*  Aunt Wanda

In the future, "which one doesn't belong" will show up -- in some form or another -- on a standardized exam.  Your kids will be given a multiple choice question and asked to identify which of the options doesn't belong.  Your kids, we're happy to say, won't be new to this type of question.  In fact, they might even remember as a fun activity they did with their parents!

Free, fun, learning, parent-kid time.  We hope they all belong in your house!  Have fun.

 

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 Hunt

Put on your thinking caps for this hunt

ADDED March 12, 2009

We all have minutes each day where we just need the kids to be entertained we need them to be doing something constructive with their time and energy and poking your brother in the eye does not count as helping.

So this week while you are waiting for a table at your favorite Mexican Eatery or just need a few minutes of activity before baseball practice try this fun game with your kids.  We call it Letter Hunt. Here is how you play, first you find something that everyone can see, it can be anything. For example and at our baseball field there is frequently a blue ice cream truck parked in the lot, so if I chose ice cream truck I will say "I see something that starts with the letter I and it is blue."  Now it is my kids turn using the information I have given them to try to figure out what I see that is blue and starts with the letter I.

The real learning in this game comes from letting the kids do the work, for example, if I am looking for something blue that starts with I, most likely someone will guess the sky because it is blue, this is an opportunity to let the kids do the work of figuring out what letter sky starts with.  Once they have figured out that sky starts with S and I am looking for something blue that starts with I the guessing continues.

Have some fun this weekend guessing and teaching!

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.

Vowel Tag

Nothing is safe, just vowels

ADDED March 10, 2009

 Here's a fun game you can play today:  Vowel Tag.  It's very simple; all you need to know are your vowels (A,E,I,O,U, and sometimes Y!)

The rules for the game are pretty much the same as the ones from regular tag. Someone is "it," and that person must chase the people who are not "it." In Vowel Tag, however, nowhere is "safe."  Really, the only way to be safe for a moment is to sit down and say all the vowels.  After this brief vowel respite, the safe period is over, and the person has to get up and run.

If you get tagged then you are "it," but before you start chasing people, you have to say the whole alphabet out loud then, "Ready or not -- here I come!" and the game continues.

This activity will help your kids learn that vowels are important and useful letters -- especially when you see "it" running full steam in your direction!  Have fun!

 

Thanks to shadows_and_light and johncarleton for the use of the vowel tag photos.  Just look at all the learning fun!

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!

Good News, Bad News, Better News

What's better than good news? Better news!

ADDED March 04, 2009

 

This one is a fun verbal activity.  It's perfect for passing the time while waiting.

Start by playing "Good News, Bad News."  You say to your child, "I have some good news and some bad news."  And then, make up some good and bad news.

The trick is that the bad news should completely cancel out the good news.

For instance, you could say, "The good news is I'm going to spend some special time with you now.  The bad news is:  I'm going to spend that time tickling you!"

Or a kid could say, "The good news, Mommy, is that I just brushed my teeth.  The bad news is that I didn't use toothpaste, I used ketchup!"

The other trick is too make sure that the good news and bad news are either completely pretend or completely light.   You guys should enjoy yourselves - and nobody should get upset!  And if your children aren't at an age where they understand pretending and joking, well, hold off on this one for a while!

You guys might find that you like the variation "Good News, Better News" even, well, better!  In this one, you make a simple change:  "I have some good news and some better news!"

Here is an example to get you going:  "The good news is that I just made a batch of chocolate chip cookies.  The better news is that you can have two of them!"

And a couple more suggestions for you:

"The good news is today is your birthday.  The even better news is that we're having a birthday party today!"

"The good news is we're going to do some coloring right now.  The even better news is that we're going to try to use every single crayon we've got!"

This one is for older kids, we think.  Let us know how it goes in your house.

We think it will be a worthwhile activity.  And the even better news is, it's easy to remember, and you guys can play it for years!

Little Cereal Box Pickup Trucks

A Bonus From Breakfast

ADDED March 03, 2009

 

You know those little cereal boxes that come in packs of eight?  We used to get them for camping trips, but most markets sell them now, and we know some parents buy them for ready-to-go, individual-sized breakfast portions.  (If you don't get them, you might want to, after you see the craft possibilities.)

Here's a previous use we devised for these boxes:  little cereal box puppets.

My beautiful wife came up with this new use for two little cereal boxes:  little cereal box pickup trucks.

Turn the boxes inside out to get some blank canvases, and tape them back into box-shape.  Tape the two boxes together, one upright for the cab, the other horizontal for the rear cargo area.

Cut holes in the cab for windows.  Cut off the top of the one in back, for the cargo area.  Using these extra, cut-off bits, make some wheels and tape them on.

Finally, load the pickup trucks up!  Find small toys to be the drivers.  And, of course, you'll need to find some stuff to haul in the back.

Please obey a 5 mile per hour with these things.  Cardboard doesn't hold up so well in high speed impacts.  Have fun, and keep those kids eating balanced breakfasts!

 

Flag Drawing

A fun way to learn about the world at large

ADDED March 01, 2009

 

We love the flags of the world.  Here's why:

1.  They're interesting to look at and interesting to compare.  Which flags have red stripes in them?  Which have blue stripes?  Why do some flags have horizontal red, yellow, and blue (Ecuador, Venezuela, and Colombia)?  Why do so many flags have the flag of the United Kingdom in the upper left-hand corner?  Why do some countries have similar crosses (Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Faroe Islands)?

2.  Flags are a great starting place for learning about other countries.  Seeing an interesting flag often leads us to the atlas, where we look up the country's location and some information about it.

3.  Flags are two-dimensional, and therefore somewhat easy to draw.  Flags are also always rectangles, and it's interesting to see all the variations that people have created in those rectangles.

To check out all the flags of the world, please click here.

That site shows all the flags of the world on one long page.  

Here's an activity with that site:  Grab some crayons and some blank paper.  Tell your kid to choose a flag - but don't tell you which one -- and to draw it on the piece of paper.  Once the depiction is done, you come, study the flag that's been drawn, and try to figure out which it is.  (You, too, of course, can look at that website - we don't expect you to memorize all 248!)

You can draw a flag, too, and have your child guess which it is.  

While you're doing this, you can talk about where the country is (Asia?  Africa?  Oceania?) and maybe even what the country is like (Switzerland is cold! Peru has a lot of llamas.  The pyramids are in Egypt.  And so forth.)

For some more information about flags (and some answers to the questions we asked above), look at the first comment in the section below.

What do you and your kids think about flags?  Let us know, please, in the comment section below.

Finally, we highly recommend that you give extra credit (thirty points, perhaps) to any child who can draw the flag of St. Pierre and Miquelon.