Fun on a Snow Day
Well, it’s nine degrees outside with blowing and drifting snow and every school district in our area is shut down. I’m well past the days of little children who need occupied, since mine are in college and the youngest is 17 and likely to sleep until noon, but I KNOW that youngsters get bored on these unexpected days. Here are some great (and not too parent-intensive) activities to suggest:
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Put on a Play:
Grab the favorite storybook and challenge the kids to turn it into a play. They’ll need to make props and costumes and if they’re literate enough, write out a script. You can suggest puppets, or dress up this activity by having them stage scenes from their story and photograph them to add voices to later. - Create a New Game:
Sometimes creativity can be a real rush! Give the kids the tools they need to invent a new board game or card game. You can start from scratch or do a mash-up of family favorites. Borrow rules and even game pieces, boards, markers or dice from commercial and familiar games. If it’s fun, don’t forget to write down the rules so you can play again! - Try a Video Scavenger Hunt:
It’s inevitable that the television will get turned on today, but if you can’t beat them, you might as well make it a learning time! Make a list of things to find in the video that you watch, or questions to answer about the content. See who can find the highest number of answers or make up a trivia game to play afterwards.Heading to a Conference
I’m actually pretty excited this week-on Friday, I’m going to a teleconference about Executive Function and how to help children with these types of issues. It’s really applicable to my work with tutoring and with consulting for parents who have students with special needs.
The presenter is Laurie Dietzel, Ph.D. I don’t know much about her, but her website was very well done. She’s a neuropsychiatrist from the east coast, and specializes in working with children having these sorts of difficulties.
We’re off on the right foot already-I was sent a packet of information and handouts related to the class first thing this morning. I’ll let you all know what happens after the end of the week, and hopefully will have some new insights to share with you.Three Quick Christmas Crafts
December 6, 2009 · Filed Under Holidays · 4 Comments- Canning Jar Lid Ornaments
You need old cards, canning jar lids and rings, scissors, a pencil, hot glue, yarn and optional lace or rick-rack. Trace the canning jar lid on the card of your choice and cut out the picture. You’ll need two per ornament. Hot glue the pictures to both sides of the flat lid, then glue the lid into the ring. Add lace or rick-rack on the outside of the ring if you wish, and put a loop of yarn at the top as a hanger! - Magazine Tree
Get an old copy of Reader’s Digest or similarly sized magazine. Fold each page (one at a time!) so the top corner meets the binding. Fold the bottom corner so the bottom of the page meets the top edge that has been folded down. Once you get the whole magazine folded, use a few paper clips or staples to hold the covers together and spread the pages out around in a tree shape. Spray paint green if you wish, and glue on some small decorations. - Edible Christmas Tree
Get pointy ice cream cones, green icing, small plates, butter knives, and candy decorations. Spread green icing on the outside of the cone, then use the candy decorations to stick to the icing. Serve upside down (pointy end up) on the plate. Enjoy!
- Canning Jar Lid Ornaments
