Holiday Rhyme Time

Hooray, we say!

ADDED December 11, 2009

You know, we always like a good rhyme here at Today is Fun. 

Rhymes just "sound" good.  They are a special kind of speech.

So today's activity is very simple.  We feel that we haven't encouraged rhyming lately, so we're doing it now.

And since it's the holiday season, could you guys please come up with some holiday rhymes?

Some often heard, seasonal words are easy to rhyme, and others are quite tough.

Here's a list of words for you and your kids to work on:

• Snow
• Jingle
• Winter
• Santa
• Claus
• Stocking
• Menorah
• Rudolph
• Frosty
• Sleigh
• Reindeer
• Gift
• Tree
• Cozy

We can come up with rhymes for each of those words.  Can you guys?

If you'll allow us to inject a quick bit of learning here, there is more than one "kind" of rhyme.  A perfect rhyme rhymes perfectly.  For instance, "Ho, ho, ho" and "snow, snow, snow."  Imperfect rhymes -- also called half rhymes -- are "close," almost rhymes.  Such as "jingle" and "giggle."

We hope you and your kids have fun with a few holiday rhymes.  And please, can anyone email us with a perfect rhyme for "Hannukah?"

(Happy first day of Hannukah, by the way!)

 

(Thank you to ginnerobot and striatic for the great photos here!)

Holiday Questionnaire

Get to the bottom of how everyone is feeling about the coming holiday

ADDED December 10, 2009

 

 

Length:  Fifteen minutes, give or take.

Parental Involvement:   Explain the concept -- help with reading where necessary.  Share your own thoughts about the holidays.

Kids Should Be Able to:   Reflect a bit on their preferences.  This activity is probably best for five-year-olds and up. 

Earlier in the week we created a free, downloadable PDF to augment your family's holiday-light-viewing experience.  (The post I'm talking about is here, by the way.)

That suggestion -- which seems to have received a nice response -- was all about what the kids thought about holiday lights and decorations in your neighborhood.

Today we'd like to provide you with one more holiday-themed questionnaire.  This one is more focused on your kids -- their holiday favorites and preferences.

What is your child's favorite holiday character?  Santa?  Frosty?  Rudolph?  (I personally am rather partial to the 'Snow Miser,' if you're familiar with that old kids' movie.)

What is your kid's favorite holiday food?  How about a favorite decoration?  Favorite song?

We think you should download this free PDF, too.  Print it out and spend some time this weekend discussing your children's holiday thoughts and preferences.  It will be a nice weekend, Christmas-is-really-coming activity.  (We also think you should share your favorites with your kids, too.)

And Christmas is really coming!  Only two more weeks now, people!  I sincerely hope my name is on Santa's "Nice" list.

 

(Many thanks to Tara Kelly Photography for the insanely -- and I do mean insanely -- cute winter smile photo above!)

Kid Holiday Card

A fun and easy way to reach out and touch some people

ADDED December 09, 2009

This one is kind of a no brainer, I have to admit.  But with all the holiday cards flying through the mail at the moment, maybe your kids should get in on the action?

Holiday cards are yet another way people check in with each other and wish friends well.  Isn't that something your kids might like to start doing?

We think this activity should have a few, clear steps:

(1)  Just like their parents, kids should make a list of people to receive the cards.

This list should be on the short side, probably, because making and mailing more than a handful of cards can get to be quite a bit of work.

We think that the best recipients are grandparents (who can be counted on to appreciate both some attention and some fine kid artwork) and the kids' close friends.

(As an aside, my three-year-old has lately been refusing to give me any of his artwork for me to keep or hang up.  He insists on mailing or giving his masterpieces to one or another of his young buddies.)

(2)  Once the list has been compiled (and perhaps approved by a parent), it's time for the kids to make holiday cards.

Of course, you guys could run out and buy some -- but why?  Isn't one-of-a-kind art more special?

The cards could be drawn with crayons or cut from construction paper.  It might be a good idea -- I would think -- for the kids to represent some holiday-type stuff on their cards, but really, it's up to them.

(3)  Find suitable envelopes to mail the art.  I've found that slightly-larger-than-normal envelopes are a good way to go. 

The kids might not be able to address the envelopes, but they certainly can add some more art and decorations.

(4)  Finally, mail them out!  It'd be best if the kids could accompany you to the post office -- if you can swing it.  They should be the ones to put their cards into the mailbox, so that they have a final physical connection with the activity.

If you'd like to mail us a holiday card, well, our address is  Today Is Fun, PO Box 643, Santa Monica, CA 90401.  We appreciate cards.

(And we appreciate edenpictures for the photo above of holiday card admiring.)

Holiday Decoration Inspection Report

How many Santas did you see? Did you wear a hat?

ADDED December 08, 2009

 

 

Length:  Amount of time can vary.  We do about half an hour to forty-five minutes in the car, fifteen minutes of filling out paperwork afterwards.

Parental Involvement:   Explain the concept -- encourage careful observation.

Kids Should Be Able to:  Enjoy holiday decorations.  Do some counting.  Express themselves a bit.

 

 

The holiday season is here, as you may have noticed.  You certainly can't walk into any store without seeing decorations or hearing holiday tunes.  You might have noticed some lights on the houses around your neighborhood.  In fact, you may even have put some decorations out yourself.

We say: great.  Kudos to all.  It is indeed a special time of year, and we like to see people celebrating.

One thing my wife and I do with our kids during this time is bundle them into the car half an hour before bed and drive around to admire all the nearby holiday decorations.  My kids (aged three and five) never tire of inspecting each different home's holiday efforts.  They love to see all the variations on the holiday theme and all the possibilities that decorations can offer.

If you do this kind of evening drive-around, too, we've created today a helpful questionnaire to augment the fun.  We call this the "Holiday Decoration Inspection Report" -- it sounds nice and official, we think.

The questionnaire asks questions related to a holiday decoration tour.  How many Santas did you see?  How many snowmen?  What was your favorite decorated house?  Did you wear a hat?  And so on.

 

 

Download it (for free, naturally) by clicking here.

These questions will get the kids thinking, counting, and evaluating their experience.  You may want to show the kids the form *before* you get in the car, to get them thinking along these lines.  And of course, no one is obligated to answer all of the questions!  And there are no right answers!  Of course!

And if anyone ask you to evaluate your experience visiting popular parenting blog Today is Fun, well, we hope you're full of holiday generosity!

(Many thanks and holiday warm wishes to Chase N. for the use of the photo above!)

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)!

Ten Thanksgiving Tips For Families With Kids

A round-up of our top, gratitude-filled Thanksgiving ideas

ADDED November 26, 2009

 

 

1.  Try not to overeat. (I usually fail at this one.)

2.  Smile.  Even if you're not overly happy at dinner -- sometimes family gatherings can be hard -- smile anyway.  It might just help you feel better.

3.  Tell some Thanksgiving jokes to the kids.

4.  Need to kill some time with the kids before the big gathering?  Take a walk together and make a simple leaf sculpture.

5.  To explain the concept of Thanksgiving to young kids, use the word "lucky."  More about that here.

6.  If you've got some paper and crayons on hand, your kids could make "Thanksgiving Travel Maps" for each of the evening's attendees.  It's fun for the kids--and helps the kids connect with each adult.

7.  Are you hosting dinner?  Have you guys made place cards for the guests?  You could turn it into a fun and very positive game.  "Guess Your Seat" place cards.

8.  If the kids have a lot of energy -- well, you might want to get some of that energy out before dinner.  Play a quick round of Thankfulness Tag.

9  Out of activities and need something to occupy the kids immediately?  Well, have them make you a Thanksgiving surprise!

10.  Have a festive, safe, and very happy Thanksgiving!

 

(Thanks to eraphernalia_vintage for the most excellent thankful photo!)
 

Thanksgiving Adverbs

Exactly how grateful is your family, anyway?

ADDED November 25, 2009

 

Length:  A few minutes.

Parental Involvement:   Explain the concept of adverbs -- think up some with your kids.

Kids Should Be Able to:  Think and use words.

 
Here at Today is Fun, we do love kids to have fun each and every day, but we also try to sneak some learning into every activity.  Today we'd like to sneak some learning into Thanksgiving.

Today we'd like to discuss the concept of adverbs.  Do your kids know what those are? 

Adverbs are words that describe how an action is done. 

How do we look forward to Thanksgiving dinner?  Eagerly.  How do we cook for
Thanksgiving dinner?  Busily. 

(Most adverbs, you can tell our kids, end in -ly.  But not all.)

Adverbs also can "add more meaning" to other words.  For instance, if you and your kids are feeling grateful this Thanksgiving, an adverb or two would help you guys express exactly how you're feeling grateful.  Here's an example:  I am seriously and incredibly grateful for the existence of my beautiful wife and family. 

So this Thanksgiving, try to work in some adverbs.  Have you and your kids discussed things about which they're grateful?  We hope so!  But now, it's time to add the "how" they feel grateful.  Sit down with them and ask how they feel grateful about those things. 

Does a kid in your house feel very grateful?  Very is an adverb!

Really grateful?  Adverb!

Super duper grateful?  Yes, technically an adverb, too.

If your kids are seeming to grasp this concept of adverbs, you guys could sit down and try to think up all the adverbs you can.  Hungrily?  Solemnly?  Exactly?  Of the adverbs, you guys listed, which can apply to Thanksgiving and feeling grateful?

We are insanely crazily appreciative that you (even occasionally) visit and read our blog, Today is Fun.  We hope you are incredibly, pleasantly capable of taking our ideas and making them into fun, real world activities for your family!

Happy (early) Thanksgiving, people!

(We'd like to express our gratitude -- sincerely -- to xybermatthew for the turkey dinner photo above.)

Thanksgiving Travel Maps

A beautiful drawing to show how everyone arrived

ADDED November 24, 2009

 

 

Length:  Fifteen to thirty minutes.

Parental Involvement:   Discuss travel, help with actual distances the kids where needed.

Kids Should Be Able to:  Draw and imagine.

 

Thanksgiving is our nation's biggest travel day, as you probably know.  While the roads and airports might get a little clogged at times, you have to admit it's nice for people to get out and see friends and family.

If people are coming to your house this Thursday -- or if you're going to someone else's house, that just might make for a fun activity for your kids.

Get out some paper and crayons, and have your kids make a map or two of everyone's journey.  Grandma's coming in from Riverside?  Aunt Jolene is driving in from the next city over?  Bobby and his girlfriend are visiting from college?  Have your kids draw a rough sketch of each person's journey.  The maps don't need to be particularly accurate or at all to scale.  Any correct details that can be included -- such as rough locations or landmarks like oceans and rivers -- would be great to include.

In our house, the kids made the journey a bit more exciting.  They added sea monsters and volcanoes.  That's okay by me, too.  A little imagination never hurt.

The kids can show all the guests their work.  We hope that all the attendees might be a bit flattered by the thought that was put into them and their journeys.  Each guest can describe the journey they took and add details for future maps.  And they can also admire any sea monsters or volcanoes that they completely missed while they were on the road.

Guess Your Seat

The hints will help!

ADDED November 19, 2009

Today's craft is a special way for your kids announce how thankful they are for each person around the Thanksgiving table.  All you will need for the craft are a few pieces of Fall-colored construction paper (red, brown or yellow will work nicely), a pen, and maybe some Thanksgiving stickers if you want to be fancy. 

Here is what you do.  First, fold the 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper into quarters and cut. You now should have four small pieces of paper, fold each of these in half so you have a little name plate.

Next, have your kids put their thankfulness caps on and -- as a family -- think of why you are thankful for each of your guests.  The reasons can be serious ("We are thankful for your wisdom") or a little bit silly ("We are thankful for your brownies.")  Write a reason on each card and have the kids distribute them to the places.  Just make sure your guests have fun trying to find their seats, and I am sure this will be a memorable way to start the special meal.

Have fun -- and I know Steve is not a fan of name cards at the table telling you were to sit (if you are not sure of his position on the subject here is the post).  But I am really hopeful he will like this.

 

Kids Choice

Everybody is thankful, really

ADDED November 18, 2009

Part of the fun of Thanksgiving is the meal, and part of the fun of the meal is anticipating it.  Most of the time, however, kids are not consulted when the Thanksgiving menu is being put together.  Today we have the solution: a fun activity that you and your kids can do together that will make Thanksgiving even more special for everybody involved.

Here is what you will need for today's activity: a cookbook (and don't automatically go to one of those kid friendly cook books that are filled with recipes featuring twenty-seven toppings for graham crackers)  -- try a cookbook that has a little more depth.  We have a cookbook in our house called "How to Cook Everything;" it really is true to its name and it's just perfect for today's activity.

Give your kids each a post-it note on which to write their names and tell them, "We want your help. I want you to choose something that we can make together for Thanksgiving."

From there, depending your kids' ages, talk to them about what they want to eat at the special meal.  Spend some time thumbing through the cookbook and talking about what they think might be good addition.  (I always try to steer my kids towards vegetable dishes.)  The key to this activity is spending some time together planning and cooking.  We usually make the kids choose well before Thanksgiving because Thanksgiving day can be a little stressful . . .  and we want the activity to be fun.

So what did my kids select this year?  What did they choose to add to the meal?  Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies and Pear Scones.  Here is a picture of the Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies -- the Pear Scones have not been made yet.  I'll upload a picture when those are done. 

If your kid asks for grilled cheese sandwiches or something along those lines, even that could work just fine.  Fry up a few sandwiches, cut off the crusts, cut into triangles, top with toothpicks and serve them as an appetizer.  Imagine how cute your child's smile will be carrying a small plate of grilled cheese sandwiches that they made and offering them to your family as an appetizer!

Not every aspect of Thanksgiving has to be traditional!  As long as it's positive, pleasant, and full of thanks!  (And thanks for reading this, by the way.)  Don't forget to use the comment section to everybody know what your kids want to add to the meal this year!

Hide the Thankfulness

But make it easy to find!

ADDED November 16, 2009

Thanksgiving is coming, and TIF is your go-to source for daily Thanksgiving activities every day over the next two weeks.

We all know that the best part of Thanksgiving is in the name -- it's about being thankful.  For today's activity, you will need some pens, sticky notes and thankfulness-thinking caps.

Here is the idea:  we are all thankful for those around us.  However, sometimes we get a little lazy when it comes to telling them how exactly they make us feel thankful.  So with your pens and sticky notes ready, have your kids brainstorm a few specific things for which they are grateful for each person.  For a favorite aunt, things could come to mind such as tickles, lunch, reading, smiles, helping and even bike riding.  Then turn these things that your kids are thankful for into little notes.  For example, " I am thankful for Dad's tickles" or "I am thankful for Mom's hugs".  Once the notes are complete, you will need to move to phase two of the activity:  hiding the notes.  Have your kids hide the notes around the house so that in a day or a week the person that the note was written for will find it.  If you are going to a grandparent's house for Thanksgiving, don't forget to bring your notes for them;they will enjoy finding the notes in their medicine cabinet, on their pillow, or taped to the milk.

Have fun!  What are you thankful for? Use the comments section and let us know.

(Thanks to winterofdiscontent for the photo)

What about Thanksgiving?

In defense of that poor little holiday

ADDED November 09, 2009

 

 

Length:  A couple of minutes -- any time you see decorations.

Parental Involvement:   Explain the concept.  Feign outrage.

Kids Should Be Able to:  Spot Christmas decorations.  Enjoy the holiday season.

 

 

As we went about our business this past weekend, my family was surprised to see Christmas decorations everywhere we went, and in great quantities.  It seems no sooner do the Halloween decorations go down than the Christmas ones go up!

The little town where we live has tinsel candy canes attached to every streetlight.  The pharmacy has a whole gigantic Holiday section right near the cash registers, full of decorations, knick knacks, and gift items.  The nearby mall, of course, has all its halls fully decked, and every mannequin there sports a Santa hat.

We love Christmas and the holiday season.  And we understand and respect that merchants are trying to get people in a holiday shopping spree kind of mode.  But...

What about Thanksgiving, people?  Have we all forgot about that holiday?  Shouldn't Thanksgiving get its due, too?

In the coming weeks, we'll have some Thanksgiving activities and crafts here for you to do with your family, but for today, we would just like to encourage your kids to be on the look-out for Christmas decorations.  While we want you all to enjoy those decorations, we want you to remember poor, sometimes seemingly forgotten Thanksgiving.  Every time you or your kids spot some Christmas stuff, you guys should say out loud, "What about Thanksgiving?  Thanksgiving comes first!"

When I did this with my kids this past weekend, it was a big hit, I must say.  My 5-year-old and even my 3-year-old remember Thanksgiving day and remember it as an important family holiday.  Both kids really enjoyed my mock outrage at seeing so many Christmas decorations, and they felt quite inspired to find them and point them out to me.  It became a very fun, very absorbing activity for us all.

"Christmas?!  What about Thanksgiving?  It comes before Christmas!"

So this week, and in the weeks that follow, please don't forget Thanksgiving.  Encourage your family to become Thanksgiving enforcers and rememberers, too!

(Thank you to Joe Shlabotnik for the photo of the, um, not-Thanksgiving decoration.)

Add Some Words To My Story

Just a few words will make a big, fun difference!

ADDED November 03, 2009

Next time you need a quick activity that's certain to get your kids riled up, try to add some words to the story.  You can play anywhere and with any age kids.   Try it -- you'll like it.

Here is how you play:   the first person starts the story with a brief sentence.  After that, it is up to the other players to add some words to create a truly unique and fantastically hilarious story.  For example, a story could start like this, "I was eating a frozen yougurt..." The second player can add the word "when."  Then the next player adds "a talking dog asked if he could get a lick."  See?  Hilarious and imaginative!  This game is a great way to add to your kids' vocabulary and have a silly time while doing it.

Here are a few starter sentences to get your kids going:
 

Next time you are looking for some powerful vocabulary-building hilarity, add some words to the story!

thanks to arjanvandergaag for the photo!

 

Oct, Nov, Dec Holiday Memories

An activity every month . . . and some handsome art to boot

ADDED November 02, 2009

There are a lot of holidays coming up, and we have a perfect post-holiday activity for each one.  After every holiday, have your kids draw a picture of a special memory that they made of the day.  Halloween just ended so if you have a few minutes that need to be filled today or later this week, grab a pad of paper, review with your kids a few of the events that happened on Saturday (getting free candy was popular at my house), and then set them free to draw.  Anything special is fair game, and the more detailed the better.

It's a fun way to relive the day's events and a perfect way to spend some time today.  Then, one day down the road when your child comes home from college with their sweetheart, you will have a collection of art from 2009 to embarrass them with (along with some tasteful bathtime photos.)

 

Happy Halloween Round-Up

From your friends at Today Is Fun

ADDED October 30, 2009

 

Well, the big day is almost here.  It's tomorrow, in fact.  We hope that you've survived the run-up and that the rest of the holiday goes smoothly, too. 

My family is off to a Halloween pageant at school.  While we're gone, here is a round-up of our many fabulous Halloween suggestions . . .

The ever-popular (and really quite spooky) Haunted Egg.

Practice and warm-ups for little monsters.  (This one would be fun at Halloween parties.  It would also come in handy if the young monsters are antsy and anxious -- and impatient -- to get trick-or-treating.)

Halloween Words.  Think up a Halloween word for each letter in the alphabet.  This also might help your kids during a wait.  And it requires some use of brains, too.

Halloween Costume Design.  Have your kids invent outlandish costumes for friends and relatives.  A drawing activity.  And here's another fun pastime with paper and pens.  A little tracing will bring about some exciting monstrous results. 

A Halloween "prank" appropriate for younger kids.  If you have ten free minutes to do some preparation, this one is quite worth the time.  Fun for the whole family!

A little last minute decorating, perhaps?  Here we suggest your kids create monsters using . . . your furniture.

Finally, here's a cute and charming Halloween book to read with your kids.  And another beautifully illustrated Halloween book that teaches some Spanish along the way.

Please have a fun, happy, and safe Halloween.  Oh, and if your kids wind up with any extra candy, feel free to drop it in the mail to me!

(Wait.  On second thought, please email me your address so we can send you all the extra candy we wind up with here!)

Happy Halloween.


(And thanks to Lorri37 for the Halloween photo above!)


 

The Return of the Haunted Egg

One of our most popular (and most spooky) suggestions

ADDED October 29, 2009

 

 

Today we would like to re-acquaint you with one of our most popular Halloween suggestions of all time.  It's a food item called the Haunted Egg.

(Who wouldn't get hungry hearing the term "haunted egg?")

Our Haunted Egg was created specifically for Today Is Fun by a professional chef.  It's not just good, clean, scary fun for your kids -- it's also nutritious!

The Haunted Egg is also quick and easy to prepare.

(Am I doing a good sales job here?)

Click here to read our post about the Haunted Egg.

And no, this next idea is not original, but we would just like to remind everyone that kids enjoy spiders in their ice cubes.  We made some recently, and it was a big hit.  (We used those seemingly ubiquitous spider rings that crop up this time of year.)

With some Haunted Eggs and some spiders in beverages, your family is sure to have an appropriately spooky-delicious dinner!

Halloween Practice

How honed are your kids' Halloween skills?

ADDED October 28, 2009

 

 

Length:  Ten to fifteen minutes.

Parental Involvement:   "Interview" your kids about Halloween creatures.

Kids Should Be Able to:  Use their imagination and bodies.  Be silly.  Enjoy Halloween.

As you may possibly have heard, Halloween is coming.  It's this Saturday, in fact.

Are your kids ready?

We're not asking whether your kids' costumes are made, and we're not wondering if their trick-or-treating plans are made.  Actually, we're wondering more about their Halloween abilities.  How ready are your kids' Halloween skills?

Can your kids growl like a werewolf?

Can they make a face like a witch?

Can they do a zombie walk?

There's only one way to learn the answers to these questions: ask your kids.  Have them try.

Today, we'd like you to "interview" your kids about Halloween.  There are no right and wrong answers, but rather many opportunites for fun and creativity.  (And yes, perhaps a little silliness.)

For any given Halloween creature, your kids could make (1) a noise, (2) a face, and (3) some movement.

Explain that to your kids, and have them start acting Halloween-ish.

Can your kids laugh like a vampire?

Can they make a monster face?

Can they flap their wings like a bat?

Use our "Halloween words" print out or link if you want ideas with which to prompt your kids.

But beware!  Your kids might start testing *your* Halloween skills.  Now that might sound a little bit scary!

Halloween Words

Very scary letters!

ADDED October 27, 2009

 

 

Length:  A short while.  15 minutes or so.

Parental Involvement:  Explain the idea, and help think of words. 

Kids Should Be Able to:  Spell a bit, or at least figure out first letters of words.  Enjoy Halloween!

 

If you've read this blog for a little while, you know that we don't just want kids to have fun, we want them to get their brains in gear, too.

Halloween is plenty of fun for kids, of course.  So it's easy to use this exciting holiday as a starting place for some thinking and learning...

You're probably familiar with "go-through-the-alphabet" games.  We've even suggested a few in the past.  With this kind of game, you choose a category and then go through the alphabet trying to find an appropriate word for each letter.

In honor of the coming holiday, we'd like you guys to spend some time thinking up some spooky, eerie, and even some downright scary words.  Today, we'd like you guys to think up a "Halloween word" for each letter in the alphabet.

This is harder than it sounds, even for children who love Halloween as much as mine do.  For instance, can you guys think of a good Halloween word for the letter "A?"

(This book, Z is for Zombie, suggests "alien" for A, and I think that's, eh, fine.  Half credit.  Another book, Halloween ABC suggests "apple," and I don't know if it even gets a point for that one.  Am I being too harsh?)

Some letters are pretty easy.  Think bat for B and 'creepy' for C.

Because we want you to have fun -- and not ever get annoyed with us in the process -- we've included some "answers."  Here's what we've thought up for each letter.  Click here to view in your browser or here to download.

(We think our answer for 'A' is pretty darn good.  Better than 'alien,' thank you kindly.)

But before you check out the answers, please think of your own responses first.  And award yourself one full Today Is Fun point for each answer you get that matches one of ours.  And give yourself two Today Is Fun points for your answers that we didn't think of.  (And email or comment, please, to let us know what we missed.  We care about this stuff!)

A Halloween Prank for Kids: I See A Real Ghost

And it's a baby

ADDED October 23, 2009

Today we have a fun Halloween prank that is sure to get your kids talking.  We don't really like to "trick" kids -- here at TIF, we think tricks and pranks are too often mean -- but for this, we will make an exception.  The trick part is mostly fun and not scary.

First, you need to make a ghost out of a napkin.  You'll need one paper napkin, a small piece of yarn or thread and a magic marker. 

This trick requires a rather diminuitive ghost, not a big one.  So tear the napkin into quarters, four roughly square shapes.  Roll one of the napkin pieces into a ball and place it in the center of another one.  Wrap this second one around the ball, twisting to form a head for the ghost.  Some yarn under the "head," add a face with the magic done, and you are done.  It's very easy, and you have created a standard-issue napkin ghost.  (Well, a standard-issue baby napkin ghost.)

Your ghost should be about this big for the trick to work.

Once you have your mini-ghost made, it is time for the trick to start.  Grab a few inches of thread  and tie one end around the baby ghost's head.  Tie the other end to your kid's toothbrush, fork, or anything that your kids pick up.  When the mini-ghost is attached, hide it so it is out of view.  When your kid picks up the fork or toothbrush, everyone will be astounded and delighted by the sudden appearance of the floating baby ghost!  A hilarious and spooky trick all in one! 

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is our kind of Halloween prank!  We hope you all enjoy it.

 

This place is haunted

And that chair is looking at me

ADDED October 22, 2009

A few weeks ago, we told you about a great activity to do with your kids in which you guys find faces in the everyday objects around you.  If you missed the post, here is the link (we think its great).  Since Halloween is coming, we are taking this activity one step further and encourage your kids to make their own spooky-faced objects. What could be more spooky than all the furniture in your house looking right back at you?  Here are the simple instructions.

Gather some construction paper, tape, pens, and scissors. Have everybody gather all of their imagination to envision faces on everything in your house.  Then set your kids free to create bloodshot eyes to put on the piano, razor-sharp teeth for the side of the tub, or happy jack o' lantern eyes for the kitchen garbage pail.  Finally, tape the eyes, teeth and noses on anything that needs to be gussied up for Halloween.

Have a great time, and don't worry the furniture won't really bite.

 

 

 

The shape of Halloween

Is a spoon

ADDED October 21, 2009

 

Length:  Half an hour or so.

Parental Involvement:  Help the kids find objects to trace.  Help with tracing where necessary.

Kids Should Be Able to:  Trace a bit.  Think up imaginative Halloween stuff using the traced shapes as a starting place.

 

 

Most crafts we do here do not require technically advanced pens, fancy paper from France, or an art degree.  In fact, we always try to use what you have on hand to create something new and awesome.  We know that some of the best home craft ideas come from using things you already have and just re-purposing them.  And that's where the idea for this craft came from.  We call it "The Shape of Halloween."  We guarantee your kids will look at everything in your house differently once you have finished with this one...

Here is what you do:  first, spend a few minutes looking for interesting objects around the house that your kids can trace.  These objects can be of any size really, but to make it easy (and avoid somebody trying to trace the dog), the chosen objects need to easily fit on a piece of paper.  Here is what we chose.

 

Second, have your kids trace the things you found around the house.

Third, use the interesting items you traced as inspiration to create some unique Halloween characters.  Make ghosts, skeletons, bats and scary jack o' lanterns and . . . an evil duck? Anything is fair game, and here is our finished art. Can your kids find the shapes we traced to make these haunted pictures?  When the art is done, create a mini-art gallery on the refrigerator for all to see.  That is, if they dare!

 

 

You Can't Beat the Red, White, and Blue

An easy and fun Fourth of July activity

ADDED July 01, 2009

 

This one is so easy and so much of a "no-brainer" that we hope you don't angrily storm off or demand your money back.

But sometimes, a simple concept is good!  And how's this for simplicity:  you give your kids some red, white, and blue construction paper and ask them to create a Fourth of July decoration.  Have them cut shapes out with scissors.  Have some glue handy, too.

That's it!  That's all you need to do for this one.

The underlying idea here is that red, white, and blue are America's colors.  If your kids make a decoration with those three colors, it is bound to be patriotic and festive.  You can't really beat red, white and blue!

Here are some quick variations:

 

This easy activity well get everyone into the Fourth of July spirit.  Naturally, we recommend you hang up all the created decorations before the big day.

Oh, I suppose there is one design with red, white and blue that would look a bit wrong for the Fourth of July.

Happy 233rd Birthday, America!

Eight little, last-minute, and lovely ways to celebrate Dad

Treat him like a king.

ADDED June 19, 2009

 

 

1) Baked goods.  There is an old saying that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and as a guy, I will testify that this statement is true. Those organs are definitely conjoined.

So for Father's Day, make his favorite cookie or pie.  Homemade treats always taste best because of all the love that gets put in them.  Also, if you are making me cookies, chocolate chip and snickerdoodle are my favorites. (For pies I am an equal opportunity eater, but I have been seeing some nice peaches lately.)

2) Matched with the Mentor.  When you are a kid, it is fun to match clothes with your best friend.  For Father's Day, help the kids find outfits that matches Dad's clothes.  (A bit goofy, perhaps, but also kind of funny.  And celebratory!)

3) Complimentary Compliments.  Have the kids say ten nice, different things to their Dad through out the day.  "Corny" is okay.  "Forced" is not.
         
4) Chore Helpers.  This weekend, have the kids accompany their father as he does his chores.  The kids don't have to actually do the chores, but they should just keep the man of the house company.  If they can express some appreciation for his doing these chores, all the better. 

5) King of the Castle.  The kids should ask Dad frequently if they can get him a drink or snack.  Usually he'll say no, but he's guaranteed to be pleased -- and amused -- by the offer.

6) Plate Plus. Tape a complimentary note to the bottom of his dinner plate.  When dinner's over, tell Dad to flip over his plate for a special surprise.  (But re-assure him that the note is not in lieu of an actual dessert.  See item #1 on this list!)

7)  Five Star Bedtime.  If the kids are familiar with this concept, have them do "turn down" service with the covers on his bed. (And in finer hotels, might I remind you, that service includes a chocolate treat on his pillow.)

8)  Gratitude.  Everybody in the house should remember to thank their Dad for being a great Dad.

Happy Father's Day!

 

Thanks to cheeserocfor the photo!

Dress Up For Dad

An unexpected but nice thing to do

ADDED June 18, 2009

 

 

We admit it:  we're all about the biggest result for the least effort and expenditure.    Here's a super easy to way to celebrate Dad this weekend, and one that is sure to be appreciated:  dress up for him!

If the Dad in your house has mentioned having some favorite clothes on the kids, have them wear those this Father's Day.  The same goes for you:  wear clothes that he's admired you in before.

Of course, there's no reason to go overboard and get too fancy.  At the same time, Dads aren't known for noticing subtleties.  If you choose to go this route, makes sure you and the kids are dressed noticeably differently than usual.  We don't want your efforts to be accidentally overlooked!

And here's one more suggestion:  have your family wear clothes representing his favorite sports team.  This is the type of clothing choice that is sure to get a reaction!  Won't he be surprised to see his loved ones all decked out and sporting clothes honoring his favorite sports team?  Lakers any one?

We'll have some more quick Father's Day ideas for you tomorrow.  (They're simple and fun, so they'll help you out if you're getting around to this holiday in a last minute fashion.)

Up with Dad!

The Meaning of Memorial Day

A special American holiday, no matter what age you are

ADDED May 25, 2009

 

 

Happy Memorial Day, everybody!

We think that the meaning of Memorial Day might be a bit difficult for younger kids to grasp.  So this is how we suggest you explain it:  on Memorial Day, we take a moment to remember all the soldiers who have kept America safe and free.

If you haven't talked to your kids about freedom before, you can do so by explaining that in many other countries and in the past, people couldn't live their lives the way they wanted.  In the days of kings long ago -- and in parts of Europe more recently, ordinary people couldn't do whatever they wanted.  People would have to get permission to have a certain job, for instance, or to take a trip, or even sometimes in what house they wanted to live.  America doesn't have a perfect record, of course, but it has always been one of the most free places on earth.  Liberty is one of America's foremost values, and we are all lucky to live here.  We are grateful to the men and women who have given their service to keep America safe and free.

Have a great day!

 

(And thank you to respres for the boy saluting flag image!)

Breakfast Power Nest

A fun way to get baby birds (well, your kids) flying!

ADDED April 08, 2009

We have a list of healthy snacks on the outside of our fridge.  When I wrote the list down for my kids, I decided to forgo the word "healthy" and instead used the word "power."   (My kids really like anything with the word "power" in it)

As it turns out, my beautiful wife uses the fridge quite a bit.  Seeing the list the kids and I put there, she decided to create something we call the "Breakfast Power Nest."  This entree is healthy and provides a powerful start to the day.  It's also perfect for Easter breakfast, by the way.

You will need a whole grain waffle, a cup of yogurt, some almonds and some blueberries.  Use the whole grain waffle for the bottom of the nest. Next, top it with yogurt and then sprinkle with a few almonds and finally blueberries.  The power nest is complete and ready to eat.

A big part of a parent's job is encouraging your kids to be health.  A cool name like Breakfast Power Nest might just be all the encouragement your little ones need to eat a great breakfast.  

Breakfast is served.  Power up, people!  And let me know if you want to see the "power" list INFO@TODAYISFUN.COM.

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!)

Red Hearts

It's like musical chairs . . . but more fun!

ADDED February 13, 2009

 

Here is a fun and rowdy game you can play today.  All you need is some red construction paper, scissors, and kids.
 
First have everyone cut out a heart and write their name on it.  Then place the hearts around the room.  Next, have everyone hold hands.  Finally -- and this might be the most important part of the game -- play some Valentine's music (we like Dean Martin or Frank Sinatara).   As the music plays, everyone should rotate in a circle. Then, when the music stops, everybody needs to run and grab a heart.  Read the person's name on the heart and give that person a hug!

Then spread out the hearts again and repeat!

This is the perfect game to play outside: with a large group or with your extended family (grandparents love hugs).  And if your kids don't want to give hugs, then just have them say "Happy Valentine's Day!"
 
Oh, and I just found a heart with my Beautiful Wife's name on it.  I think I'll go get my hug right now!  Have fun.

 

Thanks to tekmagika for the photo

 

Valentine's food

Setting your table with love

ADDED February 12, 2009

Today we have a guest blogger, and it's Dawn, my beautiful wife.  She always makes snack- and mealtimes special when there is a holiday to be celebrated, and Valentine's Day is one of her favorites. 

 

 

 

In our house, we love all holidays and so do the kids!  It's always fun to celebrate.  One way that we try to make these days special is with food.
 
Here are a few Valentine's-themed food ideas that you can try on your little ones:
 
When lunch time rolls around, instead of the same-old same-old, serve up some love on a plate.   Use the colors of the holiday for inspiration.  So for Valentine's Day:  red, pink, and white.  There are many fruits that will work nicely: strawberries, raspberries, red grapes, and banana, just to name a few.  And there are plenty of great vegetables, too: beets, jicama, red radishes, tomatoes.
 
Next, make hearts out of as many food items as you can.  If you don't have a heart cookie cutter, use a knife.  (However, cookie cutters can be found easily and are truly inexpensive.  I think it'd make a wise investment that can liven up any day!  They come in different sizes which is fun, too!)  You can make a heart-shaped sandwich or heart-shaped piece of cheese or meat to top a cracker.  I have a small heart cutter that works wonders on vegetables and fruits. Really, the possibilities are endless. 

 

With a little imagination you can create a love feast too!  Happy Valentine's Day!

Halloween Words from Today Is Fun

Here are all the ones we could think of

 

A

afraid

B

banshee, bat, boo, boogeyman, broomstick

C

cackle, candy, cat, cauldron, cobwebs, costume, creepy

D

dark, decoration, Dracula

E

eek, eerie

F

foul, frightening, Frankenstein

G

gasp!, ghost, ghoul, goblin, grave

H

Halloween, haunted house, headless horseman, howl

I

[We don't have any for this letter.  Do you?]

J

jack-o'-lantern

K

[Nothing.  Sorry.  "Kind of scary" doesn't count.]

L

[Embarrassingly, as hard as we tried, we couldn't think of any for this one, either.]

M

moon, monster, mummy

N

nervous, night, nightmare

O

ooze

P

phantom, pumkin

Q

Qwok.  [Actually, we have nothing.  'Qwok' is what a 5-year-old came up with for this one, and it's as good as any...]

R

rat, raven, R.I.P.

S

scarecrow, scary, skeleton, sneak, spider, spooky

T

trick or treat, tomb

U

ugly, unappetizing [Not great, we admit.]

V

vampire

W

web, werewolf, witch

X

[Do you have any for this one?  We don't.]

Y

yikes, yucky

Z

zoinks, zombie

 

Thanks to DeusXFlorida and to madmolecule for the spooky holiday photos!