Fun With Your Kid's Own Name

Children are endlessly fascinated by their own names

ADDED March 18, 2010

 

 

Crazy Big Memory

Who wouldn't want a crazy, big memory, really?

ADDED March 03, 2010

 

The Crazy Handshake

Use crazy to teach correct!

ADDED March 01, 2010

Ice Dancing

No ice required

ADDED February 24, 2010

As you know, we have been involved in the Winter Olympics.  We've been cheering, strategizing, and and crying along with the athletes.  All the while, we've been "trying" many of the sports in our living room and yard.  Curling has grabbed our imagination, along with snowboarding and speed skating.  But ice dancing has really proved to be the most popular, fun, and inspiring.

To re-create some ice dancing in your home, your kids need to be wearing some of these "skates."

 

Then they will need some "ice." . . .

Say Anything!

As long as it's a thing, that is!

ADDED February 18, 2010

 

 

You Are Here

Right Here and Right Now!

ADDED February 17, 2010

 

 

Mental Inventory

Tabulating is fun!

ADDED February 01, 2010

 

Today we are proud to present one of my kids' all-time favorite activities.  I'm not exactly sure why this one excites them so, but it does.

 

For today's activity, your kids are going to help you make a mental inventory.  You guys can choose to mentally inventory all the kids' toys--or just certain ones.  For instance, my boys have a bunch of action figures called Playmobil.  For this activity, we sat down at the kitchen table -- away from the actual toys -- and made a list of every item of Playmobil they own.

 

I got out a pencil and a blank piece of paper.  I asked my kids to name everything in their "Playmobil bin."  Everything means everything, no matter how big or how small.

 

For truly exciting results, it's important to pursue details.. . .

Quarter Battle

A new classic game

ADDED January 11, 2010

 

I really made this game up the other day.  I am sure someone else in this world has thought up something similar, told all their friends about it, and will now accuse me of plagiarism.  But as I said,"I really made this up the other day."  So I am going to share it here with you (I have a good intellectual property lawyer anyways.  Well, he's a friend and some sort of lawyer or another.)

All you need is an even number of quarters and two players.  I like quarters because they are big enough to hold easily and big enough to seem valuable.

Here is what you do:

First, one person chooses heads and the other chooses tails.  . . .

Mouth Rest

Talking without moving a muscle!

ADDED November 27, 2009

 

It's the day after Thanksgiving, and we hope everyone had a great time.

At more than a few dinner tables across America last night, somebody or other uttered the words, "I'm so full I can't move a muscle."  (I am certain that that got said at our table last night.)  Well, that's where the inspiration for today's activity comes from.

Today we'd like your kids to take a few moments and try to speak without moving a muscle.  A muscle on their face, that is.

Tell your kids to try talking without moving their lips. 

Give them some silly things to say.  Such as, "Up and down, all around.  Left and right, all day and night!"

Everyone should watch each other carefully.  Can you see lips moving?

(If your kids show some real talent at this exercise, you might want to encourage them to pursue a career in the exciting world of ventrilloqusim.)

Of course, it's fun to try the opposite, too.  Have your kids try talking with tons of mouth movements.  Tell them to really exaggerate their lips when speaking.  Do this one, of course, after you've all recovered from your big Thanksgiving dinner!

 

(Thank you to Mel B for the perfect cute photo!)

Very Simple Anagrams

Mix it up for fun!

ADDED November 12, 2009

 

 

Length:  Twenty minutes or so.

Parental Involvement:   Explain the concept.  Help mix around letters.

Kids Should Be Able to:  Spell simple words.  Use some creativity.

When you take a word and mix up the letters to make a new word, that is called an "anagram." 

For instance, if you take the letters in "Today Is Fun" and mix them up, you get "Untidy Sofa."  (Um, is that a good thing?)

Anagrams are a great "exercise" for kids' brains.  To make an anagram, kids have to look at a group of letters and see what possibilities exist for other, different words.

Kids who are just learning to spell don't have huge vocabularies, and can't necessarily find a lot of words from a given set of letters.  But anagrams can be fun, even for young spellers.  There is some magic for kids in seeing the same letters create different words.

For instance, let's take that old standby simple word, "cat."  Move a couple of letters around and . . . voilá, 'act.'  Another different, perfectly good word.

Can you and your kids come up with some anagrams of your own?  Keep them short and simple. 

Here are some we thought up:

 

ship (hips)
tub (but)
rat (tar)
bus (sub)
bats (stab)
dew (wed)
gust (tugs)
eat (ate or tea)
ten (net)
ton (not)
newt (went)
heart (Earth)
silent (listen)

 

You guys can also type a word into this website and get some anagrams.  Try your names, too!

We hope you all have some fun and get those brain muscles pumping.  We also hope you will keep coming back to visit your friends here at Untidy Sofa.
 

(Thanks very much to David Bleasdale for the letter jumble photo above!)

Personal Assistant

Everyone can use a hand

ADDED October 20, 2009

We all know that kids like to model what their parents do.  Children enjoy everything from yard work to taking out the trash because it resembles actions performed by Mom and Dad.  So tonight, spend a few hours with your young assistant and let them do everything with you.  Today's activity is about taking the moments in your day and using them for teaching and learning.

So let your kids help with whatever you are doing. Don't seek out kid-friendly activities -- just do what you normally do.  If you are a famous classical guitarist (we hear many read this blog), let your kids help you tune your guitar. If you are a businessman, let your kids help make a graph of projections for 2010.  If you don't have any specific "work" to do, make something up.  I know at my house we always have a light bulb to change, a cast iron pot to season, or a picture to hang.  My kids are great helpers with all of these things. They are good at holding tools, using a level, measuring flour, and even doing some electrical work (think changing batteries). 

 

In one hour

What time will it be?

ADDED October 08, 2009

Learning to tell time is hard.  Unlike the rest of the math kids learn, clocks are based not on tens and hundreds, but rather sixty.  There are sixty minutes in an hour.  Throw in AM and PM, digital and analog clocks, and kids can get easily confused.  Since we don't have six fingers, telling time can make for a tough time. (Ha! Tough time.)

So we have invented a game that can pass the time while learning about time.  You can play it just about anywhere, as long as a clock is handy.  I was able to ease my kids into telling time and get their curiosity reving all at the same time.  (Ha! Same time.)

First I started by asking my kids, "What time will it be in one hour?"  I tried to ask this question after 1 pm because it was easier for them to answer correctly.  If it was 1:15 pm, in an hour it would be 2:15 pm -- easy and fun.  Then I would try to challenge them by asking, "If it was 9:27 what time will it be in an hour?"  They became professionals in no time at all. (Ha! No time.)  As their time-telling skills improved, I would ask, "What time will it be in ten minutes?" or five minutes and even one minute.  

It was a good time for all (Ha! Good Time.)  And my kids can now tell time with the best of them (if you see one of my kids, please ask for the time).  I like to think their fine abilities are in part thanks to this simple activity.  Try it today if you have the time! (Ha! Have the time.) 

Is it time for this post to end? (Ha! Good times.)

 

Hide the fun

And guess away the day!

ADDED September 08, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grab three cups and a small toy.  Give them to your kids . . . and you have the makings of a whole bunch of entertainment.

We have all seen the cup and balls magic trick.   You know: the magician puts a ball under one of three cups, the audience tries to follow which cup the ball is under and never can (because it is magic).

Today we are not going to teach any magic -- we really don't know any -- but what we do know is how to entertain kids.  So set up the cups, hide the small toy, mix up the cups and let them guess where the toy is.

This activity is especially "magical" for younger kids (three and under), who will ask for many repetitions.  They can also exercise some coordination and motor control by trying to trick you with the ball and cups.  (Please, no wagering, people.)

Hidden fun is just a guess away. Have fun!

In Celebration of Labor Day

Good bye summer!

ADDED September 07, 2009

 

Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. While summer may be over,  the fun need not be done.  We have plenty more in store, so stay tuned.  And if you have not subscribed to our daily activities email, please do (you can do that here).

 

We have had a full summer of great activities that are educational, free and create special ways for you and your kids to spend time together.  If you are looking for something to do today or later this week, don't labor!  Instead, check out seven of our most recent, greatest hits and make today fun!

 

1. Emerge

A coloring activity that will make the fun come out. And come forth. And just generally emanate.

 

 

2. Bring Me The Alphabet!

A fun game for beginning spellers

 

 

3. Kid's Activity: The Family Handshake

Every family should have one!

 

4. Founding Fathers Tag

They gave us Independence, let's give them a game!

 

5. Five senses walk

A treat for them all

 

6. Paper Bag Monster Masks

Very easy and fun. If you don't get too scared.

 

7. Race Car Paper

Because your kids draw it, they get to rule the road

 

Have fun!

Tick Tock, The Internal Clock

This is either really interesting and helpful -- or it's just plain weird

ADDED September 02, 2009

 

Length:  Minutes on end.

Parental Involvement:  Explain the concep, test it out.  Maybe help with some timing, if need be.

Kids Should Be Able to:  Exercise some concentration and count to high double-digit numbers.

 

Okay, today's activity might be a little offbeat or nutty, but please bear with us!  It has some practical applications and benefits, we promise!

This one is better for older kids; we're thinking age seven and up.  This activity requires concentration and the ability to count to some relatively high double-digit numbers.

This activity also can help reduce noise and increase silence, if you ever find yourself wishing to experience either of those.  (A practical benefit, right?)

The idea here comes from a world-renowned physicist, Richard Feynman.  He discovered that whenever he timed himself as he silently counted to a certain number, his speed was consistent -- he was never more than a second or two off.

Here's the method.  We'll explain it to you, dear reader, and then you can put it in your own words for your children:

 

Next try to figure out a number that should take you a minute of counting.  You might need to try a couple of times.

If this all works -- and so that we seem less nutty here, we passionately hope it all does work -- you can use this trick in the future to help you entertain yourself (and your kids): 


Okay, tomorrow's post will not be in any way weird or all about tallying sheep when you can't fall asleep -- we promise!

More fun ideas for you and your kids are on the way tomorrow.  You can count on it!

(Thank you to woodleywonderworks and to dionhinchcliff for the timely photos above!)

Homemade binoculars

What will you see?

ADDED August 12, 2009

Quick craft today that will pair great with yesterdays activity.  Make some binoculars for your lunch on a lifeboat.  We are big fans of recycling and this craft accomplishes what we try and do everyday here at TIF, take something that is mundane, even useless and transform it into something entertaining, enchanting and educational.  What better way to help your kids spot pirates, sea monster or the dreaded land shark than with some binoculars?  Here is how it's done (if you need directions).

All you need is some tubes from T.P. or paper towels, rubber bands and string.  

Bind the tubes together using the rubber bands. Thread the string through so the binoculars can hang comfortably around your kids neck.  And use!

That is it! Simple, easy and makes use of something your would otherwise throw away.  Happy spying!

 

Lunch on a Lifeboat

Watch out for sharks!

ADDED August 11, 2009

I like the word "lifeboat."  It seems hopeful word; no matter how bad things get, a lifeboat can always save me.  And if you are seeking entertainment today for your kids, try this activity.   It just might save you.

 

Spread a blanket out on the floor and tell your kids that the blanket is a lifeboat.  Everything will have to be on the boat or it doesn't make the trip.  So they should get a book to read, a blanket, and anything else that will help them on their "voyage."   If your kids are anything like mine, the lifeboat will kind of full and sitting rather low in the water.

Here are a few fun activities you can use to make your lifeboat adventure fun:

Lunch on the Lifeboat:  Have the kids wait on their raft while you are making lunch and then "swim" their meal out to them when it is ready. Just make sure that the sharks don't eat your food!
Rest on the lifeboat:  Spread out the raft in your kids room during rest time (I don't expect too much actual resting to be done.)  Close the door and let the gentle ocean breezes float them off to dream land.
Sail the lifeboat to a far off land:  Have your kids ever flown anywhere in a plane? If they have, then why not pretend to sail there in your lifeboat?  If they have not flown anywhere, look at a map and pick an exotic destination.  (Land-locked countries could pose a challenge, I suppose.)

Whatever you choose to do, it is always fun to break up the routine.  And lunch on a lifeboat may be just that.  Have fun!

Thanks to gurms and admitone for the inspirational photos!

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!

Kid's Activity: The Family Handshake

Every family should have one!

ADDED June 17, 2009

For better or worse, kids innately love secrets. Well, at my house we have created a secret "family handshake."  (In olden times, secret handshakes were used to identify members of exclusive groups, but we just have fun with it.)

Our family's handshake changes quite often -- so much that sometimes I am not quite sure that I am still a member of the family. 

Now, I am not going to give away our secret family handshake here (unless you are family -- then send me an email.)  But here are a few hand moves you can combine to make up your very own secret family handshake:

First, start with a "normal" palm-to-palm handshake.  Like this.

After that, you can do a thumb-to-thumb shake.  Like this.

 

 

And then, on to a knuckle-to-palm shake. Like this.

 

 

Followed by a fist bump.  Like this.

 

 

Practice until you can repeat a pattern, then try adding some of these more advanced handshakes to increase the fun and secretiveness.

Try the Lion's Paw.  Making your hand into a claw, grab onto each other's wrists. It looks like this. 

Or the Floating Spider is a good one to try.

 

Or the Smooth Shake.

 

Even the classic high five to low five. (A two parter.)  Can be incorporated into you Family Handshake.

 

 

This activity is something that you and your kids can do just about anywhere, and it does signify that you are part of an exclusive group: your family. 

Have fun, and extra points will be awarded to anyone who emails us a photo or video of their family shake in action!

One year ago today...

We were throwing toys. And vegetables.

ADDED June 10, 2009

 

 

Yes, we were throwing kids' stuff around.  But don't worry, it was a fun activity, and it wasn't as destructive as it sounds . . .

 

Read the whole post here.

 

 

Summer Pack

Stuff to Save a Summer Day

ADDED June 04, 2009

 

Make no mistake, people.  You know it's coming.  Summer Break is almost upon us!  The kids won't be at school, they'll be at your house.  At your house, and looking for fun things to do.

In case you haven't started stocking up for the calamitous event that is Summer Break, we have a list that will help you start.  We are calling it our suggested "Summer Pack," and it contains free or very inexpensive materials you can use to keep the kids busy.  With these supplies on hand, you'll be able to get your kids doing crafts, activities, and games without much prep time.

 

While we're talking about packs to save the day, we should remind you to check out our Traffic Jam Pack, if you haven't already.  It'll help you out in the car this summer.

We keep our Summer Pack in the laundry room (since it can get kind of bulky.)  It's also out of the way there, but with ready access.

Can you think of anything else free or inexpensive that parents should stock in their Summer Packs?  Leave a comment below, please, or email us or Twitter us.  (twitter.com/nordink)

When the going gets tough this summer, the tough parents simply go to . . . their Summer Pack.  And fun will ride in to the rescue?

Kids' Language Learning: Por Favor Weekend

Give please a break, por favor

ADDED May 29, 2009

 

Length:  5 minutes
Parental Involvement: Verbal instruction, participation
Kids Should Be Able to:  Speak, understand the concept of different languages

 

We like weekends here at Today Is Fun.  That shouldn't be much of a surprise to you -- weekends offer plenty of opportunities for fun and learning!

As you might remember, last weekend was Memorial Day Weekend.  It's a good holiday, and we're happy to observe it with our families.

Well, this weekend, we'd like you all to celebrate "Por Favor Weekend" with us.  The concept here is simple:  the word "please" is taking the weekend off.  Hopefully "please" makes frequent appearances in your house, so it might be ready to take a break -- if even for this weekend.

This Saturday and Sunday, have your kids invite please's Spanish cousin into your home, Señor Por Favor.  Tell your kids that this weekend, you and the kids will try to only use "por favor."

If you'd like to, you guys can also employ a little "gracias" in place of "thank you."

It'll be fun, actually, and educational.  Learning and using foreign words makes for good times.  Up with language learning!

So please enjoy "Por Favor Weekend," por favor, pleople!  Gracias.

(Thank you to freeparking for the vintage sombrero photo!)

Kids' Activity: Tongue Twisters!

Tongues are meant to be twisted!

ADDED May 28, 2009

 

 

I can't believe that we haven't written yet about tongue twisters.  Tongue twisters are a classic way of keeping kids occupied, using nothing more than . . . their own tongues!

The idea behind tongue twisters, of course, is to choose some tricky words for kids to say . . . and then to make them say the words over and over and very quickly.  Tongue twisters work magically well at home, in the car, waiting in line -- anywhere the kids have some free time and control of their tongues. 

Here are some twisters we've specially tested out for you to try out on your kids. 

A big black bug bit a big black bear a bit.

Toy boat. Toy boat. Toy boat.

See Sam saw the see saw.

Fat frogs flying past fast.

We surely shall see the sun shine soon.

Quick kiss. Quicker kiss.

A cook can cook cookies quickly.

Here's a tongue-twisting tip:  tongue twisters are more fun for kids when the words are easily understood by them.  So, classics like "Moses supposes his toeses are roses" and even "how many woodchucks can chuck wood?" are not the best for kids.  Really, who has ever seen a woodchuck?  And what is chucking wood, anyway?

Keep the twisters easily understood and short . . . and then let those tongues loose! 

(And if you have a free moment, please use your own tongue to tell your friends about TodayIsFun.com!)

Everyday Hypothesis

Lab coats and safety glasses not required

ADDED May 18, 2009

We are big fans of science here at TIF. And one of the most fun parts of science, we think, is forming a hypothesis and testing it out.  Luckily, you don't need beakers, bacteria or Bunsen burners to form a hypothesis -- just a willingness to observe and test, test, test!

A hypothesis is a statement that is testable and includes a prediction as to the outcome based on the 'variables' being studied.

To make the explanation simple, I explained to my kids that a hypothesis usually has the words if and then. For example, "If I we build a tower nine blocks high -- nine blocks is variable #1 -- it will stand.  But if we build a tower ten blocks high -- ten blocks are variable #2 -- then it will fall".  Hypothesis formed and ready to test! 

 

You can create a hypothesis from almost anything that can have a different outcome based on variables. "If I build a house out of blocks, then my three-year-old sister will knock it over in two minutes or less."  Or, "if I take a bath quickly, then Dad will read me two books before bed."  And here's a favorite:  "if I eat all my dinner, then I will get some pie!"

My daughter and I have had a lot of fun over the last few days forming hypothesis and testing them out. Just about anywhere we go, we are able to play what we call, "Make a hypothesis," and it is cute to hear a nine-year-old talking about science.  In our testing, we have bounced balls (several sizes), pushed shopping carts (with several riders) and toppled towers (of varying heights).  The result of all this scientific work has not been a research grant, colorful sash, or dinner-plate-sized medal, but a lot of fun.  And some science education along the way. 

Explain to your kids today what a hypothesis is and let the fun begin.  We would really like to hear what you think of our blog, posts, and how handsome we are, so please drop us an email info@todayisfun.com or leave a comment below.   If you leave us a message then we will be happy!

 

Thank you to estherase, mikefischer and jalb for letting us use your photos!

Find the Evening

Has anyone out there seen the evening? Has anyone looked?

ADDED May 14, 2009

Here's a quick and easy activity you can do with your kids every day.  And if you make it a regular, everyday type of thing, it might just become a bit more special for your family.  Find the evening.

What is evening?  Well, it's a bit hard to describe, as it's certainly open to interpretation.  In our house, we say evening is that time when the sun can't be seen any more (because it has set), but it's not night.  That means the sky still is predominantly its usual light blue color and not night's purplish black.

My kids and I look for every evening.  We ask, "Is it evening yet?"   Sometimes if we're inside, we will rush to the backyard and inspect the sky. 

(This daily checking also helps to motivate the kids to "do their thing."  For instance, no one is allowed to rush outside and check on the evening if there is still food visible on the dinner plates.  In our house, if you're interested in finding the evening, you better eat your dinner!)

Good luck to you and your kids in your search.  And if you find the evening out there, please don't misplace it again!

 

(Thank you to kkimpel for the photo above!)

Fun with Your Second Hand

On your watch, that is. As opposed to on your body.

ADDED May 12, 2009

If you own a watch with a second hand on it, then you've already got a device that will keep kids entertained and on their toes for many, many minutes.  Just watch that second hand go -- and watch the fun times happen.

With a second hand, you can time everything that happens, of course.  Timing events means measuring them -- and measuring is fun for kids.  (For another fun measuring activity, check out our tape measure activity here.)

Today, your ever-so-useful second hand will help you and your kids have fun measuring two kinds of events:  things in your kids' lives and things your kids do.

First, you and your kids can measure the events that are happening in the world around them.  If your child is old enough to borrow your watch and be in charge of supervising the second hand, that's ideal.  If your kid is too young, then you can help.

You guys should simply choose things to time.  How long does it take for the garbage truck to collect your trash?  For Daddy to leave the breakfast table and go get dressed?  For the dog to eat dinner?

(Opportunities for timing are really endless.  Here are some more suggestions:  how long does the toilet make noise once it's been flushed?  How long does it take for Mommy to find parking at the mall?  For a red light to turn green?)

The second, second-hand activity entails timing your kid.  And this activity might just be even more fun, because it is all about "the star of the show" (that is, your child.)  Tell your young star to do something, and then time them.  For instance, how long does it take them to run from the backyard to the mailbox?  How long does it take them to wash off their plate at lunch?

And if you've stuck with us this far, you've reached the point where we reveal the true beauty of this fun suggestion.  Timing your kids makes the not-so-fun chores, the stuff you have to nag them to do, more fun and less needing nagging.  For instance:

How long does it take the kids to put away all the toys?
Or brush their teeth?
Or get dressed for school?

Yes, the magic of timing chores will wear off eventually.  But that's when you tell your kids to see if they can 'break the record.'  For instance, the fastest you cleaned your room last time was four minutes.  Let's see if you an break that record!)

It took approximately seventeen minutes and twenty-one seconds to type all the words above.  (There was a quick break somewhere in there to get a child more milk, which may have slowed the process down a bit.)  We hope this suggestion has your family doing some fun timing in zero seconds flat!

 

(Many thanks to sohumb for the boy and grandfather's watch photo, and to woodleywonderworks for the interesting clock image!)

Help Somebody Today

And keep good deeds in mind all day long

ADDED May 11, 2009

Recently, we read a news story about the football locker room at Notre Dame.  Over the door from the locker room to the playing field is a banner reading, "Play like a champion."  As the football players leave to go play in the game, each jumps up to touch the banner.  This gesture is meant to inspire each team member and to focus everybody on the common goal.

And that got us thinking...

What sign would parents like their kids to tap each day?  What message would parents want their children to bear in mind?

We had some ideas:

• Eat your vegetables.
• Dirty laundry goes in the clothes hamper and not on the floor.
• The capital of the great state of North Dakota is Bismarck.

 

Well, sure.  Each of those messages could be helpful in its own way.  But is any one of those important enough to keep in mind as the day goes on?  Is there a message there that should get gently tapped as your team leaves the house?  No offense to our readers in North Dakota, but probably not.

And then we thought of this:  Help Somebody Today.

We think that's a pretty good one. Maybe we're dreamers, but a sign like that might encourage sharing in the classroom, offering assistance to teachers, and even reduce bullying.  That kind of sign might remind people that getting ahead isn't what life is all about.  Looking out for one's own interests is good to do, but so is helping others.

We've made two signs that you can print and hang up over the exit to your house.  Both say "Help Somebody Today.  (One your kids can color in themselves, the other is simple black-and-white, ready to hang without coloring.  But really, wouldn't a little coloring be a good thing?)

Of course, we'd be happy and understanding if you wanted to hang a sign with a different message.  Especially if you live in North Dakota.

Help somebody today!

Mini Hot or Cold

Small game, big fun

ADDED May 05, 2009

 

Here's a great game when you're waiting and your kids need some entertainment.   Our Mini Hot or Cold game is played like the classic "I Spy" game, but on a smaller scale that is much more suited for a car ride, waiting room, or  night at the opera. 

To play, you will need only a few willing players and a magazine or picture book.   This item will be what you use to "spy with your little eye."  One person starts by selecting something in the book and says, "on this page I spy with my little eye". The other players look at the page and guess what thing the person might have chosen. 

One rule we added is:  after a guess is made, the "chooser" needs to tell the other players if the guess was either hot or cold. (To check out our "run around the room with the help of hot and cold" game, click here.)

Mini Hot or Cold saved the day for us last the week when we were stuck in traffic.  The kids found a Lego catalog and played Mini Hot or Cold endlessly until we've got home. They had a great time but I did lose the Hot or Cold air conditioning battle with my beautiful wife.

You may have heard that great things come in small packages.  Well, we believe you'll have some big fun with Mini Hot or Cold!

Caterpillar count

Get a leg up while you guys are waiting

ADDED May 04, 2009

 

If you find yourself waiting today -- in the doctor's office or at a restaurant -- try this very simple, fun drawing and counting game.  It is called "Caterpillar Count," and to play you need paper, a pencil, and some willing kids who like to count.

First, draw a rather large caterpillar body on a piece of paper (perfect drawing is not necessary, you'll be relieved to konw.)  Next start drawing legs -- as many as you can.  Draw at least ten legs, but do one hundred if your little one can count that high.  (Drawing small boots on your caterpillar is not necessary, but we've heard that caterpillars are fond of footwear.)

Then have your kids count the legs. Simple DIY fun!

When the counting is complete, flip the page over and draw two or three more caterpillars with 40 to 50 legs each.  Ask your kid to count those legs.  You can then have a little math lesson by adding the number of legs together.  Simple DIY math!

If you have kids who are a bit older, tell them to draw a caterpillar and then see how many legs they can do before the waiting is done. This is a fun, adaptable activity that is sure to please all and make waits go by a lot quicker.

(And take a moment to be grateful that your family isn't comprised of caterpillars.  We have enough trouble keeping track of two shoes per child in this house -- I don't know what we'd do if we had a 100+ kid!  We'd always be late for school, that's for sure.)

 

Big thanks to tiswango for the photo!

Get Kid Butts Moving

Two games for kids with benefits for parents

ADDED April 29, 2009

 

 

This might come as a huge surprise, but my kids aren't perfect.  They sometimes break our rules.  Also, they sometimes don't listen.  And they have been diagnosed with an extreme case of lollygagging.  In addition to lollygagging, my kids are often slow pokes.  They dawdle and have even been caught dilly-dallying.  No, they're not perfect.

(For the record, I am not perfect either.  And for the record, my lovely wife is pretty much perfect in every way, I admit it.)

My kids are especially sluggish when it comes to getting ready for school.  So my pretty-much-perfect wife and I have developed two helpful games to get the kids a-movin':

Race to get dressed.  Kids like racing and competitions.  They also like seeing who wins and who loses (and of course, they like to be the winner.)  When it's time to get ready, my wife will say, "Okay, race to get dressed," and my kids don't need any further explanation.  They're out of the room and off to their dressers.  Clothes fly and, though sometimes someone might need a helping hand from a parent, the process is greatly sped up.  

(Since we don't want any ruffled feelings on the way to school, we try to judge the outcomes each day as ties.  If somebody is almost done getting dressed, it's a tie.  Also, if one child would technically lose the competition due to not having a shirt on, we say, "Oh, it was so close to being a tie.  All you needed was your shirt, and it would have been a tie."  This tends to keep all the competitors happy.  And if they do get a little upset -- well, at least they're all dressed.)

Get Away from the Ogre.  Nothing will motivate children to get moving like an unpleasant and rude-mannered ogre.  Apparently, I might have a medical condition, because I transform into an ogre when it's time to get into the car.  I tell the kids that unless they are in the "safe area" (their car seats), the ogre will eat them up.  And he'll use ketchup.  I count to three, and the quite motivated kids are suddenly dashing towards the car.  No more dawdling!  (And sadly, no snacks for the ogre.)

These two games are not just fun for the kids -- they're effective in getting us out the door on time for school.  Well, almost on time.  We're more like five-ish minutes late now.  I mean, we're not perfect, except for my wife.

 

(If your kids respond well to the ogre in your house, and you want to reward them for their efforts, check out this rather cuddly ogre toy.  Yes, it's Shrek.)

 

(Many kudos and thanks to deletem3 for the awesome ogre image used above!)

Fair and Oddly Even

A fun learning activity that will leave no odd man out!

ADDED April 17, 2009

 

You don't have to spend a lot of time explaining the concept of "fair" to kids.  Kids understand what is fair and what isn't.  And kids are especially adept at determining when they're on the receiving end of some unfairness.

So why not use fair play to teach a more complex mathematical concept:  even and odd numbers.

Tell your kids this:  there are a group of kids on the field who are going to be split into two soccer teams.  If one team is bigger than the other, then the bigger team will definitely win.  But if there is the same amount of kids on the two teams, then the game will be fair, and either team could win.

The concept here is:  if the two teams are even, then the number of kids on the field is even.  

If the two teams are not evenly matched, then the total amount of kids is odd.

Another example you could use is a see-saw. If there are too many kids on one side, the see-saw will tip, but if the amount of kids on each side is even then then the it will balance.

You can even teach odd and even with your hands.  Start by counting one finger on each hand.  If each side has the same number, you are even!  But if one hand has three fingers and the other has two, then you are odd.  (No offense.  Numerically speaking only.)

Make sense?

You could also grab a handful of pennies and sit down with your kids at the table.  Deal the pennies to the kids just as if you were dealing out cards.  (Make sure that the number of people being dealt pennies is even.  So that means if there are an even number of kids at the table with you, don't include yourself.  If the number of kids is odd, deal yourself a pile!)  Did everybody get the same number of pennies?  Was the number of pennies even or odd?

Of course, this fair and even trick only works with . . . even numbers.

Finally, spend some time finding things that are odd and even in your house and your neighborhood.  Two bookends on the mantle?  Even!  Three candlesticks on the dining room table.  Odd!

Now, even things aren't always "fair," and fair doesn't always mean even . . . but you get the idea.  And hopefully your kids will, too.

Have a fun weekend with your kids!  We even hope you enjoy some fair skies!

Stories and Story Scrambles

Easy to do, but the results are magical!

ADDED April 14, 2009

 

 

When most people are asked by their kids to tell a story, they freeze up.  The idea of coming up with a new story is a bit overwhelming.  

Today we're here to help you come up with kids' stories easily and effortlessly.  This will help any parent, not just when a story is requested by a kid, but when you need something to talk about or fill the time during waiting.  Making up original stories is very easy . . . especially when you have your kids do all the hard work!

Here are three parts to any and every story:  a beginning, a middle, and an end.  Not too difficult a concept, right?

These two sentences have all that you need to know to make up stories for kids:  "A story has a beginning, a middle, and an end.  Everything else is details."  Remember those two sentences, and you're set!

Start at the beginning.  Tell your kids, "In the beginning of this story, there was . . . "  If you can think of what there was in the beginning, great.  If you want to let your kids come up with the answer, even better.  What was there in the beginning of the story?  A whale, a snail, a kid who missed his mom, a guy who felt grumpy, a race car, an old neglected house.  The list is, as you might imagine, limitless.

Next the middle.  What happens next?  The kid who misses his mom goes and looks for her.  The whale accidentally swallows an empty rowboat.  Someone mysterious buys the old neglected house and brings in a team of painters.  Again, your kids are fully capable of supplying this important part.  Ask them, "What happens next?" and they will think it up!

And of course, the end.  This is the part that wraps up the story.  You can ask your kids, "What happens at the end of the story?"  Your kids will certainly have ideas about this.

And as it says above, "everything else is details."  Once you guys start your story, it's easy to add some details.  If your kid says the story is about a dog, you can chime in with "What color is the dog?  What is the dog's name?  What kind of dog is it?"  Details are so easy -- your kids will think up tons of them, and so of you.

Remember, the story does not have to be great.  No perfect prose or surprise endings are required.  Just have fun!

And what's a Story Scramble?  These are easy, too -- easy to think up and helpful for passing some waiting time with the kids.  Just tell a simple story with the beginning, middle, and ends scrambled up.  Super simple is allowed, people!  For instance, check this one out:  (1)  I brushed my teeth, (2)  I went to bed, and (3)  I ate dinner.  Can your kids unscramble the story?  Here's another one:  (1)  I watered the seed, (2) I had a beautiful sunflower, and (3) I planted a sunflower seed.  Get it?  Your kids will.

Here's one more scramble for you guys to puzzle out:
(1)  Fun, fun, fun for all!  (2)  You read Today is Fun, and (3)  You share the creative idea from the site with your kids.  (4) You tell your friends about TIF (5) They thank you!

Bunny Kisses

And how to get one

ADDED April 09, 2009

 

While bunnies are widely admired for their cute little noses, it seems they have no lips to speak of.  Therefore, bunnies are not really good kissers.  We're pleased to say, though, that bunnies still can give kisses despite the no-lip situation -- all they have to do is twitch their noses back and forth.  

Bunny Kisses are something every kid and parent can do.  You really don't need any reason to give a Bunny Kiss, but we've created a fun Easter-themed game for you.  (It was the perfect diversion the other day when we were waiting and my kids started to grow restless.)

Here's how we played:   I would say, "Whoever is wearing black gets a Bunny kiss."  And lo and behold, anyone wearing black would indeed get a Bunny kiss from me.  Then the kids would get a chance to pick the color that would warrant a Bunny kiss from them.  Even though it created a little rowdiness and some possibly disapproving stares, it was a lot of fun.  

This game is a great if your kids are learning colors and it can even be played to teach patterns like plaid,gingham or stripes.  For older kids, you can teach other concepts with this simple game ("If you have a R in your name, you're going to receive a Bunny Kiss," or, "If your age is the same as two times four, you're up for a B.K.")

If you need of a few minutes of entertainment today or any day, just remember Bunny kisses and entertainment is a few minutes away.

 

Thanks to madeleine_for letting us use your photo

Major League Geography

Here comes baseball season (and another excuse for learning!)

ADDED April 03, 2009

 

Professional sports offer a fine opportunity to teach your children about American places.  If your kids love sports, wouldn't they be interested to see all the cities and states from which competing teams hail? 

For the new baseball season, we've created this handy map.  Print it out and pass it over to the kids. 

First have your children make a small X to show your city or town. And then, do you guys cheer for a certain team?  If you do, locate it on the map, and have the kids spruce it up with some colors.  Next, if your kids know and remember other teams, find those on the map.  Have your kids color each in as you go along.  And have them color each state you discuss.  For each baseball team, it's not enough to mention the city--we want to know states, too.  What state do the Boston Red Sox come from?  How about the Cincinnati Reds?  (And if the team already provides the name of the state, well then, we want to know the city.  Yes, we mean you:  Arizona Diamondbacks, Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies!)  Try to discuss all the teams and have your kids color the whole map in.

 

 

Baseball team names offer an opportunity for more interesting conversations and possibly some vocabulary learning.  What exactly is a Padre?  Why was the San Diego team given that name?  Why were the Twins given that name?  What is a Marlin?  If you don't know any of these answers, simply turn to trusty ole Wikipedia.  (My kids were particularly interested to hear how the Houston Astros got their name.  If I'm not careful, my boys, with their love of all things space- and rocket-related, might just switch allegiances on me.)

 

You can hang your kids' colorful map up.  When the baseball team your family follows is playing an opponent, the kids can be in charge of finding the opposing team on the map.

 
Play ball!  (And go Dodgers!)

 

--S

 

(Thank you, DeusXFlorida, for the use of the baseball photo above!)

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

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.

 

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!

This Land Is Your Land!

A colorful and informative print-n-color activity

ADDED February 25, 2009

Everyone's colored a map of the United States at some point or another. It's  always fun and sometimes messy.  But here at TIF, we are fans of art with a purpose.  We're talking about coloring that tells a story and provides deeper meaning.

Today we have a cool map of the USA to download and color.  The map includes a fun and informative key that your little cartographer can use to enhance the experience.  

Have your colorer use one color for your home state, another color for states where you guys have family or friends, and yet another color for states that you have visited. Finally, find states with names that tickle your funny bone, and assign them a "funny name" color.

Of course, for little kids, this map can be a great introduction to our States and to maps in general.  For both younger and older kids, this activity could serve as the starting place for some nice one-on-one, parent-kid time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have fun making your own infographic today!

 

(And remember, you can upload your infographic artwork to our Facebook page.  If you are not a Facebook fan of TIF, join on up!)

 

Click images to download 

 

 

Talk Differently Day

Talking about some fun!

ADDED February 20, 2009

 

You've heard your own voice before, and so have your kids.  Pretty much everybody is probably used to hearing your voice.

But we're enjoying the Week of Variation, right?  So why not try varying some your voice?  And the voices of your kids?

Gather the kids around and have them practice changing up their voices.

You guys can speak:

Loudly
Quietly
In a whisper

And if you're really brave, you guys can sing a sentence.

Your voices can be booming.  They can be scratchy.

Can you do any accents?  Give British a try, or a strong New York accent.  (In our house, we've also tried French, Spanish, German, and Southern accents.)  Doing accents is a fun (and occasionally odd) way to learn how different people speak the same language differently.

Also, ask your kids to talk like different "kinds" of people:

How does a King or Queen speak?
How about a Pirate?
How does a really nice person talk?  Or a really bad guy?
How does a grandparent speak?  How about a little tiny baby?
How would a robot talk?
How does a boss speak?  An new employee?

If your family is very adventurous (or if you guys are stuck inside on a rainy/snowy day), you could choose to declare a "Talk Differently Day," and everyone could try to avoid speaking in their regular voice.  It sounds a bit kooky, yes, but kids absolutely love this kind of thing!

Have fun, everybody.  Variations, variations, variations!

 

Variation Por Favor!

Fun with other languages

ADDED February 18, 2009

 

With variation, you get variety.  With variety, you get options.

There is a lot in life that does not involve options.  Kids, especially, have to do what they’re told by adults, such as parents and teachers.  Politeness, for example, is not an option!

But sometimes kids don’t feel like being polite.  They ask for things without saying please, and they receive things without saying thank you.

Maybe I’m too lenient a parent, but I don’t always require a “please” or “thank you.”  

Don’t get me wrong:  I want to raise very polite children.  And I won’t comply with any kid’s request if I don’t hear “please.”  (I generally just pretend that I haven’t heard anything at all if I don't hear "please.")  But instead of insisting on “please,” I will allow a variety of substitutes.

I’ve taught my kids that please in Spanish is “por favor,” in German, “bitte,” and in French, “merci.”   If my kids don’t feel like saying please, they are allowed to express themselves in another language.  They get options.

So why not teach your kids some foreign words?  You’re giving them options of politeness, and you’re teaching them about foreign languages, too.


Here are some of those polite words in different languages, for you and your kids to learn:

English:  hello, goodbye, yes, no, please, thank you.
Spanish:  hola, adios, si, no, por favor, gracias.
French:  bonjour, au revoir, oui, no, si vous plait, merci.
German:  Guten Tag, auf Wiedersehen, ja, nein, bitte, danke.
Italian: buon giorno, arrivederci, si, no, per favore, grazie
Japanese: konichiwa, sayonara, hai, iie, douzo, arigato
Chinese (Mandarin): ni hao, zai jian, shi, bu shi, qing, xie xie.
Russian: privet, do svi danya, da, niet, pajalsta, spashiba

(The bottom three languages there are particuarly difficulty for me.  However, there are many websites where you can hear pronunciations -- and learn more vocabulary if you want.  Here’s one site to try:  travlang.com.  If you would like to suggest other sites like that, please do!)

Try teaching your kids some words.  It won't just be educational and polite . . . it will be fun for them!  We promise.

If we’ve made an error above, please use the comments section below to correct us.  We’re all happy to learn and improve our language options.  And if any of our readers can provide those simple words in another language, well, we’d be much obliged!  Gracias!

(Vielen dank to wstryder for use of the girl-with-flag photo above.)

--S

Trees versus Bushes

(From the people who brought you the quite tricky One Up, One Down earlier in the week)

ADDED February 05, 2009

We like trees, don't you know, but not bushes.

Speaking of which, we enjoy roots, but not branches.  That's just us.

Oh, and we like school but not learning.  And coffee but not tea.

Do you think we've lost our minds here at Today is Fun?  (That is, assuming you thought we had much of minds in the first place.)

By the way, we do like beets, but not radishes.  Sweets but not candy.  Tools but not implements.  

Before you give up on us, never to return to this blog again.  Let us explain . . .

(Well, before we explain, can you see a pattern in the words above?   That's the tricky thing here, and it's for your kids to figure out.)

What do the words we like have in common?  

The activity here is for your children to figure out the pattern.  Start by telling them words you like (such as "teens") and words you don't  ("tens").

Have you figured it out?  Once you have, it will be easy.  And once you have got the hang of it, you'll be able to create more examples for your kids.  (If you haven't cracked our code yet, don't worry.  It takes different people different amounts of time!)

Okay, here's the answer.  Double vowels.  We just really like double vowels (for the purposes of this activity.)

We hope you have fun with this one, and that you don't think we're too crazy.  (Kooky, yes.  We like the word kooky.  But not crazy!)  

--S

(Many thanks to the incomparable and always laudable Mr. David Silverman of Mar Vista, California, and to  Marina Cast. for the heart-shaped tree pic, and also to noricum for the shot of the bush.)

Tricky Fun with Punctuation

Period. Question mark? Exclamation mark!

ADDED February 04, 2009

 

 

This is a quick and simple way to teach kids about punctuation.  Basically, you choose some words with your kids and practice saying them with different punctuation marks at the end.

Let's take the phrase:  "chocolate chip deliciousness."  Try saying those words with these tricky variations:

Chocolate chip deliciousness.  (For this one, try to make your tone of voice rather flat and matter-of-fact.)
Chocolate chip deliciousness!  (Shout excitedly.  Or sound a little angry.)
Chocolate chip deliciousness?  (A question, of course.)

Obviously the point here is to get kids learning and thinking about punctuation, and how different punctuation marks change the meaning of words.

Try this trick with some favorite words and phrases.  And also run through your family's names with different punctuation. 

Grandpa.
Grandpa!
Grandpa?

And to be a bit more tricky (and ever so slightly more educational), introduce the ellipsis.  As in, "Grandpa!  We have . . . chocolate chip deliciousness!"

 

--S

 

(Chocolate chips courtesy of jessicafm, and smiling Grandpa from magerleagues.)

The Week of Trickiness begins with . . . One Up, One Down

The fun will be up. Way up.

ADDED February 01, 2009

In the coming months here at Today is Fun, we'll often be organizing our ideas into themes.  We think these themes will be fun, and a fun way of organizing our creative activities.  This week's theme is:  Trickiness.  All our ideas this week will incorporate a healthy dose of trickiness, which will keep your little ones engaged and entertained.  So buckle your seatbelts, people, Tricky is Fun!

 

 

One Up, One Down is a "figure it out" game.  Everybody will need to get their brains revving to catch on.

Are you One Up, One Down right now? 

You might be, but you also might be Two Up or Two Down.

So, here is a review of the three options:
(1)  One Up One Down
(2)  Two Up
(3)  Two Down

(If we had to venture a guess, we'd say you're probably One Up, One Down at the moment.  If not, then our second guess would be Two Down.)

We hope you're not too confused or annoyed . . . but that's part of the game.   When you play with your kids, they'll be the ones figuring this one up thing out.

Here's the trick:  where are your hands in relation to your chest?  They both may be above your chest (Two Up), or both below it (Two Down), or, well, One Up One Down.

Get it? 

To play this with your kids, start by telling them which of the three options they are at the moment.  Then help them figure out the trick.

This activity works well with a number of kids, where everyone can be comparing each other, trying to figure out why some people are Two Up, some are Two Down, and so forth.  This game also might be a lot of fun at the dinner table with a group of people…or at a restaurant.

If your kids just aren't getting it, you might try changing your hand position as they're looking at you, then telling them "Look, now I'm One Up One Down."

Good luck with this one – we're sure that the fun will be up and the loose ends will be down.  And stay tuned this week for more tricky fun!

 

--S

 

 (Photo of up kid hands courtesy of st0rmz.) 

Where are we going and what should we take?

Get those imaginations packing for fun!

ADDED January 27, 2009

Here is a fun question to ask your kids at breakfast:  "If we were going on a trip to the jungle for two weeks, what would we need to take?" It is interesting to see what they would take and why.

If they get stuck for answers, you can start them off with some leading questions.  Here are a few examples: Should we bring our suitcases or our backpacks? What should we put in the suitcases? Will we need hats, boots and jackets? Should we travel around in a car or on an elephant?

My son, being a realist and very fond of numbers, decided to break it down in numbers:  he needed to pack 14 pairs of pants, 14 shirts, 16 pairs of underwear, 12 pairs of socks, hiking shoes, a guide book and money. He also wanted to stay in a hotel.  My daughter, on the other hand, was really not interested in packing clothes.  She just wanted to make sure all of her stuffed animals would be able to come.  She also would rather stay in a tent near a river or on a mountain and would ride on the elephant if it was trained.

Have fun with this one as you get those imaginations racing, and let us know what your kids would take with them on their trip.  Personally I would rather go to Hawaii for two weeks, taking a swimsuit and couple of  shirts, but I am still waiting for someone to offer!  (On a side note we would be more than happy to write up a review of any family vacation destinations.  Yes, we prefer to fly first class, and we are always available at info@todayisfun.com.)

 

 

Vocabulary builder

Teach your child other words for BIG

ADDED January 26, 2009

Big is a fine word.  It describes size, height, amount, and even age.  It can also describe importance, volume and quality.  The problem is, though, the word "big" is, well, it's too big.  It does too much -- so much in fact that sometimes using it can be a big problem.

So today while you are driving to piano lessons, eating dinner as a family or getting ready for bed, have a little fun making up sentences with the word "big."  Then encourage your kids to remove the word big and replace it with a more descriptive word like "king-sized" or "monolithic."

Start by having your child list other adjectives that do the same modifying work as big.  Here is an example sentence, "That is a big tree".   Fine . . .  but it does not create a specific picture in your mind that describes the size of the tree. Here are a few sentences my kids came up with:

"That tree is enormous."
"That tree is huge."
"That tree is tall."
"That tree is large."
"That tree is gigantic."
"That tree is massive."
"That tree is towering."

And here are a few of my attempts:

"That tree is monolithic."
"That tree is tremendous."
"That tree is fully grown."

In just a few minutes, we had all expanded our vocabulary and were on our way to becoming better writers.  (I mean superior authors.)

-Paul

 

Photo credit is given to the visionary genius of:martyportier and several_bees

thanks!

 

Quick tips: Waiting Around Activities

(Part one of many)

ADDED January 24, 2009

 

 

We've all been there before:  stuck waiting somewhere with the kids.  These times are especially difficult, both for kids and parents.  You've really got to bust your behind to keep the kids behaving.

So today we unveil Today is Fun Quick Tips, a list of quick, entertaining and satisfying tips.

Here are some Quick Tip activities for waiting around:

Clock counters / Sink testers. How many clocks do they have in the waiting room?  Or the house?  And do all the sinks work?  (This last was especially good a couple of years ago when our family was looking at homes to buy.)

Have you kids make a list of something. For instance, if you're waiting at a restaurant, the kids could make a list of what's on the table:  salt shaker, sugar packets, soy sauce, etc.

Look for a minute.  Have the kids look around for  a minute and then close their eyes.  With their eyes closed, can they tell you everything they've just seen?

Name everything in your room.  Have your child close her eyes and envisage her room.  Ask her to tell you everything she has in there.

Hand tricks.  What can you make your hands do?  Think of shadow puppets minus the shadows.  Make your hands impersonate different things:  a butterfly, a bat, stairs, a house.  (Not to brag, but my hand can transform itself into a very realistic brontosaurus.)

We'll be presenting more Quick Tips in the future, on this and other subjects.  (Speaking of which, if anyone out there has any other ideas for keeping kids quiet, happy, and in their seats, we will gladly accept them!)

 

--S

 

(Photo courtesy of zoutedrop.)

 

Serif vs. Sans-Serif Extravaganza

More fun with letters

ADDED January 23, 2009

 

Yes, your kids know their alphabets.  Many can probably write in block letters and even cursive.  Now it's time for them to learn yet another aspect of letters : serif and sans-serif.

Serifs are those little lines on the ends of letters.  Look for them on the tops and bottoms of capital H's.

If letters are printed without those little lines, they are called "sans-serif" (meaning "without serifs.")  The letters you're reading now, here at Today is Fun, are sans-serif.

Once you've explained serifs to your little ones, it's time to start playing with them:

First, take your kids and explore the world, both at home and at large.  Can you spot some serifs on the drive to school today?  Do you have any sans-serif letters around your house?  Where?

Make your next trip to the supermarket a serif vs. sans-serif extravaganza.  If your kids want to, let them keep a tally of the number of things they see with serif letters vs. sans-serif ones.

At home, your child should grab some markers or crayons and write a fully-serifed alphabet.  Which letters get a lot of serifs?  Which get no serifs?  Can numbers be serifed up?

Finally, which style of letter do you like better?  Does your child have a preference?

I would have liked to close this post with a reference to a serif ceremony, or perhaps a serif sheriff.    Instead, I'll just say:  enjoy your serifs today, everybody!

 

--S

 

(Many thanks to Russ Neumeier for the assorted letters photo.)

Syllable Flipper

A quick and tricky way to get those little minds going

ADDED January 19, 2009

 

You're driving.  The kids are in the back, and they're getting restless.

You ask, "Who knows what a 'Nut Dough' is?"

Well?  Does anyone?

Chances are very good that everyone will be baffled by this Nut Dough thing.  So give them this simple clue:  Say, "nut dough nut dough nut dough nut dough nut."  Now does anyone know what that thing is?

Try this syllable-flipping trick with any word you'd like.  Just make sure to say the first syllable last.

Here are some flipped favorites for you to try out:  Ray hoo, Pee pup, Mee mom, Yon cray, Fish gold, Kull tick, Knee fun, and of course, Larious Hee.

You guys can also try flipping the syllables in your family's names -- or in the names of favorite characters.  (We're very big fans of Lung Tai in this house now.)  And of course, see if your kids can pull off a syllable flip or two themselves.

We hope this simple game is fun and Full use.  (You can't really flip one syllable words, we've discovered.)  Spend some time with those kids, and have a great time Day to!

 

--S

 

Many thanks for the use of the photos:  Sprinkle Donuts courtesy of Flirty Kitty, and Clapping 3-year old by Rageman.

But this is that and that is this?

Fun with Homophones (two words that sound the same but have different meanings)

ADDED January 12, 2009

English has a lot of confusing words.  It can be plenty difficult learning to read and write (or is it right?), but then throw the tricky homophone into the mix, and it is enough to break (or is it brake?) a kid.

 

So here at TIF, we are at the ready to help take some of the confusion out of homophones.  With just a little practice and explanation, you can take this subject, make it fun, and have your kids ahead of the pack in no time at all.

What we like to do at our house is: first we talk about all the words we can think of that sound the same but have different meanings.  There is always flour and flower, knight and night, nose and knows and the ever-popular ate and eight.

When we have identified a few key offenders, I use each word in a sentence, for example, "I ate my dinner at eight o'clock." And, "Eight kids ate eight eggs, they were famished so they ate eight more."  I always try to make the example sentence as silly as possible; I think it adds to the fun and keeps the kids engaged. Then I give my kids a chance to make up a sentence using a tricky homophone.  And of course each one sentence gets progressively more silly.

This is a great activity to use anywhere you have a few minutes to kill, and since you are just talking about words, it's perfect for the car, while waiting at baseball practice, in the line at the market -- really anywhere.

We will be looking for your silly homophone sentences in the comment section below and would like to hear (or is it here?) from you!  See (or is it sea) you soon.

 

-Paul

 

***UPDATE***

One of our beautiful and intelligent readers Jackie left this helpful and insightful comment:

Homophones are fun. Go here http://pbskids.org/lions/videos/homophones.html for a great song about homophones.

Thank you Jackie!

 

Photo credit is given to the talented and popular:

stansich for the apple ,kentigern for the eights ,savannahgrandfather for the peach 

thank you!

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Photo Walk

Wasting "film" is fun!

ADDED January 05, 2009

 

Ah, the blessings of a digital camera.  Remember when we were all kids, and our parents didn't want us to waste film?  That is now a thing of the past.

Take your little ones on a walk around the block.  Bring along your digital camera, and take pictures of whatever intrigues them.

It'll be fun to get outside, and it'll be fun for your kids to direct you as to the picture taking. 

Get your kids talking about why they want certain pictures taken.  (My kids wanted a lot of shots of tires, for example.  They said they like to look to see which tires are muddy and which aren't.)

During the walk, explain to your kids that they can take some of their photos and re-create them with art stuff.  You can show them one of their pictures on the computer, and then they can draw it using markers and paper.  And they can change the image to suit their imagination.  For instance, my boys wanted to change a row of cypress trees into rocket ships lined up.  A garage door with many panels was chosen to become a board game with many squares.

Finally, you can save your kids' photos on your computer and review in the future.  It's amazing how photographing something makes it "more" of something.  Suddenly it's not just a walk around the block, it's a "special walk with Mommy's camera!"

Have fun, and please be respectful of your neighbors on the walk.  Don't trample your neighbors' flower beds, so you can take pictures through their windows of them eating breakfast.  The excuse "But my kids told me to" might not work so well!

 

--S

 

 

Conversation Starter Cards

Could save the day

ADDED December 23, 2008

 

These are really simple, but might come in handy in a pinch.  They're conversation starter cards.  Download them, cut them out, and keep them in your purse or car for long waits or traffic jams.

Download here.

These cards each have many questions on them.  Ask your kids the questions, and get them talking.  Hopefully, the clock will move nicely along.  With these cards, you don't have to wrack your brain for conversation topics.

You can answer these questions, too, to keep the conversation going.  Everyone in your family gets extra points when your kids say something funny or cute.

And here's a conversation topic:  how can Today Is Fun help you in the new year?  Drop us a line if you need more help.  (And if you wanted to mention our site to a friend or two, that wouldn't be such a bad start to a conversation either!)

 

--S

Conversing father and daughter by pocketwilley via Flickr, thanks to a creative commons license.

Quizmaster & Answermaster

Because all good games have funny titles.

ADDED December 19, 2008

To play this game you need two people the first person is the Quizmaster the second the Answermaster.  The Quizmaster asks the questions and the Answermaster answers the questions.  This game is fantastic for all ages because the questions can be tailored appropriately to make it easy for everyone to win.  It also can be played as a group activity to include many more kids if needed.

First the person who is the Quizmaster thinks of two or three things that have one thing in common, for example shark, octopus and sea cucumber. Next the Quizmaster poses their question to Answermaster,” What is the same about these three things, a shark, an octopus and a sea cucumber?”  At this point if you have a group of kids, in an orderly manner everyone in the group takes a turn giving their best answer to the Answermaster. When all the answers are tallied the Answermaster tells the Quizmaster the answer, “They all live in the ocean”.  Now the Quizmaster becomes the Answermaster and it is their turn to think of of two or three things that are the same.

The game works great using a variety of topics and the questions can range from very simple to extremely difficult, here are some starters:

Quizmaster question:
What is the same about these three things red, blue and green?

Answermaster answer.
All three are colors.

Quizmaster question:
What is the same about these three things truck, car and van?

Answermaster answer.
All three are cars.

Quizmaster question:
What is the same about these three things elbow, toe, and nose?

Answermaster answer.
All three are parts of your body.

Quizmaster question:
What is the same about these three things sleepingbag, tent and flashlight?

Answermaster answer.
All three are used for camping.

Try it today and use the comments section to let us know what you little Quizmasters come up with!  

Vowel-No-Vowel

Fun with vowels and no-vowels

ADDED December 08, 2008

 

What do you get when you take a piece of paper and write a vowel, a no-vowel, and a vowel?

If you can figure out a funny punch line to the above question, please email us with it.  But actually, we're not joking.  The real answer to that question is:  you get a word.

Try it with your kids.  First have them take a blank piece of paper and write down all the vowels:  A, E, I, O, U and sometimes Y.

Now have them draw a line around those vowels, to separate them from the rest of the blank page.  Now that we've got the vowels nicely aligned, we're not going to be writing in that area any more.

Have your kid write any letter that's not a vowel (a "no vowel"), then any vowel, and then another no-vowel. 

Now they've done it:  they've got a word!

Well, some kind of word.  We're willing to concede that it might be gibberish.  But it will be some kind of word; it will be something that you guys will be able to pronounce.

The first time my 4-year-old tried this out, his no-vowel, vowel, no-vowel creation was:  ZEC.  Well, it's pronounceable at least, right?

But after we pronounced Zec, I could see a light go on for him.  His next creation was:  CAT.  Then DOG.  He was on a roll.

Then he said, "Daddy, I just wrote no-vowel, vowel, no-vowel, no-vowel."  What was that, I asked.  It turned out to be his friend, JACK.

This diversion will get your little ones thinking about letters and vowels, as well as how they all go together to make words.

And when you guys are learning like crazy and having loads of fun, you can try this tricky one on for size:  YIPPEE!  (Also known as:  sometimes vowel, vowel, no vowel, no vowel, vowel, vowel)

Huggy!

A nice monster

ADDED December 04, 2008

Huggy is a very nice monster, just listening to his name you can discern he likes to be hugged.

When you hear him say, “ Huggy” you have to hug him or he will repeat his name over and over while chasing you.  Huggy is very fast.  If you like to be chased please don't hug him.  He only stops repeating his name and chasing when he gets a hug.  Beware if you let him into your house you will have to give him a lot of hugs.  I would suggest only those who are not stingy with hugs invite him in.  

 Moms can be Huggys, Dads can be Huggys even kids can be Huggys. They all are very polite and if you don't want a hug they will not hug you and but be aware they can be persistent in their pursuit of hugs.

Should you let Huggy into your house today?  He really is a nice monster.

Point and say, point and delay, point and no way!

A tricky, fun word game that'll get those brain cells moving

ADDED November 24, 2008

In honor of this festive Thanksgiving week, we're posting activities with special holiday relevance.  However, you'll certainly be able to tweak this one for non-holiday days, too.

Imagine this:  it's Thanksgiving afternoon, and dinner is still an hour off.  The kids are restless, a little shy around various unknown relatives, and bored with the assortment of toys you've brought along to the dinner.  So, give this game a try . . .

 

First, "point and say."  This one's simple.  You point at anything you see, and say what it is.  "Candle."  "Grandma."   "Place mat."  "Gravy."  Easy as can be.  

Fine, let's move on to "point and delay."  This one is a little bit more tricky.  For the very first item, you point and say nothing.  For instance, you point at the candle, and this time, instead of saying "candle," you say "hmmm."  Then you point to the next item, Grandma.  You don't say Grandma, though; you say "Candle."  Then the place mat.  You say "Grandma."  (You don't have to do the same items or the same order as 'point and say.'  This might work well for younger kids, but it's not required.  We're just using the same items and order here for ease of explanation.)  

Okay, do you understand "point and delay?"  Kind of tricky, huh?  Now the next:  "Point and no way."

This time you point at the candle and say, "Hippopotamus."  You point at beloved Grandma and you say (affectionately), "Sofa cushion."  You point at the place mat and say "Purple pants."  No way!

These are fun and challenging.  They really get everybody's brain cells working.  (They'd also work quite well as a car game--if you can concentrate carefully on the road during the "No way!" exchanges.)

Have some fun with this sorta tricky one.  Oh and one more thing, no matter what you do, if you're pointing at Grandma and she can hear you guys, you better choose words that are respectful and kind!  Give Grandma a break, please, would you?

Thanksgiving jokes

Easy to remember and funny.

ADDED November 20, 2008

Crazy Letter Sandwich

A tasty, tricky and tremendously entertaining letter activity

ADDED November 14, 2008

In our extended family, there is a darling toddler girl named Mckenna.  She is insanely adorable.

For some unknown reason, my two boys, "Rough" and "Tumble," are entranced by this sweet little girl.  Any activity that invovles a mention of little Mckenna is sure to be a hit.  And so, Mckenna became the starting point for this game.  (When you play, of course you can use a name that has relevance in your family.)

To start the game, I say, "I'm making a sandwich.  Here's what I was thinking to put in it:

•  Mustard,
•  Mayonnaise,
•  Mango,
•  Melon,
•  Mckenna, (yes, that wonderful little girl) and . . .

•  Pickle relish."

Then I ask Rough and Tumble if they can tell me which ingredient doesn't belong in my sandwich.  They know that I can be somewhat tricky, and they quickly catch on to what I'm doing.  Poor little Mckenna stays in my lunch, but pickle relish is out!

After you've asked your kids about your sandwich options, do it again with a different letter.  "I'm making a sandwich.  Here's what I was thinking to put in it:  Grapes, Granola, Goat cheese, Grandpa, a Gorilla and some alfalfa sprouts."

This activity gets kids thinking about letters . . . as well as what belongs or doesn't belong in a group or category.

Because we are who we are, we're including a list of alphabetical ingredients you can download and print.  That way you don't have to think too hard.  Click here.

(Disclaimer:  we at Today is Fun in no way encourage or condone eating kids -- or biting in any way.  This game is just supposed to be silly and fun.)

Good luck making those crazy letter sandwiches!  Bon appetit!

Don't spill the tickle!

Training program for young mimes

ADDED November 05, 2008

At night when I am putting my kids to bed, I really don't need much of an excuse to tickle them.  However in my quest for more inventive ways to tickle and make them stay up past their bed time, I created a mime-inspired game called "Don't spill the tickle."
 
It is really easy to play:  cup your hands and pretend you are holding a tickle. Carefully pass it tickle to your child, being very careful not to spill the tickle.  After the tickle has been successfully passed, now it is their turn to pass it back to you. When they are passing, even the smallest bit of shake or wobble will cause the tickle to spill and result in a good tickling.  While the tickling is going on, encourage your child to grab the tickle and pass it back to you as fast as possible in order to stop the tickling.  When the tickle is back under control, keep passing it back and forth until it inevitably spills again.
 
I like this game because if your kids don't want to be tickled, they will be very careful not to spill the tickle.  But if they do like to be tickled, then of course there will be a big spill!

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?

Magnificent Micro World

Small things look really cool with a magnifying glass.

ADDED September 26, 2008

Here at TIF, we usually don't encourage buying things. We like free and are big fans of recycling and re-purposing.  But something we think every child should have is a magnifying glass. A magnifying glass opens up a tiny world that, unless you are looking closely, would go completely unnoticed.
 
Start your magnifying glass experiments with salt and sugar.  With the naked eye, both salt and sugar appear to be similar, but under the awesome power of a magnifying glass they could not be more different.  Have your kids look at the salt and sugar on black paper for maximum contrast, and they will be amazed at the differences in shape and texture.  If your kids are not old enough for this kind of experimentation, help them look at stamps, money, or even photographs under a magnifying glass's incredible power, and see what you have been missing.  Then once they understand how a magnifying glass works, turn them loose to find their own small world.
 
 Enjoy the small today! 

info@todayisfun.com

KIDS ENTERTAINMENT -- MAKE A PARACHUTE

Learn about gravity and how to defy it

ADDED September 25, 2008

My kids and I made these really cool parachutes a few days ago.  They are nothing fancy -- just a paper towel, some string and small toy to go along for the ride.  But they are a lot of fun and really easy to build. So I put together a little how-to with pictures so that you and your kids can follow along and build this incredible and almost free toy.

I like this activity because once I showed my kids how to build the parachute, they were able to make it themselves (over and over again).  

It is a fun activity something they can do to entertain themselves. Try it this weekend.

info@todayisfun.com

How to entertain kids -- At the market

Fun times with what you have on hand

ADDED August 28, 2008

Sometimes shopping is not the most fun activity for kids.  The waiting, price comparisons and bargain hunting is an adult activity. And unless a cereal needs to be picked out there is nothing much to do but sit and wait till the shopping is done.  Of course we have a solution for that.  Let your child play with your cell phone.  

On the surface this might seem like a risky proposition but take a minute and explain to your child how careful you need to be with a cell phone and what a big responsibility it is to be able to use one.  Then open up the camera function on you phone and show your kids how to take a picture or a movie and let them entertain themselves with this little piece of technology we all have.

You will definitely end up with a lot of photos like these actual photos taken by a three year old with my lovely wifes iphone but it is so fun!

Just another tip on HOW TO ENTERTAIN KIDS from Today is fun.
Commenting is easy and fun so let us know how it going we are always at info@todayisfun.com and don’t forget to tell a friend about us. Today is fun!

KIDS GAMES -- Find the Shape

Fun game to help your kids learn shapes

ADDED August 27, 2008

Here at TIF we like to think that every day holds an opportunity for learning.  We also like to take every teachable moment and make it fun.  Today’s entertaining game is a great idea called Find the Shape.  It is simple and easy all at once.  It also can even help little ones learn shapes.

First find a willing player or players and second look for a shape that is easy to find.  Look for something big to start with that has an easily identifiable shape like a rectangular door or a round table.  And ask your kids to find the shape.  Then your kids can take turns trying to Find the Shape.

I will also add a few variations to the game to keep my kids on their toes.  I will ask them to Find the color or Find the empty table or even Find the guy in the red and white striped shirt.  It’s just another one of the great Kids Games we love!

Commenting is easy and fun so let us know how it going we are always at info@todayisfun.com and don’t forget to tell a friend about us. Today is fun!

KIDS GAMES -- The human adding machine

Fun family game that everyone can play

ADDED August 26, 2008

Next time you and your kids are waiting for your meal at a restaurant or in the doctor’s office, try this fun and educational activity. This game can be played with as few as 2 people and can be enjoyed by kids of all ages. We call it "the human adding machine."

We all take turns holding up zero to five fingers and then it is the human adding machine's job to add up all the fingers. Then the game moves on to the next person, and they add all the fingers up and so on. To add some fun and make it a little more entertaining, I will talk in a robot voice and sometimes give the wrong answer just to keep my kids on their toes. I will also push the subtract button on the human calculator to create a teachable and challenging moment.

My kids love to play, and I like to think it strengthens their math skills. This is one of our most simple, easy and fun kids games.

Commenting is easy so let us know how the human adding machine works for you.  We are always at info@todayisfun.com and don’t forget to tell a friend about us. Today is fun!

HOW TO ENTERTAIN KIDS -- WATCH THE CLOUDS

Find shapes and learn a little science all at the same time

ADDED August 24, 2008

A fun activity in these final days of summer is just sitting outside and watching the clouds. It is simple easy and clouds are almost always available to watch.

Today find some time to spend together outside looking at the clouds. Eat lunch outside or take an evening walk and look for animals, people or shapes in the clouds. If your kids are having trouble finding something in the clouds give them some silly suggestions of things to look for like, Grandma, the family pet or a teacher.

 

Here at TIF we love science and want to spread the love so while you are enjoying your time chatting and searching the skies if you see "puffy" or "cotton-like" clouds you can practice with your kids the scientific name for those clouds it is Cumulus.  After all it’s never to early learn.

Commenting is easy and fun so let us know what your kids see in the clouds info@todayisfun.com don’t forget to tell a friend about us. Today is fun!

HOW TO ENTERTAIN KIDS -- What do you hear?

How to entertain kids with silence

ADDED August 11, 2008

Some car rides are rowdy. When a group of kids is going to a party or on an outing be prepared for a loud ride.  And when you mix in some sort of children's folk singer on the stereo be prepared for shrieks of joy and peals of laughter that only dogs can hear.

Today we have a quick idea that can quiet the car down, keep everybody entertained and it works with a group of kids or just a few.

What I will do to get everyone's attention is first I will put all of the windows in the car down.  The noise and sudden burst of wind will shock everyone into silence for a few seconds. When the group is quiet I will tell them of a new game we are going to play.  This is a quiet game and to play you need to be quiet and listen carefully, we are going to listen as we drive and we will tell each other what we hear.

Soon silence is all I here combined with an occasional, “Oh, I hear a horn and a truck” and “Oh there is a dog”.  

This is one of our favorite kinds of activities because it takes all of the rowdy excitement that kids have and transforms it into something structured with a little learning along the way. Try it and let us know how it works for you!

Commenting is easy and fun so let us know what your kids hear info@todayisfun.com don't forget to tell a friend about us. Today is fun!

1,2,3 Quiet Game

Quick game to help kids keep themselves quiet

ADDED July 27, 2008

I am not sure who taught my kids this game, but I overheard it from the back of the car, and it is too good not to pass on. Try this game in the car, at dinner, even in a store when your little ones are getting a little too loud.

All I do is say "1,2,3 Quiet Game" and anyone within earshot must be quiet. Once the silence is broken by any noise at all the game is over and there are no winners or losers.  Amazingly, this game has a very calming effect on the noise that a small group of children can generate.

This game is not just a game that adults lead.  I also let the kids police the game: if someone is being too loud, all they need to say is "1,2,3, Quiet Game" and the other kid will quiet down. It works like magic.

The resulting silence, no matter how brief it may be, is nice.

Try it with your kids and let us know how it works!  And don't forget we are always available at info@todayisfun.com!

Eat It or Don't Eat It!

Yet another of our kids games that is easy, fun, and instructional

ADDED July 20, 2008

This is another very simple game. There is a certain, almost Zen-like beauty to the simplicity of this activity, as we'll explain in a moment...

You list a few things for your kids. They have to tell you "Eat it" or "Don't Eat It" for each. A plate of spaghetti, yes. An apple, yes. An entire house . . . absolutely not!

After your turn (try to rattle off about ten different items to ask about), your kids can take a stab at listing things for you to eat or don't eat.

Once your kids understand the concept, you can start to get tricky with them. For instance, "elbow pasta" is a favorite in our house. But just plain old elbows . . . don't try to eat those!

Of course, this is a very easy way to review for small children what people eat, and what they shouldn't. As a case in point, I always remind my little guy that crayons and Play Dough are on the "Don't Eat It!" list.

And now for the beauty of this game, as we mentioned above. The thing is, "Eat it or Don't Eat It!" is simple and engaging enough for small children that they can play it themselves, once you show them how. We have witnessed kids as young as four and two playing this game by themselves for ten to fifteen minutes at a time! And ah, what a sweet, peaceful, and relaxing ten to fifteen minutes that was.

Have fun, and at your next meal time, please stick to the "Eat It" list. No houses, no elbows, please.

 

Counting everyday and every way

Daily fun with numbers

ADDED July 14, 2008

Numbers are an abstract concept. Learning how to count to ten is the easy part but learning how to use numbers to count things this can be hard. Here at TIF we love numbers and we think that the only way to get good at something is through repetition. That is why we are big fans of this game.

Once your kids have mastered counting 1-10 the next step could be to count simple things that you and your kids see. Math that they can do on their fingers is the best, as with everything we try to make it easy so it can be done anywhere.

With my kids I started with simple things that I knew they could count, when we would ride somewhere in the car I would often ask how many people are in the car? Or other times I would ask how many wheels does a car have? How many lights are on the street lamp? Or just to be tricky. I would ask how many wheels does and eighteen wheeler have?

Using simple counting questions they got really good quickly and soon we were adding up the tires on two cars, counting items in a display case and people in line at the market. Try it today and see what numbers you come up with.

Leave a comment or send us an email to let us know how you encourage counting at info@todayisfun.com!

From Where Do You Know?

A fun and simple quizzing game about your kids' favorite characters

ADDED July 10, 2008

Your kids know the characters from a number of different books and TV shows. This activity -- perfect for the car or when you're waiting somewhere -- involves reviewing all the characters and stories that your kids know.

For example, in our house we watch shows and read books from Sesame Street, Bob the Builder, Mickey Mouse's Clubhouse, the Little Einsteins, Word World, Richard Scarry, and Winnie the Pooh.  These shows and books have become the kids' favorites, and they watch the shows and read the books over and over again.

When we need to pass some time, I quiz the kids on all the characters and shows.  I ask, "From where do you know Annie?"  (Answer:  Little Einsteins.)  "From where do you know Tigger?"  (From Winnie the Pooh, of course.)

The kids like to have their knowledge tested, and they like to review all their favorites.  Sometimes, just to get their goat, you can make a preposterous statement ("Oscar the Grouch is a character on Bob the Builder") to see how your children respond.

When the kids are older and in high school, quizzes won't be quite this enjoyable for them.  But for now, quiz away and have fun while it lasts!

Lk, M! N vwls!

that is...Look, Ma! No vowels!

ADDED July 07, 2008

If your child doesn't know what vowels are, tell them: A, E, I, O, U, and (that's right), sometimes Y. For "phase 1" of this activity, you guys just might want to talk about the vowels each day for a week.

Once your child gets the concept . . . it's time to get rid of those special letters. No more vowels for you!

In our house, we like to imagine a world with no vowels. We start with simple words, such as dog and cat. First, I ask my boys where the vowels are in each of those words, and once each has been identified, we spell the words *without* vowels: dog and cat become dg and ct. The most fun part of this exercise is trying to pronounce the words without vowels. (I think dog and cat sound like dug and kit, both sounding kind of clipped and pronounced with a lot of emphasis. I also find that I clench my teeth when uttering these vowel-less words.)

Then we start talking about family members, and what would happen to their names without vowels. Daddy and Mommy's names are especially difficult to pronounce without vowels, but we try anyway. (Three impassioned D sounds and three long Mmmm's, respectively.) We talk about our friend Paul, whose name is manageable and still sounds relatively Paul-like, but then we discuss Alicia and Ana, whose names sound nothing like they do with all of their vowels.

In our house, things generally break down from there, and the kids want to talk about every word without its proper allotment of vowels. It really is dctnl and fn, but sometimes a bit xhstng! (educational, fun, exhausting!)

Red, White and Blue hunt

Entertaining Game of finding the colors in the American flag.

ADDED June 29, 2008

4th of July is this Friday and here at Today is fun we have loads of great ideas to keep your kids entertained all throughout this patriotic and festive week.

Today’s idea will help get the smallest patriots in the mood by having them look for the colors found in the American flag, red, white and blue. If your kids don’t know what colors are on the American flag this week would be a great time to teach them because flags and displays of patriotism will be everywhere.

 

When your kids have figured out what colors they are looking for turn them loose. When they find the first color “Red” then they can find the next color “White” and then “Blue” then repeat “Red”, “White” and “Blue”.

The idea is very simple and can be used to pass a few minutes at the market or on a car ride or even while you are reading a book this week try pointing out the colors Red, White and Blue when you look at the pictures.

Also don’t forget to drop us an email info@todayisfun.com we will be wearing special 4th of July hats all week (look for this idea later in the week) and it would be great to hear from you!

Albert the Aardvark

A fun and funny way for kids to learn letters and alliterations

ADDED June 26, 2008

Ask your kids if they've met Albert the Aardvark. No? They haven't? How about Beulah the Beaver? (She's always quite busy, it seems.) Then there's Connie the Coyote and Donny the Duck-Billed Platypus.

The way our family plays this game is for the adult to supply the kids with the name, and then the kids come up with the animal. The game gets much more fun, you'll see, when your kids can provide both the name and the animal.

Even if your child can only invent gibberish names for the animals ("Frunko the Frog," for instance) as long as they are recognizing and repeating that first letter sound, it's still an approved answer in our book.

Have fun with those kids today, and say hello to Hortense the Hedgehog for us.

(For another fun alliterative word game check out one of our previous posts: Great Gadzooks!)

Fun with Money

An old but entertaining standby: looking at and playing with coins

ADDED June 24, 2008

(This activity is for young kids, but only those old enough to be trusted with coins.  If your toddler tries to run down to the 7-11 and blow the money on candy, well then, he's not ready for this one.  Seriously though, if there's even a chance your child will put the coins in his or her mouth, hold off on this game.)

But if the kids in your house resemble the ones in mine, there are never enough toys on hand.  All the toys -- even the relatively new ones -- have been played with many times already.  So now what?

One idea is to take everyday objects and re-commission them for fun and learning.  For instance, in our house, we play with money.  Quarters, to be exact.

First of all, you're never too young to learn that guy is George Washington, and that he was a great person.  (And there is something incredibly cute about hearing your very young child say the name "George Washington.")

Second, on the other side of the coin, kids like to see the eagle.  Many quarters these days have swapped out that noble bird for other images, and those are fun to find, too.  For instance, did you know that the Oklahoma quarter depicts not an eagle, but a Scissortail Flycatcher?  (It's true.)  And that Colorado's shows some very impressive big mountains?  (Those would be the Rockies.)  More information on these special quarters is here.

Once you're done with the learning quarters have to offer, you'll find they also make fun objects for play.  You can roll them, spin them, or bounce them.  You can stack a handful of quarters and make a tower.  We like to hide a quarter among some blocks as a beginner's "magic trick."

They say money can't buy happiness, but playing with it for a while sure can be pretty fun.

How does your family learn about and play with money?  We'd like to know, so please email us here.

(Thanks to Today Is Fun reader Laurie March for suggesting this activity!  We always welcome fun and creative ways of keeping the little darlings happy and busy.)

Have you ever seen a PoodleRex?

Word jumble silliness!

ADDED June 19, 2008

Kids are always pretending to be animals. At any time a zoo full of hamsters, hyenas or hippopotami can be found thundering thru the house.  The question that always comes up is, “Dad, what kind of animal do you want to be?” I usually choose hippopotamus because they float around, listen to the zookeeper (my daughter)  and don’t get into a lot of trouble.

But sometimes when posed with this question what I’ll do is take two animals and create a new animal. It is really simple, take the first part of one animal and combine it with the last part of another animal and presto you have the fearsome ham-opotamus, the deadly hip-yena or the poorly behaved hy-ster.

Try this idea in the car or at the dinner table.  It is fun with sound effects and acting (I always encourage gentle acting), but I love to see their imaginations light up when one of these mythical creatures appear

Here is a list of my favorites The Rabburtle (Rabbit and Turtle), Buffmunk (Buffalo and Chipmunk) and Rhinokey (Rhino and Monkey) are all favorites.  And in my sons mind nothing is better then the ferocious PoodleRex (Tyrannosaurus Rex and Poodle) I just wish we could house break him!  

Next time you are asked, “what animal do you want to be” Let us know what you and you kids come up with. We are just an email away info@todayisfun.com or leave a comment.

Family Survey

Take a fun survey of your family's preferences

ADDED June 11, 2008

An easy-to-do, fun conversation starter with the kids.

Make a chart on a blank piece of paper. On the far left, create a column called "Question." Next you'll want to have a column for each person in the family, Mom, Dad, kids, and so forth.

Write a simple either-or question in the first column, and then ask it to your kids. "Which do you like better, purple or yellow?" Write each person's response in their column.

Here are some categories we used, that will undoubtedly spark ideas for you. Which do you like better:

 

Chocolate or raisins
Ketchup or mustard
Blue or green
Purple or yellow
Dogs or cats
Manta rays or sea horses
Cows or horses
Drums or guitars
Flutes or trombones
Crayons or markers
Batman or Superman
Climbing up or sliding down

Baths or showers

Shouting or whispering

Quarter or penny

 

For my family, a big part of the fun is learning about charts, and studying the one we make. Another part of the fun is reviewing each family member's response, and finding similarities and differences. "Oh, Mommy and I both like ketchup more than mustard--but Daddy really likes mustard!"

Portable Game Books

Print out these handy games for anytime fun.

ADDED June 04, 2008

The other day I was looking for a simple organizer that I could print out and fold into a small pocket size to do list. I happened upon this very handy little organizer at
http://www.pocketmod.com/v2/
and as I looked thru the options for coordinating my life I found you could make little books of Tic-Tack-Toe, Dots and Boxes or a Blank Page for Doodling even little frames to make your own stories in, all you have to do is print, fold and cut to create a little portable game book to take anywhere. I immediatley printed some out and put them to use.

They really are a lot of fun and super simple to make. We have been playing a game of Dots and Boxes after dinner for the past 3 nights (this game can be very long) and the Tic-Tac-Toe book really came in handy during a recent Doctors visit and I can’t wait to use the Doodling book at a restaurant very soon.

I made five little booklets to print and take. I really like them. Let me know what you think!
Click link below to download in pdf format and print!

1) Tic-Tac-Toe
2) Dots and Boxes
3) ½ Tic-Tac-Toe & ½ Dots and Boxes
4) Blank pages for coloring
5) Make your own story

If you are having trouble folding the paper look here for a quick primer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAb31rIeGZo
and if you forgot the rules of Tic-Tac-Toe look here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tic-tac-toe
also if you are not quite sure how to play Dots and Boxes look here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dots_and_Boxes
and of course you can always email us here to let us know how it’s going.
info@todayisfun.com

 

A lot, a little, or so-so

A simple, entertaining way of finding kids' favorite things

ADDED May 26, 2008

 

Think of something -- anything -- in your child's life.  For now, let's use the example of a grilled cheese sandwich.

Ask your child, "How much do you like a grilled cheese sandwich?  A lot, a little, or just so-so?"  

It's that easy.

Once your child answers, you can share your thoughts on the subject at hand.  Then, think of another item to discuss.  Going to the park, for example.  Or an alligator.

Even little kids can participate in this game.  And there is something intrinsically charming about a toddler saying 'so-so.'

We all feel differently about various things in our lives.  This game helps pass the time in an entertaining way by talking about those evaluations.

We've had enormous success with this one during long car rides and while stuck in traffic.

Your family is guaranteed to like this game a lot (or a little or so-so).

Fun with Vowel Sounds

Entertain the kids with their own mouths (and have them learn a little in the process)

ADDED May 25, 2008

Kids like to play with anything at hand and sometimes what is at hand is, well, a face.

 

At some point during childhood, everybody hears the old wives' tale: "don't make that kind of funny face or it will stick that way." Well, these funny faces won't stick, but the educational benefit here just might.

If your kids don't know already, list for them all the vowels: A, E, I, O, and U. (Sometimes Y.)

Then, you and your kids make the different vowel sounds: an A, an E, an O sound, and so forth. Part of the fun of this activity is looking at how your mouths are shaped for each sound: an O sound, of course, makes a circle of course, but what does a A do? In our house, we think an A stretches your lips, and an E really stretches your mouth!

It's learning and it's fun. And we hope that your kids will say, "Oh, this is A great time. Yip-EE!"

 

Great Gadzooks

Alphabetical word fun.

ADDED May 22, 2008

My kids are learning all about words at school, and lately I have seen their vocabulary increase greatly. What I do to encourage bigger words and a broader vocabulary is play a game I call “Great Gadzooks.”

It is slightly challenging and definitley something that makes them think but it can be played anywhere. The results are always hilarious.

All you need is a little imagination and some word power. You start at the beginning of the alphabet and use a adjective and a noun that start with the letter A.  For example, ”Awesome Apples” or “Arabian Ant,” then the game moves on to the next person. They will use the letter B for their turn, they follow suit using the same adjective and noun formula, ”Burned Bananna” or “Bouncy Blanket” -- the more outlandish the better. The next person follows with the letter C then D and so on. Some letters do get hard but we have a few "go to" words that we will use for I,V,X,Y and Z (email me if you need some help with those letters).

It is always fun. For some reason “Vacuuming Vipers” always gets a huge laugh and “Marvelous Mom” elicits cheers of joy. Let me know what makes you and your kids laugh. It would be great to read some of your "Colorful Comments".

Stroller Patrol

Finding something obvious helps keep kids occupied

ADDED May 21, 2008

Sometimes when you and your kids go somewhere fun or somewhere that’s geared for kids, there’s some waiting that must be endured, too.  For instance, if you’ve ever been to Disneyland (which is fun for kids) there are occasionally some lines to wait in (less fun.)

One way I keep my kids entertained is to deputize them into Stroller Patrol.  When I can tell that the waiting in line has started to wear thin, I proclaim, “Okay, people.  I need to account for every single stroller here!  Who can help me find a stroller?”  Since we’re at place for kids, there are always a good number of strollers.  Soon my kids are scanning and surveying the area, eagerly adding up the number of kid carriages.

Usually there is a lot of crowd movement at these places, and the number of strollers in view is constantly fluctuating.  Which is good.  I need an accurate count, at all times. 

Stroller Patrol is a very important and  time-consuming job, and no deputy has time to be at loose ends.

Fill in the blank

A simple, fun game to help pass the blank.

ADDED May 19, 2008

You say the first two words of a phrase your child knows, and wait for the blank to be filled in.

For instance, “Grandma and Blank.”  (Answer:  Grandpa.)

“Brush your blank.”  (Answer: teeth.)

“Stars and blank.”  (Answer: stripes.)

Kids quickly pick up on how this game works, and are eager to provide the right answer.  Mine are so enthusiastic at times, in fact, that they’re trying to fill in the blank before I’ve fully told them the clues.  This leads to occasional mishaps such as “Grandma and Teeth”…which everyone seems to enjoy.

Bigger or Smaller

Have fun estimating everything.

ADDED May 18, 2008

My kids are always comparing sizes of things. I frequently hear things like,” I am tall enough for this” or “I am big enough to do that” or the ever popular, ”but mine is the smallest”. What they don’t realize is that they are estimating. So to keep the estimation party going in a positive way I will ask them questions about what things they see around them and have them estimate the answers.

I will ask, ”what building, tree or flag pole is taller?” “What car do you think is heavier?” Or I will say, “What line has the most people?”

I think it helps expand their vocabulary and encourage critical thinking. Besides who doesn’t like to guess which line will move faster at the market? Somehow I always chose the slowest.

An Animal, A Place, And Something You Can Touch

A custom tale just for your kid -- what could be more entertaining?

ADDED May 15, 2008

Ask your child to tell you three things: an animal, a place, and a thing that "you can touch."

With these three bits of information, it is very easy to create a story.  And your child will be enthralled to hear the suggestions molded into the story.

Here's an example that happened in our house the other day.  For an animal, my boy said an antelope.  The place was a market and the "thing you can touch" was a cactus.

I told a story about Andrew the Antelope (always give the characters in your stories names--kids like that.  You could also pause the story to ask your child for the name as well).  Well, Andrew the Antelope went to the market with his Mom.  He wanted to run and jump around the store (as antelopes are wont to do), but his mom told him to calm down and to be careful, please!  Well, Andrew the Antelope didn't listen, and in one big jump, almost landed on a - that's right - potted cactus.  

With the three details already in mind, it was easy to tell the story.  And my kids loved it.  (Except they felt the story could have been improved if the antelope had actually fallen onto the cactus.)

Animal Automobiles

Kids have fun thinking up appropriate vehicles for our furry friends

ADDED May 14, 2008

 

 

If animals could get around in cars and trucks, what would they choose to drive?

If you'd like to know the answer to this philosophical question, just ask your kids.

But before you do, you might want to give them these examples:

A snake would drive a long green car, and you really wouldn't be able to see the wheels.

A snail would drive a little truck with a beige cab and a dark brown back. And oh, it would drive really slowly.

A frog's car would be quite green, and it would make its passengers bounce around.

A monkey's brownish car would drive pretty quickly all over the place, and its wheels would really chatter.

You get the idea. It is guaranteed to hold a pre-schooler's attention.

And please, let's encourage all these creatures to drive slowly and to respect the road!

Olden Days

Good times with the way-back machine.

ADDED May 07, 2008

This isn’t so much a game or activity, as a great topic for conversation.  It’s fun, too.

Kids naturally like learning about the world about them—everything is new and exciting.  When your kids reach a certain age (four or five?) they can begin to understand this concept:  that in Olden Days, a lot of things didn’t exist—a lot of things that kids are used to seeing.  

When I first told this to my kids, they thought it was a bizarre concept:  there didn’t used to be cars?  Or TV?  Or Barney the Dinosaur?

My kids like guessing what was around in Olden Days, and what wasn’t.  (“Were there leopards in Olden Days, Daddy?”)

Just  be careful around touchy grandmothers.  You, not your innocent child, will get blamed if a touchy grandmother is asked, “Were there horses in Olden Days, Grandma?”

The perfect toy

Who needs toys when you have a box

ADDED May 05, 2008

We all know that kids love boxes but here are some other uses that you may not have thought of. So I now present a list of possible uses for a box. This list is not exhaustive and let us know how a box can entertain your little ones.

 

Make it into a…
Rocket ship
Transportation for a Queen
Race car

Decorate it for…
Birthdays
Thanksgiving
Hanukkah
Christmas

Put your…
Toys in it
Pet in it
Brother in it

Wear it as a…
Suit of Armor
Big shoe
Hat

Ride it…
On a blanket (wood floors required)
On a skateboard (helmet and pads required)
To a Drive-in Movie in your living room

Make it into a…
Stage for a Puppet show
Hospital for sick stuffed animals
Garage for cars

Use it as a…
Stove for cooking
Table for eating
Throne for a King

On the go hairdo

Did you know how entertaining hair care can be?

ADDED May 04, 2008

I don’t really spend time doing hair -- my kids' hair or my own.  There are about a million other things in life to do before I get to those chores.

But when we’re waiting in line, or at the check out, it helps to pass the time to get out some hair care products.

Of course, I don’t really have any. But I make my hand into a ‘comb,’ and ask, “Who needs a good combing?” My kids volunteer, and I ‘comb’ their hair with my fingers. They think it feels weird, and kind of tickles.

Then I offer to use the hair dryer on them (a contraption that has always held a certain fascination for kids.) Making a loud, hair drying noise, I quickly move their hair around with my fingers and hands.

Then it’s time for some goop—a necessary finale to any good haircut. I hold an invisible goop bottle out, and squirt it all over the kids' hair. This involves random, crazy tickling of the top of their heads.

When I’m through, everybody’s hair certainly looks a little worse and a lot more messy…but everybody’s had a decent time, and the waiting is over.

Schmippopotamus

A quick and simple way to keep young kids entertained and on their toes

ADDED April 29, 2008

 

This one's quick and easy. I've found it also helps get a kid's attention back when they're getting bored and possibly mischievous.

All you need to do is say: "I'm thinking of an animal. See if you can guess what it is. Here's a hint: schmippopotamus."

If your kid is old enough (three and above, certainly), they'll get the joke, and correctly figure out the animal.

Keep naming animals, but with the "schm–" sound at the beginning instead of the actual consonant sound. So, make them figure out the true identity of a schmiraffe, a schmea lion, a schmuirrel, a schmelephant, and so on.

This is fun, but it's probably better for younger kids. I haven't tested this out personally, but you might not want to try it on any teenagers.

Everybody wave

Get the kids up and get them smiling

ADDED April 28, 2008

When one of my kids is waking up tired or grumpy, I say, "Everybody wave" at that kid.  My other child and I wave vigorously at the waking boy, and he always seems to like the greeting.  Then I tell 'everybody' to wave at my other boy.  This includes the kid who is waking up, who is usually ready to participate.  Then I tell everybody to wave at me.  We go around the circle again, and this time everybody is awake and in good spirits.

In my house, the rules are: you can't talk, just wave, and you really have to put some effort into the whole procedure.

This waving business might defy common sense, but it is quiet and done with affection...and it seems to work.

(While this gets positive results for my kids--and it will probably work with yours--please, please don't try it with me.  In fact, just let me go to back to sleep for a while, thank you very much, and let me know when the game is on.)

Questions for the kids

Entertain the troops with a little kid interrogation

ADDED April 17, 2008

Try it here are a few starters. Questions can be simple, “what color is your favorite shirt?” informational, “how much do you like bunnies?” or outlandish, “what do you think is heavier 1 elephant or 7500 popsicles?” You can ask anything. So ask away.

I did and was surprised to find out that someone in my family would rather be tickled than eat green beans, another prefers their straw inside a cup, while a third person would rather go bowling than play croquet. Who knew! Let me know what you find out about your loved ones.

I have completely forgotten about this book

ADDED April 01, 2008

Sometimes a kid will find a favorite book and want to read it over and over and OVER again. (And then over again.)

 

Really, there's nothing wrong with this. In fact, we as parents we should definitely feel happy and lucky that our child has found a book that excites them!

 

But then again, reading a child's favorite book thirty or forty times can be, well, repetitive.

 

One way to breathe fresh life into an oft-read book is to forget about it completely.

 

"Oh, I've never seen this book before!" I tell my children as the favorite book comes out.

 

At first, they look at me like I'm nuts (not an uncommon occurrence in our house.) Then, they're on board with the game and "introducing" me to the book.

 

"And Daddy, look at how this elephant is squirting all over the place! Have you ever seen that before?"

 

I also try this completely forgetting trick when my Lovely Wife asks me to take out the garbage, but the results aren't quite as impressive.