Let's Celebrate Velcro
An ingeniously creative and helpful invention!
ADDED March 02, 2010
One of our modern world's most impressive — and least heralded conveniences is Velcro. Can you imagine your life -- or the lives of your kids -- without it?
Velcro was invented by George de Mestrel, after he kept getting thorns and thistles in his hiking socks. He studied what made the thorns stick. You've really got to admire George, to make that creative, helpful kind of lemonade from those lemons.
There are two different and important parts to Velcro: a "hook" side and a "loop" side.
Today, in honor of this amazing invention, we'd like your kids to make a paper version of Velcro. It's easy.
Have your kids take a piece of paper and cut out a "hook" side. This can be a capital "J" shape or even a capital "L" shape.
Next, have them cut a "loop." This really be any shape with a hole in it that matches the size of the "hook."
The kids should attach their hook to their loop. Can you child hold up the loop with the hook?
Finally, take the kids to inspect their jackets and backpacks. Can you guys find Velcro? If you look closely, you'll definitely be able to see some loops and hooks! Exciting!
We hope your family enjoys being looped into this information, and that the fun and education here hooks your kids!
The Crazy Handshake
Use crazy to teach correct!
ADDED March 01, 2010
Here's a good tip for kids everywhere: if you know how to do something correctly, then you will be able to do that thing "crazy," too.
At the moment, we're learning to shake hands in our house. We're learning two ways: correct and "crazy."
Do your kids know the "correct" way to do a handshake? Here are the three things that make for a good, correct handshake:
1. Shake with your right hand only!
2. Hold the other person's hand firmly -- but not too hard or too soft. Together, the hand shakers should move their hands up and down together two times. (Though some people do three.)
3. Look in the other person's eyes. Try to smile.
A crazy handshake breaks all the rules: you don't look in the other person's eyes, you don't smile, you don't shake with your right hand only, and so forth. Creativity is welcome -- and so is a bit of rambunctiousness.
Of course, part of the trick here is knowing when to do a correct handshake and when to go crazy. It's pretty easy, though, to learn: "correct" is good when you meet someone new and for shaking the hands of most adults.
"Crazy" is good for showing family members what not to do when shaking hands. It's also good for family silliness, when everyone is ready for it.
Have fun practicing. And have your kids be very careful: sometiems crazy handshakes can turn into crazy tickles and hugs!
(A while ago we suggested the "
family handshake," which is another fun and good-for-the-whole-family activity. Check it out, too!)
(And a big hug/handshake to
Aidan Jones for the excellent, "correct" handshaking illustration above!)
Home Skeleton
It's really fun
ADDED February 26, 2010
The "skeleton" is an Olympic event in which a competitor races downhill, face down on a sled.
It is very exciting, and at times, the rider's head is a mere two inches from the ice. Last time I checked, we don't have an ice run at our house (or a skeleton sled for that matter.) However, my kids and I decided we would figure out a way to make our very own, "home" version of this sport. . . .
Broom Hockey
Soon To Be An Olympic Event Maybe
ADDED February 25, 2010
For the remainder of this week, we are creating ideas to bring the Winter Olympics into your home. We are hoping to get everyone cheering for Team USA (and get everyone enjoying some time outside.)
Today's feature is "broom hockey," a simple game played with brooms and a round ball. No special gear is required, and you can play with just a few kids or the whole neighborhood.
. . .
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." . . .
