Homework has to be done almost every day. Sometimes kids have trouble doing the "same old thing" -- and they can get a bit distracted, feisty, or worse. We think that sometimes a little change can help create a big, positive attitude change.
It has been raining for the last week here is Southern California, and the rain was welcome fun for a day. On the second day, though, you realize that people here don't plan on the rain. At my kids' school, the lunch area is outside, and on a normal day this is fine; the worst they have to deal with is the marine layer. By Friday of this week, after all classes had been inside all week, my wife and I hardly knew the rambunctious ruffians that we were picking up from school.
So we had to put on our thinking caps and do something fun and unusual everyday. The ideas had to be affordable, unique, and possibly educational — but always fun. On Monday, we came up with Flashlight Games. . . .
We usually try to recommend recent books here, because we think that those books will be widely available. Well, today's book is a bit older. Would You Rather, by John Burningham, is available on Amazon, though, and maybe at your local public library, too. (As of this writing, Amazon is selling it for $241 new. If you buy it by clicking this link, we get a percentage. So please buy this book from Amazon! Many times.)
(It's much less expensive, unfortunately, if you buy a used copy from Amazon.)
This not-very-recent book contains a series of fun, "Would You Rather" questions for kids. Each option comes with a cute illustration, so young kids can easily follow along.
My kids' favorite question: "Would you rather . . . an elephant drank your bathwater, an eagle stole your dinner, a pig tried on your clothes, or a hippo slept in your bed?"
Another good one: "Would you rather have . . . . supper in a castle, breakfast in a balloon, or tea on the river?"
As you might expect, this book gets your kids' minds thinking about different options. Where would your youngster rather live: in a jungle or in the snow? Which silly activity would you like your Mom or Dad to perform? Which loud musical instrument would your child like to play?
The book contains a few vaguely realistic questions, and many very silly questions. (My kids insist they would enjoy having a hippo in their beds. I, however, think I'd rather go with the elephant sipping my bathwater.)
There are many questions about animals, perfect for kids who like animals. (Such as mine.). . .
This activity is quite simple, and it entails just what its name implies: today you guys are going to making beautiful art using every single color in the house.
First, amass all the "colors" in your house -- that is, crayons, markers, pens, and so forth. In my house, this doesn't take a lot of work, because my lovely wife keeps everything so nicely organized, and all the drawing implements are stored together in a cabinet.
Next, give every participant a blank sheet of paper. Each person should think of a subject for their drawing -- though this "subject" can be a loose idea and change as the activity goes forward.
Choose a crayon or marker at random. Each person will make a. . .
