Darling Desktops
Who wouldn't want their own, custom, kid-created computer art?
ADDED May 26, 2010
Do you have kids? (Yes again.)
This activity combines kids and computer and leads to some artistic expression.
(Oh, you'll need one more thing for this one: a digital camera.)
Here's what you do: show your kids the desktop image on your computer. And tell them they're going to be in charge of creating a new picture for your desktop.. . .
Fun with the Thesaurus
ADDED May 25, 2010
A thesaurus, I told them, is a book that lists words that mean the same or similar thing. My kids (six and four) had never heard of such a thing.
First, I chose a word and looked it up in the thesaurus. I chose the word "happy," and read out some similar words: joyful, smiling, glad.
Next, my kids each chose a word. My four-year-old chose "monkey" (yep, it's in there.) And then both boys starting guessing what the thesaurus would say, even before I had a chance to read the entry: ape, orangatun, gorilla, etc.
My older boy picked "ghost," and we read: spectre, phantom, spirit, and so on.
We went around a number of times, each taking turns. As weird as it might sound, we had a really good time -- just the thesaurus, a snack, and us.
My devious young sons are always looking for ways to add some comedy and fun to any activity. So after a few rounds, one of my kids said, "I know what word we should look up in the thesaurus: thesaurus!”
My other boy said, "I know what we should look up: look up!"
Of course, both were punished severely.. . .
Be the Bus Boy (or Bus Girl)
A fun (and vaguely educational) way to keep mealtimes alive!
ADDED May 24, 2010
Sometimes kids are antsy at mealtimes. They're ready to leave the table and return to their toys. While we admire their passion for playing, we also need everybody to eat some food! Therefore, we've discovered that cooking up an interesting topic at mealtimes helps little rear ends remain in their seats.
Here's what you do. It's simple and entertaining:
While the kids are starting their meals, parade out various serving dishes. Put them on the table for your kids to see, and together discuss what each is used for. (For obvious reasons, please don't use precious heirlooms, such as great-grandmother's fragile collectible china gravy boat. Such items could meet disastrous ends due to overly enthusiastic toddlers.)
Get a bunch of different dishes out. Talk about sugar bowls, platters, tureens, creamers -- you name it.
What is the difference between a mug and a teacup? Or a tea pot and a tea kettle? What is a gravy boat? (And why is a boat anyway, do you think?) Do your kids know what a saucer is? And what exactly is the point of a saucer? (We think a saucer is used out of tradition, maybe to look nice, and possibly to catch little spills.)
The goal here is to learn new words and to start a discussion . . . and to keep those kids at the table!
You should award yourself some points for variety. How many different serving vessels can you find tucked away in your kitchen cabinets?
Have some fun with this one. And look, you're finally getting some use out of all that stuff tucked away in your kitchen cabinets.
--S
Photo of Portuguese dishes courtesy of pedrosimoes7. And the single corningware shot is from studiosmith.
Buy a Baby Beaver This Weekend!
Wouldn't your children love this rather unusual but really cute little pet?
ADDED May 21, 2010
Well, this weekend we're encouraging you to purchase a baby beaver for your children.. . .
The Miscellaneous Squiggle
A creative and fun drawing game
ADDED May 20, 2010
First, have your kid take a crayon or marker and make a squiggle or line on a piece of paper.
Well, that was easy. Now for the more challenging part: you have to take some crayons and turn your child's squiggle into something recognizable. You have to look at the squiggle and say, "What could I make from that?"
It's not hard, actually. You'll have a look at the squiggle and see that it's actually smoke curling out of a chimney, or a leopard's paw, or a fairy princess's toothbrush, or whatever.. . .
