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." . . .
Home Luge
It's Smaller Than You Think
ADDED February 23, 2010
I have to admit that we have gone a little Olympic crazy at my house. Not only has every free moment been given over to watching the Olympics, but all available space on our Tivo has been filled with winter Olympic sports. So yes, we are in the spirit. In keeping with Olympic fun, my daughter and I created a mini,indoor luge.
With a tape measure, a few marbles, and some scotch tape, we created a home luge that can be set up anywhere. The tape measure acts as the track -- a marble fits perfectly inside -- and the scotch tape holds everything in place. With the littlest push, the race is on. We installed our luge from the top to the bottom of the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, we put a small blanket to catch the racers. Once the track is built, let the fun -- and your kids' imaginations run wild!
(If we had two tape measures, I imagine we could have set up a marble vs. marble race, but the single track was still a lot of fun.)
Did you do this activity? Please leave a comment and let us know!
Reading chair
Or Reading Place
ADDED February 22, 2010
I had a professor in college that suggested two different kinds of chairs for reading: a chair that was a little uncomfortable with a straight back that would be used for reading technical things technical or academic things. The other was a soft, cushy chair that you could use for free reading. I think the idea was to make it hard to go to sleep while reading material that was dry. You could go to sleep, though, if you wanted, for free reading.
As my kids get older and are reading more for school and for pleasure, my lovely wife and I have realized . . .
Organize It!
It's classified. Well, it will be when your kids are done...
ADDED February 19, 2010
Please forgive a few seconds' horn-tooting here, but today's activity is what this website is all about: it's fun, free, easy, and educational! Really, what more could you ask for?
(Well, you could ask for less horn-tooting. In which case, here we go . . . )
Today we are classifying and organizing. This is a great activity for children because it's what human brains do naturally. Give a person a few minutes and an assorted mishmash of stuff . . . and a little while later you'll have a classified, organized bunch of stuff.
The human brain is great at applying order to disorder. This is true for kids' brains, too. And . . . making sense of a mess can be fun, too. (My wife, upon seeing all the kids' toys strewn helter skelter all over our playroom, might disagree with that last sentence.). . .
Say Anything!
As long as it's a thing, that is!
ADDED February 18, 2010
This one is very simple. Well, at first glance it's simple. But some thinking needs to occur here, too.
Grab a paper and pencil. Ask your kid or kids to say anything. Just tell them it's got to be a thing.
My kids liked doing this. They had many things to suggest: . . .
You Are Here
Right Here and Right Now!
ADDED February 17, 2010
We've all seen those oversized maps in malls and amusement parks. These helpful maps always include a small way of letting you know where you're standing: "You are here." That designation is the inspiration behind today's family activity.
Sometimes kids have strong feelings. Very often, something makes kids feel angry, sad, or anxious (even though that last is probably not a word they use).
One effective way of dealing with strong emotions is to focus the child's attention in the present moment. Encourage them to concentrate on where they are now -- not elsewhere in time or place.. . .
How Many "Pastas" in the Box?
Seriously. How many?
ADDED February 16, 2010
Okay, this activity requires a box or a bag of dry pasta, but we really feel strongly that you must use “little shape” pasta -- not “long noodles” such as spaghetti. This activity would be best for kids in the “low” elementary grades -- say, K through 4th.
If your kids’ hands are grubby -- and believe me, my kids’ hands are always quite grubby, seemingly even when they wake up in the morning -- you will want to do a very thorough hand-washing.
Next, have your beloved little ones sit down at the kitchen table. Give them a box of pasta -- we like “elbows” or macaroni -- and ask them to count how many “pastas” are in the box. (The correct English, I suppose, would be pieces of pasta.)
Well, how many are there in the box?
This activity might seem pretty pointless, but…. . .
Right, Wrong, or Poetry
Well, which is it?
ADDED February 15, 2010
You may have heard of Samuel Taylor Coleridge before. He’s a famous British poet who lived from 1772 to 1834. Among his most well known poems is the Rime of the Ancient Mariner. It’s about a man traveling by sea, and the troubles he encounters. It’s a good poem -- and if you have a few moments, you might want to check it out.
Poetry like Mr. Coleridge’s inspired today’s activity. You see, in his poetry -- and in most poems generally -- liberties are taken with language. Outside the confines of a poem, these unusual uses of language might be viewed negatively and called “mistakes.” But in an English class or a literature book, these language irregularities are called “poetry.”
In the Rime of the Ancient Mariner -- which tells a story -- a man is listening to a sailor talk. The listener listens very intently, “like a three years’ child.” In every day talk, we wouldn’t use say it that way, of course. We’d say “ like a three year old.” But it’s pretty easy to understand what is meant by a “three years’ child,” isn’t it? And this poetic way of talking is nice. It’s different; it’s interesting.
Today we want you and your kids to discuss these concepts. And you guys can make up some little bits of poetry yourselves.
Then, have the kids evaluate everything as: right, wrong, or poetry. Here are some examples:
You can see the sun up in the sky. (Right. This statement is true. I don’t think you could argue with it.)
You can see the sun down in a deep dark cave. (Wrong. This statement isn’t correct, really.)
You can see the sun in the eyes of a puppy. (Poetry. This is an interesting, different way of expressing the thought. It’s poetry! And it’s easy!)
Here are three more examples, just because this is really fun to do.. . .
Unexpected Valentine
Shhhhhh!
ADDED February 12, 2010
Hearts are the traditional symbol for Valentine's Day, of course, and thankfully, they are easy to make. Even boys like to make Valentine's hearts, we've noticed. This is the time of the year that hearts and lovey-dovey-ness are not too yucky for any kid! Well, those things are tolerable.
Today, in honor of Valentine's Day, give your kids some free craft time to make an original, creative, and unexpected Valentine.. . .
Knock and Spell
A fun way to learn spelling!
ADDED February 11, 2010
Learning to spell words can be a difficult task, but with a little creativity you can make the formidable enjoyable. I really have my daughter to thank for this activity — she created it all by herself.. . .
Years in Review
Remember when?
ADDED February 10, 2010
My son turned nine a few days ago, and my daughter turned ten a month before that. It seems that kids are excited with the prospect of increasing age, but we as parents are both excited to see our little ones grow and sad to see them grow up so fast. So, with those two recent birthdays in my rearview mirror, I thought it would be a good idea to share a great memory-inducing activity that is fun for kids and adults as well. . . .
Follow the sun
It can be your guide!
ADDED February 09, 2010
Teaching your kids direction can be difficult. North is always North, of course, but without a compass, you really can't be sure exactly what direction you are facing. But with a few simple instructions and a fun dance, your family can be close to knowing where you are at all times. . . .
Sweet and Sour
A fun game for the car
ADDED February 08, 2010
When we are driving around in the car, my kids like to play a game they call "Sweet and Sour." I know that this might not be an idea that we made up ourselves, but if your kids don't know it, they might enjoy it.
To play, you have to be an astute observer of human nature. . . .
Weekend Reading: The Runaway Mummy
A cute, fun book for people who enjoy spooky stuff
ADDED February 06, 2010
Truth be told, I wouldn't have thought that
The Runaway Mummy would be such a hit in my house. I don't know why -- there's certainly nothing
wrong with this book. But I didn't expect my boys to react as positively to it as they did.
My kids love it, though. When my four-year-old got to choose a book to bring into his preschool class, this is the one he picked.
The story here focuses on a mama mummy and her little boy (who is also a mummy.)
The book starts off with the boy wanting to get away from his mom. She light-heartedly threatens to transform into various magical creatures in order to catch him and be with him. She threatens to become a giant monster, a humungous gorilla, a sea serpent. Her threats inspire her son to come up with ideas of what he would transform into in order to foil her. And so it goes.
My boys love to watch this imaginary, proposed (and loving) battle of words unfold.
Of course, illustrations demonstrate each of the over-the-top ideas that mom and son come up with. The pictures are cute and charming, and they offer a lot of detail for kids to study.
I do need to say: I don't think that this book would be ideal for most girls. Each page focuses on monsters and similarly gruesome creatures. It has struck a chord with my two boys because they really enjoy "scary" stuff. Also, I've noticed that my beautiful wife —- she's a girl -- doesn't exactly relish this book. Instead, I would say that she goes along with it. Or puts up with it.
I hope I've done a good job describing and recommending this book. I hope I haven't scared you off it or come across as too tepid.
The Runaway Mummy is really a cute, fun book. That is, it's cute and fun, if your family enjoys discussing mummies, monsters, sea serpents, and gargantuan apes.
Read to your kids! Do it
now!
(Oh, one more thing. I read online that this book is a parody of classic kids' book
The Runaway Bunny. I didn't know that -- and I don't think my family has read the original version. I might pick it up at the library to see if my boys enjoy the story sans the spooky stuff.)
Code Words
Your kids choose some code words. Then, silly fun ensues!
ADDED February 05, 2010
This activity is just pure silly fun. My kids really like it, probably because they love pure silly fun.
First, with your kids, choose some words -- any common word will do. Maybe you and your kids can each take turns contributing a common word. Here are a couple of examples of common words: dinner, sleep, hug.
Next, you guys need come up with a list of "fun, little" things to do. Here are some examples:
• do a little hop
• pretend to sneeze
• clap your hands
• raise your arms up over your head as if you were a referee signalling a touchdown
Write one common word down next to each "fun, little" thing to do. This word will be become a "code word" for the fun, little thing.. . .
The Not-Very-Good Drawer
Some not very good drawing leads to a lot of very good fun!
ADDED February 04, 2010
At some point, kids become quite self-critical of their artwork. "That picture is no good," they say. "That doesn't look anything like a fireman." Or a baseball player. Or a dragon. Or ballerina. Or whatever.
Well, here at Today is Fun, we do appreciate people who strive for perfection. That's good and healthy. But -- as with everything else in life -- perfectionism is good . . . in moderation.
Today's activity is all about making artwork communicate with very little effort and with no perfectionism! It's fun to boot.
Today you'll be doing some drawing and your kids will be doing some guessing. So get some blank paper and some writing implements . . . and off we go.
Tell your kids that they have to guess what you're going to draw. And then draw a banana. Try to do it very, very quickly and very, very simply. Give yourself no more than five seconds to do it. And use as few lines as you can get away with. Here's a really fast banana I drew:. . .
Half of Half of Half of a Piece of Toast
Breakfast fun with fractions!
ADDED February 03, 2010
I've started doing something with my kindergartner that is turning out to be a nice introduction to fractions, I think. He just thinks it's funny and interesting.
At breakfast time, we cut his piece of toast in half. Then we leave one of the pieces alone and cut the other one in half again.
We repeat this process: we leave one of the new pieces intact and cut the other one in half. (This gives us two pieces that are now one quarter the size of the original piece of toast.)
We keep doing this: leaving one piece and cutting one piece.
In this way, we create:
half the piece of toast
a quarter of the piece of toast
an eighth
a sixteenth
a thirty-second
Sometimes we can even get down to a sixty-fourth!
As I said above, this toast trick is just an introduction to fractions. We're not learning higher math here.
But my son is really learning the concepts.
He understands that there can only be two halves.
With the smaller pieces, he understands what information is communicated by the names. He has learned that if you need two halves to make one whole, you need eight eighths to make a whole.
I'll ask him: if you have one sixteenth, how many more sixteenths do you need to get back to the whole piece of bread? I'm proud to say, my boy answers correctly.. . .
Guest Vegetable of the Week
(And also, its Fruit Friend)
ADDED February 02, 2010
Do your kids eat their vegetables?
We think you can persuade your children to consume their vegetables by raising your voice ("EAT YOUR CARROTS!") or you can opt for a softer approach.
In the spirit of persuading without raising one's voice, we'd like to present: the Guest Vegetable of the Week!
But, wait — there's more. We're also unveiling today the concept of "the Fruit Friend of the Week."
Each week, introduce a new vegetable and fruit to your kids. Each week, pick up a "new" fruit and vegetable from the supermarket and try it out on your family.
When was the last time your family enjoyed jicama? (It's good cut into sticks and served alongside carrots with a dip.)
Have you ever added a parsnip to a soup?
How do your kids feel about kohlrabi?
If an item is a hit, however, it can certainly make more frequent visits to your family's dinner table in the future.
If your kids (or, truth be told, you) aren't wild about the Guest Vegetable or Fruit Friend, not to worry. You guys have only got to put up with it for a week!
Here are some tips to make the new fruits and vegetables welcome and easy guests for your family:
1. Choose fresh foods that are in season, of course. Ask your grocer for some help!
2. Choose items that don't require too much preparation or cooking. Brussel sprouts and zucchini -- while fine, upstanding members of the produce family -- cannot be eaten raw. Pomegranates are totally perplexing. If you're usually pressed for time, don't buy these.
3. Try to vary the appearance and preparation of the produce. Can the item be served raw in a salad? Or with a dip? Can it be cooked and added to other dishes, such as pastas? A few minutes online will bring up hundreds of recipes and ideas to help you be a good host to each guest vegetable.
4. Be adventurous if you can. Try new things. Exotic is okay!
5. Have fun! Remember, the idea here is to "sell" healthy eating with creativity and positivity.
We hope this idea goes over big in your house. And we are now accepting invitations to taste your guest vegetables and fruit friends. Let us know when we can swing by. (Also, we would like some dessert.)
(Thanks to
heydrienne for showing us so many fruit options!)
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.. . .
