Category — Family Activities

I came across an activity that Kimberlee Woodward, a teacher in Michigan, used in her classroom that I thought would be fun for a family reunion or a family gathering. Each person has 3-5 different-colored paper strips on which they write a different talent. They create a mini paper chain by linking their talent strips together. Now, get the whole group together and taking turns, each person reads their talents. Link the individual chains together using extra strips of paper. Now you have one long chain. Talk about what the chain demonstrates. For example: All our family members have talents. If we help and support each other we can accomplish more. We’re a stronger family when each individual is willing to share their talents.

This is fun and easy all year long but it can also be used as a Father’s Day card.
All you need is a rectangle shape piece of paper and a pencil. You can make your house as large or as small as you like depending on the size of paper. Have your child fold the paper into a house. They may need your help. Read a story about families or traditions and then have your child write or draw pictures inside the house, about a special family activity or tradition. Stand it up to display. You can also use stickers that represent a family activity or tradition.
Download Directions for House

5 Ideas for making excursions to museums or historical sites more fun for kids:

1. Realize that you may need to spend just a short time in each area. If your child seems interested stay longer, if not move on quickly.

2. Before you go, make a list of things for the children to look for (number of steps, the colors in a specific painting, number of clocks, etc.). Then they will be challenged to find all the answers.

3. Choose places to visit that have a child’s room and have them compare it to their room.

4. Be sure to get a brochure of the site or museum you visit and when you get home, make a game similar to Monopoly. Create a simple game board by cutting out pictures and gluing them on paper. You could also play a guessing game like “I’m thinking of….” If you have two brochures you can cut out duplicate pictures and make a matching game.

5. Take a photo of you and your child, glue on a paper and each of you write about the visit. You could put it in an inexpensive frame as a keepsake.

Print out an ice cream cone pattern for each family member. Each person cuts out the single scoop ice cream cone and writes their name as shown in the picture. Put the cones on the refridgertor or a bulletin board so everyone can see them. Cut out the remaining scoops and put them in a place that is accessible to all members of the family. When a member of the family catches someone doing a good deed, write the deed on an ice cream scoop and attach it to their cone. Watch the ice cream cone get taller and taller as good deeds are being done.
Download Ice Cream Cone

Kate, Kimball & Megan painting their pots. Kate must have thought the paint was a treat because she wanted to lick the brush.

Megan & Logan planting their flowers.

Grandma Liz with her sweetie pies and their creations.

Now that summer is upon us, people want to be outdoors. You can share the outdoors with your children in many ways. Hiking is great because it gives you a chance to talk, explore the world of nature and get physical exercise. Planting a garden can be combined with learning math by estimating and measuring the garden area, how far apart to plant the seeds and measuring the amount of water needed. Visit the beach and gather shells and small rocks to make a collage. Use your imagination to find fun, no cost activities to share with your children in the great outdoors.

This is a fun and easy way to play catch with kids. It’s especially great for younger children who may have difficulty catching with their hands. You can even play inside the house.
Materials:
1 gallon milk carton with handle (empty, of course)
Ball or bean bag
Directions:
1. Cut out a section of the milk carton large enough to catch a ball or bean bag. Be sure to leave the handle intact so you can hold the catcher.
2. Take turns tossing the ball and trying to catch it in the milk carton catcher.

I enjoyed a fun day with my daughter and my grandsons painting and planting.
We started out by painting terra cotta planters that I picked up at the thrift store for $.50. We used acrylic paints. While they were drying we headed to the nursery to get shrubs & flowers for my daughter’s yard. I let my grandson’s pick out a plant for their pot.

We barely had room for Ethan in the backseat. He was surrounded by plants & flowers.

Mason with the final project.

It’s that time of year when we begin to think about family reunions. You’re probably thanking your lucky stars that it wasn’t your turn to plan it this time around. But just because you didn’t have to plan it doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Somebody went to the trouble of deciding the program. It may be an elaborate reunion in an exotic location or a picnic in the park. Wherever it is what are your obligations? READ MORE

This could be a fun activity for a summer project, family reunion or birthday party.