Kids Activity: Thanksgiving Turkey Hunt

Thanksgiving in America traditionally involves a turkey. Each year, we take our kids on their own personal Turkey Hunt. They LOVE it. And we have a blast too.

First, we cut construction paper into fourths. (You can use index cards if this is easier and readily available. You can also use regular printer paper or loose leaf paper. Whatever you have on hand will work.) Then we give each child three or four pieces of paper, and take a few pieces for ourselves. We then make a turkey on each. Some years we’ve gotten carried away with our crafting and made 3-D turkeys instead.

Here are some ideas for your turkeys:

1. Trace your child’s hand and let them color it in, drawing a beak and feet.
2. Trace their hand on a sheet of construction paper, cut it out and glue it to your sheet.
3. Let them use paint and a hand print to make their turkey.
4. Let them draw or color the turkey.
5. Use craft items like craft foam, feathers, wiggly eyes, and pom poms, and felt to build a small turkey on the page, or independent of the page.
6. If you want, you can print small clip art turkeys and let your kids color them.
7. You can use fancy lettering to decorate the word Turkey if you don’t want to draw or make one.
8. Or, if you’re feeling really silly, you can use pictures of your kids and call them your “little turkeys”.
9. As always, your imagination is the limit to what you can do.

Once our turkeys are complete we need cages to keep them in once we’ve caught them. We’ve used brown paper sacks, shoe boxes, tissue boxes, and even ziplock bags for this purpose in the past. Pretty much anything will work. If you are using something disposable, you can decorate it or draw bars on it like a cage.

When our turkeys and cages are complete, we choose our first Guide for our Turkey Hunt. Our Guide hides all of the turkeys in the forest, one room of the house. Once they are all hidden, the Turkey Hunt begins. Our hunters, the other children or players, begin to search for the turkeys. As they are found, our hunters bring their catch to their Guide. The Guide will keep the captured turkeys pinned up according to the hunter who has caught them.

Once all the turkeys have been found, we count how many each hunter caught. The hunter who has caught the most turkeys becomes the Guide for our next hunt. And the game begins again. The kids love it. They have fun making a mess and making their turkeys, then they play with them over and over again until Thanksgiving has come and gone.

Kids Crafts: Li'l Leaf

This charming little leaf is made using your child's hand and foot prints. I remember this from grade school. In one of our classes, we had these hanging from the ceiling, one for each child. He can be hung from the ceiling or on a wall. Here's how we made him, along with a few variations.

1. First I went out and found a leaf in the yard. I copied it, larger, onto a piece of construction paper. I chose orange, yellow, red, and brown for this project since it is fall. I did not like the whole leaf, so I chose the best half and folded the page and cut along the line I liked the most. The side of the construction paper that I'd drawn on became my back side. I then drew a face for the leaf.
2. Next, I got my 4 year old daughter to let me trace her hands and feet. Then I cut these out for her. I let my 6 year old cut his own.
3. Using strips of yellow construction paper, folded like an fan, I made legs and arms. The legs, arms, hands and feet are affixed to the leaf using tape. However, you can also glue them, or staple them.
4. The finished product can be hung from the ceiling or on a wall.

Additional options to mix it up:

• You can use ribbon to make the arms and legs, instead of construction paper.
• You can use the cardboard that comes off the back of a used note pad for your leaf to make it more sturdy.
• Our leaf, pictured above, is slightly wilted. My son spilled a drink. Since part of the leaf was wet, I took a paper towel and wet it with more of the same drink. I then dabbed this over the leaf to cover our accident. You can do this with tea or coffee to stain you leaf and add texture.
• You can allow your children to draw on the leaf, hands, and feet. Even if they just draw stripes, patterns, or shapes. This would add visual interest and personalize your leaf more.
• Little girls can add jewelry or other accessories to their leaves. These can be draw, real, or created with craft items.
• Boys can add caps, collars, jackets, balls in the hands, shoes on the feet, etc.
• You can embellish your leaf with things around the house, paint it, etc.
• The list could go on, and on.

As always, the goal is to spend time with your kids, have fun, and be creative. There are no rules to creativity, and the only limit is your imagination. :)

Kids Activities: Football - Pass the Pig Skin!!!

It’s fall, and the weather is beautiful outside . . . at least where we live. So, it is a great time to spend some time outdoors with your kids. This weekend, my husband took our 6 year old son outside to throw the football. Excited, which you may have figured out is just part of my son’s personality, was an understatement. Our little boy was ecstatic about the idea of having his dad to himself outside, for some one-on-one time.

If you don’t have a football, but would like one, here are some of your options:

• Wilson Ultimate Composite NFL Junior Football
• Wilson NCAA Supreme Junior Sewn Rubber Football
• TDJ Composite Junior Game Ball Football

My husband, who has coached children’s football in years past, first drew the football field in the dirt and explained the basics of the game to our son. Then, they went out to a clear spot in the yard to throw the ball. He showed our son techniques for holding the ball, throwing it, and catching it. Here are some of the tricks and tips he shared:

Throwing the Football:

• Hold the ball in your throwing hand. Place your fingers on the laces, then slide your hand toward the back of the ball so that only the 4th and 5th fingers touch the laces. Your throwing hand should hug the ball, but still allow a little light to pass between the football and the palm of the hand. If your child is too small, there may be no room for light to pass. This is okay.
• The ball should be balanced in the hand and pulled back next to the ear. If your child is unable to balance the ball with just his or her throwing hand, then the other hand may be used on the side of the ball to balance it until release of the ball.
• Prior to throwing the ball, position the feet shoulder width apart, with the opposite foot from the throwing arm forward. When the ball is thrown, the arm should travel forward across the body and to the opposite hip. Follow through with your arm, even after releasing the ball, to the hip.

Catching the Football:

• The biggest key to catching the ball is to stay loose. If you stiffen up, then the ball will bounce right out of your hands.
• If you are catching a ball below the belly button, hold the hands open, side by side, with little fingers together.
• If you are catching a ball above the belly button, hold the hands open with thumbs together.
• Once the ball is in hand, pull it into the body.

Get out there and have fun playing some back yard football. If you enjoyed this activity, here are a few references that may help you to build on this activity:

• Kids' Book of Soccer: Skills, Strategies, and the Rules of the Game
• Coaching Youth Football (Betterway Coaching Kids Series)
• JERRY RICE (Sports Illustrated for Kids)

Kids Activity: Picnic at the Park

I know this idea sounds cliche. And for some of you, it sounds like a lot of trouble. (This is how I usually feel . . . until I get there. Then I have a blast with the kids!) But, despite what you think when you first read this title, you're kids will LOVE this activity. You can be as extravagant about it as you like, or as simple.

This weekend, while visiting family out of town, we took the kids to Pinnacle Mountain State Park just outside of Little Rock, AR. Since we were spending the weekend at a hotel, we picked up lunch on our way to the park, ate there, and then let the kids play. Of course, we helped too. We helped with monkey bars, jungle gyms, and swings. And, we made several trips to the restroom. But, the kids had a great time.

This activity is extremely inexpensive, since you have to eat anyway. It can occupy as much of your day as you choose. It can be a simple or extravagant as you like. And, best of all, it gives the kids a chance to run off some steam! So, if you have some time to kill and want to spend some quality time with your kids, then here are some suggestions, ideas, and options for a picnic at the park.

1. If you're one of those parents who likes to go all out, or if this is a special occasion, make your child and invitation to the picnic in the park. If you are extremely crafty, this will be easy, and fun. If you are not, this can be simple and still be very special. Take a piece of computer paper and fold it in half or in fourths. This will be your card. Then write your message and draw a very simple picture. If you're not confident of your drawing skills, then keep the drawing simple. If you're technologically inclined, you can use your computer to a make this invitation using a card-making program. If you do not have one, here are three to check out: Printmaster - Platinum Version 18, Hallmark Card Studio 2005 Deluxe, Printmaster Greeting Cards. The prices vary to fit any budget.
2. You can make or buy lunch to bring. If you choose to make it. Let your kids help you pick the menu and prepare it. This, of course, should not be a free-for-all. Choices and responsibilities should be limited according to what you deam appropriate. If making lunch is not an option, or is too much trouble for you, then you can always buy lunch. Your kids will enjoy this just as much and it saves you time and trouble. Whichever way you choose to go, make sure you have plenty of napkins and drinks. Once they start playing, they get thirsty.
3. If you've already eaten lunch, or just want to avoid going out during the hottest part of the day, you can substitute dessert for lunch. Your kids will really enjoy the snack in the park. And, again, this can be prepared at home or purchased on the way.
4. If you're going to eat at the park make sure you bring an outdoor blanket. This is just another little touch that your kids will love. It makes the experience special. You don't need a fancy water-resistant blanket, although these are great for outdoors. Any blanket that your willing to take outdoors will be great. This way you're not trying to eat while sitting on the itchy grass. My kids hate sitting in the grass. They also hate the bugs that always tend to show up when you're eating outside. (When they're busy playing, they don't seem to notice them as much.) The blanket gives them a backdrop that helps in spotting unwanted picnic guests. If there are tables at the park, you can always choose this option instead of the blanket.
5. If there is a large open grassy area at the park, you may want to bring a ball to toss. Or an RC car or plane. These are two great ways to spend time with the kids doing things together.
6. You can have the kids play a game of chase, or tag. Go ahead, play with them. They'll love it. They won't think you're silly. And guess what, no one else will either. You're never too old to play games, especially with your kids. If there are enough of you, you can have the kids play hide and seek while you watch them. This way you can keep track of all the hiding children so as not to loose one.
7. If you're going out during the sunny part of the day, don't forget your sunscreen. And if there may be biting insects, grab the insect repellent on your way out the door.
8. If you want to have a picnic at the park with your kids and either don't have a park, or don't want to go, you can do this in your back yard and have a great time too. Use your imagination and have fun.
9. Last, but not least, don't forget the camera. You never know what they'll do, and you wouldn't want to miss out on a photo op.

Kid's Activity: Baking Cookies

My son was helping me with ideas for our next post. We just got book orders in from school and he's insisting that we write about one of his new books. In honor of the book, we decided to write this post for you . . . and then bake our own cookies.

First, you need a recipe. If you don't have a traditional cook book, there are countless recipes on the Kraft web page. It's my favorite place to find recipe's that are not in my cook book. Just type what you're looking for in the search and off you go.

Next you'll need to make sure you have all the ingredients out and ready. Then get the kids in the kitchen. Help them follow the recipe, add ingredients, stir, and dish out cookies onto the sheet. It makes them feel good to do it themselves. Plus, it's a great chance for you to spend time together. It also gives you an opportunity to practice communicating and following directions. Once the cookies are on t he cookie sheet, it's time for my kids' favorite part - cleaning out the bowl. (You know how they like cookie dough!) Then we set our timer and wait.

Once the cookies are cooled, it's snack time. Enjoy! I know we will.

Kids Corner: Three of our favorite Kids Games

My kids enjoyed listing their favorite foods and can't wait to share some of their favorite games. We'll only list a few so that you can share your favorites too. Here we go:

3 1/2 and 4 year old:

• Hi-Ho Cherry-O (board game)
• Memory (card game)
• Chutes and Ladders (board game)
• Candy Land (board game)
• Curious George Uno (cards)
• Dora Dominoes

6 year old:

• Go Fish (cards)
• Sorry (board game)
• What am I? (This is a game we found on the Internet. I unfortunately do not recall the site, or I would provide it here. But, here is how it works. One person chooses something to be. Then he tells the others I am a "person" (or place, or thing). Then the other players take turns asking questions to figure out what the other player is. My son (6) likes to be animals. His best one was an armadillo. My daughter (4) likes to be flowers, trees, people she loves, and our pets.)

10 year old:

• Monopoly (board game)
• Clue (board game)
• Poker (card game with chips)

Our 4 month old is too little to like games . . . yet. He likes his toys, though. If you and your children would like to find these or other games, they are available at the KBtoys link on the right side of the screen. Please allow your children to post their favorite games as well. Hope to hear from you soon.

Kids Crafts: Pictures of Leaves

Here are the pictures I promised of the leaf rubbings we did. They were darker on paper and in the original scanned format than they appear here.

This was the kids favorite part. However, my six year old also liked drawing the leaf without looking at the paper, only the leaf. He wanted to do this several times.

The first one you see above is one of my six year old's drawings of the leaf in which he did not look at the paper. Both kids were tired by this time and did not want to try to draw the third picture. So I drew part of it, just so you'd have an example. Hope you enjoyed this activity as much as we did.

Kids Crafts: Drawing Autumn Leaves

Do your children like to draw? I do, and so do my kids. Let's celebrate the season by drawing the world as we see it, not as we percieve it. (Don't write off this article if you think you "can't draw", read on, and try to challenge your thinking.)

During the autumn, we watch the leaves turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Then they drift gracefully to the ground. I challenge you to go out into your yards with your children and let them pick a leaf, or two or three, which has fallen from the trees. Give them a paper and a pencil. Ask them to look at their leaf. Look at it and really see it. Ask them to take note of the outer shape of the leaf. Observe the stem and how the leaf grows out of it and is supported by it. Look at the transition from leaf to stem. Help them notice the veins within the leaf. Notice the beautiful patterns to be found there.

If you have very thin, soft drawing paper, like news print, have your child lay the paper over the leaf and, with chalk pastels or a crayon, lightly rub over the leaf and watch the leaf come to live on the page.

On another page, have your child look at the leaf and draw it. Instruct your child not to look at the paper, and not to lift the pencil. Try this a few different times, putting as much detail into the picture as possible. Then look at the result. You will be surprised. If you practice, these can become quite good. But either way, they are a great excersise in eye-hand coordination.

Then, if you child is still interested, ask them to draw the leaf by looking at it, and the paper. Remind him (or her) not to draw their idea of a leaf, but instead what they are seeing in front of them. Look at the lines on the leaf and draw them. Look at the way the light hits the leaf and draw that.

If they wish to add color, encourage them. But again, discourage the addition of simple green, or yellow, or orange, or red. Ask your child to look at the leaf. What colors do they see on the leaf? Where are those colors and how do they blend together? You and your child will learn a lot about the way you see the world, and about the things you miss on a normal basis. You will also learn a lot about the leaf.

Of course, limit the excersise to your child's age and attention span. You can break this up into several sessions if you like. I'll have my kids do this excersise tomorrow and will post some of the results for you. Hope you all enjoy the drawing!

Children's Book Review: "How I Became a Pirate"

Written by Melinda Long
Illustrated by David Shannon








This hillarious story begins with Jeremy Jacob building a sand castle on the beach with his family. But soon, Jeremy meets some very interesting new freinds - Braid Beard and his crew - pirates. And, he's off on an adventure. He learns all about the freedoms and fun of being a pirate. Take your child on this imaginative adventure with Jeremy and see how the story unfolds, and what Jeremy learns. To find this book, and "Pirates Don't Change Diapers", CLICK HERE.

Kids Activities: Pirate Treasure Hunt

As I mentioned in our “Welcome”, I have 5 children. During the summer while we had them home full time, my husband got our oldest 4 involved in a Pirate Treasure Hunt. The kids loved this role play activity and we did it about 3 times the first day. Here’s what we did.

First, my husband drew a rough map of our house on a piece of paper. Then he labeled each room. He used names like: Ocean of Lost Souls, Waste Land, Land of Tomorrow, Land of Nightmares, Dungeon of Doom, Land of Milk and Honey, Cave of Night, Mountain of Gold.

Then he cut the map into four randomly shaped pieces. On each there was an arrow showing where to go next and a clue. These were, for example, “Search for 3 gold coins.” Then, he hid three of the map pieces in the rooms that the arrows pointed to, with the coins indicated on the previous map piece. The fourth map piece was given to the child who’d been appointed Captain of our Pirate Crew.

He also invented a series of scenarios to occur in each room. As we entered we rolled a dice to determine which scenario we would encounter. Here are the scenarios he came up with for each room:

Room #1:

1. A trip wire is crossed. Your crew has 5 minutes to finish the entire mission before you are all trapped forever.
2. Nothing happens.
3. A giant snake attacks. Roll 6 or you loose all crew members.
4. If anyone spoke when you entered the room, you woke up spiders. Roll a 6 and you will be trapped.
5. Nothing happens.
6. Nothing happens.

Room #2:

1. A sea monster takes a crew member captive. You choose which member.
2. Nothing happens.
3. A wart-faced hog creature sword fights your leader.
4. Nothing happens.
5. A pack of wolves will eat one of your crew members unless you can avoid rolling a 1.
6. A small squid-like creature attaches itself to a crew member. Roll once in all remaining rooms for a 6.

Room #3:

1. A crew member is attacked by a giant flesh eating vine and is rescued by your leader.
2. Nothing happens.
3. Big spiders attack your leader. He is rescued by anther crew member.
4. Nothing happens.
5. Walking skeletons attack. Roll a 6 and you never escape.
6. A talking frog shows you the way to your clue.

Each crew member was then given a weapon (make believe or toy) and a flashlight or lantern. We each dressed up in some way as a pirate. Then we drew the blinds, turned off the light and began our adventure. As we moved into the first room, my husband pulled out a dice and had the Pirate Captain roll it. We acted out the scenario indicated by the Captain’s roll of the dice, then continued on our adventure. At the end, we found a treasure chest of gold.

This pretend play idea can be improvised and adjusted to fit your children’s preferences, or you can use it just as listed above. Either way, I hope your kids love it as much as ours do.

Activity Alley: Welcome

Welcome to Activity Alley! First, I'd like to take a moment to introduce myself. Then I'd like to let you know what to expect from this site in the coming months.

As a mother of 5, my family is the most important thing in my life. I believe that there is no greater gift that I can give to my children than to spend quality time with them. Time to talk, time to play, time to read, time to share, and time to love.

If you are a parent, then you already know that the experiences our children have, regardless of where these occur and who they are shared with, shape and mold them into their future selves. The time that we, as parents, spend with our kids will affect who they become as adults since it gives us a chance to directly affect our children's personalities, value systems, opinions, ambitions, and feelings. Because we as parents have a vested interest in our children and their futures, I wanted to create a website to share this passion with other parents.

I plan to post ideas for kids activities and kids crafts on a regular basis. And I'll incorporate regular book reviews. I'd also like to include a letter to parents. In this section, we can discuss issues that arise in our families and with our children.