Popsicle Sticks as an Outlet for Kid Fun

Popsicle sticks (aka craft sticks) can be used for crafts and games. Here are a few ideas I would like to share.

Did you know?

Eating a frozen Popsicle is still part of growing up in America just as it was in the past.  Frank Epperson, from California, invented and patented the “Epsicle” which later became the “Popsicle.”  In 1905, when Epperson was just 11 years old, he mixed some soda water powder to drink.  He accidentally left it overnight on the back porch with the stirring stick inside.  That night the temperature dropped to a record low causing this mixture to freeze.  Voila! The first “Epsicle!”  Today, the Popsicle is manufactured by the Good Humor-Breyers Ice Cream Company.  Popsicles come in a variety of fun shapes and flavors, now even offering natural juices and no-sugar-added Pops.  Not only have Popsicles been treats for our children, the famous wooden sticks are great resources for arts, crafts, games, and learning.

CRAFT STICKS AND CRAYONS (crayons & Popsicle sticks)—

Place Popsicle sticks, crayons and white paper on the table.  Invite the children to make designs on the paper by tracing around the sticks with their colorful crayons.  Teach your kids the art of overlapping.

POPSICLE FRAMES (Popsicle Sticks)—

Glue Popsicle sticks into shapes, such as squares and triangles.  You can even create a star by laying one triangle on top of another.  Glue the sticks together.  Trim a photograph to fit the inside of your frame and glue this to the back of the frame.  As a variation, you could glue a plain piece of heavy paper in place to be colored, painted, or decorated inside the frame.  This is an easy project to hang; just attach a loop of yarn or ribbon to the top.

PICK-UP STICKS (Popsicle Sticks)—

Use Popsicle sticks to play a game of pick-up sticks.  This is played just like pick-up sticks except that when your turn is finished you have to add your sticks to that of the person before you.  Let’s say Mom was able to pick up five sticks before she moved any of the others.  Then Bobby picked up three without moving the rest of the sticks.  Bobby would note that since Mom picked up five and he picked up three, then there are eight sticks picked up so far.  Therefore, five plus three equals eight.  If he gets it right, he gets Mom’s sticks.  If he gets it wrong, Mom gets her sticks. This makes the game an incentive to learn math facts.

Kids love to eat Popsicles - so save all those sticks for further fun!

You can also purchase a bag of sticks on AMAZON.

There are pre-colored sticks too! HERE

Photo courtesy of Tania Cowling, all rights reserved

How Do You Amuse the Kids on St. Patrick's Day?

Calling all teachers and parents:

Lads and lassies, get ready to celebrate a “wee-bit of fun” this March 17th on St. Patrick’s Day. 

Doing the shamrock stomp:  (baby & toddler)

Put on some music (like an Irish jig or McNamara’s Band) and invite your child to dance along with you.  For young babies, hold them in your arms while you dance.  Encourage him to come up with a variety of ways to move to the music.  To do the “Shamrock Stomp”, cut out large shamrock shapes from green construction paper.  Tape these to the floor.  Start the music and have your child move and jump from shamrock to shamrock.  This is a fun way for your youngster to express himself on St. Patrick’s Day and great for practicing large motor skills.  Masking tape on the floor can be another entertaining movement game.  Stick the tape on the floor to make a design, such as a zigzag, a circle, triangle or a star.  Let your child move along, over and around the lines as they please.

Click here to purchase this CD

How about the shamrock shimmy?  (preschool+)

Here’s a fun locomotion game to play with your child.  It’s even better if you can gather other family members or friends.  Cut several small shamrocks from green construction paper.  Write instructions on the one side like:  hop like a bunny, gallop like a horse, crawl like a snake, walk like an elephant, whistle like a leprechaun, skip, walk backwards, etc.  Place these instructional shamrocks in a container on the other side of the room.  Play this like a relay race, as the first person runs to the pile, takes a shamrock and does what it says while returning to his/her team, then sits down. Station an adult to help read the instructions.  The next team member proceeds the same way until everyone has a turn.  Another fun St. Paddy game is “Irish Hot Potato.”  Sit all players in a circle.  Hand one child a potato.  Explain that when the music begins, they will pass the potato to the person on their right.  When the music stops whoever’s holding the potato scoots out of the circle and playing resumes. Who will end up in the circle alone with the potato? Play some Celtic or Irish Jig music to get into the spirit, although any music will do.

Cover photo courtesy of Tumisu, CC0 Public Domain, pixabay.com

Quick shopping for materials you will need for these activities:

Green construction paper      

Green masking tape         

Getting Ready for 2023 With the Kids: Games to Play

New Year’s Eve has all the fixings for a true children’s celebration—the chance to stay up way past bedtime, toss confetti in the air, sport silly hats, and raise a toast. Whether you want to ring in 2023 with your child at a family party or throw a sleepover bash for all his/her friends, the following games are here for you to consider.

CELEBRATE WITH BUBBLE WRAP—

Tape sheets of bubble wrap (small bubbles and large ones) to a hard floor or driveway.  When the New Year’s countdown concludes have the kids stomp on the bubble wrap to make loud popping sounds.  Sure safer than fireworks!

NEW YEAR FREEZE DANCING—

Give each child a noisemaker horn. Play some peppy music and while the music is playing the kids can blow their horns. When the music stops, the children freeze and yell “Happy New Year.”  This is a fun game—but beware—it can get very LOUD!

THE MOUSE RAN UP THE CLOCK—

This game is based on the “Red Light, Green Light” activity.  One child is the “Grandfather Clock” and stands with his back to the players (mice). He calls out hours at random, and the mice race to take that number of steps before “Grandfather” turns around. Those who fail must return to start. The first mouse to “run up the clock” wins.

HIDE THE CLOCK—

An adult hides a ticking clock. Gather the kids and have them find it.  Another fun way is to set the alarm for 5-7 minutes, if the kids don’t find the clock—the alarm will surely give a loud clue.

FESTIVE BUBBLES—

Set out a pie plate with homemade soap solution. Mix 3 parts water to 1 part “Joy” or “Dawn” dishwashing liquid.  For lots of miniature bubbles, tape together a bunch of plastic drinking straws.  Dip one end in the bubble solution, hold the other end about one inch from your mouth (do not put your lips on the straws) and blow. For the big dipper, twist one end of a pipe cleaner into a large loop, dip it in the soap solution then slowly wave it in the air to create a giant bubble.

PLAY VOLLEY BALLOON—

Batting a balloon back and forth may sound easy, but in this challenge, there’s a catch:  Each contestant must link an arm with his/her partner, leaving just one hand free for the task. Whichever pair is able to volley their balloon the longest wins.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY READERS,

TANIA  :)

Photo courtesy of geralt, CCO Public Domain on Pixabay.com

Sources for games:

Channels to Children by Carol Beckman, Roberta Simmons, and Nancy Thomas, copyright 1982

Family Fun Parties, culminated by Deanna F. Cook, copyright 1999

Games to Play During Thanksgiving Weekend

Just because Thanksgiving Day is over, we don't have to truly let go of the holiday. We have the weekend to bond and play with the kids. Here are a few to engage in. 

Games of chance and dexterity were very important to the Native Americans and Pilgrims as they became friends during the humble year of the first Thanksgiving. These ideas for parents will help children learn the symbolic meanings of this November holiday. Since kids learn through play, here are a few teachable activities to try.

Pass the Stone -- Two teams of players (representing Native Americans) sit on the floor in lines facing each other. Members of the one team cover their hands with a blanket. While a leader beats on a drum, the team passes a stone from one player to the next under the blanket. When the drum stops, the players stop passing the stone. Chose a member of the opposite team to guess which player has the stone. If he/she guesses correctly, his team receives the stone. Repeat the game as long as there is interest. 

Over the River -- Place two strings parallel on the floor approximately one foot apart. Pretend this is the river to reach Grandma's house for Thanksgiving dinner. The object of the game is to jump across the "river" without falling into the "water" (stepping between the strings). Keep moving the strings farther and farther apart with each round of the game.

Feather Hunt -- Purchase a bag of assorted colored feathers and hide these around the party area or yard. Mark one feather as a special token and the finder of this feather will become the chief of the tribe. Invite the players to hunt for the feathers. After all are found, use these feathers to make headdresses. Cut felt or wide ribbons to fit the child's head. An adult can use a low-temperature glue gun and adhere the feathers to the band. Glue the ends together to complete the headband. The Braves and Maidens may wear the headbands during your Thanksgiving celebration. 

The Hoop Game -- The early settlers of America played this game of chance. Place a hula-hoop on the ground (or make a circle with masking tape). A player stands a designated distance from the circle with his/her back to the hoop. Toss small sticks over the shoulder. The object of this game is to land the sticks inside the hoop.

Photo courtesy of mattysimpson/CCO Public Domain on pixabay.com 

Enjoy your holiday together.

Happy Parenting,

Tania :)

The Summer Olympics: Are You Ready?

The Summer Olympics 2021 is happening in Tokyo, Japan. Did you watch the opening ceremony? Take time to view some of the events with your little athletes at home as this is history in the making. Below are a few activities to do with the children to enhance these global games.

Olympic Ring Art

The Olympic symbol of five rings is displayed everywhere. The ring colors of blue, black, red, yellow and green represent the colors of all the flags of the world. Show the kids a picture of this flag on the Internet or in books, and then proceed to this craft. Pour paints of the colors above in shallow containers. Give each child an empty cardboard toilet tube (you will need five) and invite them to dip the end into the paint and then print a circle shape onto a piece of white construction paper. Have your kids copy the Olympic flag with this technique overlapping the circles to make the rings. Younger children will just enjoy making the circle prints with these art tools.

To make the bow and arrow craft (that I made) check this site.

Let Your Home Games Begin

Young children have a hard time understanding the idea of teams, winners and losers. So, in your games, make sure that everyone is a winner. You can invite your children to try some of the following Olympic activities:

 • Discus throw: use paper plates and see how far the children can toss them.

 • Javelin: let the kids throw plastic straws and measure where they land.

 • Shot Put: throw ping-pong balls or paper balls.

 • Relay race: invite the kids to run a distance passing off a stick (it’s safer to use an empty paper towel tube). For younger children, there is no need to have teams.

 • Bicycle or tricycle races: create an obstacle course at your home where children can ride safely. Use plastic cones if available. If you have a stopwatch, the kids may want to know how many seconds it took them to finish the course.

Olympic Music

Enjoy singing this song with your kids to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat."

Run, run, run so fast

Fast as you can go.

I’m running in the Olympics now,

I’m going for the gold.

Jump, jump, jump so far

Mark where I land.

I’m jumping in the Olympics now,

I’m going for the gold. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Change the verses to sing about other events in the Summer Olympics such as throwing, swimming and gymnastics. Conduct your closing ceremonies with lots of praise and award colorful homemade ribbons! Remember everyone is a winner in your own Olympics!

Enjoy the next weeks of the Olympic games. Until my next blog post.

Happy Parenting,

Tania

Photos courtesy of Tania Cowling, all rights reserved
Article text by Tania Cowling may not be duplicated without permission of this author.
Ideas in this article have been published in parenting magazines during previous summer Olympics.

Watch Ya' Mouth Game

They say that “laughter is the best medicine” and this game sure is hilarious. The Watch Ya’ Mouth Game is fun for family night as well as parties (3-10 players). The box comes with plastic mouthpieces (ones like you find in a dentist office) and game cards. The concept of this game is to put in a mouthpiece and read the card. The phrase could be small as two words or as long as 10 words. The mouthpiece changes your speech and the other players need to guess the phrase. Ha, it’s not as easy as you think! And the funny faces that go along trying to read the card makes for gut-busting laughter.

The company’s idea came from this:

“Have you seen the movie 'The Boss' starring Melissa McCarthy? There’s a scene where she’s getting her teeth whitened, wearing the infamous mouthpiece and struggling to speak. From this one scene, the idea for our game was born.”

I found the ‘90’s edition’ fun, but a little hard for our elementary-age players. They didn’t understand some of the phrases. But have no fear, you can write your own cards or order expansion packs (sold separately) that fit the kid’s ages and interest.

I would like to thank the company for sending me this game for my review. We truly enjoyed this opportunity and will keep this in our game arsenal for other occasions.

You can find this game at big box stores and Amazon.com.

Photos courtesy of Tania Cowling, all rights reserved

It’s Finally Time for Some Outdoor Play

Spring has finally come and the weather is now conducive for outdoor play.  It’s time for the kids to put down those digital games (not that they don’t have merit) and grab a toy to exercise those gross motor muscles on terra firma.

I’d like to introduce you to a couple toys from SwimWays (Aerobie). I’m sure your children will enjoy these games with friends and family.

Aerobie Pro Ring™

•         For exhilarating flying disc games, the thin design of this flying ring allows the disc to travel longer distances and it features soft edges for comfortable catches.

•      The open center allows each player to personalize their throwing and catching style – catch the edge with your hand or use the center to catch it with your arm or foot.

•                This flying disc was used to set a Guinness World Record for the farthest throw, an amazing 1,333 feet (406 meters)!

•                Aerobie Pro Ring measures 13 inches in diameter.

•                Available in assorted colors and sold individually.

•                Recommended Age: 12+

•                MSRP: $9.99

Availability: Dick’s Sporting Goods,  REI, Academy, Olympia Sports, Amazon, Big 5, Meijer, Fred Meyer, Hobby Lobby, Scheels, and Dunham’s Sports

COOP Scatter Dodgeball™

•        A fun twist on the classic game of dodgeball, each player begins with two wristbands of the same color.  At the beginning of each round, players form a circle around the dodgeball while one player rolls the dice. Any player who is wearing a wristband that matches the color face-up on the dice is the thrower and may pick up the dodgeball while the other players scatter.

•                As the other players scatter, the thrower attempts to hit them with the dodgeball.  Players that get hit must surrender a wristband to the thrower. If the targeted player catches the ball, the thrower must surrender a wristband. 

•                The first person to collect all the wristbands wins!

•                Two to six players can play the game

•        Each set includes: 1 foam dice, 1 dodgeball (durable, sting proof ball), 12 wristbands (2 of each color) and game instructions

•                Recommended Age: 5+

•                MSRP: $19.99

•                Availability: Target, Amazon

Take a peek at these new spring/summer toys. I’m sure your kids will enjoy them.

Until next time! Happy Parenting,

Tania

I want to thank SwimWays Toys for the opportunity to view their products. I was not paid or coached to write this blog post. The information about the products was provided and these are my own opinions.

Photos courtesy of Tania Cowling and SwimWays, all rights reserved

Y is for Yellow Activities

Yellow is a color synonymous of the upcoming summer. It reminds many of the big, bright sun shining above, giving warmth and sending children outside to play. Yellow is the color of sunflowers so vivid and lemonade so yummy. Explore the color yellow as your group participates in these summer activities.

Mr. Sun

Cut sun shapes from yellow construction paper and hide them around a room or outdoors in the yard. Have the children go on a "sun search" to find as many sun shapes as they can. Continue to search until all the suns have been found.

After the search, set up a table with crayons, markers, sequins, faux jewels or anything that shines and dazzles. The children can decorate; gluing these materials to the sun shapes they found.

Make Sunflowers

Have each child paint a small paper plate yellow (mix a small amount of white school glue in the paint). Lay pieces of yellow tissue paper in the wet paint (to give it a petal appearance). When this process is dried, give the children sunflower seeds to glue in the center of the plate. Staple two giant green construction paper leaves at the bottom. These flowers make great summer decorations for your room or to take home!

Play Games with Children that Involve Colors

Use a yellow beach ball or other large ball. Players form a line, all facing the leader. The leader calls the name of a player and tosses, rolls, or bounces the ball to the named person. The player catches the ball and returns it to the leader in the same manner.

Teaching colors does not have to be about worksheets and printed pages. Since play is a child's learning tool, use fun activities and projects to embed these skills into a child's mind for life.

Wow, just one more letter. See you tomorrow with the letter Z.

Tania

V is for Valentine Any Day

Playing with hearts is synonymous with Valentine's Day, but truthfully using hearts in a lesson or creative play could be any day. Here are a few "valentine" related activities that can be used any time of the year.

MOVING THE VALENTINE:

Teach your child about spatial directions as they participate in this fun activity.  Set a decorated valentine box on the table.  Invite your child to move a valentine card in relationship to the box according to directions you give.  Examples are "move the card" under, behind, in front of, to the left side, to the right side of the box. Continue to play as long as your child desires.

CREATIVE MOVEMENT:

Dramatize the following verse together:

Let's be friends on this Valentine's Day.
We'll show love in so many ways.
I'll blow you a kiss.  Catch it in your hand.
Throw it back.  Watch it land.
Now, be my partner and let's dance to the music.
It's so nice to have a friend like you,
Not just for today, but the whole year through!


SORTING GAME:

Place several shoe boxes on a table.  Fill them with construction paper hearts that you cut in different sizes and colors.  Have your child sort the hearts according to size, color or both. This game helps your little one learn pre-math skills.

MEMORY HEARTS GAME:
You will need 20 index cards
Colored hearts--two of each color
Glue

Glue a different colored heart on 10 index cards and then make a matching set. This game is played like the traditional "concentration" game. Place all the cards heart side down.  The children take turns turning over two cards to find matches.  If they don't get a match, they return the cards, and the next player goes.

We're coming along with the A to Z Challenge. Let's see what W will bring tomorrow,
Tania

Photo courtesy of Tania Cowling, all rights reserved

G is for Game

Continuing on the Sea Life theme, let's play a movement game together.

THE "SEA SAYS"

There is a lot of ocean motion under the sea.  Play "the sea says" just like Simon Says.  Here's a list of the different sea creatures and how they move.

1.  Wiggle like an eel.

2.  Walk sideways like a crab.

3.  Jiggle like a jellyfish.

4.  Crawl with arms and legs like an octopus.

5.  Fly like a seagull.

6.  Bark like a seal.

Think of other motions as you play this game!

This post is short, but there will be more fun tomorrow with the letter H.

Tania

Crab craft photo courtesy of Tania Cowling, all rights reserved

December Holiday Fun

Wow, I'm about a week late in posting and Hanukkah is beginning. There is quite a span between this December holiday and Christmas, but I want to give all the teachers, parents, caregivers and homeschooling parents lots of options for holiday activities, crafts, songs and more. So, please check out these links and bring in the holiday spirit with your little ones.

I've just started a new channel on Suite101.com that is chock full of holiday stuff. The front page at the moment has December holiday materials, but check back often as this is the hub for all things holidays for young children. I'd also love if you leave comments and your ideas with each project article. We all learn by sharing. Click on... to visit Holiday Projects for Preschoolers.

Next are individual articles that contain a variety of activities for December holidays:

5 Crafts Made with Christmas Cards: Creative Time with Your Children

Greeting Card Fun for the Kids

Multicultural Christmas: The Ways Other Children Celebrate

Read on...

12

Christmas Ornaments for Kids to Make: Think Nature and Go Green

For more, click here...

Celebrating Kwanzaa with Young Children: Crafts

Projects to Make Together for This African-American Holiday

Holiday Toys for Kids: New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Are Back

This is especially interesting how these toy characters are back on the market, hot, hot, toys...

And last, but not least, I just started a Pinterest page with holiday ideas for Christmas. Check it out and repin if you see something you like. 

Christmas

General Holiday Fun

I want to wish all my readers and followers a very happy holiday season -- and see you all next year. 2013 is just around the corner!

Tania