Monthly Archives: February 2010

Winter Activities for Kids

With fewer hours of daylight and colder temperatures, you may be looking for more ways to stay busy and challenged. Try these ideas, look for links on this page to other activities, and check the seasonal calendar.

ABC’s of Winter Fun

A is for Art – try drawing, painting or gluing
B is for Baking – bake a dessert together for dinner
C is for Clay – Use non-hardening clay or play dough to shape and mold
D is for Dance – put on a lively tape
E is for Exercise – be sure to get some everyday
F is for Friends – invite some over
G is for Greenhouse – find a local greenhouse to visit to enjoy the sights and smells
H is for House – make a playhouse from a large appliance box
I is for Ice skating – take the children to a local rink
J is for Jigsaw puzzle – be sure to pick one that isn’t too difficult
K is for Kitchen science – try a safe experiment
L is for Library – borrow some new books
M is for Movie – make one with a video camera, or watch one
N is for Necklace – make one out of cereal or macaroni
O is for Origami – learn to make simple paper creations
P is for Puppets – socks make easy and fun puppets – put on a show!
Q is for Quiet Time – everyone needs some of this
R is for Reading aloud – choose a good book and a comfortable place to sit
S is for Seeds and Suet – put out food for the birds and watch them eat
T is for Tent – make one from old blankets and chairs
U is for Unplugged – do a day with no TV
V is for Variety – try something new everyday
W is for Walk – take one in any weather (be sure to dress appropriately)
X is for Xylophone – make your own with glasses, water and a metal spoon
Y is for Year – make a calendar or scrapbook to remember the year
Z is for Zoo – visit the animals

February Celebrations

February is black history month.  It is a great time to read a book by Toni Morrison.  Stop by your local library to get a book AND to find out about your town’s celebrations. 

Here is a great website to learn more about important African Americans:

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhm1.html

We will also be celebrating Valentine’s day on February 14th.   And Chinese New Year begins this day as well.  

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the year 2010 is the year of the Tiger which is also known by its formal name of Geng Yin (earth).  It begins on Feb. 14th and ends on Feb. 21st.  Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. 

The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated by children carrying lanterns in a parade.  It is the most important of the traditional Chinese Holidays.

Don’t forget Mardi Gras starts on February 16th.