Valentine’s Day (February 14) is a time of love, friendship, giving, and caring. Americans use 
Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to tell friends and family how much they care. Children usually exchange cards at school.
Are you looking for Valentine’s Day activity, recipe and craft ideas? Look no further… Au Pair in America has a Pinterest pinboard devoted to Valentine’s Day.
Photo: Clever Cupcakes (Flickr)
Halloween is fast approaching! There are many ways that you can make this time fun and interesting for both you and the children you care for! COVID might change how we celebrate, but there are lots of ways to have fun at home with each other this season!
Au Pair in America has captured a wonderful array of projects you can work on together. You can find them on our Halloween Fun Pinterest board! Try making a collection of glowing pumpkins using jars from the host family’s recycling! You’ll need clean jars, liquid glue, orange tissue paper, some paint, black construction paper or cardstock and a strand of lights or battery operated tea lights.
If you have a collection of plastic pumpkins for trick or treating, place them on a shelf or table and dress them up! Baseball hats, party hats, tiaras, fire fighter hats, pirate hats and more will help you create a fun display! Dig through the dress up collection for some great options or make some of your own with craft supplies!
Check out the Pinterest board for some great ideas like
Photos by Philip James and Mootsie
Mother’s Day in the U.S. is Sunday, May 9.
Mother’s Day recognizes mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds in general, as well as the positive contributions that they make to society. It was established by Anna Jarvis, with the first official Mother’s Day was celebrated at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 10, 1908.
Mother’s Day was officially established by President Woodrow Wilson as a holiday in the United States in 1911. The celebration of mother;s in not unique to the United States, however. More than 40 countries celebrate in some way! How about your country? Do you celebrate Mother’s Day? If so, this is a good opportunity to share culturally how you celebrate. Compare and contrast between the two countries! You can read about how several countries celebrate Mother’s Day here.
You will find great ideas for projects you can make with your host children here on the Au Pair in America Mother’s Day pinboard.
How about printable cards to color? Or a tin can butterfly planter! Try making some salt dough to capture hand or footprints.
Photo: Mrs. Flinger (Flickr)
Ahoy! Save yourself from walking the plank of summertime boredom but checking out Au Pair in America’s summer fun theme PIRATES!
Virtual Field Trips:
Books:
Pirate. A DK Eyewitness Book.Take a close-up look at the colorful–and cruel–robbers of the sea. Sink into this exciting introduction to the world of sea-thieves – their origins, adventures and blood-thirsty battles. Learn who devised the terrifying Jolly Roger, how a surprisingly disciplined life was maintained aboard pirate ships, and what cunning ruses pirates used to lure merchants to their doom. Everything you ever wanted to know from why European kings and queens encouraged piracy to what pirates ate at sea.
Photo by: Leonid Mamchenkov
Let’s get our creative hats on! This week we have a variety of creative outdoor activities! Whether you are walking in the woods or in your own neighborhood, we can have all kinds of fun together!
Feeling creative? Check out the Au Pair in America Pinterest boards for some great ideas to get you started!
Field Trips:
Due to COVID19, please discuss ANY field trip options as a family and decide if this is an activity you are comfortable participating in before heading out! Follow all federal, state and local laws and guidelines.
11th Annual Fairies in the Garden
Through September 7, 2020
Come explore this charming exhibit of more than 75 handmade houses scattered throughout the trails and woods of the garden. Made by wonderfully creative artists from the community (and beyond), this exhibit features works in all media. Admission or membership.
Goldpetal Farm is Southern Maryland’s ONLY living maze. We design, plant and manage two unique mazes, providing about six weeks of beauty, nature and family fun. Admission.
Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum:
Explore the grounds, trails, Indian Village and more! The grounds and outdoor facilities are open. Indoor remains closed. No admission.
Books:
Photo credit: Chalk art – Walter {Flickr}; Sach1tb {Flickr}; Cynthia Chan
It’s time for Camp Au Pair! In some areas, summer has started! In other areas, it’s about to start! Weekly, we will be posting Camp Au Pair themes throughout the summer! First up: Art Exploration! Roll up your sleeves for some artsy fun next week!! Art is a great way to engage with your host kids and have a great time together! 
For more great art ideas, check out the Au Pair in America Pinterest board!
The National Art Gallery has a wonderful option for kids. NGA kids interactives offer an entertaining and informative introduction to art and art history. Featuring a variety of art-making tools that encourage exploration and creativity, these computer-based activities are suitable for all ages. You can learn about each program by clicking on the associated thumbnail image. Download the Art Zone or NGAkids App applications to your Macintosh or Windows-based computer, or order the free CDs. There is also an iOS version of the NGAkids App for iPad.
Virtual Field Trip:
To continue to serve our community and keep our gates open, we need your support. Please pay what you can when you visit. Ways to give are posted on site when you enter. Thank you for very much! For more info click here!
Art work by Sarah, age 7 Chalk drawing photography, Walter (1) {flickr}
Roll up your sleeves for some artsy fun this week!! Art is a great way to engage with your host kids and have a great time together!
For more great art ideas, check out the Au Pair in America Pinterest board!
The National Art Gallery has a wonderful option for kids. NGA kids interactives offer an entertaining and informative introduction to art and art history. Featuring a variety of art-making tools that encourage exploration and creativity, these computer-based activities are suitable for all ages. You can learn about each program by clicking on the associated thumbnail image. Download the Art Zone or NGAkids App applications to your Macintosh or Windows-based computer, or order the free CDs. There is also an iOS version of the NGAkids App for iPad.
Virtual Field Trip:
Tour the Garden – Enjoy a walk along our wooded path and discover sculptures from our permanent collection on loan from the Smithsonian and The National Gallery of Art and other surprises along the way. Tour the Garden here.
Art work by Sarah, age 7
St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner! Are you looking for creative ideas to share with your kids or host kids? Check out some of these great ideas!! Oh, and don’t forget to wear GREEN on March 17th so you don’t get pinched!!
St. Patrick’s Day Science – Walking Rainbow
Photo: Walter {Flickr}
Valentine’s Day (February 14) is a time of love, friendship, giving, and caring. Americans use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to tell friends and family how much they care. Children usually exchange cards at school.
Are you looking for Valentine’s Day activity, recipe and craft ideas? Look no further… Au Pair in America has a Pinterest pinboard devoted to Valentine’s Day.
Photo: Clever Cupcakes (Flickr)
Roll up your sleeves for some artsy fun this week!! Art is a great way to engage with your host kids and have a great time together!
Have your host kids draw a self portrait or draw each other!
Check out some cool magic color transfer ideas! Make colorful paper fans!
Raid your recycling bin for some artistic options. Use your designs further to make cool photographs or brush paint on the edges and then press onto paper! Make your own sidewalk chalk paint!
Try your hand at balloon art painting! For variety, how about using small balls? Playing with ice?
How about incorporating a bit of math into your art activities?
For more great art ideas, check out the Au Pair in America Pinterest board!
Art work by Sarah, age 7
