As summer winds down, we’re going to spend a week enjoying Pirate Adventures! Kids are always fascinated by pirates: the sea, the sun, the parrots, the treasure! Here is our Pinterest board with a lot of great Pirate-themed ideas, including field trips where they can practice their Pirate lingo:
Camp Au Pair – Pirate Adventure Week
If your littles need a bit of practice with their Ahoy!s, here’s a video that explains the whole thing:
Last week our theme was Under the Sea, so I thought it would be fundfor this week’s Camp Au Pair theme to be Outer Space.
Crafts, recipes, activities, and games related to outer space can all be found here on the Camp Au Pair – Outer Space pinboard.
Here is a fun one that combines a science lesson, art, and snack time.
Field Trips can be a great way for kids to learn and have new experiences. Get permission from your host parents before any outings and be sure to check hours and admission information on the websites before you go. Here are a few places to go, that fit this theme:
Webcams – You can do a Google search for websites with webcams that allow you to observe space. Here is one from the International Space Station to get you started.
Online Games – NASA has a gallery of free space games for kids.
Videos – Look for fun videos on YouTube about outer space. Here are a few to get you started.
The Magic School Bus is a television series that follows Ms. Frizzle and her class as they set off on field trips. Most episodes can be found on YouTube. Here are some episodes that fit this week’s theme.
Movies – Here are some movies that fit the space theme.
Here are some movies that are PG-13 and may be appropriate for older kids.
Books – Stop by your local library and look for books on outer space. You can also find books being read aloud on Youtube. Me & My Place in Space, There Was an Old Astronaut Who Swallowed the Moon, and Mae Among the Stars are a few fun ones to get you started.
Story Time from Space is a YouTube channel with real astronauts reading children’s books aloud.
Photo: alittlepinchofperfect.com
This week’s Camp Au Pair theme is Princesses and Knights.
Crafts, recipes, activities, and games related to royalty, dragons, chivalry, fairies, and more, can all be found here on the Camp Au Pair – Princesses and Knights pinboard.
(Note – I recognize the inherent sexism in the title of this week, but I also know that kids really like princesses and knights. I’ll try to come up with a better title for next year.)
I chose this theme now because the Minnesota Renaissance Festival is coming up, and this will help everyone get in the mood. If you haven’t been to the Ren Fest, you’re missing out! This was the original Renaissance Festival, and even though they are found everywhere these days, I really feel this is something to experience!
Culture Sharing – Does your home country have a history of royalty? What about stories of dragons, fairies, things like that? Ancient ruins? You can share what it means with your host kids.
Online Fun – Here is a great website with lots of chivalry activities including ones for older kids.
Webcams – You can do a google search for castle websites with webcams. Here are a few to get you started:
Videos – Look for fun videos on YouTube about medieval arts, jousting, and more.
Books – Stop by your local library and look for books on chivalry, castles, dragons, knights, princesses.
Check YouTube for books on medieval topics being read aloud:
Image: teachkidsart.com
