Father’s Day is celebrated each year in the U.S. on the third Sunday in June. This year that is June 18.
It would be a nice gesture to do something for your host dad. You could help the children make a surprise for him or give him a card yourself. Don’t forget to send a special message to your own father, back home.
Looking for some great Father’s Day ideas?
Check out the Au Pair in America Father’s Day Pinboard on Pinterest.
Photo: Alex Krasavtsev Flickr
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states then others followed. It is now celebrated on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays).
Americans honor those who have lost their lives for their country by visiting cemeteries, placing flags and flowers on graves, flying the U.S. flag at half-staff until noon and attending parades. Children can be a part of Memorial Day too. Here are some links to children’s activities:
http://sunniebunniezz.com/puzzles/memdykws.htm
http://sunniebunniezz.com/puzzles/memdymcr.htm
http://www.usmemorialday.org/activities/flag/index.htm
http://sunniebunniezz.com/memdyjbc.htm
“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” ~Maya Angelou
For some Earth day activities for kids, check out this Pinterest Board (click here)
Photo: Cheryl on Flickr
from EcoKids (http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/environmental/earthday/)
The very first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. This day was created by American Senator, Gaylord Nelson, to make people aware of the importance of keeping our planet healthy and clean. On that day,people made promises to help the environment and make positive changes in their community. Since then, more than 500 million people in over 180 countries have participated in Earth Day activities!
Of course you can! Everything you do to help the planet counts, whether you walk to school or help to clean up litter from your neighborhood park! The most important thing to remember is that Earth Day should be every day!
“Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children.”
Ancient Kenyan Proverb
Check out these activity ideas to help you get started.
click here to access APIA St. Patrick's Day Shenanigans board on Pinterest
St. Patrick’s day is coming up already. Check out APIA’s St. Patrick’s Day Shenanigans’ board on Pinterest for lots of great ideas to celebrate!
click here to access APIA Valentine's Day board on Pinterest
Valentine’s day is coming up already. Check out APIA’s Valentine’s Day board on Pinterest for lots of great ideas to celebrate!
Photo: Corrie Barklimore (Flickr)
Backward Day is a day to do everything backwards and is especially popular with school-aged kids. Think… writing backwards, reading backwards, wear your shirt with the back in the front. Eat your dinner but start with dessert. Use your imagination.
Photo: Carissa Rogers (Flickr)
Posted by Crystal Underwood
http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/12/snowman-slam-game-for-kids.html
This game is fun for the whole family, and you likely have most of the materials to make it already on hand.
This game is so easy to make, and kids have so much fun with it. The idea is simple; toss the snowballs to knock down the snowmen
Such a simple concept and yet so much FUN!
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
– Martin Luther King, I Have a Dream Quote
Martin Luther King Jr. was an important leader of the civil rights movement here in America during the 1950s and 60s. The holiday was created as a day to remember his fight for the freedom, equality, and dignity of all races and peoples and as a time to remember the message of change through nonviolence.
Here are some links about the history of this holiday including a biography of Dr. King, a quiz for kids and a junior crossword. Maybe you can do something special with the kids to acknowledge the day.
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/mlkbiospot.html
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/mlkjrday1.html
To read the full I Have a dream Speech go to:
December 30- Bicarbonate of Soda Day – Bicarbonate of soda, also known as baking powder, has many household uses including cooking, cleaning and medical uses. But it can also be used for a very simple and fun science experiment suitable for ages 7 and older.
Check out this video on how to make a Baking Soda Volcano. The kid on the video is doing a great job explaining everything. He has many other fun science experiments for kids.
Baking Soda Volcano:
Create quite a fizzle by mixing baking soda/sodium bicarbonate with vinegar.
You need the following:
Baking Soda, Vinegar, a plastic container such as a milk jug, paper towels to clean up.
How to do the experiment: Place some of the baking soda in the container; pour in some vinegar and ….Watch what happens.
Make your own play dough! –Play dough is the perfect modeling material for children. Their small hands can pat, poke, pinch, roll and knead it into many shapes. Keep it in an airtight container to use another day, or let it air dry into favorite shapes.
Measure 2 cups of flour, one cup of salt and 4 teaspoons of cream of tartar into a bowl. Add 1/4 cup of oil to one cup of water in a separate bowl then add the mixture to the dry ingredients. For colored play dough, squeeze 10-20 drops of food coloring into the water before you add it to the mixture. Cook the dough at low heat in a wide pan, stirring constantly until it becomes rubbery. Remove the dough from the heat and knead it for a few minutes. When it cools the kids can play too!
Photo: Kevin Jarrett
