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!
Our cluster meeting last night was so much fun!
To celebrate the holidays each au pair brought a dish that reminded them of home. Food always helps bring people together and often helps with homesickness too. After sharing some wonderful dish we all played a really fun game: everyone had to hold a plate on their head and draw specific items blindly (a tree, a fireplace next to the tree, stockings on the fireplace, ornaments, gifts, etc). See a picture of the 3 winners.
Click here for more information on FirstPalette.com
This is a fun art project for children ages 7 and up. You need paper, crayons (make sure you have a black one), and a paper clip. Take one crayon and rub it over a section of the paper. Use the flat side of the crayon and rub hard. Take another color and do the same to another part of the paper. Cover the entire paper with different colors of crayon. Now, take the black crayon and color over all the other colors until the whole paper is black. With a paper clip or coin, draw a picture by scratching through the black crayon. The other colors will show through where the drawing is scratched.
This year for our Thanksgiving cluster meeting we had our annual pie tasting. Everyone got to taste the different pies they may see during Thanksgiving (Pumpkin, Apple, Pecan) and vote for their favorite one. Many au pairs had never tried pumpkin pie before. Apple Pie was the winner this year.
For the holidays this year we also decided to write letters to the troops. Au Pairs can relate to being away from home for the holidays and therefore we all sent letters of encouragement for others who wouldn’t be home.
Another great cluster meeting!
This morning we all got to enjoy a nice breakfast to start celebrating Halloween (might as well start the sugar rush early). Many au pairs were able to bring their host children, some were dressed up and all had fun. Diane’s house is always decorated for Halloween (see pictures below). We had so much fun!
From cdc.gov
Photo: Steven Depolo
For many people, autumn events like Halloween and Harvest Day are fun times to dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating, attend parties, and eat yummy treats. These events are also opportunities to provide nutritious snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety.
Below are tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and party guests.
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Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible. | |||
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Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult. | |||
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Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you. | |||
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Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat. | |||
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Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don’t run from house to house. | |||
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Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation. | |||
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Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible. | |||
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Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses. | |||
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Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe. | |||
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Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls. | |||
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Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers. | |||
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Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. | |||
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Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes. |
Here is a fun Halloween treat of the season. Who knew eating spider webs could be so yummy?! These are easy, inexpensive, and cute!
Ingredients:
Directions:
Lay out your pretzels on the wax paper in “starburst” arrangements of 6 or 8 pretzels (it’s a good idea to put it on a cookie sheet for transport stability).
Please click here to view arts and crafts ideas for fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving with kids
Some fun craft ideas for the season!
APIA Fall, Halloween & Thanksgiving pinboard with lots of great activity ideas. Visit. http://www.pinterest.com/aupairinamerica/fall-halloween-thanksgiving/
Cookies are popular every day, but since this is Cookie month you might want to bake your own with children ages 4 and up, or buy large plain sugar cookies at the store and have fun decorating them with store-bought icing, chocolate chips, sprinkles and other toppings.
Click here for some fun cookie recipes to try with your kids
