Homemade Kids Workout DVD

Homemade Kids Workout DVD

Ages: 4- 8+ years

Time to complete: 40 minutes Get your kids moving by letting them create their own workout DVD!
What you need: video camera , DVD player , TV
Instructions:This activity works best if your child has ever seen a workout video or television program. Help your child practice various exercises. Then teach him or her to narrate each routine. Next, record your child's workout show (pausing as necessary to let your child figure out the next exercise). Finally, watch the DVD, working out as a family along with your child, the exercise instructor!
See full activity here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21239569@N05/2879227456/in/photostream/

Guessing Game

Kleenex Box Guessing Game

Ages: 3- 8+ years

Time to complete: 3-8 minutes This game allows children to use their sense of touch and build their descriptive vocabulary
What you need: empty facial tissue box , various objects of different shapes that will fit into the tissue box (such as a toy car , sunglasses , a sock , a comb , a spoon , a cotton ball , a coin , foam bath letters)
Instructions:Without your child watching, put an object into an empty tissue box. Have your child put his or her hand into the box and, without looking, guess what the object is. Encourage your child to describe the way the object feels using words like soft, hard, bumpy, smooth, squishy. etc. For an older child try putting foam bath letters or real coins into the box for an added challenge.
See full activity here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21239569@N05/2860540490/

Play dough Activity

Make Your own! Kids can help!

(from "Feed Me I'm Yours" By Vicki Lansky

No-Cook Playdough:

1 cup white flour 1 tsp alum

1/2 cup salt food coloring

2 Tbls vegetable oil 1/2 cup water

Mix first four ingredients. Add food coloring to the water. Gradually add small amounts of water until mixture attains the consistency of bread dough. You may not use the entire 1/2 cup (I did and it was a little too wet, but just barely less than 1/2 cup would probably be better). You can make different colors by mixing them in the water. Store in an airtight container or plastic bag. It lasts a long time.

Stove-Top Playdough:

1 cup whi9te flour 1 cup water

1/4 cup salt 2 tsp vegetable food coloring

2 Tblsp cream of tartar 1 Tblsp oil

Mix flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a medium pot. Add water, food coloring, and oil. Cook and stir over medium heat 3-5 mins. Mixture will look like a globby mess and you'll be sure it's not turning out, but it will. When it forms a ball in the center of the pot, turn our and knead on a lightly floured surface. Store in an air-tight container or plastic bag. Edible but not very tasty.

Peanut Butter Playdough:

18 oz. peanut butter nonfat dry milk

6 Tblsp (or milk plus flour to the

cocoa or carob (optional) right consistency)

Mix. After shaping, decorate (try raisins) and eat!

Another edible playdough can be made from one can of frosting, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter.

Paper Snowflakes Activity

Instructions:This is a simple and quick craft and very effective and long-lasting. You can make a huge stock of these in no time and they will last for ever! You can hang them on the Christmas tree as ornaments, tie them into garlands or mobiles. Lacy white paper doilies Scissors Clear contact paper (Silver or white thread) (Paper punch) (Silver or white glitter, or tiny pearlescent stars) Instructions The size and shape of your snowflakes will depend on your paper doilies. Aim to cut out parts of the doily to create snowflakes varying in size from about 1inch to 3 inches in diameter. Use contact paper, arrange the snowflakes on the sticky side of one piece as above, decorate with glitter if required, then carefully lay a second piece of contact paper over the top. If you are going to use the snowflakes as window decorations, all you have to do now is cut around them and attach them to the window. If you would like to use them as hanging decorations, punch a small hole with a hole punch and thread each snowflake with a short length of silver or white thread. (From their website)

Bowling for Snowmen!

Instructions:There's no snow required for this friendly snowman. Use as a decoration or make a whole snow family, set them up and play bowling with a soft ball. Age Ages 5 and up (younger if children have help cutting) This project is rated EASY to do. What You Need 16 oz. bottle with label removed (water bottles work well) White tissues or cotton balls Pencil Black, orange and green felt pieces Red sock Green and red rick-rack or other narrow sewing trim Green pom-pom Scissors White craft glue What You Do Use the pencil to stuff the soda bottle with white tissue. Cut a one by 12-inch strip of green felt for the scarf. Cut fringe on the ends and trim with rick-rack or other narrow sewing trim. Tie the scarf around the middle of the bottle. Cut a face for the snowman from the orange and black felt pieces. Glue the face to the side of the bottle above the scarf. Cut the toe from the old sock approximately four inches from the toe to make a hat for the snowman. Roll the cut end of the sock up twice to form a brim for the hat. Glue rick-rack around the brim. Slip the hat on the snowman over the top of the bottle. Glue the pom-pom to the top of the hat.

Winter Treasure Hunt

Ages: 3-8
Instructions:Create a fun treasure hunt for the winter. Make a list of things for your child to find outdoors. Here are just a few ideas: Deer Fallen leaves Pine cones Bark A sled Other children Snow Squirrels Additionally, you can make your own treasure hunt with a treasure box to find at the end. Put in it: Packet of hot cocca marshmallows A fun book Crayons A coloring book Give them hints on where to find the treasure, and help them find it. It will be very rewarding treat at the end of their journey. Snuggling up together with their prize can be another fun and warm activity for after your hunt.

Pom Pom Necklace

Ages: 4- 8 years
In: Arts & Crafts
Time to complete: 40 minutes Dress up for the Holidays with this colorful soft pompom necklace and bracelet.

What you need: Colored pompoms (multi-colored package) , dull embroidery needle , elastic thread , and scissors.
Instructions:Cut a 25" piece of thin elastic thread. Knot one end so the pompoms won't slip off. String pompoms on elastic thread with an embroidery needle -- younger children may need help. Add as many pompoms to create desired length of the necklace. Knot both ends of elastic several times to secure. A Bracelet can be made from a 12" piece of elastic thread. A bag of 100 pompoms will make a necklace and a bracelet.

Balloon Play

Balloon Play
Ages: 1-8
Instructions:My girls like most kids love balloons. I blow up about 20 of them put on music and we kick and dance our hearts out. They love it and we all get a work out!