'Kid Activities' has TONS of ideas for WINTER activities & Fun-- look below-- but also be sure to check out the category list on the left hand side of all pages ! Several are listed under 'Seasons'...here are page links to get you going...

  Candy Recipes,    Cocoa Recipes & Ideas,  Creative Ways to Wrap Gifts,    Popcorn Recipes,   Pretzel Recipes (Dipped),    Snack Mix Recipes (Easy),   Snowflake Theme,  Snowman Theme,  Winter Arts and Crafts,   Winter Inside Fun,   Winter Inside Games,   Winter Outside Fun,   Winter Outside Snow Games, Winter/Christmas Jokes, Winter/Christmas Song Lyrics,

Daily Ideas for Month of January   Daily Ideas for Month of February

January: Chinese New Year, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rock Day

February: Black History Month,  National Cherry Month,  100th Day of School,  President's Day,  Valentine's Day, World Kindness Week   International Friendship Month  Frog Theme for Leap Year Day-Feb. 29    National Bird Feeding Month    Teddy Bear Theme (Good for Valentine's Day!)

Also for Valentine's Day from 'Crafts' in the Category List! Check out... Crafts & Gifts, Crafty Food Gifts, and Scented Crafts--all ideas that make nice gifts! 

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 2012

Flower: Violet
Birthstone: Amethyst
Astrological Sign:
Aquarius: January 21 - February 19
Pisces: February 20 - March 20

This is a great month! Black History Month;  Mardi Gras,  World Kindness Week; Ground Hog Day; President's Day ; Valentine's Day ; 100th Day of School  (in USA);   Whew...so much going on that if you check the links,  your activities are just about planned for you for the enitire month!

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FEBRUARY IS...

• American Heart Month
• International Friendship Month
• American History Month
• Black History Month
• National Cherry Month Visit KidActivities Cherry Theme! 
• National Wild Bird Feeding Month
• National Snack Food Month
• National Embroidery month
• International Friendship Month (Friendship Activities listed alphabetically on Short Theme page-scroll down towards page bottom)
• National Grapefruit Month
• Children's Dental Health Month
• Responsible Pet Owner's Month (Put together a Community Service for your local animal shelter)

♥ Usually 100th Day of School in USA Falls Mid-February! Have fun with the '100th Day' ideas and also CELEBRATE THE 101st DAY OF SCHOOL with a Dalmatian theme and watching the movie "101 Dalmatians"! 

♥ The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) happens each February-Check Bird Theme-

♥ 2012 is Leap Year! Leap Day is celebrated February 29!!! Visit the Frog Theme-besides being toad-ally awesome--it has some 'leap-in' good ideas!

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DOING THE WEEKS!

Week One
Ground Hog Day-Feb. 2

Week Two and Three
Valentine's Day-Feb. 14

February 14-20 Acts of Kindness Week; February 6th-10th: International Friendship Week

President's Day-  In the United States, Presidents Day is always celebrated on the third Monday of February.
2012 Monday, February 20 
2013 Monday, February 18 
2014 Monday, February 17 
2015 Monday, February 16

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The Days of February are... (Words in Bold Print have ideas at page bottom)

1.   National Freedom Day 
      Royal Canadian Mounted Police officially began 1920
2.   Bonza Bottler Day: Just a day to celebrate when date and month are the same!
      Bottle cap patented
      'Dia de la Candelaria' celebrated in Mexico
      Ground Hog Day; Buenos Aires, Argentina founded-1536
3    Elmo's (Sesame Street) birthday
      First soft landing on moon (Luna 9, USSR, 1966)            
4.   Charles Lindbergh's birthday-1902
      Create a Vacuum Day and Rosa Park's Birthday         
5.   Constitution Day in Mexico
      Disaster Day
      National Weather Person Day
      Hank Aaron's Birthday-1934
6.  Babe Ruth's Birthday
     Monopoly Game first sold in stores - 1935
     Waitangi Day celebrated in New Zealand
     Ronald Reagan born
     Massachusetts became State in 1788
7.  Charles Dicken's Birthday
     Laura Ingalls Wilder's Birthday-1867
     Switzerland granted women right to vote-1971       
8.   Boy Scout's Day-founded in 1919 
9.   Hershey Chocolate founded -1894 
      Toothache Day  
10. Umbrella Day (See March Ideas--March is National Umbrella month)
      Treaty of Paris signed in 1713-ending war between French and  Indians
11  Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day
      National Foundation Day in Japan
      National Inventor's Day in honor of Edison's birthday-1847
      White T-shirt Day (Have ALL wear white shirts!)
12. Abraham Lincoln's Birthday-1809
      Charles Darwin born - 1809 
13.  Bicycle Safety Day
       Get a Different Name Day! (Ideas below)

14.  Valentine's Day ; Ferris Wheel Day; Library Lover's Day; Random Acts of Kindness Week begins,
        Flag Day in Canada-first raised in 1965; Susan B. Anthony born-1820 and National Gumdrop Day
16. Mardi Gras
      Fat Tuesday
      Miranda (moon of Uranus) first photographed in 1948  
17.  Human Spirit Day
18.  Family Day in Canada
       Pluto discovered by Clyde Tombaugh - 1930
19.  Mr. Roger's Neighborhood premiered - 1968 and National Chocolate Mint Day (See below)
20.  President's Day ; National Hoodie-Hoo Day -go outside and yell "Hoodie-hoo!" to scare away winter and welcome Spring!
       John Glenn orbited Earth three times- 1962,Friendship 7 space  capsule
       Toothpick patented
21.   Love your Pet Day
        Polaroid Land Camera introduced -1927 by Edwin Land
22.   Be Humble Day
        George Washington's Birthday
        World Thinking Day

23.   Dolly the Sheep cloned in 1997 & Tennis Day
         International Dog Biscuit Day (Idea below)
24.    Flag Day in Mexico (Dia de la Bandera) & National Tortilla Chip Day     
        Gordon from Sesame Street's Birthday
25.    Paper Currency introduced in USA-1862 by President Lincoln
        Quiet Day (Ideas below)
        First US Electric Printing Press patented by Thomas Davenport  - 1837 
26.    William "Buffalo Bill" Cody born 1846
        Levi Strauss born 1829 & Carnival Day    
27.   Polar Bear Day (Visit Teddy Bears & other Bears Theme)
       Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Birthday - 1807     
28.   Public Sleeping Day
        Congress authorized Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1803

29. This year-2012 is Leap Year! Leap Day is celebrated on February 29! See Frog Theme for ideas...

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'DOING THE DAYS' IDEAS...

February 2 is 'BONZA BOTTLER DAY'---this happens each month when the month and date are the same! It's just a reason to celebrate in any way you want...so celebrate! Celebrate BIG as it's also Ground Hog Day!!!

February 2 IS GROUND HOG DAY!
FINDING WORDS IN A WORD: This idea comes from School-Age Note of the Day...2/2/2011

For a simple and quick activity, have the children write "Punxsutawney" on a sheet of paper and see how many words they can make from the letters in it. (For example, the word "sweet" wouldn't be valid because it has two "e"s and "Punxsutawney" only has one.) Set a time limit and then have children take turns sharing the words they found. 

Feb. 2--Bottle Cap Patented. Collected bottle caps and challenge kids to come up with a creative bottle cap collage! With this also being Ground Hog Day-consider doing it a day or two before!

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 On February 9, Hershey Chocolate was founded. Cover St. Valentine's Day and this day with one project!

 HERSHEY KISSES FLOWER BOUQUET

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Feb. 11-- 'DON'T CRY OVER SPILLED MILK DAY'!

• Post the saying and have kids write down or talk about what they think that means! You may get some very cute and funny interpretations...

•  To go along with the 'milk theme'--- If it's cold where you live-make Hot Chocolate.  If it's warm--make some milkshakes!!!

The day and saying means... don't worry about something that has already happened and work on fixing the problem. Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day is in recognition that everyone spills a little milk now and then. (When spilled--you can't get it back into the glass!) It's a day to  be optimistic, think positive, look on the bright side, and to find something good in everything that happens. As the song says: Don't Worry, be Happy!  Participate in "Don't Cry over Spilled Milk Day" with an optimistic attitude and a smile on your face!

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FEBERUARY 13 is 'GET A DIFFERENT NAME DAY'! Have some fun with ALL choosing a different name. Put the names on 'name tags' and talk about what they like about their own names and what they like about the 'new' names...

 •Do the kids know why their parents chose the names they have? Do they know what their names mean?

•Get a book of names/meanings and celebrate this silly day!

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February 14--VALENTINES DAY!

See Loads of Valentine ideas here!

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Go outside and yell "Hoodie-hoo!" to scare away winter and welcome Spring! (In Southern Hemisphere it is celebrated August 22) To be precise, one is to go out at high noon and wave arms above head while yelling the words. If you  can't do it then---have fun...be silly...and do it with your kids any time of the day. Just do it! (This is a copyrighted holiday-courtesy of Wellcat.com)

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February 19... is NATIONAL CHOCOLATE MINT DAY. Make some chocolate mint candy! 

1 cup (6 oz) semisweet chocolate chips
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, divided
1 cup (6 oz) vanilla flavored baking chips
1 tablespoon peppermint extract
2 to 3 drops green food coloring

In a saucepan, melt chocolate chips and 3/4 cup condensed milk over low heat, stirring occasionally. Line an 8 inch square baking pan with waxed paper; butter the paper.

Spread half of melted chocolate mixture into pan; chill for 5-10 minutes (keep remaining melted chocolate at room temperature.

In another saucepan, melt vanilla chips. Stir in remaining condensed milk and mix well. Remove from the heat; add extract and food coloring. Chill. Spread over chilled chocolate layer; spread reserved melted chocolate on top of mint layer. Chill. Cut into 1 inch pieces. (From KidActivities Easy Candy Category)
Makes 5 dozen

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2012 February 2O is President's Day ; 2013 is Febrary 18; 2014 is Feb. 17...   

February 21 is 'LOVE YOUR PET DAY'! How about making some PET ROCKS and have fun with the Extension Ideas! Visit the Stones, Rocks, and Pebbles Theme page...

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The 23rd is 'INTERNATIONAL DOG BISCUIT DAY'... Make some Dog Biscuits!

EASY PEANUT BUTTER DOG BISCUITS

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
3 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup oats

1. Blend wet ingredients together.
2. Whisk dry ingredients together in a separate bowl, and then mix with wet mixture to form a ball of dough.
3. Roll out and shape as desired. Place on a non-stick cookie tray or lightly greased pan.
4. Bake twenty minutes at 400 degrees.
5.  When finished, turn off oven and allow the biscuits to cool inside oven until crisp and hard.
6. Store in an airtight container.

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 FEBRUARY 25TH IS 'QUIET DAY'...Celebrate it by playing some quiet/low keyed games.

THE QUIET OLYMPICS
Here's a fun low energy set of games (in comparison to the usual style "Olympic Games") that you can try. See lots other games in the Low Energy Category and in Gathering and Waiting Game Category...

1. Discus Throw: Use a paper plate

2. Shot Put: Use a balloon

3. Track Race: Each player lines up at the start line and race by placing the heel of one foot against the toe of the next. The first one to the end of the track and back wins.

4. High Jump: Each contestant takes a deep breath and whistles. The contestant who holds the note the longest wins.

5. High Dive: Each player stands on a chair (or faces the chair back-rest and then kneels chair seat) with ten clothes pins and drops them into an empty bottle. The player that gets the most wins.

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The 27th is 'POLAR BEAR DAY'...

MAKE SOME 'POLAR BEAR CUPS' FOR SNACK! 

First put ice cream and then a layer of your choice of candy (M&M's, Kisses, Chocolate or Peanut Butter Chips.) Cover candy layer with Cool Whip and decorate it with gummy bears. Serve it in small-clear plastic cups for individual serving or one big vat that everyone shares. Usually, children like to have their own. There may also be ideas in the Teddy Bear & Other Bears Theme.

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FEBRARY 28 IS 'PUBLIC SLEEPING DAY'!  HAVE A PAJAMA PARTY!
Have kids wear PJ's and lounge on pillows and blankets as they watch a movie. (Don't forget favorite stuffed animals!)
You could add a movie (an old favorite or something just released.) Make popcorn or have cookies and set up a 'hot chocolate bar' where everyone can add marshmallows, chocolate sprinkles, and whipped cream to cups of cocoa.

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FEBRUARY IS 'FRIENSHIP MONTH'... Check out Kid Activities FRIENDSHIP THEME DAY...Themes are listed alphabetically.

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  FEBRUARY IS 'AMERICAN HEART MONTH'!  PLAN A HEALTHY HEART DAY!  Celebrate a “healthy” heart with fun, aerobic activities that get children up and moving. Check out the HEALTHY HEART THEME DAY (Located at the bottom of the Theme Day page 1 Category

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This is 'NATIONAL WILD BIRD FEEDING MONTH'

Visit the Bird Theme for ideas and directions for many BIRD FEEDER ideas!

ALSO...check out the 'FEBRUARY  GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT'

This is an event that takes place over four days in February each year. It's very easy! All you have to do is watch birds in your yard, a nearby park, or maybe at your school. Then you tell what you saw by entering your bird list online. They collect that information from people all over the United States and Canada so SCIENTISTS CAN LEARN WHAT KIND OF BIRDS ARE BEING SEEN IN THE WINTER AND WHETHER THERE ARE MORE OR FEWER THAN BEFORE! Click here - to learn more about how to participate. (There are also games, print-outs and bird-fun on the site!)

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This is 'NATIONAL CHERRY MONTH'!

Happy February! It's a great month for planning activities!!!

Back to top of page

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Identify areas of interest — Talk about the kinds of issues you'd like to help and the kinds of activities you'd like to do. Are you most concerned about low-income people, senior citizens, refugees, or homeless? Or is your program and family more passionate about caring for abandoned animals or caring for the environment?

Try something once — Decide together the kinds of things you'd like to try one time, and start with that. Be sure to choose projects that allow every member, regardless of age, to contribute in a meaningful way.

Involve children — Actively involve children in choosing and planning service projects. Pay attention to what interests them and what they seem most concerned about, as those are areas where they're likely to invest more energy. Give them responsibilities that match their abilities and interests.

Start close to home —Start looking for opportunities where you already have connections.You may find opportunities through  school, other programs and families, or local community and service organizations.

Ask others — If you know of other school or child care programs...or have friends or have family members who volunteer regularly... ask them if you can join them. Talk with others  as to whether they'd like to do something together.
Adapted to program needs from MVParents.com

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COMING UP WITH COMMUNITY SERVICE IDEAS
Never underestimate the strength of the young ones. They are amazing.
1. Have the children brainstorm ideas.
2. Set ground rules:
    •No idea is laughed at.
    •No idea is stupid.
    •No idea is ruled out until the end.
3. Then consider, "How can we really do this?" (Adapted from Tiffany Cooper)

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MENU for Community Service Category

• All Categories (Except Kindness)
• Community Service Project Ideas for all Ages! 
• Real After School Program Service Projects
• Community Service Ideas for Middle and High School
• Kindness/Random Acts of Kindness
• Lights on After School (Event on October 20, 2011)
• Ideas for Parents Getting Involved in Schools  

Page 1,  2,  3,  4,  5

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AFFIRMING DIVERSITY: Does your program and school ...

•  ESTABLISH a commitment to equity and inclusion.

•  KNOW your community.

•  HIRE staff that reflect the community and that understand diversity issues.

•  PROVIDE staff orientation and training on issues related to equity and diversity.

•  CREATE a program environment that is inclusive, multicultural, and reflects the communities you serve.

•  INCORPORATE attention to diversity and equity into program design.

•  LOOK for program materials that are up-to-date and non-stereotypical, and that reflect the backgrounds and experiences of participants and their families.

•  BUILD cultural relevance into your plans for academic support and enrichment.

•  DEVELOP inclusive outreach and application materials.

•  ESTABLISH a Board or Advisory Committee whose membership reflects the communities served.
Source: schoolagenote of the day: April 18, 2007 schoolagenotes.com.

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Menu for Diversity and Multi-Cultural Category

• Entire Diversity & Multi Cultural Category (Excluding MLK)
• Diversity Using Arts & Crafts
• Diversity Through Foods and Other Activities
• Diversity through Language and Literacy
• Diversity with Games and School/Program Implemented Ideas
• List of Multi-Cultural Themed Books Listed by Age
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Book List for Black History & MLK
• Black History Month 

 'Traveling Around the World' is a great theme for multicultural experiences as well as popular for classroom, day camp and childcare programs! Category resources available at this time are:
•CHINA   •FRANCE  •MEXICO  •USA-PATRIOTIC  •USA-COLONIAL  •All Multicultural Diversity Categories

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• It increases their confidence...
• Helps them to remember a story in order...
• Relate the story to others...
• And stimulate their thinking!

The following menu is the range of jokes in this category.   Click on the link you would like...

JOKE MENU...

•Animals: Cats, Dogs, Elephants, Variety

•Bears

•Crossing the Road

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HOLIDAY JOKES...

•Patriotic (Labor Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Patriotic Theme, Uncle Sam, Presidents Day)

•Halloween

•Thanksgiving

•All Winter time Jokes: Good All Winter, Reindeer, Snowman, Christmas

•Valentine  

•St. Patrick’s Day

•Easter

•April Fools Day

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OTHER

• Riddles & Trick Questions

• Knock-Knock

• Tongue Twisters

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Literacy is most commonly defined as the ability to read, spell and communicate through written language. However, in a more general sense, literacy is more than just the ability to read or write. It means being able to view, listen, read, comprehend, evaluate, speak, and write effectively and systematically.

Incorporating some of the  following literacy activities into your School Age Classroom and After School Programs will help youth approach reading and writing as fun and exciting activities. Children use reading to learn about a wide range of subjects, and they use writing to share their own ideas. Activities such as these will help stretch imagination and stimulates interests. It is one of the most important skills a person can have! How skillfully and successfully children develop their reading skills and grow towards literacy may influence their beliefs about their personal worth and abilities for a lifetime!

Because literacy develops along a personal continuum, same-age children may display varying levels of skills.  Because of this, plan activities that are adaptable for all levels within mixed ages programs!

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• For all linked 'Creative Literacy' pages--Click Here     

 • Literacy: Games and Creative Story Telling

•  Literacy with Games, Music, Jokes and Twisters!

 • Literacy Based Gifts for Kids to Make

• Something Different with Literacy: Cooking; Build a Theme around a Book; Word of the Day; Survivor and More!

• Literacy Games for a Theme, Season or Holiday

• Writing and Language Center Ideas

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Also on this site for 'Literacy Based' Activities is...

• Drama and Drama Games
• Drama and Music Center Ideas/Supplies/Materials
• Good Books for all Ages! Many Topics! Pre-School to Adult
• Tongue Twister Fun and Games
• A Large Variety of Jokes
• Riddles/Trick Questions
• Knock-Knock Jokes

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All children are born actors! Observe the games they play; look at the many roles each child will play, without inhibitions. Be aware of their naturally focused energy and concentration on an objective.

Do you remember back to your days playing ‘Cowboys and Indians’, ‘Power Rangers’ or ‘house’? It’s still the same for kids today!!! Think about puppets, dolls, action figures, finger play and masks…about themes, Halloween, costumes and dress-up … it’s all drama.

Don’t be afraid to include it in your program or classroom; it’s fun and kids love it!!!

When presenting drama through experimentation, we reinforce the sense of wonder and magic that is part of being a child. Children in drama should be comfortable. There should be no, “How do I look?" "Where do I stand?" "How do I sound?" "What if I make a mistake?" Each attempt, successful or otherwise--is a step toward creativity and learning about life.

Gear drama in your classrooms and programs with improvising and experimentation; nurture young children to trust their natural instinct. Children have the ability to act and react honestly and naturally; that is what we should constantly reinforce. Rather than providing a performance for an audience, these drama activities are focused more on developing the personality of children!

This is a great resource for your Drama Club or just for fun! During your Drama Activities, explore the following ideas...in addition to preparing a production of Readers' Theater, a play, skit or puppet show!

This category has four sections, You can scroll through all or click on the link you'd like. It's advisable to read the 'tips' on the Pantomime page.

1.)  The Different Types of Drama click here

2.)  Pantomine, Tips and Games

3.)  Improv Games and Exercises

4.) A Variety of Drama Games/Activities

If you're interested in Costumes or Make Up Ideas-click here

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