Page 2

GAMES...

JELLY BEAN GAME
Required: Container, 2-3 pkgs. of JELLY BEANS (depending on number of kids and tables playing), score sheet, paper and pencil
Players: Small to large groups

1. Find a deep, clean, non-see-through container to pour in several bags of JELLY BEANS.

2. Make a point chart on paper or blackboard for the different colored jelly-beans. An example is- 
     •Purple 5 pts
     •Green 10 pts
     •Yellow 20 pts
     •Orange 25 pts
     •Red 30 pts

3. Divide into teams and have one person at a time from each team, draw out a jelly-bean. The team is awarded the points for the color that is pulled out.

4. The drawer gets to eat the jelly-bean. The first team to reach 500 pts is the winner.

TIPS:
You can use any kind of candy that has MANY COLORS
(Skittles, etc.) this is also a great transition activity or to get the group to quiet down!

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BUNNY BUZZ GAME
To Play:
  1. All players sit in a circle.
  2. Players take turns quickly counting off numbers in turn: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7... 
  3. When the number seven is reached, that player must say, "I love the Easter Bunny", instead of seven. 
  4. When the child fails to do so and says seven, the child is out of the game.
  5. The game continues until only one player is left to be declared the winner.

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EGG ROLLING 
    •For an egg roll, you must have some sort of incline, preferable a hill. 
    •The Egg Roll is basically a race,the eggs are rolled down the hill and the one that reaches the bottom first, wins. 
    •Steep hills make great races, but slow climbing.

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EGG AND SPOON RACES 
    •Eggs (real or plastic), spoons and an area to run are all you need for this game. 
    •Variations could include relays and obstacle courses. 
    •To make it easy for younger kids, place something on the spoon to make the egg stick. 
    •YOU CAN ALSO USE MARSHMALLOW CHICKS...

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NOSY EGG ROLL
The kids roll the eggs (PLASTIC OR REAL) using only their noses. The first one over the finish line wins...

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EASTER BUNNY TAG
Played the same way as tag except that everyone must hop (if you do anything but hop then you're automatically it.

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EASTER EGG MATCH UP
    •Gather a large amount of different colored plastic eggs. 
    •Separate the eggs and hide each half in a different place. 
    •The children must match up their egg half to the hidden half to play the game. When children have found their half--encourage them to help those that are still searching. All get a prize for playing. 
    •If you have more kids than colors-number the egg halves. Example-If you have 10 blue eggs-write egg 1, egg 2, egg 3, etc. on BOTH halves...

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CARDBOARD EGG HOP
    •Draw and cut out two large cardboard eggs for each team. 
    •Decorate them with paint, markers, or crayons. 
    •Have each player choose a partner and give each pair of players two eggs.

To play:
1. In each pair, there is a hopper and a helper. Starting at one end of the room, the helper places an egg on the floor in front 2. of the hopper, who hops onto it with both feet.
3. The helper then places the other egg a little way ahead and the hopper jumps onto it.
4. This continues until the pair gets to the end of the room. Now players change roles. The first pair back to the starting line wins.

This can be played as a relay. When one couple returns, the next two people in line continue! Also when young children play this-----just play and hop! Forget the competition!

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BUNNY'S EGG GAME
Draw a good-sized rabbit. (The  Easter bunny standing on his hind legs, and holding his paws as if it was carrying an egg.)

1. Put the bunny drawing on the wall.
2. Cut egg shapes out of different colored construction paper to represent Easter eggs.
3. The eggs should be as large as the space between the rabbit's paws.
 
•Blindfold the children in turn -- and give each an egg, which is to be taped on the drawing. The child who tapes their egg closest in the Bunny's paws is the winner.

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HOPPING CHALLENGE
This can be played in a circle, a line, or as a "Bunny Says____" game. Give children a variety of "hopping" commands such as: 

    •Hop in one place 
    •Hop and turn in a circle at the same time 
    •Hop on left/right foot 
    •Hop backwards, sideways, make a square or circle 
    •Hop over a line 
    •Hop with a partner 
    •Hop to different rhythms (clap hands, use drum, music, etc...)

This could also be used as a transition activity where the LAST direction would be, 'Hop and line up!'

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ALPHABET EGG HUNT (WORD GAME)
Have children use their detective skills to find the "eggs" and then, once the eggs are collected, find the hidden words. (They'll try to create words from the letters on the alphabet eggs.) The winner is the team who can make the most words. But first ... you'll need to create the eggs.

You'll Need:
  •Construction paper
  •Pencil
  •Scissors
  •Markers

1. Draw lots of eggs on colorful construction paper. You can make them different sizes, anywhere from 2 to 6 inches long. Cut them off the paper.

2. Decorate one side of the eggs with interesting patterns. Write a letter on the other side.

3. Make enough eggs to use all the letters of the alphabet, and then make at least three more eggs for each vowel
(Example: three for A, three for I, etc.).
Make some extra blank eggs. These will be used as "wild" eggs, which means players can decide which letter they want the egg to be.

4. When you are done creating, ask someone to hide the eggs inside your class, house, or yard.
Source: howstuffworks.com

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WALKING THE EASTER EGG
Materials:
2 hard boiled Easter eggs
1 spoon for every child that is playing

1. To play this game all you need to do is divide the kids into teams, and have them form a line.
2. The first child at the beginning of the line takes the Easter egg and puts it in his/her spoon.
3. This child then passes the Easter egg to the next one in line, until the egg has traveled to the end of the line, and all the way back to the beginning of the line.
4. The first team to get the Easter egg back to the front of the line is the winner.

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EGG BOWLING

•When coloring boiled eggs, leave one white for this game which is very similar to Italian Boccie Ball. 
•Place the white egg in the center of an open space and take turns to see who can roll their dyed egg closest to the white egg without touching or moving it. 
•YOU CAN ALSO PLAY THIS WITH PLASTIC EGGS!

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FLUFFY NEEDS A TAIL 
Make a Rabbit on poster board without a tail. (The Rabbit should be turned sideways)
Children will take turns "Pinning the Tail" on the bunny, using Large Cotton balls and tape.

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DUCK WALK RACE 
    •Have the kids line up at the Start Line, squat down and grasp their ankles with each hand from behind. 
    •On GO, they waddle to a designated Finish Line. 
    •They can't let go of their ankles or they're disqualified. 
    •The first child over the Finish Line is the winner.
    •This would be fun to play "waddle music"...

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BUNNY HOP FOLLOW THE LEADER 
Play Follow the Leader with an Easter theme...Start hopping and then add other movements as well.

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EASTER GUESS THE NUMBER

1. Take a jar and fill it with Easter eggs, jelly beans, etc. Count the candies as you put them in the jar.
2. Leave a piece of paper and a pencil next to the jar and have all the children guess how many candies are in the jar.
3. Be sure they write their name on the paper beside their guess.
4. The child who is the closest without going over wins the jar! 
    • IDEA: Also give each child an Easter goodie for being a good sport and guessing!
    • A BETTER IDEA: Have the child that won-divide the candy for the entire group.

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SWINGING BASKET GAME

•Use a piece of rope to hang a basket from the branch of a tree or playground bar. Fill plastic Easter eggs  with popcorn kernels for weight and tape them shut. 
•Have the children line up behind the basket and take turns throwing eggs into the basket. 
•They can also just throw or keep score... 
•Once the children can to this with ease, try swinging basket.

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FIND YOUR NAME EASTER HUNT 
    •Write the name of each child on one of the plastic easter eggs you hide. 
    •They all get an Easter treat when they bring you the egg they found. They can put the candy in their egg...

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FAMILAR GAMES WITH AN EASTER TWIST

1. Play the "EASTER BUNNY SAYS", instead of "Simon Says."..
Or---

2. EGGS OUT
    HOT EGG!  Play a version of 'Hot Potato' using a plastic egg. Play Easter music such as "Easter Parade" or "Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail" for the stop and go of the egg pass...

3. EASTER BUNNY, EASTER BUNNY, WHERE'S YOUR EGG?
For Pre-K and K

    •Cut-out a large paper egg. 
    •The players form a circle with one child in the middle as "the Bunny." 
    •The Bunny covers their eyes while a player is selected TO SIT on the egg. Then the Children say...

Easter Bunny, Easter Bunny, where's your egg?
Somebody stole it from your home!

•The Easter bunny has three guesses to find the child who is sitting on the paper egg. That child then becomes
the new bunny in the middle.

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BUNNY HOP (Pre-K to Gr.1)
1. Use pieces of masking tape to make Bunny foot-prints all over the floor.
2. Start playing some Easter music.
3. Have children pretend to be Bunnies and hop around the room.
4. When you stop the music, have the bunnies find footprints to stand on (one Bunny to a paw-print).
5. When you start the music again, have the bunnies continue hopping around the room.

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BUNNY WALK (Pre-K to Gr.1)
Play music of your choice and encourage the children to move such as:

    • BIG Bunnies 
    • Little bunnies 
    • Tired Bunnies 
    • Happy Bunnies 
    • Scared Bunnies, Etc.

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EGG TOSS
1. You’ll need one, hard-boiled egg for each pair of children.
2. Have the children stand across from a partner. They should stand one foot apart.
3. When the leader says, “Go” the children should toss the eggs to their partners.
4. With hard-boiled eggs, everyone can play the whole game because the eggs won’t crack.
5. With each toss, the children should back up one step. Play until the eggs are destroyed and before the kids get bored.

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THE EGG-A-THON
This can be played as a race or relay…
1. Use a tablespoon and a hard-boiled egg or plastic Easter egg and plastic spoon.
2. Children try to walk fast holding the egg in the spoon to the finish line.
3. It can also be done as a relay and have one child in the middle of the race line waiting.
4. The children transfer the egg to their relay partner's spoon and go!

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FOLLOW THE LEADER… 
1. Give each child a tablespoon and a hard-boiled egg.
2. The children form a line and one is the leader.
3. Each one holds the spoon with the egg in its bowl at arm's length and hops on one foot, following wherever the leader leads them.
4. To drop the egg or rest on both feet prevents one from continuing in the game. They stay out until the next round.

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ROLLING EGGS GAME

Use  hard boiled eggs o plastic eggs...
1. On a table, the pavement outside, or inside on the floor, mark four parallel lines, eight to ten feet long.
If you're playing on a table, it may need to be shorter. Space lines four or five inches apart. There should now be three narrow spaces.
 
2. At the END of each space, make a circle, numbering the middle one 10, and the other two, 5.
In the middle of the spaces---mark the middle one ”, and the other two, 1.
 
3. The object of the game is to have each child roll five eggs, one at a time, down the middle space to the circles at the ends.

4. If the egg goes into the middle circle, it counts 10, but if it stops in the middle space, it counts  3, and so on. Count the number of each place where the egg stops.
 
5. Tally is kept for each child; the one scoring the most points wins the game.
Adapted from: Games for Everybody 

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EASTER EGG BLOW
1. Divide the children into two teams.
2. Place each team on one side of a table opposite of each other.
3. Place a colored cotton ball on the table and pretend it is a Easter egg.
4. The object of the game is to blow the egg off the opposing teams side of table. Players can not use their hands in any way. 

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 NEW!!!

THE WOLF AND THE EASTER EGGS

 

This is a version of an "IT GAME".
"It" is the Wolf.
All other players are "Easter Eggs."
 
The "Easter Eggs" group up and decide what color Easter egg they want to be.
When everyone has picked their color, they turn around and line up facing the wolf from a agreed upon line.

The wolf then starts to guess colors. As the wolf guesses, the player with that color steps forward one step and spell out their color.
Example: If the color is 'brown' they spell out B-R-O-W-N before the wolf tags them.

As soon as the player spells their color, they run a pre-determined "Obstacle Course" or circle. The run must be completed before they are tagged by the wolf.
 
When the run is completed, the eggs run back to their "Basket"(or home base) with the rest of the eggs

(If the eggs makes  it back to the "basket" with the other eggs they group again and the one that ran chooses another color.

The game goes on until the wolf tags someone, and that person is then the new wolf.

Variation for a small group: This game can also be played by eliminating players as they are caught. When one person is left-- that person is it.

This is a great game for younger children to learn how to spell their colors. Be sure to instruct younger children to choose a shorter color name (red) and one they KNOW how to spell.

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MUSIC, SONG, MOVEMENT, POEMS

EASTER'S COMING...DANCE! DO THE BUNNY POKEY!

Sung to: "Hokey Pokey"
You put your bunny ears in
(Place hands on head to make ears)
You put your bunny ears out.
You put your bunny ears in.
And you shake them all about.
You do the Bunny Pokey
And hop yourself around,
That's what it's all about!

Additional verses:
You put your bunny nose in...
You put your bunny tail in...
You put your bunny paws in...

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HERE  COMES PETER COTTONTAIL...

 

Here comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Hippity hoppity,
Easter's on its way

Bringin' ev'ry girl and boy
A basketful of Easter joy
Things to make your Easter
Bright and gay

He's got jelly beans for Tommy
Colored eggs for sister Sue
There's an orchid for your mommy
And an Easter bonnet too. Oh!

Here' comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail
Hippity hoppity
Happy Easter Day

Look at him hop and listen to him say,
"Try to do the things you should"
Maybe if you're extra good
He'll roll lots of Easter eggs your way

You'll wake up on Easter morning
And you'll know that he was there
When you find those choc'late bunnies That he's hiding ev'rywhere, Oh!

Here' comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail
Hippity hoppity
Happy Easter Day.

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HOT CROSS BUNS...

Hot cross buns!
Hot cross buns!
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot cross buns!

If you have no daughters
Give them to your sons
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot cross buns.

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I LOVE EGGS
Sing to tune of Frere Jacques

I love eggs, I love eggs...
Yum, yum, yum, in my tum.

Scrambled, boiled, or fried...
Any way I've tried.

Yum, yum, yum...
yum, yum, yum.

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FIVE BABY BUNIES (Finger Play) 

Five baby bunnies hopping out to play,
Hopping in the forest on Easter Day. (Move fingers in a hopping motion)

The first baby bunny carried his new cane,
He twirled it as he came hopping down the lane.(Hold up one finger as the cane--and twirl it in the air)
 
The second baby bunny came to the river's brink,
Tasted the cool water and took a long, long drink. (Bending over, do a drinking motion)

The third baby bunny tied her bonnet so new,
Under her chin, a bow of pink, white, and blue. (Tie a bow under your chin)

The fourth baby bunny skipped down the shady lane,
He opened his umbrella just in case of rain. (Open a pretend umbrella)
 
The fifth baby bunny said, Look what I see!
Lots and lots of colored eggs hiding near the tree! (Put hands together to simulate a 'binocular” and look peer through them to see the eggs!)

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EASTER PARADE...

In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it,
You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter Parade.
I'll be all in clover and when they look you over,
I'll be the proudest fellow in the Easter Parade.

On the avenue, Fifth Avenue, the photographers will snap us,
And you'll find that you're in the rotogravure.
Oh, I could write a sonnet about your Easter bonnet,
And of the girl I'm taking to the Easter Parade.
     Written by Irving Berlin

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Poems are nice to put on hand-made cards...

SOME THINGS THAT EASTER BRINGS
Easter duck and Easter chick,
Easter eggs with chocolate thick...

Easter hats for one and all...
Easter Bunny makes a call!

Happy Easter always brings
Such a lot of pleasant things...
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EASTER EVERYWHERE
Rabbits soft and cuddly
Baby chickens, too...

Easter eggs for baskets
White and pink and blue.

Easter cards of greeting,
Music in the air,
Lilies just to tell us-
It's Easter everywhere.
 

HAPPY EASTER DAY...

The tulips in the garden
Are wearing yellow hats;
The pussy willows by the brook
Have fur like any cats'.
The bee is honey hunting;
The robin's chirp is gay;
And all the world is singing,
"Oh, happy Easter Day!"

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OTHER EASTER CATEGORIES: Click here for all Easter Themed Art, Crafts, Snacks, Games, Jokes, Easter Egg Ideas and more...

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Page 1 consist of  'How' to Plant and Grow, Experiments, Worm Farms in bottles, and Community Service Ideas.

Page 2 is loaded with activities for Art, Crafts, Games, Snacks, Songs and Jokes...The following ideas  on both pages have been collected from about the site for anything to do with gardens/gardening)

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CONTAINER PLANTING 

Deciding WHERE and WHAT to Plant...

Contain your plants. Many vegetables and flowers grow well in either indoor or outdoor pots. Once your plot or pots are chosen, help children begin researching what to plant. For speedier and more certain results, plant seedlings instead of seeds; however, children will miss out on the excitement of seeing that first sprout peeking through the soil.

• With container gardening, you control the soil and drainage, and you can avoid most garden pests. In 3- to 5-gallon pots, you can grow beans, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, corn, broccoli, cabbage, kale, leeks and even melons.

• Pots as small as 4- to 6 inches are fine for growing peas (choose shorter peas, ones that grow to about a foot), lettuce, spinach and Swiss chard.

• Choose medium size pots for beets, eggplant and cherry tomatoes. Of course, all of your pots will need plenty of sun and water

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MAKE A CONTAINED OUTDOOR GARDEN... in a children's swimming pool!
Here's a good idea if you can't dig up a plot for a garden!
   1.  Get a a small swimming pool and be sure to punch holes for drainage.
   2.  Fill with dirt---plant seeds, or small flowers, water, fertilize and watch the flowers grow!
   3.  The kids will love to work their "garden"

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REAP WHAT YOU EAT!

Children often want to plant seeds left over from fruits (peach pits, apple seeds, watermelon seeds). If your climate is conducive and you have the space, try planting some peach pits in a corner of the yard. In about three years, some tasty fruit may appear.

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GROW SOME EDIBLE PLANTS AND ADD THEM TO YOUR COOKING WITH THE KIDS!

Be sure to ADD your 'child-grown' goods to... soups, salads, beverages and desserts!

DID YOU KNOW IT'S SAFE TO EAT:
Peonies, pansies, nasturtiums, dandelions, day lilies, squash flowers, elder flowers, carnations, violets, marigolds and sunflowers?

DO NOT EAT:
Wisteria, holly, bird of paradise, hydrangea, oleander, poinsettia or philodendron.
Source: parenthood.com

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GARDENING FUN!

GROWING POPCORN IN A BAGGIE
Instructions: Take a plastic zip-loc baggie, put cotton balls in it and saturate cotton balls with water. Put popcorn kernels into the bag, seal it and tape to a window. Add water as needed and watch the plants grow. Transfer to potting soil later. (It doesn't take much to get a popcorn kernal going!

My grandson had a kenal laying on its side on the sink--in just a drop of water. In a couple days it was sprouting a small leaf and stem! (Barb)

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MAKE A POTATO HEAD PLANT

1.  Cut off both ends of a potato.
2.  Stand the potato upright on one of the flat cut surfaces and scoop out a hole in the other end.
3.  Carve out a face on one side of the potato.
4.  Have the children place two cotton balls in the potato’s scooped-out top.
5.  Let them water the cotton balls and sprinkle them with grass or alfalfa seeds.
6.  Place in a sunny spot and watch his hair grow.

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MAKE A LIVE BLOOMING NECKLACE
Materials Needed:
Film Container
Cotton Balls
Yarn
Flower or Vegetable Seeds and Screw Eye Hook

Instructions: This works great with the clear containers.
1. Put two-four cotton balls into the container.
2. Tuck in about a few seeds between the cotton balls and the outside of the container, so that you can see them. Large seeds work best. Peas, Cantaloupe, etc.
3. Add a few drops of water, just until cotton balls are damp, but not soaked and not enough to puddle water on bottom of container.
4. Use a screw-eye with a medium size eye on it and screw it through the center of the lid. Put the lid on the container tightly. 5. Braid three pieces of yarn long enough to go around the child's neck and slip over the head.
6. Thread yarn through the screw eye and tie in a circle.
Kids like to wear these necklaces and watch the seeds sprout and grow inside the container. If you time this right, you can plant them into starter pots when they get too big for the container, or outside into the garden.

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 PLANT A GARDEN TO ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES! A list of plants that attract adult butterflies:

• Aster
• Blanket Flower
• Day-lily
• Phlox
• Sunflower
• Verbena
• Black-eyed Susan
• Butterfly Bush
• Milkweed

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WONDERFUL IDEA!

PLANT A CIRCLE OF TREES... It'll take a while to form--but will be wonderful when it does!
In the January issue of Exchange, Rusty Keeler contributed the article, "A Spring Playscape Project: Building a Tree Circle", which he introduces with...  "If you are dreaming of adding nature to your yard, this project may be perfect for you. The Tree Circle is a green gathering area for children made by planting trees in a circle.

• For children... the Tree Circle becomes a magical place for dramatic play, quiet retreat, or lively nature exploration.

• For teachers and parents... it becomes a shady grove for snacks and stories.

•The trees create a sweet spot that changes during the seasons and grows over time. A beautiful addition to a child’s life — and yours too!" You can read the instructions of the tree circle in its entirety. Click here

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PLANT A RAINBOW
You can grow a blooming rainbow by planting curved rows of different-colored flowers. For the best effect, use plants that have similar heights.

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GROW THINGS (Horticulture)

•  Grow different types of beans in wet cotton and plastic bags; tape the baggies to a window and some in a closet.  Observe and photograph (or draw) sprouting once a week. Discuss differences in growth patterns and what plants need to grow. Measure and graph plant heights.

•  Plant a garden and eat harvested vegetables.

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 GROW GREEN BEANS  

 Have each child plant their own green beans. It's a great way to introduce children to gardening and the connection between food and the earth.

You need...bean seeds, small garden pot (3 inch across) some soil and water. You will also need a place  to put the pot where it will get 4-6 hours of sunlight.

Fill the pot with soil; make a small hole using the little finger about 1/4 inche deep--put in the bean-- cover over-- water. Place the pot in a sunny spot and watch it grow. Be sure the planter has drainage and be sure to place a saucer to catch the excess water... If children are younger, end the activity with reading JACK AND THE BEANSTALK!

 

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SWEET POTATO VINE #1
Need: One healthy sweet potato; 2-litre, clear soda bottle; three tooth picks or wooden skewers, water, clean stones or gravel.

Easy Instructions:
1.  Cut the top off your bottle (start cut with a sharp knife, then use scissors).
2.  Place stones or gravel in bottom of bottle.
3.  Suspend your potato, narrow end down, into the bottle. Use toothpicks, punched into potato and resting on sides of bottle, to hold in place.
4.  Fill bottle with water so that at least half of your potato is submerged.
5.  Your sweet potato vine should show new roots within a week or two. Leafy purple sprouts will appear shortly after. Use a magnifying glass to see tiny root hairs and to examine little sprouts. Ask students to PREDICT what will happen next.

TIP: A sweet potato purchased from a natural foods store or farmers' market may sprout sooner than one from a supermarket--because it's less likely to have been sprayed with a sprout inhibitor.

EXTENSION IDEA:
Before you prepare your experiment, ASK students what plants eat. The general answer to this question is "nutrients collected from soil by roots." But what about plants grown in water? Students may guess that there are nutrients in what appears to be pure, clear water. Are there enough to support a whole, big plant?

WHAT IS YOUR VINE EATING?

A sweet potato is a root tuber, a fleshy root that stores food for a plant and produces adventitious shoots or shoots growing from unusual positions--in this case, out of the sides of the root.

What's happening to the potato, itself?  Your vine will continue to grow for months if you are careful to replenish water and/or change it when your bottle becomes cloudy.

You may wish to plant your sweet potato outdoors in the spring, after danger of frost. It may not survive but, on the other hand, you may find a small crop of sweet potatoes in the fall. Dig up the plant and use one of the new potatoes to grow another vine.

 

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 SWEET POTATO VINE #2
1.  Using four toothpicks have child suspend the vegetable on the rim of a jar or mug filled with water.
2.  Make sure the bottom half - the pointed end - is under water.
3.  Place in a sunny spot and change or add water as needed.
4.  In a few days, roots will form below the water. And, two to three weeks later, leaves and stems will sprout from the top.
5.  Continue to grow the plant in water or, after a month or two, pot the sweet potato in a houseplant potting mix.
6.   Keep the soil moist.
7.  The stems are weak, so help children tie them to strings, wire or a stake.
8.  Feed once a month with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer such as 20-20-20. As the vine grows, cut it back a few inches to force the plant to grow bushy. Some are treated with heat to keep them from sprouting on grocery-store shelves, but most grow roots in a matter of days after being placed in water.

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GARDENING SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS

PLANT GROWTH IN LIGHT VERSUS COMPLETE DARKNESS

Plant two seeds each in their own clean cup with potting soil. Cover one with a black bag or a box over it. Only open it to water it and then re-cover it immediately. Plant the other one and place it near a window or under a grow light.
Ask what the children predict? After 2 weeks---see what happened!

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SPROUTING SPROUTS

 1.  Take a small zip-lock bag and using a needle, punch a few holes in the bottom seam of the bags.
2.  Get some alfalfa or mung bean seeds and place a teaspoon of seeds in each bag.
3.  Zip the bag closed and have children place the bag in a bowl of warm water.
4.  Soak the seeds overnight.
5.  The next day, take the bag out of the water and let it drain; have it sit in indirect sunlight the rest of the day. For the next few days, have children dunk the bags in water for a few seconds and then drain and put back in indirect light. 6.  On the fourth day, have your child set the seeds IN THE SUN.
Have fun watching the sprouts turn green.
7.  BE SURE TO USE THE BEANS! When ready eat the sprouts by sprinkling them on top of a green salad, on a sandwich or on top of cream cheese spread on crackers.

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MIGHTY SEED: Learn about: exothermic reactions- Observe the power of seeds when you try to limit their growth.
Materials:
Clear plastic cup
5 tablespoons of Plaster of Paris
2 or more tablespoons of water, Plastic spoon for mixing, Dropper
3 soybeans

1. Put the plaster of Paris in the plastic cup
2. Add 2 tablespoons of water and mix.
3. Continue to add drops of water until the mixture has the consistency of a very thick milkshake.
4. Push the soybeans into the plaster until they are covered and then smooth the surface.

Now, explore! What do you think will happen to the soybeans? Make regular observations. What happens? Why?

5.  The next day add a tablespoon of water to the cup and continue to make observations. What happens? Why?  What's Going On?

• Seeds require moisture and warmth to germinate. In this case the seed absorbs moisture from the plaster mixture.
• As the seed absorbs water it increases in size and applies pressure to the surrounding plaster. This force, combined with the strength of the germinating sprout, causes the plaster to crack and allows the shoot to grow up through the plaster.
• This strength and ability to grow in adverse conditions allows plants to survive in a wide range of environments.
• You may also notice that when water is mixed with plaster the cup becomes warm. A chemical reaction which gives off heat like this is known as an "exothermic reaction." Source: cosi.org

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CARROT TOPS

As the project is written, it is geared to GRADES 6 to 8; however, it can be adapted to ANY grade level.
Question: Can a plant grow from just the top of a carrot?
Research: What kind of root does a carrot have? Why is the root so big? What is needed for a plant to grow?
Hypothisis: Can the carrot top provide what is needed for the plant to grow?
Materials: Shallow container, 4 carrots

1. Cut about half an inch off the end of the carrot that has the leaves. Cut the leaves off close to the base of the carrot.
2. Put the carrots into the container with the cut side down.
3. Add enough water to cover about half the carrot top.
4. Place the container in a well-lighted window.
5. Observe the carrot tops each day for any changes. Remember the changes may start out small and change slowly. Look for new leaves and roots.
6. Use a metric ruler to measure any growth you may observe.
7. Continue your observations for six days and write your report on the sixth day. For younger children---just have fun observing the carrot, while making observations along the way!

TEACHER/CAREGIVER SECTION FOR CARROTS:
POSSIBLE HYPOTHESIS: No growth will occur since the carrot is not living-OR Leaves will grow since even this small part of the plant is still living.
Possible Conclusion: The carrot top should show some new growth each day. The student should discuss the possible reasons for the growth.
Adapted from Judy Schneider

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 MAKE A TERRARIUM

A terrarium is a sort of living landscape inside an enclosed plastic container or jug.
•To start, put a layer of pebbles or charcoal at the bottom of the container for drainage.
•Cover that with two inches of topsoil.
•Add a few rocks, some twigs or branches, moss,and small plants.
•Moisten the terrarium with water, but don't overdo it. Cover the opening with a sheet of plastic wrap.

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#1 SODA BOTTLE GREENHOUSE...
Materials:
2 clear 2-liter bottles (soda)
Sand
Dirt
Seeds
1.  Cut one bottle so that the bottom is approximately 4" high--this creates the bottom and base of the green house.
2.  Next, cut the second bottle so it's about 9" high this will be the "lid" or top for your house.
3.  Place small aount of potting soil in the bottom of the 4" base.
4.  Add soil and seeds. Water the seeds--- then slip the top over it to create a “greenhouse”.
5.  Put in sunny place and plants will appear in 2-5 days -- depending on the seeds you use.

#2 SODA BOTTLE GREENHOUSE

 1.) Thoroughly wash and dry the clear plastic bottle. A clear juice bottle or 2-liter soda bottle works. With the scissors, cut all the way around the bottle to carefully remove the top one-third of the bottle.

2.) Place about 1 inch of loose grave in the bottom of the bottle, then add about 3 inches of potting soil.

3.) Make small holes in the dirt and plant the small plants or seedlings in the soil, just deep enough to cover the roots.

4.) Add a few drops of water in the bottle, but do not soak the soil. As the bottle will be almost an enclosed garden only a little bit of water is necessary.

5.) Gently place the top part of the bottle back in place on top of the planted section. Use the wide clear tape to secure the 2 parts of the bottle together. (You may need an extra pair of hands for this part.) Once the sections are back together and in place, if you desire, you can decorate the bottle with sticky-backed ribbon to cover the joint where the bottle sections are taped together.

 6.) Place the green house in a sunny warm location and water only when necessary. You do not need to keep the lid on the bottle as the air and condensation will give the plants all the nutrition they need to grow into healthy, thriving plants. Source: Source:eHow.com

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WORM FARM- HOW WORMS WORK IN THE GARDEN!!!

Worms are vitally important for the gardener. Not only do they aerate the soil and improve its condition by breaking down rotting plant waste in the soil, they will also produce  higher quality compost in your compost heap, eating their way through quantities of kitchen waste at the same time.

 Directions:

• Cut the top off a plastic soda bottle, tape the edge.
• Pour in 2 inches gravel or stones for drainage (good way to get small rocks out of the yard!)
• Alternate 2 inches of sand, 2 inches of dirt. (VERY lightly spray the dirt with water) Worms 'breathe' through their skin, which must be damp for this to happen. Put a few small pieces of banana peel in the middle for worm food.
• Continue with layers till top.
• Add worms. Tape the top back on or cover top with plastic wrap and tape. Either way, put in several air holes. The jar should not be put anywhere too cold.

Tape black construction paper around bottle, and leave for a day or 2 -- try to do this on a Friday. When you take the paper off, you will see the tunnels the worms have made, and the layers will have shifted and mixed. 

Make sure you check your bottle ecosystems every day; moisten the soil; add more moistened food to the top layer if necessary. Always ensure the contents of the jar are moist, not too wet and definitely not too dry.

You can also: 1.) Observe your ecosystems and record your observations. 2.) Draw a picture or take a digital photograph of your ecosystems.

Charles Darwin studied worms for 39 years, and concluded that life on earth would not be possible without them. Mainly because they increase soil fertility so efficiently, but also because they reduce quantities of plant waste.

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WORMS CAN BE FUN... Activity Two

Go to bait and tackle store and buy bait worms. Dump them into two large tubs of dirt and let the children observe them as they dig. The children can use their hands to dig up the worms. If your children a young, have a variety of plastic birds  at the table for pretend feeding.

With the children, TAKE THE WORMS OUTSIDE and put them in the garden at the end of the day. Have a box of baby wipes available for hand washing.

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TURN A PROTECTED SECTION of your home, program or school yard into a nature shelter.

In warm weather or cold weather- birds, squirrels and other small wildlife are in constant search of food, fresh water and safe shelter. Set up a bird feeder, bird bath and bird house where you and the children will be able to quietly observe. Youth enjoy watching different animals seek the food and water and your bird house will be there when needed. Visit Bird Theme 

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 PLANT  BULBS IN THE FALL

When fall approachs, it's  time to get  bulbs in the ground for spring blossoms such as tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and lilies. When flowers welcome next spring-you'll be happy that you did!
For the best results:

• Plant before the first frost.
• Dig a trench and place the soil on a plastic sheet.
• Place the bulbs in the trench according to your design, but don't let them touch. Make sure they are facing the right way up.
• Replace the soil.
• Water thoroughly. You can also add a layer of mulch to keep the bulbs moist.
• Now all you have to do is wait for spring to see healthy green sprouts that will grow into colorful flowers!

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GROW YOUR OWN FRESH SALAD!

Grow a selection of salad crops to make a lovely summer salad and introduce children to practical gardening. It will increase their interest in healthy food and help them to understand plant life cycles.

Materials:
A plot of good soil, garden tools, compost or manure, watering can,
Seed Ideas for salad: lettuce, nasturtium, pot marigold, cherry tomato, tomatoes, peas and crystal apple cucumber

1. Help children dig the soil and mix in some compost or manure.

2.  Plant  seeds following the directions on the seed packets. You don't have to grow the crops in rows -but can plant in patches, spirals or pots and window-boxes. Be sure children leave enough space to be able to get to the plants for watering, weeding, slug removing and picking!

3. When seeds are planted, water them gently. Seeds MUST be kept moist to germinate.

4. When seeds start to grow, take steps that slugs don't visit and eat everything. (A slug trap can be made with some beer in a jar - make sure you dig a hole to place the jar in so that it sits at soil level.)

5. Remind kids to keep pulling out the weeds, but not to disturb  salad crops. You can give the pea plants some sticks to climb up.

6. Be patient until the salad crops look ready to eat!

RAW PEAS can go in salad - the children just need to take them out of their pods.
 
The NASTURTIUMS AND MARIGOLDS are advised for two reasons: they encourage pest-eaters to come into gardens... and  can also be eaten. The marigold petals and the leaves and flowers of the nasturtium will brighten up any salad.

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How to grow TOMATO PLANTS (from seeds) with your child.

• Around March/April, start by filling a small flowerpot with fresh potting compost.
• Press the soil until it's firmly packed and then evenly sprinkle a few tomato seeds on the surface of the soil.
• Cover the seeds by putting a little compost into another pot and shaking it gently over the new seeds, like a pepper pot.
• Cover the pot with cling film or a plastic bag and secure it with an elastic band and place it in a warm, light place until the seeds begin to sprout.
• When the seedlings appear they will need to transfer them to their own pots. And around June time, when the weather is warmer, plant them outside in larger pots or in the garden.
• Ensure plants are well-watered and give them a special treat of plant food once a week.

Be sure the children wash their hands after gardening, as well as the produce before they eat it.

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GARDENING & COMMUNITY SERVICE...

• Improve the school grounds and plant trees or wildflowers.

• Plant produce. Donate the harvest to a local food bank.

• Plant seeds. Sell the flowers or plants and donate the proceeds to a local organization in need.
Form a litter patrol on school or park ground

• Put on a play at your school, a fair, or festival about local environmental issues.

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This is page 1...Go to page 2 for Gardening Themed ideas for Art, Crafts, Games, Snacks, Songs and Jokes!

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Some interesting categories that could blend with a 'Garden Theme' are:

• Worm Theme
• Flower Theme
• Sunflower Theme
• Bird Theme 
• Insects/Bugs (Creepy-Crawlies)
• Short Theme for 'Veggies and Fruit Day'

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MAKE TRAVELING FUN!!! TIPS, GAMES, BOOKS, IDEAS...

BETTER FAMILY VACATIONS
Everyone dreams of a perfect family vacation. There will be a lot of together time with family members enjoying themselves. Everyone will find time to relax and unwind, and everyone will come back refreshed. Yet anyone who has ever taken a family vacation has discovered that they're far from perfect and that you never know what to expect! If you plan carefully, however, you can create better family vacations in which everyone comes home with fond memories.
Try it...Read TIPS for all parents and also with children 9 to 15 at the bottom of the page!)

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TRAVELING GAMES-ACTIVITIES 

 1. WHAT CAN YOU TAKE TO KEEP KIDS BUSY?

This is what Cassie in Michigan does when traveling in the car, plane or train with her grandchildren!
 
I give my grandchildren things like pipe cleaners, stickers and paper, aluminum foil (they mold it into whatever they want), scotch tape and post-it-notes, band aids (by the time you get somewhere they may be wearing the entire box--and that's OK if it keeps them happy! With this--you won't later find melted crayons on your back seat! 

2. Depending on the age of your children-- you can add:

• Books to read as well as age appropriate activity books, comic books and sticker books
• Threading sets (pictures with yarn)
• Magnetic Travel-size games such as Monopoly, Sorry, Battleships, Chess, Backgammon, Checkers, and Chinese Checkers
• Travel-size Magna- Doodle and Etch-a-Sketch
• Small Lego sets in Ziploc bag to store the pieces  
• Travel Desk sets
• Wipe of easels (white-board) with board markers
• Miniature worlds: little houses, etc. with figures, hand-sized playsets
• Small magnetic puzzles 
• Small wind-up toys
• Decks of Cards such a "Go-Fish" and regular...
• Miniature cars--sold in portable sets
• Small sets of plastic figures such as dinosaurs and animals
• Yarn and string for finger knitting and making Cat's Cradle, etc.
• Blank Paper for Tic Tac Toe and Hangman
• Hand-held toys with the sound turned off
• DVD players-and favorite movies
• CD players
• Handheld electronic games
• A map to mark follow and mark off--how about a compass too!
• And of course...favorite snacks!!!

The aluminum foil that Cassie suggests is great! Kids can mold it into anything they want! Challenge them to come up with something really creative such as crowns, animal shapes, masks, jewelry, a headband and more...

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3. AN ACTIVITY SET  MADE TO TRAVEL... along the same lines--game and activity sets have been made and packaged for travel.  Fun travel games are great for keeping kids occupied on long trips. You can put your own travel box (such as above ideas) -- or purchases a kit such as shown--this one includes travel games for kids of all ages; checkers, car bingo, solitaire games, tangrams, doodle board, license plate games, and more.

4. DON'T FORGET THE BOOKS!  Check out the Book List on our Summer Reading page AND on this page. There is an excellent list of books for kids and teens to read during 'ROAD TRIPS'!

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5. "MAKE OF CAR" SCAVENER HUNT

Materials: List of cars, pencil and lots of time, time, time...
Players: Small to medium groups

Here's a game for the kids to play on that next long car ride. It's a car scavenger hunt and here's a list to get you started.
Print this list and have players mark off which cars they have spotted.
If there are several players, take turns as to who marks off the next car that you pass or that passes you--or make a copy for each child!

• Accord
• Aerostar
• Alero
• Astro
• Audi
• Aurora
• Blazer
• BMW
• Bonneville
• Camaro
• Camry
• Caprice
• Caravan Caravel
• Cavalier
• Celebrity
• Cherokee
• Cirrus
• Civic
• Concord
• Contour
• Corolla
• Corsica
• Cougar
• Dakota
• Denali Escort
• Excursion
• Excursion
• Expedition
• Explorer
• Galant
• Grand Prix
• Hummer
• Infiniti
• Interpid
• Intregue
• Jimmy
• Kia Laredo
• Lexus
• Lincoln
• Lumina
• Mazda
• Mercedes
• Montana
• Monte Carlo
• Mustang
• Mystique
• Navigator
• Park Avenue
• Pathfinder
• PT Cruiser
• Probe
• Ram
• Ranger
• Sable
• Safari
• Saturn
• Silhouette
• Silverado
• Suburban
• Sunbird
• Sunfire
• Tahoe
• Taurus
• Tempo
• Tracer
• Tracker
• Transport
• Towncar
• Venture
• Villager
• Volkswagen
• Voyager
• Windstar

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 6.  PLAY 'COLORED CAR' GAME

Have kids look for cars of a certain color. Be sure to play along with them too. You can time the game so that the person who has spotted the most cars of a certain color wins.

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7. A - Z BACK-SEAT TRAVELS: A way to keep kids occupied while LONG TRIP traveling...

 Need:
1 small notebook
1 large zipper- seal plastic bag
A pen or pencil
Crayon or markers
 
What to do:
1. Before you go on the trip, write name, the place you are going to, and the date that you are leaving on the cover of the notebook.
 
2. At the top of each page, write one letter of the alphabet, beginning with A and ending with Z.
 
3. Place the notebook, pencil, and crayons in the plastic bag and take them on the trip with you.
 
4. As you travel, look for special landmarks or things and write their name next to the appropriate letter. For example, lake would be written on the "page with "L" at the top.
 
5. Draw a picture of that item on the page, and color the picture with the crayons.

You can use blank pages at the end of the book as a travel diary, detailing everything you saw and did on the trip.

Kids will have a full book of vacation memories!

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8. HOW FAR AWAY IS THAT ________?
Pick an object in the distance and have everyone guess how far away it is. Set your odometer and clock it!

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9. PLAY 'RYHME THAT WORD'!

• Think of words.
• Children take turns seeing how many “real” rhyming words they can think of.
• When one word is worn out, choose another word. Remind the kids to use “nice” words only!
• Example: Rhyme words with “time”...
  Chime, climb, crime, dime, grime, I’m, lime, mime, prime rhyme, thyme, slime, bedtime, centime, daytime, enzyme, lifetime, mealtime, meantime, nighttime, pastime, ragtime, sometime, springtime, sublime, maritime, overtime, pantomime, paradigm

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 10. SINGING CAN BE FUN on long car rides. Turn off the DVD'S, CD's and radio --and pick a few of your children's favorite songs and sing them. Try to get the kids involved, taking turns singing the songs in your funniest voices.

For 1 cent to $10.76-- Amazon.com has "ALL-AMERICAN CAR-I-OKE". Yes, karaoke for the car! It'a a kit including a book of 15 great family sing-along tunes and activities galore, an accompanying CD of music, and three booklets of lyrics for the back seat and the way-back.

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11. THREE NOUNS

1. Think up three nouns.
2. Everyone takes turns creating a sentence with those three nouns. 3. Alternate the noun-giver and sentence-makers.
         An example for the nouns: Orange, dog, store
         "The DOG is happy because
          ORANGE colored chew bones
          are stocked at the STORE."

Note from Barb: An orange that you 'eat' is a noun...however, it's used above as an adjective. This can also be an interesting way to review 'part of speech'.

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12. How about putting together a "TRAVELING SCAVENGER HUNT"?  Will you be traveling in the city, on a highway, or in the country? Adjust your list to the places your trip will take you...then...make identical lists for each player. (You join in too!) The first to spot the item gets to cross it off of the list!

 Ideas:

• Maple tree
• 3 kids in the back seat of a car 
• flasing red light
• Person on a bike
• Lady walking and wearing a hat
• Dog 
• Seafood restaurant,
• Coney Island Restaurant,
• Stuffed animal or doll in a back-seat car window
• Motorcycle
• Man with white hair driving a car
• Trailer being pulled behind a car
• Church with a steeple, etc.
• Rail road tracks, etc.
• A lake, river, stream or pond
• A sign that says "Welcome to the State of ________"

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13. Get ready for your trip by making LITTER BAGS FOR THE CAR!

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14. LEARN TO SING THE ABC'S BACKWARDS!  Who can do it first?!!
Why? Just for the fun of it!
Have cards with the alphabet and point to the letters starting with "Z" and go from there...
Z Y X W V U T S R Q P O N M L K J I H G F E D C B A

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15. This one will keep the kids quiet for awhile! CHOCOLATE FACE
Have the kids place a piece of chocolate candy in their mouth--- and see how long it takes to melt! No sucking and chewing it! The one to keep the chocolate in their mouth the longest is the winner.
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SOME OLDIES BUT GOODIES!

#16. 20 QUESTIONS 
One person picks something to be, such as a famous person or an animal, and then the rest of the passengers ask 'yes or no questions' until someone guesses who the person has chosen to be.
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17. I'M GOING ON A TRIP (OR PICNIC OR WHATEVER)... This game is good for one play-- until they learn the trick

The leader (lets say Sarah) starts by saying, "I'm going on a trip and I'm bringing a sun hat." Each person in turn responds with an appropriate traveling item. "I'm going on a trip and I'm bringing _____." Leader confirms by saying "Yes, you can bring ____" or "No, you can't bring that" or something similar.

The Trick:
The first letter of the item they bring must match the first letter of their first name. So Leslie can also bring lotion or lipstick. Paul can bring pants.
Note: This is one of the easier trick games to figure out, so be sure to remind players not to tell the secret. Don't give hints. Kids love figuring this stuff out on their own.

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18. ROCK PAPER SCISSORS…

"Rock" is a fist..."Paper" is a flat hand...and "Scissors" are the pointer and middle fingers making snipping motions. Partners shake their fists three times---and then show their chosen motion on the count of three. Winning hands are decided as follows:

Rock breaks/dulls scissors... Scissors cuts paper... Paper covers rock.

Play three or 5 times...and see who has the most wins. This is also a good method to see who goes "first" in games.
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19. I SPY

One person says "I spy with my little eye, something that is _______ (name a color)". Then others try to guess what the object is and the one who guesses it takes the next turn.

With older kids instead of this 'I Spy' -- Play 'I'M THINKING OF': The leader looks about the area and says, "I'm thinking of something that is the color_________. Say what the color it is. Children guess what they think it may be. Winner is the next leader. It's the same game as 'I Spy'--buy not with the younger child's title...

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20. 'GUESS THE NUMBER' GAME

The leader picks a number within a range and players try to guess the number. Example: Leader says, "I'm thinking of a number between one and 50". Leader can say "higher or lower-- as the children guess. Correct number guess is the next leader.

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21. WHO CAN?
Can your kids...

• Roll their tongue (85% of people can). 
• Wiggle their ears; wiggle their nose.
• Show they are double jointed.
• Touch their ear with their elbow (I don't think anyone can!).
• Whistle (can they whistle by blowing both in and out?).
• Twiddle thumbs (try to do it in both directions at same time!).
• Rub their stomach and pat head at same time.
• Make owl hoots with clasped hands.
• Make a popping sound with hand tapping their puckered large "O" shaped mouth.

How about you? Can you???

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TIP: If a child is starting to become a challenge, put him/her in charge of a game or go first. It often will change the behavior.

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MORE IDEAS...

22. WHAT AM I COUNTING?
Have one person start counting aloud an object in everyone's view: Windows, white shirts, shoes, etc. Who can guess what the person is counting?

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23. CATEGORIES
Choose a category such as animals, vehicles, countries or food. Each person is to name something that belongs to that group. Challenge players to work in A to Z order: ant, bee, cow. Or, you can name items like hammer, saw, level and the child responds with "tools."

One more option is to have each word begin with the last letter of the previous word: Japan, Netherlands, Somalia, etc.

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24. PLAY 'SIMON SAYS' WITH 'VISUAL MISCUE'
Play this game just like any "Simon Says" but add visual directions that are totally wrong! Example: Simon Says touch your nose while touching your cheek! This game helps children focus on the spoken word rather than being overly influenced by visual...

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25. SHOULDER CHALLENGE
A potato chip or cracker is placed on shoulder, while standing. The challenge is to remove the chip with tongue!

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26. DON'T FORGET ABOUT MAD LIBS. They're great to do with the kids as a group! Just shout out to them, 'Give me a noun---or adjective, etc. When complete, read the 'Mad Lib' story aloud with much enthusiasm. The children love it!
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27. I CAN'T STAND _____! (For Older kids)  Have each player in turn describe a food that they cannot stand to eat. Encourage as much detail as possible so that the other car members are disgusted by the food, too...

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28. When you have some down time-waiting...
Start off with what makes you happy ---and then take turns calling out things such as: Sunny days make me happy; Sunshine makes me happy; Warm cookies make me happy; Saturday mornings make me happy; Friday nights makes me happy;Going to the movies makes me happy...Pizza…..Going on vacation...Blue skies...Summer time, etc.
When done in a light-hearted manner, the children will join in and share! You'll be amazed how the atmosphere can change--as well as realizing it doesn't have to be a trip to Disney World to do it!
I actually did this with my three grandsons (ages 4, 6, 9) while waiting for their Dad in the car not too long ago! Within a few seconds, the atmosphere in the car really lightened up and they were each sharing! Barb

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30. Take along a supply of JOKES, KNOCK-KNOCK JOKES, TONGUE TWISTERS, and RIDDLES/TRICK QUESTIONS ...Just copy and paste from our pages. (Tip: When you copy KidActivities pages, the letters will be light blue on your paper--just use your 'computer color font choices' to make the letters black.)
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29. STARING CONTEST...
No laughing, no poking, no nodding, noblinking--just staring into the eyes of your opponent to see who flinches first
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GOOD 'ROAD TRIP' SONGS...

"99 BOTTLES OF BEER"
is a traditional song in the United States and Canada. It is popular to sing on long trips, as it has a very repetitive format which is easy to memorize, and can take a long time to sing. If the 'Beer' lyric bothers you--substitute the word 'milk'  or 'pop' (meaning soft drink/soda)

The lyrics are simple:

Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall, Ninety-nine bottles of beer.
Take one down, pass it around, Ninety-eight bottles of beer on the wall.

The same verse is repeated, each time with one less bottle. The song is completed when the singer or singers reach zero.

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THE ANTS GO MARCHING ONE BY ONE...

The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching one by one,
The little one stops to suck his thumb
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching two by two,
The little one stops to tie his shoe
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching three by three,
The little one stops to climb a tree
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching four by four, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching four by four, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching four by four,
The little one stops to shut the door
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching five by five, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching five by five, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching five by five,
The little one stops to take a dive
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching six by six, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching six by six, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching six by six,
The little one stops to pick up sticks
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching seven by seven, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching seven by seven, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching seven by seven,
The little one stops to pray to heaven
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching eight by eight, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching eight by eight, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching eight by eight,
The little one stops to shut the gate
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching nine by nine, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching nine by nine, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching nine by nine,
The little one stops to check the time
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The ants go marching ten by ten, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching ten by ten, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching ten by ten,
The little one stops to say "THE END"
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

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FOR KIDS & TEENS...
GOOD 'ROAD TRIP' READS!!!

• The Daring Book for Girls
Andrea J. Buchanan

• The Dangerous Book for Boys
Conn Iggulden
Equal parts droll and gorgeous nostalgia book and heartfelt plea for a renewed sense of adventure in the lives of boys and men

• The Everything Kids' Travel Activity Book: Games to Play, Songs to Sing, Fun Stuff to Do - Guaranteed to Keep You Busy the Whole Ride! (Everything Kids Series) Erik A. Hanson

• RandMcNally Kids' Road Atlas (Backseat Books) Kristy McGowan
Rand McNally's Backseat Books® series is your source for fighting those boredom blues. Kids' Road Atlas features real road maps, great travel games, state-by-state puzzles, state facts (including the nickname, capital, flower, tree, and bird), an index, and much, much more. An answer key is also included...

• The Everything Kids' States Book: Wind Your Way Across Our Great Nation (Everything Kids Series) Brian Thornton

• Where's Waldo? The Ultimate Travel Collection (Waldo) Martin Hanford.
The essential travel companion! Now Waldo can wander everywhere his fans do, thanks to a compact bind-up of five classic adventures. Waldo seekers young and old won’t want to hit the road without this paperback compilation of his world-famous excursions.

• Frommer's National Parks with Kids (Park Guides) Kurt Repanshek
Millions of families visit the national parks annually.
We sent our author out to hit the trails and campsites to figure out how to beat the crowds and enjoy an unspoiled family experience of nature.

• Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
This Newbery Honor book is a dramatic, heart-stopping story of a boy who, following a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness must learn to survive with only a hatchet and his own wits. Ages 12-up. ...

• This is Texas by Miroslav Sasek
Following the runaway bestsellers This is New York and This is Paris, Universe is pleased to reissue another title from M. Sasek's beloved and nostalgic children's travel series.

• A Kid's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Revised and Updated Edition Inc Harcourt
For children on school trips or traveling with their families, here is kid-friendly information about popular monuments, museums, exhibits, shopping, sporting events--and even day trips outside the immediate metropolitan area. Originally published in 1989, this handy guide now features completely updated text and photographs, along with the puzzles, games, and wonderful tidbits

• Road Trip Trivia: A Big Book of Backseat Brainteasers (Klutz)
It is a truth universally acknowledged that backseat occupants on a trip of any duration are in serious peril of dying of boredom. Just ask them. Klutz has addressed this crisis before with gratifying success.

• Ballpark: The Story of America's Baseball Fields by Lynn Curlee
Grade 3-5…In this succinct and thoughtful overview, Curlee traces developments in the game from the mid-1800s to the construction of landmark arenas. The early 1900s saw the building of intimate playing fields such as Boston's Fenway Park and Chicago's Wrigley Field. Yankee Stadium, "the House that Ruth built…"

• Lady Liberty: A Biography by Doreen Rappaport
A powerfully moving, authentic portrait of the Statue of Liberty, told through the eyes of those who created her and illustrated in glorious detail.

• The Complete Book of Travel Games (The Complete Book Series)
School Specialty Publishing-- Everyone can enjoy their next trip with The Complete Book of Travel Games!

• Rand McNally Schoolhouse Intermediate Geography And Map Activities (Rand McNally Schoolhouse) Rand McNally and Company Action and adventure accompany geographers on their journey around the world with this fantastic activity book.

• Rand McNally Schoolhouse Beginner Geography & Map Activities
Rand McNally--- Big, bright illustrations make finding information fun and easy for young geographers. Schoolhouse's Beginner Geography…

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 HAPPY TRAVELING!

TIPS FOR ALL PARENTS...
• Adjust your expectations for family vacations. Instead of thinking of them as time to relax, think of them as family time where you may need to work a bit to bring the family together. (You can always take time off for yourself to unwind at another time.)

• Get everyone's input on possible family vacations and activities. Your getaways will be more successful if everyone is involved in the planning from early on. Make sure the kids have a good say in what is planned, where you go, and the activities you want to do (and want to avoid). You may even need to plan one favorite activity per person so that everyone gets the chance to do something he or she really wants and the rest of the family can get to know that family member better.

• If you're divorced, be careful not to get your children caught in the cross hairs of competing vacations. Some kids think it's too much to go on two vacations (one with dad's family and another with mom's family) because it keeps them away from their friends too long. Balance your children's needs along with your own.

• Be realistic about budgets. Family vacations can get expensive rather quickly. If your kids want spending money, let them know their budget before you go.

• If you have kids in two different age groups (such as a preschooler and a young adolescent), find activities that both enjoy, such as swimming or water parks. Also let each child choose an activity he or she really wants to do and have the whole family go along and enjoy that activity.

• Consider vacations with different goals. One year have a vacation that's about relaxing and being together. Another time have a vacation that's more adventuresome, where you're exploring a national park or a major city. Another time, consider taking a family service trip during which your family volunteers and helps others. 

• Whenever you take a family vacation, remember to expect the unexpected, have a sense of humor, and be open to surprise and discovery. This will help you keep your balance and your sanity!

This article is from ParentFurther to find simple, practical, and proven ways to help your kids succeed visit their website! It's a great site to both visit and subscribe!

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FOR PARENTS OF KIDS 6-9...

Pack a traveling bag with activities that kids can do while traveling and on vacation. Include blank tablets, washable markers, puzzle and activity books, playing cards, handheld video games, books to read, and so on.
 
Consider putting away several new activities (such as a new card game, puzzle, or board game) and wrapping it like a present. When kids get bored, bring out a present for them to open and discover!

Be intentional about playing together as a family while you're on vacation. The best part of a family vacation is being together and having fun together.

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FOR PARENTS WITH YOUTH 10-15...
 
Encourage your teenager to bring a friend. This often will raise your teenager's enthusiasm level greatly.
 
You may need to rethink and redefine a family vacation for this age group. Don't be surprised if your teenager is more enthusiastic about taking a trip to see a favorite music group, go to an amusement park, or visit a first-class water park.
 
Consider taking two or three shorter vacations instead of one longer vacation. Sometimes teenagers are more agreeable to short getaways (so they don't miss much time with their friends) than long ones.
From Parent Further

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 This category is filled with ideas for RED, WHITE & BLUE DAYS!  Crafts, Art, Games,  and more! (Red, White & Blue Food is on Page 2)
Consider some activities for themes of  Patriotic, Uncle Sam, USA Olympics, Flag Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Fireworks, Labor Day or the Last Week of School or Good Old USA Days!

CRAFT IDEAS...

STAR-STUDDED LEIS
Need:
Craft foam
Sharpened pencil Elastic cording
Red-and-white striped straws or drink stirrers
Time needed: About 1 Hour
1. Cut out craft foam stars and use a shapened pencil to poke a hole in the middle of each one.
2. String them onto a length of elastic cording, alternating the stars with sections of straw or drink stirrer. Knot and wear.

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FELT AMERICAN FLAG
Materials:
Felt paper in red, white, and blue, white star stickers, dowel stick, glue, and scissors.
Give each child a large rectangle piece of white felt. Students (or the teacher) will cut out a blue square and 7 red strips. Glue onto white felt rectangle to resemble flag. Once dry, have students place white star stickers onto blue felt square. Glue the edge of the flag to the dowel stick and let dry (it may be best to use a glue gun). Let dry.

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RIBBON STREAMERS
Kids will have fun at parades and other celebrations with these hand held ribbon streamers. With just a few strands of ribbon you can create an accessory that looks cool when kids run or dance with it.
What you'll need:
Paper towel roll tube
Tacky glue
Scissors
Roll of red ribbon
Roll of blue ribbon
Roll of white ribbon
Roll of striped red, white, and blue ribbon
Hole punch
Measuring tape, ruler, or yardstick
1.  Wrap the striped red, white, and blue ribbon around the paper towel tube, applying tacky glue under the ribbon as you work. You can wrap the ribbon at an angle or horizontally, whatever you prefer.
2.  After ribbon is applied and glue has dried, punch 9 holes in the bottom of the paper towel tube with the hole punch.
3.  Cut three strips of red ribbon that are 46 inches long. Cut three strips of blue ribbon that are 46 inches long. Cut three strips of white ribbon that are 46 inches long.
4. Tie a knot in the top of each strip of ribbon.
5. Pull each of the strips through the holes so the knot is on the inside
of the tube.
If you can't find striped red, white, and blue ribbon, you can wrap around individual strips of red, white, and blue ribbon.

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AMERICAN FLAG WINDSOCK...
This project is a FUN way to decorate for any patriotic holiday, or to show your USA pride all year-round! American Flag Windsocks are easy to make and perfect for Memorial Day and Fourth of July.

• Remove cover and cut bottom off oatmeal box.
• Cover box with blue construction paper.
• Decorate box with stickers and glitter.
• Cut red and white crepe paper streamers, glue to bottom end of box.
• Punch four holes along the top end of the box.
• Cut two pieces of string about a foot long.
• Tie strings to the holes you have just punched, tie opposite ends of strings to holes on opposite side.
• Cut an additional longer piece of string. To hang windsock---tie this to the other two strings.

Hang windsock from porch, window or a tree!

 TIP: 'USA UNCLE SAM WINDSOCK'...All Windsocks can be decorated to any theme such as this photo example. For this windsock, it is suggested to start painting/decorating from the top and work your way down.

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POM POMS
1.  Cover toilet tissue tubes with red or blue construction paper and have children decorate them with silver star stickers.
2.  Cut red, white and blue crepe-paper streams --into long and narrow strips. Have children glue the strips to one end of their tubes to make pompoms for shaking.

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 DECORATE WITH RED-WHITE AND BLUE TWIRLERS! A fun craft and nice decoration

 Hang from a window frame, tree, ceiling or porch!
Materials:
Plastic coffee can lids (Lids come in a variety of colors), Marker, Scissors, String

 

•  To make one, use a nail to poke a hole in the center of a plastic coffee can lid.
• With a marker, draw a spiral that starts 3/8 inch from the hole (it keeps going around itself in circular pattern) and gradually extends to the rim---then cut along the line with scissors.
• Knot an end of a piece of string, thread the other end up through the hole in the center, and the twirler is ready to hang up and spin.
• To spin, grasp each one at the bottom, twirl it around and around until the string is wound tight, let go and enjoy.  (Source: FamilyFun-but have also seen on CafeMom)

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HEAD BAND
Cut stars out of red, white and blue construction paper.
Make a head band out of white construction paper (make it long enough to fit around the child's head).
Glue stars on the band.
Red, white and blue stickers can also be added.
Allow the glue to dry.
Place band around child's head to get the size right.
Staple the band to make a circle.

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RED, WHITE, & BLUE WREATH
Materials:
Paper plate, white tissue paper, red tissue paper, blue tissue paper
silver streamers or ribbon, silver of white pipe cleaner, glue, stapler
Directions:
1.  Start by cutting out the center of a paper plate - discard the center. 2. Cut tissue into 6"x6" squares. Scrunch a piece of tissue up and dab it into the glue and place on the plate.
3.  Continue doing this and alternating colors until the plate rim is filled all the way up.
4.  Add a little sparkle by adding some silver streamers or ribbon here and there.
5.  Staple a pipe cleaner to the back of the wreath to make a hanger.

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MAKE CELEBRATION FRISBEES
Materials:
Red plastic plates (two for each Frisbee)
Scissors
Steak Knife (optional)
Large Ziploc baggie
Red, white and blue or multi-colored sequins
Stapler
1. Cut out the center of two red plastic plates. 
(Create a slit in the plastic plates with a knife. Next have children cut the rest of the center out with a pair of scissors.)
2. Fill the large plastic bag with colored sequins. 
(The Frisbee works better if you don’t put in too many sequins.
3. Place the plastic bag filled with sequins in between the two plates.
4. Staple the two plates together around the edges with the plastic bag in between. 
(It helps to have one person hold the plastic bag on each end so it’s taut, while the other person staples the plates together.) 5. Trim the parts of the plastic bag that hang outside the edge of the plates.
6. Go outside and throw the new Frisbee! 

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PATRIOTIC STAR
Materials:
Starfish (Real starfish)
Red Acrylic Paint
Blue Acrylic Paint
White Acrylic Paint
1) Paint red stripes on star fish leaving the upper left quadrant blank.
2) Paint blue in the upper left quadrant.
3) Allow to dry.
4) Paint small white stars in the blue painted section.

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RED, WHITE AND BLUE PONY BEADS!

 

 

 

 

TWO IDEAS TO Create your own FIREWORK PICTURES...
IDEA #1
Use dark construction paper, glue and different colors of glitter. These fireworks pictures are great decorations...
Supplies:
Black or very dark construction paper
Glitter
White glue
Old newspapers
A straw (optional)
1.  Work on old newspapers.
2.  Spread glue on the paper in geometric shapes. If the glue is soft enough, you can put a small blob of glue on the paper, and then blow some air through a straw to spread it into interesting shapes. You can experiment with the consistency of the glue and the angle of the straw.
3.  Sprinkle glitter onto the glue. Slide the excess glitter off your picture and back into the glitter container.

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IDEA #2 Bursts of PAINT that resemble FIREWORKS in the Sky...
Need:
Acrylic paint
Drinking straw
Paintbrush
Paper (or card stock)
Water
Time needed: 30 Minutes or Less...For each color: In a paper cup--dilute some acrylic paint with water to a runny consistency. Using a paintbrush, drip a few drops of paint onto a piece of paper or card stock (be sure to rinse the brush between colors). Hold  a drinking straw directly over each puddle of paint and blow gently to create a spectacular starburst effect.

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RED, WHITE AND BLUE PUFFY ART
Materials:
Flour, Salt, Water, Red and blue food coloring, Empty squeeze bottles (mustard bottles work well), Cardboard
Directions:
1. Mix equal parts of flour, salt, and water to make the puffy paint.
2. Divide mixture into three different bowls and color one bowl of mixture blue, one bowl red, and leave the last one white.
3. Fill the mustard bottles with the mixture (one color per squeeze bottle).
4. Let the children squeeze the different colors onto the cardboard.
5. When they're dry, the design will be raised and will sparkle!

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RED, WHITE AND BLUE Q-TIP COLLAGE
Dip the end of a Q-tip in glue and glitter and have children glue them on a black piece of paper in the shape of a star - they look like fireworks!

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KIDS ALWAYS LOVE FACE PAINTING!

 

Pull out the red, white and blue paint. PAINT STARS OR A FLAG on the cheeks/face of the kids!

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PAINTING WITH GRASS
1.  Gather red, and blue paint---take it outside and paint the grass blade tops!
2.  Set 'white' paper on the painted grass. These are lawn prints, but will resemble fireworks on the paper.
TIP: You can also use different colors for a non-thematic "quick" activity.
This is adapted from an idea by caregiver of autistic children.

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RED, WHITE, AND BLUE ABSTRACT COLLAGE
This actvity is especially good with young children!
1.  Put out pre-cut-shapes of the flag ---blue rectangles, red stripes, and sticky stars.
2.  Instruct the children to create anything they'd like... Some may look like the American flag and some may look like abstract collages---but all will be patriotic!

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CHALK ONE UP IN RED, WHITE & BLUE!
Bring out the artistic side of your celebrants by setting out colored chalk and inviting them to draw a RED, WHITE & BLUE HOLIDAY SIDEWALK MURAL. They might try their hand at colorful fireworks, or as a team--create a giant American flag. The bigger kids can sketch the outline and work on the stars, while the younger ones can help with the stripes. If you have a sunny, dry month---your sidewalk show of patriotism could keep the spirit alive for weeks.

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QUEEN ANN'S LACE FLOWER ART
The finished products resemble brilliant fireworks displays
Materials: Several stalks of Queen Anne's Lace, red, yellow and white paint, dark paper.
1. Pour paint into shallow containers.
2. Have the children dip the Queen Anne's Lace blossoms into paint and lightly dab them on their papers.

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THREE EASY ART TABLE ACTIVITIES
#1.  STARS & STRIPES SPONGE ART
Red and blue tempera paint, Sponges cut into stars and long strips, White construction paper
Let the children make sponge prints on the white paper with the red and blue paint.
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#2.  STAR COOKIE CUTTERS
Gather a few star-shaped cookie cutters and shallow bowls of red and blue tempera paint. Put out all materials for children to press the cookie cutters into the paint and then onto a piece of construction paper to make star shaped prints
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#3.  TEAR PAPER ART
Have a flag as a guide for the kids to follow. Tearing strips of red, white and blue paper, have children glue them onto a large sheet of construction paper. Make sure they know what size they should be trying to tear for the stars, stripes, etc. This is a good idea for younger children but the older may also enjoy it. 

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PLAY DOUGH FUN
Make your favorite play dough recipe and add RED food coloring, jello or kool-aid to one portion, BLUE to another--- and leave SOME AS IS. (Make it with the children) Put dough out along with 'star shaped' cookie cutters and let children create! (Lots of Play Dough recipes here)

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MAKE A TOGETHERNESS FLAG...
Materials Needed
Red, white and blue paint
Paintbrush
Paint Trays
Sheet of paper 2' x 3' or larger

1. On the large sheet of paper, draw lines for stripes and paint a blue square in the upper left corner.
2. Have the children fill in the bottom stripe by dipping their hands in the red paint and pressing them end to end within the lines of the stripe. Using the white paint, have them make a white stripe just above it the same way.
3. Continue until you have all 13 stripes filled with hand prints.
4. Have the children dip their fingertips in paint and make the "stars" in the blue square.
Extension Idea:
Have children make our country's very first flag in the same manner and discuss why it looks different from the flag we have today.

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Back to top of page

GAMES WITH RED-WHITE-BLUE TWIST

U.S. FLAG RELAY RACE
Have the kids make small U.S. flags and place them in red, white, and blue sand pails with sand filler at the bottom. Turn this decoration into a game.
1.  Divide the kids into two teams and have them run, grab a flag, and quickly walk back to the team line.
2.  The next person must do the same. The team with all of the flags in hand the quickest wins!
3.  Be sure to have the kids take the flags home!

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RED-WHITE-BLUE EGG SPOON RELAY RACE
1.  Boil a dozen eggs and color some red and blue. (Be sure to keep some white!)
2.  Divide the kids into two teams, and provide each with a spoon and eggs.
3.  The kids balance a colored egg on their spoon and walk quickly from one end of the game area to the other and return.
4.  If the egg drops, the team member must begin again.
5.  The first team with all members completing the relay race wins!

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UNCLE SAM DRESS-UP RELAY RACE
Need:
Two sets of clothing consisting of: Uncle Sam's hat, a white beard, a blue jacket or shirt, red clip-on bow tie, and a bell.
1.  Separate players into two equal lines spaced approximately 6 feet apart.
2.  Place a set of clothing at the beginning of each line; then place a bell approximately 15 feet in front of each line.
3.  On 'go', the first player in line dresses up in the clothing; then MARCHES to the bell.
4.  When they reach the bell, they pick it up with their left hand, turn and face their teammates and then ring the bell.
5. They replace the bell and MARCH back to the front of their line--remove the clothing--and go to the end of their line.
6. The next player repeats the process; repeat until the last player finishes. The first team to finish is the winner.

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***Click for a great variety of RELAY RACES and picnic games ...(Races, Relays, Balloon and Bean Bag Fun!) You may also like some PARACHUTE GAMES!

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Check out the  RED, WHITE & BLUE JOKES on KidActivities.net

FUN IDEA → If you're having a party, as a warm-up game write down jokes on individual slips of paper. Half the kids/guests get the Question--and the other half get the Answer! Good fun with kids trying to find their Question and Answer match! 

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SCIENCE IDEAS...

MILK FIREWORKS SCIENCE
This is a fun project but NOT a recipe for drinking!
You’ll Need
Whole milk (must be whole milk...project needs the fat!)
A baking pan
Food coloring
Liquid dishwashing soap
Directions
1. Pour the milk into the baking pan.
2. Drop several different colors of food coloring all around the milk.
3. Add a “squirt” or two of the dishwashing liquid, and watch the colors burst and swirl. The dishwashing liquid separates the fat from the other liquids in the milk. If the fireworks slow down, just add another squirt of dishwashing liquid.

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 RED, WHITE AND BLUE CARNATIONS

#1 Idea
Make tie-dyed looking red, white and blue carnations. These flowers look great for any red-white & blue theme!.
You’ll Need:
2 glasses
Water
Red and blue food coloring
White carnations
Green thread
1.  Pour water into a glass of water. Add 7 to 8 drops of red food coloring to the glass.
2.  Pour water into another glass and add 7 to 8 drops of blue food coloring to the glass.
3.  Cut the stem of a white carnation lengthwise. This will make the carnation stem into two thin stems.
4.  Set the two glasses of colored water together. Put half of the stem of the carnation into the red water and the other half into the blue water.
5.  Let the carnation sit for a few hours. The carnation will begin to change gradually into red and blue.
6.  Take the flower out of the mixture in just a few hours before the colors can change the white carnation entirely. You want it so that some of the white is still on the carnation.
7.  Wrap the stems together with green thread and place the carnation into a clear vase of water. Make several flowers and show off your beautiful red, white and blue flowers in a vase.
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Idea #2 RED, WHITE & BLUE FLOWERS...
Kids will enjoy making these using white flowers such as daisies, mums and carnations.
1.  Pour water into a canning jar with several drops of red or blue food coloring.
2.  Place the flowers into the jar over night. Don't forget to set some of the white flowers aside to add to the bouquet.
3.  In the morning, place all of the flowers into a fresh vase of water and tie red, white and blue ribbon around the top of the jar.

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MENTOS ERUPTION -- Soda Geyser-- or just Diet Coke and Mentos

(Do this outside) This is a reaction between Mentos candy and cola. The experiment involves dropping several Mentos candies (usually 5–8) into a bottle of diet cola resulting in an eruption occurring because of rapidly expanding carbon dioxide bubbles on the surface of the Mentos.

I  tried this experiment with three of my grandsons (Ages 6, 8,11-see photo) They all loved it! We quickly put five mentos into the Coke. The reaction starts immediately-so be quick!

If you want an explanation:
There are various theories being debated as to the exact scientific explanation of the phenomenon, many scientists claim that it is a physical reaction and not a chemical one. Water molecules strongly attract each other, linking together to form a tight connection around each bubble of carbon dioxide gas in the soda. To form a new bubble, water molecules must push away from one another. It takes extra energy to break this surface tension. So, in other words, water resists the expansion of bubbles in the soda.

 

MUSIC/MOVEMENT...

THREE FLAG SONGS...
#1 Sung to tune of "Mary had a Little Lamb"
Our flag is red, white, & blue
red, white & blue
red,white & blue
Our flag is red, white, & blue
in the U.S.A.
Our flag has 50 stars,
50 stars, 50 stars,
Our flag has 50 stars, in the U.S.A.
Our flag has 13 stripes,
13 stripes, 13 stripes,
Our flag has 13 stripes,
in the U.S.A.
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#2 DOWN AT THE FLAGPOLE
"Down By the Station"
Down at the flagpole,
Early in the morning,
We will raise our flag,
The red, white, and blue.
We stand at attention,
It's something that we do.
We salute the colors,
The red, white, and blue.
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#3 THE RED WHITE AND BLUE
"When the Saints Come Marching In"
Oh, when the flag comes marching in,
Oh, when the flag comes marching in,
How I love to see its three colors,
The red, white, and blue

Back to top of page 

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RED, WHITE AND BLUE PARADE AND BIKE IDEAS...

 

1.  Using crepe paper and streamers, have the kids DECORATE THEIR BIKES, scooters, wagons, and younger children’s strollers. You can also attach playing cards to the frame so they hit the spokes & sound like a wheel of fortune.
2.  Make musical instruments from ‘Recycled materials’. See  gads of instrument ideas on KidActivities.
3.  You could also take shoe boxes and have the children make “themed’ floats from them! These could be carried in the parade.
4.  Encourage children and staff to wear red, white and blue clothing!

 You now have all the makings for a great parade!!!

BEFORE THE EVENT:
Plan your parade route and then hand out fliers to alert your potential audience of the event--- which would be your neighborhood and parents. Invite all to watch!

EVENT:
You can parade around the school or center block, track or playground. Ride the decorated vehicles, wave banners and march, play the pre-made (and practiced on ) instruments, sing, and have a great time!!!

AFTER:
Consider having an ICE-CREAM SOCIAL!
You can also give out awards ...such as the Best Red, White and Blue Bicycle; Most Original Bicycle; Most Creatively Decorated Bicycle; Most Appealing to Spectators, Smallest, Most Covered, Most Unique, etc.
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ANOTHER IDEA with bikes...
You can also have a "SLOWEST BICYCLE RACE" with decorated bikes... See the Mixing Math and Fun Category (near the bottom of the category page.) Add this to ideas for a 'Red, White & Blue' program parade around the neighborhood!!! We did one with our families last year and it was great fun!!! We're in a quiet neighborhood---advertised for two weeks before---and had all the neighborhood out to watch us! Cassie/Mi.

To keep your lawn chair spectators happy, consider enlisting some of the following:
  •   Families carrying homemade banners pinned across a broomstick.
  •   Pets with red, white and blue ribbons in their leashes or collars.
  •   A parent and kid kazoo band.
  •   In-line skaters wearing red, white and blue T-shirts and helmets, of course.
  •   Bigger kids dribbling red, white and blue basketballs or soccer balls.
  •   A teenage DJ carrying a boom box playing patriotic songs.
  •   Bikes, strollers, wagons and wheelchairs sporting streamers and balloons.
  •   A minuteman marching band featuring kids playing oatmeal-container drums and paper-towel-roll fifes. Band students can chime in with their trumpets and clarinets, and even moms and dads can dust off their old instruments and join the fun.
  •   A clown (a parent dressed in costume) tossing penny candy to the crowd.
  •   Use tape, streamers, flags and balloons to transform a fleet of wagons into patriotic parade floats.

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TRIVIA...

CAN YOU NAME THE ORIGINAL 13 COLONIES? Have a quiz to see how many the kids can correctly name. You can also have the kids guess in pairs or teams! (You may also be interested in the 'Colonial Theme' for some great ideas)

ANSWER:
Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHO DESIGNED THE FIRST U.S. FLAG?
Betsy Ross --but the answer (according to the experts at the 'Betsy Ross house') is that it was possibly designed by Francis Hopkinson, a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

The stars on the flag were in a circle so that no one colony would be viewed above another. It is reported that George Washington said, "Let the 13 stars in a circle stand as a new constellation in the heavens."

This is page 1, Go to Page 2 ~ Pariotic Red, White & Blue Food  

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You may also be interested in the 'Cherry Theme'...lots of good ideas that would work with some Red-White-and Blue' Summer Time Fun!

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HAPPY RED. WHITE AND BLUE DAY!

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'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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AUTUMN-FALL PUMPKIN FUN!  Games, Arts and Crafts, Science, Poems/Songs, Centerpieces, Books, and Home Decorating Ideas...

This theme is comprised of Pumpkins (NOT Jack-O-Lanterns) Please visit the 'Halloween pages' if looking for Jack-O-Lanterns and Halloween...Pumpkin Recipes/Snacks are in their own category...

GAMES...

PUMPKIN AND FOOT RACE
Set up starting and finish lines and have the children race to see who can get their smallish pumpkin over the finish line. Only feet can be used to push pumpkins along. There can be no kicking; if any kicking is observed, that child goes back to their starting line. This would also be a good team relay race.

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PUMPKIN ROLLING
Divide  children into two or more teams.
Have a start line and turnaround line, 20 ft apart.
The first child in each line rolls a pumpkin from the start line, to the turn-around line and back.
The next person does the same, etc. The first team to have everyone play wins!

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PUMPKIN & BROOM RACE (Can be played in  outdoors or gym!)

• This is a simple race but since pumpkins are not smooth balls and refuse to roll in straight lines, you'll need plenty of room! You need medium pumpkins and sturdy sticks (or brooms); Use one pumpkin and stick/broom for each team.
• The racers line up on the starting line with the pumpkins turned on their sides.
• On the signal, the racers use the stick to roll the pumpkins to the finish line.
• Younger players may want to use their hands instead of the stick.
• If you want to play this as teams, make it a relay race.
• When playing inside use smaller pumpkins.

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PASS THE PUMPKIN RELAY
Line up into 2 teams.

• The first person passes the pumpkin OVER his/her head to the next person in line.
• The next person passes the pumpkin UNDER his/her legs to the next person, and so on.
• When you get to the end of the line the last person runs up to the front and starts it all over again. 
• Whoever has the first person that was in line at the beginning of the game--- in the back of the line WINS.

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FIND THE PUMPKIN
Supplies:
   Ten pieces of white paper
   Five pieces of yellow paper
   Five pieces of orange paper
   A crayon
   Scissors
Directions:
1. Draw ten white pumpkins, five yellow pumpkins, and five orange pumpkins. (Or adjust the numbers to reflect the number of your group)
2. Cut out all the pumpkins.
3. Decorate each pumpkin with a funny face.
4. Write the "number 1" on the backs of the white pumpkins.
5. Write the "number 5" on the backs of the yellow pumpkins.
6. Write the "number 10" on the backs of the orange pumpkins.
7. Hide all of the pumpkins.
8. Kids try to find as many pumpkins as they can before the leader says "Stop!"

Players  add up the numbers on their collected pumpkins. The player with the most points wins! This can also be played in teams.

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PUMPKIN BOWLING!
Supplies: 3 small pumpkins, 30 empty 2 liter clear soda bottles (less if your group is smaller!), a bag of gravel or pebbles placed in bottom of bottles

• Ask parents to save empty, clean 2 liter soda bottles for your game.
• Add about a cup of sand or pebbles in each bottle so they will stand without falling over.
• Divide kids into several teams of 3-8 kids each...line up and take turn at bowling!
• The small pumpkins are the bowling balls. If it's for a party- consider prizes.
• The kids that get a Strike receive another turn to bowl a strike. If they  bowl another strike, they receive a prize. When using prizes BE SURE EVERYONE GETS SOMETHING for playing!

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PUMPKIN HUNT – While the kids are out of the room - hide paper or small gourd pumpkins around the room. Challenge kids to find them all! When they have found all pumpkins you can serve a special snack or give each child a ‘goodie’.

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PUMPKIN BOCCE BALL- Object of Game: Roll a pumpkin closest to the big pumpkin. You need a large pumpkin. Also purchase several miniature or round sugar pumpkins. To play: Place the big pumpkin several feet away. Give each player a small pumpkin. Each player rolls (No tossing or throwing) their pumpkin and tries to be the closest to the big pumpkin. The player closest wins ...

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THROW PENNIES IN THE PUMPKIN

Carve out a pumpkin (Do NOT make it a Jack-O-Lantern); line the inside with plastic or aluminum foil.

• Make the top opening large. Option is to use small plastic pumpkins which are quicker and not messy!
• To play the game---place the pumpkins a couple feet away.
• Give each player about ten pennies...and try to get them in!
• Each time one gets in--a point is earned... (You could also use a plastic Halloween pumpkin container)

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PUMPKIN RACE (Like the above Pumpkin Race-- but using sticks instead of brooms)

Can be played in a yard, garage or even inside using small pumpkins!
This is a simple race but since pumpkins are not  smooth balls and refuse to roll in nice straight lines, you will need plenty of room!

You need two large pumpkins and two sturdy sticks.
The racers, line up on the starting line with the pumpkins turned on their sides.
On the signal, the racers use the stick to roll the pumpkins to the finish line.
Younger players may want to use their hands instead of the stick.
 If you want to play this as teams, make it a relay race.

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CHALLENGE THE KIDS with how many words they can come up with letters in the word 'PUMPKIN' ? This can be an individual challenge, or two or three kids teamed together. 
(Nip, pup, ink, pink, mink, in, pin, kin, pun, nun, pump, up, nip, )

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WIN THE PUMPKIN! 

Place children in a circle.
Start some music and pass a mini pumpkin from one person to another.
When the music stops-the person holding the pumpkin is out. 
The last one left keeps the pumpkin!

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RING THE PUMPKIN
Line up three large pumpkins with stems, to form a ring toss.
Use embroidery hoops or make hoops with rope and duct tape.
Mark a throwing line on the floor and take turns trying to ring a pumpkin stem.
Variation: Try to ring an entire large pumpkin with a hula hoop!

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MR. PUMPKIN HEAD
Do you have Mr. Potato Head game pieces???! The kids can have some Fall fun using them with small pumpkins!
Using a smallish to medium sized pumpkin, poke some holes where the eyes, nose and mouth would be (include hat and ears). Have the children decorate "Mr. Pumpkin Head" using Mr. Potato Head pieces.

 

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NOT A GAME BUT WONDERFUL FOR YOUNG KIDS AND THE YOUNG AT HEART! 

 

MAGIC PUMPKIN SEEDS
Materials:
Pumpkin seeds, small paper bag and small pumpkins

• Show the children a small bag of pumpkin seeds and explain that you believe these are magic pumpkin seeds.
• Take the children outside to the playground (or your yard) where they toss the seeds onto the ground. Have them make up a few magic words, if they want.
• The next day, before children go outside--gather the seeds and put small pumpkins in their place.
• Take the children outside and delight them with the 'magical' pumpkins that have grown.
  If you have enough pumpkins, the children can take the pumpkins home and/or first decorate and paint them to add to theme of your space.
  Idea adapted from preschoolrainbow.org

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TRADITIONAL GAMES WITH A TWIST...

1. Instead of Simon Says, play 'THE PUMPKIN SAYS...'

2. Instead of Duck-Duck-Goose---'Play APPLE-APPLE-PUMPKIN'

3. Play 'PASS THE PUMPKIN'  like Hot Potato. Use a tiny pumpkin…

4. Instead of playing Pin the tail on the Donkey---PLAY 'PUT THE STEM ON THE PUMPKIN'

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PARTY GAMES...

FLOATING PUMPKINS

Number the bottom of the small gourds that look like miniature pumpkins and float them in water for the children to choose one for small prizes. 

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PUMPKIN SEED TOSS
Number and line up 5 small baskets or containers; have children stand 3 feet (or farther depending on ages) in front of the first container and toss seeds into them in sequence. Small prizes can be given for each container seeds get in.

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PUMPKIN WALK
This is like a regular cake walk except instead of numbers, place pictures of several fall items on the floor for the children to walk; call out the names of the items instead of numbers. Award the child that lands on the picture of a pumpkin---a small/miniature pumpkin! Use fall themed music such as "Turkey In The Straw" or "Jimmy Cracked Corn".

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Idea***Have a PUMPKIN SEED SPITTING CONTEST OUTSIDE! Clean seeds, dry, save and then play...

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SCIENCE...

 

GUESS THE PUMPKIN'S WEIGHT!
Need:
Large pumpkin
Bathroom or science class scale
Slips of paper
Have children write their estimates of the pumpkin's weight on a slip of paper. Kids write their names on the paper, fold them, and place in a box. At the end of the time-frame, weigh the pumpkin and award a prize or the pumpkin to the child with the closest guess.

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GROWING IN A PUMPKIN!
Start this about two weeks before Halloween
Materials:
1 small pumpkin for each child or experiement
Paint
Cotton Batting
Mustard, Watercress or birdseed
Water

Cut the top off the pumpkin and and clean out the seeds.
Paint a face on the pumpkin. (If it is Halloween project--if it is for Fall/Autumn, leave natural) 
Fill the pumpkin with cotton and spray with water.
Sprinkle the seeds on the batting.
Keep the batting moist, and seeds will sprout in about 2 weeks or sooner....just in time for Halloween!

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LEFT-OVER  PUMPKIN SEEDS!

You can quickly make pumpkin seeds in your microwave. The shells are edible --- and a good source of fiber. You can also use this method with other seeds such as acorn squash and butternut squash.

Ingredients:
1 cup pumpkin seeds, 1 Tbsp. Olive oil or butter, Salt, seasoned salt, garlic /onion powder or other seasonings to your choice.

Rinse pumpkin seeds. Remove all the pulp. Drain the seeds and discard the pulp. Spread out on paper towel on a cookie sheet and dry them over-night. Place butter or Olive Oil l in a microwave-safe, baking dish.

Microwave on high about 7 to 8 minutes or until seeds are toasted a light golden color. Be sure to stir every 2 minutes as they are cooking. When done, sprinkle with your choice of seasonings. Coat evenly. Cool them before eating or storing. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 months or refrigerate up to 1 year.

If you like your toasted pumpkin seeds extra-salty, soak them overnight in a solution of 1/4 cup salt to 2 cups of water. Dry an additional day, and follow the above directions.

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DOES A PUMPKIN SINK OR FLOAT?

Fill a large clear storage container or aquarium with water. (If the weather is warm, you can do it outside). Have children make predictions of what will happen and graph the predictions. Do the experiments to determine if they were right or not.

 

Make it interesting and get a few pumpkin sizes.
You may hear predictions that the smaller pumpkins will float and the large will sink. (Pumpkins float)

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PUMPKIN EXPERIMENT
Prepare the experiment by cutting two pie pumpkins in half. (This will give you four halves.)
Place each pumpkin half in a plastic bag that is mostly closed (the environment needs to be moist, yet allow some fresh air to enter).
 
Set one bag in a sunny spot, one in a shady spot, one in the refrigerator, and one in a location of the students' choosing.
Ask kids to predict which pumpkin will grow the most mold over the course of the experiment.

Set aside time each day for students to examine the pumpkin halves and record their observations.
Then ask students: Where is the best place to keep a jack-o-lantern in order to keep it from spoiling?

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 After doing the above---here is a TIP FOR KEEPING THOSE CARVED-OUT PUMPKINS FRESH!

 

Some say that coating the inside of the emptied/carved pumpkin with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) should help preserve and keep the pumpkin from shriveling/getting moldy.

Trying various methods myself--the pumpkins that stayed freshest the longest were those sprayed with "Clorox Cleanup" (or a mixture of bleach and water).

 

Spray the bleach and water inside of the pumpkin daily. Killing off mold spores with a bleach solution helps preserve the pumpkin. If your pumpkin starts to look as if it needs rehydration-- (wilting or caving in)-- fill a large container with cold water and 2 or 3 tablespoons of bleach. Good results should be achieved when soaked overnight.

Pumpkins kept outdoors in very cool weather should last a week without any treatment...

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Cooking and making playdough is also science. Liquid that turn to a solid is science. See the Pumpkin Play Dough recipes in the below 'Arts and Crafts' section of this page.

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PUMPKIN ARTS AND CRAFTS...For Autumn/Fall Season

From Our Little Nature Nest comes this wonderful pumpkin seed mosaic art! Jenn from the site explains it best! She says..."You can use any large seeds like those from a pie pumpkin, or hard squash that you may have from cooking this fall.

Dying them is simple. All you need is dried pumpkin seeds, food coloring, and vinegar. Place 1/4 to 1/2 cup water in small cups. Add a TBS of vinegar, and several drops of food coloring to the cups. Allow the dried seeds to soak in the colored water for 2 to 4 hours, then remove them from the water & allow them to dry over night. You then have a colorful, natural, free, craft item. You can make mosaics or necklaces with them. Some will dye a solid color & others will be speckled. Use a nice heavy paper like poster board or card stock to glue the mosaics to."

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PUMPKIN PIE PLAYDOUGH...

 

Ingredients:
5 1/2 cups flour
2 cups salt
8 teaspoons cream of tartar
3/4 cup oil
1 (1 1/12 ounces) container pumpkin pie spice
Orange food coloring (2 parts yellow, 1 part red)
4 cups water

Combine dry ingredients in a non-stick pan.
Add oil, water, food coloring and stir until smooth.
Cook and stir over medium heat until all lumps disappear.
Knead the dough on a floured surface until it's smooth.
Store in an airtight container.
Dough will keep in a plastic bag for about a week...and it smells wonderful!
Image source: Pepperpaints

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NO COOK PUMPKIN PIE PLAY DOUGH
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 cup water
Mix together and knead until smooth.

RECIPE FOR PUMPKIN PIE SPICE...
Of course you can purchase the spice--but you can also make your own!

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons ground cinnamon and 4 teaspoons ground nutmeg
4 teaspoons ground ginger
3 teaspoons ground allspice
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in air tight container.

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AUTUMN SMELLING 'PUMPKIN VOTIVE'

Cut the top off of a small pumpkin.
Clean and carve the pumpkin.

Sprinkle pumpkin pie spice on the inside of the lid and cut a small hole in the top to make a chimney.
Light a votive candle and set inside. Replace the lid.
Results are a pumpkin pie scented votive!

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 PAPER BAG PUMPKINS...

Directions most often seen...
1. Starting with a lunch size paper bag-- crumble-up some paper and stuff the lunch bag.
2. Tie the top with string leaving about 2 inches of space at top.
3. Paint the bottom portion with orange tempera paint and the top brown (for the stem).
Copy a leaf pattern on green paper, felt or foam -- cut it out--glue or staple it to base of stem.

Optional but nice: Wrap green or brown pipe cleaners around the pumpkin stem for vines. (Give the pipe cleaner vine a curly look by spiraling it around a pencil and then twisting it onto the stem. You can make a jack-o-lantern by painting or drawing a face on your orange paper bag.

Tip:
I prefer to make these by first painting the paper bag orange. Have the kids open the bag  and place it on their hand (like a puppet) They will be able to then paint all sides. 
Leave the top 1- to 2-inches of the bag brown.
While you are waiting for the paint to dry, cut a couple of leaf shapes out of green felt, craft foam, or construction paper...and proceed from there. (Barb)
Images: Thanks to About.com  (image with pipe cleaner vines) and Kaboose

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REAL PUMPKIN STAMPING!
Buy several small, real pumpkins. 
Cut them in half. 
Have children dip the pumpkin halves into paint to make prints.

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WHEN YOU'RE COLORING AND CUTTING OUT PUMPKIN ART...To give it some texture...
Peel the paper wrapping off an orange Crayon.
Place a textured item such as plastic bubble wrap or a dish mat UNDER a large piece of white construction paper.
Rub with the side of the crayon over the entire paper to create a pumpkin's bumpy surface. Continue with your project.

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AUTUMN PUMPKIN BALL

 6" Styrofoam Ball
18" Square of Fall Fabric
2 Green Pipe Cleaners
2' Raffia
Rubber Band
Scissors

Use a serrated knife to slice the end off a Styrofoam ball so it will stand flat without rolling.
Wrap the ball with fabric, gathering the ends at the top of the ball. Secure fabric with a rubber  band.
Twist two pipe cleaners together. Wrap it around the rubber banded fabric and twist to keep in place.
Twirl ends around a pencil. Finish off the pumpkin with a raffia bow.

Would be cute grouped together in a bowl on a tray...and...each one only takes about 10 minutes to make! Source: Cindy of Pittsburg PA.

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MAKE A PUMPKIN PAPER CHAIN
Take a strip of orange construction paper about 3 inches wide
fold into an accordion about 3 inches square.
When all folded-- cut the shape of a pumpkin leaving the side with the fold NOT cut.
When you open you will have a chain of pumpkins.

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START WITH A PUMPKIN SEED (ART)

Put out photographs of pumpkin patches at various stages. The children can use this as a guide in their art work! Have the kids then...

1. Glue a pumpkin seed onto paper. (This will be  'underground')
2. Paint an imaginary plant with the roots growing FROM the seed UNDERGROUND.
3.  Paint the leaves, and flowers/fruit of the plant above the ground level.

To go along with the art project!

GROWING  STEPS OF A PUMPKIN...
1. Leafy vines grow from pumpkin seeds.
2. Yellow-orange flowers bloom on the pumpkin vine, then wither.
3. The flowers' ovaries (at the base of the flower) swell and become tiny green pumpkins.
4. The pumpkins grow larger and change color... 
5. In four months after planting, they're ready to harvest.

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 PUMPKIN PATCH FIELD TRIP...

Can you take your kids on a field trip pumpkin patch?

1. Read books about 'Growing Pumpkins' and 'Pumpkin Patches'  before the trip.

2. Have children each pick out a pumpkin to take back. (If budgets are tight-have parents pay for their child's pumpkin) While at the patch--observe how the pumpkin are growing on the vine. Look at variations in color, size, shape, quality and weight!

3. Children can take their pumpkins home--or decorate them with you. Put out paint, yarn for hair, google eyes, and other decorating materials. How creative can they get?!

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PUMPKIN SNACKS & RECIPES...

 

PUMPKIN SUCKER BOUQUET/CENTERPICE

This is a party snack and craft in one...wonderful for a dessert table!

I purchased a Styrofom pumpkin and simply inserted the sucker sticks into the pumpkin. Result is an extremely quick and cute sucker-holder decoration!

This version will take you from early October through November--it's a nice 'Autumn' piece. Using a black 'sharpie,' a Jack-O-Lantern face could also be painted on it for Halloween! (Image by KidActivities.net)

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Yikes! There are so many easy Pumpkin Snacks and Recipes, that they are now in their own category!  Be sure to visit it to complete your theme...(There is also a link at page bottom and top)

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 PUMPKIN POEMS & SONGS...

PETER, PETER, PUMPKIN EATER

Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater
Had a wife and couldn't keep her...

Put her in a pumpkin shell
And there he kept her very well.

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PUMPKIN POEM #1

One day I found two pumpkin seeds.
I planted one and pulled the weeds.

It sprouted roots and a big, long vine.
A pumpkin grew; I called it mine.

The pumpkin was quite round and fat.
(I really am quite proud of that.)

But there is something I'll admit
That has me worried just a bit.

I ate the other seed, you see--
Now will it grow inside of me?

(I am so relieved since I have found
that pumpkins only grow in the ground!)

PUMPKIN POEM #2
When all the cows were sleeping
And the sun had gone to bed,
Up jumped the pumpkin,
And this is what he said:

I'm a dingle dangle pumpkin
With a flippy floppy hat.
I can shake my stem like this,
And shake my vine like that.

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FIVE ORANGE PUMPKINS (Also nice for early math!)
  
Five orange pumpkins rolling down a hill,
Once they started rolling, they couldn't keep still.
One hit a rock and couldn't roll any more,
How many pumpkins left?  Now there are four.

Four orange pumpkins a-rolling and a-bumping,
I hear them clumping, I hear them thumping.
One fell into a hole next to a tree,
How many pumpkins left?  Now there are three.

Three orange pumpkins rolling on the grass,
Watch them tumble and roll so fast.
One rolled until it bumped right against my shoe,
How many pumpkins left?  Now there are two.

Two orange pumpkins still rolling really fast,
Will they ever slow down and stop at last?
One pumpkin hit a tree, its rolling now is done,
How many pumpkins left?  Now there is one.

One last orange pumpkin rolling toward me,
Now it's stopped rolling, look and see.
Now how many pumpkins are rolling in the sun?
Did you guess zero?  You're right, there are none.

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FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS SITTING ON A GATE

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate,
The first one said,
"Oh my, it's getting late."

The second one said,
"But we don't care."

The third one said,
"I see witches in the air."

The fourth one said,
"Let's run, and run, and run."

The fifth one said,
"Get ready for some fun."

Then whoosh went the wind,
and out went the lights,
And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight!

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I'M PULLING A PUMPKIN ON A VINE

I'm pulling on a pumpkin on a vine.
It's so big and fat and fine.
I'm pulling on a pumpkin on a vine.
Snap! It's mine!

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PUMPKIN, PUMPKIN

Pumpkin, Pumpkin,
Sitting on the wall.
Pumpkin, Pumpkin,
Tip and fall.
 
Pumpkin, Pumpkin,
Rolling down the street.
Pumpkin, Pumpkin,
Good to eat!

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PUMPKIN SONG
Tune: Have You Ever Seen A Lassie?

Have you ever seen
A pumpkin, a pumpkin, a pumpkin,
Have you ever seen
A pumpkin that grows on a vine?

A round one, a tall one,
A bumpy one, a squashed one.
Have you ever seen a pumpkin
That grows on a vine?

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MR. PUMPKIN SONG
Tune: Where is Thumbkin

Mr. Pumpkin,
Mr. Pumpkin,
Round and fat,
Round and fat.
Harvest time is coming,
Harvest time is coming.
Yum, yum, yum.
That is that!

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I'M A LITTLE PUMPKIN SONG
To the tune of I'm a Little Teapot

I'm a little pumpkin
Orange and round.
Here is my stem,
There is the ground.

When I get all cut up,
Don't you shout!
Just open me up
And scoop me out!

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TEN LITTLE PUMPKINS
Tune: Ten Little Indians

One little,
Two little,
Three little pumpkins...
 
Four little,
Five little,
Six little pumpkins...

Seven little,
Eight Little,
Nine little pumpkins...

Ten little pumpkins in the
Pumpkin Patch!

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WHERE IS PUMPKIN
Tune: Where is Thumbkin?

Where is Pumpkin?
Where is Pumpkin?
Here it is!
Here it is!
This one has a happy face,
This one has a scary face!
Roll away!
Roll away!

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PUMPKIN FACTS for lesson plans...

• Pumpkins are a fruit not vegtables.
• It takes 3-4 months for a seed to become a pumpkin
• Pumpkins are 90% water.
• 80% of the pumpkin supply in the United States is available in October.
• Pumpkins range in sizes from less than a pound to over 1,000 pounds.
• Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A.
• Pumpkin flowers are edible.
• Pumpkin seeds can be roasted for a snack.
• Pumpkins can vary in color from white or green to yellow to orange.
• Pumpkins are an ingredient in pies, breads, soups, and other foods.
• Pumpkins are used as feed for some farm animals
• Carved pumpkins only last about four days but uncut pumpkins, keptin a cool place, remain firm forseveral months.

Pumpkins are believed to have originated in North America. Seeds from related plants have been found in Mexico dating back to 7000 to 5500 B.C.

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A FEW PUMPKIN DECORATING IDEAS! They'd be wonderful the entire Autumn season--from September to November! Many other ideas on Autumn Decorating Page...

YOUR ADDRESS--THE PUMPKIN WAY!

•Select one pumpkin per house number and cut a hole in the top of each.

•Clean pumpkins out--saving the tops--wipe exteriors dry. Center paper stencil number (these are 5 inches tall) on the first pumpkin and adhere with painter's tape.

•With a marker, trace the stencil outline, then carefully carve just outside the line with a small handsaw or heavy-duty craft knife. Repeat for each number.

•Arrange a few tea lights inside each pumpkin, then line up or stack in proper order. Replace top on the highest pumpkin. Illuminate tea lights using a long-handled lighter through the holes.
Source:  sunset.com

THE FAST WAY...You wouldn't be able to insert tea lights--but a similar effect could be achieved by painting on the numbers!

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 PUMPKIN CONTAINER CENTERPIECES...

Thoroughly clean/carve out a small to medium-sized, round pumpkin. Line the interior with tin foil or saran wrap. Place a block of florist's foam inside the scooped pumpkin; place an assortment of harvest-themed artificial berries and flowers, available at arts and crafts stores, into the foam block. Abundantly fill the foam block so that you cannot see the opening of the pumpkin.

This makes a festive Fall and Thanksgiving centerpiece!  As you see, it also makes a nice candle holder.

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PUMPKIN TOPIARY
Materials:
4-inch terra-cotta pot
Styrofoam piece to fit in pot
Wooden dowel or small tree branch
Miniature pumpkin
Hot-glue gun and hot-glue sticks
Dried beans or peas
Raffia

1. Use hot glue to secure the Styrofoam into the pot.

2. Make the "tree." Sharpen the end of the dowel or branch (trimming it to size if necessary). Push it into the bottom of the pumpkin. Push the other end of the dowel into the Styrofoam. Hot-glue the dowel to secure if necessary.

3. Add the finishing touches. Spread dried beans or peas over the top of the Styrofoam, gluing if desired. Using raffia, tie a bow around the dowel just below the pumpkin.

TIPS: you can replace the miniature pumpkins with small gourds. If you want your topiary to last for more than two weeks, use artificial vegetables or fruits.

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FALL FOLIAGE PUMPKIN

 

Nice from October to Thanksgiving! First paint your pumpkin a white/off-white color.

Find different types of leaves, trace the shapes on the pumpkin, and paint. (Source: Better Homes and Gardens --they are many fantastic pumpkin decorating ideas there...a few for fall and several for Halloween)

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Visit the Autumn Decorating and Center Piece page for some wonderful ideas...great for 'September to Thanksgiving'!

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BOOKS ABOUT PUMPKINS & not Jack-O-Lanterns... 
Note: Some books included in this section make reference to Jack-o-Lanterns and/or Halloween. If you do not wish to familiarize your children or students with this holiday, please check the Amazon.com reviews before purchasing any of the following books.

•The Runaway Pumpkin
by Kevin Lewis The Baxter brothers find a wonderful pumpkin for Fall, but first they must catch up with it when it rolls down the hill

•Pumpkin Jack
by Will Hubbell
In the course of one year, a jack-o-lantern, discarded after Halloween, decomposes in the backyard and eventurally grows new pumpkins from its seeds.

•In a Pumpkin Shell: Over 20 Pumpkin Projects for Kids.
by Jennifer Gillis BProvides instructions for a variety of projects involving pumpkins, such as growing them, using them for crafts, and using them in some great recipes.

•It's Pumpkin Time
by Zoe Hall 
A sister and brother plant and tend their own pumpkin patch so they will have jack-o-lanterns for harvest time.

•The Pumpkin Patch
by Margaret McNamara Katy find what she thinks is the perfect pumpkin on a class field trip to a pumpkin patch, but after her classmates tease her about how small it is, it is up to Katy's father to show her how perfect her pumpkin can be. 
 

•Pumpkin Day!
by Nancy Wallace A bunny family picks pumpkins at a local farm and learns pumpkin facts in the process
 
•The Garden That We Grew
by Joan Holub Children plant pumpkin seeds, water and weed the garden patch, watch the pumpkins grow, pick them, and enjoy them in various ways. 
 
•Kids' Pumpkin Projects: Planting & Harvest Fun
by Deanna Cook Provides instructions for fifty projects and activities involving pumpkins, including growing them, using them in recipes, and making things out of them. 
 
•The Pumpkin Book
by Gail Gibbons Describes how pumpkins come in different shapes and sizes, how they grow, and their traditional uses and cultural signigicance. 
 
•From Seed to Pumpkin
by Jan Kottke Illustrates and describes with simple text how a pumpkin seed grows into a plant that

•Apples and Pumpkins (Ages 3-8)
Written by Anne Rockwell; illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell
In simple language, a young girl tells of her family's trip to a farm where they picked apples and pumpkins. The family samples fresh apple cider and returns home to carve the pumpkin into a Jack-o-Lantern, just in time for Halloween.

•It's Pumpkin Time! (Ages 3-7)
Written by Zoe Hall; illustrated by Shari Halpern
This story follows a brother and sister as they plant a tiny seed in the spring and watch it grow into a great big pumpkin by fall. The story ends with the parents helping the children to carve it into a Jack-o-Lantern

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Looking for books about Jack-O-Lanterns and Halloween?  Be sure to check out the Autumn Book List Category--fantastic lists which  include books about Jack-O-Lanterns, Scary, and Halloween!

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Easy Pumpkin Snacks/Recipes- Click Here...

Popcorn is great all year long! A wonderful theme for parties, National Popcorn Month (October), Popcorn Day (January 19),  Camp Days,  Afterschool programs, the End of the School year, and Autumn ---Also---Fun ideas to add to a Movie, Hollywood or Circus or Carnival theme!

 

GAMES

POPCORN RELAY RACE – All it takes are two big bowls of popcorn and some small cups per team. Have kids run and get a cupful of popcorn and transfer it to the bowl across the room. The first team finished wins. Because of potential popcorn mess, this would be good played outside! The critters can eat what isn't’ swept up! (Play in gym if you’re brave!)

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POPCORN ON THE HEAD RELAY
• Split youth into two teams.
• Give each team a cup of popcorn.
• Have each player take turns walking with the cup of popcorn on their heads, across the room, around a chair and back to their team.
• Play for a specified amount of time such as 2 minutes or more. The team that has the most popcorn left in their cup wins!

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STICKY POPCORN GAME
• The children begin by "popping " around the gym as pieces of sticky popcorn, searching for other pieces of popcorn.
• When two pieces of popcorn meet, they stick together.
• Once stuck together, they continue to pop around together, sticking to even more pieces, until they end up in a big popcorn ball.

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POPCORN RACE
• Give each player a straw and have them  select a popped kernel of popcorn.
• Each player blows the popcorn with the straw to the end of a table.
• First one to reach the end is the winner!

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POPCORN GUESSING GAME (Use flavor recipes listed below in 'Snack Section'  Recipes)

• Prepare several different flavors of popcorn.
• Blindfold players and feed them the popcorn; have them guess the flavor.

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PLAY POPCORN TOSS
1. Label plastic buckets OR containers with numbers such as 1, 5, and 10.
2. Place the buckets in a vertical line or triangle in progression from small numbers to large.
3. Players stand on a designated line and toss popcorn into the containers.
4. Add up their scores according to how much popcorn they got in each bucket.

*This can also be played in teams.

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PLAY BINGO USING POPCORN AS MARKERS! Be sure to have extra to munch!!!

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POPCORN-A DRAMA GAME All players find themselves a spot and squat down. The facilitator talks the group through the exercise.

“Everyone is a piece of corn, the floor is a big pan, and we’re going to make popcorn. --- We slowly start heating the pan”… As the pan gets hotter, the corn starts to `pop`.  A player `pops` by jumping up, clapping hands above their head, and saying `pop`. Make sure the `popping` starts gradually, `popping` is a group thing, and in the end, `popping` should stop.

• Variation: Forget to take the pan off the fireplace, and have the popcorn start burning.

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POPCORN VOLCANO ERUPTION
1.  Spread out a large clean sheet or large sheet of roll-paper on the floor; have the kids sit outside the edge.
2.  Set a popcorn maker in the center, and prepare popcorn according to directions. Do NOT put the lid on the popcorn maker!
3.  Watch the "volcano" erupt and shoot "hot lava" all over the sheet.
4.  Make sure that everyone stays away from the popper while it's on, so the kids don't get sprayed with hot oil or kernels.

If you are using an air popper (without the lid)--also have children stand back (it gets hot) -- watch the popcorn fly out. Pick up popcorn and enjoy!

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GUESS THE AMOUNT OF KERNELS

You can use popped corn or popcorn kernels. Just count the corn as you put it in the jar so you will know the correct answer. (Have children  write their name and estimate on a slip of paper.) The player who guesses closest to the correct answer wins the jar!

Guess how many popcorn are in the jar.

IDEA: If using kernels, tie a recipe to the jar for making/microwaving regular popcorn or caramel in a bag!

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POPPING POPCORN

(Use balloons and call them POPCORN !)

 

POP!
Pop yellow and white balloons instead of popcorn.
Use 9-inch balloons, fill a room, and instruct players to pop as many as they can.
You may wish to give younger children a straw or something simple to pop balloons with.
Older kids can stomp or sit on balloons to pop them.
The proof is in how many balloon remnants they collect. The one who pops the most-- wins.
Have a camera handy for this fun popcorn party game!

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POPCORN POPPED
Materials: Several white and yellow balloons (popcorn) and string 
• Each player is given two balloons to be inflated and tied around each ankle with a piece of string.
• Object of game is to burst the other players' popcorn balloons with their feet—no hands allowed.
• Winner is the last person with a popcorn balloon or balloons. Game can be played with or without boundaries.

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POPCORN PARACHUTE GAMES

POPCORN #1

Start with all players holding the chute stretched out. Throw as many soft balls as you have d onto the chute-the  more the better!
Holding the chute tightly, have children bounce the popcorn (balls) as quickly as they can off of the chute.
Variation: Play this game in two teams. One side of children try to bounce the balls off the chute, while the other side works at keeping the balls on the chute!

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POPCORN #2
Place a number of beanbags or cotton balls on the chute. Shake the chute to make them rise like popcorn.

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ART AND CRAFTS

POPCORN ART
Put out a bag of popped popcorn along with construction paper and art supplies-challenge children to come up with some creative art using the popcorn!
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 POPCORN COLLAGE
Colored Glue (can also use paint or food coloring mixed with glue)
Paper
Popcorn
Provide  many different colors of glue; glue should be thick enough to hold the popcorn
Paint a picture with the glue 
Press popcorn onto the painted parts

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DECORATE POPCORN BAGS!

Materials:
Small Paper Bags
Crayons, paint, markers, stickers, etc.
Popcorn
Put out a variety of markers, paint, stickers, etc. Decorate the bag in fun designs. Write the word 'Popcorn' on it. When complete, fill with popcorn! Enjoy! 

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CORN ON COB COLLAGE

Need:
Yellow and green construction paper, Glue, Un-popped popcorn
1. Cut a "corn cob" and "husks" out of paper. Glue the "husks" around the "cob".
2. Spread the glue on the "cob" and cover it with un-popped popcorn

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PUFFY POPCORN FLOWERS
Materials: Popped Popcorn, Powder Tempera Paint (any colors), Green Construction Paper, Glue, Cardboard
1.  Put handfuls of popped popcorn in plastic bag and add powdered tempera paint to each one.
2.  Shake well to distribute paint all over the popcorn.
3.  Cut stems and leaves out of green construction paper and glue them to cardboard.
4.  Glue on the colored popcorn to make flowers. (Seasonal flower art towards page bottom)

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A SCIENCE AND ART LESSON FOR KIDS

Idea and sample provided by Carol Felixson in Los Angeles Times--May 5, 2004

 

POPCORN FLOWERS

There are several species of popcorn flowers. They are members of what is commonly known as the fiddleneck family of plants. Once the flowers open and bloom, they look like popped corn...The flowers have white petals with yellow 'kernels' in the center.
As an extension of this art idea--have kids research "Popcorn flowers"!

Materials:
Cardstock paper or poster board
Popped Popcorn
Red tissue paper
Green tissue paper
White glue
Water
Art Brushes

1. Cut strips and other shapes of blue and green tissue paper (sky and  ground)
2. Mix water and white glue until it has the same consistency as paint.
3. Working on one small section at a time, paint the mixture onto poster board with a brush.
4. Place a piece of tissue paper on top of each glued area. 5. Next "paint" over the top of the tissue. Let it dry.
6. Brush on a second coat of the glue and water.
7. Last use full-strength glue to paste popcorn on top of the tissue paper.
8. Once everything dries, outline the flowers with a marker.

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POPCORN SHAKER #1--RAIN STICK
Materials:
Cardboard Paper towel cylinder
Popcorn kernels
Paint
Paint brushes
Glue
Scissors
Scraps of material
Rubber bands or tape

1.  Paint cardboard tube and let dry.
2.  Cut two circles out of scrap fabric, big enough to cover the open ends of the cardboard tube.
3.  Place one fabric circle over tube end and secure with a rubber band or tape.(Tape if child is under 5 and rubberband if over 5)
4.  Add popcorn kernels to tube (About a tablespoon full).
5.  Secure second fabric circle over open end of tube with rubber band or tape.
6.  Hold tube in the middle and shake or turn to make "rain noise".

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PLASTIC SHAKER  #2

• Find a clean, empty plastic container with a screw-on lid, such as a peanut butter jar or a individual serving juice or milk bottle.
• Put a spoonful of popcorn kernels in the container.
• Put some glue around the edge of the container and screw the lid on tightly.
• Allow the glue to dry before shaking.
• Decorate with stickers or colorful masking tape.

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#3 SHAKER--USE PRINGLES CAN

Put popcorn kernels inside of a Pringles can. Secure the plastic lid of the can with tape. Paint or cover the can with construction paper and shake it!

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FOOD CRAFT AND SNACK IN ONE!
POPCORN SCULPTING

Serves 4 to 8

Ingredients
1/4 cup margarine, plus 1 tablespoon extra
1 bag mini-marshmallows
12 cups popped popcorn
3 packages gelatin (such as Jell-O, 4 serving size), different flavors and colors as desired
Choice of the following foods, such as sprouts, celery sticks, carrot slices, raisins, pretzel sticks, etc.

Materials
3 bowls
Oven mitts
Wax paper or serving plate
Large wooden spoon
Large microwave-safe bowl or saucepan

1.  Place the margarine and the marshmallows in the microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the two on high for 1 to 2 minutes until the marshmallows are puffed.
2.  Using oven mitts, remove the bowl of marshmallows from the microwave. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon.
3.  Divide the popcorn into three separate bowls.
4.  Pour equal amounts of the marshmallow mixture over popcorn.
5.  Sprinkle a different color of gelatin over each bowl of popcorn and marshmallow mixture. Quickly stir with the spoon until the gelatin and marshmallow mixture evenly covers the popcorn mixture and let cool.
6.  Rub some margarine on your hands. Take some of the popcorn mixture and mold into an interesting form. Add different colors of the popcorn mixture to make different parts of the sculpture.
7.  Place the sculpture on wax paper or a serving plate. Add any of the remaining foods to make an interesting presentation of the sculpture just before serving. 

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SCIENCE, NATURE, MATH

 COMPARE STAGES OF POPCORN!
Purchase popcorn still on the ear at a specialty store.
Place this in the science center (table) along with un-popped popcorn, corn on the cob and popped popcorn. Have children observe the differences!  

You can make popcorn of this type in the micro-wave! Place one ear in one of the special microwave bags that come with the corn. Set  microwave oven for 2-3 minutes, and you've got popcorn right off the cob! 

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DANCING POPCORN -- Fill a clear cup  3/4 full with vinegar.  Add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Drop in a few kernels of un-popped popcorn.  Watch as the kernels rise and fall.
Variations: Try substituting club soda for the vinegar and baking soda. You can also try using other objects like buttons or pebbles.

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POPCORN GARLANDS FOR BIRDS!
If you leave popcorn out for a few days, it will get stale and hold together better when strung. String popcorn with thread and needle. You can also add berries, dried fruits, nuts, and seeds, between the popcorn. Hang the popcorn garlands on tree branches outside for the birds.

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GROWING POPCORN IN A BAGGIE #1 
Instructions: Take a plastic zip-loc baggie, put cotton balls in it and saturate cotton balls with water. Put popcorn kernels into the bag; seal it and tape to a window. Add water as needed and watch the plants grow. Transfer to potting soil later. (It doesn't take much to get a popcorn kernel going! My grandson had a kernel lying on its side on the sink--in just a drop of water. In a couple days it was sprouting a small leaf and stem! Barb)

#2 SPROUTING POPCORN KERNEL

Place dirt in a small zip lock bag. Add water and a few kernels of popcorn. Seal the bag and hang in sunny window. The popcorn kernels will begin to sprout in about a week.

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MAKE A POPCORN BIRD FEEDER
Materials:
Pre-made popcorn
String
Pinecones
1. Securely tie string around the base of the pinecone.
2. Stuff premade popcorn in the crevices of  pinecone; stuff firmly so it doesn't fall out.
3. When the pinecone is filled--hang it outside...

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POPCORN SNACKS AND RECIPES

For loads of Popcorn Recipes, Snacks and Tips click here...

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POPCORN PARTY DECORATIONS 

 •String  popcorn and wrap it along railing, across curtains, from hanging lights, windows, etc.
 
•Use a color scheme of yellow and white and  red...

Decorate with...yellow and red balloons; white and red streamers;  hang yellow and red curling ribbon from lots of places around the room. Use red and white striped aprons, tablecloths, napkins, cups. etc.

• Rent a popcorn popper! It'll be the hit of the party; you can find them at most party supply stores.

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POPCORN TRIVIA
DID YOU KNOW ...

 

• If popcorn kernels dry out, they can be freshened by adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of water to the jar and shaking it.

• Corn was first grown about 7000 years ago in the highlands of central  Mexico, and by the first century B.C. was a staple crop of all the agricultural peoples in the Americas. One of the first uses of corn kernels was for popping.

• Archeologists found some popped corn in a bat cave in New Mexico that was 5,600 years old.

• Some Native American tribes popped corn right on the cob, by spearing the corn cob with a stick and holding it near the fire. The kernels would pop and stay attached to the cob.

• The colonists served popped corn for breakfast with cream poured on it.

• Americans consume 1.12 billion pounds of popcorn a year. (About 17 billion quarts of popped popcorn each year.) The average American eat over 65 quarts of popcorn per person a year.
 
• If popcorn is salted before the kernels are popped it become tough.

• When black popcorn is popped it become white.

• Popcorn was actually the first food to be microwaved deliberately. In 1946 Dr. Percy Spencer of the Raytheon Corporation was experimenting with a magnetron (a new type of vacuum tube) when he noticed that the chocolate candy bar in his pocket had melted. He was curious, so he placed some popcorn kernels next to the magnetron and turned it on - the popcorn popped. After experimenting with various other food items (including an egg that exploded!), he and Ratheon realized they were on to something and continued on to develop the first microwave oven.

Click here for Page 2 of Popcorn Theme...

For loads of Popcorn Recipes, Snacks and Tips click here...

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Games, Art and Crafts, Science, Snacks/Recipes, Poems /Songs, Book List...all with a Leaf Theme!

Updated September, 2012

GAMES...

LEAF BLOW GAME
Have a leaf race! In this, the children blow a leaf across a table with a straw. The first one across is the winner...

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LEAF, LEAF, PINECONE
The Leaf, Leaf, Pinecone is a version of the classic "Duck, Duck, Goose" with a nature-friendly twist.
This game is best played out-doors, but you can also gather pinecones and play this traditional game inside on a rainy day.

Whoever is "it" must not only touch the heads of the other players, saying, "Leaf, leaf, leaf," but must also drop a fresh pinecone in the lap of the child they choose before running back around the circle without being tagged. The person trying to tag "it" can touch "it" with a hand above the waist or with the pinecone below the waist

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BEAN BAG 'LEAF BOX' TOSS
Materials: Cardboard box and bean bags...

Depending on the size of your cardboard box, cut One to large leaf shapes into the cardboard.
Paint the cardboard colors of fall--yellow, red, orange, gold...
to play--children throw bean bags through the leaf shaped holes.

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PARACHUTE LEAF TOSS (For younger children)
Take a sheet, or a parachute. Gather real leaves, fabric leaves, or paper leaves. Place them in the middle of the sheet. Gather around the sheet and have the children lift the sheet slowly and then quickly to see how all the leaves "float".

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Large-sized AUTUMN OR SPRING TIC-TAC TOE

Take a large piece of poster board and draw the tic-tac-toe lines on it; laminate it if possible.
Cut-two different leaf shapes; then simply play tic-tac-toe.

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HIDE THE LEAF AND SEEK...

1. While children are out of the room (or if in room have them cover their eyes) hide a leaf. (The leaf can be 'real' or draw on cardboard and cut out.) Hide the leaf where the children will need to search--but not too difficult to find.

2. Instruct the kids to sit down in a pre-designated spot when they see the hidden leaf.

3. After all children are sitting--the first child to 'spot' the leaf hides it for the 'next game'.

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ART AND CRAFTS

  

SUN PRINTS with paper taped to window...
MAKE LEAF PRINT ART... Materials: Colored construction paper (make sure you use paper that will fade), leaves gathered from yard, glue stick, masking tape
Optional: picture frames

  1. Dab a bit of glue onto the back of a leaf, and attach to a piece of construction paper
(If you are going to frame--you can pre-trim the paper to fit a 5"x7" frame--frames can be made from foam, cardboard or card-stock).

2. Tape the paper to a sunny window, with the leaf facing out. Leave up for THREE TO FOUR days, or UNTIL YOU NOTICE that the paper's color has faded. (Some directions say a week or longer--I think this time estimate would be more accurate--you'll know by the fading)

3. Remove from the window and gently peel the leaf off to reveal the print. Frame and hang.
This version from Parents Magazine, August 2005

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 LEAF MOBILE IDEAS...

Glue colorful and different fabrics to both sides of several pieces of heavy paper. Cut out leaves from this. Tie a string on each leaf. Suspend the leaves from a small branch. Hang them where they might catch a breeze.

You can also make the mobile with leaves cut out of construction paper or found outdoors. Preserving the leaves in the glycerin mixture found in the Fall Nature Category would make the leaves look fresh for quite awhile. (Preserving leaves is also near page bottom in Science)

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LEAF PEOPLE

YARN SHAPED ... (Can be made into people)
Materials:
Leaves
Thin cardboard
Pencil or pen
Scissors
Tacky glue
Colorful yarn
Adhesive magnet strips

• Trace some leaves onto thin cardboard and cut them out.
• Coat one side of the cardboard with tacky glue and let the glue dry after covering the shape with yarn.
• Attach a strip of adhesive magnet to the back.
• You can also us colored foam (green, red, yellow, orange), that is peel-and-stick. Peel the backing off and "paint" the yarn right to the foam, much easier and neater than glue.
• Cut out the leaf shapes and paste them to background paper.
• You can add heads, arms, and legs. Suggest that children have the leaf people engaged in some activity.

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LEAF PEOPLE #2 --Glue a leaf to a sheet of paper and draw features to make them into leaf people and animals... put arms, legs, necks, heads, tails, etc. when complete draw a scene around your leaf person!
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LEAF PEOPLE #3 
Place your leaves UNDER sheets of white paper. Rub the sides of red, orange and yellow crayons on the paper -- Rub over the leaves until leaf shapes appear. Cut out leaf shapes and paste them to  background paper. Add heads, arms and legs. It would be fun if the leaf people were engaged in some activity.

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FALL FACES...#4
Cut 4 1/2 inch circles out of construction paper. Collect a variety of fall leaves. Glue the circles on paper and glue some leaves around the circles to make hair. Complete the faces by adding facial features with markers or paint.

NOTE: Be sure to check out the leaf fox/dog image a couple entries below!!! Soooooo cute!

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 STAINED GLASS...LEAVES AND MELTED CRAYONS

Collect leaves and arrange them on a piece of wax paper. Add wax crayon shavings and apply another piece of wax paper on top.

• Iron the wax paper together until crayon shavings have melted.

•  

  Let cool. Trim into desired shapes and hang in windows. Wonderful 'Image Mosaic' is from ArtfulParent

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COFFEE FILTER LEAFED TREE

• Take coffee filters and cut them into the shapes of leaves.
• With cups of liquid watercolors in orange, yellow, red, and brown have the children use eye droppers to place watercolors on the filter leaves.
• The colors blend together for wonderful fall leaves.
• Create a tree trunk out of brown wrapping paper or butcher paper. Add leaves to the branches and also at the base of the tree.

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LEAF RUBBING
Have children place a variety of leaves -underside up - under a piece of light colored construction paper. With the sides of crayons that have had the paper covering removed, make crayon rubbing of the leaves. This works better with green leaves. Great way to see the veins and differences in leaves!

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USE LEAVES AS PAINT BRUSHES
Collect leaves with long stems. Have children paint with the leaves, using the leaves as brushes and the stems as handles.
Or...Collect leaves and tape them to a small stick and use them instead of brushes for painting.

 

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START WITH A LEAF AND LOOK WHAT YOU GET!

How cute is this?!!!  Image was found on Pinterest and is originally from stranamasterov

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TOOTHPICK TREE

Have the children make a tree by gluing toothpicks on a piece of paper. Use a sponge, finger tips or smal paint brush-- and fall colors of red, orange and yellow tempera paint. Using your paint choice of color application -- add leaves to the top of the tree. The tooth picks were also painted brown before the leaves were added. The leaves were made by dipping fingers in paint.) Image by KidActivities.net

TIP: Instead of using toothpicks for the branches--pretzel sticks, pasta, or twigs can be used!

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ALUMINUM FOIL LEAVES
You need:
Pieces of aluminum foil, leaves, glue, construction paper

Set out pieces of aluminum foil and a variety of fall leaves. Have each child select a leaf, place it under a piece of foil, and gently press and rub the foil with their hand to get a leaf print. Have  children glue their leaf prints to the construction paper.

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LEAVES BLOWING IN THE WIND

1. Draw leaves on construction paper with Crayola Markers or Crayons. Or gather fallen leaves from outside and trace them. (Wash hands thoroughly afterward.) Draw veins and other designs on the leaves.

2. Cut out leaves.

3. Spread newspaper over your craft area. Dip your finger tips in Crayola Washable Finger Paint. Spread the paint in swirling motions--like the wind--over white construction paper. Wash hands.

4. While the paint is still wet, place leaves on the paper. Arrange them in different directions so they appear to be blowing in the wind. Leaves stick to the paper when the paint dries.

5. Extension: Look at leaf patterns in a science book or collect real leaves. Draw different examples such as maple, beech, and oak. Use red, brown, orange, and yellow paper to make leaves for an autumn scene. Source: Crayola

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SIX THINGS TO DO WITH PAINTED PAPER LEAVES...

Give  children white paper and have them paint using red, and yellow paint. They can mix the paints to create orange.

When the papers are dry, using templates, draw leaf shapes on the back. Cut out the leaves.
With these children can...

  • Make a leaf mobile
  • Make a leaf collage
  • Hang them from the ceiling
  • Glue onto a paper. Make a trunk of a tree--glue on the leaves
  • Put up on a bulletin board
  • Hang them from a classroom size tree...

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LEAF PRINTS USING PAINT

With a brush, paint red, orange and yellow tempera paint onto the front side of leaves. Press the painted side onto paper. For a variation, place the paint on the back side of the leaf and press down--you might see more distict markings on this print.

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HAND PRINT TREE

• Using colored construction paper (red, orange, brown, green, yellow) trace the child's hand onto several sheets of several colors. Cut out. (Children can also use their painted hand-prints)
• Next cut out a tree trunk with branches in proportion to the amount of leaves.
• Have the child glue the hand shapes to the tree to form the leaves of the tree.
• Consider having children think of things to be thankful for -- and label the leaves.

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LEAVES IN PLASTIC

Place leaves on the sticky side of clear self-adhesive plastic. Cover it with another sheet of plastic and press. Cut around the leaves. Punch holes in them and thread yarn or ribbon for a leaf hanging. Also...cut a single leaf and use it as a bookmark. 

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STRING OF LEAVES
Make a string of leaves to decorate a room. These simple-to-make strings make a great Fall or Thanksgiving decoration. You can drape the strings across rooms, over windows and from the chandeliers.
Need:
Construction paper (orange, red, yellow, brown, and other earth tones)
Crayons or markers
Scissors
Glue, tape, or staples
A long piece of green or brown yarn or string

• Draw a leaf on a piece of construction paper. Make sure to draw a long-thick stem on the top (your leaf will hang from this stem, which will be folded over.) It would be a good idea to make a few leaf templates for the children to trace and cut the shapes.
• Cut out the leaf. Draw the leaf veins if you wish.
• Fold the leaf's stem in half.
• Attach the leaf to a long string using tape, glue, or staples. Make more leaves and attach them to the string.
• Hang your string of leaves across the room for a wonderful Fall decoration. Source: KinderCrafts  

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FINGER PRINT TREE...

Place child's entire hand and arm in brown paint. Place the painted arm and hand on the art paper to make the trunk and branches. With a variety of colorful finger paints---finger print leaves around and on the entire tree. Add some 'leaves' falling and swirling to the ground! Image by KidActivities.net

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PLACEMATS

Have children glue several different leaves on a light-colored sheet of construction paper. Apply transparent Contact paper onto the leaf side and then the backside of the construction paper. Trim excess contact paper from the ends, and seal all the way around the outer edges with colored tape. (This sample is at PreschoolRock.com)

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FALL NATURE BRACELETS

Wrap a piece of masking tape (sticky side out) around each child's wrist. Go on a nature walk and have children collect a leaf from each of several trees---sticking it on their leaf bracelet.

Get a Book with a variety of leaves to compare 'finds' when you return. Children will also be able to go home and see what leaves they find there!

As shown, you can take clear packing tape and make bracelets with a variey of nature finds--as well as some wonderful bookmarks! Photographs are courtesy of Angela at Colorfool  blogsite...Angela shares that flat items adhere better than bulky.

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COLORFUL FALL PUZZLE TREE

We all have puzzles that have missing pieces (such as the 100 piece puzzle that only has 80 pieces left)

1. Either draw a tree trunk and leaves... or cut out the trunk of a tree with limbs. If cutting out a tree trunk, glue or staple the trunk to a piece of background paper.

2. Pre-paint the puzzle pieces in fall leaf colors (or they may already have a fall look.)

3. Glue the puzzle pieces to the branches of the tree.

This tree didn't need the puzzle pieces painted--as most pieces were already in shades of red, yellow, orange, and brown)... This idea is also good for spring--using 'spring' colors. (Puzzle Tree Image by KidActivities.net)

 

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CLAY LEAF PRINTS
Use a rolling pin to flatten clay or DRYING TYPE dough. Lay a leaf on the clay & roll over it. Remove the leaf & let the clay dry. Paint the clay with fall colors of tempera.

"Air dry and bake recipes" are on this site in the Play Dough Category!

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MAKE LEAF GLITTER
Gather old brown leaves--and crumbel them up!
Draw your pictures (leaves or a fall scene would be nice)----apply a light coat of glue or wet paint--sprinkle with you leaf glitter!

You could also paint the leaves before you crumble them to make different colored glitter.

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 MAPLE LEAF PASTA MAGNET OR PIN

Materials:
Uncooked spaghetti
Adhesive-backed magnet
Green food coloring
Cardboard
Recycled clean margerine container
Styrofoam vegetable trays
Spoon
Paintbrush and Scissors 
 
 
1. Draw and cut out a maple-leaf shape on a piece of cardboard. (Good idea to make a template for the kids to trace)
 
2. Pour 1/4 cup (50ml) white glue into an empty margerine container. Add 2-3 drops of green food coloring to the glue. Mix well, until the color is a shade you like.

3. For a good work surface--Place cardboard leaf into a styrofoam vegetable tray. Paint the entire surface of the leaf with the colored glue.

4. Break spaghetti sticks in half. Line up the spaghetti sticks in a single direction on the leaf. Be sure the spaghetti is adhering to the glue. Leave the spaghetti untrimmed at this point.

5. Cover the untrimmed spaghetti with glue-coloring so that it is completely colored.
 
6. Let the leaf dry on a clean styrofoam tray. Once the glue has dried, carefully cut around the edges of the cardboard shape to remove the excess spaghetti. It is helpful to turn the leaf 'spaghetti-side down' while cutting the spaghetti.

7. Repair jagged edges with glue and pieces of trimmed spaghetti. Allow to dry a second time.

8. Adhere two magnets to the center of the cardboard back.
This project also makes a great lapel pin. Just use a pin backing instead of a sticky-backed magnet!
Adapted from TeaPartyCrafts

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 SCIENCE...

 COLLECT LEAVES...
Go on a nature walk and collect different kinds of leaves. Sort the leaves  by color, size or type of leaf. Place them on your science table.

Extension Ideas: GRAPH THE LEAVES
1. Have children count the number of leaves collected from each type of tree. Graph the results.

2. Get young children thinking about what they collected. Ask questions such as:

• What can you tell me about these leaves?  What is the same about these leaves?  What is different about some of these leaves?
• What colors are the leaves?  Look through the magnifying glass, what do you see? (veins, colors, size of the leaf seems to change)
• How can we measure this leaf? Can someone demostrate (show me) how to measure this leaf?  How long it is?  How wide it is?  (This leaf is __ inches/centimeters in length and __ in width.)

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DISPLAY AUTUMN LEAVES ON YOUR SCIENCE OR COLLECTION TABLE along with other "Earth Wonders'...

 

Display natural earth wonders such as :
Sea shells, rocks, crystals, geodes, pine cones, seeds, leaves, twigs, etc.
Encourage children to add to the collection. Provide magnifying glasses to study the items at this center...Photograph courtesy of Restoration Place.

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PRESERVING LEAVES MICRO-WAVE METHOD...
You can preserve fall leaves in your microwave oven.

• Choose fresh leaves with the bright colors. Avoid fallen leaves that have already begun to dry.
• Place separate leaves in the Microwave oven on top of two pieces of paper towel. Cover them with one sheet of paper toweling.
• Run the oven for 30 to 180 seconds. Microwaves vary so watch carefully. The drier the leaves, the less time they will need.
• Be careful, if the leaves "cook" too long you could actually start a fire.
• If the leaves are curled on the edges they need more time.
• Let the leaves dry for a day or two and then finish the leaves with a sealant, such as an acrylic craft spray.
  Source: Amazingmoms.com

 THE OLD FASHIONED WAY...

• Place your autumn colored leaves between two layers of wax paper.
• Cover with a cloth rag. Using a warm (not too hot) iron, press down on the wax covered leaves, sealing the wax paper together with the leaf in between.
• Cut your leaves out, leaving a narrow margin of wax paper around the leaf edge.

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CONTRAST LEAVES...
COLLECT GREEN LEAVES and place them on a tray to dry.... Over time they'll turn brown; without chlorophyll the leaf loses his green color.

GLYCERIN LEAVES
Place a small branch with fall leaves on several layers of newspapers. With a hammer tap the end of the stem until it is slightly crushed.
Place the branch in a jar or baking dish with one part glycerin to two parts water. Keep it for 2 weeks. The leaves will be thicker to touch, colors will have changed & they will not disintegrate or fade..

In the autumn, you can also gather branches of oak, beech, and maple leaves just as the colors began to turn. Submerge them in vases filled with a solution of equal parts of water and glycerin. Over the next week, watch the color metamorphose as the chlorophyll ceased production, triggering the release of pigments. The glycerin, an emollient, fills the cells, rendering them supple and leathery. Leaves will last for years this way, more so if pressed.

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IF YOU FIND A CATERILLAR in late summer to late fall, put FRESH LEAVES in a tank or fish bowl with a few twigs on which to make a chrysalis.

Ask children what they think happen? Ask them what will happen later?

We have done this with our group in the fall. They found a caterpillar outside in early October and brought it in. We put it in a large clear bowl and after the week-end it had made a chrysalis hanging from a twig. Kids  eagerly waited for spring so the butterfly could hatch! Sarah/Oakbrook

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 MATH --LEAF COUNTING-- Pre-K to Grade 1

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THE LEAVES ARE FALLING DOWN

By June Haggard
(Sing to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell")

The leaves are falling down
The leaves are falling down
School is here and fall in near
The leaves are falling down.

The leaves are falling down
The leaves are falling down
Some are red and some are brown
The leaves are falling down.

The leaves are falling down
The leaves are falling down
They tickle your nose and touch your toes
The leaves are falling down.
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A LITTLE ELF

A little elf
Sat in a tree
Painting leaves
To throw at me.

Leaves of yellow
And leaves of red
Came tumbling down
About my head.

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I LOVE FALL

I love fall! Fall is exciting.
It's apples and cider.
It's an airborne spider.

It's pumpkins in bins.
It's burrs on dog's chins.
It's wind blowing leaves.
It's chilly red knees.

It's nuts on the ground.
It's a crisp dry sound.
It's green leaves turning
And the smell of them burning.

It's clouds in the sky.
It's fall.
That's why...
I love fall.

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LEAVES
by Elsie N. Brady

How silently they tumble down
And come to rest upon the ground
To lay a carpet, rich and rare,
Beneath the trees without a care,
Content to sleep, their work well done,
Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly
Until they nearly reach the sky.
Twisting, turning through the air
Till all the trees stand stark and bare.
Exhausted, drop to earth below
To wait, like children, for the snow.

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AUTUMN BIRD SONG

Over the housetops,
Over the trees,
Winging their way
In a stiff fall breeze.

A flock of birds
Is flying along
Southward, for winter,
Singing a song.

Singing a song
They all like to sing,
"We'll see you again
When it's spring, spring, spring."

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OCTOBER

October's the month
When the smallest breeze
Gives us a shower
Of autumn leaves.
Bonfires and pumpkins,
Leaves sailing down -
October is red
And golden and brown.

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NOVEMBER

Now the autumn days are gone
Frost is sparkling on the lawn,
Windows winking cheerful lights
Warm the cold November nights.
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  BOOKS ABOUT LEAVES

Autumn Leaves (ages 3-7)
Written by Ken Robbins
Illustrated with full-color photographs, this book introduces young children to autumn leaves from thirteen different types of deciduous trees. Beginning readers will find the vocabulary very challenging, but even young children will enjoy listening and following the pictures as an adult reads it to them.

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf (ages 4-10)
Written by Lois Ehlert
In this classroom favorite, Ehlert relates the life cycle of a sugar maple from a child's perspective. The unique illustrations will grab the attention of the youngest listeners, while the captivating text will engage older readers.

Why Do Leaves Change Colors? (ages 5-9)
Written by Betsy Maestro; illustrated by Loretta Krupinski
In the simplest of terms, this book explains why leaves change colors and fall from the trees. Also included is a list of activities children can do with leaves.

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