This category consists of several  sections...click on the one you'd like!

•Earth Theme: Art, Crafts and Games

•Earth Theme: Litter, Recycling and Coins

•Earth Theme: Nature and Science Activities

•Earth Themed Snacks and Variey of Ideas

•Earth Themed Music Activities

•Seasonal Earth and Green Ideas!

•Earth Friendly Ideas for Middle and High School

32 Green Things to do at Home...

•Earth Friendly and 'Green' Contact Resource List

•Gardening Theme

•Bird Theme

•Worm Theme

•Insects/Creepy Crawlies

Also see crafts, art and games made from RECYCLED MATERIALS

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Earth and Green Theme Menu 

Page 1 Updated March 2013

ART...

 

JELLY BEAN PAINTING

Materials: Jellybeans, paint, paper, tape, a box
 
Directions: Place a piece of paper in a box. Take the tape and roll a piece over on itself; place it on the back of the paper to keep the paper secure in the box...

Add small amounts of paint in each corner. Place a few jellybeans in the box and have the children move the box so that the jellybeans will roll through the paint and create an abstract design "work of art..." 
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GLOSSY EGG DECORATIONS

Trace an 'Egg pattern template' onto white construction paper; have children cut them out. In four separate bowls divide a can of condensed milk; add a few drops of food coloring in each bowl--One color per bowl. Paint the eggs with the condensed milk paint. Let them dry.

When art is dry the eggs will have a glossy appearance. Use the eggs to decorate the room.
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AN 'AFTER-EASTER' EGG SHELL COLLAGE...

Ask all you know to save the dyed shells from the Easter eggs! When Easter is over, you'll have the most important material for this project!

Need: Egg shells, Glue, paper, and water-color paint.
Glue shells onto a piece of paper. When the glue dries, paint over it with water colors...
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MAKE WRAPPING PAPER and More...

PAPER #1
Place Easter shaped cookie cutters in paint.
Cover a blank piece of paper with the cookie cutter shapes.
Is is it an art project or wrapping paper? Your choice!

Paper #2

Mix a variety of food coloring with water in a spray bottles.
With the variety of colors, Spray water on a large sheet of paper.

There are several ways the dried paper can be used.
   • Wrapping paper
   • Trace egg shaped templates to make decorations or cards.
   •  Background on an Easter or Spring time display board.

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FOOTPRINT EASTER CARD

Make a print of each child's foot using yellow paint. With an orange marker, add an orange beak where the BALL OF THE FOOT is... Add brown stick feet where the toes are . Glue onto a piece of folded 8 1/2 x 11 paper or construction paper. Write "Happy Easter" on the front--with a message or poem on the inside.
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 PAINTING WITH "PEEPS"...

1. Cut out large "chick shapes" from white paper. Put tempera paint (white, yellow, orange, black) in containers and then use REAL candy "Peeps" to apply the paint---in a sponge like effect.

2. The head makes a good grip for the bottom when the chick's bottom is dipped in paint...

3. Extra fun! Have "Peeps" as a treat too! If you're concerned about younger children taking a bite during the painting, you can use vanilla pudding with food coloring to paint!
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TWO PROJECTS IN ONE!
COLOR AN EASTER EGG AND MAKE WINDOW ART

  • Put a sheet of wax paper in the bottom of a good size box. Add a few spoonfuls of various colors of paint (child's choice of color) 
  • Place hard-boiled egg(s) in box and roll--the same way as in marble painting. It's a fun way to color eggs... and...
the paint results on the wax paper look like a stained glass picture! You can frame the wax paper in construction paper and hang it in a window.
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CRACKED EGG SHELL EASTER CARD 
    • Colored pieces of egg shells 
    • Pink Construction paper  
    • White cardstock or construction paper 
    • Glue 
    • Pencil 
    • Scissors 
    • Markers, crayons, and colored pencils

1. Draw the shape of an egg on the colored construction paper.
2. Put a coating of glue on the construction paper egg.
3. Glue pieces of crushed egg shells on the paper, keeping the colored side up and let it dry.
4. Take the construction paper and cut a piece of it twice the width of the egg and slightly taller than the egg.
5. Fold up the paper in half and paste the mosaic egg on front of it.
Write an Easter message on the card.
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FACE PAINTING... PAINT A BUNNY FACE

  • Children love to have their faces painted. 
  • Here's an easy way to turn children into Peter Cottontail's helper: Draw an upside-down triangle on the child's nose with the brush from brown or black liquid eyeliner or face-paint.  Fill in completely. Rub a circle of rouge on each cheek. Paint three whiskers with the eyeliner or paint on each side of the face, starting from the nose and extending across the cheek. 
  • Allow to dry. 
  • This bunny face comes off in a flash using makeup remover pads or soap and water.
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'TIE DYE' EASTER EGGS
Materials: Paint or Washable Markers, Coffee Filters, Spray Bottles

1. Cut coffee filters in the shape of Easter eggs and give each child a spray bottle with different colors of water in them.
2. Have the children spray the coffee filter until it's completely soaked. Dry...
3. You can also have children decorate egg shaped filters with markers and spray with regular water.
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THUMB PRINT EASTER BASKETS
Materials: Picture of an Easter Basket, Paint, and children's thumbs.

Draw or down-load a simple picture of an empty Easter basket. Put a variety of paints in shallow dishes and let the kids dip there thumbs and make Easter eggs in the basket!
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CRAFTS...

BUNNY IN THE GRASS POT
Items Needed:
Grass seed, potting soil, pot or cup, wide craft stick, white paint, markers, pink felt, misc. craft items such as fishing line (whiskers) pipe cleaners, pom poms, press on eyes, or googly eyes.

1. Have children place the potting soil in the pot, and sprinkle with grass seed.
2. Place a little more soil to cover; water the soil.
3. Next have the children paint their craft sticks white; when they are dry, decorate them like bunnies. Cut the felt into ears, put on eyes, nose, and whiskers.
4. Insert the stick into the grass pot and place it in a sunny window.
5. In a few days your bunny will be sitting in the grass.

SECRET MESSAGE EASTER EGGS-A surprise Easter Gift!

    • Secret Message Easter Eggs are easy, different and lots of fun for children and adults alike. Start with one blown egg (CLICK HERE - (directions are towards the bottom of the page) to learn how. After having a clean, blown-out egg, brush with a thin coating of craft glue. Sprinkle with clear, silver, gold or colored glitter and allow the egg to dry.

    • Cut out a 2-inch-by-2-inch square of airmail or tracing paper. Write a small fortune, note, poem or promise to perform a certain task or chore on the paper and roll up tightly. Slip into the larger hole at the bottom of the egg. Cover the hole with a sparkly sequin, sticker or bead. The recipient cracks the egg to discover the message.

   • Can't bear to crack your creation? When you insert the message, leave a little bit of it exposed so it can be pulled out without destroying the egg.

EASTER EGG SUN CATCHERS
Materials:
Clear contact paper
Pastel-colored tissue paper
Scissors
1. Cut out two small, rectangular pieces of contact paper.
2. Have children tear the tissue paper into small bits.
3. Peel off the backing of one of the pieces of contact paper. Have children stick pieces of tissue paper to it.
4. When it is filled, cover it with the second piece of contact paper.
5. Smooth it out, and then cut it into the shape of an egg. (Make a template pattern of an egg to trace) Hang them in the window...

You can make sun catchers to fit any theme you like: Hearts for Valentine's Day, flowers for spring, etc.
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RABBIT BAG
Need: White paper bag, tape, ribbon, wiggle eyes, and a pom pom
Directions: 
    • Take a paper bag (Preferably white). 
    • Tape the bag closed-- about one third of the way up. 
    • To make bunny ears, cut a slit down the middle of the bag to where you have it taped. 
    • Round the corners of the ears and poke 2 holes near the top of EACH ear. These are to put ribbon through to make the "inner ear". 
    • Decorate with 2 large pom poms for the cheeks and one for the nose. Use 2 large wiggle eyes. Use string or ribbon for the whiskers.
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BUNNY OR CHICK JARS Try this craft from Making Friends  It can be adaptd to just about any animal or holday theme!

1. Remove the label from a clean baby food jar.  Fill the jar with pompoms to match your animal's face. Put the lid on and turn it upside down.
2. Glue on wiggle eyes.
3. Cut ears (or beak) out of foam and glue in place.
4. Add pompoms if desired.
5. For whiskers, cut pieces of craft lace and glue one end under pompom nose.
6. Cut a strip of craft foam 1/4" wide and glue around edge of lid. Original idea from Lisa  Anniston, Alabama

 
RABBIT MASK
Materials:
Paper plate,
Pink or black paper(a small quantity for the nose and ears)
Cardboard
Cotton balls

1. To make the ears, cut out oval shapes from the cardboard. 
2. Next, cut out the nose from the colored paper. You can also cut triangles of pink paper to make the inside of the bunny's ear.
3. Cut two holes in the paper plate for eyes.
4. Paste on the ears,(you can put straws behind the ears to make them stay upright) eyes and nose.
5. Cover the face with glue cotton balls--to make the bunny look soft.
Bunny mask is now complete!
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RABBIT EARS
Materials: Constructions paper and straws 
    • Make rabbit-ear template shapes.
    • Have the children trace and cut them out of construction paper...(if children are young, pre-cut for them) 
    • Glue them to a paper head band. 
    • Add straws to the back of the ears so they will stay upright.
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'LUNCH BAG' BIRD NEST

1. Take a small brown lunch sack and roll it from the top all the way down to make a perfect birds nest.
2. Have children collect twigs, grass, etc. from the outside and put in their nests. OR...
3. You can put in Easter grass and jelly beans with a pipe cleaner handle to use it as a small Easter basket.
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MINI EASTER BASKETS
Materials:
Margarine container
Hole punch
Pipe cleaners
Glue
Fabric, and ribbon (Other decorations as desired)
Easter grass and goodies

Directions: Wash and dry a margarine container.
1. Punch a hole on both sides of container - near the top.
2. Wrap 2 pipe cleaners around each other and insert each end into a hole and twist the ends together for the handle.
3. Decorate the "basket" as desired.
4. Glue fabric, tissue paper, or wrapping paper and ribbon to outside of container.
5. Decorate the handle with ribbon and a bow. Add some Easter grass and fill the basket with treats!
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BERRY CONTAINER BASKET

  • Make a Easter basket from a plastic BERRY container...Weave pretty colored ribbon or yarn through the open spaces around the container and glue the ends together. 
  • Use pipe cleaners or heavy cardboard for the handles. 
  • Have the children put an egg that they colored themselves into the basket--along with some Easter grass and jelly beans.
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BABY FOOD JAR BUNNY  (Different than above)

You'll Need: Baby food jar, glue, cotton balls, Wiggly Eyes, one big pom-pom, one small pom-pom, white or pink pipe cleaner,
Acrylic paint - white or pink

  1. Paint the jar lid with acrylic paint and let it dry while you make the rest of the bunny.
  2. Cover the baby food jar with cotton balls.
  3. On the cotton-ball covered jar-attach the eyes, small pom pom for the nose and the big one for the tail.
  4. Shape the pipe cleaner into bunny ears and hot glue the ears to the lid.
  5.Place one last piece of cotton in between the ears.
  6. For a small gift or party favor, fill the jar with jelly beans.
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PAPER EASTER BUNNIES
Materials:
1 large white paper plate, 1 small white paper plate, white or pink construction paper, google eyes, 3 pink chenille stems, red or pink marker, 2 or 3 cotton balls, white glue, stapler

1. Staple the plates together, the small one as the head and the larger as the body.
2. Cut two large oval shaped ears from the construction paper.
3. Staple or glue them to the back of the small paper plate. Glue on the eyes and a small pink triangle makes the nose.
4. Cut the chenille stems in half and glue three to either side of the nose for whiskers.
5. Use the marker to draw on a mouth.
6. Attach two or three cotton balls to the back of the bunny to make a tail.
7. The children make want to add a hair bow or bow tie to dress up their bunny!

TIP: chenille stems can be difficult to secure with white glue, you can use a hole punch to insert the whiskers...
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COFFEE FILTER EGG
Need: Coffee Filter, Food Coloring, Straws 
    • Cut the coffee filter into an oval, egg shape. 
    • Measure  about 1/4 cup of water into a container. Add a few drops of food coloring at a time into the water until you get the desired color. 
    • Repeat this for as many different colors you want. 
    • Once your colors are mixed, you can use the straw to add colors to your egg shape.

Dip a straw into the desired color. Cover the end of your straw with your finger so the colored water stays in it. Move the straw to your filter and hold it over the area you want colored. Remove your finger from the end of the straw and the colored water will run onto the egg! Repeat this for as many colors as you want to use.
When finished - dry the eggs...
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TWO EASTER HATS

#1 BONNET
You'll need: Poster Board, Tissue paper and other decorative items (buttons, lace, ribbon etc.)
  1. Cut a large circle from the poster board-about 18 inches in diameter.
  2. Cut another hole in the middle of the circle, big enough to fit around
the child's head. It should look like a donut.
  3. Next... Using craft glue or a glue gun, add decorations to the rim of the hat.
  4. Use a hole punch to add the ribbon tie.

#2 PAPER PLATE BONNET
You'll need: Paper plate, ribbon, hole punch, glue, supplies to decorate the hat such as lace, bows, ribbons, beads, costume jewelry, pipe cleaners, feathers, felt, crayons, poster paint
  1. Make two holes in the rim of the plate before decorating. The holes should be opposite one another.
  2. Lace 10" pieces of ribbon into the holes. When tied, these will secure the hat.
  3. Now have fun decorating the hats...
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EASTER EGG DOLL
Materials :
Blown out egg shell,(Direction Here) Paint, Paper cupcake liners, Wide ribbon, Cardboard tube, Tape or glue, Scissors
Paint the face of the doll in the in the blown out eggshell.
1. Fold the paper muffin cup in half -- to make the Easter bonnet for the doll.
2. Use the ribbon to tie the bonnet properly on the Easter egg face. You can also use glue or tape to attach the ribbon or yarn, to set the bonnet in its right position.
3. To make the body, take about 4 to 5 muffin cups and cut their centers.
4. Take the cardboard tube and use glue to place the cups upside down on it. To make the tiered skirt of the doll, let the muffin cups overlap the last one.
5. Glue the egg doll face on the topside of the cardboard tube to complete the Easter egg doll.

 

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EASTER PLACEMATS
Although one can shop for Easter placemats, self-made and personalized placemats can create an ambiance of warmth and hospitality.

Materials : 
• Cardboard/Card-stock paper or construction paper 
• Glue 
• Contact paper 
• Easter cards 
• Photos 
• Pictures

 
1. Take parts of Easter cards, photos or pictures and cut them into different shapes.
2. Using glue, paste the cut out pictures on the cardboard to create a collage.
3. Laminate the collage using contact paper.
4. Write an Easter greeting message to lend a personal touch to the placemat.

You could also make something like the above place mat at First Palette.

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GIANT BALLOON EGG

• Inflate and tie a small balloon for each child. 
• Make a thin glue and water mixture, and have the children "paint" sections of the balloon and then lay squares of tissue paper down flat onto the glue. 
• The tissue should overlap and cover the entire balloon. Let it dry on wax paper, or hang to dry from the knotted end of the balloon over newspaper. 
• When the balloon is completely dry, use scissors to cut a small slit in the balloon neck. The balloon will deflate, leaving a beautiful, hollow tissue paper "egg". 
• For a  gift, these may be filled with lightweight candies, and then sealed with one more square of tissue.
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DECORATED EGGS
Need: Legg's eggs, a plastic Easter egg, or small blown up balloon; Masking tape, Glue, Brushes, and Colored tissue paper.

Directions: Put tape around the seam of Legg's eggs or plastic egg.
1. Brush slightly watered-down glue all over the egg.
2. Place different colored tissue paper pieces onto the glue.
3. Have children dip their fingers into some glue to sure all paper edges are down.

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EASTER THEMED SNACKS!

CHICKEN EASTER FEED
Make a bowl of Chicken Feed by tossing together crisp, crunchy shoestring potatoes, salted corn nuts, shelled sunflower seeds and pistachios, dried blueberries and unsweetened coconut flakes for a crunchy, nutty treat.
(Leave out whatever you don't like)
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EASTER BASKET CUPCAKES

1. Prepare cupcakes and frost with cream cheese frosting, white or yellow colored frosting.
2. Create green Easter "grass" by placing shredded coconut and a few drops of liquid green food coloring in a re-sealable plastic bag.
3. Mix the food coloring into the coconut until it is evenly distributed and the coconut is green.
4. Sprinkle the coconut over the iced cupcakes.
5. Insert one end of a red licorice whip into the cupcake, then bend and insert the other end of the licorice into the opposite side of the cupcake to form a basket handle.
6. Top cupcake with a few jelly bean "eggs" and they're ready to serve.
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ANOTHER CUTE IDEA~ EASTER CHICK CUPCAKES

Make or purchase white frosted cucakes...Place coconut in resealable food-storage plastic bag. Add about 8 drops yellow liquid food color; seal bag and shake to mix. Frost cupcakes with white frosting. Top with yellow coconut. For eyes, add brown baking bits. Cut orange gumdrops to resemble beaks; place on cupcakes. Source: Betty Crocker.com

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PEBBLES CEREAL EASTER NESTS
Makes 12 nests
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
3 cups miniature marshmallows
4 cups Post Fruity Pebbles or Trix cereal
Coconut flakes
Assorted candies

   • Microwave butter in large microwavable bowl on high for 30 seconds or until melted. Add marshmallows; toss to coat. Microwave 1-1/2 minutes, stirring after 45 seconds. 
   • Add cereal; toss lightly to coat well. 
   • Press firmly into lightly greased muffin pans to form 12 nest; cool. 
   • Fill nest with coconut (you can tint coconut, if desired) and candies. 
   • Note: lightly spray your hands with no stick cooking spray to prevent cereal mixture from sticking and to make it easy to press the mixture into muffin pans.
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TWO EDIBLE BUNNY SALADS
#1 Ingredients:
Pear halves
Raisins
Miniature marshmallows or cottage cheese
Lettuce
Apple slices or Almonds

  • Place a lettuce leaf on a plate. 
  • Put the pear half on lettuce for the body. 
  • Insert raisins for the eyes and nose. 
  • The ears are made from apples slices or almonds;a miniature marshmallow or cottage cheese become the bushy tail.   Source: amazingmoms.com

EASTER BUNNY SALAD #2

Lettuce
Cottage cheese
1 can of pear halves
Celery stick
Raisins
1 Red Grapes

1. Place leaves of lettuce on a salad plate.
2. Use Ice cream scoop and place cottage cheese on top of the lettuce.
3. Use 1 canned pear half and place on top of cottage cheese.
4. Use thin slices of celery for whiskers.
5. Place the raisins where the eyes should be.
6. Use a grape for the nose.
7. Cut the remaining pear in half to create the ears.
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EASTER BIRD'S NESTS
1/3c. butterscotch morsels
1c.chow-mein noodles
Candy robin's eggs

1. Melt butterscotch morsels in a medium microwave safe bowl.
2. Add chow-mein noodles to melted morsels and mix.
3. Shape into a circle on wax paper. Use a large spoon  to make indention in center.
4. Let nests harden and then add jelly beans or chocolate eggs.

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#2 CHOCOLATE BIRD NESTS

Make the above version, but instead of butterscotch chips, use chocolate chips! (Image by KidActivities.net)

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NEST SNACK IDEA #3 
Melt 1/2 cup of butter in a saucepan. Add 1 cup of brown sugar. Boil and stir for one minute. Add a 3 oz. can of chow mein noodles. Put the mixture in 12 paper baking cups in a muffin tin. Use your thumb to press noodles into the nest while still warm. DO NOT BAKE. Give children jelly bean eggs to put in their nests.

 

#4 COCONUT MACAROON NESTS

Ingredients:
 •16 ounces shredded coconut
 •1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
 •2 teaspoons vanilla extract
 •Jelly beans or candy Robin Eggs

Directions:
Mix first three ingredients together. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto generously greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 8 minutes. Cool coconut macaroons slightly; remove to rack. Once cooled, place candy Robin Eggs or jelly beans on top of coconut 'nests'. This makes about 4 dozen coconut macaroons.

Tip: Parchment paper or a well greased pan works best to put on the cookie tray. Then make very small roughly round balls and place on the tray. Press your thumb in the middle to make the “nest”.  These spread out in the oven, so don’t press too hard or make them too big.

Cooking time is dependent on the size of your “nests”. Bigger nests requite more time in the oven.
Annie at "No Fuss" recommends about that tablespoon size will fit 3  mini egg candies...or one large Cadbury egg.

Watch in the oven with the light on till coconut tips are barely golden.  ♥ This idea and photo is  courtey of No Fuss Fabulous! 

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PEANUT BUTTER RICE-KRISPY BUNNY CAKE
This recipe is from Jif Peanut Butter. The kids will love this for Easter!
Ingredients:
   • 6 tablespoons butter or margarine
   • 2-10oz packages of marshmallows
   • 2 cups creamy peanut butter
   • 10 cups crisp rice cereal
   • Non-stick cooking spray
   • Jelly beans, licorice gum drops, or decorative candy
   • Glaze (optional)
   • 1/2 cup butter or margarine
   • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
   • 2 tablespoons milk
   • 1 teaspoon vanilla
   • 2 1/2 cups sifted powder sugar
   • Makes 16 servings.

1. In large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows. Stir until completely melted and remove from heat.
2. Stir in peanut butter and mix well to incorporate.
3. Add rice crisp cereal and stir until well coated.
4. Press into two 9-inch pans, well coated with cooking spray and allow to cool.
5. Cut ears and bow tie from one cake. This is done by cutting two football shaped ears from the top and bottom of one cake layer, leaving a bow tie-shaped piece in the middle.
6. Position two ears at top of whole round cake and place bow tie under face.
7. Apply optional glaze, if desired. Decorate with jelly beans, marshmallows, licorice, and gum drops or any of your favorite cake decorations.

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 RAW EGG ON TOAST (The egg is a peach half!)

 

Ingredients for one serving...
1 slice poundcake
1/2 peach
Reddi-Whip topping
Directions:
Put slice of pound cake on plate.
Place peach half on top-- round side up.
Add whip cream around peach and serve.
It looks like a raw egg on toast!

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 THE EASTER BUNNY'S CARROT

 This snack only takes two steps:
1. First take  Wilton's Disposable 12 inch Decorating Bags (or something simiar) and fill them with whole wheat gold fish or your favorite orange colored cheese crackers.
2.  Gather the top and tie with green ric-rac, ribbon, or yarn.

These crackers are much more nutritious than jellybeans, but the effect is just as cute! This is idea is great as a gift to take home or to make up ahead and serve then at your program Spring/Easter celebration! Photo and idea is thanks to No Fuss Fabulous!

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PEEP NEST PANCAKES

Make pancakes...

In the center of the pancakes make a nest shape with whipped cream.
Place a marshmallow chicken peep, jelly eggs or melon balls in the middle of the nest.

When these were served, KidActivities poured a little warm syrup on the pancake before putting on the nest of whipped cream. Optional 'sprinkles' were also added. All thought they were not only fun but tasted great! ( Image by KidActivities.net)

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Click here for complete 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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 Christmas Craft Pages:  • All Pages,  Page 1,  Page 2,  Page 3,  Page 4,  Page 5, Holiday Decorating

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS (OR HANUKKAH OR KWANZA) PAPER CHAIN

Time is a difficult concept for young children to grasp! One fun and easy way to count off the days is to make a Holiday paper chain.  Start on December first...and each day remove one paper loop!

If you are a teacher/caregiver--make one with each child to take home--be sure to include directions for parents! (You could also do this in your classroom or program to count down the days to winter vacation!)

Materials:
Red and green construction paper (or color for your Holiday)
Choice of stapler, tape or glue stick, scissors or paper cutter

Directions:

1. Have adult cut paper strips from construction paper. The strips in the sample photo are approximately 2” x 8”.
2. Staple, glue or tape strips as you would any paper chain.
3. Depending on the amount of days to Christmas, number the loops 1 up to 24. (24 will be at the top of the chain and 1 at bottom)
4. Hang the chain from a doorway or hook.
5. Each day remove one loop from the chain. Before you know it-- the big day has arrived!

TIPS for Parents:
   • If your child is under 5, consider putting up no more than two weeks of loops. Time does seem to stretch on forever with little ones! 
  •  Consider making one chain for each "young" child you have; each child will want to remove their own loop. Problem solved! (500 pre-pasted 7" strips can be ordered from Orientaltrading.com for $4.99 - 5.99. however they are thin and can tear easily)

This is also a great idea for counting off any big event such as vacations, birthdays, etc. (Photo and idea by KIdActivities and featured on Nickelodeon Holiday Ideas!)

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 REINDEER FOOD

For each small baby food jar, you'll need:
1/4 cup dry oatmeal
1/8 cup granulated sugar, 1-2 tablespoons colored sugar
(Traditional recipes call for glitter, but unless you purchase the pricey edible glitter from specialty shops, it WON'T BE SAFE FOR BIRDS AND SQUIRELLS. Substituting colored sugar will still give a sparkly appearance, without being harmful to the actual animals who will end up eating it.

FOR A BABY FOOD JAR
Layer half of the oatmeal, followed by half of the colored sugar, the white granulated sugar, the rest of the colored sugar, and topped with the rest of the oatmeal.

IN A BAGGIE... Alternatively, combine ingredients in a mixing bowl and scoop into zippered plastic bags....

(With the sugar instead of the glitter-It's OK for the kids to munch on.)

Attach this poem if it is a gift!

Sprinkle on the lawn at night.
The moon will make it sparkle bright.
As Santa's reindeer fly and roam,
This will guide them to your home.

Direct the children to sprinkle it on Christmas Eve on the lawn, driveway, or apartment patio to entice the reindeer. It gives deer something to munch on while Santa delivers his goodies.

NOTE: If you like Reindeer-be sure to visit the 'Reindeer Theme'!

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SCENTED HOLIDAY BALLS

1 Styrofoam Ball (size may very)
1 Cup dried herbs or potpourri, dried rose petals or dried small flowers for a 6" size ball
White Glue
Twine or Ribbon

1. Pour herbs mixture into a bowl. You may choose to ground leaves or petals in a coffee grinder or food processor or glue them on separately.
2. Cover an area of the ball with glue and roll ball through mixture, covering an area at a time.
3. Cloves may be glued on separately.
4. Cover ball with waxed paper and firmly press. Allow to dry completely before adding ribbon

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ORANGE-CLOVE POMANDERS

Ingredients
6 oranges (or lemons)
whole cloves
decorative ribbon

The Spice Mix
4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons ground cloves
2 tablespoons ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons ground allspice
1/4 cup orrisroot powder (as preservative)
 
Directions
1. Combine the spice mix ingredients.
2. Wash oranges.
3. After poking a hole with a needle, fork, or tooth pick, insert cloves into oranges in a decorative pattern.
4. Roll cloved oranges in the spice mixture within 24 hours and set in a warm place to dry, turning fruit daily.
5. Drying takes from two weeks to possibly a month.
6. Pomanders are completely dry when they are hard.
7. Remove pomanders from the spice mix, dust off a little, and tie with decorative ribbons. (Wrap your orange in holiday ribbon leaving enough extra ribbon at the top for hanging. You can poke holes into the ribbon and through to the orange to help hold it in place.)

Set out in a bowl or you can use as Christmas ornaments. Also great hung in a closet! When preserved, these can last for months to years!

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FILL CLEAR ORNAMENTS

Ideas: Popcorn, Confetti, Cellophane sparkles, Pieces of foil garland, Fine potpourri, Tiny beads, Pearls, Epsom Salt, or Artificial Snow. Add a bow... (Images by KidActivities.net)

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 PLASTIC PLACE MAT ORNAMENTS (Can be used outdoors)

Materials:
Plastic place mats
Scissors
Paint pens and Contact paper
Circular paper hole-punch reinforcements

1. Cut Christmas-tree shapes out of plastic place mats.
2. Cover with green Contact paper, if desired.
Decorate by painting on designs with paint pens or markers.
Use hole reinforcements with painted centers to look like ornaments on a Christmas tree
Source: diynetwork.com

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NATURAL TREE ORNAMENTS

 

Consider using only 'natural ornaments on your classroom center or home Christmas tree! 

• Decorate the tree with popcorn and cranberry garland, white painted pine cones, (some glittered) and cinnamon dough ornaments. 
• Make pomanders from oranges and cloves (the pompaders can then be hung in closets)... start those in November! 
• Make walnut shell ornaments (directions below) and put those on the trees too. It will smell amazing the entire month!!!

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WALNUT SHELL ORNAMENTS

 • Take walnuts and crack them so you have the 2 halves.
Take out the nut meat and be sure to use it for a cooking project with the kids. (Make sure there are no allergies)

 • Next take twine or ribbon and glue it into the shell
Glue the edges of the shell and put them together. Either hold the two shell pieces till the glue sets enough to keep the pieces together...or put a rubber band around the shell.
When it's dry--remove the rubber band and it's ready to hang on the tree.
You can also paint the shells and add glue and glitter...or just glue and glitter the natural shell.

 • IDEA: You can also use them OUTSIDE.
Cover them with peanut butter and bird seed and then hang. 

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 CANDY GARLAND

• To make a candy garland-- thread a needle with floss. Thread the candy and make a knot at the ends. 

  • You can hang the garland on a tree or about the room or chandeliers. OR...

Use wrapped treats and an ordinary  stapler. Simply staple the ends of the wrappers together. (For loops and dips, make sure the garlands are at least double the length of the surface from which you will drape them.

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SNOW GLOBES

Fill a clear glass baby food jar (or other small jar) with half water and half corn syrup.
Add glitter, beads, etc. The corn syrup makes the glitter fall slowly for a sparkling effect.

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FROSTY HOLIDAY CARDS AND PICTURES (Two projects in one!)

Mix 1 cup Epsom salts with 1 cup boiling water. Let cool.
Use paint brushes to paint mixture over recycled Christmas cards or note cards with pretty pictures.
When dry, pictures will have a frosty appearance.

Don't throw away the mixture when you're done painting!
IN THE SCIENCE CENTER...take a piece of black construction paper and cut it to fit the bottom of a clear, flat dish.
Pour any remaining salt and water mixture into a dish and let sit over night to dry.
The mixture forms crystals.
The children can then use magnifying glasses to view the crystals. Two projects in one!!! ;-)

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 HOLIDAY WISH COLLAGE!

Write on construction paper a heading of-
"My Holiday Wish List"

Collect kid related catalogs and week-end advertising papers...filled with child related gifts/toys/books/clothes/electronic/and things for family time ideas.

Have children cut out pictures of things they find special.
Have them glue the items on sheets to form a wish-list for parents.
Instruct youth to ONLY cut and paste what they'd truly like!!!

TIP: This should be done right after Thanksgiving to early December--so that before parents shop they'll have an idea of what their children would like!

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PAINTED HAND AND FOOT ANGEL
 
Materials:
Construction paper, paint, paintbrush, paper plate, water and clean-up cloth or paper.
Pour paint on the plate.
With the paintbrush, 'paint' the child's foot and then press the foot gently onto the construction paper.
Clean the foot and then 'paint' the hands (one at a time) and place it to the side of the foot so that it looks like wings.

When dry-add two little eyes.
With a thin circle of glue and glitter-create the halo.

If this is to be a gift... Label it
To: ___________
From: Your Christmas Angel'

Source: HistoryMom on yahoo

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HANDS CHRISTMAS WREATH

1. Using green construction paper or card stock---trace children's splayed-fingered hands; cut out multiple copies of it.  
2. Overlap hands and arrange them in a circle to make a Christmas wreath. (It is advised to put hands over a pre-cut wreath-shape cardboard or a paper plate for more stability.

Decorate the wreath with red ribbon (either real or construction paper),  a few small light ornaments shapes, red pom-poms, or berries cut from construction paper.

This sample wreath (thank you to mommentsofmommyhood) used two sheets of paper for hand shapes on their wreath. The shapes were glued to cardboard from a cereal box...and embellished with a red contruction paper bow and berries.

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GROUP HANDPRINT CHRISTMAS TREE

•Have all children trace their hands onto green construction paper and cut them out.
•Using their hands, curl the fingertips upwards to make a branch look. Put all the curled handprints over each other into a Christmas tree shape.
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PAINTED HANDPRINT WREATHS

1. Have children dip their hands in green paint...make green hand prints in a circular shape on tag board.
2. When the paint has dried, roll small pieces of red crepe paper into balls (berries).
3. Glue the red berries onto the hand prints.
4. Make a red bow out of the crepe paper and staple it onto the wreath. Cut a hole in the middle of the wreath. (We actually cut the shape out before we decorate the wreath.)
5. Use either green or red yarn to hang the wreaths. Submitted by Sarah in Oakbrook, Illinois 

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FELT CHRISMAS TREE (For younger children)

Have children glue a piece of "cone-tree shape" felt triangle on of poster bard or cardstick paper.
Kids then snip other colors of felt scraps into little pieces and glue on as ornaments.
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MACARONI ORNAMENTS
Need:
(1) 3" X 4" piece of tag board or lightweight cardboard for each ornament.
Paper clip for each
All shapes and sized of macaroni
Scissors and glue
Gold spray paint and newspapers.
1.  Fold the 3" X 4" piece of tag board or cardboard in half.
2.  Cut out ANY shape desired for the ornament.
3.  Cover the cutout shape with glue.
4.  Arrange the dried pasta shapes on the ornaments. They can be arranged any way the children like.
5.  When one side is complete- let it dry and set.
6.  Turn it over and do the other side.
7.  Put a clip through the card board to hang. Spray with gold spray paint. It is advisable to lay many ornaments on newspaper and spray all at the same time. Let one side dry and then do the other side.

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PASTA SNOWFLAKES

Materials:
Wheel shaped pasta, White paint, White glitter, Dry Tapioca pudding mix, Paint brushes, Elmer's glue

Take round wheel shaped pasta and glue them together in a circle shape. When dry--paint the entire snow flake white. Before the paint dries, sprinkle on glitter mixed with dry Tapioca pudding mix.
To hang from the ceiling, insert a piece of string or yarn through one of the wheel holes after the snow flake is dry.

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PHOTOGRAPH HOLIDAY ORNAMENT  (Easy) Create ornaments using a photograph of the child.
Glue the photograph onto a shape the child cuts out of paper or poster board (such as a Christmas tree or Hanukkah menorah, etc.).
Decorate the ornament with glued-on sequins, beads or ribbon. Cut a small hole in the top and thread a ribbon through to hang the ornament.

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VOTIVE CANDLES

 Materials:
Baby food jars or jam jars
Scraps of tissue paper
Diluted paste or glue

Clean the jars  and let dry. You can use small jars...but check the size of the votive candle to make sure it will fit. Have children  brush glue onto the jar and place different colors of tissue paper over the glue, overlapping so the entire jar is covered on the outside. When brushing the tissue with glue be sure to do so gently so it doesn't tear. If it tear, remove or leave wrinkled. The glue will appear to be white but will dry clear and when a candle is lit inside will give off a pretty color and design. Great for gift time!   ♥ For Christmas: Use red and green 

THE VOTIVES TO THE LEFT by KidActivities... were made using clear votive candle holders. Small squares of either red or green tissue paper were applied using decoupage finish (Modge Podge). Once dry--another coat of decoupage was applied. Just as in the directions above, this must be done gently as not to tear the paper. When dried, small tree shapes (purchased at Michaels Craft Store) were glued onto the votive candle holders.

Mixed in with clear votive candle holders-a very pretty table was set! To see the completed table setting--visit the Holiday Decorating and Centerpiece page...

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 PAPER PLATE POINTSETTIA FLOWER CRAFT
This simple-to-make poinsettia is made from a paper plate and a child's handprint cutouts.

Materials:
A paper plate
Red, green and yellow construction paper
Scissors, Glue or a stapler

1. Trace children's hands on red and green construction paper.
2. Cut out the hand tracings.
3. Glue or staple a circle of green handprint tracings (fingers pointing outwards) around the outside of the plate.
4. Glue or staple a second circle of red handprint tracings (fingers pointing outwards) just inside the first circle.
5. Glue or staple a third circle of red handprint tracings at the center of the plate.
6. Glue a small yellow paper circle in the center of the flower. 

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PIPE CLEANER WREATH

Cut a small wreath shape from cardboard and wrap it with green pipe cleaners. (Make sure that the wreath is small enough so pipe cleaners will reach around to the backside to twist shut. Loop yarn or ribbon around to tie it on a tree--that's it. Photo  courtesy of World Preschool Mom blog site.

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MAKE SCENTED PINE CONES 

Materials Needed: Pine cones, Pine or fir pure essential oil, Lidded container, Box or plastic bag, Facial tissue

1. Fill container, box or plastic bag with dry, clean pine cones.
2. Liberally sprinkle tissue with essential oil and add to bag or container.
3. Seal the bag or container and allow oil to penetrate cones for several days before removing (the longer the cones are contained, the stronger the fragrance will be).

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RUDOLF MASK (For younger kids)

Materials:

Paper plates, brown, black and red construction paper, scissors, glue, markers or crayons, single whole punch, rubber bands or tongue depressor stick 

Preparation: For young children, pre-cut antlers and reindeer nose.
Directions:

1. Cut reindeer nose, and antlers out of construction paper.
2. Paste onto plate. Draw mouth. Cut holes out for eyes.
3. Punch hole on both sides of plate and attach rubber bands--or tape to a popsicle to hold in front of face. 
4. Have children wear reindeer masks while singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Photo from Activity Village

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DECEMBER CELEBRATION AND HOLIDAY CARDS

Make a Holiday card with the words
"Sweet Wishes for A Merry Christmas ...Happy Hanukkah or _______!"

On the inside of the card, glue or staple a 'wrapped mini candy'.

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HAVE FUN WITH

A 'CARD MAKING' COLLAGE TABLE

Put out materials such as card stock, construction paper, old Holiday cards, pens, markers, craft glue, buttons, ribbon, holiday shaped templates for tracing, etc.

Challenge the children and see how creative they can be! This card sample uses buttons, markers, and an old jewelry piece for the tree top! Words cut out from an old Christmas card form the words, 'Season's Greetings'! The card stock paper is folded in half to continue the Holiday message inside...(Image by KidActivities.net)

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TISSUE PAPER ORNAMENTS #1 

Need:
2" Styrofoam Balls
Tissue Paper in Assorted Colors
Liquid Starch
Glitter
Hairpins
Toothpicks
Wax Paper
Decoupage Solution
Foam Brush
 
Instructions:

• Tear tissue paper into irregular 1" pieces.  Working over waxed paper, brush a section of Styrofoam ball with Liquid Starch. Place overlapping pieces of tissue paper over the starched section of the ball.
• Brush a coat of starch over tissue paper.
• Continue until entire ball is covered.
• Use toothpicks pushed into the Styrofoam to keep the ball from rolling around.
• Let dry. Brush with a coat of decoupage solution.
• Sprinkle with glitter while still wet. Let dry.
• Remove toothpicks.
• Push hairpin into the ball for a hanger.
  Source: MakingFriends.com

TISSUE PAPER ORNAMENTS #2

 

With a few exceptions, KidActivties made these ornaments much like the above directions.

First... a decoupage finish (Modge Podge) was brushed onto small sections of a Styrofoam ball.  Red and green squares of tissue paper were applied to the wet surface. Once the ornament was covered with the tissue paper, another coat of finish was applied over the ball...red and green glitter was sprinkled onto the ornament. When dry, a small pipe cleaner hook was inserted into the top to hang on the tree. Ribbon tied in a bow completes the look

NOTE: You must be very gentle when applying the tissue paper. It can easily tear. If this happens, just pat it down with a bit more Modge Podge.

TIP:  Dry round ornaments, etc.  on top of a toilet paper or paper towel tubes. It works great as a holder and they don't roll around!

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 ORNAMENT WITH PHOTO IN GOLD MASON JAR LID

1. Take out the insert of the lid and glue the child's picture in it.
2. Cut around the picture and put the insert with the glued picture back into the lid-Now the picture shows through.
3. Finish it with gluing lace or trim around the edge on the backside of it.
4. Add a piece of gold wired cord to the trim with a dab of hot glue.

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PICTURE ORNAMENTS

1. Buy holiday gift tags...Glue a small picture of the child in the middle and laminate.
2. Cut out and poke a small hole in the top to string.
3. You have a homemade ornament that is inexpensive and easy!

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CHRISTMAS HAND TREE

1. Trace child's hands.(Ten hand shapes for this project. Cut out hands...
2. To assemble tree, glue together four hands for the bottom of the tree.
3. On top of that glue three more and continue working your way up to the top of the tree.
4. Add a tree trunk and a star for the top. (Make a star shaped template for children to trace their stars)
5. Add ornaments by using a hole punch on colored paper--glue onto tree! (images courtesy of justfor fun) 

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 Christmas Arts and Crafts:  • All Pages,  Page 1,  Page 2,  Page 3,  Page 4 , Page 5

You may also want to visit the REINDEER THEME!  SNOWMAN THEME , SNOWFLAKE THEME or HANUKKAH THEME for other Holiday craft ideas

 Back to top of page!

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Theodor Seuss Geisel (March 2, 1904 – September 24, 1991) was an American writer and cartoonis is best known for his classic children's books under the pen name Dr. Seuss. His books have become staples for many children and their parents.

Among Dr. Seuss' trademarks were his rhyming text and his outlandish creatures. Many of his books have been adapted into short animated programs. His books The Cat in the Hat, The Grinch, and Horton Hears a Who! have been adapted into feature films, and the musical Seussical is an adaption of all his books.

With millions of books in print, and nearly all of his titles still available for sale, Dr. Seuss was, up until his death in 1991,one of the most prolific living writer behind Barbara Cartland. His Green Eggs and Ham is the third largest selling book in the English language.

Just looking at all the titles at the end of the "Activity page"--will give you ideas for tons of projects! You'll also discover that Dr. Seuss isn't only for kids!

First is an Introduction and Menu to Dr. Seuss

All three pages linked together...

Page 1 consists of activities for:

• The Foot Book
• The Lorax
• Fox in Sox
• The Cat in the Hat
• Green Eggs and Ham
• Wacky Wednesday

Page 2 consists of ideas for:

• The King's Stilts
• Hortan Hatched an Egg
• If I Ran the Zoo
• One Fish, Two Fish
• Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now
• Bartholomew and the Oobleck
• The Shape of Me and Other Stuff Book
• And a few inspired ideas...Enjoy!

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Click here for Dr. Seuss 'Intro Page'...

 

Doing a 'Dr. Seuss theme' and reading a lot of books you don't have?

Before you start...SEND HOME THE FOLLOWING 'WISH LIST' POEM. Cute and fun for parents to read with their child!

What's that you say?
We're reading Dr. Seuss books.
And we're starting today!

Do you have some Dr. Seuss books?
Send them in-don't delay!
Yes, we're reading his books.
Send them in right away!

May we borrow your books?
Can we look at them please?
Any Seuss book you have
Would fill us with glee!

Please print your name in
Every book that you send.
We'll send the books back
When we've come to the end!
Source: March, 2000-Mailbox Magazine

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THE FOOT BOOK 

  • Paint with the kids' feet and create your own foot book.

  • Count the number of feet in your class, then recount by 2s.

  • Trace kids feet or shoes and make a "foot" poster.

  • Play Twister.

  • Graph shoes according to characteristics.

  • Pile shoes and have a race to see who can get their shoes on first. 

  • Make a pattern with the kids' shoes.

  • Make a collage from various types of shoe pictures.

  • Have children wear their favorite pair of shoes when you read "The Foot Book," then put on a shoe fashion show.

  • Shoe Run Game – Take one of each student’s shoes and place it on one end of the gym. Have the students line up on the opposite end of the gym. Have several students race down to find their missing shoe.

  • Shoe 'getting to know you better' Game
All participants takes off a shoe and throw it in a large pile in the middle of the room. On the count of three, each person grabs a shoe from the pile, and then finds the person with the matching shoe on the other foot. 
Kids then learn three things about the shoe-owner that they didn’t know.
After the interviewing process, each takes turns introducing 'their shoe owner" with name and the three facts...

 • Have children wear 'wild' or mismatched socks...on the day you'll read the book and do other themed activities.

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 THE LORAX

It's MUCH more than a children's book!!! It's a GREAT LESSON for all ages! (There is also a 25 minute video--as well as the movie opening March 2, 2012)

The Lorax appears and speaks for the trees, since they have no voice of their own. The Lorax warns of the dangers of raping the land for the Truffula Trees, but the Once-ler is so greedy, he pays him no heed. As you can guess, the land soon dies, and all that is left is destruction and pollution. The Lorax sadly flies off, never to be seen there again. But, as it should be, the story ends with hope. He entrusts to you a seed, the very last seed, to start again for the Truffula Trees.

 BUILD A THEME AROUND 'THE LORAX '

 ♥ Discuss the IMPORTANCE OF TREES for people and animals.
With the children...list all the ways the forest is helpful.

•The trees hold the water in the soil with their roots. •The forest keeps the surrounding area cool with its shade. •The forest provides homes for many animals. •Forests clean and enrich the air we breathe. •Their leaves and needles take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen through the tree's bark.   

 ♥ MAKE A MURAL with trees, etc.
 
 ♥ PLANT a small tree.
 
 ♥ Make ENVIRONMENT COLLAGES
Have children cut out magazine pictures of trees, flowers, birds, sun, clouds, etc. They then glue them on sheets of construction paper to make a collage about their environment. Post collages on wall... talk about the world they live in... And how we can help take care of the trees and birds.
 
 ♥ DO TREE RUBBINGS
Give children a piece of paper and a large crayon with the paper off. Show them how to use the crayon sideways to make a rubbing.

  ♥ MAKE A TREE: Give each child a cardboard toilet tissue tube for a tree trunk. Help each child make several hand shapes out of green construction paper for palm fronds (leaves) have children tape the leaves to the inside of the top of their tree trunks. Before they glue the leaves on--they can color or paint the tubes.
 
 ♥ MAKE PLAY DOUGH and make it different colors of the earth! The children can make trees, worms, and flower shapes. (There are more than 40 recipes in the Goop, Gak Category and 40 in the Play Dough Category...even one for fossils and dough that looks like mud!)

 ♥ NATURE/FOREST SCAVENGET HUNT (With Pictures for those that can't read) Normal otherwise...

• Make a scavenger hunt list with pictures you have drawn on a sheet of paper.
• Some ideas: a feather, small stone, acorn, various leaves in your area, small twig or stick, dead bug (draw him with legs up, pine cone, flower (only if they can pick one), worm, pieces of grass, clover leaf …and any other ideas you can come up with.
• Make sure that you go over the list with the children just in case your not the world’s best artist.

   ♥ HELP THE BIRDS!! See Bird Theme for other ideas for Birds!

• Lend a helping hand to the birds by supplying them with simple nesting materials.

All you need to do is fill a mesh bag (like the kind onions are packaged in ) or a berry basket; use dried grass, short lengths of yarn and string, stuffing from old furniture or a feather pillow---also hair from brushes. Loop the strands outside of the mesh or basket so birds can grab them. Hang the bag in a location that the birds can safely access; watch the birds collect--hunt to see if you can find one of "your" nests!

You can also...

  • If the weather is nice -- READ OUTSIDE under a tree! Have a picnic or a snack there! 

  • Get a "Sounds of the Rain forest" or woodsy and animal-sounds CD to play .... It will be soothing for the kids (and you) as well as enriching.

  • Do a COMMUNITY SERVICE project. Litter spoils the woods and can hurt the animals and visitors. As a special project, have the students pick up litter in your area (with plastic gloves on)--and then dispose of it properly. Make a list of the things that were found. Contact the media to do a story on the children's concern for their environment.

  • SNACK: TASTE THE RAINFOREST See here 

  • PARACHUTE WITH LEAVES FALLING
Place pre-cut leaves (lots of them on a parachute. Put on some music and play games with letting the leaves gently fall.

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FOX IN THE SOX

1. Declare "SILLY SOX DAY " the day you read the book...

2. Eat BLUE GOO AND DRINK PINK INK ...

3. Treat kids to a wacky snack...

4. Make Patterns of socks...

• Use a sock die-cut to cut socks from different patterns of wallpaper, laminated wrapping paper, etc. Young children can pair the socks and matching the patterns.
• The socks can also be used in a traditional "match games' where the socks are turned up side down and children search for its mate.

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THE CAT IN THE HAT ... 

 • Talk about "home" rules when parents are gone. Do all the children in your program know their addresses and phone numbers - in case an emergency occurs when home alone? (or with a baby-sitter) 

 • Discuss and list things you can do on rainy days ... 

 • Count and list objects that the cat can balance. HAVE A RELAY RACE BALANCING an eraser or ??? on the heads of students. 

 • Would the story be different if the Cat in the Hat told it? Write the story from the CAT's perspective. This could be individual or a group project.(Idea is similar to the contrast of the "Three Little Pigs"---and the "TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS" as told by the wolf.) Bind it for future readings... 

 • Have the children design a machine that would clean up their rooms. (I'd just get a big paper bag and color or paint it!--it'll be interesting to see WHAT THE KIDS come up with.)bjs 

 • Have the children dress up like the "Cat in the Hat" character...Their noses could be painted and whiskers applied. 

 • Make a "CAT HAT" out of Red & White construction paper.
   One idea:
Use Styrofoam plates and cut a hole big enough to fit the child's head, then take largest size of red construction paper ; glue strips of white construction paper on the red for the stripes. Roll the red/white into a cylinder shape and tape it to the plate to make a hat 

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Recipe for "CAT IN THE HAT" EDIBLE HATS...
   For Each Hat...
   1 Ritz cracker
   3 Red Lifesavers (gummy ones would work best)

• Dab of white frosting or cream cheese
• "Cat Hats" are put together by placing the Ritz cracker on the bottom; spreading the white frosting, placing one red lifesaver, spreading more frosting, etc. until you have the HAT! (alternating the frosting and lifesavers).
• You now have a small "Cat in the Hat's" -- hat! 

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A STRAWBERRY HAT FOR THE CAT...
How about this for a fun anytime of day breakfast? With the kids, make a stack of silver dollar pancakes and cut up some fresh strawberries. (Or use thawed frozen) Adding whipped cream --have the kids make the Cat’s hat by alternately stacking pancakes and strawberries and whipped cream. The whipped cream or Cool whip will give you the white color you need and act as “glue”.

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CAT IN THE HAT FINGER PLAY FOR PRE-K AND K : Make 5 tiny hats for fingers and recite the following rhyme

One little cat on a sunny day
Put on his hat and went out to play
Two little cats when it started getting dark
Put on their hats and went to the park
Three little cats when the sky was blue
Put on their hats and went to the zoo
Four little cats by the kitchen door
Put on their hats and went to the store
Five little cats on a sunny day
Put on their hats and they all ran away.

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GREEN EGGS AND HAM

• Make green eggs and ham

• List/serve green foods.

• Play a rhyming bingo.

• Discuss animals that lay eggs other than the chicken.

• Create eggshell art.

 • Play tic-tac-toe to create 3 green eggs in a row! Make a special laminated board with white eggs and green!

• Make a placemat to serve with green eggs and ham

• Make a sweet version of green eggs...

• Cover sugar cookies with white frosting and plop a dollop of green icing in the center. Fun!

• Get the Green Eggs and Ham Cook Book with recipes by Georgeanne Brennan.  The book features recipes inspired by Dr. Suess such as Cat in the Hat Pudding and Moose Juice and Schlopp. Each recipe is accompanied by the original verse that inspired it. It has laminated pages to protect against splatters from Solla Sollew Stew. It would be great fun to base a cooking club on the book!

This one is simple! MAKE GREEN EGGS AND HAM by taking two or three pretzels (ham). Cut a large marshmallow in half and slightly flatten it. (The egg white) Put a bit of white frosting on the marshmallows to help hold it to the 'pretzel ham'.

Last put two green M&M's (eggs) on the 'pretzel ham'. (Also use white frosting to stick the 'green eggs' onto the marshmallow egg white. Presto! You have green eggs and ham! (Snack and image by KidActivities.net)

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WACKY WEDNESDAY

 Build a Theme Around the Book! This can be done over an extended period of time such as on a couple of Wednesdays (Because the book is called "Wacky Wednesday" ) or during the course of a week...

1.  Read the Book "Wacky Wednesday.
Talk about all the wacky things in book and find the misspelled words.
 
2. Create a WACKY environment:
Put shirt on backwards, inside out, or wacky color combinations and patterns; wear different colored socks or shoes on wrong feet; comb hair in an unusual style. Put signs, notices, and pictures upside down, etc.

3. Visualization Art: 

• Facilitator vividly describes what children see when they wake up in the morning in their own rooms---children are whisked to their school classroom where it continues. Use imagination and be creative in visual descriptions!
• Open eyes and then draw/color/paint a picture of what you saw.
• Play dreamy music during visualization and slightly livelier during art.
• When complete, verbally share each others wacky days!  Return to top of page

4. Play WACKY music (Weird Al or experimental) Move to how it makes you feel.
Note: Adults must participate so all are silly!

5. Eat WACKY food:
Make something from "Gross Grub" by Cheryl Porter or Roald Dahl's "Revolting Recipes". Serve unusual combinations/colors with food; Eat with unique utensils such as Popsicle sticks or straws. Eat breakfast in the afternoon! (Kitty Litter Cake, Pidgeon Poop and Puppy chow are on this site)

6. Do some WACKY Activities
Learn to write and say your name backwards; talk in pig Latin; learn to say the ABC's backwards; say 'Bye for Hi' and 'Hi for Bye'!

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MORE IDEAS ON PAGE 2 OF DR. SEUSS THEME...

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2012

Plan your curriculum featuring some of  the different 'Days of November'!!! Fun ideas at bottom of page! (Centerpiece image by KidActivities.net)

Flower: Chrysanthemum
Birthstone: Yellow Topaz

 NOVEMBER IS THE MONTH OF:
  • Adoption
  • Aviation
  • Cozy Cuddles 
  • Child Safety and Protection
  • Drum Month  
  • Family Stories
  • Good Nutrition
  • Latin American
  • Model Railroad
  • Peanut Butter Lovers
  • Stamp Collecting
  • National Family Caregivers
  • American Indian Heritage
 •  I Am So Thankful Month

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November 13-20: World Kindness Week! (Check out Kindness Category!)
November 13, 2012: World Kindness Day!

Geography Awareness Week is the third week each November......November 11-17, 2012.  (Visit National Geographic for more info) The week's theme will focus on how geography instills an awareness of the interdependence and interconnectedness embedded in all of our lives.  This year’s program will show how the ideas of interdependence, interconnectedness, and geographic perspectives can be easily incorporated into all parts of the class, after-school program, or at home.   Check out Mixing Geography and Fun!

Don't forget Bonza Bottler Day on November 11!
Just a reason to celebrate. So Celebrate! This happens each month when the day and date are the same number! Example: November 11, December 12, etc. Any kind of celebration will do...just do something fun!

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CULTURE AWARENESS CELEBRATION DAYS

1. All Saints' Day (Christian, Roman Catholic)

2. Dia de los Muertos "Day of the Dead" (Mexico, Latin America) 
The celebration occurs on the 2nd of November in connection with the Catholic holiday of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day to commemorate family and friends who have died.  The traditions is to build private alters in people's homes using sugar skulls, marigolds, flowers, fruits, pictures and the favorite foods of the deceased.  Visits to the graves with a few gifts and decorations are also a must on this day.

2. All Souls' Day (Roman Catholic)

12. Birthday of Baha'u'llah (Baha'i)

Thanksgiving (United States) 2012 - November 22nd, 2013 -November 28th 

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The Days of November:

1.  National Author's Day and also 'Day of the Dead' in Mexico celebrated the first and second
2.  National Family Literacy Day, and Sistine Chapel completed. (*See bottom of page for fun idea!) 
3.  Sandwich Day (See page bottom for ideas)
4.  Candy Day (See Easy Candy Recipes page); First Wagon Train arrived in California (It left Missouri in May-1841)
5. 
6.  Abraham Lincoln elected president 1860
7.  Hug-a-Bear Day (See Teddy Bear Theme)
8.  Dear Santa Day (*See bottom of page for idea)
     X-ray discovered
9.  Pursuit of Happiness Day
     First Giant Panda collected alive in China (1927)
10. Forget-Me-Not Day
11. Veteran's Day (Bonza Bottler Day too!)
      Remembrance Day in Canada
      Washington became State
12.  Pizza with the works but no anchovies
13.  World Kindness Day
       Indian Pudding Day (See recipes below) 
       First Spacecraft to orbit mars (Mariner 9-1971)
14.  Teddy Bear Day (Visit Teddy Bear Theme and Bear Jokes )
15.  Great American Smoke-Out Day
       America Recycles Day
16.  Button Day (See below images of 'Button Ideas)

17.  Take a Hike Day
18.  Mickey Mouse's Birthday
19.  Gettysburg Address
20.  Peanut Butter Fudge Day (See below for 2 easy recipes!)
21.  World Hello Day (*Learn to say 'Hello' in several languages-see bottom of page)
       What do you love about America? Day
       North Carolina became State
22. 
23.  Buy Nothing Day
24.  Zachary Taylor B-Day: 1794 (12th President of USA)
24.  USA Thanksgiving Day and Parfait Day
26.  In 1789 George Washington proclaimed a day of public thanksgiving
27.  Pins and Needles Day
      Nobel Peace Prize Established
28.  Albanian Flag Day
      First American automobile race: 54 miles from Chicago's Jackson Park to Evanston, Illinois.

29.  Electronic Greeting Day
      Beatles released I Want to Hold Your Hand in 1963
30. Computer Security Day
      Mark Twain Born (1835-1910)

 

 IDEAS FOR SOME OF THE ABOVE DAYS!

IT'S NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH...
What Indian tribes are in your state? Learn about them!

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*MICHELANGELO PAINTING~ NOVEMER 2
Michelangelo completed the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel between 1508 and November 2, 1512 

Tape large pieces of paper to the underside of tables or desks. Put out a variety of art supplies. Have kids paint/color/draw laying on their backs—just like Michelangelo did! Discuss how he spent four years doing this to complete the Sistine Chapel frescoes...

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NOVEMBER 3 IS SANDWICH DAY!

Here are some fun sandwich ideas that your kids will love!

#1. MAKE A SANDWICH ON A STICK... 
Ingredient ideas to put out: Bread, cheese cubes, lunch meat, grape tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, olives.

Ingredients can be served in bowls and children choose what they like and then slide onto their skewer.
1. Cut up cubes of bread, cheese, and lunch meat (1/2-inch-thick cubes of ham and turkey are good).
2. Slide the cubes onto a skewer (long pick) with other foods the children like, such as a grape tomato, a piece of lettuce, a pickle, or an olive.
3. Set out a side of mayo or mustard for dipping.

#2 MAKE A SANDWICH FACE
Just put out the ingredients and let kids make and take…
Peanut Butter
Bananas - sliced
Raisins
Bread (1 slice)
M &M's candy
Spread the peanut butter on the slice of bread. Next, put 2 banana circles on the bread to look like eyes. Then use a raisin as a nose. Last, make the mouth out of M&M's candy.

#3 MAKE A TASTY FACE
Spread peanut butter onto a rice cake.
Use jellybeans and M&M's to make facial features...

SANDWICHES WITH A DIFFERENT LOOK...

#4. MINI-WRAPS
Lightly spread a tortilla with a little cream cheese and place one or two slices of thin ham or turkey over the cream cheese. Roll tightly and cut into small rounds.

#5. PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY ROLL-UP
Put peanut butter and jelly onto a flour tortilla. Roll...Eat

#6. TORTILLA & CHEESE ROLL-UPS
Ingredients:
Small flour tortillas
Colby-jack STICK cheese
Salsa, if desired

Place one stick of Colby-jack cheese (or use mozzarella string cheese) near the edge of the flour tortilla.
Roll the tortilla around the cheese; secure it with a toothpick (remove it later before children snack).
Microwave until cheese is soft.
Dip in salsa.

#7. TURKEY ROLLUPS
Satisfy your salty, crunchy and savory cravings in one punch with this quick snack version of a sandwich.
 
Ingredients: 4 slices deli turkey breast (about 2 ounces total), 8 teaspoons honey mustard or mango chutney (or whatever kids like), 8 sesame breadsticks
Spread each slice of turkey with 2 teaspoons mustard (or mango chutney) and season with pepper if desired. Wrap each prepared turkey slice around 2 breadsticks

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#7 SANDWICH ART: Make a hoagie sandwich that looks back at you! Ingredients:
Hoagie buns
Sliced lowfat cheese
Lean luncheon or deli meat
Shredded carrots, lettuce, or sprouts
Olives
Cherry tomatoes
Miscellaneous condiments (mustard, reduced fat mayonnaise, etc)
Toothpicks (or broken spaghetti pieces)
Clean work surface and hands
 
Make hoagie sandwich, using desired ingredients. On one end of the sandwich, use toothpicks or broken spaghetti pieces to position olives for eyeballs and cherry tomato for nose. Arrange shredded carrots, lettuce, or sprouts on top for hair. If desired, stick a small piece of lunch meat out of the "mouth" for a tongue. Source: Nutritionforkids NOTE: Be sure to remove all toothpicks before eating!

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YUMM...November 4th is Candy Day! Visit the 'Easy Candy Recipes page of KidActivities...

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 *NOVEMBER 8TH IS 'DEAR SANTA DAY'...

Here are two FREE websites that  E-mail 'Dear Santa letters'. First one has some other "Santa things"...the second is  more simple--but very sweet.

        http://www.emailsanta.com/ really fun site!!!
        http://www.santa-at-home.com/writesanta.shtml

Are you a childcare center but don't have internet access in your program? Consider posting the Santa addresses in you parent center or newsletter--a nice thing for child and parent to do together!

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NOVEMBER 13 is not only World Kindness Day-but also Indian Pudding Day!

INDIAN PUDDING  

2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup molasses
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 quarts milk, scalded
whipped cream

In a saucepan over medium heat add all ingredients except for the milk. Beat thoroughly. Pour in milk slowly, stirring continuously until the mixture begins to thicken.
Pour into an ovenproof casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes.

Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar if desired.
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CROCK POT INDIAN PUDDING  

3 c. milk
1/2 c. cornmeal
1/2 tsp. salt
3 eggs
1/4 c. light brown sugar
1/3 c. molasses
2 tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. ginger

Lightly grease crock. Preheat on high for 20 minutes. Meanwhile bring milk, cornmeal and salt to a boil. Boil, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes. Cover and simmer an additional 10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Gradually beat in hot cornmeal mixture and whisk until smooth. Pour into crock and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours.

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November 14 is National AmericanTEDDY BEAR DAY! Visit the Bear Theme and Bear Jokes! Not only ideas for Pre-K to Grade 1--but also for school age children...

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NOVEMBER 16 IS BUTTON DAY!

Two cute 'Button Ideas' from familyfun.go

JAZZ UP A WINDOW
A button mosaic becomes a cheery sun catcher when it's sandwiched between layers of clear Con-Tact paper.
 
1. To make one, cut out a square of Con-Tact paper, remove its backing, and lay it sticky-side up. (If you like, slide a drawing beneath the square as a guide.) 
2. Place buttons on the square to create a shape, leaving at least a 1-inch border on all sides.
3. When you're done, cover the mosaic with a second Con-Tact paper square.
4. Smooth the edges with a cotton swab and cut out the mosaic, leaving a -inch border on all sides.
5. Stick your creation to a window with glue dots or tape.

BUTTON BOOKMARKS
These are fun and easy for kids to create.

Simply cut lengths of ribbon (these are 12 to 14 inches long, to fit a standard-size hardcover book), then attach buttons to the ends using tacky glue or a glue gun.
Shown here are just a few of the decorating options: sandwiching the ribbon's ends between two buttons; stacking smaller atop larger buttons; and grouping several small buttons in a pattern.

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Make GUMBALL MACHINE using buttons for the gumballs.

Put out paper plates, buttons, markers, and white heavy paper/construction paper. See what the kids come up with. Kids also just may turn their project into a 'button collage'! (This sample is made by a 1st grader (student of Shannon Stewart) at Stetson Hills School in Phoenix, Arizona. See other images of student art work in the Grades 1-3 Gallery Category.

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NOVER 20TH IS PEANUTBUTTER FUDGE DAY. Check out these two super easy microwave recipes! Both are yummy and easy to make with kids! This will also work to celebrate Peanutbutter Lover's Month...or 'Candy Day on November 4th!

EASY PEANUTBUTTER FUDGE #1

Ingredients
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 heaping Tbs peanut butter 

Put chocolate chips and sweetened-condensed milk in microwave safe bowl.
Cook on high for 5 minutes.
Remove from microwave, stir in peanut butter.
Spread in pan.
Cool and cut. Enjoy!

EASY PEANUTBUTTER FUDGE #2
Ingredients
1 cup butter, plus more for greasing pan
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pound powdered sugar

Directions:
1. Microwave butter and peanut butter for 2 minutes on high.
2. Stir and then microwave on high for 2 more minutes. Add vanilla and powdered sugar to peanut butter mixture and stir to combine with a wooden spoon.
3. Pour into a buttered 8 by 8-inch pan lined with waxed paper. Place a second piece of waxed paper on the surface of the fudge and refrigerate until cool.
Cut into 1-inch pieces and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

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*LEARN TO SAY "HELLO" in as many different languages as  you can for 'WORLD HELLO DAY' ON THE 21st...

For example:
• Arabic: Marhabah (mar-ha-bah)
• French: Bonjour (bone-joor)
• Hebrew: Shalom (shah-lome)
• Italian: Buon giorno (bone-zhee-or-no)
• Mandarin Chinese: Nea how (nee-how)
• Russian: Priviet (pri-vee-et)
• Spanish: Hola (oh-la)
• Swahili: Jambo (zham-boh)

WORLD HELLO DAY is an observance started by brothers Brian and Michael McCormack. The McCormacks created "World Hello Day" in response to the 1973 conflict between Egypt and Israel.
Anyone can participate in 'World Hello Day' simply by saying "Hello" to ten people.

According to the McCormacks' "People around the world use the occasion of World Hello Day as an opportunity to express their concern for world peace. Beginning with a simple greeting on World Hello Day, their activities send a message to leaders, encouraging them to use communication rather than force to settle conflicts."

Naturally, encourage the children in your program to say "hello" to at least 10 people on the 21st. Saying HELLO  IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES can heighten cross-cultural awareness, celebrate cross-cultural knowledge, As well as learning to say "hello" in many different languages. This can be used as a warm-up, get-to-know-you activity with a cross-cultural theme. Within a group, you may be surprised how much knowledge there is of different languages for basic phrases. (This tip from schoolagenote of the day)

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NOVEMBER IS DRUM MONTH! 

DRUM IDEAS

BONGO DRUM

• Cut two pieces of paper to fit around two cardboard oatmeal containers with lids.
• Decorate the paper with crayons and markers.
• Attach the paper around both containers with tape.
• Set the containers side by side and tie them together with two long pieces of string or yarn.
• Tie one piece of string around the upper section of the containers and the other around the lower section.
• Place a dab of glue under the string in several spots to hold it in place. Play your bongos by tapping on the tops with your fingertips

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BASE DRUM
Turn a cooking pan over and beat on the bottom of it with a wooden spoon.

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BELT DRUM
Collect a round box, such as an oatmeal box or a potato chip container. Carefully make two small slits, about 2 inches apart, near the top of the box. Thread the box onto a child's belt (or a shortened adult belt).

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 DRUM STICK IDEAS
Use hands to tap on the drums--- a wooden spoon, metal spoon, rubber spatula, whisk or a basting brush. Make drumsticks with two unsharpened pencils with erasers. Or…Attach an empty thread spool on one end of the pencils or wrap a thick rubber band around one end of each pencil. Have children experiment with the variety of sounds and tones they can make.

Cut a piece of paper to fit around a CAN with a plastic lid; large coffee cans work well, but any size can be used. Decorate the paper with crayons and markers--Attach the paper around the can with tape.
You can also use an empty PLASTIC JUG, or WOODEN BOWL turned upside down or metal POT or BOWL.

 

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Some KidActivity links that may interest you for the month of November!

• Thanksgiving Snacks and Goodies
• Thanksgiving Arts, Crafts, Miscellaneous 
• Thanksgiving Jokes
• Autumn/Fall Games
• Autumn Pumpkin Theme
• Pumpkin Snacks and Recipes
• Popcorn Snacks and Recipes (Nice for Autumn!)
• Colonial Theme
• Kindness Category (It's Kindness Week and Day) and also...

SOME OTHER IDEAS FOR NOVEMBER!  •Autumn Apple Theme    •Apple Snacks   •Farm & Harvest Theme   •Easy Candy Recipes and Snack Mix Recipes  (Get ready for the Holidays!)   •Fall and Winter Snacks   •Mixing Geography and Fun (For Geography Awareness Week)   •Teddy Bear and Other Bears Theme (Teddy Bear Day-- this month)   •Bear Jokes  

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 2012

Flower: Calendula (English Marigold)            
Birthstone: Opal-Tourmaline

Just look at all the things going on this month! This is sure to inspire lots of ideas! 

Make this a month of Kindness and Service! The month of October hosts Bullying Prevention Month; Kids Care Week; Diversity Awareness Month; Lights on After School; World Smile Day; World Food Day; National Make a Difference Day; Peace, Friendship and Goodwill Week; and National UNICEF!

THIS IS ALSO:

 • Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
  • National Apple Month (See Apple Activities and Cooking & Snacking with Apples 
  • National Pajama Month (See page bottom)
  • National Roller Skating Month
  • National Stamp Collecting Month
  • National Pizza Month
  • National Chili Month
  • Computer Learning Month
  • Do-It Yourself Month
  • Polish American Awareness Month
  • National Dental Hygiene Month
  • National Pasta Month (See Pasta Theme)
  • World Chocolate Awareness Month
  • Vegetarian Awareness Month
  • National Seafood Month
  • National Clock Month
  • Family History Month
  • National Popcorn Month (Check out Popcorn Theme)
  • National Dessert Month
  • American Pharmacist Month
  • Awareness Month
  • Cookie Month (See No-Bake Cookie Recipes)
  • Eat Country Ham Month 
  • International Drum Month 
  • Sarcastic Month 
  • Seafood Month
  • National Vegetarian Month 

 • Head Start Awareness Month  • Month of the Young Adolescent-Learn of Shadow Day  •  Diversity Awareness Month

DOING THE WEEKS OF OCTOBER!

WEEK ONE:

National Hispanic Heritage Month begins Saturday, September 15, 2012, and ends Monday, October 15, 2012. 

• Get Organized Week
• National Fire Prevention Week
• National Human Services awareness Week
• National Newspaper Week
• National Pickled Pepper Week
• Universal Children's Week

WEEK TWO:

• Teen Read Week  See page bottom below
• Metric Week
• National School Lunch Week
• Organize Your Files Week
• Pet Peeve Week
• Space Week

 WEEK THREE

• Kids Care Week, celebrated the third week of October, recognizes the power of kids to help others in their community and the world. During the week, young people focus their compassion on a specific social issue through a service project. Kids Care Week culminates on Make a Difference Day~ October 22.
• National School Bus Safety Week
• National Forest Products Week
• Wildlife Week
• World Rainforest Week

WEEK FOUR:

• World Rainforest Continues
• Peace, Friendship and Goodwill Week
• Save your Back Week

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  DOING THE DAYS OF OCTOBER

1.   Homemade Cookie Day (No Bake Cookies Here)
      World Vegetarian Day and Julie Andrew's (Mary Poppins) Birthday, World Smile Day
2.   Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi born 1869
      Charlie Brown's Birthday: Peanuts debut 1950
      Name your Car Day
3.   Emily Post Birth Date -1873
      Captain Kangaroo Day
      SOS established as international stress code
4.   National Golf Day and Sputnik launched
5.   World Teachers Day; World Smile Day (See below)
     
6.  Thomas Edison shows first motion picture
     Mad Hatter Day
7.  American Bandstand premiered-Daylight Saving Time ends in United States
8.                          
9.  Moldy Cheese Day
     Count from Sesame Street Birthday
10. National Cake Decorating Day and 'Bonza Bottler' Day!
     International Top Spinning Day
     National Bring your Teddy Bear to School or Work Day (Visit Teddy Bear Theme)
11. Eleanor Roosevelt Birthday

Canadian Thanksgiving... 2012-Monday, October 8th; 2013-Monday, October 14th

12. Farmer's Day (Farm/Harvest Theme)
     World Egg Day (See below and/or visit Egg Theme)
      First Aerial photo taken in 1860
13. International Newspaper Carriers Day
      Iron Man Competition
      International Skeptics Day
      Navy birthday
14.  Grover of Sesame Street's Birthday
      Be Bald and Be Free Day
15. National Grouch Day
      National Poetry Day
16. Bosses Day:  National Boss's Day is celebrated on October 16th each year. If the holiday falls on a weekend, it is generally celebrated on the working day closest to October 16. 2012 thru 2015 is Oct. 16.     

16. Dictionary Day
16. World Food Day (See below)
17. Black Poetry Day

 Kid's Care Week is the third week in October each year!

18. Alaska Day--1867
      Little Orphan Annie's Birthday-1922
      Puerto Rico became American colony
19.  Star Spangled Banner first sung
20.  Guggenheim museum opens in N.Y.-1959
      Mickey Mantel's birthday
      Monster Mash (song) Day- 1962
      World Toy Cameral Day
21. 

Mother-in-Law Day is celebrated on the 4th Sunday in October. It is similar to Mother's Day in that it is a day to celebrate motherhood. (See Mother's Day page for ideas)

22. National Nut Day
23. National Make a Difference Day, National Mole Day and
      T.V. Talk Show Host Day
24. National Bologna Day
      United Nations Day
25. National Denim Day
      Pablo Picasso Birthday-1881
26. Hilary Rodham Clinton-s Birthday
     International Red Cross organized-1863
27. Theodore Roosevelt's Birthday-1858
28. Plush Animal Lovers Day
      Statue of Liberty's Birthday
      National Chocolate Day (See below)
29. Internet Day 
30. National Candy Corn Day (See below)
     Haunted Refrigerator Night
31. Halloween  (Visit the hundreds of ideas)
      Books for Treats Night and National Knock-Knock Jokes Day
      National Magic Day
      National UNICEF Day Click here for website 

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SOME IDEAS FOR 'DOING THE DAYS' OF OCTOBER

 

OCTOBER 5 is WORLD SMILE DAY! 

 

 This year, on October 5, 2012 we celebrate the 14th World Smile Day ®. (It is celebrated each year on the first Friday) As ever the theme for the day is "Do an act of kindness.  Help one person smile." The image that leads the way on this day is the smiley face.

Get involved on this special day by organizing events and activities at your school, business or organization. Recognize members of your community for their acts of good will and kindness. Spread the word.  If each of us becomes a World Smile Day® Ambassador and help just one person smile that day - the world will be a better place.  Harvey Ball  (the artist who created the 'SMILEY FACE' believed that each of us, as individuals, can make a difference in this world.  World Smile Day® is the day when all our individual acts can make the world a better place. See Kindness Category

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THE BIGGEST SMILE
This is not a game, but a great group activity to see who can give the biggest smile!. (Prizes or not--your choice) One at a time measure people's smiles with a ruler (or measuring tape). This is fun. You can also measure the zany faces!
You can take photos as you do this as people are smiling BIG!

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PLAY THROWING THE SMILE! (Circle Game)

In this game, players are forbidden to smile, but --giggling and laughing will abound anyway.
 
1. Players sit in a circle, making sure they can see everyone else. One player who is "It" starts the game by smiling widely, while all the other players are somber. "It" then uses their hand to wipe the smile off their face and throw it to another player--- who has to catch the smile with their hand -- and then put it on.

2. The new "It" can wipe off the smile to throw to someone else--(though he/she will probably choose to make funny smile faces at everyone for a minute or two before relinquishing the happy role.) Meanwhile, all other players must sit stone-faced. One smirk and they're out.

TIP:
The youngest players are the least successful at winning this game (they simply can't stop themselves from laughing), but they also tend to enjoy it the most.) Cassie/Mi. Adapted from: familyfun.go.com

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Promintly post this Poem...
SMILING

Smiling is infectious; you catch it like the flu.
When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.
I passed around a corner and someone saw my grin.
When he smiled, I realized I had passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile and then I realized its worth.
A single smile, just like mine, could travel around the earth.
So if you feel a smile begin, don't leave it undetected.
Let's start an epidemic quick and get the world infected.
Author Unknown

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 OCTOBER 10...Don't forget BONZA BOTTLER DAY!  It's a day just to have a reason to celebrate. So celebrate!!! 
This happens each month when the day and date are the same number!
Example: January 1, February 2, March 3, April 4, May 5, etc.  Bonza Bottler Day is a favorite with many school classrooms and programs because it provides a break in routine for the students and teachers. It has been celebrated since August 8 (8-8) 1985!

When the number of the year also coincides with the number of the day and month (This year it is December 12, 2012) there is reason to have a bigger celebration (more food, more friends and more decorations). This is called a 'Bodacious Bonza Bottler Day'. As the official website  states, "Bodacious means extraordinary, impressively great in size, or enormous" Consider making this a monthly event the kids can look forward to!

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OCTOBER 11TH IS 'EGG DAY'-HAVE SOME EGGCEPTIONAL FUN!

EGG GAMES...They're not only for Easter!

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

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

1. PLAY BINGO using candy corn as markers.

2. PLAY CANDY CORN RELAY GAME

Designate a starting line and a finish line.

• Put out a bowl full of candy corn for each player at the starting line and an empty bowl at the finish line.
• The players must use a large spoon to scoop candy corn out of the full bowl and then carry it to the empty bowl and fill it.
• They cannot spill any candy corn or use their hands!
• If any candy corn falls off the spoon, they must immediately pick it up and bring it back to the back to the starting line bowl and start over with that scoopful.

 

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NATIONAL POPCORN MONTH! SEE THE POPCORN THEME!  As this is both 'National Popcorn Month' and 'Halloween'--make this cute popcorn ghost. You cover two themes in one!

POPCORN GHOSTS
Material: cardboard ghost shapes, popped popcorn, glue with small container from which to dip popcorn, hole punch, string or thread, black construction paper eyes and mouth shapes

1. Cut shapes of ghosts from cardboard. Cereal box cardboard works well.
2. Make a hole at the top of the ghost. Put string or yarn in the hole for hanging.
3. have kids dip each piece of popped corn in glue and stick onto one of the ghost-shape sides. Completely cover the cardboard.
4. When the glue is dry, cover the other side of the cardboard.
5. Cut eye and mouth shapes from the black paper and glue on ghost.

Either hang the ghosts from the ceiling or bring in a small branch from outside. Pot the branch and make a Halloween tree. These would make great ornaments the tree! 

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NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY is October 28--  This is also WORLD CHOCOLATE MONTH AND PAJAMA MONTH--Plan one event to celebrate both!

Have some fun with Hot Chocolate  and also play  CHOCOLATE FACE!  For Chocolte Face...place a piece of chocolate candy in your 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. A nice way to celebrate Chocolate Day! 

 Help kids plan a comfy COCOA PARTY! You could add a movie (an old favorite or something just released.) Make popcorn (It's popcorn month!) or have cookies (It's cookie month!) and set up a hot chocolate bar where everyone can add marshmallows, chocolate sprinkles, and whipped cream to cups of cocoa.

Extension Idea: Add a PAJAMA PARTY! (It's Pajama Month!) Have kids wear PJ's and lounge on pillows and blankets as they watch a movie. (Don't forget favorite stuffed animals! The 28th is Plush Animal Lover's Day!)

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October 31 is not only HALLOWEEN- but also  National Knock-Knock Jokes Day  Click and have some fun with Knock-Knock Jokes--Kids of all ages love them!

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WHAT IS HALLOWEEN?

 Halloween is celebrated on the night of October 31st, by children dressing in costumes and going door-to-door collecting sweets or money.

The word itself, "Halloween," actually has its origins in the Catholic Church. It comes from a contracted corruption of All Hallows Eve. November 1st, "All Hollows Day" (or "All Saints Day"), is a Catholic day of observance in honor of saints.

The origin of Halloween dates back 2000 years ago to the Celtic celebration of the dead. A Celtic festival was held on November 1st, the first day of the celtic New Year, honoring the Samhain, the Lord of the Dead.

Celtic ritual believed that the souls of the dead returned on the evening before November 1st. The celebration included burning sacrifices and costumes.

Irish, Scots and other immigrants brought older versions of the tradition to North America in the 19th century and by the late 20th century, many other Western countries have embraced Halloween as a part of American pop culture.

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