SNOWMAN BOWLING

Fill two liter pop bottles with some sand; paint them white and add a snowman face! The children then row a ball at the snowmen and try to knock them down (You can play this seasonal game from first snowfall to last)

_____________________

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN

(Team game good for a party)
Supplies:
A roll of toilet paper for each team.
Sheet of orange, black, red and yellow construction paper for each team.
Hat for each team
Scissors for each team.
To Play:
Have several teams of four or five children. When you say, "GO" they should wrap one of the people on their team up in toilet paper (leaving an opening for nose and eyes). Once they've built their "Frosty" they can utilize the hat and construction paper to decorate him. Put a time limit on decorating. Give a prize for the first completed Frosty, most unique Frosty, ugliest Frosty, cutest Frosty, Biggest, Smallest, etc.
Source: kaboose.com

_______________

OUTSIDE SNOWMAN HAT TRICK

Build a plump, snowman in the yard/play field. Make a game of taking turns trying to land a hat on his head by throwing it Frisbee style from 10 (or age-appropriate) feet away.

  _______________

SNOWBALL TOSS GAME
Cut out two large circles in a large piece of cardboard; make it the shape of the bottom of a snowman. Next draw a snowman head on the top…
Give the children white beanbags, white socks balled up, or white paper crumpled into balls to represent snowballs. These are thrown at the snowman target.
You can assign points to the circles.

 __________________________

PUT THE NOSE ON THE SNOWMAN...
Draw a very large 3-circled Snowman...
Attach it to a wall or door. Draw on his features and put a small black cross where his nose should go.
Cut out carrot-shaped noses from orange card stock ...When about to play, attach a piece tape to the back side of the nose.
Blindfold children and proceed as playing "Pin the Tail on the Donkey". You can also play Put the Top Hat on Frosty!

____________________

FOUR QUICK IDEAS…

   • Ball up a white sock of white paper and Play “MELTING SNOWBALL” like Hot Potato

   • With musical games play the Frosty the Snowman song...lyrics here...

   • Instead of "Simon Says..." play FROSTY SAYS..." or The SNOWMAN SAYS

   •  MELTING...Have children pretend they are snowmen that are melting.

_____________________________________________ 

1. Children sit in a circle.
2. One child is chosen to be the snowman. With eyes covered, that child can sit or stand in the center of the circle.
3.Give a small carrot or an orange carrot shaped pattern to one child.
4. Have the child hide the carrot behind their back. All other children also have their hands behind their backs.
5. All children chant:

Snowman, Snowman, Where's Your Nose?
Somebody took it from your home.
Upstairs, Downstairs, by the phone...
Wake up Snowman, Find your Nose.

6. The child in the center now uncovers their eyes and  guesses which child they think has the snowman's nose. The 'snowman' gets up to three guesses.
7. The child who is holding the snowman's nose, now becomes the new snowman in the middle!  

_______________
 STUFF A SNOWMAN
Need:
Balloons-Amount depending on the number of groups you will be having)
Extra large white sweat suit or a large white T-shirt.

1. Inflate balloons in advance.
2. Divide kids into teams of equal number of players.  Have one of the group put on the suit or tee shirt over their clothes.
3. Teammates are given the task of stuffing the suit with balloons. 4. Set a timer for two minutes and see how many balloons the team can stuff into the outfit before the time is up.
5. The next team of Snowman stuffers tries to top the previous record.

________________

'DRESS LIKE A SNOWMAN' RELAY

1. Put together 2 boxes of items that a snowman would wear.  Be sure to include scarves, hats, gloves/mittens, boots, large buttons with double sided tape on the back and brooms.
 
2. Make a carrot nose using orange felt and elastic so the kids can put it around their heads over their own noses.

3. Divide the children into two groups with each forming a line.
 
4. Have each player run to the box; put on the snowman clothing and hold the broom.

5. After putting on all the clothing - kids must perform a quick snowman shuffle...take everything off and run back to tag the next person

_____________

HAVE FUN WITH ALL THE "SNOWMAN" & WINTER PAGES!

•  Snowman Themed Games (This one)
• Snowman Themed Arts and Crafts
• Miscellaneous Snowman Ideas
• Snowman Themed Snacks 
• Hot Cocoa Recipes and Fun
• Winter Inside Games
• Winter Outside Snow Games
• Winter Outside Fun
• Random Winter Ideas
• Winter Arts and Crafts
• Reindeer
• Snowflake

_____________________________

HOLIDAY BOOKS for young children...

• Jingle Bells, Homework Smells by Diane deGroat
• Santa's Snow Cat by Sue Stainton,
• The Farolitos of Christmas by Rudolfo Anaya
• The Legend of the Poinsettia - A Christmas Story by Tomie dePaola
• The Night of Las Posadas - A Christmas Story by Tomie De Paola
• The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Emma Kragen
• Welcome Comfort by Patricia Polacc
• A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe
• The Oldest Elf by James Stevenson

TWO HOLIDAY CRAFT BOOKS...

Seasonal Gifts and Festive Celebration: Recipes and Ideas for Hand-Made Holiday Gifts
Author: Sarah Ainley
Lorenz Books / Anness Publishing Inc.
Website: www.lorenzbooks.com

Holly-Jolly Crafts under $10
Model: 1574861255
Author: Ann Childs (Editor)

____________

HANUKKAH BOOKS are listed at page bottom of KidActivities Hanukka Theme page.

____________

SNOW THEMES for Young Children

• Clear Moon, Snow Soon by Tony Johnston
• The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
• Snow Day! by Barbara M. Joosse
• Snow Is Falling by Franklyn M. Branley
• Millions of Snowflakes by Mary McKenna Siddals
• The Biggest Snowball Ever! by John Rogan
• Sadie and the Snowman by Allen Morgan
• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
• Geraldine's Big Snow by Holly Keller
• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
• White Snow Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt
• Little Polar Bear and the Brave Little Hare by Hans de Beer
• Winter Rabbit by Patrick Yee
• The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel
• In the Snow: Who’s Been Here? by Lindsay Barrett George
• Snow Day by Betsy Maestro
• Footprints in the Snow by Cynthia Benjamin

Back to top of page

______________

FEBRUARY IS FRIENDSHIP MONTH. Celebrate the gift of friendship by reading with the kids. The following is a list of age appropriate books that you can share.

• The Gift of Nothing"--(age 3-6) by Patrick McDonnell
• Who Will be My Friends"-- (age 4-6) by Syd Hoff
• Things Not Seen--(age 12+) by Andrew Clements
• The Hundred Dresses--(age 6-10) by Eleanor Estes
• Friends--(age 5-8) by: Helme Heine
• How to Lose All Your Friends--(age 4-6) by Nancy L. Carlson
• Digby and Kate--(age 5-8) by Marsha Winborn
• My Friend Flicka--(age 8-12) by Mary O'Hara
• English Rose-- (age 4-8) by Madonna
• Little Blue and Little Yellow--(age 4-7) by Leo Lionni
• Poppleton and Friends--(age 4-7) by Cynthia Rylant
• Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl--(age 6-8) by Barbara Park
• Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship--(age 4-8) by Craig & Isabella Hatkoff
• I Like You--(age 8-12) by Sandol Stoddard Warburg
• Will I Have a Friend--(age 4-6) by Miriam Cohen
• Kaya and Lone Dog: A Friendship Story--(age 7-10) by: Janet Beeler Shaw
  Friendship list compiled by Tonya at: www.tennsaca.com

____________

A Sunday Stroll by Paul Borgese, Jane Arimoto (Illustrator)---Through the characters of LadyBug and Centipede, the author teaches your child about morals, friendship, patience, and helping others. Colorful illustrations compliment the story--- A Valentine for Ms. Vanilla by Fred Ehrlich ---On Valentine's Day the members of Ms. Vanilla's class participate in a party, write poems, open cards, and present a heart they all have signed to a special valentine.

Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox, Lydia Monks (Illustrator) --A humorous adaptation of the fairy tale Rapunzel. Witty rhymes accompany the colorful illustrations. As in the original story, the Prince calls to Rapunzel to throw down here golden locks in order to rescue her. But that is where the similarities end. This fractured fairy tale is sure to bring laughter to group reading time as Rapunzel's hearing faulters. The Prince asks for her locks, tresses, rope, twine, and ladder. Rapunzel responds with socks, dresses, a cantaloupe, a swine, and a bowl of pancake batter. Rapunzel's last mistake backfires - makes a hysterical ending for Valentine's Day.

Hearts, Cupids, and Red Roses: The Story of the Valentine Symbols by Edna Barth, Ursula Arndt (Illustrator)---Hearts, Cupids, and Red Roses describes the St. Valentine's Day holiday celebration from pagan festivals to present-day activities---Ever wonder where Valentine Symbols came from? Where do these customs come from, when did they begin, and why do we continue to observe them? This light-hearted holiday has ancient origins.--- Edna Barth explores these love symbols. The book is full of fascinating details about Valentine's Day. Also included are some not so known stories and helpful supplemental material.

How Raggedy Ann Got Her Candy Heart: My First Raggedy Ann by Jan Palmer, Johnny Gruelle (Illustrator)---One day Raggedy Ann takes a kite ride way up in the sky -- only to land in a bucket of paint! A friendly painter offers to fix her up like new, and it looks as though Marcella will have to part with her doll for a short time. But when Raggedy Ann comes back to Marcella, she's better than ever because of the painter's special gift. ---Raggedy Ann has been beloved by children for many decades. In this new version of a classic, retold for young children, she and the other dolls in the nursery come to life with humor and spirit. –

I Like You by Sandol Stoddard, Jacqueline Chwast (Illustrator)--
"Here is the book that Romeo would have given Juliet; Charlie Brown would have given Snoopy; and you can give to some very special friend" proclaims the back cover of this small, whimsical book. Written in 1965 by Sandol Stoddard Warburg, it still makes the perfect present for your best friend. Not just any run-of-the-mill best friend, though. This book is for the kind of friend who yells for you when you get lost in Grand Central Station or pretends to save you when you pretend to be drowning.

Love You the Purplest by Barbara M. Joosse, Mary Whyte (Illustrator)---A perfect book for Mom to read to her children on Valentine's day. Every child wants to be loved the best. The Mom in this book figures out a way to answer her sons where they feel loved the best without sibling rivalry. The mother uses colors to describe the love for her sons - each color describing part of their personality. The illustrations are colorful and visually demonstrate how the mother feels towards her children.

Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane deGroat (Illustrator)---When Gilbert writes two not-so-nice valentines to his classmates, his prank quickly turns into pandemonium. But there's always time for a change of heart on Valentine's Day. ---

You and Me by Martine Kindermans (Illustrator)
"All we need is you and me,
to be as happy as can be.
And no matter where we go,
I will always love you so."
Cute picture book that follows a goose and her gosling to places far and wide. Through heat and cold, across prairies and mountains, all is well as long as they have one another.

Valentine's Day Is by Gail Gibbons (Illustrator)--- Valentine’s Day is candy hearts, flowers, and chocolate truffles. It is Valentine cards galore. Most of all, it is a time to share with family and friends, and a time to give thanks for our loved ones. Gail Gibbons presents the history of this special holiday and shares what the day has come to mean in our present-day society.

Valentine Hearts: Holiday Poetry by Lee Bennett Hopkins, JoAnn Adinolfi (Illustrator)--A small collection of endearing and humorous Valentine poems. Poetic themes include friendships, childhood crushes, and a child's affection for her pet. It's easy to imagine these works used as a poem-a-day assignment, inscribed messages for homemade valentines, or inspiring young poets to write their own silly or love poems.

MORE VALENTINE BOOKS...

• Valentine Mice by Bethany Roberts
• My Love For You by Susan L. Roth
• Bunny My Honey by Anita Jeram
• Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
• If You Love A Bear by Piers Harper
• Froggy's First Kiss by Jonathan London
• I Love You, Little One by Nancy Tafuri
• Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse These books are available through Scholastic book club or check your local library -- most likely also on amazon.com

  Back to top of page

______________

 BOOKS FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION as well as associated customs. Some of thebooks share information about the Chinese culture in general - great for elementary multicultural studies!

• Celebrating Chinese New Year
  by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith, Lawrence Migdale (Photographer)
• Chinese New Year for Kids
  by Cindy Roberts
• Dim Sum for Everyone
  by Grace Lin
• Dragon Dance - A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book
  by Joan Holub, Benrei Huang
• Fortune Cookie Fortunes
  by Grace Lin
• Grandfather Tang's Story
  by Ann Tompert
• Happy, Happy Chinese New Year
  by Demi Hitz
• Happy New Year
  by Demi Hitz
• Lanterns and Firecrackers - A Chinese New Year Story (Festival Time) by Jonny Zucker, Jan Barger Cohen
• Lion Dancer
  by Kate Waters, Martha Cooper (Illustrator)
• Moonbeams, Dumplings, and Dragon Boats
  by Nina Simonds, Leslie Swartz, and The Children's Museum, Boston
• One Is a Drummer: A Book of Numbers
  by Roseanne Thong
• Round Is a Mooncake: A Book of Shapes
  by Roseanne Thong
• Ruby's Wish
  by Shirin Yim Bridges
• Sam and the Lucky Money
  by Karen Chinn, Cornelius Van Wright (Illustrator), Ying-Hwa Hu (Illustrator)
• The Dancing Dragon
  by Marcia K. Vaughan, Stanley Wong Hoo Foon (Illustrator)
• The Five Chinese Brothers
  by Claire Huchet Bishop
• The Runaway Rice Cake
  by Ying Chang Compestine, Tungwai Chau (Illustrator)
• This Next New Year
  by Janet S. Wong, Yangsook Choi (Illustrator)
• Tikki Tikki Tembo
  by Arlene Mosel
  Source: apples4theteacher.com

Back to top of page

________________