Category: Kid Fun

Fun Christmas Countdown Project

There is nothing like this time of year. Carols, cookies, friends, families, lights, and JESUS! My friend and I wanted to do something fun for the little ones to countdown to Christmas. We decided on little wrapped presents each marked with a day # representing how many days left until Christmas. Our countdown began December 1^st so I had my kids start with 24 so they would know how many days until Christmas.

Supplies Needed:
Toilet paper rolls (12, cut in half to make 24)

Tissue paper cut into 7×4 rectangles

Pipe cleaner to close ends (approx. 4″)

Avery Circle printer labels (optional)

24 Fun, inexpensive gifts (see list) We purchased ours from three different stores – the Dollar Tree, Walmart and Mardel. We only purchased multipacks, nothing individual.

We spent somewhere around $30 for 6 kids total, not bad!

Wrap the roll in the tissue paper, tie one end with a pipe cleaner, insert prize, tie the other end, add # sticker.

We displayed them in a big basket, each night when we do Advent we let the kids open their prizes.

Start now! Your kids will love it!

FULL LIST of goodies:

1. A Christmas Stamp

2. Drum Ornament

3. Jingle Bell Ornament

4. Gumball

5. Jesus tattoo

6. Noahs Ark eraser

7. Christmas eraser

8. Mini YoYo

9. Sticker

10. Mini- Bubbles

11. Christmas Wristband

12. Christmas Ring

13. Jeweled Ring

14. Snake

15. Jelly Frogs

16. Mini games

17. Bouncy Balls

18. Chocolate

19. Mini – Slinky

20. Glow in the Dark flower

21. Avengers necklace

We doubled up on a couple to finish.

Enjoy this Christmas, spend some time each night talking about the arrival of our Savior! Merry Christmas!

December 4, 2013
Kid’s Easy Science Experiment Using Water and Salt

My 7 year old participated in a Science Fair with his cousin and his friend, they had a great time learning about how salt can change the freezing time of water. This was for an elementary school science fair, they presented at their booth then gave their presentation to all of the attendee’s. It was a chance to learn all with science and work on public speaking and presentation skills.

You will need an ordinary household freezer set on high Thermometer 4 identical freezer proof plastic containers capable of holding one cup of water Clock Paper Pen Marker Procedure Put the food etc. in the freezer in the fridge or in a cooler filled with ice. Clear all items from the freezer. You have to have an open uncluttered freezer in order to take accurate measurements of freezing rates. Fill each container with one cup of tepid room temperature tap water. Set one container of plain tap water aside. This will be the baseline for determining variances in freezing rates for the other containers. Label it “plain room temperature tap water.”

1) To the second container add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and stir well. Label it with “1/2 teaspoon/salt.”

2) To the third container add one tsp. of salt and stir well. Label as “one teaspoon/salt.”

3) To the fourth container add one tablespoon of salt and stir well. Label. Place the thermometer in the freezer and close the door. Wait one minute, then remove the thermometer from the freezer. Check the temperature shown on the thermometer and record it.

4) Don’t forget to have your children give their Hypothesis, their predictions on how salt will change the freezing time of water.

5) Next place all of the containers in the freezer at the same time. Record the time on the clock. At hourly intervals check the water samples you have put in the freezer. Do this quickly using your index finger so as not to affect the internal temp of the freezer. Make sure that every time you perform a check that you close the freezer door firmly. You must do this to maintain a constant temp in the freezer. Record the time at which each sample was frozen “solid” or did not freeze at all after 8 hours.

Data and Charts Record all the procedures and experiments you conducted and the data you got from each here. Make it clear and understandable. We had the kids make a tri-fold presentation board. On it they recorded their scientific information like Question/Problem, Hypothesis, Materials, Procedure, Data, and Conclusion. They hand wrote everything and made a bar graph by hand. They also pasted some pictures of the experiment.

The kids enjoyed every step of the process, even sharing the results with the classmates. I highly recommend this experiment for your Elementary children, it was a fun learning experiment.

September 17, 2013
Homemade Slime for Kids

Homemade Slime!! Of course one the funnest things to make and learn about matter and polymers. I had put this off for a very long time because I didn’t have Borax. I decided that it was time to get some, our Summer is running out and we need something fun and different to do.

Besides I already knew that the boys would love it because they always asked to buy slime, goop, mars mud, gak, you name it they have asked. I found this recipe on Steve Spanglers site, a site we love and frequent often.

Ingredients:

Borax

Warm Water

Elmer’s Glue

Food Coloring (optional)

>>CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE AND INFORMATION ON POLYMERS<<
I tripled the batch so each of the boys could have their own, nice size chunk. They all chose different colors and had fun mixing colors together to create a unique color. After they finished making it and thoroughly playing with it, we stored them in a ziploc. They are still great 2 weeks later!

A fun activity that gives you an opportunity to teach, discuss polymers as the kids are working their ingredients.

August 25, 2013
Junior Police Academy
There’s a new sheriff in town!

This Summer has been jammed packed with super-duper, exciting activities!

Preston went to a week long junior Police Academy held by the Littleton police department and it was so cool. The kids got to learn the in’s and out’s of being a Policeman.

On one of the days the kids got to play a game of cops and robbers with the police SWAT team trying to capture the kids. It turns out that P was quite the “escape artist” as he was the only child that was not captured by the SWAT team.

Even the little brothers had fun on graduation day when families could attend:

Here is a complete list of activities they participated in:
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Arrest Control Techniques
- Firearms Safety
- SWAT Tactics
- Building Search Techniques
- K-9 Demonstrations
- DUI Simulation Course
It was an incredible experience for those involved. What a wonderful way to reach out to the community, connect with them and inspire children all the while! Thanks to the Littleton Police Department, and to Sargent Steve Skundberg for coordinating the entire event. My son is hooked, he wants to be a police officer when he grows up. I think that is just fantastic.
August 20, 2013
Summer Bucket List

YES! Every Summer I keep a mental list of things I want to do with the family. You know, all the fun summer stuff and activities.

But usually every Summer it’s not until in the last weeks of August that I suddenly remember everything I wanted to do!

So, this year, by way of Pinterest, as always, I was inspired to do BETTER. How? Write it down! Of course, a summer bucket list!

Why had I not thought of this before! Armed with a huge easel pad and my most favorite BIC markers, I went to work.

Coming up with anything and everything. Still want to add more.

After Memorial Day weekend was over we had already crossed some things off, yay!

Some to-do’s involve the getting up to the gorgeous Colorado Rocky Mountains, some others are places in Denver, while others are just simply silly fun things we can all do together.

A few are inviting some very special people over who have not been to our new house, these items are the most important.

One item I added was a concert that I am really hoping to go to, hopefully the hubby will go for it since it’s now on the summer bucket list, hee hee. I plan on adding more as we go too! Now I have no excuse at the end of Summer!

On the refrigerator door.

May 29, 2013
Field Day 2013

Field day for Homeschoolers? Of course! This year we were invited to participate in Field Day 2013 with a local homeschooler group. When I had mentioned to a non-homeschooling friend that my boys were having Field Day she joked around and asked if it was just them against each other. But, no, this was actually a real live Field Day, lol. There were at least 70 participants in total plus many parent volunteers. The events offered were the 50 and 100 yard dash, long jump, shot put, jump rope race, a race around the park, the clothespin drop and even cup stacking.

All the parents took turns working shifts so everyone could see their children participate in most events. The preschoolers also had their own events with a javelin throw, bean bag toss, long jump and a race.

After all the events were concluded for the morning there was a ribbon ceremony while we all ate a picnic lunch. We sat in the shade with our good friends that invited us. It was such a wonderful time. Me and the boys left after that but many others stayed for a 3-legged race and some water fun.

What great fun my boys had! I really enjoyed watching all the kids, they all tried their best and displayed GREAT sportsmanship. 🙂

May 23, 2013
Easter Fun with Lego

Of course, I was again inspired on Pinterest! Last year I created a board called Easter Fun, where I pinned some really cute and fun ideas. Unfortunately, by the time Easter rolled around I forgot all about my little Easter fun board. This year I decided to look through my boards and do projects that I had already pinned before. That is when I came across this fun idea. Anything to do with Legos and my boys are game. This project covers the death and resurrection of Jesus. They know the story about Jesus being put to death and they know the amazing story of Him rising from the tomb, now to put it all together – what fun!

I grabbed some small cake pans from the Dollar Store and a bag of play sand from True Value hardware store, total cost = under $8.00. When I showed the boys their inspiration they loved it and JUMPED right in. They all started building Lego tombs immediately.

Cake pans, play sand, pebbles, sticks and Legos.

Placing the tomb, laying the path

This was a fun activity but I did want to make sure that the kids heard the story again.

It never gets old. It never ceases to bring me to tears.

He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our sins,

the punishment that brought us peace, was upon Him

By His wounds we are healed.

—

Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, He is RISEN!

Enjoy this fantastic song!

April 3, 2013
Field Trip to the Denver Zoo 2013

A picture montage.

February 18, 2013
Kids Quick and Easy Homemade Pizzas
Ever in a pinch for dinner, had a busy day and not sure what to make in hurry? My husband stopped at the store on his way home from work after he knew I had a very busy day. I told him to decide what we would have that night.

He came up with an idea that would please us all, that even catered it to each one of our likes… Homemade Pizzas! But do you want to know the thing that made this delicious dinner so quick and easy? Pita bread for crust! Which does not require anytime to prepare or bake like homemade dough would.

Quick and Easy Homemade Pizzas:
- Pita bread
- Pizza sauce
- Cheese of your choice
- Toppings, meat, veggies etc.
We spooned on about 1 tbsp pizza sauce per pita, then added toppings such as pepperoni, Colby cheese, mozzarella, mushrooms, Canadian bacon, and olives. We each made our own, and wow did the kids ever love doing this! Daddy was our hero!

We cooked the pizzas on a cookie sheet for 7 minutes, then on the rack for 5 more. Cook times may vary depending on your oven and temperature. For a crispier crust cook longer directly on the rack. Be sure to check on your pizzas so as not to overcook. Delicious!
January 21, 2013
Easy Christmas Ornaments

It’s that time of year! I love it, it thrusts me into the crafty part of my brain. We put up our tree and some Christmas lights… so I thought how cool to start making our own ornaments. Of course I headed straight to Pinterest for some ideas. I came across several fantastic ideas and pinned them. We will be using all these ideas in the next few weeks. Since I was looking for easy Christmas ornaments I loved the look of these … Easy Ornaments.

I purchased a pack of seashells from the dollar store, I used gold spray paint to paint the shells then we used paint brushes to brush on glue and then sprinkled with glitter. The next day I used hot glue to glitter pretty ribbon on each one. Some even got a bead added. The boys had fun and it took a total of 2 days to complete only because we made so many. I wrote each child’s name and the year on the back. They passed them out to loved ones on Thanksgiving. They enjoyed showing off their creations and then giving them out so everyone could display them on their own Christmas trees.

December 2, 2012