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Unplug – Easy Activities to Help Your Family Make Memories and Connect
Copyright © 2015 Sharon Harding
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for reasonable quotations for the purpose of reviews, without the author’s written permission.
Cover Art and Book layout: SinSin | https://www.fiverr.com/sinsin
Editor: Thaddaeus Moody | http://www.bookbutchers.com/
Contact the Author through her blog Rediscovered Families | http://rediscoveredfamilies.com/
ISBN: 978-0-9949823-0-8
Table of CONTENTS
Introduction ...................................................................................................1
1. Camera Fun ...............................................................................................3
2. Plasticine Pictures .......................................................................................6
3. Two Easy Science Experiments ...................................................................9
4. Fairy Houses ............................................................................................13
5. Land Art ..................................................................................................16
6. Making a Kiva Loan .................................................................................19
7. Cardboard Capers ....................................................................................22
8. Exploring .................................................................................................25
9. Glow in the Dark Fun ..............................................................................28
10. Some Simple Ways to Play With Your Children .....................................32
A Final Word ................................................................................................34
1
Introduction
I am concerned about the impact technology is having on modern family life. In the words of Brené Brown:
“We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don’t function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We ache. We hurt others. We get sick.”
We live in an increasingly distracted, disconnected world, but we are social creatures who desperately need a sense of love and belonging. Have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone whose phone was constantly pinging? It is an exercise in frustration. Have you ever watched a child desperately trying to get a parent’s attention away from their phone? I have and it is heartbreaking.
The first place our children will experience this love and belonging is in their interactions with family.
There are plenty of studies and statistics that describe the negative impact of technology on the health and wellbeing of families, so I won’t waste time to quoting them to you. I do however want to tell you a little story.
When I was a teen, my parents decided that the television was taking up too much time, and it had to go. They wanted to see if it would make a difference in family life. I was horrified! What would I do? I approached the experiment with dread. I was astonished by what happened. As a family we began to linger over supper and enjoy long conversations. We pulled out board games that hadn’t been touched in ages. We read more and listened to more music. We made memories. I can honestly say that after a few weeks I didn’t miss the television at all. In fact I was quite disappointed when the experiment came to an end.
I will be the first to admit that technology has some wonderful benefits. I use it nearly every day and would never suggest that we give it up completely; in fact I have included a number of links that I feel will be helpful resources. Still I believe it is time for a change.
It is one thing to use the technology as a tool, but it is another to be so distracted by it that you have no time for real life interactions.
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Chapter 1 - Camera Fun
That you have taken the time to read this book tells me that you care about your children and want to build stronger connections with them. It also tells me that you may be wondering how to go about doing that.
There are many ways to connect with your children, but one of the most effective is to unplug from your technology and electronics for a while.
Unplugging is a matter of choice. When you make eye contact with your children instead of checking a text, it’s easy to notice that they need a hug.
When you play with your children instead of checking e-mail you send the message that they have priority in your life.
When you sit and chat with them instead of scrolling through your Facebook feed you can get a glimpse into their hearts.
As you choose these interactions over digital distractions you will begin to build stronger connections.
Every day you must decide. Will you choose to be present or will you turn away? Will you give in to the world of constant alerts and messages? Will you succumb to the distractions of social media? Will you remain immersed in your devices, or will you disconnect so you can begin to truly connect?
In the following chapters you will find easy, fun activities that will help you build family connections. Each one is designed to provide opportunities for you to build memories, to spark imagination, to encourage creativity, and to have fun TOGETHER.
None of them require much preparation, but you may have to gather a few materials. Some will require a little planning, although not too much I promise.
The most important thing is for you and your family to have fun together. So put down the video games, turn off Facebook and Pinterest, round up the family and get ready to enjoy some quality time together.
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Chapter 1
CAMERA FUN“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving.
What you have caught on film is captured forever - it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”
- Aaron Siskind
Most kids love cameras. There is something magical about capturing a moment in time and preserving it as an image. Point and shoot digital cameras have made photography so much easier, and cheaper, that children can start taking pictures at a very young age.
Photography encourages us to look at the world in a different way and help inspire creativity. It can also entice kids away from their screens and give you something to do together.
Materials• Cameras (an inexpensive point and shoot with automatic focusing is great, but
pictures can also be taken with phones and tablets)
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Chapter 1 - Camera Fun
Preparation • If your children have never played with a camera before take a few moments to
show them how to take a picture. Show them how to hold a camera steady and what happens if you move the camera when you are taking a picture. Ensure they know to keep their fingers pressed on the shutter button until the photo is taken.
ActivityHere are some ideas to help you and your family enjoy your cameras together
Photo Stories Encourage your child to create an adventure story involving their toys. Help them pose the toys and take pictures of the adventure as it unfolds. Take it one step further by creating a photo book with text.
Photo Theme Choose a theme and invite family members to go out together to photograph items that fall into whatever category you chose. This could include objects that begin with a certain letter, shapes, colors, seasons, interesting places like a nearby woodland, or activities like having fun in the park. Have each person submit his or her favourite images and create a slideshow.
Photo Time Capsule Make a photo time capsule with your family. Brainstorm some of the things you want to document about this time in your life. This might include your pets, favourite games, places you go, important people in your life, clothes, hobbies, childhood treasures, or your children’s art. Even pictures of your kids’ bedrooms, without tidying up of course, or the contents of their schoolbags are fun things to document. Once you have your list, take photos of everything, then print the images and place them in a sealed envelope with a date on the front. Put it away somewhere safe and make plans to gather everyone together and open it up sometime in the future.
Happiness Walk Ask family members to think of things that fill them with happiness and set out to photograph them. Have each family member share his or her pictures. It’s a great way to focus on the positive.
Neighbourhood Tour Take a walk with your family to photograph your home and your neighbourhood. Try to include pictures of all the places you go on a regular basis. This might include your children’s school, the playground, the grocery store, the post office and the place where your faith community gathers. Add in pictures of your favourite activities, your friends, or the people you meet on a daily basis.
Letter Hunt Create your own photo art by going on a scavenger hunt for objects that
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Chapter 1 - Camera Fun
look like letters in your neighbourhood. You could search for each letter of the alphabet or even try to create a word of your choosing, such as your name.
Photo Safari Take photo walks with your children and have everyone take photos of the same thing: the same flower, tree, dog, bird, or sky. When you get home compare and contrast your images.
Mystery Objects Invite family members to take photographs of familiar objects in an unusual way. Challenge family and friends to see if they can figure out what is in the picture. Try photographing part of an object, or taking close up pictures.
Tip: Hold back on giving too much criticism. Instead encourage creativity and experiments. Let your children be the judge of their photographs.
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Chapter 1 - Camera Fun
Chapter 2PLASTICINE PICTURES
“You can roll it, cut it, mold and shape it, and then crush up what you have made and start all over again. No wonder it fascinates people so much that after playing
with it as children, they keep the habit for the rest of their lives.” - Albert Blanchard
In my mind one of the best ways to connect with children is to be creative with them. I always enjoyed sitting down with my boys to make something together. As we created we would talk. Somehow making art produced a relaxed atmosphere that allowed us to enjoy each other’s company and chat for ages.
Plasticine (or Play-Doh) is a fun medium to work with. Most children are instinctively
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Chapter 2 - Plasticine Pictures
drawn to it. It is the perfect medium for modelling and creative play. Making pictures is a very easy art project to set up and is a great activity for a rainy day.
Fun Fact: A British art teacher named William Harbutt invented Plasticine more than 100 years ago. It is a type of modeling clay that is oil based, easy to work
with, and never gets hard. It is available in a wide array of colors. You will find plasticine in many art stores.
Materials• Plasticine inspiration sheets
http://rediscoveredfamilies.com/plasticine-inspiration-sheets/
• Self-adhesive transparent plastic
• Cardstock
• Plasticine in a variety of colors (or Play-Doh if you prefer)
• Materials for creating texture such as old pencils, combs, plastic forks, Popsicle sticks, etc.
• Plastic sheet (to cover your work surface)
Preparation1. (older children may enjoy helping with the set up)
2. Print off the inspiration sheets and cover them with self-adhesive transparent plastic (or laminate them).
3. Cover your work surface with a plastic sheet to protect it (Plasticine is oil based and will leave an oily residue).
4. Set out the inspiration sheets, plasticine, and tools
ActivityInvite your children to use the plasticine to create a picture on the inspiration sheet.
Demonstrate how to tear small pieces of plasticine, warm it by rolling it in the palms of your hands, and spread it using your fingers and thumbs.
Use the tools to create texture and add details.
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Chapter 2 - Plasticine Pictures
Plasticine is available in many colours, but you can make even more by mixing colours together. For example: If you knead together a small amount of blue and yellow they will gradually combine to make green.
You could work alongside your children to create your own pictures, or work together to create one masterpiece. If you do the latter, let your children take the lead. You can simply follow their direction.
These kinds of art activities also provide an opportunity for informal conversation, so make the most of this time together.
Create Original PicturesSkip the inspiration sheets and provide small cardboard bases along with the plasticine. Invite your children to use the plasticine to create a small picture.
Layering works best for plasticine art, so create the background first, then layer the picture on top.
Making Pictures in CD CasesAnother idea is to let children make their plasticine picture inside of an old CD case. For more information see the tutorial at: http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts/other_crafts/plasticine_art.php
Resources and InspirationFor more plasticine art tips and techniques, check out: http://www.barbarareid.ca/ Barbara Reid is an amazing plasticine artist who creates delightful plasticine pictures to illustrate children’s books.
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Chapter 1 - Camera Fun
Chapter 3TWO EASY SCIENCE
EXPERIMENTS
“We should not teach children the sciences; but give them a taste for them.”- Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Most kids love science. Science based activities never fail to impress. Even older, slightly jaded, kids will light up when they see chemical reactions beginning to unfold. Watching the physical and chemical laws that govern our world in action is a great way to combine learning and fun. I love doing science activities with children. These two simple experiments use everyday items and are very easy to set up.
Experiment 1: Self -Inflating BalloonsThis vinegar and baking soda activity is cheap, easy, fun, and very memorable. Children love this one and it rarely fails.
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Chapter 3 - Two Easy Science Experiments
Material• a small clean pop bottle
• vinegar
• baking soda
• spoon
• balloon
• funnel
Activity1. Carefully pour the vinegar into the pop bottle (about three quarters full).
2. Half fill your balloon with baking soda (you will need to use the funnel).
3. Carefully stretch the neck of your balloon over the top of the soda bottle. Don’t let any of the baking soda fall into the bottle. Make sure the balloon neck is securely attached to the bottle.
4. Hold the bottle and the neck of the balloon, and then direct your child to lift the balloon, so the baking soda falls into the vinegar.
Watch chemistry at work!
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Chapter 3 - Two Easy Science Experiments
What’s Happening?The baking soda and the vinegar start an ACID-BASE reaction and create a gas (carbon dioxide). The gas spreads out and starts to fill the bottle. When the bottle is full it moves into the balloon and inflates it.
Experiment 2: Easy Polymer Science (Also Known as Slime)What kid doesn’t like to play with slime, right? In this activity your children will combine a few ingredients and make their own slime. Slime is interesting because it is a cross between two states of matter, liquid and solid. Solids are firm and stable. They keep their shape and do not flow in a given temperature. Their molecules are grouped together in organized patterns and don’t move around. Liquids do not have their own shape, but can take the shape of the container they are in. Their molecules are further apart than in solids and can move around easily.
Materials• Old clothes (this can be messy)
• White glue (we used Elmer’s)
• 1 disposable cup
• Bowl
• Food coloring
• Water
• Borax Powder (available in the laundry detergent aisle)
• A plastic spoon (for stirring)
• A tablespoon (for measuring)
Activity1. Fill the cup with warm water and place a spoonful of the Borax powder into it.
Stir until dissolved.
2. Empty all the white glue into the bowl.
3. Fill the glue bottle with warm water and shake it up.
4. Empty it into the bowl.
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Chapter 3 - Two Easy Science Experiments
5. Add a few drops of the food coloring and stir it up until mixed.
6. Pour the borax mixture into the glue and stir well. The glue will start to solidify.
7. Now for the messy part: start mixing and squishing the mixture with your hands. At first it will be really slimy and messy, but it quickly forms into a gelatinous lump.
Point out that you can hold lump in your hand and pick it up like a solid. However, when it is put into a container it will take the shape of the containers just like a liquid.
What’s happening?In a solid, the molecules are held tight together and don’t move. Liquid molecules on the other hand spread out and break apart into drops. Polymer molecules join together in long chains. The chains slide over each other, so they act like a liquid. Sometimes two chains form cross links, so it acts like a solid.
Safety First: Borax can be a skin irritant for some, so wash your hands once you have
finished mixing the polymer. Keep the slime in sealed plastic bag when you aren’t playing
with it. Be careful to keep it away from young children, or pets, as it is not edible.
Tip: Don’t forget these activities are meant to help you build strong connections and make memories. The emphasis should be on having fun together. If your child shows an interest in the science behind the activity then by all means enjoy researching it together. Don’t force it if they are not interested. Learning
will happen anyway, but having a good time together is really important too.
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Chapter 4
FAIRY HOUSES“Fairies are invisible and inaudible like angels.
But their magic sparkles in nature.”- Lynn Holland
I work at a small library in a rural community. One summer our Summer Reading Program coordinator spent an afternoon making fairy houses with the children. What excitement! First they mounted an expedition to the nearby woods and gathered materials. Then they constructed homes fit for fairy royalty. Two things about this activity struck me.
The first was the obvious enjoyment of the children-I had expected the younger ones to enjoy the project, but everyone loved it. Boys and girls of all ages, from preschoolers to tweens, had fun that afternoon. In fact it was voted one of the most popular events of the summer.
Next I was impressed by how keen the children were to talk about their creations. As I went from one house to another, each of the young architects was eager to tell me about their creation. Even the shyest child couldn’t wait to explain the special features they had
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Chapter 4 - Fairy Houses
built for their fairy owners to enjoy. It was wonderful.
Materials• A container to collect materials, it can also be used as a base for creating your fairy
house.
• Your imagination
• Optional: Hot Glue Gun
• Optional: Craft supplies such as, fabric scraps, silk flowers and leaves, ribbons, craft sticks, beads, shells, gravel, and jungle bells. <<Margin Note: Use what you have on hand, rather than buying anything extra. It just adds to the fun and sparks creativity!
ActivityIf possible visit a park or nature reserve and ask everyone to search for materials to construct and decorate fairy houses. Emphasize that only found materials will be used, as fairies do not want us to destroy or pick anything living.
Good materials for building might include fallen leaves, bark from dead trees, twigs, pine cones, stones, feathers, dropped flower petals, nuts, seeds, or seashells.
If you are unable to go to a park, you will probably find enough materials in your back yard. Alternatively you can do this activity with crafts supplies.
Once you have your materials you are ready to start building! There are two options: outside or inside.
If you decide to build your house outdoors simply find a suitable location and work together to construct and decorate your house. If you have several children you may want to create a fairy court with several dwellings.
If you instead decide to build your house indoors you will need a base to build on. Shallow boxes made from card stock work well. Use surplus craft supplies to add a little pizzazz.
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Chapter 4 - Fairy Houses
Although you will be working on this project together, let your children take the lead. Try to focus on the process rather than the end result. It really doesn’t matter if the finished house looks a little lopsided. The fairies won’t mind a bit. The most important thing is that you all have fun together. As you work, encourage your children to think about who might live in their house. You might ask them:
• What are their names?
• What do they look like?
• What work they do?
• What do they do for fun?
Encourage them to make up stories about the adventures of these little people. You will be amazed by your young storyteller’s imaginations.
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Chapter 5 - Land Art
Chapter 5
LAND ART“The important part is the being there, the seeing of nature with open eyes and heart.
Land art just allows you to immerse yourself even deeper in those things..” - Richard Shilling
Land art is easy, fun and can be done by anyone. Basically it involves making sculptures and art from things you might find in nature. Pebbles, rocks, twigs, sand, pinecones, shells, seed heads, and leaves all work perfectly as building materials. These things can be transformed into mandalas, spirals, shapes, animals, and patterns…. the possibilities are endless.
Creating land art provides the opportunity for your family to:
• Learn about nature and explore its wonders
• Develop a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of creation and your place within it
• Get outside, and away from technology, for a while
• Exercise your creativity and imagination
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Chapter 5 - Land Art
Best of all it will help you s-l-o-w down the pace of life and enjoy some time in the fresh air as a family. As you create art together you will have many opportunities to connect and build memories. Even better it’s also free!
Materials• Your imagination
• A camera is nice, but not necessary.
• Somewhere to explore: a park, the woods, a beach, or even your backyard.
ActivityExplore your chosen location. Take a good look at all the different shapes, colours and textures you see.
Collect materials to create your art. Depending on your location these might include pebbles, small rocks, shells, seaweed, driftwood, leaves, fir cones, acorns, sticks, dandelions, daisies, leaves or anything else you come across.
Find an interesting place to make your art.
Look at the materials you have collected and let your imagination run free. Remember there are no rules in land art.
Create some art.
If you have a camera with you take pictures to record your creations.
Encourage your children to direct the art. Try to focus on the process rather than the end result. It is more important to have fun than create a stunning masterpiece. Give your children free reign and you might be amazed at what they come up with.
For inspiration visit the website Nature Whispering http://naturewhispering.com/21-beautiful-nature-art-ideas
to look at their pictures.
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Chapter 5 - Land Art
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Chapter 6 - Making a Kiva Loan
Chapter 6
MAKING A KIVA LOAN“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down
and lifting people up.” - John Holmes
Reaching out to help others is a wonderful family activity. It feels really good to be able to do something meaningful, and making this a family project will help and strengthen your bonds. One easy outreach project is to support an organization that provides micro financing such as Kiva.
Kiva is a non-profit organization that allows people to lend money to others. They work with micro-finance institutions on five continents to provide loans to people without access to traditional banking systems.
I am a huge fan of Kiva for a number of reasons.
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Chapter 6 - Making a Kiva Loan
The organization strongly believes that all people, no matter where they live, hold the power to create opportunities for themselves and others. As a result they work hard to break down barriers and empower individuals to take control of their lives. I really support this approach.
Kiva’s administrative costs are funded through grants, separate donations, and foundations. This means 100% of every dollar you lend on Kiva goes directly towards funding loans, and no fees charged by the institutions that administer the loans.
Kiva loans start at $25, which is a really achievable goal for most families.
When the loans are repaid the money is returned to you and you have the opportunity to lend it out again and again and again. One loan can end up helping many people.
MaterialsDevice that connects to the Internet (Ironic given the title of this book. Still the focus of this activity is raising the money for the loan and then choosing a recipient. You will only need access to the Internet to make the loan.)
ActivityRaise the Money
You need $25 to make a loan. While it would be easy to simply take the money out of your bank account, I think it is more meaningful if you take the time to raise the money with your children. Brainstorm ways for raising $25. Here are some ideas to get you started.
• Ask each member of the family to contribute gently used items that can be sold.
• One night a week enjoy a low cost meal and put aside the money that you save.
• Make your own bread and put aside the money that you save.
• Ask each member of the family to give up one treat a week.
• Have a baking party and sell baked goods to friends or family members who would appreciate a homemade treat
• Go on a loose change scavenger hunt. Check under sofa cushions, on top of bureaus, in your pocket.
• If you live where refundable deposits are charged on bottles round up those empty bottles and take them back to claim the deposit.
Most children can be quite creative, and will come up with some great ideas, so listen carefully.
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Chapter 6 - Making a Kiva Loan
Make the Loan
Making a Kiva loan is simple. Start by gathering together as a family. Explain that in some countries it is almost impossible for people to find work or get a loan to start a business. Go to the Kiva website http://www.kiva.org/ and help the children to explore the site. Watch the Video How Kiva Works.
Next open a Kiva account, choose a project to support, and then make your loan!
You might like to print out the profile of the individual who is receiving the loan and post it somewhere that is visible to the whole family.
When the loan is repaid choose another project to support and repeat the process. It’s as simple as that.
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Chapter 7 - Cardboard Capers
Chapter 7
CARDBOARD CAPERS
With nothing more than a little imagination, boxes can be transformed into forts or houses, spaceships or submarines, castles or caves. Inside a big cardboard box, a child is transported to a world of his or her own, one where anything is possible.”
- National Toy Hall of Fame
I love big cardboard boxes! Almost every child I know loves to play with cardboard boxes as well. Given the opportunity they can make some pretty amazing things. Cardboard boxes are full of possibilities. Perhaps you and your children could make a spaceship that goes to the moon. Maybe you could create a castle, build a fort, or construct a pirate ship to sail the high seas. Cardboard box activities are perfect for rainy days, summer garden fun, and inspiring pretend play. Again most of the things you will need are free.
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Chapter 7 - Cardboard Capers
This is the perfect project for parents and children to enjoy together. It is really easy to set up. All you need to do is present your children with a variety of cardboard boxes, duct tape and paint and invite them to make something.
Materials• Some large cardboard boxes (Furniture and appliance stores are good sources. You
could also try your local recycling center.)
• Duct tape in a variety of colors
• Small cardboard boxes, chipboard tubes, and egg cartons
• Paint
• Box cutter
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors
• Tempera paint
• Large paintbrushes
InstructionsYour children will be taking the lead on the project, so you will act as an adult assistant. It is your job to help cut the boxes and the super sticky duct tape as needed. Older children can probably use box cutters and hot glue guns with some supervision, but younger children will need you to handle those tools.
Engaging in this kind of open-ended project with children requires patience and a willingness to let go of your ideas and preconceived ideas. It can be helpful to ask open-ended questions such as:
• What could we make with these boxes?
• How could we join these boxes together?
• How do you want to decorate this?
• What could use these (smaller boxes, tubes, spools) for?
• How might we attach them?
Don’t forget to allow plenty of time for your children to make decisions, process their thoughts, and change direction.
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Chapter 7 - Cardboard Capers
For inspirationMeet 9-year-old Caine Monroy who spent a summer vacation building a cardboard arcade.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faIFNkdq96U
Visit my Cardboard Capers Pinterest Board to find oodles of cardboard box crafts and art projects. https://www.pinterest.com/rediscoveredf/cardboard-capers/
It’s time to gather those cardboard boxes and help your children get their creativity on! Have fun!
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Chapter 8 - Exploring
Chapter 8
EXPLORING“Adventure is allowing the unexpected to happen to you.
Exploration is experiencing what you have not experienced before.”- Richard Aldington
One year our family stayed at a small lakeside cottage for a few weeks. There was a little stream that fed into the lake, so one afternoon we decided to explore that stream. Everyone put on rubber boots and we set off to see if we could locate the source of the stream.
It was a magical afternoon. The stream meandered through the bush and we quickly left civilization behind. We saw all kinds of wildlife and had a chance to observe the countryside from a very different perspective. The stream disappeared into a marsh, so we never found the source. Still my three boys loved having the chance to explore. It was such an easy activity and we created some amazing memories together.
Children are natural explorers. They look and listen, touch what they can reach, and take in the smells. They will run, jump, dig, and climb as they discover new places.
Going out to explore is the perfect antidote to our culture’s entertainment-driven world.
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Chapter 8 - Exploring
It is an easy way to build memories and spend time together. It is often free and of course it is fun!
Materials• Appropriate clothing and footwear
• Sunscreen and bug spray as needed
• Maps if required
• Snacks
• Water bottles
• Portable first aid kit
Exploring the Natural World1. Many communities have community gardens or arboretums these are good places
to get started. If you’re exploring with younger children, let them lead the way. Point out things they might find interesting, such as seasonal flowers, trees, and wildlife. Older children can go further afield and can learn to identify plants and wildlife. Gardens and arboretums will also often offer children’s programs and family activities, so check their websites.
2. Nature preserves and wildlife refuges provide natural environments within a community that are sectioned off to protect certain species of local plants or animals. They are a great place to observe how local wildlife co-exists in different habitats. Visitors’ centers offer lots of information and are well worth a visit.
3. A trip to the beach provides the opportunity to find shells, worn pebbles, seaweed, driftwood, sea glass, and other treasures. Explore rock pools and see what they contain. Climb sand dunes and see what grows there. Climb along the rocks and see where they lead. Remember that wet seaweed on rocks can be slippery, so exercise care. Take a few minutes to sit together and listen to the waves. Explain how tides have highs and lows that are controlled by the moon. Do make sure you check the times of high tide BEFORE setting out to explore.
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Chapter 8 - Exploring
Exploring Urban Centres1. If your town has a visitor center take some time to visit. You’ll find brochures,
maps, visitor guides, and even local wildlife guides. You may be surprised to find what your town has to offer. If there is no visitor center, try heading to the library or a nearby travel center to get you started.
2. Go somewhere new. Challenge family members to pick a destination that you’ve never explored before or to try an activity you’ve never before done. It may require some research, but it will really help you discover what your town or city has to offer.
3. Go for a walk. Take the opportunity to visit a part of your town that you don’t frequent very often. Maybe there’s a neighbourhood that you’ve never explored. Go for a walk and see your community from a new perspective. Encourage observation and spontaneity. When you see a new park or bike trail, write it down on a list of things to explore in your city. Stop to read any historic landmark signs.
4. Go on a “Coin Toss” walk. Start out by walking in any direction. When you arrive at an intersection, flip a coin to decide whether you’re turning right (heads) or left (tails). Keep going to see where you end up, or stop to explore any fun or interesting spots you discover.
Other suggestionsGo geocaching https://www.geocaching.com/play
Exploring the local farmer’s Market
Visiting local museums and art galleries
Checking out arts and craft stores
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Chapter 9 - Glow in the Dark Fun
Chapter 9
GLOW IN THE DARK FUN
It’s rather easy to shine in the light but to glow in the dark… that’s mastery!” – Rick Beneteau.
Glow in the dark stuff delights children. There is something enchanting about turning off the lights and seeing things light up. Glow sticks are almost magical. Children love them and they are so much fun to play with. They are also fairly inexpensive, so grab a few packages and go have fun with your children. You will probably find that your children will quickly come up with their own ideas, so I would encourage you to follow their lead and play along.
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Chapter 9 - Glow in the Dark Fun
Glow Stick BowlingMaterials
• Large pop bottles
• Water
• Glow sticks
• Ball
• Paper and pencil to keep score if you wish
• A clear hallway, or level driveway, to use as a playing area.
Preparation
Peel the labels off bottles. Snap and shake your glow sticks to activate. Place one glow stick into each bottle. Fill with water. Replace the lid and screw on tightly.
Set pins up in a triangle formation approximately 4 to 6 inches apart:
• 4 pins in the back row
• 3 pins in the second row
• 2 pins in the third row
• 1 pin in the front row.
Activity
Younger children will probably just enjoy rolling the ball and knocking down the pins.
Older ones may wish to keep score. As a family choose how many frames you want to play. During each frame, every player has a turn to knock down as many pins as possible.
Players can roll the ball twice each turn. Players receive 1 point for each pin knocked down. When you complete all the frames, add up everyone’s points to see who got the highest score.
Other Things to do With Glow Sticks
Make glow stick jewellery and have a glow parade
Spin them in circles very fast
Play hide the glow stick
Play glow stick bracelet tag (after dark activate and place a glow bracelet on each person, go outside and play a game of tag.)
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Chapter 9 - Glow in the Dark Fun
Use connectors to create glowing letters and words. They look like neon signs.
Use connectors to make X’s and O’s and a tic-tac toe board
Fun With a Black LightIf you want to ramp up the impressiveness a notch why not try using a black light?
Materials
Black light bulb (You can find these in hardware stores or on Amazon.)
Lamp
Yellow florescent highlighters
Water
Container
White Cardstock
Pencils
Scissors
Straws
Tape
Activity
Make glowing water
Remove the end from a yellow highlighter pen and pull out the felt. Soak it in a small amount of water for a few minutes. Now put it under the dark light and watch it light up. These markers are labelled non-toxic, but you probably don’t want to let your children drink it! Still it is safe to play with.
If you want something that is safe to drink just use tonic water. Tonic water contains quinine, which glows under a black light. Tonic water can taste quite bitter though. Some children will love it and some will not. It can be fun to see their face when they try.
Use highlighters on your skin
Use yellow highlighters to draw a variety of designs on your hands and arms. Then stand under the black light and watch the designs light up. Under normal light the markers don’t really show up, but they light up as soon as the black light is turned on. Children just love this!
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Chapter 9 - Glow in the Dark Fun
Make photo booth props for a fun photo shoot
Have family members draw some simple photo booth props onto white cardstock. These might include moustaches, bow ties, crowns, or eyeglass frames. Decorate with yellow highlighters. It seems to work best if you make dots, check patterns, or stripes. Cut out and tape a straw to the back. Get everyone to pose under the black light, while you take pictures!
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Chapter 10 - Simple Ways to Play With your Children
Chapter 10SIMPLE WAYS TO PLAY WITH YOUR CHILDREN
“We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything, than when we are at play.”
- Charles Schaefer
Your children want and need lots of time with you. The good news is that they don’t always crave expensive activities. Sometimes they just want to play.
I have found that the simplest activities are often the most enjoyable. This makes it really easy to grab some time together.
Here is a list of some VERY simple things to do with your children. None of them require any preparation and many of them don’t need any equipment. For the ones that do, you should be able to find most of them around the house.
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Chapter 10 - Simple Ways to Play With your Children
• Go outside and play with a ball
• Lie in the grass and find pictures in the clouds
• Blow bubbles
• Play hopscotch
• Turn cartwheels
• Have an impromptu dance party
• Climb a tree
• Jump in puddles
• Roll down a grassy bank
• Play a pen and paper game http://www.todaysparent.com/family/activities/pencil-and-paper-games/
• Chew bubble gum and see who can blow the biggest bubble
• Make mud pies
• Tell corny jokes
• Sing along to your kid’s favourite songs at the top of your lungs
• Make a yarn circle, take it outside, place it on the ground and look carefully. What do you see? Move the circle somewhere else. What else do you see? If you have a magnifying glass bring it along
• Read a story and then another
• Play Pooh Sticks http://www.just-pooh.com/poohsticks.html
• Grab some pots and pans and form an impromptu marching band
• Have a water fight
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A FINAL WORD
“What if I could recognize when the proverbial memory cameras are rolling, col-lecting footage that my kids will eventually replay in reminiscence, once they are parents, and then step into the frame, so that I might become an important actor
in those moments?”- Josh Misner
Let me share a sad fact from my experience. Your children are here with you now, but all too soon they will grow up and go out to live independent lives.
If you are in the midst of parenting young children it’s probably hard to imagine. You are so used to the constant noise and activity that it’s easy to forget it won’t always be that way. In fact the thought of some peace and quiet may be really appealing. I understand! But I want to tell you that the time you have with your children will go by at lightening speed.
The time to connect with your children is NOW. I know that life can seem overwhelming at times. We live in a fast paced society and there is so much to do and so little time to do it. But as parents there is nothing more important than establishing strong connections with your children.
Your children are with you now. You only have a very limited time in which to read stories, snuggle, build forts, jump in puddles, give piggy-back rides, chase away monsters, kiss it better, have a burping contest, tell corny jokes, do silly dances, build the biggest tower ever, have water fights, or play tickle tag with them. You won’t always be able to play dress up and have tea parties with them. But you can today. You can do it now. Don’t waste another second!
Cleaning house can wait. The garden can wait. The “to do” list can wait. Work can wait.
I would like to encourage you to turn off your screen right now and go connect with your children. Pick one of the activities we’ve been discussing and go do it! Go make some memories today!
