Games Kids Can Play Anywhere
The next time you are faced with a long car ride or wait, these boredom-busting ideas will save the day: What’s Changed? One player covers his eyes while something is changed either in the room or on another player (a player’s baseball cap could be turned around, the part in his hair could be switched to the other side, etc.) The player who is “it” must guess what’s different. Mom’s Pocketbook The first player says, “Mom’s pocketbook is so heavy because it holds … an airplane” (or any object that begins with the letter A). The next person...
read moreWhat Kids Wished Their Parents Knew
If you want to know something about parents, just ask their child. Children are so innocent and honest. They haven’t been taught to hide their feelings; they just tell it as it is. What do you think they would tell us about the way we live our lives today? Here are some thoughts: We are too busy. Rushing from one thing to the next is not ideal for a child. If your child is saying, “I’m bored,” it is probably because they have been programmed to go constantly. Children, as well as adults, need to know how to “be still and know I am God.” My...
read moreTell Me About Grace
Grace: If you ask your family what they know about this word you may get one of these answers: It is what we say before we eat. It is the name of that girl in my class. (It is the name of my precious oldest granddaughter – Abby Grace!) It is part of that old song my grandmother sings – Amazing Grace. We think grace is too abstract for children to learn, but grace is the key to understanding Jesus’ loving sacrifice and God’s abundant forgiveness and love. Here is an example to teach your child about God’s grace: Tell kids they have to make a...
read moreJesus Rules!
Jesus Rules! Children want to live for Jesus each day; sometimes it is hard to remember how to make the right choices when they are “in the moment.” Use this easy object lesson using school items to remind them to be a shining light. Ruler – Jesus is my ruler. Because we live for Jesus we can make the right decisions, love our enemies, and treat others as Jesus would. Eraser – Jesus erases my sin. We all make mistakes. Jesus forgives us so we should forgive others. Pencil – Jesus writes His Word on my heart/Jesus writes the story of my...
read moreBeat the Back-to School Blues
Finish Your Fun List Hang a “Happy School Year!” banner that has a pocket for each of the letters in the word school. Inside each pocket put a slip of paper with an end-of-summer activity—something you meant to do over the summer break but never got around to. Just before school begins, draw one slip a day and have some fun before it is time to get in the routine of school. Make homemade ice cream; visit an old fashioned soda shop, or have a craft day. Finish the summer with fun! Get Decked Out Pick out a new outfit to wear on...
read moreA Lesson in Physics
A Lesson in Physics: The Magic of Marbles Do you remember the fun you could have with a handful of marbles? Children are so creative in making up games to play with the small round balls. The following game is one they will be able to show others. It must have been a hungry physicist who first noticed the Brazil Nut Effect. When you shake a jar of mixed nuts, the big, dense Brazil nut, always moves to the top. You would think it would fall to the bottom, but see the effect for yourself using a favorite marble. Put the marble in a clean...
read moreThumbkin to Do
Thumbkin To Do Humans have thumbthing special that distinguishes us from most other species; our opposable thumb, so called because it can touch each other fingertip to tip. The other mammals with opposable thumbs include apes, monkeys, koalas, and opossums. The thumbs flexibility and strength (nine muscles control it) give us exceptional grasping and fine motor abilities and allow us to excel at things like writing and tool-making. Still not convinced how awethumb it is? Try NOT using your thumbs (tape them to your palms if you have to) to...
read moreKeep It Cool
When the hot temperatures leave your kids hot and moody, make them smile with these “cool down” water games from Family Fun magazine. Ready Steady Jump Rope This simple spin on jumping rope turns in to a get-wet game. Provide each player with a full plastic cup of ice water. One at a time, each player must jump rope for ten turns while holding his or her cup. The player with the most water left wins. Freezy Tees Contest The chill factor in this fast-paced race makes it much cooler than your average dress-up game. Before the...
read moreRisky Viewing
The Wall Street Journal says about one-third of kids ages 6 months to 23 months have a TV in their bedroom, despite the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines recommending that kids under age 2 avoid screen time altogether. Be a wise parent and keep the media to a minimum in your nursery. As your child begins watching cartoons, do not assume just because they are animated that they are appropriate for young children. Be very careful about what your child views on TV at home and other places. Talk about the rules for your family and discuss...
read moreCelebrate Courage
Freedom. People have worked for it, fought for it, and died for it. In order to have freedom it takes tremendous courage. Courage is something we must teach our children. Establish a new tradition this year as you prepare to celebrate our country’s freedom. Share examples of people you view as being courageous. Have each family member name one person who is still living who they feel symbolizes real life courage and then share one person that exemplifies this from history. Another idea is chronicle the answers from your kids. Cut out...
read morePurchasing
