101 Kids Activities

101 Kids Activities

Parenting/crafts
"We hope that this book inspires you to find play in big and
small moments every day. We hope it is an imagination boost that
launches childhood memories beyond these pages.
We believe that you don't need the latest gadgets or an
elaborate plan to engage children. Play meets everyone right where
they are with what they have in their hand."
Moms and dads of young kids who don't want your kids spending
summer vaca totally engaged with electronic media, I'm looking out
for you. I'm on the lookout for books with ideas to keep children
creative and even outside. 101 Kids Activities That Are The Bestest
Funnest Ever by Holly Homer and Rachel Miller is a gem in this genre.
The book is divided into four sections. Boredom Busters shows
kids how to do fun stuff like construct geometric figures with stars,
make edible play dough, construct a PVC pipe tent, and turn stuffed
animals into marionettes. Crafts shows them how to create stuff like
bubble prints, craft stick puzzles, permanently decorated dishes, clay
beads, sidewalk chalk, and soap with hidden surprises. Games include
an obstacle course, catapult competition, craft stick dominos, an
airplane race, and human jousting. Simple science includes ways to go
on an archaeology dig, build a book bridge, nurture plants with
compost soup, make fizzing sidewalk paint, and sculpt a volcano in a
sandbox.
Instructions are straightforward. Most materials are everyday
enough to be found in homes. In addition to being a gem of a
reference for parents and youth group leaders, it would be a terrific
investment or gift for a babysitter.
On a personal note, one summer during my undergraduate college years I
had what seemed to be a not so good babysit. There was a group of
kids. The couples were really happy about going out together for a
childless meal. Their collective offspring, clearly not happy, were
slumped in front of the tv. I said, I don't know about you guys, but
I am going to turn a refrigerator box into a playhouse. When they saw
the box they went running for markers, crayons, scissors. Their
parents came back quite surprised to see them totally wrapped up in
their construction. :)
A great big shout goes out to all people who love to play.
jules hathaway




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