Feb 05
Yet another few more weeks of daily tweets to share here as a single post to make them “easier” to find and read. So often we are tempted to just let our children play their video games or watch TV. The challenge is to come up with activities that will mold the mind, help develop imagination and keep the child wanting for more.
Tips 106 through 120:
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Buy a subscription to a magazine, mail for kids or have a relative write notes so he can get an item in the mail regularly
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Get a family member such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle to send a card or write a letter on a regular basis. Receiving mail delights everyone
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Use pry-off bottle cap – make a photo key chain – Glue picture on 1 side cover with contact paper – glue paper clip & felt on other
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Cork float toys – cut slit in cork – draw picture, cut out & cover w/packing tape 2 waterproof – insert into slit – tacks 4 balance
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Decorate jar with crayons – break into small pieces lay on foil in sunlight 2 melt – when nice & soft – roll jar over soft crayon
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Sunglasses case – Use neck tie – cut 9″ section off the bottom – fold cut side & glue or sew – stick velcro dot on tie point & were sides meet
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Make a finger puppet using a coin wrapper – add wiggle eyes – pipe cleaners for arms – yarn for hair – small pom-pom for nose
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Use tall round, slim cookie tin – make piggy bank – Adult should cut coin slot, lid will provide easy access, add cork feet & nose
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Make Valentine’s Day cards out of old Holiday cards – cut out decorative designs & apply to paperboard – color & write sweet notes
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Work on a “science” project together, learn & teach a new skill – share what u have learned to motivate continued science learning
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Encourage writing skills – start a journal together – discuss daily topics – take turn writing & editing content – critic & praise
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Have a secret you can share – emphasize trust issues, as well as the specialness of sharing – don’t be mad if he blurts, takes work
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Keep a scrapbook together – create pages for “special” occasions (real or fictional) – will treasured memory book as time goes by
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Make Valentine’s Day mice with 2 Hershey kisses, felt ears and paws, google eyes, pompom nose, yarn tail – use tiny amt of glue
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Make heart shaped marshmallow treats with fun colorful sprinkles to take to school on Valentine’s Day instead of tootsie pops
Part eight in an undefined numbered series of tips. These tips are initially posted Monday through Saturday on Twitter around 8:30AM (Pacific Time). I welcome any suggestions, additions or comments. Please keep in mind all projects, crafts & ideas have to written in 140 characters or less.
Entertaining a boy Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 & Part 7
Tagged with: Activities • crafts • fun & games • games • summer activities • teaching boys • Toddler boys
Jan 20
I was asked to elaborate on my tweeter tip# 109 which I posted this morning. Here are step by step instructions on how to make some simple float toys.
You will need: a cork, thumbtacks, construction paper, clear plastic tape, scissors and markers.
- Cut a 1/2 inch deep slit in the side of the cork (an adult should do this)
- Draw a picture of a duck, swan or boat. Make sure to draw a tab at the bottom of the picture wide enough to slip in the slit of the cork.
- Cut out the picture. Cover both sides with tape to make it waterproof. Cut out the tape.
- Put the picture tab in the slit in the cork.
- Add a thumbtack on each side at the bottom of the cork to keep it balanced in the water. You might need to adjust or add more tacks to get it to float upright.
Make several float toys and have a race.
Tagged with: Activities • crafts • fun & games
Jan 10
For the first time this last Holiday Season school vacation drove all of us somehat stir crazy. The weather was colder than ever before and the wind kept us from be able to stay outside for any extended amount of time. The following tips were the result of this challenge. I hope you enjoy my tips and find them useful.
Tips 91 through 105:
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Set-up a play date pull out lincoln logs, legos or erector set – have each boy create a building project, rate, discuss & praise each
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Make your own New Year’s day poppers – using poster board, paper, confetti, yarn – instructions here http://tinyurl.com/yfvy2ow
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Create family traditions, a new holiday decoration, watch a movie or show, volunteer at a food closet…every year on the same day
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Teach about money, savings, value of things. Have him choose a desired goal & put together steps on how to achieve it – praise often
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Help learn organization habits -start with preparing for school the night before – setting out outfit, preparing backpack, lunch…
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Set-up a homework area with cubbies 4 papers, pencils, books, notebooks & hook 4 backpack – 1st place to go when home from school
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Have him help on laundry day – putting his clean & folded items away – reinforces a place for everything & everything in its place
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Get a special case or container for his favorite game. Make it bright & fun so it’s easily to find – help organize each piece in it
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Make a special place in the garage for his bicycle, sports equipment… – Paint it, decorate it 4 him so that he can feel ownership
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A few times a year go through his room, organize, clean & purge. Have him decide where 2 donate items, life long lesson in giving
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Ask him 4 help when reorganizing the kitchen or other common area getting him involved in organizing will help keep things in order
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Invest in a bookshelf & some containers, baskets… Together label each for it’s content & arrange – Ownership helps w/neatness
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Read non-fictional magazine or books together. Discuss details, subject, research to find out more details & discover truth…
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Make keep things/toys organized fun, use colors, make a realistic treasure chest or locker for his things, keep his likes in mind
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Got to the Museum to broaden his views and help with imagination – create a game of “Where is Waldo?” to help him examine art
Part seven in an undefined numbered series of tips. These tips are initially posted Monday through Saturday on Twitter around 8:30AM (Pacific Time). I welcome any suggestions, additions or comments. Please keep in mind all projects, crafts & ideas have to written in 140 characters or less.
Entertaining a boy Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 & Part 6
Tagged with: Activities • crafts • fun & games • Holiday • Reading • teaching boys • Toddler boys
