Fall Fun.

Costumes,  Jack-o-Lanterns, Fall Leaves, Corn Shocks, Scarecrows and Pumpkins...

Fall fun has a wide variety of options available for hours of enjoyment.

Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Enjoy!

 

 

One year I remember cutting out felt eyes, nose and mouth and stitching it on a pair of orange pajamas whose cuffs were green.  It was topped off with an orange stocking cap that I had sewn a green felt stem onto the top. It was a simple, comfortable costume. My little one left the house that year as a pumpkin to go trick-or-treat. 

 

A quick way to make a costume for role-play, acting out a story or trick-or-treat fun is to make a paper mask.

 

· Paper mask

"Make a mask from a larger brown paper bag.  Open the bag and very carefully slip it over your head and mark the eyes, nose and mouth.  Remove the bag and cut out the areas in the desired shape.  Add construction paper, felt, yarn, stickers, and decorations with marker or crayons to complete the mask.  You can even “fringe” the bottom with scissors."

 

 

 

Pumpkins:

 



-It is always fun to hollow out a medium sized round pumpkin and use it for stew, or a thick soup as your table centerpiece.

 

-A pioneer spirit brings delight when pumpkins can be picked from a patch, hollowed out, cut up and cooked using the pulp to create fresh baked pies and muffins.

 

-Drawing a face on the outside of a pumpkin provides the fun of making a jack-o-lantern,

 yet still being able to use the pumpkin to bake up a delicious fall dish to eat.

 

 

· Jack-o-Lanterns          

 

 Carve a face or design into a hollowed out pumpkin. 

 

Set a battery operated candle inside and enjoy the glow. 

 

Tips:  A simple coloring book picture can become the design on your pumpkin. Cut the top off of 

your pumpkin and clean out the seed and pulp  (save the seeds to wash off, season and roast).  Make a copy of your desired picture and tape it to the pumpkin side.  With a tooth pick, poke holes through the paper following the outline of your picture.  Remove the picture.  Using a pumpkin carving knife, carefully cut out your design.  Adult supervision required!" 

Have fun... be safe!

 

This Blog Post is inspired from the book:

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes:

Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share

by Becky B. Baxa

If you would like more fun ideas to share with your children

(that do not require batteries or electronics )

you can purchase this 180 page book,

full of color photos,

for $21.95

from Amazon.com

Or

from the gift shop at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO,

Silver Dollar City General Store in Branson, MO.

This book can also be checked out of the following libraries:

Scenic Regional Library - Pacific, MO

First Christian Church - Washington, MO

Hawaii State Library - Honolulu, HI

Story City Public Library - Story City, IA

Ellsworth Public Library - Ellsworth, ME

Ludington Public Library - Ludington, MI
Denver Public Library - Denver, CO
Pikes Peak Library District - Colorado Springs, CO

 

 

 

 

Cloud Picture Show

Yesterday was a picture perfect Autumn day.  The sun shone brightly on the emerging colors that announce that fall has arrived.  There was a brisk, cool breeze that nipped at your nose, made your hair fly around in crazy patterns and instinctively commanded you hug your jacket close around your neck.  The air smelled like fall.  How can you describe that?  You can just  tell there is a difference.  But the most incredible sign I noticed was the huge dark clouds that hovered and swirled in the clear blue sky.  Yes, fall had arrived.

An activity that can be done anywhere you can see the sky, for any age and for any amount of time is cloud watching.  The ultimate experience would be to bundle up in your favorite jacket, rake up a pile of ever emerging leaves and lay smack dab in the middle of that leaf pile on your back.  Of course, if you are in a geographic area that must worry about chiggers or ticks, make sure you apply insect repellent first.  As you lay on your bed of leaves begin to watch the "picture show" that is moving above your heads in the sky.  What animals or shapes can you find?  Can you make up a story about your clouds?  Take turns adding to the story until you have spun a yarn so tall you will double over with laughter.  Enjoy the show!

Can you find the heart?
What else do you see?

This Blog Post is inspired from the book:

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes:

Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share

by Becky B. Baxa

If you would like more fun ideas to share with your children

(that do not require batteries or electronics )

you can purchase this 180 page book,

full of color photos,

for $21.95

from Amazon.com

Or

from the gift shop at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO,

Silver Dollar City General Store in Branson, MO.

This book can also be checked out of the following libraries:

Scenic Regional Library - Pacific, MO

First Christian Church - Washington, MO

Hawaii State Library - Honolulu, HI

Story City Public Library - Story City, IA

Ellsworth Public Library - Ellsworth, ME

Ludington Public Library - Ludington, MI

 

Jack-O-Lantern Supreme: Pumpkin Prayer Family Devotions

 A long time ago there was a festival on October 31 to celebrate the harvest season.  People tried to scare away evil spirits by dressing in scary costumes.   The children would dress up and go door to door telling people that if they gave them a treat the evil spirits would go away.

  Years later the church decided to change the festival by making it a celebration of eternal life.  Instead of honoring evil spirits they honored all the Christians who had died in the last year.  This celebration was held on November 1 - called All Saints Day or All Hallowed Day (holy ones).  The evening before was called "All Hallows Eve". 

Over the years the name was shortened to "Halloween" 

 

When planning for a pumpkin prayer family devotion time a real pumpkin can be used, or you can use an artificial hollow foam pumpkin (purchased from a craft store).   


Steps for Pumpkin Prayer Family Devotions

Each step below includes actions to take in the process of carving your pumpkin, comments to make about what and why you are doing this step, a scripture reference and a short prayer.

Preparing Your Pumpkin:

If you are using an artificial foam pumpkin, have the parts already cut out before starting the devotion.  Clear push pins can be used on the cut out pieces as little handles aiding you in taking the pieces in and out.

To make fake pumpkin "guts:
    Materials needed  :  a mound of tangled orange yarn
                                     real pumpkin seeds
                                          (found in little packages in the snack section of the grocery store)
                                    white Elmer's glue
     Directions:
                Take a small amount of glue and mix it with the yarn and seeds.  Spread it out on wax 
                paper to dry.  When the glue has dried, the seeds will stick to the yarn
                resembling real pumpkin "guts".


If you are using a fresh pumpkin, cover your work surface with newspaper first for easy cleanup.  Cut each piece as you go along and have a family discussion about each part.


1.  Pumpkin Lid.

     God helps us to learn about Him.  We need to be open to what God wants to do in our lives.

    *  Scripture:  "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things."  Colossians 3:2

    *  Prayer:  Dear God, open my mind so I can learn about you.


2.  Pumpkin "guts".

    God takes away our sins and forgives us. We need to ask God to take away our sins every day.
    We can feel all clean after God forgives us.  Show clean inside of pumpkin

    *  Scripture:  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and
                         purify us from all unrighteousness"  I John 1:9

    *  Prayer:  Take away all my sin and forgive me for the wrong things I do.


3.  Heart shaped eyes.

     How can we see that God loves us? We see how much God loves us when we read the Bible, look
     at our families and see everything God has created!

     *  Scripture:  "Taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."
                         Psalms 34:8

     *  Prayer:  Open my eyes so I will see Your love


4.  Cross shaped nose.

      What does it mean to turn your nose up at something?...don't like ...ex.  foods, clothes, etc.  We
      may think we know what we need better than God does!  It is important to remember that Jesus
      died on the cross for us and we know that God gave us all we really need.

     *  Scripture:  "It is good to praise the Lord and make music to Your name, O most High."
                          Psalm 92:1

     *  Prayer:  I'm sorry for turning up my nose to all You've given me.


5.  Bible shaped ears.

     Do you ever have to be told more than once to do something?  Sometimes we don't
     listen well.  Parents want you to listen to them and God wants us to listen to Him!  The Bible
     tells us :  How much God loves us, how He wants us to live and how He will help us.  We need to
     listen to God's Word.

     *  Scripture:  "Give ear and come to me; hear me that your soul may live."  Isaiah 55:3

     *  Prayer:  Open my ears so Your work I will hear.


6. Fish shaped mouth.

     Jesus told disciples they weren't  going to catch fish now but they would be fishers of men by
     telling others about God's love.  A long time ago Christians greeted each other by drawing a fish
      in the dirt when they met.   We can use our mouths to tell others about Jesus.

     *  Scripture:  ..." I will proclaim what the Lord  has done. "  Psalms 118: 17

     *  Prayer:  Open my mouth so I can tell others You're near.


7.  Light a candle inside the pumpkin.

     Turn off  the lights and either light a small votive candle in a real pumpkin or turn the switch
     on an electric candle.  Battery operated candles, votive or tea lights are a safe, great ideas.

     Look how bright the light shines out of the pumpkin! The light stands for the Holy Spirit that lives
     in Christians. When we let God open up every part of us, He can shine through us so others will
     see Jesus in us.

    *  Scripture:  "You are the light of the world...Let your light shine before men, that they may see
                          your good deeds and praise your father in heaven."  Matthew 5:14, 16

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, open our minds so that we can learn more about you;  Please take away our sin and forgive us of the wrong things we have done.  Open our eyes so we can see how much you love us.  You have given us so much.  Please forgive us for turning up our  noses at our many blessings.  Open our ears so we can hear and understand your word and help us to know how to share the Good News with others.  We ask that you help us let your light shine in all that we say and do.
In Jesus name we pray.  Amen

Being a Christian can be easily explained by comparing it to the life of a jack-o-lantern:

 

"God comes to us and picks us up from a lonely, cold field.

He washes off all the dirt of our sin.

He removes the seeds of doubt, fear, and hate that have grown inside of us.

Then he places within us the light of his love.

This love warms our hearts.

What was once filled with darkness is now flooded with light.

That love puts a smile on our face!

Now the whole world can see God's love shining in us!"

 

"Go SHINE for the Lord as you

Share

His

Incredible

News

Everywhere!"

This year as you carve your pumpkin, let it be a special reminder

to seek the Lord in all we do and say!

 

Let our light shine for Jesus!

Source and for additional resources see CTA (Christian Tools for Affirmation) http://www.ctainc.com

Sewing Cards

As the holidays approach, it brings to mind an exciting activity to do with old greeting cards

or those beautiful calendars once the year is over.

 

Lace-Up or Sewing Cards

 

Materials Needed:

 

1.  Greeting cards, old calendar pictures glued onto cardboard, food box panels

2.  hole punch

3.  yarn, cording or a long shoe lace

4.  scissors

5.  tape (masking or scotch) - not needed if a shoe lace is used

6.  glue if you need to mount a picture on cardboard

 

Select a picture from the front of an old card, a cardboard food box or a calendar picture that has been mounted on cardboard (cardboard from a food box can be used for this).  If the calendar is on stiff paper, mounting is not necessary.

 

Use a hole punch to make holes around the outside edge about 1/2 inch apart from each other and a quarter of an inch inside the outside edge.

 

If using yarn or cording, wrap masking or packing tape around the ends to make it stiff. Then it can be easily laced through the holes.

 

Take a shoelace or yarn to lace up the picture. You can go over the edge or lace it with an up and down stitch.

 

 

 

  

This activity develops fine motor skills.

 

Happy Sewing!

 

 

 

 

This Blog Post is inspired from the book:

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes:

Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share

by Becky B. Baxa

If you would like more fun ideas to share with your children

(that do not require batteries or electronics )

you can purchase this 180 page book,

full of color photos,

for $21.95

from Amazon.com

Or

from the gift shop at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO,

Silver Dollar City General Store in Branson, MO.

This book can also be checked out of the following libraries:

Scenic Regional Library - Pacific, MO

First Christian Church - Washington, MO

Hawaii State Library - Honolulu, HI

Story City Public Library - Story City, IA

Ellsworth Public Library - Ellsworth, ME

Ludington Public Library - Ludington, MI

A Cardboard Box... let the magic begin!

A new appliance has joined the family and you are getting ready
to throw out the packing material. 
After all...
It's just a cardboard box...

STOP!
Don't throw it away.
Create, pretend and play first!

If you aren't in the market for a new appliance, do not fear.  Contact any store that sells appliances and ask for a refrigerator, washing machine or dryer box.  Actually, any large box(s) will do.  Most businesses are more than happy to share packing boxes with you. Many times I have gone dumpster diving (with permission) for that perfect box.

After bringing the box home an adult should cut out windows,doors and ramps.  Whatever suits your fancy.  If kids are old enough let them help create the design.  Make two holes in the doors and lace  string in each hole for door handles.  This makes it easier to open and close the doors.

 

 Bring out crayons and markers and let the kids decorate the box. 

 

Draw grass and flowers on the outside, color in the letters on the box, draw furniture on the inside.

 

Label the front door with your name.

 

Add a piece of carpet scrap or a carpet rectangle (sample) for indoor carpeting. 

 

Cut apart old greeting cards and tape them inside for artwork on the walls. 

 

 A piece of foil taped inside makes a fun "mirror".

 

Light weight dish towels or pieces of fabric can be taped, or tacked, to the window openings for curtains.

 

Let your imagination go wild!

 

 

And, don't forget... it is fun for big people too! 

Kids will love it if you join them inside their new secret place. 

What a great way to share a story, read a book or pretend.

 

 

  Why not get several boxes and set up a "city" in the basement or backyard.

You may be surprised of the hours of fun a simple cardboard box will generate!






This Blog Post is inspired from the book:

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes:

Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share

by Becky B. Baxa

If you would like more fun ideas to share with your children

(that do not require batteries or electronics )

you can purchase this 180 page book,

full of color photos,

for $21.95

from Amazon.com

Or

from the gift shop at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO,

Silver Dollar City General Store in Branson, MO.

This book can also be checked out of the following libraries:

Scenic Regional Library - Pacific, MO

First Christian Church - Washington, MO

Hawaii State Library - Honolulu, HI

Story City Public Library - Story City, IA

Ellsworth Public Library - Ellsworth, ME

Ludington Public Library - Ludington, MI

 

Water Painting

It is 84 degrees today.

The sun is shining  brightly, the trees are starting to turn and

there is a wonderful smell of expectancy in the air.

The crops in the fields have turned beautiful shades of brown resulting in

a flurry of activity as harvest begins.  It is a perfect Fall day!

Most pools have been closed for the season.

But, there is one thing for sure:

Kids + Water = Fun!

For a quick, easy activity on a bright sunny day try

Water Painting!

It will be sure to result in creative excitement.

 

Materials needed:

 

-a container of water

-a clean, soft paint brush

-a surface to "paint":  cement (sidewalk or driveway), siding (the side of the house), the side of the car or the boards on your deck.

 

All ages can enjoy this activity. 

From the littlest child painting in all directions, to older children writing letters  and their name to more complex pictures.for the advanced "artist"

 

Have fun watching your creations evaporate. 

How long does it take?  Does it evaporate faster in the sun or the shade?

 

No mess, wetness that dries and no worries... just tons of fun!

 

 

 

This Blog Post is inspired from the book:

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes:

Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share

by Becky B. Baxa

If you would like more fun ideas to share with your children

(that do not require batteries or electronics )

you can purchase this 180 page book,

full of color photos,

for $21.95

from Amazon.com

Or

from the gift shop at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO,

Silver Dollar City General Store in Branson, MO.

This book can also be checked out of the following libraries:

Scenic Regional Library - Pacific, MO

First Christian Church - Washington, MO

Hawaii State Library - Honolulu, HI

Story City Public Library - Story City, IA

Ellsworth Public Library - Ellsworth, ME

Ludington Public Library - Ludington, MI