1-2-3 JUMP! The Fun of Raking Leaves.

Have you heard the expression, "Many Hands Make Light Work"? This is such a true statement and the reason our family owned four pitchforks. For you see, even though the kids grumbled going to the barn to clean stalls, we always ended up having lots of fun together and everyone was smiling when we left the barn. And, the sense of pride and accomplishment of a job well done gave everyone a boost. I used to tell my boys that if we all worked together, then we would have more time to play together. However, we always mixed in heavy doses of fun into our work. Many productions were created (although, they never hit Broadway) and lots of songs were sung.

Now here is the beauty of today's activity. Not only are you working together (producing team work, sense of accomplishment and boosts to your self esteem) you can have just as much fun.
Don't dread the job of raking leaves any longer! The simplest form of this activity is to rake the leaves into a big pile, then jump in!

 

Photo property of Hidden Splendor ©

 

 

Scoop leaves up with your hands and throw them into the air making it “rain.”

Older children might like to have a contest. Section the yard into equal areas, give everyone  a rake and a large garbage bag and say "GO!".

Who can rake their section the fastest? Remember, quality work cannot be sacrificed.

Or, maybe all parts of the yard are fair game and the clock will be your guide.

Who can fill the most bags in a given time period?

No matter which version you choose, the results are sure to produce many giggles, laughs

and smiles... and not to mention a beautifully raked yard!

You don't have a yard? Not to worry. Do you know someone who does? Wouldn't they be pleasantly surprised if you and your children offered to rake their leaves? Charity and good will to others would then be added to your list of positives for this activity.

 

Take a walk down the street, introduce yourself to your neighbors and offer

to give them a helping hand.

 

Do you know of an elderly person? They would also be pleased to have help

and would enjoy the company too.

You don't live in a neighborhood with yards and trees? Then, head to the closest local park. Leaves can be swept also... not as efficient as a rake, but it would work to make a pile to jump in.

 

Safety note: If you live in an area that has ticks and chiggers, you may want to spray with insect repellent before doing this activity.

 

Wishing you many fun fall adventures!

 

 

 

 

 

Inspired from the book:
Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes:
Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share
by Becky Baxa
Available from http://www.Amazon.com
in both Kindle and Paperback versions

            


 

 

            

 

Fall Leaf Pressing Projects

           
The fall season officially started on September 23.  As the trees become flaming sources of color for your delight, it is fun to bring some of that beauty into your home.  Here are a couple of fun projects that can be enjoyed for those ages 2-102.

            

Take a nature hike and collect pretty leaves along the way.  Use a basket or shopping bag to collect your colorful treasures.  Once you are back home, sort the leaves into piles of different shapes, sizes and/or colors.
 

Press your leaf collection in between the pages of an old magazine, or between sheets of newspaper.   Be careful to make sure the leaves are lying completely flat before pressing.  Weigh down your pressed leaves with something heavy (books, door stop, brick, etc.).  Check every few days until the leaves are flat and dry.  When completely dry you can have fun making one, or both, of the projects below.

 Placemats 

 Select a piece of poster board in the color you desire for your background.   Use a placemat you already own as a pattern to determine the size.  Make a design with leaves on your cut poster board.   A piece of double stick tape or a dot of white glue will help hold your leaves in place.  Cover the leaf side of your placemat first with clear contact paper.  Then cover the back of your placemat.  Don’t forget to sign and date the back of your project before sealing with the contact paper.  

 

An alternative idea is to make and send a card to someone special using the same materials.

 

 

 

 Not only are these placemats fun to create, they look pretty on the table for autumn meals and are great keepsakes.  I still have placemats that my children made 30 years ago!  They have retained their color, look festive on the table and bring back a whole lot of fun memories.  So, why not make a set of memories with your children this fall?

 

 

Window Decorations

Wax paper version:  Arrange a few pretty leaves on wax paper.  Cover with another sheet of wax paper the  same size.  Put a brown paper bag, that has been cut apart, under and on top of the waxed paper while ironing with a warm iron to seal.  These look pretty hanging in a window. 

 

Clear contact version:  Seal dried, flattened leaves in-between two sheets of clear contact paper.   Trim around the edges of the leaves using a pair of sharp scissors.   Leave about a quarter of an inch around the leaves when trimming the contact paper.  Hang individually or string together using monofilament lineor colorful yarn.  You can also tie leaves together or hang individually to a wire clothes hanger to make a mobile.

 

Photo source:  http://www.artful-kids.com


 

 

Inspired by the book:

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes

by Becky Baxa

Available from http://www.amazon.com

 

 

 

 

 

Leaf Rubbings

There was  crispness in the air this morning with a promise that fall was approaching.  As I drove down the lane tiny shivers of joy ran up my body as I gazed at my favorite maple tree.  It was starting to change colors! It is by far the Queen of Fall trees and never fails to fill me with happiness and excitement as I feast upon its rainbow of harvest colors. 

Tis the season for leaf activities! 

Probably the most simple of the long time favorites is leaf rubbings.
All you need is a fun walk outside to collect your leaf treasures.  Once inside,  grab a plain piece of paper, some crayons and your leaf collection.  Place the leaves under your paper, vein side up, in any pattern that you desire and run the side of a crayon over the top of the paper.  As an imprint of your leaf appears it will be exciting to find the edges and complete your colored leaf!  This can be as simple or complex as you want to make it. 

This will be a wonderful decoration for the refrigerator door and a great way to start the fall season!

These pictures would also make a fine cover for a card for someone special.  Imagine the smile it will bring when they open up a bit of nature and creative artwork from your house to theirs!... I'm thinking grandparents would love this treat!

Have Fun!



Photo Source:  http://wwwfirstpalatte.com
 

 

 

 

Inspired by the book

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes: 

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

by Becky Baxa

Available from Amazon.com

 

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

 

 

 

 

Leaf Person/Family

Fall is the perfect time to explore the beautiful, bountiful treasures of nature.       

Give each child a bag to pick up their favorite Fall treasures, then head outdoors to explore.  After your expedition, come inside and have a show and tell of what each person found.  This is a great time to share feelings and thoughts about why each person chose their items.  You will discover the inner thoughts and some of your child's values, too.

 

There are many things you can do with the natural items that you found.

But, one idea is to make pictures of leaf people.

Leaf people

Sort through your bag of treasures. 

Lay out the items in piles of different sizes, shapes, textures and colors.  

Plan your design.

Arrange leaves onto a piece of paper of your choice into people shapes.

You can also use your natural materials to make objects around your people: sun, trees, grass...

Glue on your design.

  Markers, construction paper or foam pieces can be used to make eyes, nose and mouth.

 

Have your child make a picture of the whole family using leaves and outdoor treasures. 

Don't forget the family pets in your creation.

 

Be sure to have your child sign and date this creation!