On the Road Again...Travel Fun!

As the summer months fly by, many families are taking a vacation before school starts. 

 As fun as it is to go places, the drive to get there can often be a bit stressful. 

Below are a few of the many activities that families can enjoy together while on a road trip.

  Travel safely!

1.  When traveling, let your child be the navigator. Teach them to use a road map.  Show them how to tell what town is next, how many miles to the next town, the population of that town.  Have your child read the directions to your destination and help look for street signs.

 

2.  Count railroad cars while waiting for a train to pass.  How many different kinds of railroad cars are on the train?

 

3.  Identify license plates—how many states can you find?  How many from each state? 

 

4.  Alphabet spy game.  Follow the alphabet A to Z (omit X and Z). Players must spy an object that starts with the letter of the alphabet before going on to the next letter.  You can also play this with signs.  Spying a sign that has the letter you are looking for. 

5.  Sing this modified version of an old song:   “100 bottles of soda on the wall.”

“100 bottles of soda on the wall, 100 bottles of soda.  Take one down, pass it around, 99 bottles of soda on the wall.”  Continue until there are no more bottles of soda.

 

6.  Play “Slug Bug.”  Each time you see a Volkswagen Beetle (or use another car like a SMART or Mini Cooper), yell out “Slug bug.”  The first person to find ten “Slug Bugs” calls out “Splat.”   (Source:  Parents  May 1988)

 

7.  Play “20 Questions,” or “I Spy”

 

8.  Add-On-Story.  Someone starts a story and then stops.  The next player picks up the plot and adds to the story.  Continue with several rounds of the players before stopping.

 

9.  With or without?  Look for cars with or without certain things.  Examples:  with passengers, luggage rack, whitewall tires, people wearing glasses or sunglasses, pets, no men, no women, four doors, two doors, without a front license plate, etc.

 

10. Count how many pickup trucks, semi trucks, green (or any color) cars, etc. within a certain time period or number of miles.

 

11.  Copy a lap size map of the United States before leaving home. Clip this onto a clipboard.Teach children how to make hash or tally marks.

 

 

Mark the state with a mark each time you see a license plate from that state. Younger children can color in the state as a license plate is spotted.

12.  What are YOUR favorite travel games?

 

This Blog Post is from page 107 in 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 Etsy.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 - Union and Pacific, MO

First Christian Church - Washington, MO

Hawaii State Library - Honolulu, HI

Story City Public Library - Story City, IA

Ellsworth Public Library - Ellsworth, ME

 

Fruit Sparkle Ice Cubes

The dog days of summer are upon us.

 

Below are a few recipes that my kids loved (the whole family actually) that can perk up your day,

cool off a hot, weary body

and add a splash of fun and pep to a sizzling afternoon of high temperatures.

 

When the kids were little a neighbor gave us the Fruit Sparkle Ice Cube recipe below

that makes any day a party.

We "dressed" up our summer meals with these festive, colorful ice cubes.

You can use one color or a variety of colors.  Use whatever matches the occasion or mood.

My kids loved to mix colors and experiment with what color they would melt into.  For example red and blue ice cubes not only produce an interesting flavor combination, but when they melt the make a purple drink!  Now how cool is that?

 

Ice cubes made in specialty ice cube trays produce fun shapes. 

Hearts were our favorite!   

 

Fruit Sparkle Ice Cubes

"Mix one small package of powdered drink mix

with 2/3 cup of sugar and 4 cups of water.

Pour into an ice cube tray and freeze. Any flavor can be used. 

 

If several flavors are made you can put one of each flavor in a glass,

making it more festive.

Examples: red and green at Christmas, red for Valentine’s Day,

green for  St. Patrick’s Day, red and blue for Patriotic days,

pastel colors for Spring and Easter, orange for Halloween, etc.

 

Serve with a lemon-lime soda poured over the top of the cubes."  

 

For a healthier, refreshing summer drink add fresh fruit to the above recipe or

to plain water to make your drinks.  You can also experiment with your favorite juices.

 

Example: Place one raspberry, blueberry,strawberry or a mint leaf in each ice cube tray section filled with water before you freeze.

   

http://www.123rf.com

Another very fun, and healthy, summer drink is to serve low fat vanilla ice cream (or frozen yogurt) with orange juice!  Or throw in your favorite fruit, vanilla yogurt, some fruit juice or milk and ice cubes into a blender.  This makes a delicious, refreshing drink!

Have fun!  Experiment with the possibilities and stay cool!



 

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 Etsy.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 - Union and Pacific, MO

First Christian Church - Washington, MO

Hawaii State Library - Honolulu, HI

Story City Public Library - Story City, IA

Ellsworth Public Library - Ellsworth, ME

Going, Going, Gone!

 

It was a very hot summer day. White fluffy clouds on a background of clear blue,

 and a hot blazing sun filled the sky.

She was bent over intently looking at two tiny water spots on the sidewalk. 

It wasn't raining.  Curious, I watched and waited. 

She skipped a little and putting her hand inside a foam cup, pulled out something and dropped it.  Then the watching and intense study began once more.   

Her smile radiated almost as brightly as the sun that day.

 

My little friend was dropping ice cubes!  We began to chat and I presented her with a few challenges.  We dropped a piece and then counted.  It was gone in 63 seconds!  That was cool! 

We dropped different sizes and guessed how long it would take each piece to melt.  How much longer did it take the big pieces to melt compared to the smaller pieces? 

We were amazed at how fast the sidewalk became totally dry once more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It wasn't a long interlude, but it was fun!  Not only did we learn a little bit about melting and evaporation, our friendship grew a little that day also.  I made a connection with my young friend that I'm sure she will remember next time she sees me creating a bridge for future communication. 

 

 

Is it hot today? 

Why not get a cup of ice and head to the nearest piece of cement (driveway or sidewalk)? 

You could even do this on the boards of a deck.  

 Make sure you take enough to eat a little too! 

Then have fun experimenting and cooling off!

 

 

 

 

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 Etsy.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 - Union and Pacific, MO

First Christian Church - Washington, MO

Hawaii State Library - Honolulu, HI

Story City Public Library - Story City, IA

Ellsworth Public Library - Ellsworth, ME

Color Changing Flowers

A mile from our house, I stopped at a stop sign and sucked in a breath of wonder at the colorful feast before my eyes.   The ditch was filled with white lacy Queen Anne's Lace, bright yellow Brown Eyed Susan's, and pale cornflower blue Chicory.  It was if an artist had spent the evening painting a masterpiece right there in the ditch.  Now to the Master Gardener it would have been a batch of unsightly weeds.  But to me it was candy for the eyes!

As I continued my drive, my mind went back over the years and I smiled. It was the Queen Anne's Lace that tickled my memory and filled my mind with joy and laughter.

I suppose it was my mom who first introduced me to this fun summer activity.  I later continued this summer ritual with the children I babysat as a teen and later with my own children.  I look forward to carrying on the tradition with my grandchildren.  I remember lining up an  array of various size bottles and jars on the top of the stove filled with water.  Mom's stove was next to an eastern window in her tiny kitchen and the morning sunlight always provided a spotlight to whatever botanical treasure we would find and display.

Next we would add different colors of food coloring to each bottle of water.  A search of the pasture and yard always produced armloads of the frilly white flower we called Queen Anne's Lace.   Then we would fill each vase with as many flowers as we could and wait for the magic!  Sometimes as early as that evening, if we looked really close we could see the water color seeping into the veins of each tiny petal.  As the days unfolded our bouquets became red, blue, green and yellow.  It was so exciting as we monitored the progress each day.  Little did I know that a science lesson had been done, we just enjoyed the JOY of the activity.

Of course, each year Mom would tell me the folklore of how a princess was held captive and forced to produce lace.  One day she pricked her finger and a drop of blood fell on her work.  To this day, a tiny spot of dark red can be found in the center of each Queen Anne's Lace flower to remember her story.  Now, I have no idea where this story originated from or if there ever was a Queen Anne with a sorrowful tale.  But, this storytelling would accompany our search each summer.

Here's how you can try this activity.

 

Dye a flower.          

"Pick white daisies or wild Queen Annie's Lace (usually found along the side of roads, in              ditches, along fields or anywhere that has been left to grow wild).  Fill several bottles/jars or vases with water.  In each container of water add a different color of food coloring.  Blue and red work well. Insert several flowers in each container of  colored water and observe over the next several days.  The colored water will flow up the stem and turn the veins and petals of the flower the color of the water.  Very cool!"

 

Older children could chart the progress, even measuring how quickly the dye travels up the stem.

 

 

 

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 Etsy.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 - Union and Pacific, MO

First Christian Church - Washington, MO

Hawaii State Library - Honolulu, HI

Story City Public Library - Story City, IA

 

 

 

Creative Family Fun Resource

Are you at a loss as to what to do when your child claims boredom?

The Pinterest site listed below was originally created to support

parents, children and families.

 

It is inspired by the basic concepts presented in the book:

 Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes: Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and

Children to Share by Becky B. Baxa

available from Amazon.com and Etsy.com

Check out these Pinterest boards for creative ideas:

 

 "Fun for Kids", "Make Learning Fun", "Think Before You Toss" and "Children's Issues"

 

http://pinterest.com/hiddensplendor/boards/

Insects, Reptiles and Amphibians... Oh My!

 

Summer has arrived and the great outdoors is bursting with life

 that peaks the curiosity of young explorers!

 

Last week I was greeted by a tiny ring neck snake at the door of my barn.  He was smaller around than my little finger and about six inches long. He lifted his head to  inspect me, then quickly disappeared down the crack in the cement. If I hadn't been watching, I might have missed him altogether.

 

I remember one day finding another little (non-poisonous) snake in my garage.  Being the teacher always, I scooped him up in one of my peanut butter critter catcher jars.  He rode with me to my young home bound student's home that day and became our guest lesson.  It took most of the morning for me to convince her that it wasn't a worm!  We got out a book on snakes and identified what type of snake he was.  We learned what he ate and where he lived.  We hypothesized why he was in my garage.  We found out how big he got and if he was hatched or born.   We found a magnifying glass and watched him.  We drew pictures of him and even made up stories about his family and feelings. Instead of the regular lesson, we had an in depth, hands-on interdisciplinary lesson instead.  It was awesome, and so much more meaningful than words or a worksheet.  Her mother avoided our lesson area that day and shook her head and smiled each time she passed the room.  I tried to convince her to meet our new friend, but she politely declined.  That afternoon, Mr. Snake traveled back home with me and I let him go... in the yard along with a lecture about staying out of my garage.  He must have been confused.

 

I remember as a child making a living lantern by catching lightening bugs and putting them in a  jar.  I would fall asleep with them twinkling next to my bed. It seemed magical and became a treasured memory of summer evenings. My children also did this activity.  After they fell asleep I would release their "night lights" back into the yard.

 

It is amazing the different size, shapes and colors that butterflies, bugs and small critters come in.

Although many may scream and swat at these creatures,  they are extremely fascinating to look at and study. And they have a magnetism to children who are soaking up knowledge, curious and inquisitive.  And, if we are lucky, not swayed by negative adult opinion.

 

Insects, reptiles and amphibians are designed with the most unique, intricate, complex patterns and parts; and, serve many positive functions in our environment.

 

Today's post is in celebration of these amazing critters.

 

How this celebration is accomplished will be determined by the age of your child(ren).

 

Young children like to look at and watch.

Older children will research interesting facts about diet, habitat, lifespan, etc.

Some children may like to draw or take pictures of their discoveries.

Diaries or journals of summer discoveries might be a wonderful on-going activity.

Other children may delight in creating stories (both verbally and in writing) about their findings.

 

Of course, SAFETY IS THE HIGHEST priority with this activity...

so use common sense and education. 

Not all insects and snakes are safe to hold or catch (i.e. bees, wasps, poisonous specimens, etc.) 

 

However if you have a child that is really into the creeping, crawly variety of life,

observation and documentation of  habits are just as exciting as catching.

 

 

Here are some tools to make your study more exciting:

 

1.  Bug Box/Jar:  Any jar or bottle with holes punched in the lid will make a good container.

                            Holes can be made by pushing a hot ice pick melting through a plastic lid or

                            by using  a drill with a small bit.   This part is for adults to do.

                                            

empty, clean plastic peanut butter jar

 

 

For larger catches such as frogs, geckos, large insects, or tiny (non-poisonous) snakes,

plastic fruit containers make perfect collection boxes. 

They seal firmly and already have breathing holes.

 



plastic fruit box and peanut butter jars

 

2.  Insect net

 

3.  Magnifying glass

 

4.  Journal

 

5.  Sketch pad with colored pencils

 

6.  Trip to the library or time to research the characteristics and habits of what is found on the Internet

     

7.  Books and or Field Guides on insects, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles.

8.  Binoculars

 



 

 

 

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 Etsy.com 

 

 

 

Having a Blast With Balloons!

BALLOON FUN 

 

Today's post is an excerpt from the book:  Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes: 

Over 500 Quick Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share  by Becky B. Baxa

 

No matter what your age, balloons are fun.

 

Balloons are fun to play with, look at and create with.

We know we can bounce them, stomp them, sit on them

and play volley ball with them,

 but here are a few more things to do with balloons. 

· Message Balloons

Write a message on a piece of paper.  Ideas:  Hug someone you like, sing a song, pat your head, hop on one foot, etc.  Fold this message and insert it into a balloon.  Decorate your balloon with a marker before you blow it up. After a game of Balloon Toss (keeping the balloon in the air as long as possible before  it touches the floor), pop your balloon and do whatever the message inside tells you to do. One or all of these should produce lots of laughter! 

· Static Electric Balloons

Can you make a balloon stick to your hair or a wall? Can you get it to pick up thread or some other lightweight object?  You can build a  negative electrical charge by rubbing an inflated balloon on someone's hair. Tiny particles (electrons)  move from the hair to the balloon.  The balloon will now stick to various things.  How many things can you find that are uncharged that you can make it stick to?

 

· Singing Balloons

Who has not made funny noises with a deflating balloon's “neck?”  Inflate a balloon but do not tie it.  Stretch its neck as the air escapes. You can make singing and silly noises. 

 

 

· Critters and Shapes

 

Twist and turn long skinny balloons to make animals and shapes.

 

· Floating/Flying Experiments            

             At our house, many boats and planes were created with the use of a balloon.  Not all of            the experiments worked, but it was fun and a good learning experience. 

             Give your older kids some balloons, tape and spare “parts” from their exploration play and let them create. Being the photo journalist for these experiences and encourager will be some of your favorite memories.

 

 

· Balloon Puppet

                 Blow up a balloon and draw a face on it.  Do not tie the balloon closed.  Deflate and       keep in your pocket. Then, pull out your “balloon buddy” whenever you need an attention getter.  This is especially fun and effective for transition between activities for younger children.  Older children will enjoy making their own balloon cast of characters. 

I used to sing a little tune, when the  balloon I called “Betty” wanted my  four year old preschool class to do something.   The words were: 

                                      “Betty Balloon, Betty Balloon,

                                       Betty Balloon says to….  (action desired).”

                  Action examples:  sit right down, come to me, pick up the toys, etc.

                      You can make up any tune, words, and name for your balloon.

 

 

 

This Blog Post is taken 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 Etsy.com