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Bridging thegap
Intergenerational activities
Let it snowPublished November/December 2002
You and the kids can travel to a miniature "Winter Wonderland" by making your very own snow globes. You will need a wide-mouth plastic container with a tight fitting lid, some small plastic toys, silver glitter and some water. You can use tiny houses, people, animals, holiday trinkets or anything that fits in with the seasonal theme. These toys need to be plastic without any metal parts and should not float (if you have a toy that does float you can attach a penny covered in tape to weigh it down). Place the toys in the bottom of the container and fill with enough water to cover. Then add glitter to give it that snowy effect. Kids may also want to decorate their container to make it even more festive. Tighten the lid, shake it and watch the blizzard begin.
Small voices,big ideas
Published September/October 2002
We are in the time of the year when "politics" are everywhere. Between the television ads bombarding us with promises from candidates and with endorsement flyers being attached to front doors and mailboxes, kids are also quite aware of the political environment. It is the perfect time to show the younger generation that their individual voices are important.
What better way for kids to express their political views and questions than to have them write a letter to the President? Even though they are not able to participate in the election process as a voting citizen, their opinions are valuable and can be easily communicated.
Set up a quiet area with stationary, pens, envelopes and stamps. Begin by discussing general topics about government, the country and the world. See what specific subjects come up and what related issues are on the childrens' mind. Have them pick one question or comment that is especially meaningful and write this to the President (there is a much greater chance of the letter actually being read and answered if it is short and concise). You may have to write letters out for younger children, but be sure to let them sign it themselves. This personal touch is very important. Make a copy of the letter too.
This is a wonderful introductory lesson in the democratic process of our country and reinforces the idea that all voices count. Just imagine how exciting it will be if a letter comes back from the White House addressed to your little citizen! Be sure to save both the envelope and letter (containing that official Oval Office Seal). It will be something they'll want to save forever and maybe even show it to their own kids someday.
Send letters to: The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 2055
Pop StarPublished July/August 2002
Children love to be the center of the universe and what better way to give them the attention they crave then by allowing them to "star" in their own music video? Have the children pick out the song they would like to perform and either write or type-out the lyrics for them to use. If you are one of the "talented people" who knows how to play a musical instrument, you will want to accompany your budding star in their video. You could also play a tape or music cd in the background to go along with their rendition.
Costumes are a big part of any music video and your production is certainly no exception. Have the children pick out some fashionable attire to wear during their performance and let them "strut their stuff." Remember, attitude is just as important as the music itself. Film their video and show it later to family members and friends. Who knows? You may be helping to create this century's brand new pop star!
Flashlight funPublished May/June 2002
Kids love playing with flashlights, and the following idea adds color to an already favorite activity. You will need some flashlights (the more the better), various color balloons and some rubber bands. Stretch the balloons over the flashlights and secure with the rubber bands. Darken a room and have participants shine their flashlight on the walls and ceilings. By combining different balloon "filters" on the flashlight, you can create different color combinations. You can also have multiple kids shine their flashlights on one spot to alter colors. This activity is a great way to teach the concept of primary and secondary colors while having a bunch of fun.
Comic reliefPublished March/April 2002
Did you ever wonder what it would be like to write your own comic strip? Well you don't need to be as gifted as Charles Shulz or Gary Trudeau to try your hand at it. It is a lot of fun and something kids would love to try as well. To get started, put out some scratch paper, scissors, scotch tape, large sheets of plain white paper, colored pencils and erasers. It may also help to have a few sample comics from Sunday's paper to show the format traditionally used in comic strips. Tell the kids to either make up their own characters or try their hand at copying some existing ones. Have them first come up with a three or four frame joke in which they can sketch out on scratch paper, (while the kids are doing this, you can be cutting out three of four frame-size templates for each cartoonist). When they finally decide their joke and what they want to draw, have the artists transfer their ideas onto the templates. When they are finished with their creations, have each child arrange their templates in the correct order and tape them onto the larger sheets of paper, (this is a great exercise in teaching the concept of sequence). Hang finished comics on the refrigerator door or other high traffic area for all to see. Or better yet, put everyone's comics together and make your own funny pages!
Family resolutionsPublished January/February 2002
While the term "New Year's resolution" usually conjures up an image of a person doomed for failure and frustration, working together on desired changes for the upcoming year can be a great family activity. Have all those participating jot down a list of things they've dreamed about doing or specific changes they have wanted in their lives.
Depending on the age of the children you are working with, these ideas may be as general as "trying to get along better with others," or as concrete as "learning to ride a two-wheeler." Let the kids choose what is important to them.
Then decide to meet periodically (daily, weekly or monthly) to report any progress and to compare notes. Reward each other when goals are met as well as helping one another when problems arise. Like with all resolutions, encouragement is the key here. Be flexible, positive and have fun. You will be teaching a valuable lesson to the children in your life. If you work hard enough, you can make things happen. Change is indeed possible!
Holiday handsPublished November/December 2001
The holiday season is here and many of us will be sitting down to meals with friends and family. Children love to be involved in fun planning activities that accompany special occasions. How about asking the children in your life to help you make some unique and personal place cards for your holiday dinner?
For materials you will need a pencil, some colored construction paper, a glue stick, markers or crayons and glitter. The children will be tracing the left hand of each of your dinner guests separately on a piece of paper. To do this they need to fold the paper in half lengthwise and trace the outline of the hand with the wrist leaning onto the fold. For any out-of-town guests that may not be available for the tracing part of this activity, they can either mail a copy of their handprint or the child can draw a "guestimate." Then have the child cut out the outline of the handprint so that when it is opened on the fold, there is magically a right and left hand.
Once all of the tracing and cutting is done, the real fun part begins. Kids will love to decorate the hands of the people they love. They can create nail polish, rings and watches as well as silly scars and wrinkles. Let the creativity flow.
When it is time for the special dinner, open up the place cards in front of each setting and pencil in the name of the guest underneath the fold. Then, see if your guests can find where they sit. The kids may have to "give them a hand!!!"
Mixed-up animal masksPublished September/October 2001
With Halloween right around the corner, it's the perfect time of year to sit down and make some unusual masks with the kids in your life. Just cut a mask's template out of cardboard and fasten a string or elastic around the back of it. For younger children you may choose to attach a large popsicle stick underneath the mask instead, so the child can easily hold it up to his/her face. Have different types of animal ears, eyes, noses, mouths, hair and other accessories available for everyone to pick from. Then all participants are asked to "make up" an animal by combining mixed-up parts from the table they are sitting at. Come up with a silly animal name for your creation and don't forget to share your animal's characteristics with the rest of the group. Let the imagination flow. You're sure to have some interesting creations.
You can make a differencePublished July/August 2001
How do you answer a child when he/she asks, "Why doesn't someone pick up all this trash?" Wouldn't you like to show the child it is possible to be that someone? You can! First find a location that needs cleaning up, (an area close to your home, a neighborhood playground or school area). Then pack plenty of drinking water, lots of large trash bags, rubber gloves, anti-bacterial hand wipes and maybe even a garbage pick. You may want separate containers for recyclable items as well. Start the clean-up early in the day when the sun isn't so strong, put on some energetic music and have fun. Take "before and after" pictures as documentation of your effort. End the morning with a hearty lunch at the child's favorite place.
Utensil puppetsPublished May/June 2001
A fun and easy way to make puppets is as close as your kitchen drawer. The shape of ordinary spoons and forks are perfect for the base of silly and unusual puppets. They have built in handles for small fingers and can be moved around easily. Larger serving spoons can also double as giant puppets. You’ll need supplies such as yarn, construction paper, tin foil, cotton, tape and twist ties to decorate your puppets. You may want to try “edible” decorations for your creations to get your artists to eat, (cooked spaghetti makes great hair). And remember to keep this in mind when working with kids - the sillier the better !!
Adopt a treePublished March/April 2001
If you regularly go to a park or playground, here is a great activity to do with a child to celebrate Arbor Day. Have him/her pick out a favorite tree and “adopt” it (be sure to let them know that none of us can really own a tree.) He/she can give it water and start a journal of the tree’s characteristics such as changes in leaves, flowers and overall growth. The child can also take notice of the insects that live there. Have them take pictures with their tree. It may be fun to put together a photo album documenting all these changes. Kids will begin to learn to care for their environment.
Love collagePublished January/February 2001
With Valentine’s Day upon us, “love” is in the air. It is the perfect time of year to sit down with family and friends and share in a meaningful activity. Grab a bunch of old magazines, brochures, flyers and catalogs. Set out paper and glue and have each participant make a collage of the things he/she loves. It is a great way to connect and get to know one another all over again. Have fun!
How many days?Published November/December 2000
During the holiday season, kids have a hard time waiting for that special day to arrive. Help them count down the days to Christmas or Hanukkah by working together on a special holiday calendar. Purchase large sheets of construction paper and poster board. Make a blank calendar grid on the poster board and the same size grid on the construction paper (this second calendar will have filled in the dates of December). Cut these days into flaps and attach to the poster board. Place drawings, photos and other special day reminders under the flaps. Each day the kids can rip off a flap and watch their excitement build.
The nose knowsPublished September/October 2000
Set out 10 or so plastic plates and dish out small amounts of food with distinctive smells. Blindfold participants and see if they can guess the mystery odor. For example, place a dab of peanut butter, pinch of cinnamon or slice of banana out. For the older child you may want to combine substances to make it even harder (pour vinegar over an orange). Then try putting out an empty dish and see what guesses the kids come up with. Make sure to end the game with a great smelling snack.
Scavenger huntPublished July/August 2000
Get a pad of Post-It notes (those small papers with the temporary adhesive on them) to use for the clues. Start with your first location and write a clue guiding the person playing to the next spot (it may say for example, “you will find the next clue where we keep the telephone book”). The amount of notes written depends on how long you want the game to go on for and the age of the children playing. Make sure to put a prize at the final destination and happy hunting.
Play ball! Published June 2000
With June being the official start of the summer season, it is the perfect time to spend a lazy afternoon watching a baseball game with friends and family. To get the younger ones involved in the game, set up a makeshift scoresheet and teach them how to tally it up. The symbols and format you use will depend on the age of the child. Have plenty of snacks on hand and lyrics ready to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the 7th inning stretch.
Mi casa su casa Published May 2000
Each person should have a large piece of drawing paper and crayons, pencils or markers for sketching. Have the adults draw the house they grew up in (if they lived in more than one house, the one that has the most meaning). Have the kids draw the house they live in (or the one that means the most to them). Compare pictures, see what is similar and different and discuss important memories.
Guess who's coming to dinner Published April 2000
Have family members sit around the table with pencil and paper. Pretend you are planning a very unusual dinner party. At this dinner, each person can invite only three people (past or present) to attend. Who would you choose? Can you guess who the others would invite? Share answers, then try to figure out seating arrangements.
A lucky bunchPublished March 2000
With St. Patrick's Day approaching, it is a good time to think about how lucky we are. Share this appreciation with loved ones in a simple family activity. Cut out a large piece of thick green construction paper in the shape of a shamrock. Pick out three things you feel lucky about and write one on each of the leaves. Attach a pipe cleaner to the back of the shamrock for its stem. Put the finished shamrocks in a vase for a meaningful centerpiece.
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© Copyright 2002 Home Front Magazine. All rights reserved.
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You are not alone | Come and get it | Then and now
Small blessings | Fun pages | Advertising | Helpful links | About Us
© Copyright 2002 Home Front Magazine. All rights reserved.
Hosting by FN Publishing