Select bowling centers around the country are participating in the first ever “Kids Bowl Free” program. This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer.
Children whose age does not exceed a limit set by a participating bowling center are eligible to register for 2 free games a day, all summer long, courtesy of the participating bowling centers along with affiliated schools and organizations.

For More Information Visit: 

 http://www.kidsbowlfree.com

Our ever-creative and fun children’s coordinator just taught us a wonderful version of hopscotch: Snail.  All you will need is a patch of concrete (sidewalk, driveway etc.) and some sidewalk chalk. Here is a well-written version of the rules from familyfun.com:

“HOW TO PLAY:
1. Draw a large spiral (shaped like a snail’s shell) on the ground. Make a circle in the center and label it “Home.” Divide the rest of the spiral into a dozen spaces.

2. To start, the first player must hop on one foot, landing in each space, all the way to the Home circle, where she can land on both feet before turning and hopping back out. If she completes the feat without stepping on a line, she can write her initials in the space of her choice. No other player can land there for the rest of the game.

3. The next person in line follows suit, skipping over the initialed space. If she succeeds, she earns a square. Play continues in this manner until no one is able to reach Home. Whoever has earned the most spaces wins.”

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We did a fun new activity in Play Connection this week: Puffy Paint.  One of the best things about this activity is that you probably already have the ingredients and they are very inexpensive.

Puffy Paint

flour
salt
water
food coloring

Mix equal parts water, salt and flour. Then add food coloring and mix.  Place this mixture in a squeeze bottle. An empty sample size shampoo or lotion works – although it takes a little effort to get the mixure into the bottle.  Medium sized shampoo bottles would also work. You may be able to find a nice squeeze bottle at the dollar store.

Squeeze paint onto paper or cardboard.  Allow to dry.  The final product reminds me of the dot candy that comes on little rolls of paper. 

This is a quick, easy, inexpensive activity to help pass long, hot July afternoon.

Here are five inexpensive play dough recipes that can provide hours of family fun:

1. Peanut Butter Play Dough

2 cups of peanut butter
2 cups of powdered milk
3 TB honey

Mix together all ingredients. If the dough is too sticky, add more powdered milk, one tablespoon at a time.  Don’t worry if the kids eat this one – it is a very nutricious snack!

2. Play Dough – Cooked on the Stove

2 cups of flour
1 cup of salt
2 cups of water
2 TB of oil
2 tsp of cream of tartar
food coloring or 1 package unsweetened drink mix
Optional: cinnamon, peppermint, vanilla or lemon flavoring to make it smell yummy

Stir ingredients over low heat until it has coagulated into a nice doughy ball. Let cool slightly and knead.

3. Oatmeal Play Dough

1 cup of flour
2 cup of oatmeal
1 cup of water
Optional: Add a small amount of cornmeal or coffee grounds for different textures.

Gradually add water to flour and oatmeal in bowl. Knead until mixed.  This dough is sticky and messy, but has a unique feel to it. Use it like you would modeling clay.

4. Sticky Bread Dough

4 slices of white bread with crust cut-off
4 TB of white school glue
4-6 drops food coloring

Tear bread into small pieces and place in a bowl. Add white school glue and food coloring. Stir until well blended. Knead the mixture with your hands until it forms a soft dough. Sculpt and allow to dry overnight. Dough will harden as it dries. (Do not eat.)

5. Soap Dough

2 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
1 TB liquid soap or 1 oz bottle of bubble solution
6-8 drops food coloring
1/2 cup water

Mix flour, salt, liquid soap or bubble solution, and food coloring together in a small bowl. Slowly add water until a workable dough is formed. If the dough becomes too sticky, add a little more flour. Use like play dough – but do not eat.

(Recipes taken from Play Connection Curriculum)

For those of you that ride the bus, I found a great website that has captured some of the best old-time hand clapping rhymes (http://www.gameskidsplay.net).  These easy games are great for children because they encourage hand-eye coordination, the rhyming element stimulates pre-reading and reading skills, many ages enjoy them, they are free and you can’t lose the pieces. Here are two we played at group this week:

Say Say My Playmate

Say, Say my playmate
Come out and play with me
and bring your dollies 3
climb up my apple tree
slide down my rain barrel
into my cellar door
and we’ll be jolly friends
forever more – more – more !

Verse 2:

Say, say oh playmate,
I cannot play with you.
My dolly has the flu,
Boohoo, hoohoo, hoo, hoo.Ain’t got no rain barrel,
Ain’t got no cellar door.
But we’ll be jolly friends,
Forever more,more, more,more,more.

Short Legged-Sailor (Directions: When you say “Short legged” you make a short distance between your hands. When you say “Long legged” you make a longer distance between your hands. When you say”Knock-kneed” you touch your elbows together.)

Have you ever, ever, ever in your short legged life seen a short legged sailor with a short legged wife?  No I’ve never, never, never in my short legged life seen a short legged sailor with a short legged wife. Have you ever, ever, ever in your long legged life seen a long legged sailor with a long legged wife? 

No I’ve never, never, never, in my long legged life seen a long legged sailor with a long legged wife. 

Have you ever, ever, ever, in your knock-kneed life seen a knock-kneed sailor with a knock-kneed wife? 

No I’ve never, never, never in my knock-kneed life seen a knock-kneed sailor with a knock-kneed wife   

Here are five great reasons to play with your children taken from the Play Connection handbook:

1. Play helps children to make better life choices.

     They are less likely to engage in violent behacior or abuse alcohol or drugs.

2. Play Strengthens family bonds and communication.

      Families who play together communicte better and have stronger family bonds.

3. Play reduces rebelliousness and conduct problems.

      Children who play are less likely to be rebellious or to act out.

4. Play develops the brain and makes children smarter.

      The brains of children who play grow and develop better.

5. Play builds social and coping skills.

       Children who play get along better with others and choose healthy ways to cope with stress.

For one of our recent play connection classes, residents got to play in corn starch slop.  Mezmorizing to adults and children, this is a cheap and easy activity to do with children!

Corn Starch Slop

1/2 cup regular corn starch

a little bit of water

a drop of food coloring – optional

Mix cornstarch with water a little bit at a time until it has just turned into a liquid. Add one drop of food coloring if desired. This will make the activity a little messier – but the color is fun.  This mixture will feel like liquid sometimes, and sometimes it will feel solid.  Careful- playing with this stuff will make time fly by~