Posted in Books and Reading, Fun in nature, Parenting

5 Fun and Educational Father-Daughter Activities Inspired by ‘Dad Is My Best Friend’

Father-daughter bonding activities are important for creating lasting memories and building a strong relationship between dads and their daughters. Inspired by the heartwarming children’s book “Dad Is My Best Friend” by Kerice and Kavion Robinson, we’ve put together a list of five fun and educational activities that dads and daughters can enjoy together.

From bike riding adventures to counting exercises, these activities provide a great opportunity for dads and daughters to bond while also learning and having fun. So whether you’re looking for new ways to spend time with your daughter or want to create more meaningful memories, these activities are sure to be a hit!

You can purchase “Dad Is My Best Friend” from Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Barnes & Noble.

Front cover of children's book 'Dad is my Best Friend' written by Kerice Robinson

Dad and Daughter Bonding: 5 Fun and Educational Activities

Suggestions for fun learning activities or adventures that kids can enjoy inspired by “Dad Is My Best Friend” book:

  1. Bike Riding Adventure: Inspired by Angela and her dad’s bike riding adventures in the book, kids can go on their own bike rides with their dads or father figures. This could be an opportunity to teach kids about bike safety, road signs, and basic maintenance.
  2. Counting Exercise: The book includes counting exercises that kids can join in on. Parents can encourage their children to practice counting by counting objects around the house or while out on a walk. This could also be extended to include basic addition and subtraction exercises.
  3. Outdoor Exploration: Angela and her dad go on outdoor adventures in the book, including racing. Parents can take their kids on hikes or nature walks in their local park or nature reserve. This could be an opportunity to teach kids about the different plants, animals, and insects they may come across.
  4. Fitness Fun: Angela and her dad do push-ups together in the book. Parents can encourage their kids to join in on simple fitness activities such as jumping jacks, squats, and lunges. This could be an opportunity to teach kids about the importance of exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
  5. Storytelling: Parents can use the book as inspiration to share their own childhood stories with their children. This could be an opportunity to bond with their kids and teach them about their family history and values.

Overall, the book provides a great opportunity for parents and children to spend quality time together, bond, and create lasting memories.

Posted in Activity, Fun in nature

10 Outdoor Activities to Get Your Kids Moving and Exploring

Spending time outdoors is essential for children’s physical and mental well-being. With so many electronic distractions nowadays, it’s important to encourage kids to play and explore outside. This post will provide parents with a variety of outdoor activities that promote physical activity and exploration. These activities are suitable for children of all ages and can be adapted to suit different skill levels.

  1. Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items that children need to find in the backyard or a nearby park. This could include leaves, flowers, sticks, rocks, etc. Children will love searching for the items on the list and will get plenty of exercise in the process.
  2. Obstacle Course: Set up an obstacle course using items you have around the house, such as hula hoops, cones, and ropes. Kids can crawl under, jump over, and run around the obstacles to complete the course. This is a great way to improve their agility and coordination.
  3. Bike Ride: Take your kids on a bike ride around the neighborhood or a local park. This is a fun way to explore new areas and get some exercise at the same time. Make sure everyone wears helmets and follows traffic rules.
  4. Nature Walk: Take a leisurely walk with your kids through a local nature reserve or park. Encourage them to observe and explore the plants and animals they see along the way.
  5. Water Play: On a hot day, set up a sprinkler or fill up a small pool in the backyard. Kids will love splashing around and staying cool while getting some exercise.
  6. Sports Day: Organize a mini-sports day in the backyard or a local park. Set up a few different stations for activities such as frisbee, soccer, and basketball. Kids can rotate around the stations and try out different sports.
  7. Gardening: Involve your kids in planting and tending to a small garden. This is a great way to teach them about the environment and get some exercise in the process.
  8. Geocaching: Download a geocaching app and go on a treasure hunt with your kids. Geocaching involves using GPS to find hidden containers with small trinkets inside. This is a fun way to explore new areas and get some exercise at the same time.
  9. Beach Day: Pack a picnic and head to the beach for a day of fun in the sun. Kids can build sandcastles, play in the water, and get plenty of exercise running around on the sand.
  10. Camping: Plan a camping trip with your kids to a nearby campground. Camping is a great way to get away from electronic devices and spend quality time in nature. Kids can go hiking, fishing, and exploring their surroundings.

Getting kids to spend time outside and engage in physical activity is crucial for their overall well-being. These 10 outdoor activities provide a fun and exciting way for kids to explore and get moving. Encourage your kids to try new things and have fun in the great outdoors!


Don’t miss out on our inspiring blog posts celebrating the spirit of childhood! Sign up for our email list at unabashedkids.com to stay in the loop on all our latest content and promotions.

Posted in Arts and Crafts, Fun in nature

Exploring Spring as a Preschool Theme: Ideas for Nature Walks, Gardening, Art Projects, and More

Spring is a wonderful time of year to explore with preschoolers. As the weather warms up and the flowers start to bloom, there are plenty of opportunities for children to learn and discover new things about the world around them. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some ideas for exploring spring as a preschool theme in the classroom.

  1. Talk about the changing seasons

Spring is a great opportunity to teach children about the changing seasons. You can talk to them about how the weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and the trees and flowers are starting to bloom. You could even create a visual calendar or chart to help them understand the different seasons and how they cycle throughout the year.

  1. Observe and explore nature

One of the best things about spring is the opportunity to observe and explore nature. Take your preschoolers on a nature walk and encourage them to look for signs of spring, such as flowers, new growth on trees, and baby animals. You could also set up a nature table in your classroom where children can display and explore natural objects they find.

  1. Plant a garden

Spring is the perfect time to start a garden. You can plant flowers, vegetables, or herbs with your preschoolers and teach them about the process of growing plants. This is a great way to teach them about responsibility, as they will need to water and care for their plants over time.

  1. Read spring-themed books

There are plenty of wonderful books about spring that you can read to your preschoolers. Some examples include “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle, “And Then It’s Spring” by Julie Fogliano, and “When Spring Comes” by Kevin Henkes. Reading these books can help children develop their vocabulary, learn about different parts of the natural world, and develop an appreciation for literature.

  1. Create spring-themed art projects

There are many fun and easy art projects that you can do with preschoolers that are inspired by spring. For example, you could have them paint flowers, create paper butterflies, or make a collage of different natural materials. These projects can help children develop their fine motor skills, express their creativity, and learn about different textures and colors.

Overall, exploring spring as a preschool theme in the classroom can be a fun and enriching experience for both children and teachers. By teaching children about the changing seasons, observing and exploring nature, planting a garden, reading spring-themed books, and creating spring-themed art projects, you can help them develop their cognitive, emotional, and social skills in a meaningful way.


Don’t miss out on our inspiring blog posts celebrating the spirit of childhood! Sign up for our email list at unabashedkids.com to stay in the loop on all our latest content and promotions.

Posted in Activity, Fun in nature

Summer Fun – 8 Weeks of Creative Fun For Kids

This is a Guest Post Written by By Christine Nicholls  |   Originally posted on December 17, 2004


Summertime! The kids are out of school and they have the long lazy days of July and August ahead. They could spend their days in front of the TV or they could be using their imaginations to create projects that are a reflection of their own unique talents.

Does it matter what kids do on their summer vacation? After all, they are in school 10 months of the year and most do take some art classes. Don’t they get enough art lessons in school?

Advertisements

Creative and artistic are not the same thing. Creativity is an approach to life. Creative thinkers know that problems have many different solutions. When they encounter an obstacle, they find a way around rather than giving up. They have to be willing to take risks as they learn new skills. These are important life skills that need to be encouraged in children.

Crafts and creative projects give children the opportunity to learn and practice these skills. Even if they follow a project guide exactly, they will still make decisions about shades of colors and where to place items. Once they are familiar with the project, most children will want to make it again. That is when they get really creative. First, the colors change, then the shapes, and suddenly it is a new project from their own imagination.

Creative projects encourage children to find the resources to make what they want, rather than opening up a box that has all the supplies in one place. The first project in the weekly project list (see below) uses an old knee-hi or pair of pantyhose. What if none are available? Should the children wait until someone else finds all the ‘right’ materials? No, have them start thinking about what they could substitute. Would an old sock work? How about a dishcloth? It is fun to sit back and watch children solve their own problems.

Advertisements

These Summer Projects encourage children to work with a wide variety of materials. One of the best things about summer projects is that they can be done outside. Less mess to clean up!

Summer Projects

Week 1 – Hairy Heads (old knee-hi or cut off pantyhose, grass seed, dirt, 2 small elastics, and decorations)

Put 2 tsp of grass seed in the bottom of the toe of the pantyhose. Add 1-2 cups of dirt. Make sure the seeds stay on the top of the head, otherwise you’ll have hair sprouting from under the eyes. Use the small elastic to pinch off a nose about halfway up the head. Use the second elastic to tie off the bottom. Decorate by pasting on eyes, mouth, ears, or whatever else intrigues the kids. Use paper, felt, colored plastic, markers, pipe cleaners, any materials you have on hand.

Keep the Hairy Head in a small dish with water in the bottom. The ‘hair’ should sprout in less than a week. Kids can style their hair with elastics, clips, and scissors. (Warning: My daughter decided to cut her own hair after giving her Hairy Head a trim!)

Advertisements

Week 2 – Fabric Paint on T-shirts (plain shirts, fabric paint, cardboard, brushes, and sponges)

Have the kids start with an old T-shirt or piece of fabric at the beginning. Put a piece of cardboard under the first layer of fabric to make sure there is no leaking. Some fabric paint comes in squeeze bottles which are good for lines, or they can use a paintbrush or sponge. Designs from handprints are interesting and make a great present for grandma. If they need pattern ideas, use the pictures in a child’s coloring book for line drawings.

Week 3 – Pet Rocks (rocks, acrylic paint, glue, brushes)

Collect lots of rocks. Be sure there are different sizes and shapes. Start by choosing the rocks that will make up the pet (head, ears, maybe a nose, body, arms, and legs). Paint the entire rock, top, and bottom in one color. When the first coat of paint dries, start adding the details, eyes, whiskers, fur. When everything is dry, glue the pieces together.

If the kids get tired of the pet, it can become a doorstop, bookend, garden ornament, or paperweight.

Week 4 – Make your own Fossils (clay, items to imprint – leaves, coins, bugs)

Advertisements

Make a rock or plaque shape from the clay or use the dough recipe (included below). Use water to make a smooth surface. Make imprints with different objects. Try leaves, coins, shells, or even a small toy. When it dries, rub on a bit of shoe polish and acrylic sealer to make it last for months and months. Bury them in sand or dirt and have an expedition to dig up fossils like an archeologist. Combine with a treasure hunt (week 8), and use as clues to a treasure.

Dough Recipe (1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1 cup water, 1 tbsp oil, 2 tsp cream of tartar) mix all ingredients in a pot and stir over medium heat. The mixture will be soupy with lumps, suddenly it will form into a ball. Remove from heat, and knead on a non-stick surface. Useful for many types of projects. Store in fridge, or allow creations to air dry.

Week 5 – Start a Journal (notebook and pen or pencil)

Find an interesting blank notebook and have the kids write in it each day. A great time to start a journal is on the first day of a trip. Then, there will be lots of new things to write about and it can become a habit.

Adults can help with ideas for topics. Ask is the first thing the child can remember? Was there a birthday that was his or her favorite? What does he or she like about their best friend? What is the best thing they have ever done? Keep a list of these questions on the last page of the journal for quiet days.

Advertisements

Week 6 – Rain Sticks (long tubes from gift wrap or paper towel, strips of cardboard, paper, tape, seeds, or rice)

Cut two 4 inch circles out of the paper (trace a cereal bowl for the shape). Put one over the end of the tube, and fold the sides down, and tape around the tube. Make sure the cardboard strips are narrower than the tube (about 1 inch wide should work). Fold them back and forth like a fan. Put the strips into the tube. The first one should fall to the bottom of the tube. Keep adding strips until they reach the top of the tube. Pour in 1/4 cup of rice and 2 tbsp of seeds (dried peas, popcorn, or lentils). Tape the other circle over the open end of the tube and tape it in place. Decorate the tube with markers, paints, or by gluing on paper or ribbon.

Week 7 – Memory Board (Matt board, Exacto knife, photos, and objects)

While on vacation, take photos and have the kids collect objects to remind them of their trip (shells from the seashore, ticket stubs from a fair, pine cones from a walk in a forest, brochure from a hotel or attraction). When the photos are developed, have the kids select 2-3 to have enlarged into 5×7 or 8×10. The photos should be a mix of sizes. Get a large piece of matt board (Art Supply stores, or framing shops). Have the kids try different arrangements of photos and objects until they decide on the one they like best. Trace lightly in pencil where each of the objects is placed. An adult should use a craft knife to cut out the holes for the photos (slightly smaller than the pictures). Tape the photos on from the back, and glue the objects on from the front. If you have a frame the same size, put it in a frame with a cardboard backing (no glass on the front) or just hang it on the wall without a frame. The kids have all their mementos in one place.

Week 8 – Treasure Hunt

Advertisements

There are many different ways to plan a treasure hunt. For younger children, an adult can hide clues in different locations. Each clue can lead the child to the next clue (picture of shovel and pail would lead to a clue hidden in the sandbox). The final clue would lead to the treasure (plate of cookies, invitation to go to the water slides, movie pass, lemonade). For older children, the clues could be riddles they need to solve. Or have one of the kids make a treasure map (or list of directions) that would lead to the treasure. In the beginning, limit the number of clues to the age of the child ( 7 year old could follow seven clues to the treasure).

Check the website (http://www.creativekidsathome.com) for more pictures and hints on completing each of the projects. By the end of the summer, the kids will have completed lots of great projects. More importantly, they will have spent time thinking creatively.

About Guest Author: Christine Nicholls

Christine Nicholls lives in Victoria, BC, and loves being a mommy to Katherine and Duncan. She has developed a home-based business that lets her combine her skills and business background with full-time parenting. Her company, Creative Kids at Home, encourages children to have fun while being creative. http://www.creativekidsathome.com

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Christine_Nicholls/1247

If you want your article featured on Unabashedkids.com – submit a request form.