[Nfb-krafters-korner] Summer fun with Kids

[Henrietta Brewer]

Wow, thoughts of the beginning of school are filling parents, 
teachers and even the kids. Some states start next week.

Today I have a fun day to plan.  Using a theme for a day or week adds 
interest and excitement to projects.

Also, an old favorite using leftover yarn. Not that scane you are 
using to learn to knit on Friday nights.

Pancake Days

Whether you use the frozen type or make your own, pancakes can vary 
in so many ways.  I have some ideas to add to the days fun after a 
pancake breakfast making the treats from an old cardboard box.

Did you know that there is a pancaking making pan available that 
makes turning pancakes easier?  It is a small fry pan with a flat lid 
attached.  Pour your batter into the pan and cook until the bottoms 
are done. Turn the pan over and place the lid side on the burner. The 
second side will cook.  I found that using a plate next to the burner 
to turn your pan over helps not to accidently drip batter into a hot 
burner.  Then put the pan on the fire.

Starting the day with pancakes can be a way to get into the pancake 
play and games in this article. But lunchtime pancakes can bring a 
new list of toppings. Peanutbutter and jam can make for a great 
pancake sandwich. Fruit and ice cream or whipped cream are always 
great.  What about tuna salad or Chicken and bits of veggies?  Using 
the toppings to decorate a pancake with a face or any design will 
make the meal more fun to eat, even for the picky eater.

Pancake flip

materials

brown cardboard
cissors or carton knife
markers or crayons
pancake turners or larger cardboard pieces

Cut circles from the cardboard. Use a plastic lid from coffee or 
another item for tracing.  If this is not something you are 
comfortable doing with the children just use the plastic lids as pancakes.

Decorate each side of the pancakes differently.  Now use the pancake 
turners to practice flipping your pancake as you throw it in the air 
using the turner.

How high can you send your pancake and still catch it?

Can you toss it to a friend and have them catch it?

This is great for eye hand coordination and is fun for even those of 
us have to use ear hand. "grin"

Leave the game on an end table so that children, Dad or even Grandpa 
can join in at another time

Shuffle pancakes

Materials

plastic shower curtain or even the table top
a numbering system

If you have an old shower curtain or even a heavy piece of plastic, 
like a piece of a drop cloth, spread it on a table or floor.

Make target spots on the plastic for the pancakes to land.  You can 
make circles or other shapes and number them for point value.

Use hands to slide the pancakes across the playing surface. As 
children learn to control their pancakes, have them prodict which 
spot their pancake will land.

These cardboard pancakes can be used in lots of other games.
Big FeetHere is an activity for the very little ones  Once a child 
can walk well, make big feet by using kleenex or s hoe boxes.  A 
rubber band over the top of a shoe box will help keep feet 
inside.  It is fun to slide around the house trying to remember not 
to pick feet up and loose the big feet.

Yarn Dolls

Materials

leftover yarn
cardboard sized to wrap yarn to the size of doll you want.
cissors

Have children wrap yarn around the cardboard.  When there is plenty 
of yarn to make a fluffy mop shape tie a small piece of yarn at the 
top holding all of the yarn.

Cut the yarn at the bottom of the cardboard. Tie another piece of 
yarn to make the neck. Leaving a ball from the top to the neck for the head.

Now the creativity beginns.

A girl doll can be made by tieing another piece of yarn at waist 
level, leaving a bit of yarn on each side to tie offas arms.  You can 
braid the arm yarn and tie off cutting so a bit of yarn puffs for 
hands.  You can trim some of the skirt leaving yarn for legs or call 
your doll done.

Divide the skirt yarn in half and tie off for pants or legs for a boy 
or girl in slacks.

Divide the yarn in eight sections after making the neck and braid 
each of the eight setcions to make an octapus.

You can make features with bit of yarn knotted or sew buttons on for 
eyes and such. When adding buttons make sure the child is old enough 
not to swallow small objects that might come loos.

To make a hat for your dollmaterials
the lid from a milk jug
  the plastic circle from a milk jug
a circle of cloth, paper doiley or other material

Simply put your circle over the top of the lid. Slip the ring over 
the top to hold the material on.  Tiny flowers can be added.

Don't miss a minute of fun with the children  in your life.



Henrietta
~I wish you enough~