Issuu

A 2021 special supplement by

A Madison-area parent’s guide to everything kids!

2 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS

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April 29, 2021

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KIDS- Unified Newspaper Group – 3

April 29, 2021

L e t ’s e h T t i H Tra i l

The MacKenzie Environmental Education Center, located north of Poynette, is a popular place for kids of all ages to get outside, explore the hiking trails and learn more about native Wisconsin wildlife, like this timber wolf.

HERE’S SOME LOCAL PLACES TO ACTIVELY ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Story by Scott De Laruelle

ith the arrival of warmer weather – finally – it’s a great time for families to get out and enjoy the many outdoor adventures Wisconsin has to offer. And while COVID-19 restrictions remain in place at many familiar indoor sites, the Dane County area has plenty of spaces for kids to get outside after being cooped up all winter. Whether it’s along scenic trails, among gardens or even close-up around some of Wisconsin’s native animal species, here are a few possibilities for spending some family time outdoors this spring. And as we mark the end of another long winter, perhaps a fitting place to start is Wiscosnsin’s very own National Scenic Trail.

Ice Age Trail

Located entirely within The Badger State, the trail is one of 42 designated Wisconsin state trails, but the only one specifically designated as a “State Scenic Trail.” From Interstate State Park on the Minnesota border to Potawatomi State Park on Lake Michigan, the Ice Age Trail winds for more than 1,000 miles through some of the state’s most scenic landscapes, as families can also learn about the last Ice Age, and how it formed Wisconsin’s variety of glacial features. Closer to Dane County, the trail connects with several local trails, including Military Ridge near Verona, Badger State Trail near Fitchburg and Devil’s Lake Park, near Baraboo. For more information on the Ice Age Trail, visit dnr.wisconsin.gov.

Mirror Lake State Park

For families with younger children, Mirror Lake State Park in Baraboo has 14 trails, covering nearly 20 miles. Named for its centerpiece feature – a lake often so calm there’s not a ripple on its surface – the park features a wooded shoreline with cliffs up to 50 feet high, a swimming beach and wetlands home to a variety of wildlife. There are several short trails, such as the Ringling Pass (.3 miles), Nature Trail (.7 miles) and Kilbourn Trail (.8 miles). For information, visit dnr.wisconsin.gov.

University of WisconsinMadison arboretum

For those looking for some savory sights and smells on their walk, the many paths criss-crossing the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum provide many choices for nature lovers. With more than 17 miles of trails through restored prairies, savannas, woodlands and wetlands, this popular trail system is a great way for kids to learn about the area’s ecology. The trail system includes footpaths, boardwalks and fire lanes, and people are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate shoes or boots. Located at 1207 Seminole Hwy, Madison, the arboretum visitor center remains closed, but the park is open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, visit arboretum.wisc.edu.

Governor Dodge State Park

If you’re looking for some longer journeys, Dodgeville’s Governor Dodge State Park features a wide variety of trails of various lengths and grades.

Perhaps the most popular is the shortest – the half-mile paved Stephens Falls Hiking Trail, which winds around rock outcroppings, ferns and a waterfall which has a scenic overlook. The park also has several trail loops from 2 to 5 miles in length that meander though the beach picnic area through the hills and valleys, with a scenic view of Cox Hollow and Twin Valley lakes. Kids may particularly enjoy the Pine Cliff Nature Trail, a wooded 2-mile selfguided loop which begins and ends at a picnic area. Along the way, posted signs interpret history, wildlife and ecology. For those looking for some longer jaunts, the Meadow Valley Trail is a 6.8mile loop trail with some steeper grades. The Lost Canyon Hike-Ski Trail is 8.1-mile loop trail that’s mostly wooded, passing through the scenic Lost Canyon, Stephens Falls, and Twin Valley Lake areas. For more information on the park, visit stateparks.com.

MacKenzie Center

And if you’d like to see some native Wisconsin animals as you hike along, the MacKenzie Environmental Education Center in Poynette is one of the area’s most diverse education centers. Featuring interpretive trails, exhibits and museums, the center houses a variety of animals, most of whom were injured and nursed back to health, but cannot be back in the wild. With Canada Lynx, deer, timber wolves, and a variety of birds – including a bald eagle on loan from the federal government – families can get up close to see these animals in their natural habitat. For more information on the center, visit dnr.wisconsin.gov. 

4 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS

April 29, 2021

FIVE PLACES

kids can virtually meet safely PLATFORMS PROVIDE SOCIALIZATION FOR KIDS; PEACE OF MIND FOR PARENTS Story by Neal Patten

efore March of last year, for many parents, limiting their children’s screen time was one of the biggest challenges of raising kids. But then the pandemic hit, and for many parents, the challenge did a 180 – to keeping kids seated, at their computers and focused on their screens for a whole school day while virtual learning. As summer rapidly approaches and

social distancing slowly wanes, parents may have to continue to relent and allow for their kids to go online to socialize. But while apps like TikTok may be popular right now, the content is not filtered by age group. Here are some age-appropriate websites and apps for kids:

Messenger Kids

Created by Facebook as a free, kidfriendly video calling and messaging app for smartphones and tablets, parents

manage their kids’ contact list and set controls. Kids can block and report contacts, which will notify their parents. There are also kid-friendly photo filters, reactions and sound effects available during video chats, and stickers, GIFs, emojis and drawing tools for messaging. And no in-app purchases or ads. The app is available to download from the Amazon, Apple and Google app stores. For more information, visit messengerkids. com.

April 29, 2021

KIDS - Unified Newspaper Group – 5

Home Base by Scholastic

This is a website and desktop computer app for kids to roleplay in a virtual world, with games starring characters from popular book series, according to family media review site Common Sense Media. Kids can read excerpts from those books and interact with their peers while exploring different islands, each representing a popular kids’ book series from Scholastic, such as Wings of Fire, Goosebumps or Geronimo Stilton. The chat has an automatic filter that limits what kids can say, and there are also adult moderators who read what kids post to ensure that everyone is following the chat guidelines. Scholastic schedules game meet-ups and chats with authors and other special guests. When kids play as a guest, they’re limited to playing games and reading. But if kids register, they can access all the features, including chatting and making posts. To access, visit kids.scholastic.com/kids/games/homebase.

The Home Base community is populated with favorite Scholastic Books characters.

PopJam

The social app PopJam is a platform that aims to remove the bullying and negativity found on social networks for older sets. It’s designed for 7- to 12-year-olds to create and share content, and like, comment and engage with other content. PopJam is both an app and website where kids can make profiles, create and share art using in-app drawing tools, comment on other users’ art, play games and even take quizzes. Unlike many social networks, PopJam has closing hours and does not allow for private chat, and kids cannot share selfies or personal information. Any negative words and phrases with personal identification information are automatically blocked. PopJam is free and available to download from the Amazon, Apple and Google app stores, with no in-app purchases.For more information, visit popjam.com.

Chillola

For those looking for something more real-world, Chillola is designed to give children all over the world an opportunity to explore foreign languages, while learning about different countries, cultures and people. Kids can learn their first words of English, Spanish, French, German and Italian on the site, and parents can print out activity worksheets to help them learn. Chillola states its website is designed to encourage language learning through a combination of illustrations and real life pictures, native speakers and regional sounds. To access, visit chillola.com.

PopJam is an Instagram-like sharing platform for the 7- to 12- year-old set.

Roblox

More than just a game, Roblox is advertised as a “global platform where millions of people gather together every day to imagine, create, and share experiences with each other in immersive, user-generated 3D worlds.” According to Roblox developer Epic Games, over half of U.S. kids and teens under the age of 16 logged on to the platform in 2020. All the games on Roblox are made by its users, and as of last month the website claimed its users had published over 20 million games. Players can build a theme park, compete as a race car driver, participate in a fashion show, become a superhero, or design a dream home to hang out in with friends. “The types of gameplay on Roblox are just as limitless as the imagination of the creators themselves,” the Roblox website states. Players can report inappropriate chat messages or content to an abuse system and parents can limit or disable online chat capabilities and restrict access to certain games. Roblox is free to download and free to play on all modern smartphones, tablets, computers, Xbox One, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive. 

Roblox provides users with a variety of avatar options.

Messenger Kids is a child-friendly version of Facebook’s chat and video call app.

6 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS

April 29, 2021

Healthy activities for kids of all ages

hildren have a seemingly endless supply of energy. Channeling that energy into something positive can benefit kids’ minds and bodies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends various amounts of daily physical activity for children depending on their ages and abilities. Adhering to these recommendations is especially important in the wake of what many public health officials fear has become an epidemic of childhood obesity in many nations. For example, the United States-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that roughly 13.7 million children between the ages of two and 19 are presently obese. In Canada, the Childhood Obesity Foundation reports that childhood obesity rates have hovered around 12 percent for years. Routine physical activity can help children maintain healthy weights, and it also pays dividends for youngsters’ mental health. According to the American Psychological Association, children between the ages of six and 18 who exercise regularly tend to have lower levels of depression, stress and psychological distress. Those findings, part of a 2019 study published in the journal Sports Medicine, reflect the ways exercise affects the mind. And the mental benefits don’t stop there, as the study also found that

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youngsters who are physically active also have higher levels of positive self-image, life satisfaction and psychological well-being. The amount of physical activity children need each month depends on their age, and the AAP recommends the following age-based guidelines. • Infants: The AAP recommends infants get at least 30 minutes of tummy time and other interactive play throughout the day. • Toddlers: Toddlers can be tough to keep up with, and parents can channel that energy into something positive by ensuring their kids get at least three hours of physical activity every day. Free play outside and daily neighborhood walks are some examples of appropriate physical activities for children in this age group. • Preschoolers: Three-plus hours of physical activity, including one hour of moderate to vigorous exercise, is recommended for preschool-aged youngsters. Tumbling, throwing and catching are some of the activities recommended by the AAP. • Elementary school students: School-aged children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. The AAP recommends giving children in this age group ample opportunities for free play but also notes that organized sports focused on fun can be great outlets for kids in elementary school. Parents can speak with their children’s pediatricians about appropriate muscle/bone strengthening activities, which the AAP recommends three days a week for kids in this age group. • Middle school students: Students in this age group need the same amount and types of exercise that elementary school students need. But the AAP advises parents to guide children toward physical activities that encourage socialization and to avoid having kids this age specialize in a single sport. • Teenagers: Teenagers need an hour or more of physical activity most days of the week. Muscle/bone strengthening activities should be included three days per week. Activities that encourage socialization and competition are beneficial to teenagers’ development. Physical activity can benefit kids in myriad ways and should be a vital component of their daily lives. 

KIDS - Unified Newspaper Group – 7

April 29, 2021

Signs of stress in children

he global pandemic sparked by the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 caught many people off guard. Life changed seemingly overnight, causing a host of unforeseen consequences that people were still confronting months after the pandemic began. The pandemic has proven stressful for many people, and the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions notes that should not come as a surprise. According to the CDC, fear and anxiety about a new disease and what could happen can be overwhelming. Public health actions, such as the social distancing measures implemented during the COVID-19 outbreak, can increase anxiety and stress. That’s even true among children, millions of whom have been separated from their friends and forbidden from participating in extracurricular activities for several months. The U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that children may not recognize that they are stressed. That makes it imperative that parents learn to recognize the warning signs that stress is affecting children. The USNLM says increased stress can manifest itself both physically and emotionally.

Physical symptoms

The physical symptoms of stress can mimic symptoms of other conditions, so parents should not jump to any conclusions before consulting their children’s pediatricians. In addition, the CDC says not all children and teens respond to stress in the same way. However, there are some physical indicators that may be warning signs that a child is stressed. • Decreased appetite or other changes in eating habits • Unexplained headaches or body pain • New or recurrent bedwetting • Nightmares • Sleep disturbances • Upset stomach or vague stomach pain The CDC also notes that children may confront stress by using alcohol, tobacco or other drugs.

Behavioral symptoms

According to the CDC, children and teens react, in part, on what they see from the adults around them. So the ways in which adults are responding to the pandemic could be affecting their children’s behavior. Some of the behavioral symptoms to look for include: • Excessive worry or sadness • An inability to relax • New or recurring fears, such as fear of the dark, fear of being alone and/or fear of strangers • Clinging behaviors, such as an unwillingness to let their parents out of sight • Anger, crying or whining • Inability to control emotions • Aggressive or stubborn behavior • Going back to behaviors present at a younger age • Avoidance of things enjoyed in the past, including family or school activities • Irritability or acting out, especially among teens • Difficulties with attention and concentration Many people, including children, have had to deal with heightened stress levels during the pandemic. Parents who recognize signs of stress in their children should consult their kids’ pediatricians immediately.. 

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8 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS

April 29, 2021

Cafe Coda in Madison holds virtual “cool school” workshops where kids can improve their musical skills.

Kids get creative FUN WAYS FOR CHILDREN TO PRACTICE SELF EXPRESSION Story by MacKenzie Krumme It is no secret that creativity and self-expression can help with children’s growth and development. Even during this time of physical distancing and self isolation, artsy projects are still abundant in the Dane County area. Families can visit websites and print off painting projects, or do a one time check-out of crafts from local libraries. Other options for children including musical expression, group talks and creative writing. Staff at Unified Newspaper Group have put together a list of

kid friendly creative projects for families to do online or in the community.

Cafe Coda

This is Madison’s premiere Jazz space, dedicated to traditional, contemporary and creative music. The space has virtual concerts nearly every night of the week but also offers Cool School, which is a mini jazz workshop for children trying to improve their skills. The workshop is free and open for all skill levels. Visit @CafeCodaMadison on Facebook.

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KIDS - Unified Newspaper Group – 9

April 29, 2021

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Chazen Museum of Art

The Chazen Museum of Art holds bi-monthly “family friend” events on Facebook so children can learn artistic techniques from the museum’s curator

MMoCA Teen Exhibit on isolation

Running through June, six teens in the Madison-area have created an exhibition titled “Alone Together: Perspectives on Isolation.” It is critical that youth have a platform to express what solitude means to them, during a time where isolation has never been so prominent, a Madison Museum of Contemporary Art news release states. “Isolation isn’t always synonymous with loneliness, and here in this space we can be united in our isolation,” the release states. Hours at MMoCA are noon to 6 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. The exhibition ends June 6. Visit mmoca.org

Chazen Museum of Art Family Friday

Every other Friday morning, the curator of education at the Chazen Museum of Art, Candie Waterloo, posts a “Family Friday” video on Facebook that demonstrates do-at-home projects for the whole family. Previous projects include symmetrical snowflakes, tunnel books and pop-up cards. Visit chazen. wisc.edu

Residents of Skaalen Home create craft projects for children to check out at the Stoughton Public Library.

Remaking Learning Days: Badgerland

This hybrid festival is a collaborative effort through the Remaking Learning Days national nonprofit, and local community organizations. The website provides dozens of activities for children on arts, science, outdoor learning, maker ed, technology and youth voice. Options on the website include a virtual discussion on the book “A Bio on Migrant Musician Cris Plata” and the “Hidden History Walking Tour of Mt. Horeb.” This hybrid family friendly festival runs from April 22 through May 15. Visit remakelearningdays.org/ badgerland/

Virtual pod learning with Art Lit Lab

Arts Literature + Laboratory in Madison has an entire section dedicated to youth art education. A popular program is the personalized “virtual pod learning” which visual, literary, performing, and digital arts classes for all ages, customized to meet your group’s learning needs. Classes are taught live (online) by experienced teaching artists. There are also summer camps, year-round programming and education outreach programs. Visit artlitlab.org/education

Places to ﬁnd online art activities

• Find 50 art projects you can do with postits at The Bubbler madisonbubbler.org • Watch weekly visual arts lesson at the Middleton Public Library www.midlibrary.org • Print off kids painting activities at PBSkids.org • Check out one-time crafting kits at Stoughton Public Library stoughtonpubliclibrary.org

10 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS

April 29, 2021

Benefits of being read to

eading aloud to children is one of the joys of parenting. All children, whether they’re infants, toddlers or school-aged, can benefit from being read to, and parents whose youngsters have grown up often look back on story time as some of their favorite moments as moms and dads. Reading aloud to children is about more than just establishing a bond between parent and child. According to Reading Rockets, a national public media literacy initiative, children as young as infants can benefit from being read to. Infants can look at pictures as their parents point to them and say the names of the various objects within them. By drawing attention to the pictures and associating words with them and real-world objects, parents are helping infants learn the importance of language. Kids of all ages can benefit from being read to, even after they learn to read on their own. The following are a handful of ways that reading aloud to children can benefit them.

• Reading to children dramatically expands their vocabulary. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics found that young children whose parents read them five books a day enter kindergarten having heard roughly 1.4 million more words than kids who were never read to. The disparity is even significant when comparing kids who are periodically read to each day with kids who are read five books per day. Children who are read to daily may hear slightly less than 300,000 words prior to entering kindergarten, while those who read five books per day will hear more than 1.4 million words. • Reading to children expands their imaginations. The Northern Virginia Family Services reports that research has shown that children who activate their imaginations through being read to develop higher activity in the area of their brain that’s responsible for cultivating mental images and deciphering and comprehending verbal cues. That heightened activity bolsters youngsters’

imaginations and instills in them a greater fondness for reading. • Reading can help kids learn to focus. Parents of young children no doubt know that such youngsters rarely sit still for any significant length of time. However, when being read to, young children, even those who are initially reluctant to engage in story time, will learn to sit still for the duration of the book. That can help them learn to focus, a benefit that will pay dividends when children begin school. • Reading to children can speak to children’s interests or emotional needs. Reading Rockets notes that children’s favorite stories may speak to their emotional needs and interests. That’s why so many youngsters insist on reading a favorite book over and over again. Though that’s often boring for parents, it can benefit youngsters, who will eventually move on to other books. Reading to children can benefit them in myriad ways and provide a great way for parents to bond with their youngsters. 

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KIDS- Unified Newspaper Group – 11

April 29, 2021

Cyber safety is important for every grade

eople rely on the internet every day. In recent months, reliance on digital technology was pushed even further as social distancing measures had the world going online for school and work and to maintain relationships with friends and family. A 2018 report from Pew Research Center indicated that nearly 25 percent of young adults in America reported being online almost constantly. Common Sense Media says teens spend an average of nine hours a day online, compared to roughly six hours for those between the ages eight and 12 and 50 minutes for kids younger than eight. Students must exercise caution when spending time online. Connectivity can be empowering, but it also puts students at risk from others and even their own, sometimes irresponsible behaviors. Staying safe online should remain a priority for

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students who must spend more time on the internet and using digital education tools. These are some tips for maintaining cyber safety. • Exercise caution when sharing information like your name, address, phone number, and other personal data online. Check with a trusted parent or teacher before sharing private data. • Report any online activity that makes you feel uncomfortable, scared or confused, whether it is directed at you or a classmate. • Think carefully before you post comments online. Data remains online indefinitely, and your words and actions today can greatly affect your future. • Respect others online by refraining from demeaning or bullying comments. • Do not try to get around firewalls and blocked websites set up by school administrators. These limitations are there

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for your protection. • Stick to school-sanctioned assignments and internet browsing when using school-issued devices. Administrators may have the right to monitor student activity without students’ knowledge and you can easily get yourself in trouble. • It is easy to hide or fake one’s identity on the internet, so never take someone you meet or speak with online at face value. Never meet up with someone you do not know or only met online. • Talk to your parents or educators about extortion and ransomware that tries to trick you into providing payment in some shape or form to prevent a perpetrator from releasing private information about you, advises the Readiness and Emergency for Schools Technical Assistance Center. Various steps can be taken to promote cyber safety among students, parents and administrators. 

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12 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS

April 29, 2021

How to foster social skills in an era of social distancing

s the COVID-19 pandemic stretched on, children who have been called on to do their part still may not fully understand why they have had to skip play dates or avoid sitting together at lunch tables inside school cafeterias. Older children who are cognizant of much more may be growing weary of social distancing and may have started to question the benefits of staying home. Social distancing helps maintain public safety, but there’s no denying such measures have produced some difficult side effects, some of which may be felt long after the pandemic has ended. For instance, some experts suggest that social distancing has the potential to affect longterm social development. “When young children are learning the basics of being social beings, their parents and siblings can provide most of the input they need,” says Amy Learmonth, Ph.D., a developmental psychologist who runs the Cognition, Memory and Development Lab at William Paterson University in New Jersey and has studied children as young as eight weeks old. In fact, having parents and siblings home much of the time actually can be a boon for children age five and younger.

Conversely, Learmonth says older children and adolescents develop social skills by learning to “navigate complex social groups of peers.” Prolonged isolation from peers could be stripping opportunities to naturally develop social skills, particularly the longer social distancing goes on. Clinical psychologist Laura Markham, founder of the site Aha! Parenting, indicates that kids “practice reading social cues and learn constructive social responses -- including the give-and-take of conversation -- how to self-regulate when they get annoyed at another person, and how to ask for what they need in a socially acceptable way” through inperson encounters. Families can get creative to help foster social skills in their youngsters as the world continues to confront social distancing and its potential side effects. • Schedule virtual play dates. While it may not be the same as hanging out in person, virtual play dates can provide one-on-one interaction with friends and help to maintain preexisting positive peer connections. • Plan outdoor activities. When weather allows, people from different households

can interact outdoors, provided they keep safe distances. This can be advantageous to teenagers chomping at the bit to hang out with friends. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one can become infected with COVID-19 when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks and those droplets enter the mouth or nose of another. Outdoor fresh air disperses virus particles and people are more able to keep their distance from others. Sitting in a backyard, walking a boardwalk or riding bikes together are some ways for adolescents to safely maintain social connections. • Practice good manners. When at home, families can continue to interact and offer opportunities to talk, listen and practice social manners. • Foster game nights. Encourage social interaction at home with family game nights that involve board games or video games. Teens and tweens also can do multiplayer games with friends over the internet through their favorite gaming consoles. A little creativity can help parents find ways to promote socialization in their children as the world continues to practice social distancing. 

KIDS - Unified Newspaper Group – 13

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14 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS

Different ways children can give back

hildren can learn about the importance of giving back at an early age. Youngsters who become accustomed to volunteering and supporting charities may be more inclined to continue doing so as they get older. Parents magazine reports that the number of parents with young children who are volunteering and getting involved has increased in recent years. As family schedules continue to be busy, charitable work done as a family unit can be an ideal way to spend time together and engage in activities for the greater good. Kids can get involved in many different charitable efforts. Quite often children are forward thinkers and innovators and may have their own unique ideas in regard to volunteering or charitable work, but the following are some ways kids can get involved in giving back. • Donate food. Children can easily gather food to donate to a food pantry in the area. Set aside a bag to donate and pick one item for the donation bin each time the family visits the supermarket. When the bag is full, deliver it to an organization in need. Children also may work with their schools to have a collection box on campus and encourage other families to donate. • Participate in a “walk” or “run.” Walks or runs for a cause are popular events in which participants solicit pledges tied to their performances. While these are traditionally group efforts, COVID-19 may change the way future walks are organized. Participants may be able to do

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a walk or run on their own and still raise funds for local charities. • Be a buddy. Children can be paired up with a senior at a nursing home, a child at a children’s hospital or even a kid who is new to the neighborhood and hasn’t yet made school friends. Companionship can be a great gift. • Get involved in a cleanup campaign. Picking up litter from parks, beaches, streets, and even around school grounds can be a great foray into volunteer work. Go beyond just removing trash. Organize a planting event or remove brush and weeds

as well. • Collect funds. Children can learn the joy of charitable giving by starting small. Keep a change collection jar at home and toss change from shopping excursions or coins they may find while out and about in the community. When the jar is filled, cash in the coins and donate to a charity of your child’s choosing. Children can begin learning about the benefits of being charitable individuals at a young age when their parents introduce them to volunteerism and other ways to give back. 

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KIDS - Unified Newspaper Group – 15

April 29, 2021

8 activities to keep kids entertained

hat parent hasn’t heard their child utter the familiar phrase “I’m bored” at some point? Despite a seemingly vast array of toys, electronics and other items at their disposal, children can be quick to sulk and say there’s nothing to do. Parents can counter “I’m bored” with these eight boredom-busting activities that are certain to help pass the time in entertaining and sometimes educational ways. 1. Craft time: Pick a theme and gather the materials for the project. For example, kids can evoke a trip to the ocean by creating handmade sea creatures. Paint a paper plate and hang brightly colored yarn underneath it to create the “tentacles” of a jellyfish. Kids can use salt dough clay to fashion seashells, sea snails or crustaceans. 2. Painting: Shaving cream is a great sensory material that is relatively easy to clean up. Kids can whip up a batch of shaving cream paint and use it to finger paint on a table or even in the bathtub. Simply mix shaving cream with food coloring in a bowl, or use a muffin tin to separate the colors. 3. Build a birdhouse: Birdhouses or bird feeders can be made from scraps of material found around the house. Scavenge for spare lumber or other supplies in the shed or garage. An adult or older sibling can help cut the wood into pieces. Young children may enjoy painting the house. Wood adhesive or screws can be used to assemble the project. 4. Plan a garden: Kids can help to

design a garden the entire family will maintain and even be responsible for a special parcel that’s all their own. Gardens can grow food, flowers and more. Add a touch of whimsy with figurines for a fairy garden or even small superhero figures for a spot for boys to tend. 5. Box makeovers: Tissue boxes or cereal boxes can be made into many different creations with paint or construction paper. Use a few craft supplies like pom-poms or wiggly eyes to turn boxes into “monsters.” 6. Boat races: Build a small sailboat for each member of the family. Fill up a long, shallow container and take turns racing

the boats by blowing on the sails. 7. Leaf art: Gather leaves and twigs from around the yard and then combine pieces to make them look like various animals. 8. Spray park: Create an at-home spray park with a garden hose and a pool noodle. Poke several small holes into the pool noodle on all sides. Stick a garden hose into the end of the pool noodle and hot-glue a wine cork into the hole at the other end. Turn on the water and let kids run through. Head off kids’ boredom by having plenty of ideas at the ready. 

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16 – Unified Newspaper Group - KIDS

April 29, 2021

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