As parents, we just want the best for our kids. But how can we make the most out of the holidays? Read on for some ideas to keep your kids happy and amused all summer.
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Tag: Brain Drain
Rainy Day Activites for Kids
Summer officially started 17 days ago and 15 of them have been rainy ones here in NW Ohio. Our grass has never looked greener and our garden is flourishing however the kiddos are a tad disappointed at the lack of pool days. I am not sure when all this rain is going to let up. I decided that I need to do something. My first thought was build an Ark but that seemed too tedious a task. My second was to collate fun rainy day activities to do with kiddos. Here’s hoping my focus is on the right thought, lol!
1. Make a Fort- grab a few sheets, blankets, and chairs and make a fort.
2. Basketball Indoors- can’t play outdoors then bring the game in. Grab the basketball hoop, ball, clear out any breakables, and game on!
3. Host a Movie Play date- call up some friends, put together a concession stand, and enjoy a matinée!
4. Dance Party- have your kiddos dress up as princesses, superhero, etc. put on some music, and get your groove on! An impromptu hokey-pokey and the chicken dance is guaranteed to add to the fun!
5. Make edible peanut butter play dough
6. Indoor Water play- put down some towels, grab a few tubs, fill with water (only as much as you are comfortable with mopping up), add fun water toys. Don’t have fun water toys? Use kitchen measuring cups, funnel, turkey baster, rubber spatulas, etc.
7. Tactile Tubs- put down a tarp or shower curtain, grab some tubs, fill tubs with dry rice and/or oats, and hide treasures for kiddos to find.
9. Play in the rain-let the kiddos jump in puddles, and play outside in the rain…it will be a memory they will treasure. Do make certain there is no lightning before letting kiddos go outside.
11. Host an Ice Cream Social indoors- invite over friends, you supply the ice cream and ask each guest to bring a topping to share.
12. Stimulate those brains-whether your kiddos prefer computer programs like Reading Eggs, iPad Apps, think-it-through tiles, or the classic workbook style, take some time to combat the summer brain drain!
13. Story time- let you children each pick their favorite books for you to read to them and then ask them to retell the story…what they remember and interpret will fascinate you and might even be somewhat amusing.
14. Play with your food-cut veggies, grab dry and cooked noodles, place paint on plates and allow kiddos to stamp veggies and let their imaginations wander!
15. Bake together– have kiddos help you make lunch, dinner, or a meal for a friend/family member.
16. TP fun-give each child a roll of toilet paper and guide them as they make their very own custom costume….I foresee some beautiful bridal gowns and handsome super heros (or at least the capes, lol!)
Have a favorite rainy day activity? Have fond memories of an indoor activity you enjoyed as a child? Please share
Reading Eggs Review
When our eldest finished Kindergarten last week I found myself experiencing a potpourri of emotions. I was sad because she will never be a kindergartener again, I was happy because she did it, she completed her first year, and then I was anxious, I realized I would be the one responsible for her “summer curriculum”. By “summer curriculum” I basically mean making sure she maintains all she comprehended in Kindergarten and that she doesn’t fall prey to the summer “brain drain”.
Thankfully, only our second week into summer break and she is still on target, in fact, she is making progress when it comes to her reading comprehension skills, who knew? I’d love to say it has something to do with me, some amazing lesson plans I have personally incorporated into our daily activities, but I must give credit where credit is due! Reading Eggs…I owe her progress to Reading Eggs.
Reading Eggs is an Online Learn to Read Program.
Reading Eggs is a comprehensive, online supplemental literacy program for early learners ages 4 through 8. Grounded in extensive educational research, Reading Eggs builds on and reinforces the five key reading pillars: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. (From website)
When our daughter first started Reading Eggs she took an assessment test in order to determine which level she needed to be working at. I really appreciated the fact that Reading Eggs doesn’t just assume all children are at the same level, it is nice that it is catered to your child’s needs.
Once she was at the right level for her comprehension she started her first lesson. She quickly found that Reading Eggs not only provided reading comprehension lessons but also incorporated fun! At the completion of each learning activity she is rewarded with Golden Eggs for her Eggy Bank. She then has the options to use the Golden Eggs to buy fun and educational games from the game shop (that’s right moms, even the games are educational….but let’s keep that between us for now). As if purchasing fun games with their Golden Eggs wasn’t enough of an achievement she also gets to maneuver her way through various maps and more….Puzzle Park, Music Café, Story Factory, Reggie’s Shop, and much more!
Why I like Reading Eggs…….
I like the fact that Reading Eggs is SAFE. I don’t have to worry about my child being exposed to information that is not appropriate for her, including advertising, Reading Eggs has NO ADVERTISING pop-ups, banners, etc.
I like the fact that our daughter is building her confidence in reading skills while having a wonderful time. She enjoys Reading Eggs so much that I have to interrupt learning time for play time, never thought that would happen.
She is also learning a little bit about how the real world works, a little bit about financial responsibility, all-be-it in Golden Eggs but responsibility no less. She earns Golden Eggs, puts them in her Eggy Bank, saves them up, and then she decides how to spend Eggs.
It is also a great activity on a rainy day. It gives mom a break from having to provide the entertainment. And best of all moms can let go of the “mommy guilt” because Reading Eggs is educational (again…this will be our little secret). Don’t put your child in front of a television screen that fosters brain drain….put them in front of Reading Eggs!
The cost is reasonable. $49.95 for six months is a bargain considering how much time your child will be spending on Reading Eggs between the lessons, songs, stories, puzzles, games and more! It would cost more for a tutor all summer.
Bottom-line……
My advice to all you moms/parents out there who are concerned about your child falling prey to the summer “brain drain”, get Reading Eggs today!
(There is also a companion site, Reading Eggspress, for children ages 7 – 13 years old. )
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 