Just a quick message today because I want to get this out with a few
days left before Halloween! I've just added some last-minute Halloween
craft ideas to the site, as well as some really cute bookmarks
which I think might make a nice hand-out for any trick-or-treaters who
knock on your door! See below.
Those of us in the UK will also be celebrating Bonfire Night next
week, so we've updated our pages and added lots of new printables for
home and classroom. Please take a look!
Over-18s reading this from the UK might like to know about a new
brain training experiment that has been launched by the BBC show, Bang
Goes The Theory. They are asking as many people as possible to get
involved in an exciting experiment that will test whether brain training
truly works, and, if it does, whether some types of brain training are
better than others. The results of the brain training trial will be
announced in a one-off BBC One TV special of Bang Goes
The Theory, in early 2010, featuring stories from around the nation.
Viewers simply sign up for the experiment and - using our specially
designed games and tests - train for 10 minutes, 3 times a week, for at
least 6 weeks. It is supposed to be interesting, addictive and fun! To
find out more about Brain Test Britain and to sign up visit the website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/labuk/experiments/braintestbritain
If you or your child has made use of our craft ideas or printables, we'd
love to share the results here! Drop me a line by emailing editor-at-activityvillage.co.uk
(replace -at- with @).
What's New At Activity Village?
Don't forget that you can check our
What's New page which gives you a list of new additions, as they happen, or
subscribe to our RSS feed.
You've still got time to try out some of our Halloween crafts - we think
this is one of the best pages on the whole site, so we hope you will
have a good explore! And we have 6 new craft ideas this year, 4 added
today... Halloween crafts
Here are the bookmarks I mentioned above.
We've added 4 fantastic new sheets of bookmarks this year - great as
trick-or-treat giveaways! Halloween bookmarks
Lots new for Bonfire Night - including writing paper, mini safety
booklets for children to write in and Guy Fawkes and James I classroom
printables... Bonfire Night
For St Andrew's Day (and everyone fascinated by Nessie) - new Scottish
themed colouring pages St Andrew's Day colouring
pages
Three new "tricks" videos - your children can learn some really cool tricks from
expert kids in these short videos. Learn A New Skill Videos
Use the long winter hours to get on with some writing
projects, inspired by our new winter stationery (10 designs) Winter Stationery to print
Recommended Product
Here's an upbeat, fun, parenting tool that guarantees to give you
well behaved kids or your money back. It's simple, it's unique, and
it's effective. Even the kids will like it! If your kids are hard to
handle on occasion, I really encourage you to
visit
this website and have a look for yourself.
Better Behavior Wheel
A Giggle!
A young child walked up to her mother and stared at her hair. As
mother scrubbed on the dishes, the girl cleared her throat and sweetly
asked; "Why do you have some grey strands in your hair?"
The mother paused and looked at her daughter. "Every time you
disobey, I get one strand of grey hair. If you want me to stay pretty,
you better obey."
The mother quickly returned to her task of washing dishes. The little
girl stood there thinking. She cleared her throat again. "Mother?" She
sweetly asked again.
"Yes?" Her Mother replied. "Why is Grandma's hair all grey?"
A Quick Little Something To Play...
Consequences is a very old game, but it seems to have fallen out of
favour recently. I've found that kids of all ages love it - and if
nothing else it is a good way to encourage them to think up some unusual
adjectives and scenarios! It is fun for mixed age-groups, too.
You need at least 3 players, and more is better. Players sit in a
circle. Each person is provided with scrap paper and pencil, and is
asked to write on the top (1) one
or more adjectives, then to fold the paper over, so that what has been
written cannot be seen. Players then pass the paper on to the right.
Everyone then writes (2) the
name of a man or boy. Fold again, and pass as before. Continue like
this, writing each time as follows:
(3) one or more adjectives;
(4) a lady or girl's name;
(5) where they met;
(6) what he gave her;
(7) what he said to her;
(8) what she said to him;
(9) the consequence; and lastly
(10), what the world said about it.
You could of course simplify the above list for very young children.
When every one has written the last category, collect up the papers and
read them out, joining them together as necessary. As an example, our
last family game went like this:
The (1) handsome and effusive (2) Mickey Mouse met (3) a
charming and smelly (4) Mrs Small (5) at the cinema. (6) He gave her
a kiss (7) and said to her "Would you like a cup of tea?" (8)
She said to him: "I hope Jamie wins X-Factor". (9) The
consequence was that they didn't get their homework done on time,
and the
world said (10) "Don't be so silly!"
Videos To Enjoy With The Kids..
From Bang Goes The Theory - "In this clip presenters Liz and Yan show how you
can get a packet of uncooked rice to set solid. Is its friction enough to beat
gravity?"
Kids can learn some really good frisbee throwing and catching skills from this short expert video!
UK viewers can join Amanda Holden's waste challenge - Kenco are also offering a
chance to win an Eco Break for 2 adults and 2 children. Click through the video
to find out more.
Something To Think About..
"We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for
maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth." Virginia Satir
Subscriber Special
If you like this week's quote, we hope you enjoy this poster! 4 Hugs A Day Poster
I caught the second half of this Dispatches
episode (What's In Your Breakfast?) this week and was horrified by much
of what I learned. Anyone who, like me, has been feeding the children
the more "healthy" cereals in the mornings may want to
watch this too!
Did you have a
pet rock as a child? Here's a pleasant way to spend an afternoon!
Why books are a great birthday gift for children of all ages - and how to choose
the appropriate one! Books Make The Best Gifts
For Kids
Forge A Relationship
With Your Children
Whatever we do with our kids when they are young will be absorbed and remembered
down the years, and every day you could be making good memories that will be
cherished for a lifetime. Make an effort to forge a relationship with your
children when they are young...
Not a Morning Person? Tips to Make Your Mornings Easier and More Productive
Are mornings the hardest part of your day? Sometimes it's tough to get yourself
going no matter how much sleep you've had. And if you need to get your family
dressed, fed, and out the door with books, backpacks, and briefcases intact, it
can often be a challenging and gruelling morning.
Dealing With Difficult People
If you're human, you're going to be dealing with difficult people from time to
time - whatever your age. You'll find them at work, at home, at school, or even
while out shopping. While you'll likely to solve a problem with a relative or
friend differently than a stranger, there are also some universal ways of
communicating effectively with difficult people. Teachers and parents can learn
these techniques themselves, and start to teach them to kids, too.
Help Your Child Cope With
Moving Away
If you must move a great distance, you can help your child adjust to the idea of
moving and how to cope with their new life. Your goal will be to eliminate
apprehension and fears and get your children excited about all the new
opportunities that await them.
How To Help Your Child
Overcome Anxiety
Sometimes children act as if they don't have a care in the world, and other
times they may be overwhelmed with anxiety. Although children are not presented
with the stresses of adulthood, they do feel anxiety in the same way. Solving
these issues is not something to be taken lightly...
Helping Your Child Adjust
To Divorce
Children are usually hit hard by divorce and may not be able to fully grasp the
subject, blaming themselves. The helpful news is that you can do a lot to get
your child through this tough time.
Frugal Family Entertainment - How to Have Low Cost Family Fun
In the first few months of the year, money can be tight for many families as
they tighten the purse strings after the holidays. There are some great ideas
for family activities which won't break the bank in the article below.