Looking for something different to do this Fall? Try taking a trip to Jacob's Orchard in New Castle, Indiana. This little orchard brings the past and present together in perfect family fun harmony. Jacob's is a little over an hour from Indianapolis but worth the scenic drive.
The quaint family farm and orchard offers the traditional fare of pumpkins, apples, jellies and jams at a reasonable price. However, once inside the store, follow your nose to the mini-doughnut factory, where you can order a bag of cider doughnuts made to order. Grab a doughnut and an apple slushie and head for the fun!
Allow two to three hours to enjoy the farm. Enjoy a hayride to the pumpkin patch, pick your own apples, feed the goats, climb through the inflatable train, explore the corn maze, and race to the top of the straw pyramid.
Fall Family Fun: Straw Pyramid, Hayride, Maze in Henry County Indiana.
Central Library's Learning Curve in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana has Free Things to do that are Fun for Kids
Recently, we took a trip to the downtown Indianapolis Central Library. I've been meaning to do this for sometime, but after several years of summer day camp and kid's misplacing books or videos, we have quite a hefty library fine. I plan to chip away at it slowly. If you also have a library fine and are under 18, keep reading. We found out the library has a program where you can "pay off" your fines with good behavior! More info about that later. In the summer, we are always looking for FREE, FUN, and EDUCATIONAL things to do in Indianapolis or other parts of Indiana. This futuristic architecture, in the form of a public library, fits the bill perfectly.
Central Library Funnel in Reading Nook. It plays a little movie.
This year, my goal is to treat each week like summer camp with my own kids - Less the getting up at 5:30 a.m., the toting 12 other kids everywhere we go, the need for epipens, a change of underwear (and a bag for the previous soiled pair), the waivers, the checklist, and the stress! We are on a mission of discovery. Anything within 2 hrs. of our home is up for an impromptu field trip.
In this Futuristic Library, you can lounge and read, listen to a story, or watch one.
The Central Library is very cool. If you are looking for a futuristic library, you've come to the right place. You enter the library through an old, historic building with an incredible view of the American Legion Mall which is really just a large, green space with war memorials. Be sure to turn and enjoy the view as you enter. Then, you enter a breezeway where you'll find the info desk and a small, reasonably priced cafe. Keep going, and you'll be whisked into the children's area, better known as The Learning Curve.
The Learning Curve: A Children's Area at the Central Library, Downtown Indy.
The Learning Curve is housed in the modern, glass, curved building directly behind the main entrance. Don't be intimidated, just keep walking. The librarian help desks are mobile carts that float throughout the large children's area. Don't be shy. They are happy to help. Don't have a library card, (or have one you can't use) but you want to use the computers? Ask the librarian for a guest pass. No pressure, they don't try to upsell to a library card :) The passes are good for 1 hr. from the time you log in, but you can get another passcode as long as computers are available. This is a safe internet zone. The kids can play and share games with other kids within the library.
Study Pods, Think Tank, Kid's Activity Wall for Preschoolers, Pacer's Rent a Bike Program, and See-a-story spinning seats at The Learning Curve, Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana in the Central Library.
We went to see a FREE DISNEY MOVIE in Clowes Auditorium, Tinkerbell's, "The Pirate Fairy". It was awesome. During summer camps, we visited our local branch of the library and watched the movies in a large room while sitting on the floor with a bunch of sweaty kids and little or no air conditioning. At the downtown Indianapolis, Central Library, we sat in comfy, purple seats in an acoustically correct, air-conditioned theatre.You can rent the 300 seat Clowes Auditorium space for special events too.
After that, we headed to the children's theatre. When they aren't having puppet shows or reader's theatre, the kids can jump up on the stage and enjoy some creative play in front of a large green screen. While bouncing around, they can watch themselves on one of the video screens. They might walk on the moon or climb a mountain!
On the opposite end of the Learning Curve, you'll find the Think Tank.This is an enclosed space (it's stuffy in there) with whiteboard walls and a table full of dry-erase markers. Brainstorm an idea, solve a math problem, or just draw a cartoon. You can be noisy, because it is somewhat soundproof.
There is also a tinkerlab, a preschool activity area, a techlab, a wall to learn braille, study pods, futuristic, spinning chairs where you can listen to a story, and (my favorite), a super comfy reading lounge with a central animated funnel. I sat down and did not want to get up. Next time, I'll work in this area while the kids enjoy the library. They couldn't sign up for the summer reading program or check out books because of those nasty aforementioned library fines. The library now offers an amnesty program. I need this too, dear Indy Library.
So, what is the take away? Don't stress, get cool, stay out of inclement weather... Wait, there's more. The library has a parking garage- find the rates here. We parked in the street at the fancy, modern parking meters that accept credit cards (now there's a learning curve) and walked. At the front entrance of the library, you can rent yellow, Pacer's bicycles- but they are all adult size, no kid seats, or tandem bikes... hint hint.
There are so many fun things to do in Indianapolis! We hope you'll join us (virtually, of course) as we discover the wonderful things downtown Indianapolis has to offer. We will feature some of our favorite things soon:
Mass Ave.
Toy Store, Flying Cupcake, Hot Dog Cafe, Fair Trade Market
The Circle
Ride or climb to the top of the Monument, Candy Store, Chocolate Cafe
Looking for Holiday or Christmas Party Games for your Office or School Event? These are some of the 8 BEST EVER holiday GAMES for Parties. Even Santas like to play holiday games and do fun Christmas activities when they get together... And eat. They also like to eat. Scroll down for more of the best holiday games. Enjoy!
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.
Here are some more of the best CHRISTMAS games ever! You can play them in a Banquet Hall, outside in warm weather, (or cold if you like) and in your living room.
We were busy planning a fundraiser for Santa's Elves of Indy, when we partnered with Oriental Trading Company to help raise money to purchase Christmas gifts for local families. Chick-fil-a of Avon, Indiana was kind enough to donate a banquet tray to help feed our volunteers and the Santas.
Before the big day, we practiced by playing many silly games like Elf Bowling and Soccer. We used some of the games on this list of Christmas party games to play with the kids . We like games that can translate to preschool, elementary, teens, and adults with little tweaks and variations. If you enjoyed our post "Have the best Christmas party ever," you'll like this one as well.
Christmas and Holiday Games for Office Parties or Family Get-togethers.
Fun Games for Holiday Parties
Group Scavenger Hunt
Divide into teams: Team Rudolph, Team Dasher, Team Frosty, Team Elf- you get the idea. Make a list of things to find and return to Santa (you) to win the game. Look for things around the office, school, house, where ever you hold you hunt and make a list, check it twice, and then print out a copy for each team. Teams can be of 2-6 players.
Christmas Ornament Bowling
Need a fun ice breaker or silly game to get great Instagram shots or You Tube videos? Try ornament bowling! To set up th game: Use rolls of wrapping paper. Unroll them to form each "bowling" lane. Use miniature Christmas Trees or Decorative Santa Figures as the bowling pins. These Christmas decorations are the perfect theme for this holiday party game.
Icebreaker Game for a Party
How about this Sticky Note guessing game: Who am I? Write one holiday thing or decoration word on each sticky note. Choose words like: Snowman, Christmas Tree, Santa Claus, Sleigh, Rudolph, Menorah, Danny Kaye, Elf on a Shelf, Bing Crosby, or Yukon Cornelius, even movie titles. Players go from party guests and ask one question. The answer must be a yes or no answers. "Am I alive?" "Do I wear a red hat?" Play continues until each player solves the mystery of "Who am I?" Instead of sticky notes or paper taped to people's backs, try writing names on Dollar Store Santa Hats with Glitter Pens. Guest can keep them as party favors!
Fun hats make for silly games and fun pictures with kids and adults!
Santa Belly Limbo? Office Party
Add a Holiday or Christmas twist to a fun icebreaker game for the office. Have each player describe two of the worst Christmas gifts they ever received. Make sure one is true and one is a lie. Now, have another player guess which one is true! This is a fun way to get to know co-workers.
Candy Canes Game
Have you ever played the game spoons? Try using candy canes instead! The kids will like this game. Winner eats all! How to Play Spoons
Fill the Stocking Race
Find the largest Christmas stockings you can (I found mine at Dollar Tree). Fill it with empty wrapped boxes. Have players race to unwrap them all. The first one done wins! Play the race to wrap game first, and then you won't have to do any upfront prep! See, what I did there? Yeah, my lazy meter is always on guard.
Hot Christmas Potato Game for Adults
Each guests bring one wrapped item from a Dollar Store. $1 limit! Play hot potato to Holiday Music. When the music stops everyone unwraps the gift, and shares what they got with the crowd.
Snowball Contest
You need baskets of new socks in all sizes. Each team rolls their basket of socks into "snow balls". When all of the socks are rolled into balls let the snowball fight begin. Use a table or chair with a white table cloth to serve as each team's home base hideout. You can also make a snowman, and use his belly button as a bull's eye. The team with the most bull's eyes wins!
I sure hope you have the best Christmas office party ever with these fun holiday games! Happy Holidays :) from KCC
Rushed Time before School can Turn into Memorable Moments with a Daily Conversation added to your Family Mission
Make everyday count with Breakfast conversation bites.
If you are like me, your early morning routine is rushed, scattered, and not always in the best of family spirits. We try, but getting ready and organized for school is hectic. If only, we were well organized and had enough time to prep he everything the night before- but our lifestyles don't always allow for such structured free time. I'm a Homeschool Mommy. It sounds far easier than it is - well, it did to me. As the principal, teacher, gym instructor, and music director, (plus my full-time job as a social media manager) life is often stressed, and I rarely have time to focus on the little things... the important things.
Kellogg’s® Frosted Mini-Wheats® and Scholastic partnered and then contacted me to write about #mini-missions™ it hit home. We do a lot of things for others. We are always up to something for community service or helping friends. It is time to focus on us! So, this week, we did just that. Thanksgiving is nearing, and it is a good time to remember what we are thankful for this year. Our Mini-mission is to continue to collect toys and clothing for area Christmas drives. November is a great month to collect donations as people are beginning to get into the holiday spirit. Sometimes, we collect gift wrap and tape to donate. Other times, we get clothing, books, or toys. Always, we remind ourselves how giving back does the heart good.
Each day at breakfast, we focused on a simple conversation starter. This is a great way to learn more about your kids' interest and what makes their mind tick. My children love to explore theoretical concepts... you know, why is the sky blue? So, I went with it. Plan out a conversation starter each day. Do your homework. If you are going to ask and answer questions like, 'why is the sky blue', you better know your stuff. Research ideas online the night before. Here are a few of our conversation starters, and the fun answers we came up with for our conversation bites #mini-missions™.
Day One
Q: What is your favorite memory from helping with community service this year?
A: I don't know.
Momteruption: Try again.
A: Cake Pops?
Momteruption: What about them?
A: They were good!
Momteruption: Well... they were good weren't they, but what else?
A: I am happy April made the cake pops and donated her time for Santa's Elves of Indy.
A: I was happy to help Daddy that day.
Mom: It is nice to spend time as a family working to help others!
Day Two
Q: Today is the first day of the rest of your life what are you going to do?
A: Ride on Nebu (our pet bird.)
Momteruption: Try again.
A: Ride on a Tiger.
Momteruption: Something, you can do today!
A: I don't know.
Momteruption: Well.. I would try to be more positive from this day forward and always think about what I can do to make life better.
A: I will take care of the chickens!
Momteruption: *sigh* Well, that's a good start.
Day Three
Q: Why is it important to sit down and eat a healthy breakfast?
A: Because food is fuel!
A: Because you are hungry and need food to live.
Momteruption: Those are both good reasons. Food is like fuel it gives us important vitamins and mineral.
Kidteruption: Yeah, like these on the Frosted Mini-Wheats™ box.
Momteruption: Exactly! It is a part of a healthy breakfast, we should have fruit and milk or juice too so we'll be ready to learn!
Kidteruption: Like Bananas!
This is just a sampling of our conversation bites. You can see, it is harder than it looks, but as the days the progressed, the kids began to warm up to the idea :)
Breakfast before School: Introduction to the Every Day is a Big Day program
When your family completes a Mini™ Mission, you can earn free Scholastic books for your family and a chance to win prizes for your school and community. Visit scholastic.com/minimissions to register your family for the Every Day is a Big Day program. Each month, log in and complete a new Mini™Mission to earn 2 free Scholastic books for your family.
When your family completes a Mini™ Mission, you are also entered into a sweepstakes where 131 prizes will be awarded to schools and communities each month. Download free monthly stories chronicling Mini’s™ adventures against the evil Skipper. Kellogg’s® Frosted Mini-Wheats® and Scholastic have partnered to bring you the Every Day is a Big Day program, created to benefit families, schools and communities across the country.
Your family is invited to complete monthly Mini™ Missions to get free books for your family. Also, each month you’ll be entered into a sweepstakes for the chance to win one of 131 valuable prizes for your school and community. As you earn books and enter the sweepstakes, your family is sure to have a blast and learn something new along the way!
Start here and register for your first monthly mission!
This is a sponsored conversation by me on behalf of Kellogg's(R) Frosted Mini-Wheats(R). The opinions and text are all mine.
With a involvement in a Community Service Project, we can change the world one person at a time. How to teach kids to give back is an important lesson for adults. Giving back makes you feel good. Here's just one of the many ways our team participates in community service every year. Enjoy!
Not so very long ago, a man, a sleigh, and some special gifts started a revolution.
How to get Involved in a Community Service Project
It isn't as hard as you may think. You know the story, Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Pere Noel- no matter what names you use for Santa Claus, you'll uncover an original story based on a local humanitarian. You might say, Santa started a revolution! You can start one too. You can start at home with your own kids.
Teaching kids to help others in need is a lifelong skill with extraordinary benefits. The first step requires you to get involved in a community service project. Share your talents within a group or organization in your neighborhood.
But, I don't have the time
But, I don't know of any organizations
I'm shy
I just don't know where to begin
Our kid Volunteer elves.
Me neither! Do a search for local organizations or service projects for kids in your town. I wanted to help save the world. I didn't have much luck. So, one day, I decided to start teaching kids to change the world. Working with kids to build their self-esteem is rewarding. So many kids and adults think they have no gifts or talents to share, but they do- they just haven't discovered them yet. Teach your kids to give back early to help them understand everything they have to offer.
Mayhem with her Rudolph nose. Come get your face painted!
One day, a young woman had an idea. She decided to teach her kids to give back at Christmas. She asked for their input on ideas for things they could do. They wanted to help as many kids as possible. This idea gave birth to Santa's Elves of Indy.
Tracey Thomas is the chief Elf. I help her out with creative fundraising and special events. My kids are very involved. Mayhem is constantly coming up with things to sell, so she can donate money to Santa's Elves.
She wanted to draw caricatures of the guests at our FREE COMMUNITY EVENT, Saturday, Sept. 28 (2013) in Indianapolis. She wanted to draw each person as an elf. Chief Elf, Tracey, would describe this as "getting your elf-on"!
Oriental Trading donated many fun items for our event.
We couldn't do it without the help of our partners. Oriental Trading has graciously donated many fun items for use at our event.
What is there to do? Come join the fun at Santa's Family Reunion and Elf Picnic. Play a game of soccer with the Elves, enter a corn hole tournament with the Santas, go elf bowling, join Santa's family to make a toy or craft, experience vendors of all types, and enjoy entertainment throughout the event. There's even a jail and bail to help raise money for gifts.
The elves provide more than just toys. We work to raise money for clothing and food as well. Our goal is to help families in a temporary bind to give them a little pick me up and a pat on the back to let them know they can do it! But, we can't do it without you. We need your donations of toys, clothing, and cash so we can continue to help families at times when they needed it most- not just at Christmas.
Central Park in Heartland Crossing, Camby, Indiana.
That's a strike in Elf Bowling!
We're having so much fun playing with the elves!
Thanks Oriental Trading for the letters to Santa and fun stickers!
Dear Santa Claus, thanks for all the great things you do!
Service Project Ideas for kids to get involved in the Community
Michelle from Life is my Lemonade is guest posting today.Today, she shares her reluctant adventures in teaching a child how to be a community leader. Michelle and I met in college where we pledged Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. Needless to say, we've known each other awhile. Michelle also helps out with Pinterest account management. (Psst... Michelle's a little shy.) Here are some great ideas for service projects for your kids. Enjoy!
Race for the Cure 2011
What do you do when your child says I’m bored? I decided to take a page out of my family’s book and take her on a new adventure. It started when she was old enough to put groceries away. I took her to the food pantry to help put groceries away on the shelves and explained why we were helping out. Over the years, this evolved into working to bag up the bags for Saturday openings. Then, she asked if she could help out on Saturday’s when the pantry was open. She wanted to be able to work directly with the people that came into the food pantry and help them out to their cars. Aww! That was a great idea so we stepped into the rotation and did a Saturday morning every once in awhile.
Helping out at a food pantry doesn't mean just donating items.
I’m proud of how she stepped up and asked for more time with the people that came in. Her Grandpa would be proud of her. She didn't get to know him because he died from Leukemia a few years before she was born. One of the proudest memories I have is of his funeral, there were so many people there that came up to me and explained how they knew him. He had helped them throughout the years. He gave so many pints of blood I can’t even tell you what level he was at. He also was an EMT for many years, picked up people who needed transportation to doctor’s visits and church. He and my mom both volunteered for numerous committees. When those people that he has touched came to show respect it made an unbearable day better. I was proud to know that he had done so much for others. Those are the moments I share with my daughter now. I am hoping that she will be able to say that she is proud of me for giving back as well. Here are some of the things we do or plan to do when she says she is bored:
Race for the Cure –whenever we can to support my Aunt who is a survivor and the friends we have lost. Relay for Life-again whenever we can to remember my dad and find a cure.
Sheltering Wings-This is a local domestic violence shelter that helped me out. We have done many projects from planting flowers around their building, donating money, going to their various fundraising events, donating items for the silent auctions, earrings for the kids to give their Moms on Mother’s Day, numerous sweet treats just because and most recently Megan has written and received grants to help provide pre-school supplies for their new pre-school classroom and make up Birthday boxes for the kids.
Yep, she really did the work on writing the grants. It’s one of the requirements for the grant because it is a Youth as Resources grant from United Way. Parents can assist but the kids are on the ones that write it up and give the presentation. When she was younger I helped out with the grant writing, but now that she is a teen it’s all her and her Girl Scout troop.
Pinterest idea turned into a warm welcome treat for Sheltering Wings
Pre-school supplies purchased with Grant monies
So, while Megan is learning to help out in the community she is having a good time and getting great experience. She donated time at the shelter to babysit and play games with the kids. She learned that she likes to babysit, and she can earn money when she’s not donating her time.
Another bonus to helping out in the community is that she is setting goals:
Goal #1 earn the Bronze award for Girl Scouts. Happy to say that’s checked off, She earned her bronze award with a book drive and building a bookcase for the shelter.
Goal #3 she is going for the Gold award. She has a list of the different places that she wants to help and a year to wait and plan so we will see what will happen. Top of the list for today is animal shelter, Riley or Peyton Manning children’s hospital, or outdoor area. Whatever she decides to do will be on her to plan from start to finish and raise the money for because this is an individual project. She can get help from the community but she has to put in at least 100 hours of time to meet the goal. I don’t think it will be a problem though because she put in close to that with the Silver award.
Tracey Thomas is the Chief Elf at Santa's Elves of Indy. She is a frequent guest blogger for Kids Creative Chaos. This week, she shares her insights on the Mommy Share. Do you take your kids out for special alone time with Mommy or Daddy? Here are some ideas for mommy-dates with your children.
Mom and Me Day
We have a large family, which means busy schedules and lots
of group interaction. Don’t get me wrong, I love our big family, but sometimes
the craziness that is our lives leaves little room for individual time with the
kids. With my oldest son, “mommy and me” time wasn’t scarce at
all, because he had no competition, but after baby #2 came along, it started
becoming evident that I would need to build in time to spend one-on-one with
him. It is now 12 years later and, not only have I acquired 4 children of my
own, but also 2 step-children and I still try to build in that individual time
with the kids.
A trip to the orchard is a special treat that doubles as edutainment.
In a perfect world, I would have an endless bank account to
pull from that would allow me to take each child on an exotic weekend
excursion, but here in the real world, this isn’t exactly the case. Ok, so it
isn’t the case AT ALL. So to preserve the budget and to help keep our time
special, each month a different child gets to have their day. Sometimes, it’s
something as simple as driving to the nearby frozen yogurt shop and sometimes,
when the funds allow, we will plan something a little more expensive, like
going to the movies, or out to dinner, etc.
What kid doesn't love the movies, even better when you only have to share popcorn with Mommy.
For my son’s 12th birthday, he opted to combine
his birthday present with his “Mom & Me” day and was able to have an
afternoon downtown with his friends. To date, this was actually one of my
favorite “Mom & Me” days with him because, even though I had to share it
with four other 12 year old boys, the extra-sweet bonus was when he still
wanted to sit by good ole Mom during the basketball game at the end of the
night.
Too cool for Mom... not this boy!
As our kids get older, make new friends, and gain new
freedoms, they will have less time for Mom. Until that time, and as far into it
as I can get, I will always try to maintain the one-on-one visits with the
kids. It’s our time to catch up, hang out, and stay connected. And I hope that
“Mom & Me Day” will become as important to them as it is to me.
Check out her other posts in the boxes below and on the sidebar. She is the author of "Slurpin' for Worms".
The Martinsville Candy Kitchen is a fun thing to do in Indiana with your kids...
During the holidays, the Candy Kitchen in Martinsville, Indiana is filled with enticing aromas and beautiful, delectable candies. Remember the little, old Wonka candy store in original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Toot Sweets from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang? Yeah... it's a lot like that, and it is only a hop, skip, and 30 minutes - ish from downtown Indy. So, treat your kids to some old-fashion nostalgia.
Hand pulled candy canes from the Martinsville Candy Kitchen.
Fudge, candies, desserts- oh my. This is truly eye candy. There are several restaurants in downtown Martinsville, and on Saturdays catch a Farmer's Market around the court house just in front of the Candy Kitchen. If your kids are into antiquing, the downtown square offers many shops for browsing.
Martinsville Candy Kitchen.
We visited in the Spring. They were busy making fudge in the back, and the counters were showcasing old-fashion Easter candy. It brought back candy memories from childhood. I remember getting white chocolate little lambs from my grandmother one year. They had a basket full of those cute little lambs! The chocolate covered Peeps were a nice surprise too. I am going to give that a try with the kids.
Hand-dipped Ice Cream.
The little red and white shop matches the hand-pulled candy canes they make each holiday season. Treat your kids to a trip. Sometimes, a man in a matching red and white suit stops in for a visit. Hmm... I wonder if he gets the candy for our stockings there?
The Month of May is Busy in Indianapolis: Indy 500 Activities for Kids
In Indiana, the month of May is a time for celebrations. There are many Indy 500 activities for kids and families. You will also find lots of race theme things to do in indianapolis in May. Here are just a few fun things to do with kids in honor of the race.
Nearby, Indy Parks boast the longest Soap Box Derby Track in the country, William Shaw Memorial Soap Box Derby Hill. We attended a special design your own Hotwheel Car at the Indianapolis Children's Museum for FREE! We designed it, tested it, and designed the box just like the pros. Recommended Reading:
This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience.*
Indy 500 Activities for Kids.
Use recycled household items as props- including a plastic milk jug for a gas can.
Ideas on how to plan an Indy 500 Race Birthday Party:
Purchase inexpensive, large, black buckets to use in a pit stop race game.
Recycle a milk jug, paint it black with spray paint or acrylics, and use duct tape or paint to spell out G-A-S.
Turn a milk crate upside down to use as a Winner's Circle.
Hang a race banner (we got ours at the Dollar Tree).
Make 9 colored race flags for a realistic race experience.
Trick out your cardboard car with paper plate wheels or fancy, cardboard fan wheels.
Wondering 'what do the flags mean or stand for in the Indy 500 race'?
Green means go! Of course, you already knew that! Just like shouting "Green Light", the green flag is waved to signal the start of the race. It is also used to for restarts after a caution flag.
Yellow flagsignals caution for a hazard. It could be an accident, debris, rain, maybe a silly goose got loose on the track. The pace car hops on the track to lead the other cars in safety. When we play Red Light, Green Light, we use yellow to signal walk very slowly.
Red flagSTOP! Do not pass go, do not collect $100 dollars. A red light means freeze in your tracks. It is for accident or rain conditions. Head straight to the pits or stay parked. No repairs, tire changes, or gassing up allowed. In other words, no fair cheating!
Red flag with a yellow "X"means the pits are closed to all vehicles.
Black flagmeans a penalty to a car on the track. Don't break the rules! It's also used for mechanical failures.
Black flag with a white "X"black-flag penalty. Your car isn't keeping score anymore.
Blue flag or blue flag with yellow diagonal stripe Get out of the way, slow poke, a faster driver is about to pass. We use a blue light in our game to signal to turn around and walk backward toward the finish line.
White flag the end is near! It's the FINAL lap.
Checkered flag Hooray! We have a winner. This flag means the race is over.
For our race car game of Red Light, Green Light, we purchased dowel rods and squares of fabric from Joann's Fabrics. To attach, rub glue on the dowel, wrap one end of fabric around the dowel, and staple as close to the stick as possible.
Lay out aluminum foil, tissue paper, paper plates, and colored duct tape. Let the kids' diy imagination run wild.
On your mark, get set, go! Mark off a track with chalk, tape, or use cornstarch paint in the grass. Get your flags ready to wave. Have parents or helpers use a stopwatch to track each child's time. No need to compete against others. Race around several times for your best lap. Now the fun begins!
On your mark, get set, let the games begin!
How to Play Pretend Pit Stop
Get parents and teachers involved with the fun. Before the game begins, designate a pit crew for each "driver". During a caution flag, have everyone pull into the pits. One member of the crew must run around the car 4 times checking pretending to check tires. Another crew member will take the pre-filled milk "Gas" jug (water) and pour it into the black bucket. Then, the crew members must use a funnel to re-fill the jug. Have the driver time the crew for even more giggles. When all the water is gone, the drivers can take off again.
Measure the water in the jugs to see which pit crew wins a prize. Just pour it back into the buckets, and see which one retained the most water (gas). A game of Red Light, Green Light is fun around the track too.
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Cardboard Toilet Tubes turned Holiday Hats How many rolls of toilet paper do you go though each month? We've got to recycle that ca...
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. And another check, she earned her silver award with the birthday boxes.
