Introducing My Kid's Columns

Character Descriptions of the KCC Kids

Kids are full of irony, among other things, and they always seem to have something important to say.  So, I'll be starting a new column series based on the crazy things my kids say.

Meet my real family:

Samantha,  a teenager, dubbed "The Queen of Duh".  A title happily handed down by me. She's sometimes witty, more often socially inept, and always judgemental. "I'd never do that!" She wouldn't, but she's done worse. Join us weekly for "Samantha Says". Gain valuable insight into the teen mind.

Jake, a six-year old going on forty. He's bookish, gamish, and socially amiss. Jake views the world through a refracted lens. He's always ready to explain why your wrong and he's usually right.  Even so, he says the darndest things. Look for "Jake's Jokes", they'll have you laughing out loud.

Amanda, Oh my. My Arch Nemesis. A four-year old with a big personality.  She's spunky, independent, and obstinate. She tells it like she sees it. Be careful, Amanda's advice is not for anyone with fragile psyche. Got a question?  "Ask Amanda".



Recommended Reading:

Yes, Your Teen is Crazy!: Loving Your Kid Without Losing Your Mind*

My Quotable Kid: A Parents' Journal of Unforgettable Quotes*
















ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Jake's Jokes for Kid: Waiter Joke? Ba Dump Dump

In this addition of Jake's Jokes, Jake is confused by the waiter and says the funniest thing. 

Jokes, jokes, jokes! Kids are full of funny things to say. Make sure you write them down. In this issue of Jake's Jokes: The perfect waiter joke. Ba Dump Dump. Click the tab above for more Jokes for Kids!

Jake's Jokes for Kids: Excuse me Waiter?

A family walked into a restaurant...

Waiter:  I'll be your server tonight.  Jimmy over there is helping out.

The Daddy was being difficult.  He didn't want to order until after he ate his appetizers.  Appetizers might be enough he just didn't know.  The waiter came back several times before and after the appetizers were served.  Everyone else ordered food.   Daddy waited.  The waiter didn't understand.

Waiter:  Are you ready to get some real food now?

Jake's jokes for kids. Waiter...

Daddy:  Nope.  I told you I'd let you know when or if I'm ready.

Waiter:  Can I take your menus.

Daddy:  Nope.

Mommy:  Are you sure you don't want to trade places with Jimmy now?

Waiter:  What? No way, I can take it.  Jimmy's a lightweight compared to me.

Jake looked at the stocky man behind the bar and then back at our waiter.

Jake:  Really?  How much do you weigh? (Insert Ba Dump Dump here)


Recommended Reading:

Circle Time Activities for Children


Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids


Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids

Turkey Apple Treats After-School Snack Activities for Preschool

Turkey Apple Treats After-School Snack Activities for Preschool

Purchase candy and food items for snack activities for preschool at the Dollar Tree for this easy, preschool Thanksgiving Turkey apple craft for kids. Find more theme snack recipes in our Summer Camp Handbook.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

Use lots of cookies in various shapes and sizes, candy corn, goldfish crackers, candy sprinkles, and icing. I suggest graham crackers to make it a little less like junk food. Chocolate covered fudge stripe cookies became the turkey's base and orange Halloween icing bought on clearance became the 'glue.'

We have lots of activities for preschool. We teach messy and creative play classes. Here is a fun paper, turkey hat using your foot as a pattern.

Recommended Reading:

After-School Snack Cookbook

Edie's Best After School Snacks: Healthy snacks for kids like me!

Candy Corn Turkeys Recipes and Ideas for Thanksgiving

Check out these Candy Corn Turkey Ideas

What do all of these Thanksgiving turkeys have in common? Candy Corn! These cute little turkeys are fun for kids to make. Wouldn't they make cute Thanksgiving Placeholders? Just add a name card. This is an old post, if these are your images and I haven't added a link or attribution, please send me a note so I can remedy the situation.

Turkey Cupcakes with Candy Corn.

Turkey Cookies.



Turkey Cookie and Candy Edible Craft.



These look perfect for an after-school project!

Recommended Reading:


Thanksgiving Family Get Together Activity

Paper Turkey Craft


Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks (Reading Railroad)

Turkey Chick Pom Pom Thanksgiving Craft

Make a Baby Turkey Craft for Thanksgiving

Make a cute baby turkey from pom poms and feathers. Aww...  Turkey Feathers! This cute pom pom turkey chick craft was a deal! Scroll down to learn how to make your own Thanksgiving turkey. Enjoy!

Pom Pom Turkey Craft Thanksgiving Activity.

Deep Discount Bat Craft Turns into Bargain Turkey Craft.

I got these bats at Michael's on clearance for 29 Cents! The turkey kits were $1.79 each. My creative juices were flowing. I thought about dividing them and doing a fall barn owl now and saving the bat for next year, but when I got home a light bulb went off in my head. So, I sorted the pieces and decided to make a turkey critter and a bat fridge magnet. 

Take Away: Stock up on holiday clearance items.

Divided the pieces for individual kid's craft projects.

I like to repurpose things...

So, I robbed last years fridge magnets of their precious feathers.

We got to work crafting this cute baby turkey chick from pom poms.

Cute, baby turkey craft for Thanksgiving.

Tacky Glue works better than Elmer's Glue. Hot glue is best for allowing the wings to stick out at the sides. 

Look for cheap foamy rectangles or construction paper and cut out the shapes seen here. Buy a bag of feathers, pom-poms, some googly-eyes, and get crafting. All of those items are at the Dollar Tree too.

Adorable baby pompom turkey craft.

Recommended Reading:

Free Printable Turkey Coloring Sheet

Crafts for Thanksgiving (Holiday Crafts for Kids)*

T is for Turkey: A True Thanksgiving Story*









ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Healthy Zucchini Snacks Mayflower Ship Craft for Thanksgiving

Easy Edible Mayflower Craft for Kids

An Edible Mayflower Boat Ship makes it easy to Play with your Food and Eat your Vegetables, because it is edible art! If you want something sweeter, scroll down for the doughnut Mayflower Ship. Either way, the kids will have making eatable Thanksgiving crafts that are pefect for a party celebration. Enjoy!

Easy Edible Mayflower Boat Craft for Kids.

1. We found this cute Edible Mayflower Boat Craft at Art is Helping the Children.

Mayflower ship you can eat from Art is Helping the Children.

2. Cream Cheese Mayflower Sandwich Boats

Looking for a new way to get your kids to eat vegetables? Try this!  It's pretty self explanatory, we took cucumbers, zucchini, and squash and cut them in half lengthwise. Then, I tried to collect healthy edibles: cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks, sliced squash, pretzels, and mini-dip breadsticks. Cheeseballs worked great too- just not healthy! The kids loved using the colored toothpicks to connect pieces for the "sail".  It's like healthy legos!

When done constructing, set out plates of dip, and let everyone deconstruct, dip, and eat. Everyone ate their veggies. They even tried the yellow squash! Food is more fun when you get to play with it. 

3. For an unhealthier version, try this Doughnut Mayflower from PartyPinching.com. It is super easy with only a pretzel and a doughnut required. That sounds yummy!

Doughnut Sailboat for Thanksgiving.

We read these books: "The Littlest Pilgrim" and "One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims".  A book about the Mayflower for kids is available but very wordy, "If You Sailed On The Mayflower " by Ann McGovern. You might also like, "On The Mayflower" by Kate Waters for school-age kids.

Recommended Reading:

Bake and Make Amazing Cakes (Kids Can Do It)*

Turkey Treat  

Kid's Squish Book: Slimy, Squishy, Sticky Things to Do That Should Only Be Done When Wearing Your Oldest Clothes*






ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Thanksgiving Activities: Turkey Game and Craft for Children

Family Friendly Games for Thanksgiving

You've heard of Reindeer Games, so why not, Turkey games? This is an easy, fun activity for Thanksgiving get togethers. 

Family friendly crafts and games for Thanksgiving day party feasts.

Mayhem loved playing this turkey game.

Here are a few ideas to brighten up your Thanksgiving Family Feast:

• While you're preparing Thanksgiving Dinner, have your kids make turkeys out of paper plates and construction paper.

• They can create it anyway they choose or follow these instructions:

Cut two - 3" slits 2" apart in the bottom of the plate.

Lift and fold this flap out and fold it into a triangle or tent shape.

This is the turkey's head.

Turkey tutorial.

Add googly eyes or draw your own. 

Don't forget to draw his gobbler :-)

 
Cut feathers from colored construction paper.  Using a glue stick connect them to the top of your plate, or draw them directly onto the plate with brightly colored markers. You can go all out and use real feathers from a craft store too, it's all good. Or trace your foot onto paper for extra fun and a SENSORY ELEMENT. Now poke a 1/4'" hole in the center of your turkey (the plate).  Get yarn, kite string, Christmas ribbon, etc... remember, it's all good. 

My kids tried it with a shoe string. Cut the string about 6' in length. (Shorter or Longer depending on your spatial restrictions.)  Thread the string thru the hole and knot it in the back of the plate. 

Do this twice - that's two turkeys... 

Set up two chairs and tie one turkey to each chair. Stretch the string taut and lie it flat on the ground with the turkey opposite the chair. This is the starting line, divide into two teams and start the turkey races with kids standing at the opposite end of the chairs.

"Ready, Set, Fly!"

On the signal kids begin gobbling and lifting the string in the air trying to get the turkeys to fly to the chairs. (You are essentially shaking the plate down the string.) If your turkeys refuse to "fly" have the kids race by pulling their turkeys down the line as fast as they can while someone else holds the opposite end taut.

Last kid to reach the chair is a Turkey!

The latter methods works best with smaller children.

HAVE FUN and remember, it is what it is, so make it fun and don't fret.

Post variations and; pictures of your turkeys in action.

We got this idea from an old 1970's  party book that used bats.  You can change anything to fit the theme. 

Recommended Reading:

Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks (Reading Railroad)

Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Kids! 25 Fun & Educational Thanksgiving Activities for the Whole Family (Activity Books for Kids)

Holiday Games for Parties

Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Recipe Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Recipe

How to Make GRILLED PBJ Sandwiches Recipe

Love your 'P B and J'  Sandwiches? Try this grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich recipe. It's awesome and Easy!  So, why didn't you think of this sooner? Enjoy!

                   How to Make GRILLED PBJ Sandwiches Recipe.

Peanut Butter Brownie Recipe

You will need:

Non-stick Spray or Margarine
Peanut Butter, Creamy works best.
Jelly or Jam
White or Wheat Bread
Empty Stomachs

Place a skillet on the stovetop.

Spray it with non-stick butter spray or melt butter on medium heat.

Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Recipe. 

How to make Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly. The best PB and J ever.

Make a PB and J Sandwich  

like you normally would, but butter both outsides of the bread like you would to make grilled cheese. Place it in the skillet and flip it when bottom is golden brown.

This is great on a cold winter's day! I switched mine up and used cream cheese and strawberry jam for a more grown up (peanut free recipe for kids) version. Yummy!

Recommended Reading:

Peanut Butter Ball Turkeys 

Cooking with the Alphabet (Cooking with Kids Series)*

Healthy Peanut Butter Cars

Cooking Fun: 121 Simple Recipes to Make with Kids*









ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

What's on your Mind? On Liars, Lying: Pinocchio Cartoon

Pinocchio is the cutest little liar: here's a cartoon free printable of him in all of his innocence.

Lying like Pinocchio... that's what's on my mind. Facebook asks, so I will too.  Lying or Creative License. I have been enjoying Facebook for a few years now. It's like peeping into picture windows as you drive by houses at night. Families are watching t.v., eating in the dining room, carving pumpkins, decorating holiday trees and so much more.  It gives you a little sense of how others live. It sometimes makes you feel less than perfect.

Pinocchio Cartoon coloring sheet clip art.

Right click to save image to your computer or Ctrl/P to print.

I have a friend who constantly posts happy thoughts and inspiring quotes.  I hadn't spoken to her in awhile when we finally had a chance to talk in the real world I said, "Wow, I wish I could be as positive as you are these days.  Your posts uplift me."  She chuckled and said, "Me too!  I am going through a lot.  I am so depressed.  I write those to remind me that life isn't so bad.  It gives me hope."  Now, she isn't lying but all this time I felt like she was living some kind of Utopia and I was missing out.  The grass is greener, you know.

And then I have 'friends' (I know all but three of my Facebook friends personally but I have some relatives I've never met or friends I knew long ago and a lot has changed) that post gorgeous family photos, pictures of themselves thin and beautiful, and share details of all the incredible things they do with their kids.  The are so happy, so lucky, and so full of it!

As I make more and more real world connections, I discover the Facebook Facade.  I always assume that if I am telling the truth then so is everyone else.  Why would we fabricate anything when the truth is lurking.  I am loyal to a fault, blunt, and painfully honest.  If you ask me something I will tell you how I feel, truthfully.  Bear in mind, if it is hurtful, you may want to get a second opinion.  I am a straight -shooter the words I spew are strictly my opinions.  Of course, I think they are accurate opinions but I have been known to change them.  I mean no harm.  So, if you want to know how your new hair-style really looks, ask me.  If you want a compliment ask your Facebook friends.

I am so jealous of people on Facebook.  I wish I could be a better Mommy, Wife, Lover, Daughter, Sister, Worker, Christian, Liberal, Democrat, Republican, or Human in general.  I will never be half as good as the people who are as half as good as me but take creative license to their life.  With me, what you see is what you get.

I often open my mouth and insert my foot.  I am not trying to be nasty or passive aggressive.  I am just being open and profoundly naive.  I recently had a conversation (with a person I care about very much)  regarding Facebook photos.  I said, "Can you believe all the fake photos on Facebook? I mean I meet those people and they are old and wrinkly or more than slightly overweight.  It's crazy isn't it?  I mean you and I just post the real 'us'... who would do that?" 

She didn't say anything right away.  In fact, I thought she was ignoring me but I had no idea why.  So I looked away.  And then something surprising happened, "What? You mean you think my photo is the real me?"  "Yes, I have seen it.  It looks just like you."  She chuckled nervously trying to let go of her anxiety.  "Nope, that's not me, I doctored it.  I'd never post the real me."

I could tell she was irritated with me.  I guess because I inadvertently dissed her.  She does look just like her picture no airbrushing needed.  She looks fabulous.  That is my honest opinion.  I didn't mean to accuse her of being dishonest, I had no idea.  Honestly.  Alas, this why many people don't like me.  You love me or you hate me, there is very little in between.  Most who hate me just don't get me.  I love you, I promise, no matter what I say that might seem to the contrary.

Yep, most of my friends aren't as happy as they seem on dear old Facebook.  Most aren't as attractive and even more of them aren't as good.  I'll never measure up but I guess that's okay because it keeps me on my toes.  I am a pretty decent, over-weight, going gray, do-gooder in real life.

Now those blogs...  that is an entirely different story.  I have uncovered some major creative licensing going down.  If it makes for a cute story share it.  If it gets you some extra brownie points or sympathy say it.  I get this from my teenager.  She bends the truth to 'make people happy' more often to make herself look innocent when she wants to complain about a friend and needs an empathetic ear.  We're grown-ups so I tell it like it is - the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

Me: overweight, over forty, struggling with personal relationships, finances and life in general but always true to myself and others and always 100% authentic.  How do you measure up?

Recommended Reading:

Eli's Lie-O-Meter: A Story about Telling the Truth

A Big Fat Enormous Lie

Articles and Activities for Teens