Just a few more days and the kids are out of school for Thanksgiving break. Don’t tolerate them, enjoy having them around and be the FUN MOM on the block.
Here are a few ideas to get your juices goin’ to make sure this break is memorable for everyone, you included.
THANKSGIVING HATS
Thanksgiving Hats
Supplies needed:
1. Any and all craft supplies you have: construction paper, cardboard,
ribbon, markers, paint (if you have the time for it to dry), etc., etc., etc.
2. Tape, scissors, glue, stapler
Instructions:
Before your Thanksgiving festivities let everyone create their own hat to
wear to the feast. And let the creativity go. Be sure to take photos.
Toast Party
Supplies needed:
1. Bread
2. Toaster
3. Butter
4. Anything else you like on your toast
Instructions:
Everyone makes their toast and as you’re eating the toast, anyone is welcome to make a toast. A little open mic, if you will, with toast.
example via sciencebuddies.org
Gumdrop Sculptures
Supplies needed:
1. Gumdrops (marshmallows also work)
2. Toothpicks
3. Paper plates
Instructions:
Who can build the tallest standing structure? Who can build the funkiest building? Who can build a rocket ship? How about making some gumdrop people who visit these places?
example via landeelu.com
Candy Advent Chain
Supplies needed:
1. Individually wrapped candies
2. Ribbon
3. Saran Wrap
Instructions:
Tear off a long strip of wrap. Depending on what size your candies are will determine how long the strip should be. Keep in mind that you’ll be fitting 25 pieces of candy in a row on this strip.
After all the candy is laid down with some spacing in between wrap one side over and then wrap the other side over that. Scrunch it all tight around the candy.
Tie the ribbon in between at the beginning and end and in between each candy and hang up to be ready for Dec. 1 where the first piece of candy can be eaten.
Tip: if you have multiple kids that will want to eat the candy you may want to make one for each child.
SERVICE with Candy Advent Chain (using the directions from above)
I haven’t met a kid who doesn’t love to doorbell ditch and this weekend could be a good weekend to teach them the proper way to doorbell ditch, which is, if you are going to doorbell ditch always leave a treat or a kind note.Use a candy advent chain that you have made and deliver it to a friend or neighbor on December 1 with an anonymous note. What a fun way for everyone to start their holiday season.
Tip: Be on the lookout for doorbells with cameras on them. Be sure to have someone brave sneak up from the side of the camera to cover it with their hand before you place the gift on the doorstep. And then run like the dickens.
Night Balloons perfect for a dance party. Photo via DIY Simplified
Nightlife Balloons
Supplies:
1. Round balloons
2. Glow sticks
3. Dark room
Instructions:
Activate the glow sticks and put them in the deflated balloons. Inflate balloons and tie them up. Turn on some fun, dancing music and turn off the lights. Let the party begin.
Line Dancing / Family Dance Routine
Supplies needed:
1. YouTube videos of how to line dance
2. Some space to dance
3. Cowboy boots (optional)
Instructions:
Learn some line dancing moves together. Great way to burn off some of that extra sweet potato serving you had.
Bigger or Better
Supplies:
1. Something around your house that you’re comfortable getting rid of.
2. A good attitude
Instructions:
Go door to door asking if they’re willing to trade something they have for that something that you have and that it needs to be just bigger or better.
My kids and I did this recently and started off with a broken vase and ended up with a working 40” flat screen tv. That’s a memory we’ll all have for a long time.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Do you have a fun activity your family does to keep the Thanksgiving break FUN?
By Amy Kroff with Anna Macfarlane, the FUN MOMs