Archive for the ‘kids do’ Category

Since our kids were little, we’ve bought a game each year for Thanksgiving.  It was a tradition that came from my husband’s family.  His grandparents gave them a new game every year when they came for Thanksgiving dinner.

Since everyone is on a holiday from school and work, a new game is always a hit over the long weekend and perfect cold weather entertainment.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Blokus is pretty much our favorite game.  It appealed to our kids when they were as young as 5, and to my husband and I as well.  There aren’t a lot of games that can span that age gap (believe me!)

Blokus is strategic, competitive, and really fun.  My husband and son play to block their opponents, my girls and I play to keep our options open.  Does this say anything about Mars vs. Venus?

Either way you play, this is an addicting game.   The only drawback is you can only have up to 4 players, so someone always has to sit out…usually a parent.

Sleeping Queens is another family favorite.  Take one look at the box and you might think this game only appeals to the feminine members of my family.  Not so.  My husband and son enjoy it just as much as the girls.  Playing this game, you might be amazed that it was invented by a 6 year old girl!   I am.  It is clever and fun and one of our first choices for many a game night.  It can be played with 2 to 5 players which is perfect for our family.

And last but not least, is Qwirkle.  We got this game last year and loved playing it all through the Holiday season.  Game play is sort of like dominoes… or Scrabble, but Qwirkle can be played and enjoyed by young and old.

I am trying to decide what to get for this year’s Thanksgiving game.  I am thinking an oldie but goodie.   My childhood favorite was Clue.  My family also loved Rummikub and Uno.  My husband is sort of leaning toward Jenga.

I’ve also heard great things about Ticket to Ride and Quiddler.  If you have any games your family loves, let me know.  I’m running out of time to find something!

Last year we received a snowman kit from one of my dear friends as a Christmas gift.  A few days after the gift arrived, we had an epic storm and the kids spent hours playing in the snow and building their wonderful snowman.

It was such a fun idea, and I was sure I could make a handmade version for gifts this year.

A snowman is simple.  He needs a hat, eyes, nose, mouth, scarf and buttons down his shirt.  If you want an authentic snowman, you can even add a corncob pipe.

Yesterday I got to work and made my own snowman kit.

I cut a 7 inch width of red polar fleece for a scarf.  Most polar fleece is 60 inches wide which makes a perfect length for a scarf.  Then fray the end by cutting a 3 inch strip every 1/2 inch.  Check it out with a little snowflake:

I traced a snowflake cookie cutter on white craft felt with pencil and cut it out.  Then I stitched around using a machine blanket stitch.  This scarf is so cute, you could steal it from the snowman and wear for Christmas.

Ben and I headed over to a stream by our house and gathered small semi round stones.  When we got home, Ben painted them with black acrylic paint to make the snowman’s mouth.

Boys love rocks.  They love to collect rocks.  They love to paint rocks.  I love rocks because they are the perfect old fashioned look for a snowman… and they are free.

I splurged on a fake carrot from a local craft store for $3.  My husband thinks I should cut the “hairy” things off it it… too gross.  I pulled out the foliage and hot glued a dowel into the hole in the end, to make it easier to stick it into the snowman.  You could also use a real carrot in the kit… which would obviously need to be replaced as needed.

Next were inexpensive buttons for the eyes and down his tummy, big black buttons for the eyes, smaller green buttons for the tummy.   I put the rocks and buttons into this cute little box for the gift.

And last but not least, the hat.  I made it out of cheap black felt.  I sprayed the felt with a little heavy starch to make it less floppy, and it turned out darling.  I will be posting a tutorial on making the hat later today (I hope.)  I still have a few measurements to get right if someone besides me is tried make it…  I had to fudge a few times.  I thought that Geometry teacher was lying when he said I would use these skills someday.  Circumferences anyone?  You could also buy a hat from a thrift store, Halloween close-out, cheap Santa hat, there’s lots of inexpensive choices.

UPDATE:  Here are the directions for making a snowman hat:  Start with at least 3/4 yard of cheap black felt.

1. Cut one circle 12″ inches wide for the brim of the hat.
2. Cut a smaller circle 6 3/4″ in the center of the the brim.
3. Cut one 8″ inch circle for the top of the hat.
4. Cut one rectangle, 6″ x  24″ for the cylinder.
5. Folding the rectangle in half, stitch the end using a 1/4″ seam, making the cylinder.
6. Keeping the cylinder wrong side out, carefully pin the 8″ circle around the top of the hat.  Stitch together.
7. Turn the cylinder right side out.  I used a chopstick to make the turn neat and tidy.
8. Pin the brim of the hat carefully around the cylinder.  Stitch together.
9. Embellish the hat if desired.  Use a piece of red felt or grosgrain ribbon around the hat.  Or throw on a flower or a sprig of holly.  Or just simply leave it a plain black hat… either way it’s going to be a darling snowman.

Last it all goes into a gift box… add a cute little tag that reads, “Just Add Snow.”  And another check off my gift list!