AA Gifts & Baskets Idea Blog

Archive for the ‘Activities for Kids’ Category

Girls may be sugar, spice, and everything nice, but they are also tremendously active, energetic, and curious.  Next time you need to get a gift for the special little girl in your life, consider an activity gift basket made just for her.  Not only is it a thoughtful gift, it will keep her entertained and stimulated for hours.  Whether for a birthday, Christmas, or even just a long car trip, this basket full of goodies is sure to be well received.  Here are some tips for making a great activity basket.

Two important aspects to consider when making your activity basket is the age of the child, as well as her interests.  You don’t have to center the basket around a particular theme, but the age is important because you can add books or games that are geared towards her developmental stage.

If you were going to make an activity basket for a young toddler, for instance, you may go with a baby book gift theme and include board books, books with different textures (such as cloth books), teethers, rattles, musical toys or those with lights and songs.  A child at this age is still very much fascinated by lights and sounds and is entertained by trying to work them.  Books, plush toys, and bath squirters are all great additions.  If you want to drive her parents crazy, also include a variety of small instruments, such as maracas.

An older child will benefit from activities that engage her artistic and intellectual sides.  Say you are assembling a basket for a four, five, six, seven, or eight year old (plus or minus a few years, depending on the child).

Here are some activities to include:

• Coloring and drawing.  Children love to express themselves through art, so supply them with a drawing pad or coloring book.  Crayons and markers are great for coloring, and they can also be used in the car if the child is taking a long trip.
• Paint, brushes, paper, stamps, ink, and other art materials.  You could create an art activity basket by including pipe cleaners, glue sticks, glitter, sparkles, pom-poms, googly eyes, and other goodies.
• Books.  While they may have graduated from board books, children of this age still find a lot of entertainment and stimulation in books.  Try pop-up books, picture search books, sticker book, and activity books with puzzles, mazes, and other interesting, challenging tasks.  You can use the opportunity to get them “school books” too, or workbooks suited for their particular grade.
• Friendship bracelet kits.  You can find kits that include instructions and the embroidery thread needed.
• An inexpensive mp3 player loaded with favorite songs.  Mp3 players can cost as little as $20, so to make a birthday or Christmas present even more special, this could be an excellent addition to an activity basket.  They are especially wonderful for long car trips.
• Card games, such as easy addition War, Old Maid, and Go Fish or board games like Disney Yahtzee or checkers.
• Sports or physical activity equipment.  You could include a jump rope, playground ball, Velcro catcher’s mitts and ball, badminton set, and other fun activity-inducing treats.
• Bath supplies, including bath crayons, bath stickers, a special kids’ shampoo and conditioner, fun shaped soaps, and squirters.

You can design your activity kids gift basket around a theme, such as princesses, Dora, sports, or friendship, or you could just include items you know your little girl will love.

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Themed parties are always so much fun. Everyone gets into the spirit when there’s one cohesive décor and everything works together. Before you select a theme for your child’s birthday party, read a few friendly suggestions.

• Let your child guide the theme. If they love Hershey bars, who’s to say they can’t have a Hershey chocolate themed party including a Hershey's candy bar cake? Even if you had your heart set on Strawberry Shortcake, your little lady may want baseball or soccer as her theme. Your child will love her or his party if it goes along with their tastes and likes. Put your own suggestions to bed and let your child decide (within reason).

• Suggest some ideas for your child to select from. If you know your child loves fish, ask if she wants a Nemo birthday party, a Mermaid birthday party, or a SpongeBob birthday party. She may surprise you and want a Starfish party, but guiding her along will help her to visualize what she sees as the perfect event.

• Don’t go crazy with the theme. If your son loves monkeys, go with a jungle theme and include monkeys. Don’t feel you have to have a monkey on every napkin, cup and surface that isn’t nailed down. Suggest the theme with a monkey cake, some stuffed jungle animals and maybe some cake plates that feature monkeys.

• Where you have the party will also have an impact on the theme. If you’re already having it at a kids’ place or themed restaurant, you don’t need to add much more. Maybe select a color for the plates and cups and napkins if you’re bringing them. Otherwise, just let the venue provide their normal birthday party fare and don’t step in.

• Small children have no idea what a theme is. If you’ve got one under three, they probably won’t know the difference between a Star Wars party and a Lego party. You can do either and make him happy. It’s having family and friends around—and lots of cake—that matter at the younger ages.

• Before planning a theme party for a tween or teen, ask them specifically what they want. There’s nothing more embarrassing to a young person than having a theme that’s too kiddie-like. Don’t have a Tweety birthday party for a 13 year old. Cars in general for a boy or flowers for a girl should work just fine. If they happen to love a character like Hello Kitty and are still happy to show it, then by all means, have a Hello Kitty party.

• Don’t make kids come in costume to match your theme. They may not want to get dressed up, depending on how old they are. You can suggest to any moms that you are having a themed party and if they want to dress up, it will add to the fun. Or, give out cowboy hats for a Western party or masks for a Super Hero party. Limit the dressing up to a simple item that you provide.

• No matter how good your theme is, the party needs a specific start and end time. Never leave a birthday party time open on the invitation. Writing “3:00 till ??” can mean you’ll have people there well through dinner time.

Have you ever caught yourself wishing you had asked your grandparents more questions about what it was like when they were growing up? I love to hear about the "simpler" times - when they lived on the farm, how it was having 9 kids in one small house, how every one chipped in to help out, etc.

A good way to record these memories is with a fill-in gift book that ask questions about a grandparent's life. This makes a very special keepsake and a perfect grandparent's day gift.

You can also create one of your own.  If you need help getting a jump start on good questions to ask, there is an ezine article called "Write Your Family History - 50 Questions You Must Ask Parents Or Grandparents Before They Die" that is a good guide on what questions to ask your grandparents.

You could print out the questions and answers (or have your grandparents fill in the answers.  Seeing them in their own handwriting adds a special touch), then make a scrapbook of the answers along with photos and other family memorabilia.

If you haven't already done this - don't hesitate! As Grandpa will tell you, he's not getting any younger!

Grandparent’s Day is approaching quickly, and you might want to take some time to consider possible activities to fill the day with fun for all generations.  There are a number of activities and outings that might make for the perfect way to honor those who have had a big impact on your life and the lives of your children.  Armed with a good understanding of the activities that would appeal to the grandparents being honored, you can make a wise decision on how to best treat them to a day of fun.

Dining Out

There are few occasions that aren’t made more special by enjoying a meal together in a favorite restaurant or diner.  Whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, dining out can provide everyone a good meal, wonderful company, the perfect grandparent gift and an opportunity to say “we love you” and “thanks for all that you do.”

Arts and Crafts

For grandparents and kids that enjoy a little bit of creative activity, arts and crafts can be an excellent way for all to have some fun together doing something that is not overly physically demanding, but does provide for an excellent shared memory.  Consider a project like paint your own pottery, outdoor paintings, or even choose to take in a live play, so you can enjoy other people’s creative abilities.  Be creative in thought and be creative in action, so you can make the grandparents feel honored and special on their day this year.

Fall Fun

Grandparent’s Day was made an official national holiday by President Jimmy Carter in 1979.  The date to choose was obviously a consideration.  Because grandparents are considered to be in the “autumn” years of life, it was decided that Grandparent’s Day would take place in the fall.  So, each first Sunday after Labor Day, we honor the elder generation of our families.  Because, this date hits during autumn, there are many fall-friendly activities that might be chosen to spend some time with grandparents.

Some ideas might include visiting a pumpkin farm to pick your own pumpkins, taste some delicious fall treats, and maybe even get a picture with a giant pumpkin-headed scarecrow.  Carving Jack O’Lanterns can also be an excellent group activity that will lead to wonderful memories and photo-taking possibilities.  Finally, if none of that sounds appealing, you might instead consider a fall walk to take in the colors, smells, and feel of autumn.

Moving Outdoors

With a date early enough in fall to still be enjoying some nice weather, so perhaps the very best way to enjoy Grandparent’s Day is with a day outdoors.  Light the grill, pound out the patties, mix up the greens and prepare for a barbecue in the backyard.  Set up at a picnic table or spread out on a large blanket, a picnic can be a great way to share some delicious grandparent's day treats, fun stories, and to make some new memories.

Follow up the delicious meal with some fun outdoor games that could make use of the backyard.  Some of those games might be bocce ball, ring toss, ladder ball, kickball, or croquet.  Try to choose activities that all members of the family are able to participate, to ensure that this Grandparent’s Day is extra special for all involved.

If you're looking to get out of the heat this summer and need a fun indoor activity, how about whipping up some play dough or clay in your own kitchen!  With a few ingredients you find around your home, you can create hours of fun!

Scented Kool-Aid Play Dough

Supplies:

2 1/2 C. Flour
1/2 C. Salt
2 packages of Kool-Aid®
2 C. Boiling Water
1/4 C. Oil

Directions:

1. Mix together the flour, salt, and Kool-aid®
2. Boil 2 Cups of Water
3. At the same time, mix the boiling water and oil into the dry mix.
4. Kneed the dough until it becomes the consistency you desire. (Lots of kneeding!)

Store in a zip-lock baggie.

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Cornstarch Clay

Supplies:

1 cup salt
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
Food coloring or tempera paints (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat the salt and 1/3 cup of water over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. (An adult should prepare this mixture, which gets quite hot and bubbly.)
2. Remove from heat and add the cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water. The mixture should now look like thick mashed potatoes; stir until it thickens.
3. Let cool for a few minutes before kneading. If the dough feels too sticky at first, work in some extra cornstarch as you knead.
4. Add food coloring, if desired.

Great to make small bowls, a lasting impression of your child's hand, or Christmas ornaments. Dries within 1-4 days (depending on size of item). Cornstarch Clay will keep unrefrigerated for up to 2 weeks when stored with a small bit of wet sponge in a plastic bag or sealed container.

Summer is here, that means the kids are ready for fun!  Here are some great homemade recipes that the kids can help make.

Ultimate Bubble Mixture

2 cups Joy® dish detergent
6 cups water
3/4 cups Karo® syrup

Combine all ingredients and let settle for 4 hours. Store covered in refrigerator to extend suds life. Warm to room temperature before using.

Rainbow Crayons

Broken crayon pieces
Muffin Tin

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. Remove paper from broken crayons and place pieces in a muffin tin.
3. Place tin in preheated oven until crayons are melted.
*Do not move pan too much when removing, or colors will become muddy*
4. When slightly cooled, place in freezer until crayon becomes easy to remove.
5. Enjoy some rainbow coloring fun!

Finger Paints

1/2 Cup boiling water.
2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
6 Tablespoons Cold Water

Dissolve starch in cold water in a cup. Add this mixture to boiling water, stirring occasionally. Heat until it thickens and becomes glossy. Color water with food coloring. Store in air tight container. Use freezer paper as paper to paint on.