"TASTE IT" SPRING FRUIT EDITION

Items Needed:

  • Seasonal spring fruits: apricots, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, figs, lemons, loquats, nectarines, oranges, peaches, plums, raspberries, strawberries, etc.
  • Plastic knife
  • Small plates

What to do: 

Have a spring fruit tasting party! Set out whole and sliced seasonal fruits on the table. Allow the older children to cut the fruit into slices while the younger children set the table with napkins and plates. Ask the children to match the slices to the whole fruits. How many fruits can the children name? Give the children bowls and allow them to create their own seasonal fruit salad with the sliced fruit.

 

TRAFFIC COP

This game works best on a large paved area. Choose one child to be the Traffic Cop. The "Traffic Cop" directs traffic to make sure children do not run into each other. It is more fun than it sounds, and helps kids learn about waiting to cross the street and traffic safety.
 
Materials needed:
  • Bikes, scooters, tricycles, wagons, etc.
  • Stop and go signs (you can have the children pre-make these by using paper plates and painting or coloring them red and green.)
  • Whistle

 

THE RUN-AROUND

One child gives directions such as “run to the big tree, touch the bark, and come back,” or “run over to the slide, go down one time, and come back,” or “run around the tree three times.” A variation for smaller children would be, “hop two times and yell hooray,” “touch something blue,” or “say hello and wave your hand.” This game is great not only for gross motor skills but for listening and following directions.

 

FAMILY APPRECIATION THANK YOU CARDS

Host a Family Appreciation day at your family child care to acknowledge and thank all families (Fathers, mothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, foster parents, caregivers…) on behalf of their children and you as their caregiver.
 
Create a Banner that states “Family Appreciation Day” and post it in an area where the families can see it when they arrive in the morning. You can also set out some refreshments like cookies, muffins or fruit for the families to enjoy.
 
Materials:
  • Colored construction paper
  • Blank sheet of white paper with "Thank you" at the top
  • DIfferent colored markers or crayons

Instructions:

Have the children help decorate one side of the construction paper then set aside. Ask each child the reason they would like to thank their family. Write down what the children have stated on the piece of white paper (older children can write their own reasons as to why they would like to thank their family) and staple or glue to their colored construction paper making a card. Have each child write their name on their card. At the end of the day have the children give the card to their family.

 

CANVAS PAINTING FOR YOUR LOVED ONES

Materials needed:

  • Small canvas frames
  • Assorted paints
  • Smocks
  • Paint brushes and cups

To show appreciation to the child's parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, caregiver, etc… Invite the children to paint a gift of love on a canvas. Children can choose to paint anything they wish, for example, shapes, dots, rainbows, hearts, blots of color, flowers, etc… Place butcher paper or newspaper on either children’s tables or the floor so the children can work on their canvas painting, making sure each child has their own space to work in. Remember there is no right or wrong way to paint. Invite the children to have fun. Once the paint is dry the children can present their gifts of appreciation to their loved one.

 

TWIST AND TURN/BEND AND STRETCH www.sparkpe.org

Materials needed:

  • 1 beanbag per 2 children
  • 4 cones
  • Music player
  • 1 playground ball per 2 children

Create an activity area where the children can stand with their partner. Give one beanbag per pair. Children will work with their partner to warm up, stretch, and pass the beanbag back and forth.

TWIST AND TURN

Have the children stand back-to-back with their partner. While bending their knees and keeping their hips forward they will pass the beanbag by twisting and turning from side to side. They can start slowly then go faster if they are able too.

BEND AND STRETCH

Have the children move 1 small step away from their partner. They will see if they can pass the beanbag between their legs when they bend, then over the head as they stretch. Have them start slowly to avoid bumping each other.