| Allowing
children to be part of gift giving when they are young is
important in developing the joy of giving. Here is a gift
that involves a child in the making of the game, playing of
the game and the gift wrapping. It all begins with making a
deck of alphabet cards. #1
Creating and Playing Alphabet Card
Games
As we gather together for holiday
dinners with friends and relatives we can share fun and
learning. This idea will reinforce spelling skills in a
group situation.
Making the Game
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You will need 26
blank cards for each letter of the alphabet.
Blank cards can be purchases at school supply
stores or use index cards.
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Use stencils,
stickers, markers, or stamps to “write” the
letters of the alphabet on the cards. Encourage
a child to be creative with any of the ways to
illustrate the letters. The letters in the photo
are taken from a scrapbooking format.
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The opposite side
of the cards can be decorated by a child. Again,
encourage creativity with deciding how to
decorate. In the photo a stamp of a tennis
player was used for the deck as the child enjoys
playing tennis.
-
Directions for
playing various alphabet games are included on a
similar card by reducing the size of the font on
the computer and gluing to a card.
Playing Alphabet
Charades
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The activity can
be played with 4 or more people and enables all
ages of participants to play.
-
Place all the
cards upside down in a container or paper sack.
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First player draws
out an alphabet card and is the only player to
look at the card.
-
This player
silently forms the selected letter with hands,
fingers, or body for anyone to guess aloud.
-
When the correct
letter is guessed, play continues with next
person until all the letters are selected.
Playing Letter
Sharing
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This activity is
fun to play during family gatherings where all
ages could be present.
-
Place all the
cards upside down in a container or paper sack.
-
First player draws
an alphabet card from the container.
-
Player says aloud
the letter of the alphabet and shares a person,
place, or thing (food, animal, etc.) that they
LIKE that begins with the chosen letter.
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(Click photos to enlarge image.) |
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By choosing a word
that illustrates something they like, children need
to “think” before they talk and can say why they
like their selection.
-
For example, a child
draws out the letter “S”. They state they like San
Francisco because when they visited they enjoyed the
trolley cars.
Wrapping the Cards
-
The size of the cards
allow a child to slip the deck into a chosen sack
that can be decorated with stickers, markers, etc.
-
The deck of alphabet
cards are great presents to give to cousins, school
friends, children who you babysit, and younger
siblings.
#2 Creating
with Marshmallows
During the
holidays, it is often necessary to keep all ages of children
busy while waiting for dinner. This activity uses everyday
items and includes every one at the table.
-
You will need a container
of round toothpicks and a package of mini marshmallows
and regular sized marshmallows.
-
Each person is encouraged
to form figures using the toothpicks and marshmallows.
Children often build snowmen, skyscrapers, animals and
other objects which can be used as a centerpiece for the
table.
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When everyone has had fun
building the objects, the next activity is to pass ONE
large marshmallow around the group.
-
The marshmallow is to be
passed from person to person using only toothpicks – no
hands allowed!!!!
-
This passing of the
marshmallow continues until everyone has had a turn.
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(Click photos to enlarge image.) |
#3 Making a “KISS” tree
Watch Video
Making a home-made present with only a
few days to go before a holiday, it often wishful thinking.
This idea is perfect for both the giver of the gift and the
receiver.
-
You will need a package of
red, green, and silver foil wrapped Hershey kisses, s
Styrofoam cone, and round toothpicks.
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Place the toothpick into the
flat end of the unwrapped Hershey kiss.
-
Starting at the base of the
cone, stick the other end of the toothpick into the cone
until the candy touches the Styrofoam.
-
Continue filling the cone
until covered with the kisses.
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This makes a wonderful
centerpiece for a child to give to someone special.
-
The receiver of the cone
enjoys selecting kisses from the cone when a snack attack
occurs.
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(Click photos to enlarge image.) |
Let me
know by e-mail what your favorite activity was this month. I am compiling information for a resource book
and want your input. Thanks.
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