Fitness Party!

Being Active is Fun!

Several years ago Family Fun Magazine had a great article about encouraging healthy fun. The Fitness Party was their focus. Of course, I tweaked it to meet our needs but the essentials are all here. The following is how we hosted our own party!

Neighborhood Invitations

We made our own invitations to our Fitness Party for all the neighborhood children in and around the ages I was caring for. I also asked a couple of older children if they'd like to help run the event with me - they were 12 and 14. They wanted to be involved but didn't want to be considered a "kid." Our invitations were simple - made from colored construction paper and colorful stickers they included date, time (start and end), how to RSVP, what to wear, sunscreen reminder, etc. We hand delivered them so we could explain a little more about what to expect or answer any questions.

Preparing
After invitations have been distributed and before the event gather all the equipment needed for each activity. We also gave out as a favor a water bottle to each child with their name on it. They weren't fancy and I wrote the names on in permanent marker including Fitness Party and the date as well. We then used these bottles throughout the day. I had a water station set up for everyone to fill up their bottle. We also had a snack break after all the events were over with fruit kabobs, whole grain crackers and a frozen yogurt cone. I think planning this for a morning rather then the afternoon when it gets too warm for everyone is best. Our party was from 9 AM to 10:30 AM. Also, depending on the number of children participating you may need or want to split into smaller groups to work through all the activity stations to limit wait time at each station and keep things moving.

Activities

Stretching Time - Start by spending a few moments with simple stretching motions like reach to the sky, touch toes, lean to right and left. This was led by our two "helper" children. They actually put them through a nice stretch before we got started with the main events.

Hula Hoop Whoop - This is a multi-functional station which starts with each person getting a hoop and giving it a spin around their waist/hips. There is a learning curve for those who are not hula hoop professionals so give everyone several tries. We had 5 hoops going at once here so you'll need some space. Next place hoops end to end (example: OOOOO). Children line up and take turns jumping from hoop to hoop. They get back in line and the second time around it is hop like a frog, next time it's walk like an elephant, etc. If you give the children the chance they'll come up with several ideas of their own.

Beanbag Toss-o-Rama - This station a great throwing activity. I like beanbags over balls just because they are often easier for young ones to toss successfully and don't take off rolling away from you. I made a target laid out on the lawn on a large tarp using painters tape in a simple grid. I had made enough beanbags so there was minimal waiting. My "helpers" encouraged everyone to try and hit every target area.
Mega Hopscotch - Rather than play a game of hopscotch we opted for a mega hopscotch course for everyone to try out several times. The course twisted and turned over our entire driveway. The course needs a little prep but once you have it down on the pavement you only need keep participants in line. Older children should one foot hop where indicated while younger ones can jump onto squares.

Knock 'em Down, Stand 'em Up - You will need a couple dozen small size cone markers. We had some for marking off our backyard soccer games and then I got a more at a discount store. They were packaged by the dozen. I've also seen them offered online in bulk. We found lots of uses for these cones over the years. For this event you place the cones in a random pattern over a large section of the yard - half the cones are standing upright and the other half on their sides. Split your group into two teams - one team will be knocking over upright cones and the other team is taking the knocked cones to place them upright. Children are instructed to run to the cone, bend over to use their hands rather than kick over the cone with their feet. This game is timed and I used a whistle to start them and then a whistle to stop them. This is a crowd-pleaser.

Obstacle Course - This was our final event and everyone cheered each other on to success. We laid out the course using hula hoops, beanbags, cones and the naturally occurring features of the yard (trees, swing set, etc.). Plan a course that includes running, jumping, over, under and through options if possible. We made a tunnel using a our tarp over the backs of a couple of benches which was great for crawling. While everyone was taking a water break . . . don't forget to encourage water breaks between each station . . . my helpers and I set out the obstacles according to a plan I had formulated previously. Then each child had their turn to run the course and cheer on their friends. Each child was offered two runs at the course.

We ended our party with a fresh and healthy snack bar. Everyone took home their water bottle as a souvenir. This kind of special party has so many options that can be offered and planned. We were able to use many of these activities for playdates or birthday parties. You might want to plan several Fitness Days throughout the spring and summer months. We'd love to hear your ideas or experiences with a Fitness Party or other special homemade activity - send us a comment!

Use Online Nanny Job Searches With Caution

What potential pitfalls do nannies need to look out for when using online job services? HomeWork Solutions has a great summary in this article.

We've heard from nannies who got caught (or almost caught) by these schemes. Working with a service like Nannies from the Heartland ensures that all of your potential employers are vetted and coached in being good employers. We meet the vast majority of our families in person before ever sending them a nanny's file.

Simple Suncatchers for all Seasons

Clear contact paper is the key to making suncatchers anytime!

We loved making suncatchers for all seasons - really anytime. Clear contact paper made it so easy. We would select what we were going to put onto the contact paper, decide on the shape we wanted the suncatcher to be, and how we wanted to place it in the window. Here are some simple steps to follow for your own suncatcher collection:

1. Decide on what size and shape your finished project will be. You'll need to keep this in mind as you build the suncatcher as you need room to seal the edges and trim to the shape. You may want to have a shape template ready but this is not essential.
2. Decide on the items you'd like in your suncatcher. Specialty papers, tissue paper, leaves, grasses, small light weight objects - having some items that are translucent and others that are opaque adds interest.
3. Place items onto a sheet of contact paper sticky side up - keep in mind your final size and shape of the suncatcher.
4. Press objects lightly onto paper.
5. Place second sheet of contact paper over the first sealing in the objects. Now you can press more firmly and seal the edges well.
6. Trim to desired shape and size.
7. Hang you suncatcher - options include using clear tape and taping to window, using a punched hold and ribbon to hang it or using a window hook with a suction cup holder. We used these hangers because we liked to change out our suncatchers often. We also selected a window that had good light coming through and was an appropriate spot for these delightful creations!

Be creative - take this idea and springboard to another wonderful project! Have fun!

Bunches of Buttons

My mother used to keep a large container of buttons around. We loved digging around in the buttons, sorting with them and making up games. As I grew mom showed me how to sew buttons onto clothing and even make some jewelry with buttons. So I started my own collection of buttons. When I became a nanny I noticed the children loved to get those buttons out as much as I did when I was little. If you aren't a button collector you can purchase buttons at craft stores. You'll find mixed buttons as well as color or shape specific buttons. Here are some ideas on ways you can use buttons that are fun and educational.

Button Sorting
This is a great activity for older toddlers and preschoolers. You can make this work for sorting out colors, shapes or size differentiation. Using a muffin tin or egg carton can make it easy for younger ones to drop the button into the right space. To add fine motor skills you can use tweasers or tongs, spoons or scoops to move buttons from one container or space to another.

Button Letters

What a fun and creative way to support letter recognition! Placing the buttons onto the letter that can be written onto a larger piece of paper or you can have a letter cut out. If you glue each of the buttons down you have a nice art piece that can be framed and put in the child's room. Not only does it provide small motor skills and letter recognition but it's creative as well. If you are gluing the buttons down you may need to use glue dots rather than a white craft glue. Glue dots are typically clear and firmly hold heavier or larger items to paper very well. If you do plan to use this as an art piece I would recommend a heavier base paper like card stock or tag board.

Button Stringing

Another small motor activity that can result in a bracelet or necklace is button stringing. For smaller hands and younger children choose larger button with large holes in the center. If you purchase buttons from a craft store you'll see that they offer some that are perfect for this activity. I also liked to use pipe cleaners for children if this is their first time with this type of activity. Pipe cleaners maintain a firm base that allow children to get buttons on. Once they have stringing mastered with pipe cleaners you can move to heavy weight string or yarn. There are dull ended needles available to make this process easier. The button to pipe cleaner process is a good one to know as they can then make button flowers.

Button Flowers and Trees

Creative art activities are wonderful using buttons. Here are two that give lovely results, even for the youngest child.

Flowers are made using pipe cleaner or wrapped wire stems and button petals. Children can load the stem with several buttons or one. The finished flower can be put into a pot, made into a 3D display or glued down to a poster board background. They can add leaves, grass or other fun springy items to their finished product.                                                                   Trees are made by gluing down buttons to a poster board base that has a trunk and branches already painted or drawn on it. The example here uses the child's hand/arm print in brown paint. Or children can paint or draw their own trunk and branches. The buttons serve as leaves or flowers. Wherever the buttons land on their tree is fine - - - it's their creative choice.

Button Counting Game

This is similar to the sorting activity but we're introducing number recognition and counting into the mix. In this example you'll see drawn jars with a number assigned to each. The child then places buttons on each jar coordinating with that number. I've done this by placing the numbers in egg carton spaces. It's good for reinforcing sequencing as well - two comes after one, followed by three, etc. Once a child understand each number and their relationship to the amount of buttons you can mix things up and see if they are connecting the concepts. This segues into simple addition or subtraction activities. 

The Magic in "Monkey See, Monkey Do"

This article came to us from Samantha Sawyer, M.A. CCC-SLP, a licensed speech pathologist who specializes in helping children communicate. 

Have you ever wondered how to speed up your child’s skill development and make these interactions more fun and rewarding for both child and caregiver?  I want to share concepts, based on powerful tools I’ve developed over the last eight years, that will show you how to “hide” learning in play, emotional bonding activities, and sensory stimulation.

Spring is a time of inspiration in The Heartland that beckons to get outdoors and fully experience the magical transition from a brown to fresh green landscape.  Engaging your child’s five senses in multi-sensory outdoor play is a great way to stimulate growth and development.

Introducing Children to Volunteerism

Community service is a wonderful way for children to learn ideals such as generosity, self-awareness, compassion, and appreciation for diversity. However, the lesson will be lost if volunteerism isn't introduced to children in the right way.

As a professional volunteer coordinator, I often field inquries such as, "Where can my children and I volunteer together?" Here is some of my best advice for making community service an enriching experience for both your family and the organization you are serving.

Ask our staff: what about au pairs?

I’ve heard of hiring an au pair from another country. Isn’t this a less expensive child care option?
     The au pair program was designed as a cultural exchange and educational opportunity program. Most au pairs are 18 to 25 years old. They may or may not have child-care specific experience or training. They usually speak fairly good English, but aren’t always savvy to our American culture. That’s part of the experience -  to learn more. Families provide room, board,and a weekly stipend in exchange for some child care.