Participate in a Trunk or Treat Event

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Published 10.14.2009 | Permanent Link | Comments (0)

Have you heard of the Halloween tradition of Trunk or Treat? We wrote about it a few years ago and now that we're heading towards Halloween, I want to put this on your radar. Hopefully there is one in your neighborhood. If not, perhaps organize one?

A Trunk or Treat is a mash-up of the traditional trick-or-treating and tailgating parties. Instead of visiting houses door-to-door to collect candy, an event is organized in parking lots and the trunks of cars are set up like mini Halloween stations. Kids visit each car to collect candy in the safety of school and church parking lots.

Here's a picture from Supermom-In-Training's family Trunk or Treat event last year. LOVE IT!

If you participate in one, please leave your link below and we'll feature it on our home page under our "Reading List."

Host or Attend a Chili Cook-Off

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Published 10.14.2009 | Permanent Link | Comments (1)

Photo Copyright © 2009 This Week for Dinner. All Rights Reserved.

I just finished a heaping bowl of Three Lentil Chili after seeing everyone write about chili these days. Yes, it's the season and it's great. In fact, October is National Chili Month.

Googling led me to a plethora of listings for Chili Cook-offs nationwide where you can participate or just eat your way through. Usually the events are geared towards raising funds for the community and that makes them even more special. However, if there are none nearby, consider hosting your own at home. (You can even ask non-chili cook-off guests to consider a donation to a charity of your choosing instead of bringing a hostess gift.)

Lemondrop has a tutorial on how to Host a Chili Bowl for easy reference.

And, the talented Jane Maynard of This Week for Dinner had a call-out for chili recipes and includes her very own yummy-looking one, which apparently is EASY and her readers have replicated with success. Enjoy the Autumn!

Host a "Headlight Dance" Party

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Published 09.29.2009 | Permanent Link | Comments (0)

Before the weather turns cold, go bust a move and have a dance party in front of your car's headlights. Plus, headlight dancing makes the sadness of the sun going down at an earlier hour more palatable.

This idea is inspired by our hero Design Mom whose family staged an impromptu headlight dance party one evening a few years ago. Brilliant. Just make sure to have your camera ready and don't forget the radio set to your favorite dance music playing station.

Visit your Local Police Precinct(s)

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Published 08.19.2009 | Permanent Link | Comments (0)

Photo by Stig Nygaard

My 6-year old son announced to me that his recent visit with his babysitter to the NYC Police Museum was the best day of his life. And, I had missed it. Of course, there will be other missed precious moments. But still. (And, really kid? Better than swimming with sting rays in the Caymans?)

However, I overcame my disbelief quickly as I remembered that this certain police museum has preserved cell blocks and lets kids pretend play in them. And, my son happens to be obsessed with everything and anything police related.

I really didn't want to hightail it downtown in the sweltering heat to revisit this museum.

Then, I became inspired.

NYC kids are always paying visits to the local firehouses. I haven't heard of any drop-ins at the local precinct, but why not?

And, that's what we did. We visited our local police station and were welcomed by the Sargent who quickly gave us a private tour of the holding cells (very smelly though empty) and showed us the bullets to her gun (she kept her gun in its holster).

My son? In heaven.

Our plan now is to make unannounced visits to all the nearby precincts. Some kids like to visit the animals at the zoo. My kid likes to visit the jailbirds.

Grow Butterflies

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Published 08.19.2009 | Permanent Link | Comments (0)

Photo from Rookies Moms

It's not too late to have your child raise some Painted Lady Butterflies in your home and then set them FREE. All you need is that the outdoors temperature is in the 50s (though you could keep them indoors during the colder weather, but NAH...set them free).

We did this this summer and it was so much fun and educational. My son learned the importance of taking care of delicate creatures (all three phases: caterpillar, cocoon and newly-hatched butterfly) and the excitement of watching their development. After one week or so-- not to long for an impatient boy-- our butterflies were freed.

And, we were not alone. Our friend, Whitney of Rookie Moms and her son, also raised some beauties.

Our butterfly kit yielded over 10 butterflies, since it came with some "spares" which I guess is a-greater-than-normal result. (Or, maybe we're just superior at this stuff. **Snort.**) Our kit came complete with larvae, food and butterfly net.

Just open the package and get thee to butterfly farming.

Next up...frogs?

Go to the County Fair

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Published 08.07.2009 | Permanent Link | Comments (0)

What makes you think of summer? The local County Fair is definitely one of the things for us. So, if there is one within decent driving distance, make it a priority to go, says the bossy Alpha Mom. ;)

Below are some photos to inspire you. Or, you can visit posts by recent County Fair visitors Whoorl and Inchmark. Their county fair visits left us green with envy (yes, we're city folk).

Photo by Philgarlic

Photo by Benimoto

Photo by Benimoto

Making Paper Bag Puppets

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Published 07.29.2009 | Permanent Link | Comments (1)

I have been saving this project and photos in my folder for almost a year now. August is a big activities month for us as my son is done with camp and we try to be at the beach as much as possible. But, being on the beach during peak sun hours is not such a good idea. So, we're always looking for quick projects that can entertain my son, whose attention span is still a wee too short.

Luckily there was a Michael's near our beach rental and we were able to entertain ourselves with this Martha Stewart puppet kit.

But look at how cute these puppets are.

Here's the whole cast of characters.

Everything is supposed to come in your kit, but I suggest having a glue stick and double-sided scotch tape on hand as the sticky-thingies provided were just lacking.

I'm looking to stock up on more kits to have handy on an extra-hot or rainy day. So far, I've found this one, also by Martha Stewart. Any others out there that I should know about?

Make some Glow Rocks

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Published 06.26.2009 | Permanent Link | Comments (0)

Last summer, I wrangled my then 5-year old son and convinced him we were going to make glow-in-the-dark rocks, just like something you would find in Scooby Doo.

We spent time collecting very large rocks, then washed them and by the time the witching hour rolled by (while I was making dinner), my son was captivated for 30 minutes painting our now clean and dried rocks.

All you need is: glow-in-the-dark paint, paint sponges, and craft paper to protect your surface.

We got this idea from Danny Seo, the nation's leading green-DIY expert. If you haven't visited his blog yet, please do. There are always easy-to-do crafts ready for you.

The finished product? Eh. It didn't glow as much as I would have liked. But, it was a fun project for my kid nonetheless and he didn't seem to care about the glowing part. Me? My visions of a path lit by glow rocks faded. But I'm an adult, so I coped. Really it's more about the process than the end product, right?

Go Play in Dirt, because Nature Rocks

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Published 05.27.2009 | Permanent Link | Comments (0)

This weekend, I transplanted some plants, planted some new succulents in tiny indoor planters, and started growing some herbs on my windowsill. I did this all in an hour.

My city kid didn't want to help out. But, he still saw me modeling good nature behavior, right? Well, I didn't do it for him, I did it for me, because I love to run my fingers through dirt. And, when the trees are bursting with greenery outside, my indoor environs just get jealous.

So, today when I learned about the new site, Nature Rocks, I was extra excited and suggest you bookmark it right now. It's brought to you by some of the nation's leaders in bringing families and nature together – The Nature Conservancy (the world’s largest environmental nonprofit), The Children & Nature Network, REI and ecoAmerica.

Not only does Nature Rocks have a great "Nature Staycation Guide," there's a useful activity suggestion tool to help you find ideas for you and your kids. It's coded so that you can find fun ways to enjoy nature with the youngest and oldest (even teenagers) of your children. Or, type in your zip code and, BAM, you have a list of nearby green sites to visit, hike or lay camp.

If this is your type of activity, consider investing in I Love Dirt!. I keep it in my nightstand drawer to inspire me before I drift off to sleep. Next on the family agenda is one of the book's suggestions: build a "butterfly cafe" by planting the flowers that butterflies rely upon as food. That means butterflies on our terrace. Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.

Other ideas:
* Go Letterboxing with your kids!
* Make a Terrarium with your kids

Visit an Antiques Fair and Stock-up on Kids' Dress-up Clothes

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Published 05.22.2009 | Permanent Link | Comments (1)

We've been inspired by Stefania of City Mama. Last weekend she visited an annual antiques fair in Southern Oregon and scored big.

See, Stefania and her daughters collect "olden days" dress-up clothes and they scored the above-pictured hat and gloves (for $3!) to supplement their play wardrobe. We love the idea of a closet full of vintage clothing and accessories used for imaginative play.

Now that we're into full-blown Spring and have several months of antiques fairs and flea markets ahead of us, consider making it a family outing. So many teachable moments about upcycling and craftsmanship are possible. Plus, there are plenty of distractions so that you can do a bit of shopping yourself.