Ho Ho Ho for Christmas

 Christmas is celebrated around the world, both as a religious event and as a cultural or commercial time. The following activities offer lots of ways to celebrate the season in many ways.

 

CONNECT:

• Chris IS the reason for the season, and here is why Christmas is celebrated on December 25: https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/25th.shtml
• Read up on the history of Christmas at https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas
• See how Christmas is celebrated around the world at https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g4933/christmas-traditions-around-the-world/
• Watch about poinsettias (including their history and pronunciation) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymgdsWr326A

 

CREATE:

• Follow Santa around the world with NASA at https://www.noradsanta.org/en/ (available in 8 languages)
• Get crafty about Christmas at https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/christmas-crafts-for-kids/
• Get a taste of Australia by making these kid-friendly Christmas treats at https://www.bestrecipes.com.au/entertaining/galleries/christmas-recipes-fun-christmas-recipes-kids-cook/67u8212d
• OR go British with these yummy Christmas baking recipes for kids: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/christmas-projects-kids
• Ready to play Christmas games? There are 35 fun ones for the family to enjoy at https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/g2725/christmas-games/

 

CARE:

• Keep your holiday peaceful with these holiday safety reminders: https://saferide4kids.com/blog/holiday-safety-reminders/
• Candlelight is lovely but candle burns and uncontrolled fires are not, so here are candle safety tips for kids: https://smartkids101.com/blog/candle-safety/
• Cookie dough ice cream is fun to eat, but you shouldn’t eat raw cookie dough: here’s why: https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/no-raw-dough.html

 

CAREERS:

Christmas is just one calendar day, but year-round careers are built around Christmas: not only the Christian religious life, but also tree farming, event planning, costuming and performance, designing and manufacturing Christmas items – and then selling and using them. Some jobs can make Christmas seem like every day. See samples here.

https://theundercoverrecruiter.com/top-christmas-jobs/https://www.careeraddict.com/christmas-jobs

https://www.coburgbanks.co.uk/blog/friday-funnies/10-weird-christmas-jobs/

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20141222-where-christmas-is-a-way-of-life

 

The Bear Necessities

 

What comes to mind when you think of bears? Stuffed toys? Polar bears? Bear claws? Yogi Bear? Polar bears?  (By the way, the second week in November is Polar Bear Week!) Maybe you have just bear-ly scratched the surface about bears. Dig into these activities – I bet you can bear-ly wait to start!

 

CONNECT:

• They're big, furry, and found many places around the world. Did you know there are only eight species of bears? Watch these international species at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54CDgurNMSI
• Did you know that teddy bears are named after a US President: Read the story: https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-did-the-teddy-bear-get-its-name
• Why do bears hibernate? Watch the answer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfV-r3s9meQ. And How do bears get ready to hibernate? EAT! Watch them dine at https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/brown-bear

 

CREATE:

• Get crafty about bears at https://artsycraftsymom.com/bear-crafts-for-kids/
• Here are 10 fun ways to celebrate a teddy bear day: https://theeducatorsspinonit.com/teddy-bear-day-activities/
• What keeps a polar bear warm when their natural habitat is so harsh? Try this fun polar bear blubber experiment to find out the answer: https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/winter-polar-bear-blubber-science-experiment/

 

CARE:

• What if you meet a bear in the wild? Here’s what to do: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/safety.htm

• Celebrate Polar Bear Week and help them at https://polarbearsinternational.org/act-now/awareness-events/polar-bear-week/

• Relax with a bear hug; see how at https://kidsrelaxation.com/uncategorized/big-bear-hug/

 

CAREERS:

Can you imagine a bear career? Find out about jobs that involve bears at https://work.chron.com/jobs-involve-bears-24643.html

Squash / Pumpkins

 

It’s pumpkin time – as well as time for other winter squashes. But pumpkins are older than Halloween, and they are more international than you might think. Don’t squash your interest in them; instead, dig out interesting facts about pumpkins in these activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch your fill of pumpkin videos at https://www.simplykinder.com/pumpkin-videos/
• Get the facts about pumpkins at https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/food/pumpkins.html and dig deeper at https://kids.kiddle.co/Pumpkin
• Learn about the history of pumpkins and Halloween at https://www.halloweenexpress.com/the-history-behind-pumpkins-and-halloween/

 

 

CREATE:

• You can try more than 40 kid-friendly pumpkin activities at https://handsonaswegrow.com/40-pumpkin-activities-for-kids/
• Sing about pumpkins at https://www.morganmanagesmommyhood.com/9-pumpkin-songs-perfect-for-fall/.  Then make up your own pumpkin song.
• Pumpkins are more than decoration; you can cook them too. Just follow the recipes at https://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/pumpkin-recipes.html

 

CARE:

• Carving pumpkins is good for kids; here are five reasons why: https://sunshinehouse.com/blog/carving-decorating-pumpkins-5-benefits-for-your-child/
• AND you need to carve safely so here are some tips: https://www.thekitchn.com/3-ways-to-make-pumpkin-carving-with-kids-more-fun-261998
• You can grow your own pumpkin too; see the directions at https://www.thompson-morgan.com/growing-pumpkins-with-kids

 

CAREERS:

Pumpkins can be a gateway to several careers: from growing and selling them to decorating with them and cooking with them. See the possibilities at https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/jobs-if-you-love-halloween-0916

How Do You Measure Up?

 When you think of measurement, do you think of a ruler? Or maybe a kitchen measuring cup? Or the bathroom scales? How do those measurements connect with each other? Even a ruler may have two different scales. Measurement is more complex than you think – it can even be political (such as measuring votes). Measure your learning by exploring the following activities.

 CONNECT:

• Why is it important to measure? How do we do it, and what are the units? Find out the answers at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsv7bYSrzMU
• Watch how your body and other concrete items led to metric and standard measurement systems at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQPQ_q59xyw
• What are some different ways to measure things? Watch the possibilities at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCmqVAYujv4
• Watch the Measurement League use their incredible powers of measure to perform amazing feats of science and engineering at https://www.nist.gov/kids

CREATE:

• Solve this video mystery using measurement at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7omxmCDpW7U
• Play these measurement games online: https://pbskids.org/games/measurement
• Your house is filled with things to measure. Discover the fun at https://kidadl.com/articles/measurement-activities-for-kids
• Measurement can be delicious! See how with these cooking activities at https://www.landolakes.com/expert-advice/kids-in-the-kitchen-measuring-techniques/

 

CARE:

• Find out more about your body by measuring it with string: https://igamemom.com/fun-body-measurement-activities-with-a-piece-of-string/
• Learn how to read food labels, which measure nutritional information, at https://www.fda.gov/food/new-nutrition-facts-label/read-label-youth-outreach-materials
• Watch how water quality is measured at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94YcjbYBchc
• Discover how measurement helps to level the sports playing field at https://www.nist.gov/pml/weights-and-measures/metric-sports

 

CAREERS:

Think of a job that doesn’t include measurement. It’s hard, isn’t it. Sciences, service, education, business, construction, arts, entertainment, politics, sports all use measurement. There’s even an Instrument Society of America that focuses on careers based on measurement: https://www.aip.org/jobs/profiles/careers-instrumentation-measurement.

https://vpm.org/articles/3788/math-and-measurement-fair-prepares-students-for-future-careers

 

Shark!

 

Sharks seem to be a hot summer topic. But there’s a lot more beyond surface knowledge about them. Plunge into these online activities. They don’t bite!

 

CONNECT:

• Watch this kid-friendly video that share “all” about sharks at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfWMwG6aYzQ. Pay special attention to their teeth!
• Imagine a 5-foot long baby that can weight more than 2 tons as an adult! That’s the great white shark. Discover more details about this shark at https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/facts/great-white-shark
• There are many different species of sharks that range in size from the size of a person's hand to bigger than a bus. Compare their sizes at https://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/sharks/anatomy/Size.shtml

 

 

CREATE:

• Learn the Baby Shark song at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqZsoesa55w
• Here’s a week of shark-themed activities for you to try: https://theeducatorsspinonit.com/sharks-themed-activities-for-shark-week/
• Dive into virtual shark camp at https://www.sharks4kids.com/virtual-shark-camp

 

CARE:

• Going to the beach? your risk of being killed in a shark attack is miniscule—approximately 1 in 3,749,067. But there are still some shark safety tips to follow (they work for most open water swimming): https://www.smartertravel.com/shark-safety-tips/
• Read how kids are helping sharks at https://www.sharks.org/kids-helping-sharks
• Shark fin soup is an ancient Chinese tradition; it’s especially favored at weddings. But it’s at the expense of sharks: about 100 million sharks are killed each year (much more than sharks kill people). Find out about this controversial practice at https://savingoceans.org/blog/f/the-controversy-of-shark-fin-soup

 

CAREERS:

It’s true that you can make money from shark parts, such as their teeth, but there are several more positive ways to make money from sharks without hurting them: as a conservationist, marine biologist, zoologist, shark driver, and lifeguard.

• https://www.sharksider.com/job-working-sharks/
• http://www.professorclarkthescienceshark.com/
• https://scubadiverlife.com/cool-scuba-jobs-great-white-shark-guide/

.

May Rainforests Reign

 

Rainforests may seem exotic – but they are also very down-to-earth. And they are vital for the earth. Explore rainforests around the world with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• See how rainforests are layered – and the living things who grow within each layer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMdD6TTDZ_
• Rainforests aren’t just in the hot tropics; they can be in temperate areas too; find out about their variety at https://www.kidcyber.com.au/temperate-rainforest
• Choose your favorite rainforest animal at https://www.rainforestanimals.net/

 

CREATE:

• How much do you know about rainforests and the animals that live there? Take this quiz and find out at https://animalcorner.org/rainforest-quiz/
• Try 13 activities about the wild and wonderful rainforest at https://www.weareteachers.com/rainforest-activities/
• Bring the rainforest home with these 7 everyday foods that come from the rainforest: https://blog.therainforestsite.greatergood.com/cs-rainforest-foods/

 

CARE:

• See 10 easy ways kids can help save rainforests at https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/articles/10-ways-kids-can-save-the-rainforest
• Adopt a rainforest tree at https://www.kidssavingtherainforest.org/
• Learn how to become a junior rainforest ranger at https://blog.therainforestsite.greatergood.com/cs-kids-rainforest/

 

CAREERS:

• How are a career in a tropical rainforest? See this slideshow about the possibilities: https://prezi.com/itq3ruw-xbw8/life-in-tropical-rainforests-living-working-and-travel/
• Read how you can become a rainforest research scientist at https://crees-manu.org/career-change-banking-published-scientist/

Amazing Asian Americans

 

May is Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage month, celebrating Asian and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. These peoples have contributed significantly: through inventions, fashion, medicine, food, technology, entertainment, architecture.  The list goes on and on. Discover more about these varied Americans through the activities below.

 

CONNECT:

• Check out these famous firsts by Asian Americans: https://www.infoplease.com/history/apa-heritage/famous-firsts-by-asian-americans
• AND here are 16 Asian American heroes kids should know about: https://redtri.com/asian-american-historical-figures/slide/1
• The first record settlement of Filipinos in American predates the American Revolution. Trace Asian American history’s timeline at http://www.cetel.org/timeline.html
• Asian Americans have encountered much prejudice in the United States, one of the worst being Japanese American confinement during World War II. Manzanar National History Site was once one of ten camps where Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese were incarcerated. Explore their stories at https://www.nps.gov/manz/index.htm

 

CREATE:

• Celebrate the rich history and culture of the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have contributed to America’s diversity and success through 12 activities at https://www2.ed.gov/free/features/asian-pacific-heritage.html
• Enjoy some of these traditional Chinese games with your family: https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/traditional-chinese-games
• See lunches that Asian American kids brought to school: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0QycccIKLs
• Now here are tips to make Asian food kid friendly: https://thegingeredwhisk.com/category/cuisine/asian/

 

CARE:

• Watch how Netflix shows what Asian American families love about their culture at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIN6TX3Zc90
• Explore how 50+ Hawaiian practitioners care about their culture at https://smithsonianapa.org/aekai/.
• For parents: Watch this video about explaining hate crimes to children: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vpdGqbnPj8. CNN also provides tips on ways to support kids  during this time of anti-Asian American hate: https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/18/health/parents-support-kids-asian-hate-crime-wellness/index.html

 

CAREERS:

You’ll find Asian Americans in all walks of life and all kinds of careers. Maybe you’d like a career that links you to Asia. You might become a teacher, an historian, an interpreter, an international business expert, a foreign service officer, a travel agent, a writer, and more. Check out some of the possibilities here.

• https://files.upei.ca/careerservices/careers_asianstudies
• https://career.ku.edu/ealc

 

It’s the Bees’ Knees!

Bees have been buzzing around since before humans arrived on the scene. But they are disappearing. Discover how bees contribute to the world in these activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Find out all about our brilliant bees at https://www.natgeokids.com/za/discover/animals/insects/honey-bees/
• Why are bees important? Watch their contributions at https://www.youtube.com/watch/z9zZ48jJZyk
• Why do bees make honey? Watch the reason at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0248uQf_ao
• Bees use body language to communicate, as you can see at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFDGPgXtK-U

 

CREATE:

• Play bee games as described at https://kindernature.org/activity/bee-games/
• Here’s several recipes for kids using honey: https://honey.com/blog/get-the-kids-in-the-kitchen-with-fun-honey-recipes
• Try more than 30 bee crafts for kids: https://www.kidslovewhat.com/34-of-the-absolute-best-bee-crafts-for-kids/

 

CARE:

• The environment has impacted bees – which can impact us. Read about the potential loss at https://theconversation.com/losing-bees-will-sting-more-than-just-our-taste-for-honey-42765
• Support bees (and other pollinators) by growing a pollinator garden. Follow the directions at https://www.ecobeneficial.com/videos/the-pollinator-victory-garden/
• See how to treat bee strings at https://www.webmd.com/allergies/insect-stings

 

CAREERS:

What do you want to BEE when you grow up? A bee keeper, honey maker, a gardener, a scientist? Be all you can bee…

• https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/cool-jobs-abuzz-bees
• http://www.buzzingacrossamerica.com/2014/07/careers-in-honey-bees.html
• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/beekeeper-career-description-125609
• AND here are 9 jobs of honey bees: https://www.hobbyfarms.com/9-hive-jobs-of-honey-bees-2/

P.S. "It’s the Bees’ Knees!" means something is excellent. The term originated in the 18th century to mean something fanciful, that didn't exist (like hen's teeth). In the 1920s, flappers invented phrases to express that something was really great, such as "the cat's pajamas" and adopted the older term to mean something special.  

 

 

 

Palms Up for Palm Trees

 

You’ve seen one palm tree, you’ve seen them all, right? NO! There are about 2600 species of palm trees. Investigate the various aspects of palm trees in these Internet activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Discover the facts about palm trees, one of the best known and most widely planted tree families, at https://garden.lovetoknow.com/trees/palm-trees
• Watch where palm trees come from at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0IjENkhaAU
• See more than 25 uses for coconut and palm leaves at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsLSHDd4dFU

 

CREATE:

• Watch how to draw a palm tree at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nvxUZglP5E
• Learn how to cook with coconuts at https://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/coconut-facts.html
• Create a cool Hawaiian luau party for your friends: https://www.coolest-kid-birthday-parties.com/luau-party/

 

CARE:

• Discover the health benefits of coconut at https://healthy-kids.com.au/coconuts-need-know/
• Dates grow on palm trees – and they are good for kids; find out the facts at https://www.indiaparenting.com/health-benefits-of-dates-for-kids.html
• How healthy is palm oil? Find out at https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/39492207

 

CAREERS:

Are you swayed by palm trees? There may be a fruitful career for you – as a botanist, a gardener, a chef, an artist or decorator. Even climbing up trees!  Climb up a palm tree career.

• https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/careers-with-plants/
• https://www.zippia.com/tree-trimmer-jobs/
• https://www.botany.org/Profiles/Scott_Mori.php

 

Give a Fork

 

While some food can be eaten by hand, eating utensils come in handy much of the time. Explore these activities to dig into the facts about them.

 

CONNECT:

• Follow a time of eating utensils, starting from 500,000 BC to the present at http://www.eatingutensils.net/history-of-cutlery/timeline-of-eating-utensils/
• Compare the variety of forks, from sardines to ice cream, at http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/design/2012/06/the_history_of_the_fork_when_we_started_using_forks_and_how_their_design_changed_over_time_.html
• How do people around the world eat their food? See the variety of utensils at https://www.thetravelalmanac.com/food/utensils.htm
• Get the facts about chopsticks at https://kids.kiddle.co/Chopsticks
• What do trongs, splayds, chorks, and the fred have in common? They are all utensils; see them at https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/tools-test-kitchen/article/13-weird-eating-utensils-from-sporks-to-trongs.

 

 

CREATE:

• Watch how to use chopsticks at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucHuj48bzgE
• Make an origami holder for chopsticks by following this video’s instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzU5oZ-Klpc
• Try some of these recyclable chopstick crafts for kids: https://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/chopstickscraftsideasforkids.html
• ‘Tis the season for nutcracker-themed crafts; explore them at https://www.steamsational.com/nutcracker-crafts-for-kids/

 

CARE:

• For parents: here are tips for teaching young children how to use knives and forks safely: https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/kids/resources/ot-activityinformation-sheets/using-a-knife-and-fork-information-sheet/
• Here’s the low-down on kids and utensil use: https://kidsdigfood.com.au/low-down-kids-utensil-use/
• It’s fun to play “kitchen,” but play utensils can be hazardous; follow the safety tips at https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2010/05/toy-food-and-utensil-sets-safety-tips-for-children/index.htm
• Help save the planet by using recyclable drinking straws. Read by plastic straws are a recycling problem at https://mydisposal.com/plastic-straws#:~:text=Although%20the%20plastic%20they%20are,through%20the%20mechanical%20recycling%20sorter.&text=Because%20straws%20are%20non%2Drecyclable%2C%20they%20end%20up%20landfills.

 

CAREERS:

How might eating utensils turn into a career? As a restaurant worker, a utensil designer or manufacturer, as a cook, as an occupational therapist, or as a manners expert (you often need to know dining etiquette to get a job!).

https://career.vt.edu/job-search/presenting_yourself/interviewing/dining-etiquette/FAQs-dining-etiquette.html

https://collegegrad.com/careers/food-preparation-and-serving

https://study.com/academy/lesson/adaptive-eating-utensils-in-occupational-therapy.html

http://career.iresearchnet.com/career-information/silverware-artisan-worker-career/

Pleasures of Pineapples

 

What comes to mind when you think of pineapples? Hawaii? A prickly plant? A funny name for a fruit is that neither a pine nor an apple? Get the inside juice on pineapples with these activities.

 

CONNECT:

Check out these fun pineapple facts for kids: https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/food/pineapples.html

Watch how pineapples are processed from baby plants to your table at What comes to mind when you think of pineapples? Hawaii? A prickly plant? A funny name for a fruit is that neither a pine nor an apple? Get the inside juice on pineapples with these activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Check out these fun pineapple facts for kids: https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/food/pineapples.html
• Watch how pineapples are processed from baby plants to your table at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25uSmiw2HNo
• Cloth from pineapples? Read how it’s done at https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/cloth-made-from-pineapples

 

CREATE:

• Try making these pineapple snacks and crafts by following the directions at https://www.chfusa.com/blog/back-to-school-pineapple-snacks-crafts/
• From kids to teens there are pineapple crafts to do at https://casawatkinsliving.com/17-diy-pineapple-crafts-kids-teens/
• Sing a song about pineapples at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19AcV4htTe8

 

CARE:

• Watch how to grow a pineapple at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25uSmiw2HNo
• Is pineapple healthy for little children? Here is good advice for parents to read: https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/can-babies-eat-pineapple
• Pineapples used to be a status hostess gift, and continue to be a symbol of hospitality. Find out why at http://www.learn2grow.com/inspirations/gettingstarted/findingideas/WelcomingPineapple.aspx

 

CAREERS:

Aloha! Does a pineapple career call to you? Not only could you grow them, but you can sell them, cook with them, and even make designs with them. Find out about the pineapple industry from the ground up.

https://www.rd.com/article/summer-job-pineapple-picking/

 

Apple of Your Eye

 pples have a long history, all the way back to Adam and Eve. Apples are now common in many parts of the world. Pick out fun activities below about apples. Yum!

 

CONNECT:

• How do apples grow? See the answer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWLmEh1HIBw
• You might be amazed at the variety of apples around the world; see some of the possibilities at https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/unusual-apples
• Read about the top ten apples in mythology: https://girlwithherheadinabook.co.uk/2017/06/top-ten-apples-in-mythology.html

 

CREATE:

• Create an apple trivia facts game using these facts: https://www.factsjustforkids.com/food-facts/apple-facts-for-kids.html.  And you can look for more facts, of course.
• Cook with apples using these kid-friendly recipes: https://happykidskitchen.com/healthy-apple-recipes-to-cook-with-kids/
• Fall for these fun apple crafts to make: https://buggyandbuddy.com/apple-crafts/

 

CARE:

• “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Fact or fiction? Find out at https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/an-apple-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away#benefits
• Watch how to keep apples from turning brown in the lunchbox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XUZDqm46bk
• Find out about Green Apple Day of Service: https://www.mygreenapple.org/about

 

CAREERS:

Apple-related careers can be found both in the country and the city: from growing them to selling them, from drawing them to cooking them. The following websites might be the seed for a fruitful success.

https://www.agcareers.com/career-profiles/

https://www.careersinfood.com/career-planning/

https://www.theculinarypro.com/abouttheindustry

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/cool-jobs-food-industry-2064051

 

Laud Labor Day

Labor Day is a U.S. national holiday in honor of all the hard-working citizens – and the efforts to help laborers. Find out how people labor through these activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch this video about labor day facts, aimed at kids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY_L8--kNB0
• Be thankful that child labor is not legal in the US now; see the history at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewu-v36szlE
• Child labor is a universal issue; see how it is being addressed at https://youtu.be/09sjAViDuqQ

 

CREATE:

• Try these fun ideas for celebrating Labor Day: https://www.bugbitething.com/blogs/bug-bite-news/4-fun-ideas-for-celebrating-labor-day
• Celebrate Labor Day with these crafty activities: https://www.care.com/c/stories/3941/6-labor-day-activities-for-kids/
• Labor Day is a perfect day for a picnic: make it a family activity at https://www.marthastewart.com/275233/plan-a-picnic-lunch-with-the-kids?

 

CARE:

• Honor Labor Day workers with these crafty activities: https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/968043/labor-day-crafts-for-kids/
• Especially now we should thank health care workers; here’s a way to send a special note to them: https://www.hennepinhealthcare.org/hennepin-healthcare-foundation/gratitude-message-for-staff/
• Labor Day is also considered the last day of summer so enjoy one last summer bash with your friends with these outdoor games: https://nextdaydumpsters.com/10-super-fun-diy-outdoor-games-for-labor-day-weekend/

 

 

CAREER:

• What do you want to be when you grow up? Explore careers at https://sites.google.com/a/greenvilleschools.us/kbhoward/career-education-1

 

Eggscellent Eggs

 

We decorate them, we eat them, we even come from them. It’s time to get eggscited about eggs through these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Collect facts about eggs at https://kids.kiddle.co/Egg_(biology)
• Discover animal eggs you won’t believe they eat in other countries: https://www.thedailymeal.com/travel/6-animal-eggs-you-won-t-believe-they-eat-other-countries
• Read about the ancient arts of decorating eggs at https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2017/04/decorating-eggs/

 

CREATE:

• Learn how kids can cook eggs at https://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/how-to-cook-eggs.html
• Try dozens of egg crafts: https://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/easy-entertaining-egg-crafts-kids/
• Play kid-friendly Easter egg games any time at https://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/easy-entertaining-egg-crafts-kids/

 

CARE:

• Here are 26 things you need to know before buying a carton of eggs: https://www.eatthis.com/eggs/
• Here’s why you need to know about egg safety: https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/what-you-need-know-about-egg-safety#:~:text=Wash%20hands%2C%20utensils%2C%20equipment%2C,cooked%20to%20160%C2%B0%20F.
• Learn about Salmonella and eggs at https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/salmonella-and-eggs.html

 

CAREERS:

Eggs can be the birth of an eggsciting career: as a farmer, a grocer, a scientist, a doctor, a chef, an artist. A focus on a career in eggs can be eggstremely fruitful!

• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/egg-farmer-125613
• https://www.eggfarmers.ca/2017/08/five-unexpected-egg-based-careers/
• https://www.careergirls.org/career/ob-gyn/
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/chefs-and-head-cooks.htm

 

Bravo for Blacks!

Africa is the second largest continent, only after Asia, and humankind started in Africa. Africans were some of the earliest arrivers to America, and they have helped shape and advance the United States from the beginning. Explore the following activities to appreciate what Africans and African Americans have contributed over the centuries.

CONNECT:

• Significant African kingdoms have existed since thousands of years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akca0mUW2K0
• Connect with these African-American heroes at https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/history/african-american-heroes/
• Children’s books celebrate African Americans; watch interviews with some of those books’ authors at www.readingrockets.org/calendar/blackhistory
• Over 600 locations share the legacy of the Underground Railroad to freedom. Explore the National Park Service’s program at https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1205/index.htm
• Noted Black scientist Dr. George Washington Carver developed more than 300 new uses for peanuts, which helped save the economy of the South. Look at the amazing list at https://www.tuskegee.edu/support-tu/george-washington-carver/carver-peanut-products

CREATE:

• Try 10 fun ways to cultivate greater appreciation of African-American history: https://www2.ed.gov/free/features/african-american-history.html
• Take it slow or take it fast: hip hop kids’ songs to dance to at last: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oRh2yPDzpg or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20O8_XXiWFY
• African cuisine reflects a wide variety of regions, each with its own blend of foods and their preparation. Experiment African cooking for kids at  https://www.leaf.tv/articles/african-cooking-for-kids/
• Staying at home? You can have fun playing these traditional African children’s games: https://pemburytours.com/traditional-african-childrens-games/

CARE:

• Watch some quick tips for African American and multiracial children’s hair care at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS0xuBClSPY
• Get involved with these nonprofits dedicated to empowering young brown girls: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/7-nonprofits-dedicated-empowering-young-brown-girls-n742776
• AND the National Youth Alliance for Boys & Men of Color creates leadership opportunities: https://fcyo.org/programs/national-youth-alliance-for-boys-and-men-of-color
• UNICEF offers age-appropriate ways to talk with your kids about racism: https://www.unicef.org/parenting/talking-to-your-kids-about-racism

CAREERS:

Society benefits when careers are inclusive and encourage diversity. Blacks have been discriminated for centuries in the job market and work place, even though they have so much experience and insights that society needs. Here is just a sample of Black STEM innovators: https://www.idtech.com/blog/black-stem-innovators-who-defined-modern-world

Career networking is important for everyone, so these are a few groups that support careers for African Americans.

Black Professionals Network: https://mybpn.org/

Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals: https://www.obap.org/

Black Caucus (inc.) American Library Association: https://www.bcala.org/

National Alliance of Black School Educators: https://www.nabse.org/

National Association of Black Journalists: https://www.nabj.org/