Get On the Ball with Basketball

 

It’s March Madness time in the United States: the time to celebrate the best in collegiate basketball. And it is a game that you can play year round. Get the ball rolling with online activities about basketball. GO, team!

 

CONNECT:

• Watch the history of basketball at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0qn56l1ElU
• Discover a 14-year old girl who hold 3 Guinness world records for her basketball skills at https://kids.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/young-achievers/zaila-avant-garde
• See simple basketball adaptations for kids with disabilities at https://kids.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/young-achievers/zaila-avant-garde

 

CREATE:

• Watch how to play basketball around the world at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCYAeuepnNw&t=25s
• Play 22 fun basketball games for kids at https://proformancehoops.com/22-fun-basketball-games-for-kids/?srsltid=AfmBOopus7MA1iARVarbr7RZlsE3lWKrZrkX9qWcYoJfKG4eOcH_Jwwu
• Make a mini paper basketball game by following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMBRQmjX6nc

 

CARE:

• Play basketball safely by following these tips: https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/safety-basketball.html
• Practice 5 essential exercises to prevent youth basketball injuries at https://www.therapeuticassociates.com/5-essential-exercises-to-prevent-youth-basketball-injuries/
• Learn about The USA Basketball Open Court program, which connects children to local facilities with the goal of encouraging basketball participation in a fun and safe environment, at https://www.usab.com/play/opportunities-in-your-community

 

CAREERS:

Lots of kids want to become professional basketball players but it is a very competitive career. What are some other possibilities? You can be a manager, a sports writer or commentator, a basketball teacher or coach, a manufacturer or seller of basketball equipment and swag, a basketball event planner, or a physical therapist. Check out some of the possibilities.

• https://www.ziprecruiter.com/t/Most-Popular-Types-Of-Basketball-Related-Jobs
• https://jobs.community.kaplan.com/career/basketball-commentator
• How basketballs are made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw1k0RCI7uc

 

Corn is poppin' good

You probably eat more corn than you imagine, and it is in more things than you imagine. Dig into these online activities to see how often corn pops up!

CONNECT:

• Watch the history and growth of corn at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyPVqNu9NPI
• Learn about different types of corn at https://wicorn.org/resources/corn-facts/
• Discover what makes popcorn pop at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJjsKJJHIYY&t=93s
• Explore 10 surprising products made from corn at https://kidseatincolor.com/corn/

 

CREATE:

• Create of trivia game using these fun corn facts: https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/food/corn.html
• Create Cute Corn Crafts by following the directions at https://www.nestle-cereals.com/uk/blog/kids-activities/easy-corn-crafts
• Make corn dance with this science experiment: https://youtu.be/RDRU064CZNU

 

CARE:

• Corn not only tastes good but it is also good for your health. Read 5 reasons why at https://www.healthyfood.com/advice/5-surprising-health-benefits-of-corn/
• Corn is sometimes used in grain boxes and play bins. Check out safety concerns and good alternatives at https://marshfieldresearch.org/Media/Default/NFMC/PDFs/Corn%20Boxes%20and%20Play%20Bins.pdf
• Discover ways to recycle corn cobs at https://www.wastex.io/post/corn-cob-uses
• For parents: get tips on helping your kids to eat corn at https://kidseatincolor.com/corn/

 

CAREERS:

Are you all ears about having a corn-filled career? You could be a cook, a farmer, a scientist, a researcher, a manufacturer, or even a marketer. Here are some possible ways to grow a great, corny job.

• https://www.wastex.io/post/corn-cob-uses
• https://nebraskacorn.gov/cornstalk/trade/11-in-demand-careers-in-agriculture-besides-farming/
• Harvesting corn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsYfpJ2IgWY

 

 

 

Worm Your Way In

 

As spring arrives worms are busily aerating the soil – and maybe hiding from folks who fish. Worm into the lives of worms with these online activities.

CONNECT:

• Watch how earthworms work at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-zc_1vjLnI
• Get the dirt on worms at https://www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au/funfactsaboutworms
• See weird and wonderful deep-sea worms at https://youtu.be/cdr1kWmSiiE

CREATE:

• Check out this worm activity theme for preschoolers with this rich list: http://www.preschoolexpress.com/theme-station12/worms-june.shtml
• Make a wormery by following the directions at https://naturestudyhomeschool.com/observe-worms-with-preschoolers/
• Try these wormy crafts at https://www.daniellesplace.com/html/worm-crafts-learning-activities.html

CARE:

• See five good reasons to have a pet worm as a pet at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH60RBZvqyQ
• Help the planet by composting – with worm help; see how to do it at https://www.acua.com/Community-Hub/News/Blog/2019/Worms-Pets-that-Help-the-Planet-Through-Composting.aspx
• For parents: Worm infections are common in children. Find out how to prevent and treat them at https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/worms

CAREERS:

Want to worm yourself into a career that focuses on worms? You could be a scientist, a fisher, a worm farmer, a worm counter, or a vermiculturist (impress your friends with this fancy word). Dig into some possibilities below.

• https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/vermiculturist
• Worm counter: https://budgetsaresexy.com/side-hustle-series-worm-counter/
• Worm farm: https://www.abc10.com/video/entertainment/television/programs/backroads-ott/how-worms-at-a-california-farm-help-gardeners-and-farmers-improve-soil/103-04f68015-f09d-4fcc-a8d2-cd084efcd5bb

 

 

Doves are COO!

Doves are often associated with peace and love. Both ideas are timely – and now’s the time to put your heart into these online activities.

CONNECT:

• Watch about the world of doves at https://youtu.be/1zgA3TGMNYQ
• Read about doves (and pigeons) as symbols at https://kids.kiddle.co/Sign_of_the_Dove and (for older kids at https://wysinfo.com/doves-and-pigeons-in-history/)
• Get 10 fun facts about mourning doves at https://www.audubon.org/magazine/10-fun-facts-about-mourning-dove

 

CREATE:

• Get inspired by over a dozen dove crafts at https://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/dovescraftsideasactivitieskids.html
• Play a hopeful dove relay by following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Abt4diHhuo
• Feel free as you dance to this musical game about doves: https://www.letsplaykidsmusic.com/open-the-dovecote-ring-game/

 

CARE:

• Watch what do to if you find a baby dove or other baby bird at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPhVJRvzZFo
• Learn how to care for a pet dove at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srPvKJCLZ0c&t=76s and get more details at https://www.petmd.com/bird/dove-care-sheet
• See how people have helped to revive the extinct Socorro Dove at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-Dwm0b2Zoc

 

CAREERS:

Are you lovely-dovey about an avian (bird) career? Besides being an ornithologist who focuses on the study and care of birds, you could be a bird breeder and trainer, a zookeeper, a pet store owner, a veterinarian, a fashion designer or manufacturer, a conservationist, and even a bird census taker. Here is a bird’s eye-view of some of the job possibilities.

• https://www.globalyoungbirdersnetwork.org/bird-related-careers.html
• Ornithologist interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LvtC8N9CNA
• https://abcbirds.org/careers
• Bird monitors: https://www.birdpop.org/pages/jobs.php
• Zoo bird keeper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBB7kXVTubI

 

Mermaids: the Real Story

 If you saw the movie or heard the story of Ariel, then you know something about mermaids. Dive deeper about their history and fascination with the following activities.

CONNECT:

• Get the truth about mermaids at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWAY1EaEzlk
• Read mermaid tales (not tails) from around the world at https://www.yunastories.com/blog/reading-for-kids/stories/mermaid-tales-around-the-world
• Discover how mermaids are portrayed in popular culture at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DUrrabtuxo

 

CREATE:

• Get crafty with mermaid crafts at https://studiodiy.com/mermaid-crafts/
• Plan a mermaid party with these games and other activities at https://sugarspiceandglitter.com/15-mermaid-party-games-activities/
• Try these fun mermaid beach activities at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHBx1ciEdp8

 

CARE:

• Learn how to be a water safety hero at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8EnnUaHK4k
• Don’t get fooled by mermaid hoaxes like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx7EQnlNxXE
• Manatees are sometimes mistaken for mermaids. See how to save a manatee “mermaid” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEGgGNUy38M

 

CAREER:

Want to make a splash with a mermaid/merman career? You could perform in a sea-based show, write or tell stories about them, create art with mermaid motifs, or even manufacture and sell mermaid items. Here are a few samples.

• Mermaid-related careers: https://www.mermapp.com/mermaid-career-guide
• Professional mermaids: https://www.sheroesentertainment.com/so-cal-mermaids
• Mermaid summer job: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRlTUDLG9AY

(Ice) Skating By

 

The Winter Olympics has started, which includes the popular sport of ice skating. Explore the world of skating with this online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Discover 50 fun ice skating facts at https://www.polyglidesyntheticice.com/blogs/news/ice-skating-facts?srsltid=AfmBOooZnguqCZBTg1p5iIfTA3CP2VKd_SXWiX8XvfYGJmAmh-jWePhz
• Watch the history of ice skating at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD_MLwozfEo
• Get the facts about figure skating at the Olympics games at https://www.kidcyber.com.au/figure-skating
• Explore the science of ice skating at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlYX7Dtv_R0

 

CREATE:

• Make your own ice skates following the directions at https://www.ourkidthings.com/paper-plate-ice-skating-craft/
• Make a mini skating rick at https://youtu.be/wXKwIajcXnI
• Pretend ice stake with this simple activity: https://positiveparentingconnection.net/ice-ice-baby/
• Create your own pretend ice skating rink play center with these ideas at https://pocketofpreschool.com/ice-skating-rink-in-dramatic-play-center/

 

CARE:

• Discover the benefits of ice skating for kids at https://www.aviatorsports.com/about/news/benefits-of-figure-skating/
• Watch how to buy kids’ ice skates at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR38Tk7iPcY
• Check out these ice skating safety tips at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sET2FQfpV20
• Do you ice skate? Watch how to care for them at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUKcMJN5q6o

 

CAREERS:

Think ice skating is a chill career for you? Besides being a professional ice skater, you could focus on hockey, teach ice skating, manufacture or sell ice skates, work at an ice skating rink, make ice skating costumes, and heal ice skating injuries. Here are some examples:

• https://usfigureskating.org/sports/2025/11/5/pathway-to-national-team.aspx
• An ice skater’s daily routine (18 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXEOkjr48S4
• Manufacturing ice skates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_mb4-tL9NA
• The world of Zambonis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_mb4-tL9NA
• Making an ice skating dress: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9GwfmYlo8o

 

NORAD Around the Year

 Since 1955, NORAD has tracked Santa with his sleigh and reindeer for 70 years!. Learn more about this important federal agency and what it does all year with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• NORAD are the initials of the North America Aerospace Defense Command. It tracks Santa's journey on Christmas Eve, letting children watch his progress on NORADSanta.org, playing games, listening to music, and even calling to ask about his location.
• Watch how NORAD started that service at https://www.wate.com/video/norad-celebrating-70th-anniversary-of-santa-tracker/11377462/
• What does NORAD do the rest of the year? Find out at https://kids.kiddle.co/North_American_Aerospace_Defense_Command
• Find out how NORAD tracks Santa at https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Living/video/norad-tracks-santas-journey-128675135

 

CREATE:

• Check out Google’s its own kid-friendly Santa tracker at https://santatracker.google.com/ with lots of fun activities.
• Get your game on this holiday with these fun free Christmas games at https://www.santasnorthpole.com/games
• Visit Santa’s virtual workshop at https://www.santagames.net/

 

CARE:

• NORAD’s main task is to defend U.S. airspace. See how they function at https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/inside-norad-s-mission-to-defend-u-s-airspace-189180997534
• NORAD personnel get trained, including how to work in really cold conditions, such as Alaska’s Edge. Watch their video at https://api.dvidshub.net/hls/video/835312.m3u8?api_key=key-679accbc23961

CAREERS:  

Does NORAD sound like an interesting career choice? Find out more at their career website:

https://www.norad.mil/About-NORAD/Working-at-NORAD/ and their welcome to new hires: https://www.norad.mil/About-NORAD/Newcomers/