Like Lakes

 

Do you enjoy lakes: in person or digitally? They are more than a pretty body of water. Drive into the wonderful depth of lakes with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Read these cool facts about lakes at https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/earth/lakes.html
• Watch how lakes are formed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn29ES9xdc4
• Check out these top 10 lakes by area and depth: https://www.ducksters.com/geography/top_10_lakes.php
• What are the Great Lakes? Discover them at https://www.michigan.org/article/trip-idea/great-lakes-fun-facts and find out how they influence weather at https://www.eekwi.org/great-lakes/weather-climate-and-great-lakes/great-lakes-influence-weather-and-climate

 

CREATE:

• Be active on the water with 15 fun things for kids to do at https://runwildmychild.com/water-activities-for-kids/
• Be a lake scientist with these experiments at https://lawrencehallofscience.org/science-apps/diy-lake-science/
• Get crafty about lakes at https://www.childfun.com/themes/world/ponds-rivers-and-lakes/

 

CARE:

• Enjoy lakes safely by following American Red Cross tips at https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/lake-river-safety.html
• Help protect lakes by doing some of these simple actions: https://earthsciencelabs.com/how-can-i-protect-lakes/
• The United Nations declared this decade’s theme to be Ecosystem Restoration. Find out what is being done for lakes at  https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/lakes

 

CAREERS:

Does a lake career sound like a swimmingly good idea? You can become a scientist, a ranger, a tour guide, an environmentalist, a fisher, a lifeguard, a swimming coach, a recreation director, a camp counselor. Dip your (mental) toe into these lake-related jobs.

• https://jobsaicopilot.com/jobs-in-water/
• https://jobdescription.org/jobs/public-sector/park-ranger
• https://www.lakescientist.com/
• https://www.indeed.com/hire/job-description/camp-counselor

 

 

Cozy Up to Quilts

 

Do you have a quilt in your home? It might be on a bed, on the wall, or even worn! Get cozy and comfy with these online activities about quilts.

 

CONNECT:

• A quilt is a special type of blanket that has a decorative topic, filling in the middle, and a solid backing. See the details of making them at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqwFJB2o37I
• Read 10 charming facts about quilting at https://www.factretriever.com/quilting-facts
• See quilt’s American history at https://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/pa11.vhssocst.us.indust.quilts/picturing-america-quilts/
• See a sample of historical African American quilts at https://kidspacemuseum.org/for-families-at-home/quilts/

 

CREATE:

• Make a fabric quilt with glue and cardboard at https://frugalfun4boys.com/quilt-craft-for-kids/
• Get mathematical with quilts at https://buggyandbuddy.com/geometry-kids-quilt-activity-using-triangles-free-printable/
• Try these quilt-related crafts at https://carolinaoneto.com/fun-quilt-craft-for-kids-creative-projects-to-try-today/

 

CARE:

• Learn how to care of quilts at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz0EV4ZdO2s
• Learn about the service project Quilt for Kids at https://www.pbs.org/video/quilts-kids-okqtcu/ ; youth groups can help too: https://www.quiltsforkids.org/groups.htm
• See this list of charity sewing ideas that your family might participate in: https://www.diaryofaquilter.com/ways-to-help-charity-sewing-ideas/

 

CAREERS:

Have you ever thought about making a quilt – and making money in the process? You could become a professional quilter. Even if you can’t make a quilt, you might sell them, curate them in a museum.  

• https://himalayas.app/career-guides/quilter
• https://www.diaryofaquilter.com/ways-to-help-charity-sewing-ideas/
• https://quiltmuseum.org/team/

 

Plant Seeds of life

 

You plant seeds. You eat seeds. You make things with seeds. They are the start of many living things. Think of plant seeds as tiny sleeping packages complete with a baby plant, food supply, and protective outer cover. They just need sunlight, water and warmth to grow. Pretty amazing. Find out more about this special part of nature with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch how a seed becomes a plant at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rJdVQNy6TY
• See different types of seeds at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BxeVqpY-aA
• We usually think of people planting seeds but plants spread seeds too. Find out how at https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/gardening_with_children/didyouknow_seeds.shtml

 

CREATE:

• See how seeds grow from the start with this simple activity (and more follow-up projects) at https://www.playdoughtoplato.com/kids-science-growing-seeds/
• Seed a scientist with these seed science activities for kids: https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/seed-science-activities-for-kids/
• Here’s a “ton” of fun seed activities for kids: https://www.howweelearn.com/tons-seed-activities-kids/

 

CARE:

• Discover the nutrition value of seeds at https://plantbasedjuniors.com/nutritional-value-of-seeds-and-kid-friendly-uses/
• Check out these 7 healthy super seeds at https://goodness.com.au/blog/7-healthy-super-seeds-a-guide-to-seeds/
• Some seeds are not only unhealthy; they are poisonous! So watch out for these plant seeds (and what do it if you swallow one) at https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/poison-control-center/poisonous-seeds

 

CAREERS:

Do seeds seem to plant an idea of a job for you? You could be a farmer, a scientist, a gardener, a landscaper, an environmentalist, a food manufacturer, a chef, a sales person, even an artist. Here are some websites about seed-related jobs that might grow into a blooming career!

• https://www.seedyourfuture.org/botanist
• Landscaper life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNFAcNsB5Yo
• Greenhouse manager life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH6WsN5NI5k&t=2s

Sock it to Soccer!

 

Now is World Cup time, when soccer teams from 48 countries compete with each other. Soccer is now the most popular sport in the world. So have a (soccer) ball with these online activities about soccer. Play ball!

CONNECT:

• Check out fun soccer facts at https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/sports/soccer.html
• See the history of soccer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEIfDpOu59E
• Watch how soccer balls made at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnnlY00ocHU
• Discover the science of soccer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWOFTox4x80

 

CREATE:

• Experiment with soccer at https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/video/with-world-cup-in-full-swing-heres-some-diy-experiments-to-teach-children-the-science-of-soccer/
• Try these fun soccer games at https://www.tocafootball.com/articles/soccer-games-for-kids
• Go FIFA with these crafts at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlO_pn0_qsc

 

CARE:

• Like to play soccer? Play it safely by following these rules: https://www.chp.edu/injury-prevention/safety/sports/soccer
• Safety is more than the ball; it includes the field, lighting and more; see the possible issues at https://www.kiski-soccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=393664
• Check out common soccer injuries and how to prevent them at https://www.luskinoic.org/luskinoic-celebrates-national-girls-women-in-sports-day-6/

CAREERS:

Are you a soccer fan and want to go professional – in some soccer-related career? There’s a lot of action both on and off the field: as a ref, a coach, a stadium manager, a food caterer, a manufacturer, a sales person, a physician, a sportscaster, a photographer, a designer, a marketer, a statistician, a printer, even a video game developer. It’s a big support team! Here are some possible jobs.

• https://www.sportsmanagementworldwide.com/jobs-in-soccer
• https://www.ziprecruiter.com/t/Most-Popular-Types-Of-Soccer-Jobs
• https://girlssoccernetwork.com/soccer-jobs/
• American soccer: the many paths to go pro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz0wxTFFbWs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go to Bat for Baseball

 

It’s summer time and baseball time. And it’s the United States national pastime. Have a homerun experience doing these online activities about ballgame.

 

CONNECT:

• Read fun baseball facts for kids at https://www.coolkidfacts.com/baseball-facts-for-kids/
• Watch the history of baseball at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1459SxYqNk
• Discover how a baseball is made at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PesSaqUb568
• Find out where based is played outside the U.S. at https://www.mlb.com/news/baseball-in-other-countries

 

CREATE:

• Lots of baseball teams have activities for you and your family; see the list at https://www.mlb.com/news/baseball-themed-home-activities-for-kids
• Have fun with these 10 baseball games of kids at https://activeforlife.com/10-baseball-drills-and-games-for-kids/
• Try these 10 awesome baseball crafts for kids at https://www.therealisticmama.com/10-awesome-baseball-crafts-for-kids/
• Learn math the fun way - with baseball -- at https://stressfreemathforkids.com/members-only/using-baseball-to-teach-math/

 

CARE:

• Follow these baseball safety tips at https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/safety-baseball.html (en español: Consejos de seguridad sobre el béisbol)
• Find out what are the most common baseball injures and how to prevent them at https://www.childrenshospital.org/sports-injury-prevention/baseball
• Check out the safety code for Little League at https://www.littleleague.org/playing-rules/appendices/appendix-b/

 

CAREERS:

Are you bats about baseball? Becoming a professional baseball player is very competitive. Lots of other jobs relate to and support baseball: coaches, accountants, stadium managers, transportation and hotel staff, sports equipment and clothing manufacturers and sellers, journalists, sports casters, videographers and photographers, media producers, statisticians, even librarians. You definitely can be a team player in the sports career world. Here are a few examples.

• Major League baseball career options: https://www.mlb.com/careers/home
• How to become an MLB pro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAZ0Wxj1F4c
• https://www.sportsmanagementworldwide.com/jobs-in-baseball
• https://baseballjobsoverseas.com/
• https://katiequinn88.com/the-sports-librarian/

Lighten up for Auroras

 

You may know of Princess Aurora (also known as Sleeping Beauty), but do you know about the original auroras: bright dancing lights in the sky? Brighten up your life with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Let NASA enlighten you about auroras at https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/aurora/en/
•  Watch the science behind the northern lights at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we-MfBKx4Bc
• Read 20 Aurora Borealis facts you will love to know at https://hello-aurora.com/blog/20-aurora-facts

 

CREATE:

• Make a magical northern light sky with pastels at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo8wee7blQ4
• Or paint the aurora with ice cubes at https://www.uaf.edu/museum/education/educators/heliophysics-aurora-outre/activities/pdfs/Paint-The-Aurora-With-Ice-Cubes-Activity.pdf
• Check the Aurora Tracker to find out if you can see the Aurora right now at https://www.explorefairbanks.com/explore-the-area/aurora-season/aurora-tracker/ and check out the Aurora live webcam on this website.
• Create an aurora borealis with milk, oil and food coloring at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YglrrA2XQ5Y

 

CARE:

• Auroras are typically seen in areas that are very cold. Stay warm with these tips: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Winter-Safety.aspx
• There is often ice in areas where auroras are seen. Stay ice-safe with these tips: https://www.blacklinesafety.com/blog/6-tips-for-dealing-with-black-ice
• Auroras are best seen in wilderness areas. Be prepared for the wilderness with these tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBQfaxDiGlw

 

CAREERS:

Want your career to light you up? You would be a scientist, an engineer, a meteorologist (weather expert), a photographer, a tour guide, and more. Light up with these sample career tips.

• https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/a-physicist-explains-the-shimmering-science-behind-auroras/
• https://globaledge.msu.edu/blog/post/57349/the-northern-lights-tourism-industry
• Meteorologists https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npwXgH5t3o0&t=3s

 

Allergies are nothing to sneeze at

 

Lots of people have allergies; even other animals have allergies. Why? Where do they come from? What can be done about them? Get the answers with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Discover what is a food allergy at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnxzZXjbddk
• See the symptoms and reactions to different types of allergies at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNMvS89eVggDi
• Discover the facts about animal allergies at https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-treatments/animal-allergy

 

CREATE:

• Become allergy aware with these downloadable activities: https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/school-activities
• Enjoy allergy-friendly activities, and recipes at https://partakefoods.com/blogs/food-allergy-resources/4-allergy-friendly-activities-crafts-and-recipes-to-celebrate-summer
• Learning how to navigate play dates, parties and other activities for children with food allergies at https://foodallergycanada.ca/living-with-allergies/ongoing-allergy-management/parents-and-caregivers/childrens-parties/

 

CARE:

 

• Watch a kid’s advice to kids about allergies at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMV31w6jaBM
• Learn how to manage allergies at https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-treatments/just-for-kids
• Learn how to be a mate to those with food allergies at https://allergyfacts.org.au/be-a-mate/
• For parents: Learn about the most common foods that trigger an allergic reaction in children and what to do about them at https://www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/top-8-food-allergies-kids-and-what-parents-need-know

 

 

CAREERS:

Are you itching to have a career that focuses on allergies?  You could become a doctor, a chemist, a pharmacist, or a manufacturer. Here are some insights into allergy-related jobs.

• ·         https://www.aaaai.org/professional-education/careers-in-a-i
• ·         https://www.ziprecruiter.com/t/Most-Popular-Types-Of-Allergy-Jobs

Do you have allergies? How might the workplace impact your health? Find out at https://entfortwayne.com/blog/occupational-allergies-how-work-environments-impact-your-health/

Here are ways to manage your allergies at work: https://www.careercontessa.com/advice/allergies-at-work/

And if you have allergies, say NO to these jobs: https://allergyeasy.com/allergy/allergies-say-no-to-these-jobs/

Don’t Lose Your Marble

 

Marble is more than a rock. It is statuesque and a pillar of society. Dig into marble with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• What is marble and how is it formed in nature? See the answers at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHgifUKUqWw
• Discover many uses of marbles at https://geology.com/rocks/uses-of-marble/
• Game marbles are made of glass, but they used to be made of marble 1000s of years ago. Watch the history of marbles at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mteDMr2pk8M
• Read about the history of marble sculpture at https://mymodernmet.com/marble-sculpture-history/ (for older readers)

 

CREATE:

• Watch how to do marbling at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2yfHwItKks
• Learn how to do painting with marbles at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE7aC4EqiRM
• Enjoy 15 fun ways to play with marbles at https://lappstoys.com/15-fun-ways-to-play-with-marbles-clip-clop-toys/
• Create a marble run experiment at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVEZcBWCqQc

 

CARE:

• See how to maintain marble at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3F80SBGnWk
• Watch how professionals restore marble statues at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz_nq-HE8Ao
• Help save a marble museum at https://ncph.org/history-at-work/project-showcase-vermont-marble-museum/

 CAREER:

Does marble “rock” you? Several careers await you: sculptor, architect, builder, quarry manager, scientist, restorer, interior designer or decorator. Rock on with these sample jobs.

• Making a sculpture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR8ZiT9JTcg&t=59s
• Marble and granite jobs https://www.ziprecruiter.com/t/Most-Popular-Types-Of-Marble-And-Granite-Jobs
• Designing a home made of marble https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw-YJD4Qm0g

Take Your Time with Turtles

 

Turtles sometimes get a bad rap, being slow and hiding away. But they have been around for over 200 million years, so they must be doing something right. Explore the wonders of turtles with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Check out these turt-ally fab facts about turtles: https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/animals/sea-life/turtle-facts/
• Learn about different types of turtles and why they are important to the environment at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZpGPT6uWRw
• See turtles move – sometimes thousands of miles – at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS0kXtmXuj8&t=3s

 

CREATE:

• Little ones have lots of activities to choose from at https://childcarelounge.com/pages/turtle-theme-and-activities?srsltid=AfmBOoo7-NOqzPawTK5ploOS4sdu_-T3zb0Cuo3k_9KlnWU7Oi12Dt2w
• Game on with these turtle games at https://www.turtleguardians.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Turtle-Games-Grade-1.pdf
• Celebrate sea turtles with these activities: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/earth-systems/blog/sea-turtle-kids-page/

 

CARE:

• Want to have a turtle pet? First, learn the dos and don’ts of turtle care at https://pethelpful.com/all-pets/the-dos-and-donts-of-turtle-care
• Found an injured turtle? Find out what to do at https://turtlerescueleague.org/emergencies/injured-turtle/
• Nearly all sea turtles are in danger of going extinct. See seven ways you can help save them at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-tU_Hubq7Q

 

 CAREERS:

Are you in tune with turtles? Want to make a career focused on turtles? You could become a turtle breeder, a pet store owner, a veterinarian, a park ranger, a zoo keeper, a biologist, a conservationist, or an artist. Explore some possibilities here.

• 5 tips if you want to work with sea turtles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPtmU9pZIAQ
• Sea turtle biologist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffBicNwyN7U
• https://www.conservation-careers.com/top-sea-turtle-conservation-internships-and-volunteer-opportunities/

 

 

 

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/

Ring out the year

 

Bells have been used for centuries to sound out important events – as well as be used to enhance dance and music. There’s no time like now to ring in the new year with these online activities about bells. 

CONNECT:

• Get the facts about bells at https://kids.kiddle.co/Bell
• Find out about the most famous bells at https://www.historyofbells.com/famous-bells/notable-bells/
• See 9 types of bells at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVtfZXDRNpU
• How large can a bell be? See the possibilities at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9YydhLiU8I

 

CREATE:

• Jingle bell away with these fun activities at https://handsonaswegrow.com/jingle-bell-activities-kids/
• The National Bell Festival suggests kid-friendly bell activities at https://www.bells.org/activities
• Create your own secret ball sound system with a coat hanger and a string at https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/secret-bells
• Make jingle balls dance and jump at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI2aKCtbBe0

 

CARE:

• The Salvation Army rings bells to help raise money to help families in need. Find out about this strategy – and how to become a volunteer bell ringer – at https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usa-central-territory/bell-ringing/
• Get sound advice about caring for bells at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly43Q-8lQ24
• Ben’s Bells are colorful ceramic ornaments hung in communities throughout the world as symbols of kindness for people to find and take home. Get the details at https://bensbells.org/

CAREERS:

Do bells sound like music to your ears? You could make a living with them as a musician, a manufacturer or vendor, a dancer, or even a sound engineer. Maybe these sample job facts will resonate for you.

• Bell-ringing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9P5O4Myfxk
• Making church bells: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBQkLAWDIio
• Handbell ensemble: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FanxHK61Cg

Ring Out the Year!

The holidays often proclaim the news via bells. Classical piano composers often use the piano to mimic church bells, chimes, or even the rhythmic tolls of alarm bells for dramatic effect, as noted in these famous works.

• Liszt's "La Campanella" (from Grandes études de Paganini) is a virtuosic showpiece famed for its bell-like, high-pitched passages.
• Debussy’s "Cloches à travers les feuilles" (from Images, Book II)) paints an impressionistic soundscape that suggests distant bells.
• Ravel’s  "La vallée des cloches" (from Miroirs) is a shimmering, evocative piece capturing the sound of bells echoing in a valley.) musically paints an impressionistic soundscape that suggests distant bells.
• Alkan’s "Carillon" (from Trois pièces dans le genre pathétique) imitates the sound of a bell tower.
• Mussorgsky’s "The Great Gate of Kiev" (from Pictures at an Exhibition) features powerful bell sounds, often transcribed for piano.
• Rachmaninoff's "The Bells" (Choral Symphony) was inspired by Poe's poem and captures bell themes; his piano music also has bell-like textures. 

 

Chill Out In the Arctic

Chill Out in the Arctic

 

The North Pole is more than a Christmas fantasy. And what about all that land surrounding it? It’s more important than you might realize. Discover the Arctic with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Check out the facts about the Arctic at https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/general-geography/ten-facts-about-the-arctic/
• What is the North Pole really? Get the answer at https://www.ducksters.com/geography/north_pole.php
• Walk in the Arctic to see the animals that live there: at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-9xDztBhzE
• Discover the Arctic’s importance at https://arcticopportunity.org/arctic-importance/

 

CREATE:

• Engage your senses with these Arctic activities: https://www.mamashappyhive.com/arctic-activities-sensory-play/
• Get crafty about the Arctic at https://www.kiwico.com/diy/lists/10-arctic-animal-crafts-activities-for-kids?srsltid=AfmBOooEhB8EcimwQ92QD6V-iJ1tvBhZOKFKQT8Uf-4uFWURXrlV_-Kt
• How do arctic animals keep warm? Experiment how at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk4Z-2tdN48

 

CARE:

• Learn how to save our polar habitats at https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/home-is-good/save-our-polar-habitats/
• Find out how to protect polar bears’ future – and yours – at https://polarbearsinternational.org/act-now/
• Watch how the military helps people in the Arctic through Operation Arctic Care: at https://www.google.com/search?q=artic+care&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS922US922&oq=artic+care&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCDU2MjNqMGo3qAIIsAIB&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:ec593d4b,vid:XpMJ5BRhRpY,st:0

 

CAREERS:

Do you have a warm spot in your heart for the Arctic? Warm up to a job in the far North such as a scientist, a doctor, an environmentalist, a meteorologist, an engineer, a photographer, even a tour guide. Here are some possibilities:

• A day in the life of someone who works in the Arctic: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fzqmieQdKF4
• https://alaska-wildlife-guide.com/blog/what-its-like-living-at-the-arctic-circle/#:~:text=Industries%20such%20as%20oil%2C%20fishing,promise%20of%20high%2Dsalaried%20work.
• https://arctic.noaa.gov/research/
• https://arctic-russia.ru/en/article/working-in-the-arctic/

 

 

 Schools often teach about the Pilgrims, but that’s just the start in terms of these early settlers in America. Explore more about them with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch the history of Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBjqrKyfRnA
• Read five surprising facts about the first Pilgrims in America at https://worldstrides.com/en-us/teachers/how-it-works/blog/5-facts-you-probably-didnt-know-about-the-pilgrims
• The pilgrims, puritans, and Quakers all came from England in the 1600s; what is the difference between them? Get the answer at https://13colonies.mrdonn.org/pilgrims-puritans-quakers.html

 

CREATE:

• Get crafty at Thanksgiving with these fun activities and crafts: https://www.honest.com/blog/baby/fun-and-crafty-thanksgiving-activities-for-kids/2020111804.html?srsltid=AfmBOorczW4YlmGqgfw0WySJjoPnqWca9UnO4m4V1Z5ID76l5MjrueTe
• Imagine the life of Pilgrims with these activities: https://howtohomeschoolmychild.com/5-fun-activities-to-help-teach-your-kids-about-the-first-thanksgiving/
• Get authentic with these activities –talk like a Pilgrim and play like one –from the Plimoth Museum: https://plimoth.org/for-students/activities-games

 

CARE:

• Make a Thanksgiving care package for friends and community members at https://themondaybox.com/thanksgiving-care-package/
• Participate in Operation Turkey to help feed families in need at https://www.operationturkey.com/
• Try some of these ways to Give Thanks at this time of the year (and the rest of the year): https://simplepurposefulliving.com/thanksgiving-gratitude-activities-for-families/

 

CAREERS:

The term Pilgrim is often associated with a past English religious sect – and you could make a career learning and teaching about them as a historian, a museum expert, an educator, or a religious leader; you could also reenact being a Pilgrim at an event or historical site. Make history come alive! Here are some possibilities.

• Pilgrim Progress reenactment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNXOsUn486E
• Museum careers: https://www.tiktok.com/@historyonholiday/video/7173821844812827947
• Career options in history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pQ57I_y9kg