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Fun Stuff
Dear Parents, I'm glad you are here with your child. I hope you find some of the
below activities fun and entertaining for your family.
The activities below are inspired by the book series: The Adventures of Harriet the Bumblebee.
Play the Cloud Game
Have you ever looked up in the sky before and noticed a cloud was shaped like something? Maybe it looked like a dragon? Well then, you have played the cloud game.
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You can lay out in the yard and gaze up into the sky and search for clouds that look like things.
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I love the clouds that are big and fluffy! Did you know that there are different types of clouds? And they have their own names? Cumulus are the fluffy ones and Cirrus are thin and feather like.
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Look at this cool website I found. You can learn more about clouds and weather. https://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-clouds.htm
Water
Who loves the water? I do!
When we think of playing in water, our most common thought might be: you have to drive to the beach, lake or a pool. But what if no one has the time to do that?
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Let's think of other ways to play with water!
1)Sprinklers are fun to play in
2)Go out and jump in the puddles after a storm. OR if there is no lightening, dance in the puddles while it is raining.
I did that once with an umbrella in my hand. The wind picked up, and lifted me right off of the ground! Or was that just my imagination?
3)A Water table
4)Water balloon toss
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Let's get creative
Everyone can create!
It used to upset me that I couldn't paint. But, I found out that I can write. That is just a different way to express myself. I wasted a lot of time wishing I could do something versus finding out what I was good at.
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What would you like to create?
Don't think, "I can't". Just try, who cares what it looks like. You may surprise yourself and find you have a hidden talent. What interests you? Drawing? Painting? Writing stories? Do you like molding clay?
Do you want to learn how to knit or sew? What about wood working? Maybe you can build a bird house with an adult buddy?
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Scavenger Hunt
Explore your yard or local park for nature's treasures.
The animals who live there are having their own daily scavenger hunt for food and fresh nesting materials. Animals like squirrels and chipmunks look for things like nuts and seeds. Insects like Harriet are collecting pollen.
Walk around your yard and see what items you can find. Then lay them out and study them. Notice their colors and textures. Do the animals use it for food, shelter, or their nest?
Just Watch
Critter watching is so much fun! Be sure to watch my video below of a momma robin feeding her baby a worm! Animals are both funny & interesting to watch.
Find a comfy place to quietly sit and wait. A blanket fort where you can lay down inside and hide is perfect. Grab a pair of binoculars to secretly watch the comings and goings of your backyard friends.
Birds can be tricky - you often hear them but can't see them. Listen carefully. Look for movement in the trees or bushes. You will eventually find them.
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Road Trip
Road trips are fun! You can discover interesting things when you venture out together. Pack a picnic lunch and visit a park or lake. Or maybe visit a zoo or aquarium.
What places are you interested in going to? Before you go, think about what questions you would like to ask. Normally there is a person there, happy to answer your questions.
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You can also plan your visit when they have a special event. This photo was taken at a local farm during their Sunflower Festival.
You can easily find events in your
area by searching online.
More Fun Stuff!
Outdoor Fun with Friends
These 3 activities are inspired from Book 3: Underground Trouble.
Grab a friend or sibling and play a game of tag or hide and seek. I'm sure you have your favorite games but if you want something new just ask your parents what they played when they were children.
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Here is a little list of suggestions that are fun no matter your age:
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Blowing bubbles
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Jump rope
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Tic - Tac - Toe with Chalk
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Soccer
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Shoot Hoops
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Ride Bikes
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Skateboard
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Rollerblade
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Build an imaginary world with a blanket fort
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Bird Watching
Bird watching may sound nerdy - but it is so interesting!
You don't need to use binoculars to watch birds - but they are fun to use.
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You can bird/or animal watch most anywhere, even in a city. Animals have lost much of their natural habitat. So they have learned to live around us.
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I have an Opossum living under my deck. I love having him here. He eats ticks and other insects, so he is very useful. Plus he is cute. Will I try to pet him? NO - he is a wild animal.
Always watch animals from a safe distance and let an adult know you are outside watching for animals.
Go Fishing
Harriet and her friends love the water and so do I.
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Fishing is just one of many fun water activities to try.
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If you don't have any fishing equipment, no worries. Go to a park and have a picnic near by the water. Then look for what animals live there. You might see fish, crayfish, ducks or geese.
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And remember to look to the sky! Look for birds and or play the cloud game.
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Then relax and close your eyes. What do you hear?
What do you smell?
Do you feel the warmth of the sun or a cool breeze on your skin?
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Fun in the Rain
These 3 activities are inspired from Book 4: Rainy Day Fun
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Why are we afraid to get wet?
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Going out in the rain can be a lot of fun. I guarantee you will be laughing. It is so different!
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Parent's do know best - it may be too cold or there may be lightening. So don't be upset if they say no.
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But if they say yes: go splash and stomp in the puddles. Open a pretend bakery and make mud pies. I know you are older now, but pretend play is fun no matter what your age.
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Always stay young at heart!
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Fun in the Kitchen
Ok, so maybe playing outdoors in the rain didn't sound fun to you. Remember, we are all different. And that makes life interesting!
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What about making some yummy cookies? Or your favorite dessert?
Or helping to make dinner?
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Yes, you are smaller, but if you are willing to help there are many ways to do so.
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Here are the four nicest words a person can say: How Can I Help?
Suggestion:
In the book 'Rainy Day Fun' I have a recipe for Honey Drop Cookies, or you can click on the link above.
They are delicious and easy to make.
Day Dreaming
Some days go by so quickly. We have so much to do. School, homework, activities and more.
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Take time to relax & day dream!
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Like Harriet, find your favorite thinking position. Maybe you have a favorite stuffie or pillow you like to hold?
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The best part of day dreaming is you can do it ANYWHERE.
In your bed
In a tree
In your yard
In the car
On the coach
In a blanket fort
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When you think - you are opening your heart and mind to possibilities.
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Your Special Place
These 3 activities are inspired from Book 5: Hooting Owl & Shooting Stars
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​We all have times were we just need a break! You may be frustrated with a math problem or sad that a friend just moved away.
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Harriet and Grace need a break. They are not feeling their usual fun selves. So they go to the pond to relax and feel better.
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When you are trying to feel better, do you like to listen to music, or do you prefer it to be quiet?
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Do you like to hold a squishy pillow or stuffed animal? Or maybe just talking to your dog or pet goldfish makes you feel better.
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Do you have a special place to go to when you need a break?
Find your place.
It may be sitting under a tree, or laying on your bedroom floor looking up at your ceiling. Or maybe swinging. Let the wind blow away your blues and bring back your smile.​​​​
Ghost Helpers
What did you think of Grace's idea to name the friends, Ghost Helpers?
I hope it made you chuckle. I also hope it made you think about how you can help someone. Not because you were told to, but because you want to.
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First: Think of something nice you can do to help.
Here are a few ideas: rake the yard; take out the trash; help with dinner dishes. Talk to the adults in your house, I'm sure they have some ideas too.
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Second: Who can you get on your team to help? Maybe a parent, or a sister or brother? Or a friend?
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Maybe your entire family becomes "Ghost Helpers"! Discuss what you could do together to help someone else. Maybe a neighbor needs help planting her garden?
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You are much bigger than Harriet, Grace and Sergio, so maybe you will be seen. But that is ok.
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You will make a big impact with your little acts of kindness.
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Star Gazing
In Hooting Owl & Shooting Stars Harriet and Grace follow the hoot of an owl and discover a whole new world - the night sky.
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Gather the family and go out and enjoy the night sky! In the back of Hooting Owl & Shooting stars there is a night time scavenger hunt to have fun with.
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NASA has an amazing website that will help your family discover what is going to be in the sky each month and night.
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https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/
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Grab the chairs and blankets! Make some popcorn or smores. ​While you wait for the starts to emerge play a game.
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My favorite game to play while sitting around camping was "I'm going on a picnic." Have you played it? It is a memorization game.
I will start - I'm going on a picnic and I am bringing an apple.
Your turn - I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing an apple and a boat.
Your friends turn - I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing an apple, a boat, and a cat.
You just keep going till you reach Z.
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Have a wonderful evening!
Don't forget to say a wish when you see your first shooting star!
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