License Plate Scavenger Hunt
- Download and print a free, printable map of the US (or your country/region).
- Give one to each of your children and see how many license plates they can spot while on the road.
- They can color in the states as they spot them.
- For US mainlanders, a special prize for Alaska or Hawaii makes it even more fun.
The map format (vs. just a list) gives them a real sense of geography. On a recent road trip, I found my kids saying things like: “The farthest state we have seen from where we are now is New York” or “Look! We have all the states that border Arizona!”
TIPS - For extra learning, choose one with state capitals*. Younger children will just enjoy coloring the map.
* For a printable PDF file of a US map with state capitals (free for personal or classroom use), go to this site, scroll down, and click on the link “United States: Capitals.”
(Photo from Wikimedia Commons. Licensing and author information here.)
“…and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”
~ Benjamin Franklin
And it also makes kids learn better!
Debs of Little House on the Lees reports today on an interesting study of the benefits of regular, early bedtimes for young children. They need 11 hours of sleep per night.
I have always been a huge fan of early bedtime for children so I feel reassured.
Now I can say with certainty that my kids go to bed early not just so I can have my own evening peace and quiet (as a Consistently Substandard Slacker Mom, I’ll confess that has always been my main reason for being a bedtime drill sergeant). According to the study, by sending them up to their rooms earlier than most of their friends, I am actually helping them learn more easily at school too.
Thanks Debs!
I have been busy with summer activities and have not been feeling tremendously bloggy lately, so please excuse my tardiness in announcing this month’s Unplugged Project theme.
This month’s theme is inspired by one of my favorite activities:
Sleep
If you have never joined our Monthly Unplugged Project, please read more about it here.
There are very few rules. The main ones are that the linky below is only for people who have done a project that is somehow, in some way, arguably related to sleep. Also, please link to your project post, not just your blog in general. Finally, I’d really appreciate a mention and link to Unplug Your Kids in your project post.
Thanks and have fun!
Are you without any ideas for organized unplugged things to to do on a nice Spring day but you aren’t feeling ambitious enough for a full blown Children’s Garden? Do you have an old fish tank, or large glass bowl? See if your kids want to make a terrarium!
Very few children can resist the idea of their own tiny little garden. Even I remember making one and being totally fascinated by the magic of such a small scale. To me it was like a little doll house garden. If you have a fairy-lover, call it a Fairy Garden. A dragon-lover, why not make a Baby Dragon Garden! Be creative.
Last Sunday when we had our first gorgeous spring day, I finally told my 9 year-old that she could have the old fish tank in our garage that had been gathering dust in our garage for at least 6 months. She has had her eye on it for some time - but for me, snow and cold are not conducive to warm, green creativity.
We finally pulled it out and I told her she was on her own.
This is what she came up with all by herself (as long as you don’t count my driving her to the nursery to get her plants while I bought mine).
I LOVE the reuse of the little fairy house from our fairy garden of 2 years ago and the path of rocks that lead to it. There is even a pond made out of a food storage container that my daughter wants to put tadpoles in. She put some sea shells in the pond and broken terracotta pots as homes for the future frog residents. Some of the ferns look like trees and there is a small sprig of English Ivy for which she plans to make her own twig trellis.
Very fun and easy!
- Teaches kids not only to be creative about their landscaping ideas, but responsibility in caring for their creation.
- If you don’t have a suitable glass container, try searching yard sales and thrift stores.
What a glorious sunny, warm (but not too warm) day it was in Arizona’s mountains today. Finally we had our first real late-spring day! It might be the last for a while judging by the forecast of cooler temperatures and yet more unbelievably strong winds again for this week.
The sun was gently warm, its blue sky background scattered with just enough gentle puffy white clouds for interest. Leaves are emerging on trees, but not yet on the Gambel Oaks. Stems are greening up and little leaf buds are miraculously presenting themselves on plants that look deader than dead.
Encouraged by the relief from the strong spring gales and finally warm air, I decided to take the Big Frost Gamble and join the throngs headed for the nursery. Somehow I resisted the temptation to buy everything green and flowery and bought only the necessary plants - but I know I’ll be back!
My 9 year-old and I spent a lovely day planting pots and window boxes while my husband washed cars (his number two favorite hobby after cleaning garages). My 7 year-old son made a mess map in the mud with a hose, forming lakes, islands, peninsulas and bays, each with its own name. My 4 year-old went to the park with her best friend and best friend’s mom to feed ducks and play on the play-ground.
It was a fine unplugged day!
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