Let's Go Fly a Kite!

The weather forecast for Utah tomorrow calls for warm but windy weather. If you are looking for something to do with your kids, tomorrow would be a great day to go out and fly kites! For those of you who want easy and cheap, most dollar stores carry kites these days. If you want to make a fun project out of it you can easily make kites and then go fly them. I remember that being one of my favorite pastimes as a young girl, especially decorating my kite. 

Below is a video I found on YouTube.com that gives instructions on how to make a traditional kite. 

If you don't have a lot of time this option is quick, easy, and fun!

(If you are here in the area be aware that the winds are supposed to pick up even more in the late afternoon so plan accordingly as they may be too strong for small children to have fun.)

We would love to see pictures of your kites! You can submit pictures to be posted on our blog by emailing welcomebabyutahcounty@gmail.com.

Spring Has Sprung!

Happy Spring!  I am excited to say that the random "day before spring snowstorm" has come and gone and the sun is out again and warming up Utah Valley. I don't know about you but I am excited for the warmer weather, longer days, and outside fun. I decided to compile a few fun activities you and your kids may enjoy.

1. Neighborhood Sidewalk Chalk art shows: get all the kids together in the neighborhood and have them "chalk it up".
2. Attend the Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday April 7th at Pioneer park in Provo.

3. Go on a bike ride or rollerskating
4. Have a picnic in your backyard

5. Walk around the neighborhood and look at the flowers blooming and the leaves coming out on the trees.
6.  Have story time outside in the sunshine
7. Make homemade bubbles

Did you know that there are multiple parks in Utah County that have "Born Learning Trails" . (For more information click on the link above to go to United Ways webpage)

• Bicentennial Park (Provo)            1400 S 1600 E
• Orchard Elementary (Orem)         1035 N 800 E
• Dry Creek Trail (Payson)             West Park at Dry Mountain Park, one block up
• Sports Park (Spanish Fork)          295 W Volunteer Dr (950 S Main Street)
• Olympic Park (Lehi) 1650 N 2650 W- Parkside subdivision
• IHC DayCare (Provo) 1041 N 500 W
• IHC DayCare (American Fork) South of American Fork Hospital

I hope you will go out and enjoy the sunshine as much as I will and don't forget the sunscreen!

St Patrick's Day Activities

Saturday is St Patrick's Day and I thought it would be fun to offer a few ideas for kids of all ages.

Free Local Activities

Kids Club St Patty's Day Celebration: Provo Macey's from 10am to 11:30am
For children 3 to 12 years old (must be accompanied by an adult)

Go to your local library and check out books on St Patrick's Day and have reading time when you get home.

Watch a children's movie about St Patty's Day, shamrocks or leprechauns (i.e. Disney's, "Darby O'Gill and the Little People" amazon.com has it for rent on their instant video option)

(I just found out from a friend that "Darby O'Gill and the Little people" will be shown on byuTV Friday March 16th at 7pm MST)

At Home Activities


Treasure Hunt 
Draw a simple map of your home. Hide a treasure somewhere in a room, this could be a small toy, snack, or coloring page. Explain the map to your kids then put an "X" on where the treasure is and let them go look for the treasure.
Variations:
1. For multiple children  photocopy the map and place a treasure for each child in a different area of the house
2. For older children place clues at different spots in the house, making it into a scavenger hunt.


Outdoor Treasure Hunt
Make a list of "I Spy" items, (i.e. a red car, a big dog, a blossoming spring flower, a bird, etc) taking the list with you walk around your neighborhood helping your children find the items. Mark them off as you go and then have a special treat when you return home.

Draw and cut out Shamrocks and write " It's your Lucky day! From your friendly neighborhood Leprechaun!" Take one of the treats from below to a neighbor and leave it with the note, knock and run.


Fun Food Ideas
Cook pancakes or waffles for breakfast and add green food coloring to the batter.

Make mint chocolate chip cookies,  pistachio pudding, or mint chocolate ice cream

Make cupcakes with green frosting and chocolate coins for decorations

Make homemade "limeades" using lemon-lime soda, fresh lime juice and strawberries (blending them together with ice makes a delicious "frozen" drink as well)

Green Grapes, Kiwi, Golden Delicious Apples, Green Beans, avocados, cucumbers, (you get the idea)

 

Free Family Activity

EveryDay Learners 

& 

Help Me Grow 

along with Latinos in Action are hosting a Free Family Event at Mountain View High School in Orem. Families with children ages 0-12 yrs old are invited to come learn how Books, Blocks, and Balls stimulate children's development and how everyday activities can be turned into learning opportunities.

The activity is Saturday March 24th at 10am to 12pm. The address is 665 W Center St, Orem.

Dr Seuss's Birthday!

I spent the morning celebrating Dr Seuss's birthday with Mr. Steve, United Way and KBYU 11. We had  green eggs and ham for breakfast, sang songs about "Gravity" and "Someday" and most importantly, discussed how literacy effects, not only children, but our entire community.

Did you know, by the third grade, a child's reading level proficiency is a strong determinant of that child's likelihood to graduate from high school? United Way has a program to help us help our community, Everyday Learners, and they are looking for volunteers.

 Everyday Learners are people in our community that make education a top priority in their own lives and for our community. There are so many ways we can be an Everyday Learner. Maybe you read to your children before they go to bed or you may help a niece or nephew with their homework in the afternoons. Some might volunteer at the local elementary school during reading time or hold summer Shakespeare plays for the children in their neighborhood. United Way would love to know about the different things we are doing to be Everyday Learners and want to reach their goal of 10,000 Everyday Learners  for Utah County. To participate, click on Everyday Learners to link to United Ways webpage and find out more on how you can help the children of our community!

P.S. In celebration of Dr. Seuss's birthday here are a few ideas of things you can do today with your own children or kids in your neighborhood.

1. Have a Dr. Seuss reading party
2. Make special treats to celebrate his birthday, I found a few fun ideas on "Good Life Eats" blog.
3. Watch the Cat in the Hat-a-thon on PBS kids, kbyu tv channel 11 today!
4. Go to the Dr Seuss webpage to explore the many worlds of Dr Seuss with your children.