Hide and Seek
Hide and Seek is a fun game for all ages. Toddlers can learn object permanence (the concept that objects are still there even if we can’t observe them with our senses), while teens may enjoy Hide and Seek for the challenge of finding the best place to hide.
As with any physical activity, safety is a top priority when playing Hide and Seek. Before you begin, set ground rules to prevent children from hiding in unsafe areas. You could set limits on which rooms or spaces are off-limits (or create boundaries if outdoors) and prohibit hiding in small, closed spaces (like cabinets). Also, establish a signal before the players hide that would tell players when it’s time to quit or set a time limit just in case someone finds a hiding spot where no one can find them. Lastly, supervising children while they play is the best way to ensure they play Hide and Seek safely.
After going over safety guidelines, decide who will be the first player to “seek.” The seeker will count to a certain number (whatever you decide is appropriate, perhaps 20) while the remaining players hide. After the seeker is finished counting, the seeker should look for each of the players. The first player the seeker finds is the seeker for the next round. The seeker should continue looking until all of the players are found. Younger children can play in smaller, indoor spaces, while older children may be able to play in larger spaces.
There are many other ways to play Hide and Seek. Another version is called “Sardines.” In Sardines, there is only one player that hides at the start, while the others seek. As each seeker finds the hider, they should quietly hide with them. The last player to find the hiders is the hider for the next game. If your children play this way, make sure they hide in a space large enough for everyone except one player to hide in at once. Again, safety rules should be established before starting play. To learn about the cognitive benefits of playing Hide and Seek, visit https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/child-activities/why-playing-hide-and-seek-is-good-for-your-child/.
How will your children play Hide and Seek?
Herb Dip
Makes about 1 ½ cups
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cottage cheese, low-fat
- 4 tablespoons yogurt, low-fat plain (1/4 cup)
- 1 tablespoon onion (chopped, or chives)
- 1 teaspoon parsley (dried)
- 1/4 teaspoon dill (dried)
Directions
- Place all the ingredients in a blender.
- Blend all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Pour the mixture into a clean container.
- Cover and chill.
Musical Chairs
Musical Chairs is an exciting game you can play inside, and running to get to a chair counts towards your children’s 60 minutes of physical activity!
You can play with as many people as you’d like, but you’ll need at least 4 people–1 person to control the music and 3 players. Set out chairs in a circle, equal to the number of players minus one (for example, if you have 1 person playing music and 5 players, you’ll need 4 chairs). The players should stand in a circle around the chairs. When the music, begins, the players move around the chairs. The person playing the music can stop the music whenever they like, and when they do, all the players need to run to get a seat. Whichever player does not get a seat is out and one chair must be removed. The game continues as described until there is one player left and they are the winner.
For more ways to play Musical Chairs, visit http://www.partygameideas.com/kids-games/musical_chairs_1.php.
When will you and your family play Musical Chairs this week?
Check your list twice!
As we approach the holiday season, you might be concerned about how to feed holiday guests and add festive foods to your budget without going overboard. Before you make your grocery list, check twice to make sure you can pay the bill.
Fortunately, many grocers offer festive foods at lower prices during this time of year. If you are purchasing shelf-stable ingredients, you can buy them ahead of time, so your budget will not take a big hit all at once. You can also set aside money each week to cover items that you will purchase closer to the holidays.
Saving money each week is not as difficult as you might think, look how easy it is to find money in a week:
- Eating lunch out every working day costs $25 a week;
- Two treats at the vending machine each work day, $10;
- One trip through the fast food lane can cost a family more than $25.
Other ways to save for your celebration are to look for deals on holiday decorating items at thrift stores. Cloth napkins and tablecloths can be used more than once and might cost less than a throwaway. Look for recipes that are delicious, nutritious, and made with budget-minded ingredients. USDA offers thousands of recipes on their What’s Cooking website https://whatscooking.fns.usda.gov/. Your EFNEP Cooking magazine and this website have lots of recipes, too!
Plan ahead to make your holidays fun, festive and budget-friendly.
-Jayne
Have a Family Parade
You don’t have to ride a float to have your own parade–it doesn’t even have to be a special occasion! Having your own parade can add fun and a physical boost to your walk. And if it’s raining outside, you can even have your parade inside–just make sure the floor is free of objects and other hazards that may cause injuries.
If your children don’t know what a parade is, take the time to explain it to them–parades are often done to celebrate an event and they involve floats as well as people marching. Have everyone get in a line and have a family parade. You can march, bounce, and skip along your parade routes through your house or out in the yard. You can also take your parade to a walking trail or park!
Walking and having a family parade are great alternatives to sports for children who don’t enjoy sports. There are plenty of activities you and your children can participate in to be active without playing team sports, including fitness classes, yoga, and running. For tips, visit http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/hate-sports.html.
What day this week will you and your family have a parade?