As I mentioned in my last post about fall, it is my absolute favorite time of year. I LOVE how beautiful the trees are right now and the crisp, cool days. Hopefully you were able to try one or two activities from my October post, but if not, no worries as I have more for you this month!
- Chocolate chips went on sale for the first time on November 16, 1939 so bake up a little chocolate chip treat to celebrate
- Make November a No TV Month…or if that fills you with complete and utter panic, at least pick one night a week to be tech free. No phones, TV, computers, Ipads, etc. Break out a good ‘ol fashioned game of Uno or Parcheesi and enjoy a little family friendly competition.
*If you’ve never played or heard of Parcheesi, you gotta check it out!*
- In honor of the Pilgrims, churn up some homemade butter. This was often a chore that Pilgrim children had to do along with fetching water and caring for the animals.
- Pour one cup of whipping cream into a clean, sturdy jar, such as a mason jar.
- Put a clean marble in the jar to act as the “churn” and seal with a lid.
- Let your child or children take turns shaking the jar until a lump of butter forms (this can take a while, approximately 15-20 minutes).
- In the meantime, whip up some cornbread or muffins (from scratch is applaudable but a box of Jiffy is great too!) and spread your freshly churned butter on top…yum!
- Trace your child’s hand on paper and have them write one thing they are thankful for on each finger.
- Design a tortilla teepee. Using a small flour tortilla, wrap it into a cone shape (like a party hat), making sure to leave a small hole in the top (the pointy end). Secure the seam with a line of hot glue. If desired, cut a door flap for the teepee using kitchen shears or regular scissors. The flap of the door can be left open by securing it with a bit of hot glue as well. Have your child gather a few small twigs (I usually use 3) that can be placed up through the top of the teepee opening (again, secure the twigs with a bit of hot glue to hold them in place). After the teepee dries/hardens, allow your child decorate using tempera paints. You could even Google Native American symbols for your child to recreate on the sides of the teepee!
- Remember that leaf walk? Maybe you never had the opportunity to go…well here’s your second chance! Go grab some leaves with your children and bring them back to make a leaf turkey! I did this last year with my son, although I had to do most of the work (he was only 20 months at the time), he was able to position the leaves on the paper. Here is a sample picture of what it might look like:
Happy early Thanksgiving to each of you!
Julie Collett
