Roly Poly Oppy Poppy Bead
My wonderful friend, Margi, who grew up in Zimbabwe (where kids knew how to entertain themselves!) taught me how to make this super cute Roly Poly Oppy Poppy Bead which wobbles and bobbles as it rolls down a half-pipe track. Materials: 2″ x 4″ piece of aluminum foil marble small metal tin (like one that hold bandages or breath mints) long carboard tube scissors Center your marble...
Read MoreCardboard Box Button Hockey
Got a cardboard box laying around? Before you break it down for the recycling, make this easy, electricity-free homemade version of table hockey which uses wax paper instead of air to make the puck slide. Materials: large corrugated cardboard box* large sheet of foam board* roll of wax paper medium sized buttons (1” – 2” diameter) 2 mini-size (½ cup / 4 oz) disposable plastic round food...
Read MoreBottles and Cans, Clap Your Hands!
Got a lot of empty bottles and cans in the recycling from your latest cookout? Before the recycling trucks come, send the kids outside with a broom and ball for a rousing game of Bottle Alley. Players 1 or more Materials sidewalk or driveway chalk many empty plastic bottles and/or aluminum cans broom ball (such as a rubber playground ball) Prep Work With chalk, draw a curvy course...
Read MoreAcorn Catapult Game
Does anyone else find acorns ridiculously cute? Maybe it’s their jaunty little hats or the thunking sounds they make when they plunk down on a wooden deck. They’re even more delightful as they tumble through the air with this acorn catapult game. Materials: jumbo craft stick thread spool 1 large rubber band 1 small rubber band 10 acorns empty egg carton markers scissors masking...
Read More3 Thanksgiving-Inspired Hula Hoop Games
This turkey day, when dinner’s over and the kids are buzzing on a pumpkin pie high while you’re fighting off a post-turkey tryptophan stupor, gather up some hula hoops and send everybody outside for these three Thanksgiving-inspired games sure to run the kids ragged and keep the mashed potatoes from going straight to your thighs. GAME 1: OLD BLIND TURKEY Man alive, is Mr. Turkey have...
Read More
