February
Frolics
By Sandy Fleming
So, it's February. The snow's getting a little old, but it just
won't go away. We're in the middle of cold and flu season, and
you've got kids home from school who are still well enough to
be bored. Spring still seems a long way off, but there are ways
to shake the winter blues. Here are some seasonal activities
to try with your kids.
February 2, Ground Hog
Day, is the first exciting holiday that graces this
short month. Use map skills to find famed Punxatawney, PA,
home of the Official Groundhog, Phil. Watch the news programs this day
to see his prediction. Can your children discover other "official" weather
animals? Young children will enjoy shadow activities: Try shadow
puppets, shadow tag ("It" must tag others by stepping
on their shadows), or hang a white sheet in front of a bright
light to put on a shadow play. Older children can use reference
materials to find out how often the groundhog has been right
over the years. Is he a reliable weather predictor? What other
weather folklore can be discovered?
Charles Lindbergh was
born on February 4. How about a paper airplane
design and/or flight contest? Babe Ruth was born February 6,
and so was Ronald Reagan. Charles Dickens was
born on February 7. Try putting on a play or "radio broadcast" of all or part of one of
his famous stories. A Christmas Carol or Oliver
Twist might work
well. Write a science fiction story in honor of Jules Verne's
birthday on February 8. We celebrate Presidents' Day on the third
Monday of February. This day specifically honors Presidents Washington
and Lincoln, but how many other presidents were born in this
month? I found two others. Challenge your children to discover
which month of the year has the most presidential birthdays.
Valentine's Day is perhaps the most well-known holiday during
the month. Evidence of celebration goes back at least to the
1400s. Making Valentine cards is loads of fun for all ages. Use
lace, doilies, ribbons, and heart shapes to make really fancy
ones for special people. Try making a neighbor or two happy with
a surprise card left at their door, or consider a visit to a
nursing home to spend time with people who need a friend. Write
a letter to a far-away friend or relative to show you care during
this season.
February is full of milestones
in astronomy and space travel. Celebrate Galileo's
birthday on February 15 and Copernicus's birth on February
19
with space activities. Demonstrate the earth's rotation to young
children by holding a flashlight on a child as he or she turns
in place. Older children may enjoy learning about outer space,
designing a space station, or planning a space colony on another
planet.
Finally, Buffalo Bill
(Frederick Cody) was born on February 26. Have your kids find out about his Wild West show and other parts of
his life. Plan and put on a show of your own with a Wild West
theme this month.
Sandy Fleming
is an educator, author and workshop facilitator. She resides
in southern Michigan with her husband and three daughters.
Sandy leads workshops for daycare providers and parents
in the region, tutors students, volunteers for Girl Scouts
and her church, and teaches online classes for adults and
children. She loves to make new friends, so please drop
her an e-mail at kids@busyparentsonline.com
