For the full video visit our Show Me How channel.

It’s time to squeeze in as much fun outdoors with your little ones before the weather gets cold. Read on for instructions to play a fun outdoor scavenger hunt that will put everyone’s reading skills to the test! This activity focuses on sight word recognition. This practice is imperative for young new readers.

Here’s what you will need:

• Chalk
• Post-its, index cards or construction paper, etc.
• Pen, pencil or marker
• CVC and Sight Words

Take the kids outside if the weather permits. Write out words with chalk on the pavement. Then, write the same words on index cards and hide the cards to create a fun scavenger hunt! When it’s time to play have the kids find the hidden flash cards, and have them match the cards to the words written on the pavement.

To level up this game set a timer and see if the kids can find all the cards before time’s up! Or create your own rules. For example, find words that rhyme with the card you pick. For extra reading practice, ask each kid to read the words aloud whenever they find a flashcard.

Tips:

• Call out a word written on the ground have the kids hop to each word called.
• Create sentences with found words. Make it fun and silly!

If it’s a rainy day, but you would still like to get in some reading practice with your little ones you can write the sight words on construction paper and tape down the papers to the floor.

Share With Us!

There is so much potential for memorable creations from these activities, we hope you will share some of them with us! Snap a photo of the fun your child had and post it on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #mothergooseclub.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Below we’ve outlined a fun and creative way to show your kids how to give thanks and gratitude this holiday season. We’ve named this craft, “Gratitude Pie”. We hope that making this pie will be a memorable and heartfelt activity everyone can enjoy.  At the end of this craft have the kids share what they are grateful for and why. While sharing, each child will have a chance to focus on communicating their ideas and thoughts. We hope you can carve out some time in your day to share some gratitude with your little ones!

Supplies:

• Paper plates
• Paint Brushes
• Construction paper (your choice of color)
• Bowl (for tracing)
• Glue
• Scissors
• Washable markers
• Push pins
• Brads

At the end of this craft your paper plate pie will reveal each thing you are thankful for! Let’s get stated.  

Pie Making:

1. Create your pie crust by painting a tan circle around the edge of your paper plate.
2. Take a sheet of construction paper, and use your bowl to trace a perfect circle. The circle represents the center of the pie (we used orange for a pumpkin pie).
3. Apply glue at the center of the plate and place down your circle “filling”.
4. Attach the “pie” plate to another plate. To do this, use a push pin to create a hole at the center of the plates.
5. Take your push pin out and push your brad through the hole. Now, your plate should be able to rotate.
6. Use your scissors to cut a piece of your pie. Only cut the top plate!
7. Across the top of the pie write, “I am thankful for…”
8. In the blank space where you previously cut a pie slice write what you are thankful for. Rotate the plate to list more things that you are thankful for.

Tips:

• The color of your construction paper determines the type of pie. In our Show Me How Episode we went with orange for pumpkin pie!
• Having your younger kids hold the marker and trace helps build fine motor skills.
• If your kids are too young to handle scissors you can help them cut.

This craft focuses on social and emotional learning. Ask the children what it means to have gratitude. While making the craft the kids can also practice reading and spelling as they list each thing they are grateful for.  We hope this holiday craft inspires joyful learning! It’s not required, but we strongly recommend real pie to be eaten during this activity.

Share With Us!

There is so much potential for memorable creations from these activities, we hope you will share some of them with us! Snap a photo of the fun your child had and post it on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #mothergooseclub.