Another week, another 7 days to keep the kids entertained! With highlights like Earth Day, Arbor Day and National Pretzel Day – here’s a calendar with some themes/things to do from April 20 through April 26. Do a few, do them all. Let them inspire ideas that work for your children’s ages and interests. And be sure to check out some additional ideas and helpful links with fun activities and educational websites at the end.
Monday, April 20:
Lolly from the popular local duo Lolly & YoYo is hosting a virtual storytime at 10 a.m. Register here to join the Zoom session. She’ll be reading “Edwina: The Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She was Extinct” by Mo Willems. She’s also encouraging kids to show a dino toy of their own, so get them ready before settling in for the story.
Then keep the dinosaur fun and learning going throughout the day!
Here are a few ideas and links that can help:
Play with dinosaurs in an outdoor sandbox or inside with kinetic sand or play-doh.
Do you have plastic eggs from Easter? Go on a “dinosaur” egg hunt! (Bonus if you have tiny dinos to hid inside)
12 Paper Plate Dinosaur Crafts for Kids
Volcano Blow Art for Dinosaurs
Make a Dinosaur Habitat Box (With Things You Have at Home)
Dinosaur Themed I Spy Game with Free Printable
Dinosaur Memory Game Free Printable
The Dinosaur Song by Blippi
Tuesday, April 21:
April 21 is World Creativity and Innovation Day, a holiday designated by The United Nations to raise awareness around the importance of creativity and innovation to solve problems, aid the public and improve the world we live in.
This is a concept that might be better suited for older kids, but everyone can celebrate in some way!
Here are some ideas:
Learn about Leonardo da Vinci – one of the most famous innovators in history
da Vinci art projects for kids
Talk about a problem in your house and think of creative ways to fix them.
Look around the house for inventions that you want to learn more about … then look it up! Lightbulbs, computers, cell phones, microwaves, the internet, electricity in general … our houses are full of fascinating things. And kids are so used to them that they’ve probably never thought to look up how they were invented.
10 Inventors Every Kid Should Know
Create an “Invention Box” (here’s a link for ideas of what to include) and let their imaginations go wild. See what your kid can invent!
5 Around the World Crafts to Celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day
Wednesday, April 22:
It’s Earth Day, so go on and show the planet some love! If walks have become part of your daily routine these days, put on some gloves and bring along two bags. Designate one for collecting litter, and the other is for collecting pieces of nature to make a collage with later. Talk about changes you can make in your house to be more Earth friendly. Do some gardening together to make your little piece of the Earth more beautiful. (Here’s a link for gardening tips and local spots that can help.)
Plus, Michener Art Museum is hosting a day of online activities with Virtual Earth Day from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. There will be activities such as a video with the NJ Snake Man and Bucks County Free Library, an interactive lunchtime performance with Philly’s kid music group Ants on a Log, a student climate panel, and more. Get all the details here. All programs are free with pre-registration.
And if you need more ideas, here are a few links:
Earth Day Word Search Printables
Earth Day Salt Dough Necklaces
Thursday, April 23:
As of now, the weather is looking cool and rainy for Thursday. So it’s a day for indoor activities. Do you have crepe paper leftover from a birthday party? Yarn? Create a hallway “laser” maze for kids to maneuver through by Taping the paper or yarn in a zig zag pattern, back and forth. Then ask the kids to go find their way from one end to the other, trying not to touch it! Here’s a link to show you one in action.
This is a classic spy scenario, so pair it with other spy activities for kids (like these) or watch a spy movie like Agent Cody Banks, Spies in Disguise, Spy Kids, Harriet the Spy or The Pacifier.
Friday, April 24:
Today is Arbor Day – a national holiday dedicated to the importance of trees. Find ways to celebrate with the kids today. Go for a walk and talk about the different trees in your neighborhood (or a nearby park that has trails open for walking.) Plant a tree in your yard. (Here’s a link to local spots that can help with that!) Or do some crafts and other activities to honor trees.
Here are a few more ideas and links:
Printable Activity Sheets, Digital Games and More from the Arbor Day Foundation
Cherry Blossom Painting with Cotton Balls
Tree Crafts for Kids of All Ages
Read “The Giving Tree”
Saturday, April 25:
We could all use a little relaxation and pampering these days, and kids are no exception. It’s a day to distress! Make today (or tonight) a spa day for all. Do you have a stash of lotions or other bath products that you never use? (Think gifts that you just never got around to using, or weren’t really your taste.) Get them out, and let the kids go wild!
Here are a few more ideas:
Let them a long bath just because you have the time. (If supervision is needed, you can always bring in a book to read while you sit next to the tub.)
Make kid-friendly face masks using items in the kitchen
Give mani/pedis
Make DIY bath bombs (Tip: You can use plastic Easter eggs for the mold!)
Sunday, April 26:
It’s National Pretzel Day! Did you know that 80% of the pretzels sold in the United States are made in Pennsylvania, and Philadelphians snack on about 12 points of pretzels per year?! (According to “The Book of Incredible Information.”)
While many pretzel stores are currently closed or delaying their National Pretzel Day celebrations, there are several that are still open in Montgomery County for walk-in (practicing safe social distancing) or delivery. Here are a few:
Philly Soft Pretzel Factory – Lansdale
330 W. Main Street, Lansdale
215-362-3363
Open limited hours for walkin, curbside pickup and delivery through Doordash and GrubHub.
Philly Soft Pretzel Factory – Plymouth Meeting
1001 Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting
610-275-2025
Open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Here are a few links to recipes:
Auntie Anne’s Copycat Pretzel Bites
Bonus Activity: YoYo from Lolly & YoYo is hosting a virtual Fitness and Yoga event at 10:30 a.m. Register here.
And here are some extra links/ideas to use any day or EVERY day!
Pick a friend or relative to Facetime every morning! Start each day with some connection and smiles.
Elmwood Park Zoo is doing live Facebook videos every weekday at 11 a.m. introducing different animals.
Bucks County Library: Let’s Play School – activities for ages 3-5
6ABC’s Adam Joseph is doing live storytime on Facebook each morning at 9:30 a.m.
Kids’ author Mo Willems is releasing a new “Lunch Doodle” video each weekday at 1 p.m.
Cape May County Park & Zoo is doing daily virtual tours daily at 11:30 a.m.
50 Inside Activities to Burn Kid’s Energy
50 Plus Indoor Activities for Kids
Fluency & Fitness is offering 21 days of free unlimited access to their site with lessons in reading and math that incorporate movement.
Scholastic Learn at Home – free articles, stories, videos and fun learning challenges
Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions
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