fun stuff

KTD HOST SHANA Sheehy, and her family know how to have a great time in the spring snow - because hey, when the snow reaches to your roof, why not take advantage of it?

FROM ALL OF us here at Kids These Days! radio and KidsTheseDays.org - it's been a wonderful year of making a radio show and crafting a daily website. Thank you for your support, ideas, input and the time you take to spend with KTD each week!

We're on the air with a slate of brand new shows in 2012 on KSKA, KRUA, KTOO, KDLG, KHNS and KCUK starting the week of January 9 with a program all about "Learning to Fail". It's a great one!

We're taking a break this week, so look for new blog posts starting next Monday Jan 2 when Set the Table with Brandy Steinhilber is back with more quick and simple recipes; Patrick on the Edge returns with a post about being halfway done with his last year of high school; we'll hear from Steve SueWing in Juneau when he writes in with Capitol Letters; and Erin Kirkland will of course bring us all the hot tips on traveling with kids in KTDontheGO.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

by Jessica Cochran

I COME FROM a craft-y lineage: my grandmother sewed most of my clothes and made more than a few toys when I was little. I spent many a vacation with her, spending my days at the fabric store where she worked, and evenings attempting to learn to sew. So making Christmas presents is something I’ve always tried to do: knitted scarves, home-made stuffed animals, funky quilts made from old nightgowns or t-shirts. But the thing about my craftiness is I’m far from a perfectionist, so my creations always look decidedly home-made.  

And that’s why having kids is such a boon. Now, they make the less-than “perfect” crafts and everyone thinks they’re great! And I can help them without worrying if it will turn out ok, or if it’s nice enough, and just enjoy the messy, fun creativity of it all.

Here are a few of the things we’ve made over the years: 

1. Baby Footprint Christmas Cards. Because I really thought everyone in my address book wanted to see the bottom of my firstborn’s foot?

2. Mitten garlands. We made these when my daughter was three. I cut a bunch of mitten shapes from felt – and came up with a bunch of things she could glue on them – ribbons, shiny things, more felt cut into various shapes. Then I sewed 5 or 6 to a piece of ribbon, and voila – a Christmas garland. We probably made 8 or so of these?? Grandma Kristie and Aunt Tracy love theirs (see that joy on their faces in the above photo?)!

3. Glass jar lanterns. Use watered down glue to paste tissue paper to a glass jar (add a coat over the top layer for protection); secure a wire hanger by tying more wire around the lip of the jar. Put a tealight candle inside and you have a beautiful indoor or outdoor night-time decoration. We didn’t follow any directions for this one (we copied one a friend had made at school) – but I found some directions for hanging the wire on-line. And here’s kind of what they look like:

One site mentioned using heat resistant glue but we just used Elmer’s. We keep them outside and they’re still looking pretty good after 3 years.

Image via: FamilyFun.go.com

4. Soap balls. This one came straight from Family Fun Magazine. We put little Hello Kitty trinkets and other animals in ours because we couldn’t find penguins! One note of caution: apparently one recipient from the Midwest thought our creation was some kind of edible treat and took a bite out of it. Yuck

5. ArtCards. At one point, my daughter’s art output was so high we could have wallpapered a high rise with her work. Instead, we turned them into sets of note-cards that we gave to relatives for Christmas. I cut out the best part of each creation, sized to fit an envelope, and either folded it over to make a 100% recycled card, or glued it onto a blank note-card. Each card was unique, and labeled on the back with “ArtCards by___”. I got the idea from art fundraisers like this one.

6. Bead Ornaments. A hoop of jewelry wire, some pretty beads and bingo, a gift! Or, make them long and dangly like these:

Image via: TheMotherHuddle.com

(Note: these ornaments are WAY easier to mail than the glass jar lanterns.)

I get lots of kids craft ideas from Martha Stewart, or Family Fun magazine and just adapt them to our skill level, or often, to whatever supplies we have on hand.

I always try to remember the most important part is to have fun – ‘cause Grandma will love it no matter what!

IT IS A STRONG HOPE of mine that sooner rather than later, my children will become fairly self-sufficient in the kitchen. Don’t get me wrong, I like to cook, but I’ll also be happy to share the daily responsibility with two more people. They have always helped with special stuff – like baking bread and of course, cookies. We recently added their own “dinner nights” – they each help plan and prepare a meal once a week. But it was the constant requests for snacks and water that were really getting to me: in our small kitchen, they couldn’t reach the things they needed themselves. So we did a few things to make it easier.

1. Non-breakable dishes. We’re not fond of plastic, so we got some very-hard-to-break Corelle dishes - dishwasher safe, microwave safe, kid safe.

2. Within arm's reach. Our fridge on top, freezer on the bottom set-up makes it a little harder to keep things the kids need within reach. We keep milk on the lowest shelf of the door…and aspire to keep containers of carrots, cheese, etc. on the lowest fridge shelf where they can reach them. Sometimes it actually happens.

3. The stool is now always out. Yes, it annoys me and I frequently knock my shins on it, but I can kick it out of the way, and they can reach the sink handle and hoist themselves up to the countertops to find things when necessary.

4. DIY snack station. The best innovation was this little shelf (pictured above). It keeps cereal (my kids’ favorite snack) and crackers within reach, and also bowls, cups, even a small container of silverware. The top surface is just the right height for my 4 year old to use as a countertop. On it sits a water jug (since we don’t have a fridge that dispenses ice and water). And the whole thing is on wheels – so we can move it out of the way (or next to the dining room table as a sideboard.) I built ours, but most any small shelf would work, with wheels added or not.

I still spend a lot of time serving snacks and packing lunches, and most mornings I DO get up to make breakfast. But this holiday weekend, I’m definitely looking forward to sending the kids out to the kitchen to take care of it themselves - at least once. 

I’d love to hear any more ideas!

Check out another post full of great DIY ideas for kids by Jessica Cochran: 7 Ideas for 7am - or, how to keep kids busy when you want to sleep in.

While the traditional neighborhood march a la costume is indeed alive and well in Alaska, many popular tourist attractions double their efforts for unique Halloween celebrations that capture the required aura of spookiness with a little learning thrown in alongside those candy bars and fruit snacks.

Friday, October 28:

Icky, Squishy Party, Anchorage: What could be more fun for school-aged kids than checking out the inner workings of a dead critter? The folks at the Alaska Museum of Natural History know how to weave  a little bit of science into spooky. Join a biologist from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for an afternoon of autopsy. I promise it will be interesting. And fun. Be sure to wander the rest of the museum, too, and connect the dots to Alaska’s natural biology, geology, and archeology. Kids will love the dig pit and activity corner, too. 

Drop-in program from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $5/adults, $3 kids.

Girdwood Kids’ Carnival: Thanks to the generosity of Alyeska Resort, the Girdwood Carnival is one of our fave Halloween events. A fundraiser for the Girdwood School, the event features music, food, crafts, and traditional carnival games, all in a truly family-friendly atmosphere at the Alyeska Daylodge. I love it even more when we stay overnight at the Alyeska Grand Hotel for a little pampered luxury and yummy breakfast before heading home the next day. 

4:30-8:30 p.m. $3/person, $10 family.

Saturday, October 29:

Creepy Critters at Creamer’s Field, Fairbanks: Oh we adore this place with its old farmhouse visitor center and attentive staff who teach and entertain kids in such creative ways! From Noon-4 p.m., kids and parents will walk among the fields and search for creepy crawlies before heading back to the visitor center for crafts, snacks, and warm drinks. This is a drop-in program, so show up whenever you like for some northern fall fun. Costumes, of course, are encouraged.

FREE.

Eagle River Nature Center, near Anchorage: The first of three events at this nature-themed facility, the Enchanted Forest offers a chance for a taste of Halloween without the spook-factor.

2 p.m. FREE, $5 parking for non-members.

Old boxcars at Wasilla's Museum of Transportation and Industry emit a spooky aura for Halloween.

Night at the Museum, Wasilla: THIS is amazing. The Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry in Wasilla is hosting their annual haunted event from 4-8 p.m. Old cars, trucks, and trains take on an eerie glow as staff and volunteers make up a maze of trouble for visitors. Don’t forget to visit the haunted Alaska Railroad Train? ACKKK!! Suitable for all ages (there is a non-scary area, too).

$8/adults, $5 kids.  

Halloween At AWCC, Portage: Join the folks at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for an after-hours party with the critters at their facility in Portage, 55 miles from Anchorage. Learn about the animals who call AWCC home and spend a little time making crafts, eating snacks, and inspecting moose, bear, and eagle, um, scat. Come in costume, of course!  Regular admission fees apply, check website.

$10/adults, $7.50 kids. 5-8 p.m.

Is that a real bear or someone at the AWCC in Halloween costume? 

Sunday, October 30:

Old Hallow’s Eve, Eagle River Nature Center, near Anchorage: Stop by the center at 2 p.m. for a presentation titled “The Witch and Her Owl,” then stick around for an “Old Hallow’s Eve” celebration, featuring a walk along the trails of the property and ending up at the classroom yurt for treats.

FREE, $5 parking for non-members.

Monday, October 31:

ZooBoo! Anchorage: A longstanding tradition among many Anchorage parents, ZooBoo! is trick-or-treating in the boundaries of the zoo, with much help from the facility’s animals, of course. Get a candy bar from the moose, or perhaps a sticker from the wolf pack; at any rate, you better get your tickets online before they go away!

Find info and buy tickets HERE.

Halloween at the Museum of the North, Fairbanks: Visit this incredible facility on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus and see firsthand the research labs and behind-the-scenes sites of spectacular spookdom! Science experiments, goodies, and lots of buggy fun will be going on between 4-7 p.m. FREE with a donation of canned food.

Call 907-747-7505 for info. 

Have a howling good time in Alaska for Halloween, and remember to share your candy (are you listening, AK Kid?)

EXTENDED BY ONE WEEK! ENTER BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28!

Each week Kids These Days! radio discusses a new topic related to raising families in Alaska by talking to experts, community leaders, teachers, parents, lawmakers and the awesome youth in our state. We want to hear MORE from Alaskan kids these days, so now is your chance to tell US what YOU are all about!

Kids These Days! and 49 Writers Write Young Alaska are teaming up to put on a contest for young writers. Aspiring essayists ages 10-14 and 15-20 from anywhere in Alaska may enter and two winners will get to read their work aloud on the air.

Send us your best work on "What it means to be a kid these days" by the deadline, Friday, October 28. Deb Vanasse, author of the children's books Amazing Alaska, Lucy's Dance and Under Alaska's Midnight Sun will select a winner from each category.

Read all the details and enter at WYAKcontests.com.

Each week Kids These Days! radio discusses a new topic related to raising families in Alaska by talking to experts, community leaders, teachers, parents, lawmakers and the awesome youth in our state. We want to hear MORE from Alaskan kids these days, so now is your chance to tell US what YOU are all about!

Kids These Days! and 49 Writers Write Young Alaska are teaming up to put on a contest for young writers. Aspiring essayists ages 10-14 and 15-20 from anywhere in Alaska may enter and two winners will get to read their work aloud on the air.

Send us your best work on "What it means to be a kid these days" by the deadline, Friday, October 21. Deb Vanasse, author of the children's books Amazing Alaska, Lucy's Dance and Under Alaska's Midnight Sun will select a winner from each category.

Read all the details and enter at WYAKcontests.com.

CAMP ERIN is a weekend camp offered at no charge for children and teens ages 6-17 who have experienced the death of someone close to them. Camp Erin combines traditional fun camp activities with grief education and emotional support - facilitated by grief professionals and trained volunteers. There is no charge to participant families.

For additional information on attending Camp Erin, please contact: fmn@hospiceofanchorage.org or 561-5322. A camp registration packet will be sent to you. Please submit the completed registration form as soon as possible, as camp space is limited and there could be a waiting list. Once they receive your application they will contact you to set up a required pre-camp interview.

Today is the last day to register, so give them a call today!