Finding Fun - 26 Days and A to Z Resources

Being a parent is stressful. Okay maybe not for you but for me it is! Dont' get me wrong I love my kids and I love every second we get to spend together. I was looking at my daughter this morning thinking "I don't have much longer left with you do I?" Not that I'm dying she's just getting big way to fast! One of the most important things you can do to teach your kids, is teach them to find fun! Life is way to short, and way to stressful to not find the fun in it! Not only is fun important it can actually save your life, make you smarter, help you loose weight, help you sleep, make your children healthier, help keep your house clean and more... don't believe me?

Having fun is the key to laughter, and according to Health Guide laughing can increase your lifespan. Fitness Diva's says that having fun will increase self confidence and subsequently grades, raises at work, and job oppertunities. And, Sage HMRS says that having fun at work will increase a person's willingness to help, share, and even creativity! So how important it is to have fun with your kids? VERY! Create a bond of understanding, opens up the communication lines for the future, and give them a jump start in life!

Here are 5 awesome sites and articles that helped me really look at what was important with my kids, I had to share:

1. 100 Ways to have fun with kids is an amazing site giving you 100 free or very cheap ways to have fun with your kids. This is also a great site to use for 'daddy/daugher, daddy/son, mommy/daughter, mommy/son date nights;

2. Legislation calling for more fun in education! Great article about why it's important to have fun while learning. Think about it this way, if you associate learning with missery how well will you obsorb the information?

3. Why Having Fun is Important another blogger answers the same question! Why is it so important to have fun...

3. And, if you want to be really moved watch Mr. Rodgers talk to congress about getting funding for the Mr.Rodger's show! This youtube video may make you cry.

4. Funology is a website dedicated to little things you can do to have fun! I personally find that I love their magic tricks!

5. Have Fun Teaching shows some great ways to practice counting, math, reading etc. while having fun! 

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Eco Friendly Toddlers - 26 Days and A to Z Resources

Toddlers (in general) go through hundreds of paper towels, unravel rolls of toilet paper, use up laundry soap like it's going out of style, and bring in more dirt than they protect. However, teaching toddlers about the enviroment and how to help out can be fun! Recycling those paper towel and toilet paper tubes, planting trees and flowers, making nature jars, and 'releasing bugs' back into the wild are all great ways to get little minds thinking about big world problems. Here's a list of eco friendly toddler activities to start with:

1. Eco Friendly Kids
This site has a huge list of activites to do with toddlers and older children. Some of their ideas make me giddy! Some of them are a bit above toddler age but they coudl easily be 'scaled down'. Check out all the activities here.

2. Eco Kids
Another awesome site with dozens of activities, discussion topics and more! Check out the site and all the fun ways to get involved in recycling, re-using, understanding, and thinking about the planet!

4. Discovery Kids

Did you know that the Animal Planet and Discovery channel have teamed up to launch the Discovery Kids network and website? Hundreds of articles, projects, videos, topics and more! Learn about topics such as allergies, acid rain, and more. Then learn what you can do to help! Go here and check it out, my kids also love some of the games that teach fun earth science facts!

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Drama as A School Subject & Not A Temper Tantrum - 26 Days and A to Z Resources

Drama at our house use to mean someone was on the floor throwing a tempter tantrum. But, with a little re-direction drama with toddlers can be a lot of fun! Check out these resources and pasts posts about things we're using to have a dramatically good time!

1. Playing Dress Ups
Playing dressups can be a great way to practice colors, emotions, and pretend play! You can also practice dressing for the 'ocassion'. Have the kids dress for a fancy ball, to go to work as a plumber, pretend they are a rock star and more. It's a lot of fun, can get out some much needed emotional release and teach a huge variety of concepts. I usually have my kids name the colors, textures, and styles they are wearing during dress up play. Example: green fluffy pants, orange stretchy suspenders, purple lacy dress! Have fun! Here's a previous post on dress ups as well, watch for more posts coming soon as this is one of our favorite games.

2. Puppet Shows
Puppet shows are a great way to re-play stories you are reading, act out problems you are having, or create imagination stations! Here are three great sites for getting you started playing puppets!

The Toddler Games Webpage 

What To Expect

Fit Sandord

3. Drawing Emotions
Last year's D for the A to Z challenge was all about getting emtions out through drawing. Check out the post here!

I hope you have fun and a little drama in your house today!

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