THE GOOD LIFE
FOURTH OF JULY ACTIVITES...
Create a neighborhood parade! Here's how...
- Instruct the kids on decorating their wagons, bikes, mini cars, etc. with party decorations such as balloons, streamers, ribbons, and bows that are red, white, and blue.
- Encourage the kids to color the sidewalks and driveways with colored chalk that screams FOURTH OF JULY! You could even have a contest on the best American flag drawing or other patriotic themed drawings the kids have colored.
- Dress your children up for the event in red, white, and blue attire and create Uncle Sam hats out of poster board. You can also paint there faces for the parade for an extra touch of Patriotism!
- Next, gather any household items such as cans, pots, pans, kazoos, etc and start assembling your Fourth of July band members to play in the parade!
- Sit on the sidelines and watch the neighborhood children march down the street displaying their loyalty to the United States of America!
PRETZEL SPARKLERS
Looking for a unique Fourth of July themed snack that your kids can make all on their own?! Here is a yummy suggestion that every kid loves...
What you will need...
- Long rod Pretzels
- White chocolate (melted)
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles
- Dip your pretzel rod halfway in the melted white chocolate. Shower your sprinkles on the wet chocolate. Lay them down on a piece of wax paper to dry.
HALLOWEEN ACTIVITES...
Are your kids begging to have a Halloween sleepover with their friends? Here are some fun ideas to keep them entertained and out of trouble on Halloween night!
- After an exciting round of trick-or-treating, gather the children in the backyard for scary ghost stories narrated by the kids themselves. Bring blankets, pillows, chairs, and snacks for a thrilling evening of tales!
- After each child has taken his/her turn telling a ghost story, have them congregate in the living room for a late night movie before bed. Some great Halloween movie suggestions are
a. The Adams Family
b. Casper
c. Ghostbusters
d. Hocus Pocus
HAUNTED HALLOWEEN POTLUCK
Is your neighborhood known for the greatest Halloween decorations or giving out the best candy? Here is a creative idea for your next Halloween extravaganza to be extra special!
Have a haunted Halloween neighborhood potluck! Have any interested neighbors create a dish to bring over for your very own Halloween potluck dinner. Deck your garage out in the scariest Halloween setting possible, complete with costumes to match the event. It will be a sure-fire stop for trick-or-treaters to get a bite to eat, collect candy, and get spooked all at the same time!
TRICK-OR-TREATING IN THE TRUNK
If you're an avid Halloween fan that loves to get decked out in the scariest costume or have the spookiest Halloween decorations, why not try this for your next Halloween...
Get your neighbors involved in trick-or-treating from the trunk. Line up your vehicles down your street and spruce them up with Halloween decorations from front to back. Have the trick-or-treaters go from trunk to trunk gathering candy rather than from house to house, getting them spooked by the cobwebs, lanterns, and witches coming from inside your vehicles!
http://familyfun.go.com/parties/holiday/feature/ff1006-halloween-neighborhood-fun/
CHRISTMAS ACTIVITES...
Does the excitement usually dwindle after the last present has been opened? Keep the fun going with a family WRAPPING PAPER BATTLE
Kids...hoard all the paper you can get your hands on from your own presents after you have unwrapped them! Parents...before the battle starts, get all gifts and breakable items out of the way.
After everybody has gotten their ammo ready for battle...start launching!!! Remember that box lids can make an excellent shield for wrapping paper wads headed your way! There is only rule to this post-gift event...whoever participates in the battle must help clean up the remains!
http://familyfun.go.com/parties/holiday/feature/holiday-hosting-ideas/holiday-hosting-ideas.html
POST-IT POTLUCK
Are you having an open-house Christmas potluck dinner this year? Great conversation starters stem from the amazing dishes guests bring in. However, one way to avoid answering the frequent question "Where did you get your recipe from" multiple times throughout the night is by placing a note-card and pen by each guest's dish and instructing them to write down where their recipe came from. Now, not only can other guests remember where the recipe came from...they will have a reference to go to later on in the night if they decide they want to make the dish themselves in the future.
FESTIVE FEET
Do you get antsy when it is your turn to host the family Christmas dinner because you spent all week cleaning your house and don't want your floors to get dirty as soon as people walk in? Try placing a basket full of festive holiday socks near the front door and let people know the only way to get dinner is by taking shoes off and putting on a pair of festive Christmas socks! It is sure to create a bundle of laughs when Grandpas, Grandmas, Uncles, and Aunts are traipsing around the house with colorful red and green Christmas tree, snowman, and ornament socks on!
http://familyfun.go.com/parties/holiday/feature/holiday-hosting-ideas/holiday-hosting-ideas4.html
THANKSGIVING ACTIVITES...
Thanksgiving-themed mini football subs! If you want to create a football-themed finger-food dish for your Thanksgiving holiday dinner, here is an idea...
Ingredients:
1. Meatballs
2. Spaghetti sauce
3. Shredded Cheese
4. Individual-size rolls
Directions:
To begin, first prepare your own delicious meatball recipe and shape your meatballs into football form. After they are fully cooked, place them in a pan of spaghetti sauce and warm them all the way through.
Next, begin to cut the top of your rolls with a V-shape so the football-shaped meatball can easily fit into the roll. Place the meatball into the roll and sprinkle with as much shredded cheese as you like! Last, create a team huddle with your subs onto a cookie sheet and pop them into the oven to melt the cheese as you see fit...ENJOY!
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=41001
A THANKSGIVING THANKING TABLECLOTH
To create your Thanksgiving Thanking Tablecloth all you will need is a white tablecloth and felt tip pens! This tradition is not only good for children but for the whole family. Begin a new tradition by displaying what you have been thankful for the past year on your Thanksgiving dinner tablecloth. Have each family member write down as many things as they want on the tablecloth before dinner. After each family member has taken their turn, fold up and put away tablecloth until it is time to set the table. It is a great way for the family to read each individual's posting as they are filling up their plates with a wonderful dinner!
http://fun.familyeducation.com/thanksgiving/home-management/35212.html