Activity: Kindred Kuddles

What could be better than sharing some "kuddly" moments with a special child? Time spent together with a good book or fun activity is truly a time to cherish and look forward to!

Materials:
(Listed below)

Directions:
Snowy days, inside and outside, can be wonderful! Use these fun ideas to make the most of your child's opportunity to enjoy this miracle of nature:

• Cuddle up with a cup of hot chocolate and read The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (Scholastic Big Books).
• Dip paintbrush in watercolors and paint the snow!
• Make snow drinks by pouring juice over a cup full of clean snow.
• Make snow ice cream by adding a few tablespoons of milk and vanilla extract to snow. Top with some chocolate syrup and a cherry.
• Make a "Mitten Match" game by cutting out different shapes/colors of mittens to pair up in timed game.
• Get physical by having scavenger hunts and listening walks. Take notice to discover how pets and animals around your home spend their winter days.

Talk About It: Ask your child to share his/her feelings about spending time with a special person. Have your child name favorite activities and ideas for having fun the next time you "kuddle" up with a good book or enjoy a crafty project.

Take it Further:

• Help your child share how he/she thinks outdoor animals spend their time on cold, wintry days?
• Days too bad to go outside make great days to cook, call loved ones, and fix old games or toys that might need some patching or cleaning.
• Do something nice for an outdoor pet, like putting an old blanket out for your pet to sleep on or by placing some warm water or extra food in the outside feeding bowl.

With a Group: Gifting Kindness; a gift for everyone involved. Here's a great way to help children develop into caring community-minded young citizens. Schedule time for your group to visit your local senior citizen home or facility to share songs, color together, read, or play card or board games.