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Deco Dot Children's Bedding Set

The Deco Dot Children's Bedding Set by Jojo Designs, along with the Deco Dot bedding ac... [More]

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Run for twenty

Name:
Run for Twenty
Run for Twelve
Storm the Castle

Full scale Capture

Recommended number of Participants:
min 10 - max Unlimited

Required material:
4 large hula-hoops or 2 dozen flat cones
20 objects that are large enough to be clearly visible in grass (balls work well)
A way to clearly mark the center of the playing field
Pennies or some other way to tell the teams apart.

Overview:
During this game you are attempting to sneak or run over and capture all of the opponents objects. If you cross the center line you have entered into enemy territory and can be captured.

Objective:
To capture all 20 objects and have possession of them all at the same time.

Rules:

• Each side starts with 10 objects placed in 3 hula hoops. All objects must be visible.
• No person can be within 15 feet of the hula hoops unless they are making an attempt at an object or have chased an individual making attempt into that space.
• One hula hoop is left empty for the jail.
• If a person crosses the and gets tagged they must go to their opponents jail.
• A person may go for a single ball at a time or attempt to save someone from jail. They may not gather more then one object or person at a time.
• A person in jail must have at least one foot inside of the hula hoop at all times until saved.
• The saving and saved persons may walk back free from being tagged if they are holding hands or linking arms.
• The saving person and the saved person must return to their side prior to retrieving another object or person.
• Captured objects must be placed inside of the hula hoops and are allowed to be stolen back by the opposing side.
• The adult or organizer may call jail break and allow the persons inside of the jail to run free to extend the length of the game. The freed individuals must return to their side before stealing an object.
• If a tag is argued the tagger is given the benefit of the decision. 
• The objects and team markings must be visible at all times. 
• If you are caught cheating you go directly to jail. If an offense happens again you must sit out of the game.
• If an object is stolen and an individual is tagged before making it to their side, it is the taggers responsibility to return the object to his/her hula hoop.

Basic Instructions and things of note:

1. This game works well in a semi-open area that contains trees or other objects to use as hiding places or shields from being tagged.
2. Children tend to hang out on top of the hula hoop to defend it, so it is recommended that you place an outer ring of hula hoops to give them a visual clue on how close they can get to the hula hoop.
3. If the game goes too long, adjust on the fly. Tell the children that they must get 15 objects to win.
4. This game is great during the day and evening more entertaining at dusk or at night.
5. If there is a large amount of argument about being tagged, flag football flags work well or cut-up strips of fabric tucked into shorts help take the fights out of the equation. If the tagger gets a flag or strip they must go to jail.

Variation:

1. Place safety zones inside of the opponents territory. A hula hoop mid-way between the objects and the mid-line where the runner can't get tagged adds a new dynamic.
2. Increase or decrease the number of objects.
3. For older children, have two puzzles. The kids must not only get objects, but they must also complete one of the puzzles. This is can be a very good lesson in teamwork and organization.

Any and every game, simple or complex is only as fun as you make it. If you are excited about the game, get involved and play, the children will model your enthusiasm.

This game idea if for informational purposes only and should be played with all safety considerations possible. A game is not fun if someone gets hurt.

Don't forget to visit MyFunKid.com... where fun is found!

Fox and the hound!

Name:
Fox and the squirrel
Stuck in the middle
Squeezed

Recommended number of Participants:
min 10 - max 25

Required material:
2 foam balls of the same color
1 foam ball of an alternate color. The foam squares work very well for this game 

Overview:

This game is a great indoor activity on a rainy day when the children have lots of energy, but you don't have a large area. The children sit in a circle and move the foam balls around, working together and against each other at the same time. A quick paced fun game that only gets better the more time the kids play.

Objective:
The objective is to trap the fox between the two hounds. The hounds can roll across the circle and go to where ever they wish. The fox can only be handed to the person on your left or right. If the fox has a hound on either side of him and can't go left or right, then the fox is out for that round.

Rules:

• Children sit in a circle
• The single foam ball or square (the fox) is only allowed to be passed left or right in the circle.
• The two similar foam balls (the hounds) may be rolled across the ground to anyone in the circle.
• If the two hounds are end on either side of the fox, the fox is trapped and is out.
• The game continues until their is only three people left.
• Those three people get to start the next game with a hound or fox.

Basic Instructions and things of note:  

1. This game is good for children between 5 and 12 years of age. It is a fast paced game that requires them to think.
2. The story sells the game. Start the game by telling the children a story about a mean fox that was not being kind to the forest creatures, so the creatures called upon the hounds to find him and make him leave the forest until he was nice to everyone. *Any variation of the story works that is age appropriate and gets the kid's excited.
3. Remind the children to roll the hounds, as there is no such thing as a flying dog. This will help keep the game under control and relatively calm.
4. Start the fox first and allow the children to move him left or right to learn the concept. Introduce the hounds one at a time, so the children can learn the different movements. 
5. As the children start to learn the movements of the different balls you will see them start to work together to trap the fox.
6. Make sure that they are not isolating any individual to be out (you don't see this normally in the younger children, however it becomes more common in older kids.)

This game idea if for informational purposes only and should be played with all safety considerations possible. A game is not fun if someone gets hurt.

Don't forget to visit MyFunKid.com... where fun is found!

Dry, Dry, Water

Name:
Wet, Wet, Water
Dry, Dry, Water
Duck, Duck, Water

Recommended number of Participants:
min 5 - max 25

Required material:
A large bucket of water /or a near by water source
A plastic cup (one with a handle makes the game easier for younger ages) or sponge
An open area, large enough for children to run around.

Overview:
This game is a simple, yet effective variation of 'Duck, Duck, Goose' on hot summer days. The children will get wet, make sure you inform them at the start of the game to prevent anyone from getting upset.

Objective:
Get wet!

Rules:

• Children sit in a circle
• One child starts the game (see below) by tapping each person's head (softly) stating the word "Wet"
• The child should finally dump the cup of water on a child's head and say "Water"
• The wet child must get up, chase the child that dumped the water around the circle.
• If the child that dumped the water completes a full rotation around the circle before getting tagged and sits in the open space he/she is safe.
• If the wet child catches and tags the child that dumped the water before a full rotation is complete, the wet child gets to fill up the cup and slowly dump it on the child he/she just caught. Regardless, the child standing gets to be the next dumper.
• The game continues... until everyone is soaked...

Basic Instructions and things of note:

1. Fill large bucket with water and place it in an open area. If the children are younger, you may want to keep the bucket near you, so they don't run up and dump the bucket on themselves.
2. Have the children make a circle around the bucket. (create a ring for children to run around).
3. Fill the plastic cup with water from bucket. Again, for younger children a light cup with handle is good. Young children may throw the cup or bump the head of the person they are dumping on. The handle helps them to hold onto the cup and hopefully prevents them from accidentally dropping it. If you are not comfortable using a cup with your group, a sponge also works well.
4. To start the game, explain the rules (see above), walk around the circle and dump the water on one of the children. To choose a child, tell them to imitate a, ' Duck call' with the most entertaining one getting picked. It is fun to play this up a little to set the mood.
5. Unlike Duck, Duck, Goose, no one ends in the middle. If a child is caught they get a cup of water, slowly dumped on them. Gauge your group with this, if children don't see this part as fun, have the adult dump the water on the person in the middle.
6. Re-fill the cup and continue the game.

1. It is recommended that children wear shoes during this game. Grass gets slick when wet.
2. Children will learn quickly that if they get caught they will get water dumped on them. If this stops them from trying to get around the circle simply reverse the rule. If you make it back to the seat you get a cup dumped on you.
3. Set a clear running path around the circle or children may run in strange directions.
4. If you have children that want to play but don't want to get wet, tell them to place their hands on their head to indicate they don't want to get wet. To encourage children to include these kids allow the person dumping the water to dump it on an adult instead of the child that doesn't want to get wet.

Variation:

1. Don't use water - Duck, Duck, Goose
2. Sit in the middle of the circle with cup of water, call out an animal sound, the child that you splash must make the sound of that animal, then everyone else must imitate that behavior. "Monkey See, Monkey Do". A strategically timed splash of water can make the noises and movements hilarious.
3. Slow motion - if you are inside, have the children play slow motion style (if they move too fast, they have to turn around in a circle before they can continue) and use confetti instead of water.

Any and every game, simple or complex is only as fun as you make it. If you are excited about the game, get involved and play, the children will model your enthusiasm. Normally the only compliant you get on a hot summer day from children is they are not wet enough. If you end the game, before everyone is wet, have enough water to dump a cup on each dry child.  Some children may want to dry off and/or change clothes after the game, so be prepared for this.

Don't forget this game is loud and fun. Set clear expectations of behavior at the beginning of the activity, but let the kids have fun.

This game idea if for informational purposes only and should be played with all safety considerations possible. A game is not fun if someone gets hurt.

Don't forget to visit MyFunKid.com... where fun is found!

 

MyFunKid.com welcomes Anderson Parks

The Anderson Township Park District is located in Anderson Township, approximately 12 miles east of Cincinnati, within the southeast corner of Hamilton County in Ohio.

Over 500 acres of parkland compri

se the ATPD, situated within the Township\'s 31.2 square miles. The population of Anderson Township, according to the 2000 census, is 43,857 with a median household income (1999) of $70,997.

The idea for the Anderson Township Park District began in 1970 when the Anderson Hills Community Council petitioned the Anderson Township Trustees to form a Park District. The first park board created a plan for public parks in Anderson Township and bore the Park District by the passage of a referendum in 1975. Operations officially began in 1976 and the first park, Nagel Park, was dedicated in 1978.

 



MyFunKid.com welcomes Fun Factory Roller Skating

Fun Factory is Cincinnati's premiere roller skating rink. We offer public skating, birthday parties, group rates, private rental and more. We also have an arcade area, 2 bounce houses and a full service pizza cafe'.

MyFunKid.com welcomes Green Acres Canoe Rental

Your Whitewater Canoe Trip Adventure, Canoe, Kayak, Rafting and Tube Rental on the Whitewater River serving the Greater Cincinnati Area.

Voted Best Kayak Rental!

Green Acres is the only canoe livery that offers canoe, kayak, raft and tube trips on this section of the Whitewater River, and is located close to Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Indiana!

Primitive camping is now available at Whitewater Valley Riverside Campground at Green Acres!
 

MyFunKid.com welcomes Best Life College Coaching

America's premier college strategy and coaching company for kids with big dreams and big goals. Your kids deserve a chance at their best life.
 

MyFunKid.com welcomes SpanishFun of Ohio

SpanishFUN has developed a unique system for introducing young children to the Spanish culture and language. Our easy-to-follow and FUN curriculum ignites children's bilingual interest at an early age.

One step at a time, Inclusion of Kids with Disabilities... A Mother's Journey

When signing up my child for baseball one cold Saturday morning I asked the chairperson, "Is there a coach familiar with autism?" He responded kindly enough, "Yeah we have one that is ADHD." Wow, I thought. Autism has been around for many years, and yet it still seems the world doesn't understand what it is. As a mother and elementary principal in Ohio, I see how autistic children need to just be understood. I thought to myself, how can I tell this baseball team about Hunter? Then, I got an idea.

I created a poem that would in a small way, explain Hunter, my son. I thought that if I discussed how he may not look at them or may not react to them as their peers may, that he is listening. I sat the team down in a circle and read my poem. Each of them had one copy for them to follow along. As I read, I used my teaching days to also incorporate some vocabulary (such as what genes are, etc.). The boys just looked at me. I had decided to not have Hunter there as I wanted them to afterward be able to ask me questions about autism, if in fact they had any. Boy was I wrong . . . the kids didn't know what it was at all. Some said they had kids in their class that have autism, but they didn't know what it meant.

I went on to explain what autism is and how it is not Hunter's fault that he is autistic--he was born that way. I went on to tell them that even though he may look like you and me, he is in fact different. We talked about how being patient, being kind, making eye contact and helping him would make him feel part of the team. I answered a lot of their questions, but the poem seemed to really explain it all.

Since then, they try to bring Hunter into conversations and often yell, "Hey, Hunter...did you see that?" when someone hits the ball far. When Hunter hits they all cheer him on and yell out his name. He sometimes looks over at them and although he doesn't smile, they know he's happy when he does that. One little boy even told me he'll be able to now work with a kid in his class since he now knows what autism means.

So here is that poem I was so proud to get into their hands and hopefully into their hearts, enjoy!

Hunter is autistic,

Do you know what that means?

It means he's just like you and me,

Except for in his genes.

Sometimes if you say "Hi" to him,

He may not look you in the eye,

But just know that he's listening

Although he may not say goodbye.

Hunter is here to play baseball with you,

And guess what? He's not different,

He can run, throw and catch just like you, too.

Hunter loves to laugh and play,

just like you and I,

He may not get your silly jokes,

But he is a fun little guy.

Hunter may not talk to you,

But know that he is listening,

Just give him a chance to prove himself

MyFunKid.com

MyFunKid.com article written by Kim Heyob Adjunct

Asst. Professor at University of Cincinnati