17 Thanksgiving Games Your Kids Will Obsess Over…(not my title)

Okay—I must admit.  I sat down to find a simple activity for today for my kiddos.  Today, in Poland, is All Saints’ Day.  It’s a day that families spend time together at the graves of their family members and later with family.  It’s a very peaceful day.

Because Max has pneumonia, we have decided to stay quiet at home.  My husband just arrived home Monday night.  Tuesday night, Ada had half her class over for a Halloween party, and then there is today.  A beautiful day of rest.

We have played Sorry.  We have cuddled next to a fire.  We are currently coloring around the table.  We have made sugar cookies.  We are loving each moment.

But I thought—Why not start today being thankful?

I know many of you do the entire month.

I do not.  I am not that organized.

So I sat and Googled and found this:  Woman’s Day Thanksgiving Activities for Families

It really has fun and simple activities.  I can tell you—we’ll probably only do about 3.  But those that will do will be fun!

Maybe you’re more proactive and active than we — so I hope you REALLY enjoy this site!

Happy 40th birthday to my brother, Casey!  Happy All Saints’ Day in Poland.  And Happy beginning of a beautiful month of thankfulness to YOU and YOURS!

xoxo b

Advent Family Activity #3: Snow!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

My children are eagerly awaiting the snow.

It actually snowed one day.  A bit.  And then the rain washed it away.  My son was so sad.  He asked where it went.  I told him on a trip with the rain.

Kids are so cute.

But—as this Season of Advent is upon us—so is the beauty of winter!

Today’s special Advent Family Activity is just a flurry of snow!

No worries—you need not have the real stuff—you’ll make plenty on your own!

Without telling you what materials you may need, instead I’ll simply share all the fun activities that you can go through and decide which ones suit your family best!

To Begin:

Today, we are going to read Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…”

This Season is Christmas!  And it is the Season when we remember the gift of Jesus, born as a baby, and given to us as a gift from God—the son of God!

It’s also celebrated during a time of year where everywhere North of the Equator generally relishes the thrill of chilly weather, hot chocolate, and lots of snow!

So, today, as a family, we are going to have a lot of fun making, playing, and eating snow!  And if you’re from a desert like I am (or South of the Equator enjoying your sunnier weather) this will be a lot of “cool” fun for you, too!

Ready…Set…Snow!

Snow Activities (Hands on, messy, and fun!):

Erupting Snow Recipe

Shivery Snow Paint

Snow Clay

Snow Game:

Snowman Dice Game

Snow Food:

Melted Snowman Cookies

And, our personal family favorite, blending ice in the blender, scooping it into a bowl or making it into a snowball, and eating it as if it were real, outside snow!

Hope that you have the most wonderful evening as a family playing in the SNOW!

xo

b

Here are the Advent Activities we’ve already shared.  Next week, I’ll share 3 more.  Hope that you will have a great time as a family, spending time as a family, reading the Bible, talking about Jesus, and playing together!

Advent Activity #1:  The Names of Jesus

The Names of Jesus allows you and your family to talk about why each of you were given your name, if you know the meanings, if you have nicknames, and read the scriptures that share the names of Jesus.  There is a fantastic site that has created the ornaments with the names of Jesus. With a simple print or click or drawing ideas from it, you and your family can then make Christmas ornaments as glittery or non-glittery as you want that share the names of Jesus.  Decorate them together, hang them on your tree, or give them as gifts!  It’s a great start to the Advent Season!

Advent Activity #2:  The Wild Journey

The Wild Journey takes a look at the instructions given by Caesar Augustus—that a Census is to be taken and all must return to the home of the family line.  We discuss journeys, where you or your children were born, and how we travel—then we take a look at what and how Mary and Joseph probably traveled.  There is a fun opportunity to take a family Census of a bunch of fun stuff—as well as crosswords and coloring pages for everyone to enjoy!

Advent Activity #3:  Snow!  (Today’s post!  Read above)