Family Activities :: Jennifer TV Show

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Get Outside

Take advantage of the warm weather by enjoying some fun family activities outside! You might be surprised to find out how many calories you burn by just playing and tackling some summer chores.

Calorie-Burning Fun Family Activities

Guess how many calories you burn:

1. Mowing the lawn? (325)

2. Playing badminton? (236)

3. Throwing a frisbee? (187)

4. Riding a bike? (236)

5. Splashing in a pool for an hour with the kids? (450)

6. Planting flowers? (215)

7. Playing a round of golf? (207 when riding in cart, 235 when pulling own clubs)

8. Rollerblading? (437)

9. Fishing while standing on land? (207)

10. Playing a game of croquet in the back yard? (148)

Rainy Day Idea: Create a Family Tree

This project is a nice way to keep children familiar with relatives who live far away, or who have passed away. Try not to feel rushed with this project. Spend time smiling and sharing stories about the people in the pictures. When complete, display it, or use the pictures and leaves, and add little written facts and stories about each family member to create a scrapbook that you'll cherish for years to come.

What Do I Need?
Assorted colors of cardstock (find it in the scrapbooking section of most craft stores)
Leaf pattern/template - (we used a cookie cutter)
A variety of pictures of family members and pets
Thread
Tree branch with several shoots to be able to hang leaves from
Flower pot or other container
Styrofoam ball or foam brick
Spanish moss or shredded colored paper
Marker
Acid-Free Glue Stick (safest for working with photos)
Hole punch
Scissors

How Do I Make It?
1. Trace and cut out several leaves on the different pieces of cardstock
2. Cut out faces of family members from pictures
3. Glue the cut out pictures to the leaf shapes. Write the name of the person somewhere on the leaf (on the back if you'd like to play a little "Who's Who in the Family" game with the kids)
4. Punch a hole in each leaf, insert some thread and tie to make a loop to use to hang the leaf from the tree branch.
5. Wedge a Styrofoam piece into the flowerpot, or other container you are using to support your family tree; insert the branch into the foam to secure it.
6. Hang your leaves with pictures on the branch to create your tree.
7. Use Spanish moss or shredded paper to fill in around the base of the branch and finish off the look.

Backyard Bug Hunt!

Borrow a book about bug identification from your local library, or even go online, and teach your kids about the common bugs found in your backyard! Better yet--make a game of it. Create a list of 10 bugs that you know can easily be found outside (ladybugs, ants, caterpillars). And then go on a bug hunt! Let each child take a turn, set a timer and give them 10 minutes or so to find each bug on the list. The winner is the person who finds the most bugs by the time the bell rings. This is a great activity to teach your children about nature and the world around them. Plus, you get the bonus of spending time outside (burning calories) with your children!

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