After School Activities

As the holidays approach, many families are looking for ways to teach the joy of giving. At the same time, we’re all looking for ways to feel more connected with our community, even though we can’t get together in the same ways we used to. Below are a few of our favorite ideas for introducing the spirit of giving and community!Donate ThingsExplain to your kids that some parents in your area have not been able to go to work because of Coronavirus and may not have the money they need to make the holidays special for their families. One way your kids can help is to donate some of the clothing and toys they’re not using anymore so that those parents can give them to their kids. Both The Salvation Army and Goodwill are accepting donations again – visit their websites to find your local drop off location.Ditto food items! Feeding America can help you locate your nearest food pantry. Help your kids choose a few favorite, unopened items from the cupboard and perhaps supplement with a few picks from the grocery store, then deliver your donation. Explain to your kids that some families are having a really hard time and don’t have enough money to buy food, but that your donation will help feed those families for free!Books also make great donation items, particularly since many libraries are still closed. Have your kids choose a few they’re finished with, give the covers a quick once over with an antibacterial wipe, then wash your hands, put on your mask, and walk them over to your nearest neighborhood Little Free Library.Photo credit: littlefreelibrary.orgDonate TimeSome neighbors, particularly the elderly or those with compromised immune systems, may be reluctant to go out these days. Your family can help by offering to pick up groceries or prescriptions. Depending on your kids’ ages, they may also be able to help with things like mowing lawns, weeding, bringing trash cans in/out, and dog walking.Your family can also volunteer time unloading trucks and stocking shelves at your local food bank or even create your own neighborhood pop-up pantry. This can range from a cardboard box on your curb with a homemade sign saying “Help Yourself” to a permanent fixture like the Little Free Library that’s stocked with non-perishable canned and boxed goods. Follow @LittleFreePantry on Instagram for some great ideas and inspiration.Photo credit: littlefreepantryIf you aren't sure how to choose the best option for your family, check out Project Giving Kids, a non-profit whose core mission is to help teach empathy and social responsibility to young people. They connect families to high-quality, age-appropriate volunteer activities with a network of charitable partners across the country!  How cool is that? You can also sign-up for a special Create the Change Week (November 7-15, 2020) that provides free virtual activities for kids and families to give back!Your kids can also easily brighten your neighbors’ days with a chalk drawing or positive statement on the sidewalk, a coloring sheet in a neighbor’s mailbox, or a smile on an evening walk. Download our free greeting cards for loved ones here. Or our adorable birthday greeting cards to make someone feel extra special on their day!Donate MoneyAn easy rule of thumb is that kids should save about 20% of what they earn, spend about 70%, and give 10% to charity. Even the littlest kids can earn a bit of money helping with simple chores like emptying trash cans and feeding pets, while older kids may have more complex chores or earn money outside the home with paper routes or mowing lawns. Encourage them to set some of their earnings aside to help those in need – then offer to match what they’re willing to donate.Charity Navigator has lots of options ranging from national to local charities. Work with your child to decide who should receive your donation. Read the charity’s description to your kids and talk about how much the recipients of their donations will appreciate their help.Or maybe they’d like to contribute locally, via a small bonus and thank you card for your mail carrier, street sweeper, or waste management crew. If your kids aren’t aware of the hard workers that come together to ensure your mail deliveries, empty trash cans, trimmed trees, and clean streets, play is a great way to teach them! EI’s Design & Drill® Bolt Buddies™ Recycle Truck is great for pretend play.Kids are natural givers and caring by nature. Set them down the road to giving and they’ll likely continue to do so as adults!

As if it wasn’t hard enough to connect with loved ones before school started this year, in-person and online classes leave little time for kids to visit with relatives and friends (if they were even able to do so safely before!). But keeping kids connected with loved ones is more critical now than ever! Studies show that having a relationship with extended family provides kids with an extra layer of love, support, and security – who couldn’t use that right now? And spending time with grandparents impacts kids’ beliefs and values reduces stress and depression (on both sides!), and is even correlated with fewer behavioral and emotional problems in the teen years. All good, right?That’s why we’re sharing five fun and easy ways to help your kids stay connected with friends, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents even if they can’t get together in person. Why not…1. Play a Game!Despite distance, there are still lots of fun ways to play together virtually! Try using a video communication services, like Zoom or Skype, that can help make face-to face playtime possible. Enjoy capturing each other’s giggles and grins while spending some quality playtime together! We love these kid-friendly virtual play ideas from mommypoppins.com. A couple of our favorites include good old-fashioned charades and playing a virtual version of Pictionary using Zoom's cool whiteboard feature! To help keep the game flowing, try this fantastic word generator.  It even allows you to choose between different style games and difficulty levels.[caption id="attachment_7034" align="alignnone" width="911"] Photo credit: www.thenational.ae[/caption]2. Send Snail Mail!Everyone loves getting mail! Little ones can surprise family and friends with a homemade drawing or painting or they can color and send one of our adorable friendship cards (download for FREE here!) to help everyone in the family feel a little bit more festive. Older kids can write real letters or start a back and forth story with relatives. Follow these simple instructions for an in-person back and forth story, but pop your kiddo’s addition in the mail and send it off to the next relative on the list to create a one-of-a-kind family tale!3. Read a Story!Storytime takes an extra special twist when it’s read by a far-away family member! Set up a time each day or evening and have Grandma or Grandpa read a story to your child over Zoom. Grandparents may choose to share their own childhood favorites with your kiddo or to pick up some fun new releases from the library (Many libraries are currently offering curbside pickup.). Helpful hint – placing the computer behind and slightly to the side of Grandpa lets your kids see the pictures, too!4. Share an Experience!Decide ahead of time to pick up the same crafting kit or order the same magazine subscription for your kiddo and their cousins or friends. Then set up a video call and let them explore, create, and discover – together! We found a great roundup of magazine subscriptions for kids of all ages and interests on Fatherly.com and Michaels is a great source for arts and crafts kits. Science-loving kids might like to conduct one of the at-home science experiments on our Science Experiments for Kids Pinterest board simultaneously with friends or family members. Try this colorful activity that mixes the fun of science and art using simple household items.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP5utLXdx_45. Show and Tell!Kids love show and tell and it’s a great way to get them talking. Set up a Zoom or Facetime call with a family member and let your little one share a beloved stuffed animal, toy, book, or found object. Or ask Auntie to take your kiddo on a virtual tour of her home, introduce her pets, or tell a funny story about her own childhood. Take turns sharing and soon they’ll be asking for their next show and tell session.[caption id="attachment_7039" align="alignnone" width="686"] Photo credit: lifehacker.com.au[/caption]These are the days that build the foundation for lifelong relationships and memories, so make the time to keep your kids connected with their friends and family!

Whether your kiddo is spending their school day sitting at a desk at home, or they’re back in the classroom, masked, working hard to follow social distancing, hand washing, and no-contact play rules, they are going to be ready for a break once the school day is done. But that doesn’t have to mean screen time! Below are some of our favorite screen-free, take-a-break activities designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and imagination through good old-fashioned PLAY!1. Get the Wiggles Out!Little ones weren’t built to sit still for extended periods of time. Turn on some tunes and throw a crazy dance party or get those Kindergarten crazies out with the Magic Moves® Electronic Wand! This amazing electronic wand features 90 fun, physical commands, twinkling light shows, and 26 different musical tunes. Your kids will be stomping like dinosaurs, soaring like eagles, and so much more, all the while building their vocabularies and practicing following directions.2. Set Up a Scavenger Hunt!Make a list of 10 things to find in your home or your backyard and let your little one loose! Early readers can practice sounding out the items they’re searching for – then let them make a list of things for you to find, to practice their writing and spelling skills. Take a twist on traditional scavenger hunts by having your kiddos search for items that are specific colors (check out the smarties at iheartcraftythings.com), or for objects that start with each letter of the alphabet.Photo credit: iheartcraftythings.com3. Go Creepy Crawly!Speaking of outdoor activities, kids can soak up a little vitamin D – and some serious science skills! – with the GeoSafari^® Jr. Bugnoculars. Little scientists can catch and observe critters, leaves, flowers, and more in this bug-friendly, kid-cool, transparent container. It's perfect for STEM learning! Bonus points if kids sketch their finds in a notebook, give their friends names, or write silly stories about them![caption id="attachment_6915" align="alignnone" width="840"] GeoSafari® Jr. Bugnoculars[/caption]4. Rock On!Rock painting does double activity duty – first a walk to search for your “canvasses”, followed by an arts and crafts session to paint them! Use acrylic paints to create free form designs, seasonal objects (think pumpkins, turkeys, or snowflakes), or quotes. We love the kind and crafty ideas on the Curious Doodle blog! In addition to bolstering creativity, painting is also a great way to build those fine motor skills.Photo credit: curiousdoodle.com5. Get Strategic!If your sweetie just needs some space after a long day of schooling, settle them down with Kanoodle®! This best-selling, award-winning solo play game is a great way to lose yourself for a little while. Place the puzzle pieces as shown, then figure out how to fit the remaining pieces to solve the puzzle, building strategic thinking and problem-solving skills as they do. And with 200 puzzles to solve, your kids will be busy for hours. As you know, educational toys and games are our specialty. Check our more brain teasers and brain games here.[caption id="attachment_6888" align="alignnone" width="840"] EI Strategy Games & Brain Teasers[/caption]6. Chalk It Up!Chalk art had a moment during the pandemic – you may have seen the trendy designs around your own neighborhood. Your kids can make their own chalk masterpieces – and get some hands-on practice with shapes and colors – following the super simple instructions at TheIdeaRoom.net.Photo credit: TheIdeaRoom.net7. Squish the Stress Away!Squishy, squashy Playfoam® is perfect for sculpting! Squish it into shape, smash it down, and start again – this non-toxic substance never dries out so kids can use it again and again. Sculpt cats, dogs, snowmen, or butterflies, or use it to create letters and spell your child’s name! Playfoam also offers endless ways to learn through play! You'll love these learning activity ideas for solo play and even more creative fun![caption id="attachment_6856" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo credit: @mayra_valdez[/caption]8. Go Fly a Kite!Flying a kite is a science lesson unto itself – and so is making one! Follow the simple instructions on this video from EasyArtyCrafty to create your own flying machine, then take it for a test spin. If your kids love being outside, you can find other great outdoor activity ideas on our blog!Relaxing time doesn’t have to mean screen time. Give these ideas a go, then find other fun ideas for screen-free learning activities here!

Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Michael Sheridan, one of our EI Product Managers!Ages: 5+Grades: K+Supplies:• Egg• White vinegar• Glass jar with lidProcedure:1. Gently place the egg in a glass jar.2. Fill the jar ¾ full of white vinegar.3. Watch the bubbles form on the eggshell. This is carbon dioxide gas (like in soda) and is just the beginning of the chemical reactions you’ll observe!4. Put the lid on the jar and let it set for a few days, or even a week.5. Check the jar every day to see if you need to add more vinegar to keep the jar ¾ full.6. After a week, CAREFULLY remove the egg from the jar. Gently wash the egg and rub off the remaining parts of the shell. You’ll be left with a shell-less egg that’s rubbery. Be careful not to squeeze too hard or else the egg might burst!7. Drop the rubber egg from a low height (about 1-2”) to see it bounce and jiggle like a water balloon. Again, be careful not to be too rough or the egg may burst.8. When you’re done with this experiment, you can compost your egg. We strongly advise that you do NOT eat the egg since it has been out at room temperature for a week or more.Explanation:Vinegar contains acetic acid, which is an acid. Eggshells contain calcium carbonate, which is a base.Other experiments:• What happens if you soak the shell-less egg in corn syrup?• After soaking the shell-less egg in corn syrup and seeing the result, what happens when you put the egg back in a jar of water? Try adding some food coloring to the water and see what happens!EI Product Manager Michael Sheridan is a jack of all trades! An avid surfer and former international soccer competitor, this outdoor and sporting enthusiast also has a degree in Astrophysics from UCLA and eight years of product development experience in a variety of industries. Prior to helping build EI's science products and brain game lines, Michael developed everything from folding chairs to electric scooters and skateboards!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLULocKubd4&feature=emb_logoHome's Cool! Create your own silly story with crazy characters doing funny things in interesting settings!  It’s all up to you and your imagination!  These stories can be told to a friend or family member or written out with lots of detail.  This also makes a fun family game – telling silly stories to one another!Ages: 4-10Supplies:

• 3 envelopes
• Small slips of paper
• Writing paper
• Pencil

Procedure:

1. Divide your slips of paper into three piles.
2. Label your envelopes, one with “Who?”, the next with “What?”, and the third with “Where?”
3. On each slip of paper in the first pile, write the name of a different character.  You can write your sister’s name, your teacher’s, an alien, a frog. The possibilities are endless!  Place these slips of paper in the “Who?” envelope.
4. On each slip of paper in the next pile, write a different “situation” or “activity”.  Think of things that you’d like to see happen in a story.  For example- climbing a mountain, doing homework, swimming, playing a video game.  Place these slips of paper in the “What?” envelope.
5. Write a different “setting” on each slip of paper in the last pile. Think of fun places for a story to take place.  Great examples are Mars, school, the doctor’s office, or an amusement park.  Place these slips of paper in the “Where?” envelope.
6. Now you’re ready to tell your story! Pull one slip from each envelope to create your silly story. (Parent note: Depending on child’s age- you can tell the story orally, or have them write it down with plenty of details about their character and setting)
7. For even more family fun, have each player draw a picture illustrating a scene from the story and share it with the group!

With first-hand experience teaching Kindergarten and first grade and 13 years of product development know-how, EI Product Manager Stacie Palka is uniquely qualified to develop products that spark curiosity and a-ha moments. When she's not coming up with cool (and smart!) new ways to play, So Cal native and board game buff Stacie is caring for her two kids and adorable doggo, Frankie.

This earth-friendly science activity will give your garden a boost!Ages: 3+Supplies:• Clay (1-2oz per seed ball)• Seeds (wildflower, sunflower, grass)• Soil (1oz per ball)• WaterProcedure:1. Form your clay into a ball, then flatten the ball like a pancake.2. Use your fingers to sprinkle water on the clay until it feels moist on both sides.3. Add soil to both sides of the clay “pancake."4. Add your seeds of choice on top of the soil on one side of the clay.5.  Roll the clay into a ball and place it in the sun to dry.When you are ready to use your seed ball, toss it into the garden where you want your seeds to grow.  It will take a while, but you should see some new sprouts soon!Extra FunWrap a dry seed ball in cellophane and tie a ribbon around it.  Make a tag explaining what kind of seed ball it is and how to use it.  Share with a friend or neighbor! ????

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5U2JQWUt7E&feature=emb_logoHome's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 3-5Supplies:

• Paper
• Design & Drill® Drill with drill bit
• Markers
• Tape

Procedure:

1. Choose a marker and use your tape to secure it to the drill bit.
2. Attach the drill bit to the drill.
3. Turn the drill on and get ready to draw!
4. We’re drawing a lion, so let’s start with the mane. Set the marker down on the paper and activate the drill, creating a large spiraled circle.
5. Next, switch to a different color. Let’s try green so we can draw some trees.
6. Use your yellow marker to draw the outline of your lion’s head, then color it in.
7. Use a brown marker to draw trunks for the trees.
8. Use a black marker to add the lion’s nose, mouth and whiskers.
9. Add googly eyes to finish!

[caption id="attachment_6589" align="alignnone" width="945"] Design & Drill® Bolt-It Bucket™[/caption]Sahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line.