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February Frolics
By Sandy Fleming

So, it's February. The snow's getting a little old, but it just won't go away. We're in the middle of cold and flu season, and you've got kids home from school who are still well enough to be bored. Spring still seems a long way off, but there are ways to shake the winter blues. Here are some seasonal activities to try with your kids.

February 2, Ground Hog Day, is the first exciting holiday that graces this short month. Use map skills to find famed Punxatawney, PA, home of the Official Groundhog, Phil. Watch the news programs this day to see his prediction. Can your children discover other "official" weather animals? Young children will enjoy shadow activities: Try shadow puppets, shadow tag ("It" must tag others by stepping on their shadows), or hang a white sheet in front of a bright light to put on a shadow play. Older children can use reference materials to find out how often the groundhog has been right over the years. Is he a reliable weather predictor? What other weather folklore can be discovered?

Charles Lindbergh was born on February 4. How about a paper airplane design and/or flight contest? Babe Ruth was born February 6, and so was Ronald Reagan. Charles Dickens was born on February 7. Try putting on a play or "radio broadcast" of all or part of one of his famous stories. A Christmas Carol or Oliver Twist might work well. Write a science fiction story in honor of Jules Verne's birthday on February 8. We celebrate Presidents' Day on the third Monday of February. This day specifically honors Presidents Washington and Lincoln, but how many other presidents were born in this month? I found two others. Challenge your children to discover which month of the year has the most presidential birthdays.

Valentine's Day is perhaps the most well-known holiday during the month. Evidence of celebration goes back at least to the 1400s. Making Valentine cards is loads of fun for all ages. Use lace, doilies, ribbons, and heart shapes to make really fancy ones for special people. Try making a neighbor or two happy with a surprise card left at their door, or consider a visit to a nursing home to spend time with people who need a friend. Write a letter to a far-away friend or relative to show you care during this season.

February is full of milestones in astronomy and space travel. Celebrate Galileo's birthday on February 15 and Copernicus's birth on February 19 with space activities. Demonstrate the earth's rotation to young children by holding a flashlight on a child as he or she turns in place. Older children may enjoy learning about outer space, designing a space station, or planning a space colony on another planet.

Finally, Buffalo Bill (Frederick Cody) was born on February 26. Have your kids find out about his Wild West show and other parts of his life. Plan and put on a show of your own with a Wild West theme this month.

Sandy Fleming is an educator, author and workshop facilitator. She resides in southern Michigan with her husband and three daughters. Sandy leads workshops for daycare providers and parents in the region, tutors students, volunteers for Girl Scouts and her church, and teaches online classes for adults and children. She loves to make new friends, so please drop her an e-mail at kids@busyparentsonline.com

 
 
 

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