I think it’s true that the weekends for most people are GOLD. It’s time when family all gets together and shares time, so I want to keep the activities lighter and more engaging on those days. I know my daughter treasures the time on the weekends when her dad is home and they can really do stuff together. I will have to say, we have done a lot of crazy things, but one of our all time favorites is a two-part game that we sometimes play ALL weekend long.
We have had the best memories and the most fun with this, so I hope you will enjoy it as well.
Part 1: Name that Tune
This game was hugely popular when I was a kid; that really dated me, didn’t it? Our version is either my husband or I will pull up a specific genre of songs on youtube. For A., we use songs from Disney movies, or common soundtracks to well-known Pixar movies. We have challenged each other with older 80’s theme songs (they are the best, I miss the 80’s sometimes). Sometimes we get about 10 seconds of the song before we have to guess it. We have played where we all write down our answers, or where one of us tests the other and gives clues using one word or facial clues. If you are a competitive family, then scores should probably be kept. We play the game all weekend sometimes, so we don’t use a scoring policy. Our version is often played during other activities such as the art project below. For me, art seems to stimulate the memory better.
Part 2: Lip Sync Battles
We first ran across the actual battles on Jimmy Fallon. We observed Jimmy battling it out with Emma Stone, who I still think is the most formidable opponent he has had to date. The song was an awful choice, but her delivery was astounding. So we pick songs that we know very well, don the clothing to support that genre and silently sing like we own it. I think my daughter’s favorite was when I dressed like a rapper and belted out Jesus Freak by DC Talk. It doesn’t matter if you dress up like a Frozen princess singing Let It Go, or Mom Look from Phineas and Ferb.
Art Project – Water Color Resists: WARNING PROJECT NEEDS TIME TO SET
We have done a lot of art over the years and while I know this part scares a lot of parents, don’t be scared, be ready.
The Prep:
I know there is a tendency to worry about the mess, the technique and a variety of other things. Setting up clear boundaries before you begin and holding those lines will help you have loads of fun.
- Set up a designated area. If necessary, use lots of old newspapers underneath your project. Pick containers that won’t spill easily when using paint.
- Reinforce that, as long as we are managing the product (paints, oil pastels, whatever), the fun continues, but the minute we are not being responsible the project ends. I know it sounds harsh, but I guarantee you will get respect.
- The artist owns the painting. Whoever is doing the painting is the artist, and whatever they see is right. Encourage your artist to go with whatever they see. There is no right or wrong. Coming from a left-brained thinker with rules and linear thinking, where everything has a box and should be in that box, it is hard to believe. But it is true. Remember, we are talking about perspectives. So whatever your young one sees will give you a perspective into their world and that is pretty special.
This leads us to the project.
The Project: Water Color Resist using Two Techniques
Jean over at the Artful Parent did such an amazing job at this. Click here for instructions. We have done a lot of resists but never rubber cement AND salt.
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Mr. Sunny Is Funny
