Creative Connections for March

Below are a few ideas with links to crafts and recipes you can create with your children this March!

Create with your children – If you have trouble opening the hyperlink, left click the link and choose Open Hyperlink

March is Women’s History Month. It’s a time to celebrate the fearless positive women who have influenced history.  https://redtri.com/8-women-s-history-month-activities-for-kids/

3/3 On National Anthem Day the U.S.A. adopted “The Star-Spangled Banner” as our national anthem. Francis Scott Key, the author served in the army during the War of 1812. After a long night of battle during the war, he penned the lyrics to the song.  https://www.punchbowl.com/holidays/national-anthem-day

3/8 Notice the sun is setting a little later this time of year? Thank you Daylight Savings time! Did you know there are states and countries that do not follow Daylight Savings time!

https://www.almanac.com/content/when-daylight-saving-time#

3/10 Purim is a fun Jewish holiday to dress up, tell stories and give gift baskets. This year Purim begins the evening at 3/9 and ends the evening of 3/10.

https://pjlibrary.org/beyond-books/pjblog/february-2020/purim-2020-with-kids

3/14 Who can name the four parts of a butterfly’s life cycle? On Learn About Butterflies Day, it’s a great day to begin this study! (The answer is egg, larva, pupa and adult!)

https://www.cute-calendar.com/event/learn-about-butterflies-day/33783.html

3/17 Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Were you taught like I was that St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland? Turns out that myth is false! Read these St. Patrick’s Day facts with your kids and learn the truth about St. Patrick! https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/celebrations/st-patricks-day/

3/19 Happy first day of spring! Today marks the end of winter and brings us longer days! What are some things you like to do when spring begins?        https://www.wincalendar.com/Spring-Begins

3/23 I personally don’t need a reason to celebrate chips and dips, but since there is a National Chips and Dip Day I will indulge! What is your favorite chip and dip?

https://www.punchbowl.com/holidays/national-chip-and-dip-day

3/25 On the last Wednesday in March, we get to appreciate the calm herbivore who spends their days eating, sleeping and traveling. Today, we appreciate the Manatee!

https://howmanydaysuntil.center/manatee-appreciation-day/

March Snacks and Crafts

Bring out the inner chef and artist in your child. Try your hand at these with your children!

3/3 Do you know how many verses make up the Star-Spangled Banner? It’s FOUR! I had no idea! It is an amazing story highlighting a battle during The War of 1812. Read or sing the lyrics in this link! https://www.lyrics.com/sublyric/4172

3/8 Here is a neat game you can use to teach the kids about Daylight Savings Time, clocks, seasons & counting! https://www.totschooling.net/2014/03/free-daylight-savings-time-board-game.html

3/10 A simple Purim treat you can make & gift to your friends - chocolate dipped pretzels! Make a batch for your family and gift another to your friends! Have your kids dip the pretzels and add the sprinkles!

https://www.evermine.com/blog/chocolate-covered-pretzels-for-purim/

3/14 On Learn About Butterflies Day, surprise your little love bugs with a creative snack! It’s versatile enough so you can individualize each snack!   http://raisinglittlesuperheroes.com/butterfly-snack-bag/

3/17 Going to any St. Patrick’s Day festivities today? Why not bring along these easy to make Shamrock Pops?

https://www.craftymorning.com/shamrock-pretzel-pops/

3/20 Looking for a fun healthy snack to prepare for the start of spring? How about this adorable and simple bunny snack!      https://theprimepursuit.com/tag/healthy-bunny-snack/

3/23 If you are celebrating National Chip & Dip day like I am, you probably don’t need a dip recipe. But in case you do or you just want to try something new, this website boasts over 50 Fabulous Dip Recipes!

https://alwaystheholidays.com/national-chip-and-dip-day/

3/27 I have never done origami, but it has always intrigued me. On today, Manatee Appreciation Day, lets learn this paper folding technique together and craft some manatees!  https://origami.plus/origami-manatee

Please take pictures of your activities and share them with your classrooms! We would love to see what you create!!

Don’t forget to check out the Kangaroo Kids Website for information on events like Parent Night Out, upcoming field trips and family events like our March event Eyes of the Wild. Don’t forget to register for the 2020-2021 school year as classes do fill up! Look our for our camp registration coming soon!

http://www.kangarookidschildcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Eyes-of-the-Wild-flyer.pdf

http://www.kangarookidschildcare.com/family-preschool-events/

http://www.kangarookidschildcare.com/

This is a great website that details fun FREE things to do in New Jersey every month! Call ahead and make sure the activities are happening before you head out for your day!

https://www.njfamily.com/

Check out the St. Patrick’s Day parades in NJ throughout the month of March!

https://bestofnj.com/the-best-st-patricks-day-parades-in-nj

Creative Connections for February

Below are a few ideas with links to crafts and recipes you can create with your children this February!

Create with your children – If you have trouble opening the hyperlink, left click the link and choose Open Hyperlink

Black History week was started in 1926 by a well known African American historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson. It wasn’t until 1976 that the entire month of February was recognized as Black History Month!

https://woodsonmuseum.org/about-us/

Dental Health month falls in February https://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/national-childrens-dental-health-month. The ADA holds a month-long campaign full of resources and activities to help ensure your child(ren)’s dental health. On February 4^th, Branchburg Pediatric Dentistry will be making a visit to Kangaroo Kids to teach the children about dental health!

https://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/national-childrens-dental-health-month

2/2 Groundhogs Day is Feb 2^nd. Not just known for predicting the spring, did you know that groundhogs hibernate, are omnivores, have a curved spine, are called cubs as babies and are also known as whistle pigs!

https://www.kidsplayandcreate.com/fun-groundhog-facts-and-groundhog-day-facts-for-kids/

2/2  Super Bowl time is not only at time to cheer for your favorite team but to gather with family and friends.  Remember to include your children in the festivities!  Here are a few ideas!  Kangaroo Kids had a Super Bowl day where children wore their favorite sport jersey and created football crafts mixed in with math and literacy lessons!  Here are some fun Super Bowl ideas for children. https://www.parentmap.com/article/super-bowl-activities-for-kids.

2/4 Simple but sometimes complex, a hot bowl of soup on a cold winter day can warm you right up! Do you prefer a hot veggie soup or a cold gazpacho? Whatever your preference enjoy a bowl today, National Soup Day!  https://anydayguide.com/calendar/848

2/7 On the first Friday of every month the nation goes red for National Wear Red Day! Want to help? Wear red to bring awareness about cardiovascular disease and help save lives. Also, learn about why February is  hearth health month!https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/get-involved/give/wear-red-and-give

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/education-and-awareness/heart-month

Did you know that Garrett A. Morgan was born to former slaves in 1877 and went on to become an inventor! Between 1909 & 1923 he invented hair straightening cream, the gas mask, and the 3-position traffic light!

http://socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/garrettmorgan.htm

2/14 Valentines Day is a fantastic day for kids to go over the top expressing their feelings of love for you! Help provide some positive reinforcement by taking some time to read any one of these Valentines Books with your children!https://www.thoughtco.com/top-childrens-books-for-valentines-day-627613

2/17 Celebrated on the 3^rd Monday in February, Presidents Day is an American holiday used not just to celebrate Washington and Lincoln’s birthday, but a day to celebrate all Presidents!

https://www.kidsplayandcreate.com/why-do-we-celebrate-presidents-daycool-presidents-day-facts-for-kids/

Born on a cotton plantation in 1867, Madam C.J Walker was the first African American female millionaire. Because of the lack of indoor plumbing, people couldn’t shower often, and they suffered scalp disease which caused hair loss. She created products to help women create a healthier scalp.

https://www.kidsplayandcreate.com/madam-c-j-walker-facts-for-kids-1st-african-american-female-millionaire/

2/23 Ever go to the supermarket, buy some bananas and within a day or 2 they are over ripe? Happens all the time to me! Freeze your bananas until you have enough to bake banana bread! Those bananas are full of vitamin B6, fiber, potassium and antioxidants. On today, National Banana Bread Day, bake up a loaf and don’t forget to share!  http://theculinarycellar.com/national-banana-bread-day/

February Snacks and Crafts

Bring out the inner chef and artist in your child. Try your hand at these with your children!

Looking for a way to introduce diversity and equality to your young children? Read to them! Familyeducation.com put together a wonderful list of 15 children’s books celebrating Black History Month!

https://www.familyeducation.com/fun/black-history-month/top-15-childrens-books-black-history-month

2/2 While waiting to see if the groundhog sees its shadow, create a ground hog picture out of cupcake liners. This neat craft made out of items you have at home!

https://iheartcraftythings.com/cupcake-liner-groundhog-day-craft.html

2/4 Have “souper” picky eaters at home? Naming your soup something like Green Goblin Soup might be a fun way for a child to eat a mysterious green soup!

https://www.myfussyeater.com/green-goblin-halloween-spinach-soup-recipe/

2/7 It’s a new year, are you taking care of you? While busy helping your kids learn their numbers, do you know yours? Schedule a trip to your doctor or clinic and learn your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI to help assess your risk for heart disease or stroke.

https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/know-your-risk/know-your-numbers

2/14 Need a break from the sugary sweets on Valentines Day? Have your kids help make some healthy Valentines snacks like a fruit and yogurt parfait made with strawberries, yogurt and granola!

https://dailymom.com/nest/fun-healthy-valentines-day-snacks-for-kids/

2/17 Looking for an activity that could brighten a mood or even your neighborhood? How about decorating some rocks and leaving them on your neighbors’ steps or around the streets of your neighborhood? Today on Random Acts of Kindness Day it’s a wonderful day to leave smiles on faces!!

https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2017/08/creating-kindness-rocks-kids.html

2/23 Looking to change up your breakfast routine? Why not bake this super simple banana bread for National Banana Bread Day? Add some chocolate chips for an extra taste of sweetness!

https://princesspinkygirl.com/chocolate-chip-banana-bread/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_smartloop&utm_content=smartloop&utm_term=7796544

2/24-2/28 Read Across America Week starts March 2^nd.  Kangaroo Kids will be celebrating a week early and ending with a visit from our friendly Cat in the Hat! Learn more about how you can help motivate your child(ren) to read throughout the year with activities and book suggestions form the Read Across America website!

2/29 Did you know this year is a Leap Year? Leap Years have fascinated me from childhood. Learn some facts about the history of Leap Year so you are prepared for all of those inquisitive questions from your little one’s!

https://www.almanac.com/content/when-next-leap-year#

Please take pictures of your activities and share them with your classrooms! We would love to see what you create!!

Don’t forget to check out the Kangaroo Kids Website for information on events like Parent Night Out, upcoming field trips and family events like our March event Eyes of the Wild.

http://www.kangarookidschildcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Eyes-of-the-Wild-flyer.pdf

http://www.kangarookidschildcare.com/family-preschool-events/

http://www.kangarookidschildcare.com/

This is a great website that details fun FREE things to do in New Jersey every month! Call ahead and make sure the activities are happening before you head out for your day!

https://www.njfamily.com/

Here are a few other sites with things to do:

https://hulafrog.com/bridgewater-nj

https://www.eventbrite.com/