Anonymous wrote:I'm in the same boat. My kids are older - 11 and 8 - but I am really trying to come up with some longer term projects that will help entertain them. One is super into sports and math and one is really into animals.

I've got a good sports idea for my older one but struggling with the second. He doesn't want to just do crafts and he knows so much about animals (especially reptiles and dinosaurs which are his favorites) that anything geared toward his age is too basic. I'm thinking about having him make a timeline and identify the apex predator in each era and create a book - with facts about the animal and a hand-drawn illustration.

I also thought about having him work on creating an outdoor pond in our backyard with me but DH is not buying into that one.

There's a good website called teacherspayteachers.com where they have digital downloads of projects -- for example, there is one i was looking at that has kids create a zoo that emphasizes math skills.

Maybe have your kids create a map of the neighborhood? Survey it, take photos, major landmarks, create a map?

What about learning origami? That can be done on an outside patio in the shade, or indoors if it's raining. Another indoor option would be baking/cooking. They could work together to make something fun. Maybe you could challenge them with some different ingredients like they do on Food Network's Chopped Junior show.

For the mom who kid is super knoweldgeable about dinosaurs, maybe he coupd male an activity kit for younger kids to teach them about dinosaurs and you could sell it in the neijborhood for some very cheap price (like a dollar or two) — he could donate part of the proceeds to charity or a museum. Kids love to make money.

Anonymous wrote:I'm in the same boat. My kids are older - 11 and 8 - but I am really trying to come up with some longer term projects that will help entertain them. One is super into sports and math and one is really into animals.

I've got a good sports idea for my older one but struggling with the second. He doesn't want to just do crafts and he knows so much about animals (especially reptiles and dinosaurs which are his favorites) that anything geared toward his age is too basic. I'm thinking about having him make a timeline and identify the apex predator in each era and create a book - with facts about the animal and a hand-drawn illustration.

I also thought about having him work on creating an outdoor pond in our backyard with me but DH is not buying into that one.

There's a good website called teacherspayteachers.com where they have digital downloads of projects -- for example, there is one i was looking at that has kids create a zoo that emphasizes math skills.

Maybe have your kids create a map of the neighborhood? Survey it, take photos, major landmarks, create a map?

The Hoagies website has enrichment links for all subjects and all ages. This is their page for Natural Science which includes links for animals. You might find some things there that would be of interest.

https://www.hoagiesgifted.org/natural_science.htm

If the outdoor pond doesn't work out, what about a butterfly garden or an ant farm?

I had a math kid, too. Some things mine enjoyed were:

Theoni Pappas books - her Penrose the cat books explore interesting math topics that might not be encountered in regular math classes. Here's the one I got my daughter (somewhat randomly), but I think any in the series would probably be good.

https://www.amazon.com/Fractals-Googols-Other-Mathematical-Tales/dp/0933174896

Louis Sachar's Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School - a companion book to his Wayside School series, these logic puzzles could be viewed either as delightful or incredibly annoying. While the math isn't terribly difficult, figuring out the question can be. Definitely sample the book before you buy it.

https://www.amazon.com/Sideways-Arithmetic-Wayside-School-Sachar/dp/0590457268

24 Game - using mathematical operations on the cards you're given to achieve a total of 24. My daughter played years ago on a website that I don't think is available now, but I suspect there are other websites and/or apps available.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24_Game

Clock Math/Modular Arithmetic Art

https://www.mathsisfun.com/definitions/modulo-operation.html

Here's a teacher's description I googled about how to do the art
http://mathmtcs.blogspot.com/2017/05/string-art-with-pencils.html?m=1

He might enjoy secret codes.

If he's interested in programming, Scratch is a programming language developed by MIT to teach programming.
https://scratch.mit.edu/parents

Here's the Hoagie's page for math:
https://www.hoagiesgifted.org/math.htm

I'm in the same boat. My kids are older - 11 and 8 - but I am really trying to come up with some longer term projects that will help entertain them. One is super into sports and math and one is really into animals.

I've got a good sports idea for my older one but struggling with the second. He doesn't want to just do crafts and he knows so much about animals (especially reptiles and dinosaurs which are his favorites) that anything geared toward his age is too basic. I'm thinking about having him make a timeline and identify the apex predator in each era and create a book - with facts about the animal and a hand-drawn illustration.

I also thought about having him work on creating an outdoor pond in our backyard with me but DH is not buying into that one.

There's a good website called teacherspayteachers.com where they have digital downloads of projects -- for example, there is one i was looking at that has kids create a zoo that emphasizes math skills.

Maybe have your kids create a map of the neighborhood? Survey it, take photos, major landmarks, create a map?

maybe craft boxes where kids do a part, then send it to the next kid, and receive one from another kid at same time? so everyone works on every project, and there's online sharing etc. just thinking out loud here.

My kids’ summer canp said they are developing a DIY box with suplies and instructions for some of their more popular arts/crafts. I could do that myself but its better to have a box with the right amount of supplies (so I dont end up with a 245 extra popsicle sticks when I only needed 5) and to not have to think pf it myself. Might be fun to set up like a co-op with other parents where each parent comes up with one craft kit for 10 kids or whatever, and then the kids c a share what they make on zoom.

It seems like the risk with outdoor activity and kids is extremely low.

I would probably be willing to do a closed circuit type of thing with a couple other families where the kids had a bunch of outdoor activities. Nothing inside for me, and no more zoom meeting.

maybe bring a device outside and participate in interactive soccer or other sports. not actual games but maybe H-O-R-S-E type skill contests?? thoughts?

Agree with pp! My kid is begging for soccer - and no, “zoom soccer” in my living room is not acceptable.

What I really really need right now is some physical activity for my child in a small group. I don’t need any more online stuff.
Thank you!

Camps are being cancelled. Kids can't just sit at home all summer, or fall will be a mess. But safety is paramount.

Looking for ideas I can implement to create summer programs.

Not working f/t, have time and resources to get something started.

Been trying to think of virtual ideas that still get the kids active and/or outside...or at least, get them thinking and interacting!

Ideas appreciated. Thanks!

And/or just give your thoughts on a stay at home summer.

Let's use this board to do some good. Lots of smart parents on here.