So you’ve got the grandchildren coming over to spend the afternoon.  Or possibly you need to find an activity to keep them busy at a family reunion or at a family picnic.

You want to try a new type of activity — one that is fun but doesn’t require lots of pre-preparation or lots of work to carry it out.

Here’s something that I think would fit the bill.  (And it can help use up all of the energy that is spilling out of your grandchildren!)

Clothespin Tag

The object is to be the last player with a clothespin still on your back.  This game is for at least 5 players.  The more the merrier.  Play this game outside unless you don’t mind getting your lamps broken and furniture knocked over . . .

To play, you need one clothespin for each player.  Clip the clothespin to the back of each player’s shirt. Then each player tries to steal the other players’ clothespins without letting anyone get her clothespin.  If your clothespin is taken by another player (or falls off when a player attempts to remove it), you’re out of the game.

The last player with a clothespin left on the back of her shirt is the winner.

Do any of you have fun variations of tag?  If so, please leave a comment and tell us what you have done that has been fun to do with your grandchildren.

I have discovered crayons that you can use to draw on windows.  I am delighted.  We have lots and lots of big windows in our home.  I envisioned having them filled with murals drawn by grandchildren, children, parents (heck, even interested friends and neighbors).

Wouldn’t it be fun to have grandchildren ‘illustrate’ their favorite story or fair tale?  They could draw a scene on one window, continue on the next, and go around all of the windows in the family room and front room.  They could even draw their pictures on the windows in our solarium.

Then, I thought about letting grandchildren draw on windows for holidays, birthdays, when it’s a rainy day.  You could probably even use these crayons on a mirror.  If you are going on a car trip with grandchildren, this might be something that would keep them busily occupied over the miles.

There are two products that you can use.  You can find a set of ten Lyra Wax-O-Glass Window Crayons for $13.00 on Amazon.  They are supposed to easily wipe off with a paper towel.  You might be able to find them in a local craft or art store or where they sell children’s toys and games.  Maybe even an educational type of store.

For a lot less money, there is Crayola’s Washable Window Crayons for $5.00.  There are 8 colors.  You could probably find these in a local Wal-Mart, K-Mart, or Shopko store.

After my initial onset of excitement of ideas for using these window crayons, I thought:  What if these grandchildren (and snarky adult neighbors) decided to write on my walls.  What then?  Why, Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser comes to the rescue.

I’ve read some reviews of this product by moms where were not ‘paid actors’ in a commercial.  They were using the eraser on their own walls to get off the crayon scribbles (and also dirt and grime).  Simply put, it works.

So, I’m off to the store to get some of the window crayons — and a few magic erasers!

		Just as the Easter Bunny stealthily hides Easter eggs, time has crept up and Easter is almost here.  And, I haven’t posted any Easter ideas.  Yikes!  Since I haven’t had a chance to come up with my own Easter ideas, here are some links to different Easter crafts and activities that young grandchildren can do.

Plastic Egg Bunny

Bad Hair Day Easter Chick

Chenille Chick

Easter Bingo

Easter Word Searches

Easter Crossword Puzzle and here are the answers to the crossword puzzle

I also came across the ideas of making a Rock Salt Mosaic.  I think this would be a different and fun activity to do.

Materials Needed

• Large rock salt (like for water softeners)
• Assorted variety of food coloring
• Rubbing alcohol

Process

1. Pour 1 cup of rock salt into a mixing bowl. Add a few drops of food coloring and 1/8th cup of rubbing alcohol. Mix well and let sit for 5 minutes. Then drain the liquid off and put the rock salt on a paper towel.  Let dry. Repeat this process until you have all of your desired colors.
2. On a piece of card stock or construction paper, draw an Easter egg.  Be sure to include a simple pattern like zigzags or stripes or simple flowers on the egg.
3. Spread glue on the paper.  Press the colored rock salt into the glue.  Let dry.

Have a great Easter!

Digi-Gram

Friday the 13th in February sneaked up on me and caught me unaware (just like my youngest son likes to do to me). Argh!  So, I didn’t do anything for it. No party.  Nothing fun.  Boring.

I vowed I would be Prepared (with a capital P) for Friday 13th in March!

This day would be a great day to have a party with your grandchildren!  If you’re going to party, you’re going to need food, right?  Well, I discovered a FABULOUS salsa recipe that is extremely easy to make and absolutely delicious. It would be a fun one to make with your grandchildren and serve at your party. Here’s the recipe.

Black Bean and Pineapple Salsa
one 15 ounce can of black beans, rinsed
two 8 ounce cans of crushed pineapple
one can corn
one can petite diced tomatoes
1/3 cup Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Combine all of the ingredients. (Since I love cilantro, I like to put in 1/2 cup instead of just 1/4 of a cup.) Serve with tortilla chips. Yum!

You’ll probably want to have something to drink at your party. Here’s an easy, refreshing slush to make.  Again, one that is easy to make with grandchildren.

Great White Punch
3 cups sugar
11 cups water
1 six ounce can limeade
Mix together and freeze. Remove from freezer about 3/4 hour prior to serving. Mash with a fork and add 2 liters of Sprite.

Now all you need to do is come up with some ideas of things to do with your grandchildren.  How about these?

• Watch Freaky Friday (maybe try the original one from 1976)
• Snack on fortune cookies (if you watch the newer version of the Freaky Friday movie)
• Gather items for dress up and everybody (Grandma included) dresses up for the evening
• Make and fly kites or windsocks (maybe a windsock from a sleeve or pant leg??)
• Make wind chime from old silverware
• Make cute, colorful headbands
• Make tie dyed t-shirts
• Design paper airplanes and have a contest flying them

Hope this gives you a few ideas of things to do
Digi-Gram