Showing posts with label Motor Skills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motor Skills. Show all posts
Sunday, June 29, 2025
PIZZA HUT
I have had complaints about this song because it is "commercial" and it "teaches children bad health habits." When I sing the song with children I use it as a “teachable moment” to talk about making good food choices. I say, “Boys and girls, this is a silly song, but I want to tell you the truth about fast food restaurants. It’s not good to eat that food all the time because it’s got a lot of fat, sodium, and chemicals in it. What are some good healthy foods that we can eat all the time?”
You know, you could probably find something wrong with every book, every song, every story, every rhyme…. The bottom line is that if you don’t like a song or if a parent complains, you don't need to use it.
Silly songs are meant to make children smile. In the crazy world we live in sometimes you just have to shut your door and SING LOUD!
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut, Pizza Hut, (Arms out in a circle.)
Kentucky Fried Chicken (Flap arms like a chicken.)
And Pizza Hut.
Pizza Hut, Pizza Hut,
Kentucky Fried Chicken
And Pizza Hut.
MacDonald’s, MacDonald’s, (Hands together in front and then up and
Kentucky Fried Chicken over like an arch.)
And Pizza Hut.
MacDonald’s, MacDonald’s,
Kentucky Fried Chicken
And Pizza Hut.
Burger King and Taco Bell (Make crown with hands on “King,” and
shake head on “Bell.”)
Dairy Queen and Arby’s (Pretend to milk a cow on “Dairy Queen” and
twirl hand in the air like a lasso on “Arby’s”.)
Red Lobster and Wendy’s (Hands like pincers on “Lobster” and pretend
to make a hamburger patty for “Wendy’s.”)
More! For additional verses, let children suggest other restaurants and movements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6U7Ey8EAEU
Find many of my songs easily on iTunes and Amazon!
Labels:
Food,
Friendship,
Motor Skills,
Silly Songs
Sunday, May 25, 2025
HOMEMADE SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Your kids will have a blast making these games and then playing with them.
Goofy Golf
You will need several empty cardboard containers from fried chicken, popcorn, ice cream, etc. Turn the containers upside down and cut an arch out of the bottom similar to a mouse hole. Set the containers up on the grass and let the children practice hitting golf balls in the holes.
*You can also make a golf course with hula hoops.
Goofy Golf
You will need several empty cardboard containers from fried chicken, popcorn, ice cream, etc. Turn the containers upside down and cut an arch out of the bottom similar to a mouse hole. Set the containers up on the grass and let the children practice hitting golf balls in the holes.
*Use small brooms and tennis balls instead of golf clubs.
Broomstick Hockey
You will need children's brooms and a rubber ball for this game. Children hit the ball with the broom and try to get it in a box or designated area.
Bowling
Take several empty liter bottles from water or soft drinks and arrange them in a triangle. Children stand behind a line and roll a ball, trying to knock down the plastic bottles. Count how many they knock down. Let children can take turns rolling the ball and setting up the bottles for each other.
Hint! Fill the bottles with water if it’s a windy day.
Paddle Ball
To make paddles, place two paper plates together and staple ¾ of the way around. Insert the hand and use like a paddle. Roll up a scrap piece of paper to make a ball.

Balloon Tennis
Bend two coat hangers into diamond shapes. Stretch the legs of panty hose over the diamonds and knot at the end. Bend up the hook of the hangers and tape it to make handles. Blow up a balloon and you’re set of a tennis match!
Bouncy Ball Lane
Draw a path on the sidewalk with chalk. Children take balls and try to bounce them on the designated line.
Can Catch
You will need a tennis ball and empty Pringle’s can for this game. Children bounce the ball and try to catch it in the can. They can place this game by themselves or with a friend.
Broomstick Hockey
You will need children's brooms and a rubber ball for this game. Children hit the ball with the broom and try to get it in a box or designated area.
Bowling
Take several empty liter bottles from water or soft drinks and arrange them in a triangle. Children stand behind a line and roll a ball, trying to knock down the plastic bottles. Count how many they knock down. Let children can take turns rolling the ball and setting up the bottles for each other.
Hint! Fill the bottles with water if it’s a windy day.
Paddle Ball
To make paddles, place two paper plates together and staple ¾ of the way around. Insert the hand and use like a paddle. Roll up a scrap piece of paper to make a ball.
Balloon Tennis
Bend two coat hangers into diamond shapes. Stretch the legs of panty hose over the diamonds and knot at the end. Bend up the hook of the hangers and tape it to make handles. Blow up a balloon and you’re set of a tennis match!
Bouncy Ball Lane
Draw a path on the sidewalk with chalk. Children take balls and try to bounce them on the designated line.
Can Catch
You will need a tennis ball and empty Pringle’s can for this game. Children bounce the ball and try to catch it in the can. They can place this game by themselves or with a friend.
Hungry?
If you're hungry from playing all those games, just put your favorite snack mix in an ice cream cone and nibble away. Eat the cone and there's no clean up!Find many of my songs easily on iTunes and Amazon!
Labels:
Active,
Food,
Friendship,
Fun,
Motor Skills,
Outdoor Play
Monday, June 6, 2022
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!
We used to play "girls chase boys" or "boys chase girls" and then someone decided that was politically incorrect. We started mixing the teams up and changed the names. However, I'm smiling because kids will be kids all over the world someone will continue to call out "girls chase boys" or "boys chase girls"!
Here are some new versions to the old game of tag that your children might enjoy.
Cat and Mouse
Materials: none
The children form a circle and hold hands. One child stands in the center and is the “mouse.” Another child stands outside the circle and is the “cat.” On a given signal, the “cat” must chase the “mouse.” They can enter or leave the circle only if the other players hold up their hands and form an arch. When the “cat” catches the “mouse,” let them choose classmates to take their places.
*Change the characters for different seasons. You could have the farmer chase the turkey, the witch chase the bat, etc.
Hug Tag
Materials: none
Designate a playing area. One child is “it.” “It” chases other children who must “freeze” when they are tagged. Other players hug those who are “frozen” to “unfreeze” them.
Stoop Tag
One child is "it." Children stoop down on the ground when they are tagged by "it." When everyone has been caught and is stooping down a new person is chosen to be "it" and the game begins again.
Cartoon Tag
Children must name a cartoon show when they are tagged. They can continue to play if they can name a show.
Cat and Mouse
Materials: none
The children form a circle and hold hands. One child stands in the center and is the “mouse.” Another child stands outside the circle and is the “cat.” On a given signal, the “cat” must chase the “mouse.” They can enter or leave the circle only if the other players hold up their hands and form an arch. When the “cat” catches the “mouse,” let them choose classmates to take their places.
*Change the characters for different seasons. You could have the farmer chase the turkey, the witch chase the bat, etc.
Hug Tag
Materials: none
Designate a playing area. One child is “it.” “It” chases other children who must “freeze” when they are tagged. Other players hug those who are “frozen” to “unfreeze” them.
Stoop Tag
One child is "it." Children stoop down on the ground when they are tagged by "it." When everyone has been caught and is stooping down a new person is chosen to be "it" and the game begins again.
Cartoon Tag
Children must name a cartoon show when they are tagged. They can continue to play if they can name a show.
Shadow Tag
You'll need a sunny day for this game. Children must freeze when “it” steps on their shadow.
Sticky Tag
Children must hold the part of their body that is tagged by "it." They can continue to play touching the body part(s) that are tagged.
You'll need a sunny day for this game. Children must freeze when “it” steps on their shadow.
Sticky Tag
Children must hold the part of their body that is tagged by "it." They can continue to play touching the body part(s) that are tagged.
Find many of my songs easily on iTunes and Amazon!
Labels:
Active,
Games,
Motor Skills,
Outdoor,
SEL
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