Tiny Tots Tips and Tricks Chat Recap
9:21 AM on Sep. 16, 2008
Thank you to those who were able to log on and chat last night!

We have a different topic every week. Last night's topic was How Do You Celebrate FALL?

First we talked a little about Halloween.

It seemed as though most providers that were on the chat did not celebrate Halloween in the traditional sense (ghosts, goblins, etc.). It was pointed out that there are many activities you could do that had a Bible base to them. Jojobean said that they had a "glow in the dark party" for halloween. I thought that was a really NEAT and fun idea! Kids are always facinated with glow in the dark stuff (and so am I for that matter!)

Then, on to Thanksgiving.

It was pointed out that Thanksgiving can be a controversial holiday. Mostly having to do with the way the Native American people were treated and many people believe that they were basically "tricked" out of their land. It seemed as if most of us use it as a time just to have the children be thankful for the things, places and people that are special to them.


We decided to look at the FALL SEASON as a whole.

That's when the ideas really flowed! Here are some of the ideas that stood out:

Hayrides--They ae SO much fun. We're all typically looking for something "different" to do. They're usually inexpensive (or free ) and definetly FUN!

Pumpkin Patch--one provider had someone donate a bunch of pumpkins to her daycare so they were able to do their own pumpkin patch! A great idea if you are not comfortable traveling with the kids or if it's too far to travel on a field trip.

Suggestion: If you can't do a trip to a pumpkin patch and /or hayride, get info on one near you and pass out to your parents! Anytime you can suggest family friendly activities, they appreciate it! Make sure to ask them to share pictures with the class!

Fall Festival--I know I am going to try to put one together as part of an open house-type event. NoahsArk does a summer "carnival" with a luau theme for her parents and kids. She shared some of the activities that she does and they could very easily be used in a fall festival: use the ittle tikes fishing poles and use a wading pool, bean bag toss, ping pong ball toss, inflatable bouncer, rent a popcorn machine, make icees, ball toss, everyone brings a dish to share. This year on the ping pong ball toss, the kids could win a goldfish!

How about a food drive? We didn't talk about anything like that last night, but I know our San Antonio Food Bank has had less donations and more need this year than ever! I'm sure it's the same across the country. Children LOVE to help others! What an excellent way to let them contribute. Many churches also have food pantries that could always use donations.


Have a Fall Parade! CCVillage has done this with her kids. Have the children make floats (on wagons?) and have a parade! Children will feel special when they get to show off what they hve created. Maybe it can be a family project. My daughter had to make a float using a shoebox when she was in elementary school. That's a good way to get the family involved and let them do it at home! (fyi...if you put a string on one end of the box and turn it upside down on top of a toy car, you can pull it and it rolls ).


Decorate for fall using pumpkins and other fall gourds. Hay bales are great for decorating as well (see peverett's photos). Scarecrows don't have to mean scary! Cornocopias can be made from sugar cones, runts candies, and sugar cookie dough (thanks, tinascrativekids! ). NoahsArk and TinasCreativeKids also pointed out that the foamie sticky shapes are great for decorating pumpkins, as are as sharpie markers and paint!


Stay tuned, boys and girls for next week's chat...same time, same ccvillage.net chatroom! LOL! New topic will be posted soon!

Remember, PaMom65 is looking for suggestions for topics for our October chats. See her blog for details and some of the topics that were suggested!




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Comments (3)
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peverett - 7:29 PM on Sep. 16, 2008 [ message ]
Great job Joyce


jojobean8 - 1:29 PM on Sep. 16, 2008 [ message ]
Thanks Joyce :)


PaMom65 - 9:44 AM on Sep. 16, 2008 [ message ]
Again, awesome recap Joyce! You are a gem! (Bad background for a Diabetic! LOL!) hehehehehe