List of fun things to do with your child before they enter kindergarten.

Go for a walk and look for letters of the alphabet all around you! For example, two branches on the ground might form the letter T. The goal is to find the letters without having to move items around to create the letter. Mark off each letter as you find it!

Directions:

Visit the Library and pick up a Birding Journal. Cut each page on the dotted lines and arrange the pages with the Birding Journal graphic as the first page and last page.

Fold pages in half vertically to create the booklet. Staple together.

You can also show Miss Cynthia for an extra prize from the prize box.

Make Ice Cream in a Bag.  

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup half and half (cream and milk)
• ¼ tsp vanilla
• 1 TBSP sugar
• 3 cups ice
• ⅓ cup kosher or rock salt
• Gallon size zip top bag(s)
• Quart size zip top bag(s)
• Sprinkles, chocolate sauce, fruit (optional but really “the best part” ingredients!)

HOW TO MAKE ICE CREAM IN A BAG

STEP 1. Place the ice and salt in a gallon size bag; set aside.  

STEP 2. In a smaller bag mix together half and half, vanilla and sugar. Make sure to seal the bag tightly.

STEP 3. Place the smaller bag inside the gallon size bag.  Shake the bags for about 5 minutes until your milk is solid.

Make sure to use gloves as the bag gets very cold.

STEP 4. Enjoy

Listen to a podcast.

Recipe:

STRAWBERRY BOBA TEA

Makes 2 servings

YOU WILL NEED • A stovetop or hot plate, and a small saucepan • OR a microwave and a microwave-safe bowl with lid • A blender • 2 serving glasses • Measuring spoons & cups • Stirring spoon

INGREDIENTS • • ¼ c tapioca pearls • ½ cup white sugar • 1 green tea bag • 2 boba straws • ¼ cup milk or half & half (any kind of milk alternative works!) • ¼ cups strawberries (or other kind of berry) • ¼ cup ice • Water

MAKE THE SIMPLE SYRUP Combine ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water in a saucepan; simmer until dissolved Divide between two heat-resistant bowls or mason jars (half for the simple syrup; half to sweeten the tea)

COOK THE TAPIOCA PEARLS Stovetop: • Add ¼ cup of tapioca pearls to 2 cups of boiling water, and stir. • When the pearls float, cover the pot and cook for 2–3 minutes. • Then turn off the heat and simmer for 2–3 more minutes • Scoop out pearls & rinse them under cold water, then place in simple syrup. Microwave: • Put tapioca pearls in a microwave-safe bowl. • Add water 1” higher than the pearls. • Cover the bowl. • Cook on high for 3 minutes. • Scoop out pearls & rinse them under cold water, then place in simple syrup.

MAKE THE TEA Steep green or black tea bag in 1 cup boiling water. Let steep for 5 minutes, then remove tea bag and let it cool.

MAKE THE STRAWBERRY PUREE Combine in blender: • ½ cup of strawberries • 1 tbsp of the simple syrup

ASSEMBLE THE STRAWBERRY BOBA TEA! In a mason jar or cup, combine: • 1/8 cup of boba • 1/8 cup of milk • ½ cup of green tea • ¼ cup of strawberry puree • Simple syrup to taste Stir, add ice, and enjoy!

Play a board game or card game.

Looking for a new game? Some great ones to try: 
- Catan: https://www.catan.com/board-games#

- Dixit, uses your imagination: https://www.libellud.com/dixit/?lang=en

- Azul, using beautiful tiles: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/230802/azul

- Codenames: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/178900/codenames

- Scattergories: https://shop.hasbro.com/en-us/product/scattergories-game:84E9BC4F-5056-9047-F59F-0E11CC9686D6

- Telestrations: https://theop.games/products/game/telestrations-12-player-the-party-pack/

What if you have an acute need for homemade cookies while you’re on an adventure, but there’s no oven nearby? Create a solar oven out of a pizza box!

MATERIALS AND PREPARATION

Materials for each solar oven:

• Pizza box

• Scissors or utility knives

• Clear plastic, such as document sleeves or cling film

• Duct tape, masking tape, or scotch tape

• Tinfoil

• Old newspapers

• Black construction paper

• Small aluminum dish

• Skewers

• Rubber bands and small thermometer (optional)

To make:

• Trace a square on the top of the pizza box 2 inches smaller than the box on all sides

• Cut the square on 3 sides: left, right, and bottom; and lightly score the top side.

• On the back of the lid, tape clear plastic to make a window underneath the flap you just cut.

• Cover the inside of the pizza box and the underside of the flap with tin foil.

• Tape black paper to the bottom of the pizza box.

• Roll up old newspaper, cinch with rubber bands, and line all four sides of the pizza box for insulation.

• To operate, place food in an aluminum dish to bake under the plastic window.

• Close the pizza box, and prop open the flap with a skewer.

• Be sure to orient the oven towards the sun!

RESOURCES Web “How to Make a Solar Oven” from Science Sparks: https://bit.ly/3pmzc2S

Visit the Children's Room at the Bradley Beach Library and pick up a form called "Tell US About Your Trip!" or "Cuéntanos Sobre Tu Viaje."

Give the form to Miss Cynthia for a prize and points!