by Paul Plew and Steve Wein, child entertainment experts at TodayisFun.com

On Monday, in observance of Martin Luther King Day, most schools and offices will be closed... which means, although you'd like to curl up with a book and stay in bed, you will have to come up with ways to entertain your kids. Our friends Paul and Steve at Today is Fun have come up with a fabulous list of activities that will keep all family members happy and sane. Enjoy!
 
♣    Have the kids choose a handful of their favorite books.  Spread the tomes out on the floor and open each one to any page.  Read a selection from each book, and synthesize the results to make a quirky, brand-new tale.  We call it “Many Book Madness!”

♣    Who doesn’t love a party?  Kids never tire of going to their friend’s birthday parties.  If you don’t happen to have a friend’s party to attend today, have the kids throw one.  It’s the Stuffed Animal Birthday Party.

♣    Have the kids create big, beautiful art with little, beautiful dots.  It’ll be a new take on coloring for them.  Up with pointillism!

♣    Get your kids moving -- and get some fresh out.  Take a walk outside, telling your kids to observe their environment very, very carefully.  It’s the Five Senses Walk.

♣    Have two or more people contribute ideas to create a new, funny story.  While you’re at practice some silly and weird laughs.  How do your kids think Santa laughs?  How about a witch?  Or a “bad guy?”

♣    You can download and print out a free questionnaire for your kids to fill out.  This questionnaire, called “Some Things You Didn’t Know About Me,” will help any child do some reflection and self-expression.  It features questions such as, “Just so you know, because you might not, my favorite sea creature is ___________.”

♣    If your kids are old enough to use the internet, give them some practice looking up stuff on search engines.  It’s a valuable skill, and it’s fun.  We call it Google Races.  

♣    And of course, take a moment to reflect on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  My kids are quite young, but we have talked about the unfairness — and absurdity — of judging people by the color of their skin.  Dr. King helped change that, and he righted wrongs while renouncing violence.  He was a great man!

We hope that these suggestions help fill the long weekend with fun.  And we hope you make it through the next few days unscathed, with your sanity relatively in tact!

Check back in every Friday for more great Today is Fun tips!

Today is Fun is written by Stephen Wein and Paul Plew.  These dads believe in keeping kids entertained not with toys, t.v., and video games, but by cleverly re-purposing inexpensive, everyday items.  Their ideas are creative, educational and create family togetherness.  Check out their unique suggestions each day at www.TodayIsFun.com.