I’m always looking for fun things to do with my kids when it’s waaaay too cold to go outside. So when this guest post popped up in my inbox, I knew I wanted to share it!
by Vicki Bodwell
As a mother of three boys I am well acquainted with the meaning of cabin fever. Despite our generous collection of puzzles and board games, my kids have so much energy that they always manage to get restless. One way I avoid the temptation of sending them into the TV doldrums or turning them into computer zombies, is by giving them a project (or two) to occupy them for a cold weekend.
I find that the best thing to do with younger children is an activity that takes advantage of their greatest gift: their endless imagination! All it takes for my youngest son Wesley to get excited is a little inspiration to pretend, and his creative mind takes it from there. Last weekend he had a great time writing and illustrating his own storybook. Here’s how you can do it too:
What you’ll need:
- Old magazines
- Duplicate or printed family photos
- Scissors
- Blank paper
- Glue
- Wrapping Paper
- Cardboard or Heavy Paper for Cover
The first step is for your child to figure out what kind of story he or she wants to write. This can be a great way to reinforce your child’s love of reading and storytelling. I started by discussing with Wesley what makes for a good story. I asked him about his favorite stories, and what the different parts of a story are.
Next, we flipped through the magazines for inspiration. Wesley cut out images that he liked and wanted to work into his story, whether as characters, setting for a scene, or props. If you have duplicates of family photos you can use those too. If you don’t have magazines lying around the house do not despair, your child can always just illustrate it by hand!
With our images selected, I had Wesley outline story, and then I had him write the story at the bottom of each page. Depending on the age of your child, you might want to help them write it. Then Wesley set to work making wonderful collages to illustrate his story.
Once he was done, I helped him cut out the cardboard for the front and back cover. How you finish the cover is up to you. You can cover it with wrapping paper for a festive design, you could paint it, or just cover it with white paper for a simple look. No matter what option you choose your child is sure to be proud when they see their name as the author! Simply staple the entire piece together and start reading!
Vicki Bodwell is the owner and founder of the Warm Biscuit Bedding Co., a national online retail story that specializes in children’s bedding, custom kid’s furniture, toys, and vintage fabrics. When she is not busy running her business, she spends her time taking care of her three amazing boys. To learn more about Vicki and the Warm Biscuit Bedding Co. please visit www.warmbiscuit.com.
Even better, I get a chance to revise my entry with the judges’ feedback this week. Then, along with the other four finalists’, my entry will be winging its way to the final judge: Sarah Knight, senior editor at Simon & Schuster.