Here are 50 Snow Day Boredom Busters. Make a numbered list the ones you like and have the supplies you already own. Write numbers on to popsicle sticks. Select one at random whenever the kiddos start to whinge. Make your own list: knit, bake (while the power is still on), play a board game, build catapults and knock things down in the basement, complete a puzzle, etc. Let your imagination roll!
we get the snow or ice forecasted, we’re all going to need some ideas. What about unplugged coding? This article’s Code a Friend’, ‘A Loopy Routine, etc are ideal for siblings. It has simple activities, such as origami, to help kiddos understand the concepts underlying coding. Start with ASCII Code and make a Binary Bracelet, necklace, code with Twizzlers, knit in Binary Code (I knit a scarf in binary.), create a game with egg cartons, and Code a Snowman. If your wifi doesn’t crash, learn to code with MIT’s Scratch. We needed a book to work through the steps to get the kitty to jump. I hope everyone impacted by the up-coming storm stays safe!
If your kiddos like coding, they might like secret codes. This introduction to ciphers includes Morse code, Pigpen Cipher, the Phonetic Alphabet, Tap Code, Grid Code, and more. Here, here, and here are Morse codes to decipher. Make a decoder wheel. Have you tried cryptograms? They are like secret codes and very addicting. Here is a free site. It’s easier to solve cryptograms if you copy them on to paper. Would you like to write a secret message? The ACS Invisible Ink uses alcohol, turmeric, and sudsy ammonia. This invisible ink involves a white crayon and water colors. Have you tried Lemon Juice Invisible Ink? HST Invisible Ink includes the type I use with phenolphthalein (PHTH) and another with cobalt chloride, which looks fun, too. If you use PHTH, and test it with Windex, be sure the Windex has ammonia. I just use a little sudsy ammonia.
