At home Olympics

I don't want to use this blog to toot my own horn, but every once in awhile I think I come up with a brilliant idea and I feel the need to share it with you, my dear readers. As many of you know, I work as a nanny and as a result, I am always looking for fun things to do with the kids (mostly to entertain them, but also to keep them from whining, and fighting with each other). With the Olympics upon us, I wanted to do something Olympic-themed this week. I have not tried these ideas yet, but I am certain that they will be a hit so I thought I would share my ideas so you can host your own Olympics as well.

First up on my plan for the week is to have the children make up a country they want to represent. They cannot use any country already in existence. They need to come up with a name and make a flag. Depending on the age of the children, have them write down some facts about their country, such as climate, location, language, and industry. If your children are feeling super creative, have them come up with a national anthem also.

After they come up with their country, we will make torches. Take a piece of black construction paper, and shape it into a cone. Tape it so it holds. Cut strips of red, yellow and orange paper and glue them around the top of the cone to make the flames.

After the torches are lit, it's time for the games to begin. The plan is to spread the "events" over the next week or so. The event ideas are endless, but here are a few I came up with:

Javelin: Tape straws together and throw them. The winner is the one who can throw their straw the farthest
Discus: Use paper plates (or even frisbees) to see who can throw the farthest
Shot-put: Crumple up some paper into a ball. See how can throw the farthest
Long jump: Have children see how can jump the farthest
High jump: Instead of high jump, do the limbo! How low can you go?
Volleyball: Tie a rope between two chairs and hang a sheet on the rope to make a net. Blow up a balloon to use as a ball. Pick a number to play to and then serve up the balloon.
Sailing: Use craft sticks to make sail boats. Race them in the bathtub.
Shooting: Set up objects and, using a Nerf gun, see who can knock the most down.
Swimming: Go to the pool and hold races
Diving: Go to the pool and judge the dives
Running: Go to a local high school and use their track to run races. If you can find a baton to pass off, try to do a relay!
Tennis: If you have rackets, go to your local tennis courts and play
 Football/Soccer: get a ball, go play
Basketball: get a ball, go play

Along with Olympic events, we will take some time to learn more about the traditions and customs of the United Kingdom. We will talk about what is different (driving on the other side of the road, different words for certain things). We will make scones and have afternoon tea. Maybe we'll even have fish and chips for lunch one day. And, of course, we will watch the events on TV. (Go Canada!)

If you try any of these things with your kids, leave me a comment and let me know how it went!