Monday, February 24, 2014

Indoor Recess? No problem!

Punxsutawney Phil may have been right this year.  I cringe a little each day when I hear Al Roker telling me that there's more snow here & crazy rain there.  Really, I just need to take a look at my Insta feed to see how many of your poor teachers are stuck inside with your kids!! 

Out here in California, we're experiencing a bit of a drought, so when we had our first rainy day recess a few weeks ago, my kids went wild! They were going crazy because I hadn't prepared them for this new "adventure in the Multi Use Room! 

So, like most things, necessity is the Mother of Invention! 
I present to you...Rainy Day Roundup
To create the Rainy Day Basket, I printed and laminated all of the games.  I  added all the necessary tools kids would need.  My basket includes dry erase pens, markers {which they NEVER get to use!}, Sharpies, pencils, stamp pads and plain paper.  On my next trip to the dollar store, I plan to pick up some of those cheap makeup sponges for the kids to use as erasers.  {Although a sweet reader suggested using cut up felt - genius!} 

I wanted to create something that was self-contained so that I could simply send the basket to the MUR with the kids and know they wouldn't be a bother to the yard duties! Just sitting there like perfect little angels playing games :) Ha!
This pack is filled with good plain fun! Nothing common core related.  Nothing academic.  Just some good old fashion fun! If kids can't be running around like lunatics on the playground, let's harness that energy and turn it into something enjoyable! 
Remember Cootie Catchers? I used to LOVE making these when I was little {once I finally learned how to do it!} I've included a few pre-made versions in the pack, as well as 2 blank templates for kids to completely make up their own! 

Here's a peek at the Physical Fitness Cootie Catcher.  The "fortunes" inside ask kids to do 5 jumping jacks, touch their toes and do other simple movements.  Gotta get that indoor energy out somehow! 
This Cootie Catcher just has some silly questions kids will enjoy answering! 
Next up is Stuck in a Puddle! For this game, kids take turns drawing a line from dot-to-dot.  The child who closes the square writes their name in the box.  Most boxes at the end wins.  This is a HUGE crowd pleaser!  
 I personally love the thumbprint animals I made! The kids dip their fingers in stamp pads, then add features to the prints to make animals.  {I am embarrassed to admit how much fun I had while making the posters!}
 Who doesn't love Tic Tac Toe? Just laminate this classic and kids can play forever...or at least until the bell rings! 
Another age-old favorite is Hangman.  
For those kids who love a challenge, I've included two versions of Sudoku.  Black and white versions {as well as answer keys!} are included, too!
 For the kid who'd like to hangout solo during recess, I've included a few independent activities, too! All that noise, can you blame them for wanting some peace & quiet? 
Okay, so I know I said there was NO Common Core included, but kids don't even realize this is math stuff! Both color and black & white versions for this too! 
Make sure to head over to TpT to check out this pack! 
Some other big news - my blog turned 1 this past weekend.  So, some friends are helping me celebrate with a HUGE giveaway! Head over to my blog to check it out!

Slainte!

No comments:

Post a Comment