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 Perplexus.
Just the name of this unique 3D game sounds intriguing! As soon as it’s pulled out of the box, you’ll quickly realize just how perplexing – and addicting – this innovative maze is.
At first glance, my adult reaction to the Perplexus was doubt – how in the world is this thing supposed to work?!? Then, after rolling it around a few times, I started to see the pattern of the tracks. But I was still doubtful that the little steel ball inside could possibly fight gravity to make it through the maze. Or to be more precise, I was doubting MY ability to make it work. My sons, however, had no such doubt or lack of self-confidence. They quickly figured out the starting gate principle, and how to follow the numbered paths through the maze. They were fascinated with the complexity of the various traps, gates, and tracks. The challenge of getting to the next level made this game even more fun for my kids.
Our entire family watched the video interview (see the link to this interview at the bottom of the product page) with the inventor of Perplexus, and my kids were inspired. My kids thought it was fantastic that someone’s idea as a child, ended up being a game that can be played with today.
Pros: Ingenious design; completely self-contained (no parts to lose).
Cons: The plastic sphere is challenging to see into when light glares off the convex surface (best used in daylight, versus under a table lamp).
This is a very creative product, and one we highly recommend! For more information, and to see the video interview with the inventor, click Perplexus
Join us on an educational adventure through each state in the USA! Each post in this series focuses on one state, and includes a regional recipe from that state. This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking, as well as learn a bit about United States geography! The post also includes a link to the featured state’s website, where you can learn more about the state. We also include free forms that you can download and print to use along the journey. Geography has never been so delicious!
Make sure to check back each week for the next post!
RECIPE:
Did you know that Indiana is the leading state in egg production? It also produces more corn for popcorn than any other state!
This recipe uses those delicious eggs from Indiana in a breakfast dish that kids like to prepare and love to eat!
As a bonus this week, make sure to check out our Sparkly Popcorn idea for even more fun!
INDIANA Egg Bake Breakfast Casserole
What You Will Need:
- 1 Slice Bread, Cubed
- 1 Egg, beaten
- 3 tablespoons Milk
- 1/4 cup Bacon or Ham, cooked and diced
- 1 dash Worchestershire Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Cheddar Cheese, shredded (use the kind of cheese you like best)
- 1/4 teaspoon Dry Mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon Salt
- Dash Pepper
- 6-inch Microwave-Safe Serving Bowl
- Plastic Wrap
What You Do:
- Combine all ingredients into a 6-inch microwave-safe serving bowl and blend well.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap, then poke a few small perforations in the top to vent.
- Cook in a microwave on Medium High, or 80% power, for 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 minutes.
- Halfway through cooking time, turn the dish a half-turn (if your microwave doesn’t turn)
- Let stand, covered, for 30 seconds to finish cooking
- Serve with fresh fruit or fruit juice
- Makes 1 serving
Variations and Notes:
- You can prepare this casserole the night before – refrigerate for the night, then pop it in the microwave in the morning. Cook a little longer if it has been refrigerated.
- Since this is a single-serving recipe, let your kids experiment by adding their favorite ingredients! For example, add mushrooms, onions, sausage – or whatever your kids would like!
STATE INFORMATION LINK:
Indiana State Information – Click this link to learn more about Indiana attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!
FREE STATE PRINTABLES:
US Geography Journal Pages – Use these journal pages to create a geography journal as you collect information about each state.
Indiana Outline Map – Use this state map to label capitals, major rivers and lakes, and other areas of interest. Draw a star on the place you would most like to visit in this state!
United States Outline Map – Use this USA map to track your journey as you “eat your way across the USA”! Color in each state that you’ve tried one of recipes for.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
- The United States Cook Book – Take a Tasty Tour of America’s 50 States, and learn a lot of United States geography along the way! (PLEASE NOTE: The recipe featured above is not included in this book.)
- US History Cook Book – Serve up a heaping lesson of history with delicious recipes from our nation’s past… from the pilgrims’ first feast to today’s high-tech, low-fat fare.
- Maps of the United States – This reproducible book contains geopolitical maps of each of the fifty states; political maps of the six regions; and political, physical, and thematic maps of the United States. You’ll also find fun facts, geography bee-type questions, and review pages.
- DK State-by-State Atlas – More than an atlas, this book shows and tells young geographers who, what, when, where, and why.
- The Geography Book – From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you’ll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book.
- Professor Noggins USA Geography Game – From rural farming communities to urban cities, from snow-capped mountains to tropical islands, this game covers both the natural and political geography of the United States. Learn about the states, cities, and natural geographical wonders that make this country such an interesting place to visit.
- State by State Card Game – Learning about United States geography is made fun and memorable with this unique deck of cards!
- GeoPuzzle USA Puzzle – GeoPuzzles provide a hands-on approach to learning geography.
Make sure to check back next week for the next state in this series!
Copyright © 2007-2009 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.
(*Make sure to see our 2010 Annual Stocking Stuffer Gift List for all the new items we’ve added!)
“Stocking Stuffer” gifts are so much fun! It’s exciting to reach into a stocking on Christmas morning and pull out unique small gifts.
We’ve created our annual list below with lots of ideas for educational stocking stuffer gifts for kids of all ages (adults love them, too)! The lists are conveniently organized so you can find what you are looking for quickly. Just click the links for more information about each item.
Make sure to visit our store for more great gift ideas – we have over 795 gifts for under $10!!!
Stuffed Stocking™ Stocking Stuffer Gifts
For the Artist:
For the Builder:
- LaQ Mono – This cool little building set inspires creativity and is so much fun to play with (makes a great gift for adults, too)!
- Tabletop Catapult Kit – This wooden building kit allows you to easily create a working catapult!
- ZOOB Building Set – ZOOB building sets spark imaginations and are fun for kids of all ages!
- ZOOB Tube – ZOOB building pieces in a tube – fits perfectly in most stockings!
- Puzzle Calendar – Build your own calendar with these cool LEGO-like blocks!
- Made By Me Set – This set allows young builders to create their own wooden vehicles!
- DIY Construction Drinking Strawz – This is one of the most unique stocking stuffer gifts! Kids and adults love them – available in four different colors!
- Pocket Flyers – Build your own paper airplanes with this fun pocket book!
For the Thinker:
For the Game Player:
For the Scientist:
For the Nature Lover:
For the Music Lover:
For Physical Fun:
For Imaginative Play:
Just for Fun:
Art Works! is a series of blog posts created by the staff at www.EscapadeDirect.com that offer children of all ages and abilities the opportunity for hands-on art activities that allow them to explore, discover, and express their individual creativity.
We encourage parents to join in on the activities, too, and create their own Art Works!
 I'm thankful for... Create a collage that is uniquely your own! Include pictures of all the things you are most thankful for! This project is a fun way for kids to express themselves, and a great way to recycle, too.
Did you know that the word “collage” is a French word that means “glue”? Create a work of modern art with this fun project.
What You Need:
What You Do:
- Give your kids those old magazines that are laying around the house and have them look for pictures of things they are most thankful for.
- Use a scissors to carefully cut out each picture. Adults, please help young children with this step.
- When all the pictures are cut out, lay them out on an art board and rearrange as necessary, until you are happy with the placement.
- When you are ready to create your collage, use a glue stick to apply glue to each picture and place the picture onto the art board.
- Continue overlapping and gluing pictures until your collage is done.
- Make sure to sign and date the back of your collage. Hang your artwork on a bulletin board or put it in a picture frame.
Variations:
- A collage is a fun project for kids of all ages. For a variation on this project, create a collage using pictures of various items, all within the same color range. For example, find pictures you like that are all shades of blue. When all the pictures are glued to your art board, you will have a unique color collage. Choose your favorite color, and get started!
- There are many different styles that can be used to create a collage – some projects completely fill an art board, leaving no white surface showing; while other projects make use of the white elements of the art board. It’s up to you how much or how little of the art board you want to cover.
- Cut out interesting words or letters from the magazines and glue them onto your collage to form words, sayings, or poems. You could glue letters that spell “I’m thankful for…” on your collage.
- If you don’t want to keep old magazines laying around in your craft pile, spend an evening with your kids cutting out all the interesting pictures, letters, and words from a magazine, then recycle the discarded magazine. Keep these cutouts in an envelope or Craft Box for future use. When you are ready to use the pictures, just sort through them and choose the ones you like. (Note to adults: this is actually a very relaxing end-of-day project!)
- Don’t have old magazines to use? Create your own drawings! Use small squares of paper to draw the things you are most thankful for. Color your drawings with markers or colored pencils. When the drawings are done, cut them out and glue them to an art board to begin your collage.
- Recycle mail-order catalogs and “junk” mail for this project! The sample shown here was created mostly from mail-order catalogs. Be creative!
- TIP: We recommend using glossy paper print ads, as they work best for this project. Newspaper pictures and flyers don’t work quite as well, since the paper is so thin, the glue tends to soak through the paper more.
You Might Also Like:
All Purpose Art Board Set with Hangers – This set of heavy-duty art boards contains easy-to-use hangers.
Photo-Opoly – Make your own Monopoly-style game with this fun kit!
Share Your Art Works! Activities!
If you have an Art Works! project that you would like to share, email us a digital picture (or scan) of your project , and we will post it in our Kids Gallery. If you would like, include the artists first name, age, and your state. It’s fun for kids to see how other children interpreted the project!
As always, encourage your children to come up with their own new ideas for art – and make sure to check back next week for another Art Works! activity in this series!
Copyright © 2007-2009 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.
Join us on an educational adventure through each state in the USA! Each post in this series focuses on one state, and includes a regional recipe from that state. This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking, as well as learn a bit about United States geography! The post also includes a link to the featured state’s website, where you can learn more about the state. We also include free forms that you can download and print to use along the journey. Geography has never been so delicious!
Make sure to check back each week for the next post!
RECIPE:
Did you know that the climate in Illinois is perfect for growing corn, wheat, asparagus, pumpkins, and apples. Livestock, such as beef cattle and hogs are also raised.
This recipe takes advantage of the wide range of crops from Illionis and makes a pizza that kids love to make – and eat!
ILLINOIS Chicago Style Deep-Dish Pizza
What You Will Need:
- 1 package Active Dry Yeast
- 1-1/4 cups Warm Water
- 2 tablespoons Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Salt
- 2-3/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1/2 cup Yellow Cornmeal
- 1 15-1/2 ounce Jar Pizza Sauce
- 12 ounces Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 4 ounces Sliced Pepperoni or Sliced Cooked Sausage
- 4 ounces Mushrooms (optional)
- 1 small Onion, sliced (optional)
- Small Bowl
- Large Bowl
- Baking Pan, greased
What You Do:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water in a small bowl. Allow to stand until foamy (about 5 minutes).
- Mix the flour, cornmeal, oil, and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture.
- Stir to form a soft dough, adding more flour if necessary.
- Take the dough out of the bowl and place it on a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough until it is supple and elastic (about 7 to 10 minutes). Kids really enjoy this step!
- Place the dough into a large bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until the dough has doubled. This usually takes about 1 hour.
- Roll the dough out into a 13 inch circle on a lightly floured surface.
- Press the dough evenly on the bottom of a greased baking pan, and halfway up the sides of the pan.
- Spread the dough with half your favorite pizza sauce.
- Sprinkle half the shredded cheese on top the sauce, then add pepperoni or sausage and any other favorite toppings.
- Top the pizza with the remaining pizza sauce and cheese.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned and the cheese is melted.
- Let pizza stand for about 5 minutes before slicing.
- Serve and enjoy!
Variations:
- If you prefer, use prepared pizza dough from the refrigerator aisle at your grocery store.
STATE INFORMATION LINK:
Illinois State Information – Click this link to learn more about Illinois attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!
FREE STATE PRINTABLES:
US Geography Journal Pages – Use these journal pages to create a geography journal as you collect information about each state.
Illinois Outline Map – Use this state map to label capitals, major rivers and lakes, and other areas of interest. Draw a star on the place you would most like to visit in this state!
United States Outline Map – Use this USA map to track your journey as you “eat your way across the USA”! Color in each state that you’ve tried one of recipes for.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
- The United States Cook Book – Take a Tasty Tour of America’s 50 States, and learn a lot of United States geography along the way! (PLEASE NOTE: The recipe featured above is not included in this book.)
- US History Cook Book – Serve up a heaping lesson of history with delicious recipes from our nation’s past… from the pilgrims’ first feast to today’s high-tech, low-fat fare.
- Maps of the United States – This reproducible book contains geopolitical maps of each of the fifty states; political maps of the six regions; and political, physical, and thematic maps of the United States. You’ll also find fun facts, geography bee-type questions, and review pages.
- DK State-by-State Atlas – More than an atlas, this book shows and tells young geographers who, what, when, where, and why.
- The Geography Book – From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you’ll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book.
- Professor Noggins USA Geography Game – From rural farming communities to urban cities, from snow-capped mountains to tropical islands, this game covers both the natural and political geography of the United States. Learn about the states, cities, and natural geographical wonders that make this country such an interesting place to visit.
- State by State Card Game – Learning about United States geography is made fun and memorable with this unique deck of cards!
- GeoPuzzle USA Puzzle – GeoPuzzles provide a hands-on approach to learning geography.
Make sure to check back next week for the next state in this series!
Copyright © 2007-2009 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.
Art Works! is a series of blog posts created by the staff at www.EscapadeDirect.com that offer children of all ages and abilities the opportunity for hands-on art activities that allow them to explore, discover, and express their individual creativity.
We encourage parents to join in on the activities, too, and create their own Art Works!
 Image from Fair World Gallery Worry Dolls are traditionally made in Guatemala, but here is your chance to make your own!
A Worry Doll is a small, colorful doll that is placed under your pillow before you go to sleep to take your worries away. Worry Dolls were originally created for people (usually children) who could not sleep because they were worrying too much. Before you go to bed, you tell your worry to your doll (one worry per night), then place the doll under your pillow. During the night, your Worry Doll takes your worries away.
This activity sparks imaginations, stimulates creative thinking, and enhances spatial thinking skills… and it’s just plain fun!
What You Need:
- 2 Pipe Cleaners (length is determined by how large you want your doll to be, we recommend at least two 4″ long pipe cleaners)
- Colorful Embroidery Floss or Yarn
- 1 Button, any size (button determines the size of the doll’s head, we recommend at least a 1/2″ diameter button)
- Colorful Scraps of Material
- Glue
- Black Permanent Marker
What You Do:
- Thread a pipe cleaner through the holes of a button, as shown above in the first diagram. This forms the head of the Worry Doll.
- Twist the pipe cleaner to form the body of the doll, then stop twisting to form the legs. See the second diagram shown above.
- Twist a second piece of pipe cleaner just under the button to form the arms. See the third diagram shown above.
- Once you have the pipe cleaner form of your doll, wrap a skin-color embroidery floss tightly around the button to form the doll’s head. See the fourth diagram shown above. Make sure to completely cover the button with embroidery floss.
- Continue wrapping the skin-color embroidery floss onto the neck, then loosely out to the end of one arm. Wrap the floss tightly to form a hand, then loosely wrap the floss down the arm, around the body, then down the other arm to form another hand. When the second hand is formed, again, loosely wrap the floss around the arm, around the body and down one leg to form a foot. When the foot is formed, loosely wrap the floss back up the leg and down the other to form the other foot. Loosely wrap the floss back up the leg and cut at the body.
- Wrap colorful embroidery floss around the body of the doll to form the clothes. Place the beginning of the floss next to the end of the skin-colored floss, then wrap both ends under the colorful floss for the clothes – this secures the ends of the floss.
- Continue wrapping colorful embroidery floss around the body of the doll until you are happy with the results.
- If desired, glue colorful fabric scraps to the doll to form clothes.
- Use a permanent marker to draw eyes, a nose, and a mouth on your dolls head.
- Glue small scraps of embroidery floss to the head of the doll to form hair.
Variations:
- Worry Dolls are usually very small dolls, but you can make them any size you want using more than two pipe cleaners. You decide!
You Might Also Like:
Plaster Cloth – Make your own plaster models using this easy-to-use cloth!
Blank Book – Use this blank book as a journal to record the events of your days!
Share Your Art Works! Activities!
If you have an Art Works! project that you would like to share, email us a digital picture (or scan) of your project , and we will post it in our Kids Gallery. If you would like, include the artists first name, age, and your state. It’s fun for kids to see how other children interpreted the project!
As always, encourage your children to come up with their own new ideas for art – and make sure to check back next week for another Art Works! activity in this series!
Copyright © 2007-2009 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.
Join us on an educational adventure through each state in the USA! Each post in this series focuses on one state, and includes a regional recipe from that state. This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking, as well as learn a bit about United States geography! The post also includes a link to the featured state’s website, where you can learn more about the state. We also include free forms that you can download and print to use along the journey. Geography has never been so delicious!
Make sure to check back each week for the next post!
RECIPE:
Did you know that no state grows as many potatoes as Idaho? Each year, Idaho potato growers produce about 100 million (yes, million!) bags of potatoes that each weigh 100 pounds!
This recipe is really fun for kids and uses those great potatoes from Idaho!
IDAHO Baked Sliced Potatoes
What You Will Need:
- Vegetable Oil Cooking Spray
- 6 medium Baking Potatoes (from Idaho, of course!)
- 2/3 cup Margarine, melted
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1-1/2 teaspoons dried Thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried Basil
- 1 teaspoon dried Parsley
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan Cheese
- 3-quart Baking Dish
- Potato Peeler
- 1-quart Sauce Pan
What You Do:
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.
- Spray the inside of the baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray (this is a fun step for kids).
- Wash and peel the potatoes – a great opportunity to show your kids how to use the peeler.
- Slice the potatoes into 1/4″ slices and arrange in the baking dish. Adult supervision is required when using a knife.
- Melt the margarine in the saucepan over low heat (a perfect opportunity to talk to your kids about the states of matter).
- Drizzle the margarine over the potatoes, then sprinkle with salt and herbs.
- Bake the potatoes for 60 minutes.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven with oven mitts. Leave the oven on.
- Sprinkle the cheese over the top of the potatoes, then put the dish back into the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove from oven and serve! Yum!
STATE INFORMATION LINK:
Idaho State Information – Click this link to learn more about Idaho attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more! Make sure to check out the interactive map!
FREE STATE PRINTABLES:
US Geography Journal Pages – Use these journal pages to create a geography journal as you collect information about each state.
Idaho Outline Map – Use this state map to label capitals, major rivers and lakes, and other areas of interest. Draw a star on the place you would most like to visit in this state!
United States Outline Map – Use this USA map to track your journey as you “eat your way across the USA”! Color in each state that you’ve tried one of recipes for.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
- The United States Cook Book – Take a Tasty Tour of America’s 50 States, and learn a lot of United States geography along the way! (PLEASE NOTE: The recipe featured above is included in this book.)
- US History Cook Book – Serve up a heaping lesson of history with delicious recipes from our nation’s past… from the pilgrims’ first feast to today’s high-tech, low-fat fare.
- Maps of the United States – This reproducible book contains geopolitical maps of each of the fifty states; political maps of the six regions; and political, physical, and thematic maps of the United States. You’ll also find fun facts, geography bee-type questions, and review pages.
- DK State-by-State Atlas – More than an atlas, this book shows and tells young geographers who, what, when, where, and why.
- The Geography Book – From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you’ll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book.
- Professor Noggins USA Geography Game – From rural farming communities to urban cities, from snow-capped mountains to tropical islands, this game covers both the natural and political geography of the United States. Learn about the states, cities, and natural geographical wonders that make this country such an interesting place to visit.
- State by State Card Game – Learning about United States geography is made fun and memorable with this unique deck of cards!
- GeoPuzzle USA Puzzle – GeoPuzzles provide a hands-on approach to learning geography.
Make sure to check back next week for the next state in this series!
Copyright © 2007-2009 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.
Join us on an educational adventure through each state in the USA! Each post in this series focuses on one state, and includes a regional recipe from that state. This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking, as well as learn a bit about United States geography! The post also includes a link to the featured state’s website, where you can learn more about the state. We also include free forms that you can download and print to use along the journey. Geography has never been so delicious!
Make sure to check back each week for the next post!
RECIPE:
Did you know that over 600,000 tons of pineapples are harvested in Hawaii each year? That’s a lot of pineapples!
This recipe uses delicious pineapples for an easy-to-make cake! Kids really enjoy making this recipe, and are delighted when it is turned upside-down to be served!
HAWAII Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
What You Will Need:
- 1/4 cup Butter or Margarine
- 2/3 cup packed Brown Sugar
- 9 Pineapple Slices in Juice (from 14-oz can), drained
- 9 Maraschino Cherries without stems (optional)
- 1-1/3 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/3 cup Shortening
- 1-1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 3/4 cup Milk
- 1 Egg
- 9-inch Square Baking Pan
- Medium Mixing Bowl
What You Do:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place butter into the baking pan and melt in the oven. As soon as the butter is melted, remove the pan and sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the butter.
- Arrange the pineapple slices over the brown sugar. If desired, put a cherry in the center of each pineapple slice.
- In a mixing bowl, add the remaining ingredients and beat on low speed for 30 seconds with an electric mixer. (Adult supervision is required). Scrap the bowl constantly while mixing. Beat another 3 minutes on high speed, scraping the bowl occasionally.
- Pour the mixed batter over the pineapples and cherries.
- Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Upon taking the baked cake out of the oven, immediately place a heatproof serving plate upside down over the pan, then turn the plate and pan over. Leave the pan over the cake for a few minutes so that the brown sugar mixture drizzles over the cake, then remove the pan.
- Serve your Pineapple Upside-Down Cake warm.
STATE INFORMATION LINK:
Hawaii State Information – Click this link to learn more about Hawaii attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!
FREE STATE PRINTABLES:
US Geography Journal Pages – Use these journal pages to create a geography journal as you collect information about each state.
Hawaii Outline Map – Use this state map to label capitals, major rivers and lakes, and other areas of interest. Draw a star on the place you would most like to visit in this state!
United States Outline Map – Use this USA map to track your journey as you “eat your way across the USA”! Color in each state that you’ve tried one of recipes for.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
- The United States Cook Book – Take a Tasty Tour of America’s 50 States, and learn a lot of United States geography along the way! (PLEASE NOTE: The recipe featured above is not included in this book.)
- US History Cook Book – Serve up a heaping lesson of history with delicious recipes from our nation’s past… from the pilgrims’ first feast to today’s high-tech, low-fat fare.
- Maps of the United States – This reproducible book contains geopolitical maps of each of the fifty states; political maps of the six regions; and political, physical, and thematic maps of the United States. You’ll also find fun facts, geography bee-type questions, and review pages.
- DK State-by-State Atlas – More than an atlas, this book shows and tells young geographers who, what, when, where, and why.
- The Geography Book – From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you’ll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book.
- Professor Noggins USA Geography Game – From rural farming communities to urban cities, from snow-capped mountains to tropical islands, this game covers both the natural and political geography of the United States. Learn about the states, cities, and natural geographical wonders that make this country such an interesting place to visit.
- State by State Card Game – Learning about United States geography is made fun and memorable with this unique deck of cards!
- GeoPuzzle USA Puzzle – GeoPuzzles provide a hands-on approach to learning geography.
Make sure to check back next week for the next state in this series!
Copyright © 2007-2009 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.
 I admit – my kids often tell me I’m “crazy” … but always in the most loving way.
Today, with temperatures in the 60s (rare for this time of year in Minnesota), I decided we would have our lunch outside in the grass – a picnic in November. My boys and I enjoyed this so much! Definitely an “outside the box” Fall activity!
I made our favorite “Firecracker Sandwiches” for lunch and we sat on a large blanket in the sun. We drank lemonade in our favorite Vodka Glasses set in a bowl of ice (these glasses are really fun to drink from). We watched clouds roll by, told stories, talked, and laughed. What a glorious day!
Create your own special picnic in the sun – even (or especially) in November!
Firecracker Sandwiches
What You Need:
- Tuna Salad (use your favorite recipe of tuna, mayonnaise, salt, and pickles)
- Bread, flattened
- Colored Plastic Wrap
- Rolling Pin
- Twist-ties or Colorful Ribbons
- Lemonade (optional)
What You Do:
- Prepare the tuna salad using your favorite recipe.
- Place a slice of bread on the counter and flatten it with a rolling pin, so that it ends up a thin, flat piece of bread. Kids LOVE to do this!!
- Spread a bit of tuna salad onto the flattened bread, then roll the bread up in a jelly-roll fashion.
- Continue creating rolled sandwiches until you have enough prepared for everyone in your picnic.
- Wrap each rolled sandwich in colored plastic wrap. Twist the ends of the plastic and tie shut with twist-ties or ribbon. Now they look just like firecrackers!
- Spread a blanket on the grass, and serve your firecracker sandwiches with ice cold lemonade served in a special glass. What a fun picnic!
Variations:
- Don’t like tuna salad? This idea works well with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or any other kind of sandwich your kids enjoy! Just spread a layer of your favorite sandwich ingredients on the flattened bread, wrap with colorful plastic wrap, and serve! Delightful!
While enjoying your picnic, share a fun book with your kids! Try The Barefoot Book of Classic Poems – classic poetry to set the mood for a picnic!
Copyright © 2007-2009 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.
Art Works! is a series of blog posts created by the staff at www.EscapadeDirect.com that offer children of all ages and abilities the opportunity for hands-on art activities that allow them to explore, discover, and express their individual creativity.
We encourage parents to join in on the activities, too, and create their own Art Works!
 Completed bowl before top edge is trimmed. Children of all ages love this very hands-on activity to create a work of art that is uniquely their own! The completed Fabric Bowls can be used to hold toys, fruit, bread – and even make wonderful holiday gifts!
What You Need:
- White Glue
- Water
- Colorful Cotton Fabric Scraps
- Scissors
- Plastic Wrap
- Mixing Bowls (to use as forms)
- Cookie Sheet or Art Tray
- Small Bowl
What You Do:
- In a small bowl, mix three parts white glue with one part water. Stir well.
- Cut fabric into 2″ squares. This is a great opportunity for kids to use a scissors!
- Place a mixing bowl upside down on an art tray or cookie sheet. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
- Dip squares of fabric into the glue and water mixture, then squeeze off the excess water by slipping the squares between your fingers.
- Press the fabric squares onto the plastic wrap-covered bowl.
- Continue dipping squares of fabric into the glue mixture and adding them to the plastic wrap over the bowl. Make sure to overlap the squares. Continue this step until you have three to four layers of fabric over the bowl and until the entire bowl is covered.
- When the entire bowl is covered in fabric, let it dry overnight (or several days, if necessary).
- When the fabric is completely dry, remove the fabric bowl from the plastic wrap.
- Trim any jagged edges with a scissors.
- The fabric bowl can be used as a basket or container. However, the bowl will not hold liquid or anything moist.
 Fabric bowls drying on their forms. Black and white bowl created by a 12-year old, green bowl created by a 10-year old, and red and orange bowl created by an 8 year old.
- When placing the first fabric squares onto the plastic-covered bowl, lay the fabric so the colorful side of the fabric is facing down. These first fabric squares will create the inside of the bowl when it is done.
- When placing the last fabric squares onto the plastic-covered bowl, make sure the colorful side of the fabric is facing out. This provides a colorful outer layer for your finished fabric bowl.
- Experiment with different size bowls and different shaped bowls. For example, use square glass bowls, round mixing bowls, and rectangular cake pans as your forms.
- When the fabric bowl is completely dry, you may want to apply a clear coat finish to the fabric to help it retain it’s shape.
You Might Also Like:
Classic Loops and Loom Craft Kit – This classic kit is fun for girls and boys, and allows kids to make simple potholders, as well as many other woven projects.
Keramiplast Modeling Clay – An air-drying modeling clay that dries like ceramic! Can be painted when dry.
Share Your Art Works! Activities!
If you have an Art Works! project that you would like to share, email us a digital picture (or scan) of your project , and we will post it in our Kids Gallery. If you would like, include the artists first name, age, and your state. It’s fun for kids to see how other children interpreted the project!
As always, encourage your children to come up with their own new ideas for art – and make sure to check back next week for another Art Works! activity in this series!
Copyright © 2007-2009 Escapade Direct LLC. All rights reserved. All content on this site is property of Escapade Direct LLC and may not be used without our written permission.
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