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May 2011  |  By Elyse Russo  |  Comments

20 Minute Timeout: Captivating Activities for Your Little Ones

Since the kids are out of school for the summer, we compiled 20-minute activities that will keep your children occupied.

For suggestions, we turned to Amazing Minds, an afterschool enrichment program for first- and second-graders. Based in Deerfield, Amazing Minds works with schools and throws birthday parties throughout the northern suburbs.

Amazing Minds co-founders Lisa Weiss and Wendy Kaufman came up with these educational activities for children of different ages with a variety of interests.

For the child who wants a pet …
Let your child find a rock to call his or her own in your backyard—or let your older kid scour the block. Once a “pet rock” has been selected, let your son or daughter decorate a “home” for his rock. All it takes is a paper bag and art supplies such as markers and construction paper. Googly eyes are a nice addition for your child’s new pet.

For the mini mathematician …
Grab a bunch of change and have your child calculate when each coin started circulating—just subtract the year on the coin from the current year. Younger kids can do this on a calculator, while older kids might want to try it by hand. Finding an old coin is always a fun surprise!

For the eco-child …
Using blue and green watercolors and a paintbrush, your child can paint a coffee filter to look like planet earth. While it dries, he or she can write down all the ways your family takes care of the planet on construction paper. You child can complete the project by gluing the coffee filter earth to the construction paper. Hang it up to remind the family how to keep it green.

For the child learning ABCs …
Grab a stack of magazines and let your child cut out objects that begin with each letter of the alphabet to create an alphabetical collage. The collage can have a theme, like animals, or be anything your child wants.

For more 20-minute activities, visit makeitbetter.net, and to learn more about Amazing Minds, visit myamazingminds.com.