This is an exciting time of year; spring is just around the corner!
A SPLASH OF COLOR: The National Art Education Association began Youth Art Month in 1961 to encourage everyone to support all school art programs. Let your kids try creative outdoor painting, learn to draw cartoons or create art projects based on their choice of materials. Display the finished artwork proudly around the house. A young Picasso may emerge!
EAT IT UP: Yum! It’s National Nutrition Month and the perfect time to teach children about healthy eating habits. Take a look at fast food facts to see the numbers behind those convenient meals in a box. Use health and nutrition labels to teach about eating vegetables, taking care of oneself and more. A family grocery trip to read labels, select produce and plan meals can be educational and fun. Consider enrolling in programs such as The Sustainable Food Center’s “The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre®.”
GET CRAFTY: It’s National Craft Month! Never mind the end result; all that matters is the quality time you spend together. The word “collage” comes from the French word meaning “to glue.” A collage is usually a two-dimensional art made by gluing items to a base. You can use flat items such as magazine pictures, fabric, photos and junk mail. The base is usually paper or canvas. Break out the glue and have fun!
LUCK ‘O THE IRISH: A little creativity and a lot of green makes for a fun-filled St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Leprechauns, shamrocks and gold-filled pots symbolize this holiday for the Irish or the Irish-at-heart. These classic Irish symbols also work well as the
theme of St. Patrick’s Day activities for kids. Celebrate on March 17 by dressing in green and taking a trip to your local library to learn the many myths and legends surrounding St. Patrick himself and the holiday. Another fun family activity might be to draw or write about what you would do if you found that magical “pot of gold” at the end of the rainbow. Spend a little time together in the kitchen creating yummy Irish foods such as soda bread, corned beef and cabbage or Irish oatmeal cookies…and share a little blarney while you are cooking!
62 years of summer camp experience! YMCA of Austin Summer Camp Registration is now open. YMCA Camps are a great way to keep your kids safe and active during the summer. The YMCA of Austin offers 22 camp locations throughout Travis, Hays and Bastrop Counties for ages 4 to 14: Kinder Camp, Theme Camp, Sports Camp and Adventure Camp. Register by March 31 and save!
Visit AustinYMCA.org for details or call 512-236-9622 to find the locations nearest you.
