Wednesday, August 10, 2016

7 Ideas for Kids to Celebrate the 2016 Olympics

I don't know about you, but my kids are thrilled the 2016 Olympic Games have started!!  As a homeschool teacher, you always want to tap into the interests of your kids and expand upon them to create unique learning opportunities.  So why not do so with the Olympics this year??

1.  Schedule
Here are two printable schedules that we found and printed online.  Be sure to check out the tv listing one though for the actual times that the sports are broadcasted.  My kids have been so cute, first thing in the morning, running to the schedule to see what's playing for the day.


2.  Flag Banner
We printed these cute little table toppers, cut them out, folded them over and glued them onto a piece of yarn to make a nice banner.  There are only 16 flags, but they are most popular ones and definitely ones that are good for the kids to recognize and become familiar with.


3.  Torch Craft or Coloring Page
Gotta include the Torch, eh?  Pick which one is best for you and your crew - a simple coloring page or a 3D version of a hand holding a torch.  Both super cute!!  And if you have big kids too like me, you might want to offer this cool Origami Olympics Ring craft as well.  ;)


4.  Food and Snacks
Love this link and three of their ideas - Olympic Rings Pizza, Torch Snack, and a Gold Medal Dessert!  Sounds like a great family night and a fun themed meal already planned!!

5.  Build Lego Flags
If you have Lego fans in your house, then you gotta set them loose in building away little Lego flags.  Here are two examples I found online.  They might have to be creative with some symbols - like all the stars in the United States flag.  (my crew just taped on some white paper to add in that color since we didn't have white duplos)  See what they can come up with!  And, maybe their little imaginations will run wild and they'll build other creations related to the Olympics.



6.  Build Up Some Pride For Your Team/Country
Wear your red, white and blue clothes and your stars and stripes!!  Get out all those cute clothes that your kids wore for Fourth of July and have them wear them when they watch the Olympics.  Wash them, and then re-wear again!  Most likely, you'll be in the comfort of your own home, so you can wear the same outfit twice during the week, or even three times, four times!  ;)  Learn about the States where your favorite athletes are from.  Make a Flag Banner and Flag Legos for all the states (#2 and #5!).  And, if you don't know this song yet, watch and watch and watch until you are singing it by heart....

And a second song that I want my kids to work on and learn by heart is our National Anthem, since it's played whenever Team USA wins gold....


7.  Watch It Together
Seriously, this one is SO easy, yet SO hard.  Moms and Dads, sit down with your kids and watch it with them!  We have been doing this and even eating some dinners out in our living room (easy, non-messy finger foods, of course!).  This quality time is huge for kids - they love it.  And you will love the conversations that happen SO naturally when you watch it with them.


What are some fun things you are dong with your family to celebrate the Olympics this year? 
Please do share and comment below!  I'd love to hear from you!  :)


++God Bless Team USA and all the other participants in the 2016 Rio Olympics++


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