By Kate Hodges
22nd February 2021
MONDAY Play Cards
Portable, versatile and lots of fun, a pack of cards can function in many ways (just ask Wink Martindale). Today is Play More Cards Day, so why not dust off one of your packs and take it for a spin. There are ideas for games for the smallest shark to old hands here, or learn varieties of Patience (solitaire) – we like Clock Patience – to keep children absorbed and teach them basic numeracy. Alteratively, try learning some card tricks; or find out who can build the biggest house of cards.
TUESDAY Bake for Real Bread Week
Real Bread Week is rising nicely. As well as joining in their activities – Bake it Forward is a lovely idea, and there are online workshops to take part in – why not try baking some with your family?
We are probably all a bit bored with with sour dough and banana bread, so let’s switch things up! We love BBC Food’s ideas; the flowerpot loaves and hedgehog rolls are adorable. Soda bread is super-easy to make with children as it doesn’t use yeast and needs no proving. Or why not take a trip around the world in different breads; find recipes here. Don’t forget to collect your frequent flour points!
WEDNESDAY Plant a Cactus in a Toy Truck
Houseplants are giving us life right now. They make our windowsills look beautiful, the air a little fresher, and the sense of achievement in growing them is very satisfying. Perhaps you might set up a (within guidelines) cuttings swap. To make things more fun, try using different planters. We LOVE the ideas at The Spruce, which repurpose juice boxes, cans and even old toy trucks. Find more planter inspiration for indoors and out here (we LOVE the tricycle!
THURSDAY Fairtrade Fortnight
Fairtrade Fortnight runs from February 22–March 7, and is a chance to pause and think about the way that products on our shelves are made and arrive in our shops. It’s a great opportunity to sit down with your kids and discuss how your choice of what to buy can affect the lives of farmers and workers across the world. This year, the event is once more focussed on Climate Justice and is concentrated on the fact that Fairtrade producers, who contribute least to global warming, are at the front line. This year the activities are taking place online and there are some great family events such as a family craft session, an online Taskmaster quiz and an Indian dancing workshop.. There’s an easy to understand film about Fair Trade on the website, stories from inspiring women who want to tell you about Fairtrade, or storybombs, for a more practical way to spread the message. Find resources here
DO, MAKE and RECIPE
Saturday is International Polar Bear Day, timed to coincide with the period that polar bear mums and new cubs are snuggling up in their dens. The event focuses on the need to protect this awe-inspiring, species, who have now become ambassadors for the ecological movement. Join events including talks, live Q&A sessions and recycled art workshops, find out more fun facts and get involved in helping saving the bears. Or why not try making your own cute creature; find origami tutorials, desk tidies and newspaper collages here
What We’re LIstening to This Week
The Infinite Monkey Cage – The Science of Sleep
“Brian Cox and Robin Ince are joined on stage by Professor Russell Foster, Professor Richard Wiseman and comedian Katy Brand as they attempt to get to grips with the science behind Robin’s insomnia. They’ll be asking why we sleep, is 8 hours really enough, and why has every creature on the planet evolved with some period of inactivity? They’ll also be investigating the purpose of dreams and whether analysing them has any useful purpose? Was Freud right with his symbolic interpretation of dreams, or if we dream about aggressive courgettes, does this reveal our inner most anxieties about…. aggressive courgettes?”
Tune in here
Found something inspirational to read that you’d like to share? Want to share your creations with us? Have an idea for things to do? We’d love to hear from you. Email Kate
