Father's Day Card for a Sports Fan

While looking for Father's-Day-card inspiration today, I realized that there is an abundance of Father's Day "stuff" out there for hunters, fishermen, and guys who like tools. Those don't really work for us; we're vegetarians and while power tools are fun, I don't associate them with my husband.

There are also a ton of shirt-and-tie related ideas. But ya know what? Most people don't really like going to work, and many companies have even gone business casual, so the necktie thing doesn't seem right.

And barbecue-themed Father's Day stuff? Well, as much as I love cooking and baking, I don't really want a card or photo frame with whisks and spatulas so why would I do BBQ tools for my husband?

Hmmm…

My kids are sports fans largely because their dad is a huge sports fan. Voila - the winning idea. Sports jersey cards! But I could not find one out there. So I made it myself. If you have a sports fan, you have to make one of these cards with your kids.

TIP: If you're not sure about the colors of your team, do an image search (i.e., search "Buffalo Bills jersey" in your favorite search engine).

MATERIALS:

• Construction paper in the colors of your team
• Scissors
• Markers
• Glue stick

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. First, take a sheet of construction paper in the main color of your team's jersey. Fold it in half width-wise. Cut the top corners for the shoulders, cut a "V" for the neckline, trim the sides to make the torso and sleeves, and trim the bottom to your desired size. (I did not measure any of this; it is all free-hand.)

2. Cut out the details for your jersey. TIP: For thin stripes next to thick ones, cut the thick stripe a little wider than you want it, then use marker to draw the thin-stripe trim, as with the red stripes in the photo below. TIP #2: If the jersey includes a logo, as with the Sabres below, you may want to find the image online and print it…I'm going to say the kids drew mine.

Don't cut thin stripes! Just use marker to outline the
white stripes instead.

For the laces on the neckline, use a marker or gel pen.

3. Now it's the kids' turn: hand over the pieces and a glue stick so they can decorate the jersey.

Yes, this card is a little labor intensive for you. But overall it's pretty simple. I think it has taken me longer to upload the photos and type this than it did to create the jersey cards and all the details. Plus, I know they are going to be a big hit…so it's worth it.

I hope you enjoy these team jersey cards! Post a Comment and let us know how yours turned out. As always, thanks for reading.

Happy Father's Day 

(a bit early) 

to all the ROCpoppas out there!

Sidewalk Chalk Activities to Keep the Kiddos Busy

Summer vacation is almost here. If you're home with the kiddos, you might be anxiously pinning ideas on Pinterest or frantically scheduling play dates to keep the kids busy. Or you might be in denial. That's okay - ROCmomma to the rescue!

Last summer, we posted a summer's worth of DIY Backyard Summer Camp themes and activities. This summer, we're making the most of things you have around the house (or things you should have around the house if you want to keep the kids occupied).

One thing you need in your summer arsenal? Sidewalk chalk. Oh, the things you can do with sidewalk chalk! Of course there's hop scotch, four square, and drawing pretty pictures…but don't stop there.

Tic Tac Toe - Draw a Tic Tac Toe grid with chalk and ask one kid to collect rocks while the other collects sticks. Take turns tossing rocks and sticks onto the Tic Tac Toe squares; three rocks or three sticks in a row wins.

Corn Hole (Bean Bag Toss) - Draw two sets of targets with chalk; draw different sizes and assign different point values. Grab bean bags or rocks and take turns tossing to hit the targets. Use chalk to keep a tally of points.

Corn Hole/Bean Bag Toss targets

"I got this, Mommy."

Shape Soccer - Draw a goal (large rectangle) with chalk, then draw different shapes that are large enough to stand on. Each shape should be a few feet from the goal, in somewhat of a semi-circle around the goal. Grab a ball and take turns standing on a shape and kicking the ball. If the ball passes through the goal, that player gets one point. Do this at each shape, and use chalk to keep a tally of points. Variations: Swap the soccer ball for hockey sticks and a small ball, or try bouncing a basketball onto the goal.

Here is the Shape Hockey variation.

Obstacle Course - Use chalk to draw spots for kids to hop, run, jump, turn around, zig zag, you name it! Once the novelty wears off, time them. Challenge them to beat their best time. Then have them try to go through backwards. Then while holding hands. Then while singing a song the whole time. The fun never ends!

START! 3 Hops (right foot)

3 Hops (left foot), then Turn Around

Jump Over, Jump Over, then Zig Zag

Turn Around then Run to the Shapes

Hop from Shape to Shape (follow the arrows)

Victory Dance! You made it!

Chalk City - Use chalk to draw streets, stop signs, buildings, a park, your house, etc. Kids can ride bicycles or tricycles through your city.

Of course we had to have Target
in our Chalk City. (and I can't
believe I didn't take more pictures!)

I hope you enjoy these games, and have fun coming up with your own.

How do you play with sidewalk chalk? Post a Comment and let us know. As always, thanks for reading.

Make a Checklist of SUMMER FUN!

Are you looking to make the most of this summer? Then it's time to make a Checklist of SUMMER FUN with your kids!

Last June, my boys and I made a list of all the places we wanted to visit during the summer. We separated things to do on sunny days from things to do on rainy days (or days when it's just too hot out), as well as some day trips. By mid-summer, we had checked off 19 of 43.

One of my fellow ROCmommas saw the list hanging in my kitchen and told me that she had never heard of half the places on our list. I wondered how many other families are not aware of these wonderful locations in the Rochester, NY area...so it seemed like a good thing to share.

If you're not in the Rochester area, we can still help you make your own list.

3 Easy Steps to Make Your 

Checklist of SUMMER FUN!

Step 1: List all the places to visit on a sunny day. 
*What are some places to visit animals? Or farms with pick-your-own fruit available?
*What parks and playgrounds are close by? Are there any spray-grounds or spray-parks, water parks, beaches, or lakes in your area?
*List any outdoor miniature golf locations as well as other outdoor attractions.

Step 2: List all the indoor places to go on a rainy day or when it's unbearably hot out.
*What museums are in your area?
*Are there any indoor family entertainment centers or bounce-house centers in your area?
*Do you have access to any indoor swimming pools?
*Think about locations specific to your children's hobbies.

Step 3: List all the locations that would be fun to visit, but are more than a few minutes away.
*What cities or towns are about an hour away? Are there any attractions that would interest your kids? Think about zoos, state parks, beaches, farms, and museums.

There you have it! Hang up your list and try to check off as many as you can before school starts.

For all my fellow ROCmommas and ROCpoppas, here are some ideas for your Checklist of SUMMER FUN in the Rochester, NY area.

SUNNY DAYS:

• Lollypop Farm (Fridays: storytelling at 11 a.m.) - Visit the dogs and cats inside the main building, rabbits and more in the barn, plus lots of farm animals along the walking path in the back.
• Wickham Farm (Tuesdays: $2 mini golf games) - Activities are available for a fee: jumping pillow, mini golf, batting cages, & train ride. Plus feed the goats, sit on a tractor, or get some ice cream. 
• Powers Farm Market - Feed the animals (bring quarters) and stop inside the market for a huge, freshly-baked cookie.
• Powder Mills Trout Hatchery - Feed the trout! (bring quarters)
• Seneca Park Zoo - There's always a lot to see and do. Be sure to visit the new babies: orangutan, tamarin, and lions!
• Mendon Ponds Park - Be sure to check out Wild Wings from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, or Friday.
• Kings Bend Park - Playground, plus a good spot to watch trains go by.
• Kreag Road Park - Playground, sandbox, picnic tables, basketball and tennis courts, and baseball diamonds.
• Tinker Park - Playground, duck pond, and nature trail.
• Veteran's Memorial Park, Calkins Road - Several playgrounds and picnic tables.
• Erie Canal - Great walking path from Schoen Place in Pittsford or near Perinton Park in Fairport; great for spotting boats and kayaks.
• Camp Arrowhead Pool and Sprayground (YMCA members only) - Open weekdays 4:30 - 8:00 p.m., weekends 11:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Camp Eastman Sprayground - Sprayground and dry playground; great spot for picnics. (Click here for directions.)
• Seneca Lake State Park Sprayground - Open 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. weekdays; there is a parking fee.
• Pineway Ponds Sprayground - Sprayground and dry playground; covered picnic tables.
• Ontario Beach
• Roseland Waterpark - Check website for coupons.
• Seabreeze - Check website for coupons.
• The Clubhouse - Mini golf, go karts, and indoor arcade. Check web site for daily deals and coupons. (e.g., Tuesday = 60 tokens for $10; Sat/Sun until noon = $12 for unlimited go karts and golf plus 10 tokens)
• Adventure Landing - Mini golf, indoor arcade, batting cages, etc. Check web site for daily deals and coupons. (e.g., All You Can Play on Mon-Thurs until 6 p.m. and Sat. until noon)
• Long Acre Farm - Outdoor kids' activities, farm market, and more.
• G and S Orchards - Pick your own fruit.
• Green Acre Farms - Pick your own fruit.
• Whittier Fruit Farm - Pick your own fruit.
• NY Museum of Transportation - Only open on Sundays; step onto real train cars, see the model train display, and take a 1-mile ride on a real trolley.

We visit Wickham Farms almost year-round.

RAINY DAYS:

• The Strong National Museum of Play
• Rochester Museum & Science Center
• Planetarium show
• Library - be sure to ask your librarian about their summer reading program for kids
• Kango
• Jungle Jolt
• Bounce It Out
• Chuck E. Cheese
• Bowling - School-age children can bowl one FREE game per day all summer at participating AMF lanes, including Bowl-A-Roll in Rochester, NY.
• Swim at the Eastside YMCA (YMCA members only) - The indoor family pool has some fun sprinklers and other features to make the water even more fun for kids.
• Edgerton Model Railroad - Open to the public the last Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

 

Lots of fun at the library!

DAY TRIPS:

• Letchworth State Park
• Browns Berry Patch - Pick your own fruit, Barnyard Adventure activities for kids.
• Buffalo Zoo
• Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Syracuse
• Buffalo Science Museum
• Genesee Country Village & Museum
• Penn-Dixie Dig Site 

Digging for fossils at Penn-Dixie.

We hope this list turns your summer into one exciting day after another. Be sure to Post A Comment and share your favorite summer spot! As always, thanks for reading.