A Year of Yarns

Check out a few of our favorite things to do to get an imagination chug, chug, chugging along. You may even notice a couple of these ideas come from The Amazing Adventures of Ace & Deuce!

Have fun!

"Talent Show"

This is a fun one to do when you have several kids around. Talent shows are a great way to show off an existing talent, learn something new, or to just pretend you are a magician or dancing bear!

Each kid figures out what "talent" they want to show the audience. Are you a good singer? Maybe you are good at jump roping while whistling a song. Or, perhaps you have a dog who can do a few tricks. Pick something you want to showcase.

Either way, come up with a talent show line up and then invite your family, friends, and neighbors to watch the fantastic talents you and your friends have!

"Pirate Adventure"

In July's Book, Ace & Deuce become pirates-one is good, the other is just a little rotten. Take a page out of their story and have a pirate-style adventure full of hidden treasure, daring escapes, and lots of looting!

"Mysterious Cave"

Based on another Ace & Deuce story, a mysterious cave can be anything from a bedroom closet, a fort made of blankets, a cardboard box or a playhouse in the backyard.

The only warning we have for this kind of adventure is to beware...beware of creepy crawlies and monsters who live in caves and don't want to be found!

"The Art Gallery"

A blank wall is the perfect place to show all the artwork you have in your collection! After you have created some amazing pictures, it's easy to hang them on the wall with nothing more than a little toothpaste.

That's right! Toothpaste! Simply dab a tiny amount of toothpaste to the corners of your paper and then hold in place on the wall for a few seconds. Voila...instant art gallery!

Once your artwork is in place, put some snacks and drinks out and invite your family and friends to your art show!

It also wouldn't hurt to put a small price tag on your artwork...you never know if Grandma or Grandpa is in the market for a beautiful, one of a kind piece of art from talented you!

"Restaurant"

This is definitely one of the imaginary games that has passed the test of time! Almost every adult at one time or another has played "restaurant" in their house.

You can make up a menu and use real food or you simply pretend you have food. Then invite your friends and family to feast on the tasty tidbits you will be providing for them. Don't forget to thank then for stopping by your restaurant!

"Market"

Another time tested activity, "market" or "store" has always been popular!

Gather toys, books, and stuffed animals. Arrange them in your bedroom (or somewhere else a grown up won't mind a little bit of mess), put price tags on each item, and hang up signs letting people in your house know where they can get a really good deal on a purple, stuffed dinosaur or a collection of rocks.

If you already have a stash of fake money, great! If not, you can make your own by cutting pieces of paper into rectangles and drawing different numbers on them so your customers know how much "money" they will have to spend at your store.

Once your store or market is set up and the "money" handed out, it's time to open your doors to your loyal customers! This make believe idea is a fun way to get other people to play with you and a super way to learn math & money skills!

"Beauty Spa"

Trust me when I say this, just about every mom out there will be more than happy to help you set up a beauty spa...as long as she gets to be one of your lucky customers!

Gather hair brushes, barrettes, and other hair accessories. Add in some make up, hand lotion, and nail polish and you have yourself a little beauty spa. Invite your friends and family to come to your beauty spa for the most royal of royal treatments.

Let them know about all the "services" you have to offer (like hair brushing, make up & lotion application, nail painting, and back rubs!

Everyone who experiences your beauty spa is sure to want to come back for more! So don't be shy and set up a "future" appointment. ((Your welcome, Mom!))

"School"

This activity is taken from September's The Helping Out Club. Playing school is so much fun and a wonderful way for older kids to teach younger kids stuff about numbers, letters, colors, and shapes!

For more details and ideas when it comes to playing school, visit The Helping Out Club's page and look for "World's Best Teacher."

"Animals"

What kid doesn't love animals? And what kid doesn't love pretending he or she IS an animal? Pretending your an animal is a great way to really flex those imagination muscles!

Are you going to run great distances like a timber wolf? Will you be a shark in a pool of guppies? Can you climb trees like a nimble monkey? Whatever you choose, it will be great!

And don't forget to involve other people in your game too. Maybe a group of monkeys are trying to stop another group of monkeys from stealing their bananas. You get the picture!

"Pirate vs. Princess"

Who is tougher...a pirate or a princess? Who is braver...a pirate or a princess? Who can protect their castle better...a pirate or a princess? Only you can decide!

So, grab a pirate. Grab a princess. And, let the games begin!

"Detective"

Where there is a mystery, there is a need for a detective. Be like Molly Monday and look around you for everyday mysteries that need to be solved.

Is something out of place or out of whack? Is something not as it seems? Grab a notebook and a pencil and get that mystery solved!

365 days of tall tales & tidbits!

yarn: a narrative of adventure, a tale, a story, a myth, a chronicle, a good thing for your imagination!

Imagination Inspiration!

You will have fun exploring what your amazing mind can do!