Category: lists

3 amazing podcasts for kids

I have been listening to a lot of podcasts during the quarantine and they all make me laugh and giggle. Here are 3 of my favorite podcasts to listen to.

  1. Brains On!

In each episode, the host, Molly Bloom, will answer questions about one topic with a kid host. There are also additional fun activities like the mystery sound. You can send in questions and mystery sounds as well. It’s really fun and I always learn a lot of things after each show.

Did you know that my question was featured in a episode? It was in the episode about color! This is the episode

2. The Big Fib

In this podcast, the hosts, Deborah Goldstein and Ethan Berlin (L.I.S.A), invite 2 adults to talk about a topic and 1 child to guess which adult is telling the truth and which one is telling a lie. Along the way are hilarious comments and sound-effects. I really enjoy this show and totally recommend it to you.

3. Smash Boom Best

In each episode, there are 2 debaters, each arguing for a different topic. A kid host listens to each round of debating and marks a point for the side which they think won that round. I love the different rounds of debating and how fierce it can get. It’s really a great podcast.

These are some of my favorite podcasts which I think you should listen to. What are some of your favorite podcasts?

Board Games to Play with Your Family

During the quarantine, I am spending a lot more time with my family. Board games are really fun to play (even if some of them are a bit long). They bring my family together and we can spend a lot of time laughing over these games. These are some of my favorite fun driven games. I do play some strategy board games like Photosynthesis and 7 Wonders, though.

Telestrations:

This is a drawing/writing version of the classic game, Telephone. This game relies on your artistic ability and your interpretive ability (don’t worry, the worse you draw, the funnier it is). Keep passing your board until you end up with yours. My family’s favorite part about this game was when we shared how our first word had evolved into something totally different. I was always in fits of laughter during this game and I definitely recommend it.

Double Ditto:

This game is perfect for all ages. Try to choose the same answers as your opponents and score a “double ditto”! Before the time is up, you should have written 2 answers for a topic which you think everyone else would write. My family’s favorite part about this game is when we compare the answers and see how alike we thought.

Imagine:

This game challenges how you describe a job, an object, a movie, and many more. With the transparent cards that are included, you get to act out something that you choose. My family’s favorite part was when we tried very hard to get it but to no avail.

Sushi Go!:

This game is very fun and easy. You’ll start collecting cards and trying to score the most points quickly. This game has 3 rounds and is very enjoyable. My family’s favorite part about this game is when we compare and hand out the points accordingly. Another fun thing about the game is the types of food. There are nigiris, puddings, sashimis and so much more!

These are some of my favorite games to play. What are yours?

The Mint Girl’s Thoughts on Quarantine Rules

Lately, like most of the kids around the world, I’ve been having online lessons instead of going to my school. We created some online essential agreements and I started thinking about some of my previous in-person classroom rules and how they have changed. Last week, our teacher assigned us a few questions about the new situation we are in. I decided to share them here.

What are some rules that you think are important for us to follow as members of the community?

This one required some careful thinking, but I came up with a few rules that I hope everyone follows. 1. Take care of others and realize how your actions could affect them.
2. Think about how we can help or hurt others before we do something.
3. Realize that some people have different rules or different strengths/ weaknesses.
4. Have fun together no matter where you are in life and what’s happening around you.
5. Be kind to yourself and to others.

Do you view rules positively or negatively?

I view rules positively, but they can make me feel negative sometimes. I think rules are good, but sometimes they can feel annoying. For example, I’m not a fan of the social distancing/lockdown rules, but I know that they are being kept to protect us and keep us safe during the quarantine. Most rules are made to keep us safe or keep us in order. These rules might feel constricting, but they are made for our own good.

What is a rule that is hard for you to follow?

A rule that is hard for me to follow is going to bed on time. I always want to keep reading, or drawing, or playing instead of going to sleep. I don’t like sleeping and it takes me a while to go to sleep, so I usually lie in my bed until I drift off. This time for me is very boring.

Compare and Contrast rules at home to rules at school.

At school, I find it much easier to focus and pay attention, but through online learning, many people are talking, there’s background noise, and people could be texting you. It’s much harder to focus and that is very annoying if you’re trying to work on a project or an assignment.

What are the rules of Social Distancing and how have they affected you personally?

Since we have to be 6 feet away from each other, I miss hanging out and playing with my friends. I can text them, but it just doesn’t feel the same. One good thing about this situation is the online learning. I think it’s fun and I like being able to stay at home without driving too far for some of my classes. I also like having Lunch Bunch and hanging out with my teacher and my friends.

Rules can be good or bad, but they’re there for a reason. As community members, it is our duty to follow them as much as possible. What are some of your quarantine rules?

5 things to do when you’re quarantining

Like most people, I’m quarantining at home and I get bored pretty easily. So, I thought of some ideas for you guys to do when you’re at home. Some of these, you have to do with a parent, but others you can do by yourself.

01. Start a Craft:

When you’re quarantined, you have all the time in the world to start a craft(and finish it😀). I recently finished a sewing project and now I’m making a pom-pom garland. These crafts are fun and you can do most of them when your parent is busy.

02. Take a Walk or Bike:

Just because you have to be at least 6 feet away from someone, that doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors. Go outside and get some fresh air, but don’t be too close to anyone. A breath of fresh air feels so good after being cooped up in your house

03. Play Some Games:

After your parents are done working, play a game with them. They will be happy (it’s a break after their stressful and crazy day) and you will be too (you can spend time with them, laughing and having fun).

04. Do Some Work:

This is an odd suggestion, but you can’t just sit around all day doing nothing. Working puts your brain to use and you are still developing your skills. At home, I usually do math, reading/writing, and science. This is a great time to practice/ learn something new like a new language or a skill. I’m learning geography, the periodic table, and some new recipes.

05. Chat or video call with your friends and family:

Your friends and family are in the same situation as you are. When you talk to them, they’ll feel happy and you might learn more. You can text them or video chat them. I talk with my family and some of my best friends regularly.

I also like having a to-do list which I consult to see what I can do. This is really useful, because it helps me keep track of the day and what I’m doing.

Stay safe!