Keep your Kids Engaged
-Sadichchha Dhakhwa
A Puppet Show
Kids like to travel to their imaginary land. Imagination is a part of growing up. Feed to this need and make your own puppet show. Easy and attractive, this activity will have every kid hooked.
Materials needed
Puppets
A small stage for your performance
Instructions
Step 1: Imagine what your character can do.
Step 2: Think of conversations. Have a background on your puppet; where he comes from, things he likes to do and things he dislikes, his age and so on.
Step 3: Make a dialogue; imagine a story for your puppets. Write it down if you want to read while you perform.
Step 4: Practice. Put your imagination to the physicality of the puppet. Learn some skills of a puppeteer; lip synch (moving the mouth of your puppet during a conversation), eye focus (where the puppet should be focusing) and body movementg Give each character a different voice. Be sure to use expressions to make the show more interesting.
Step 5: Have a stage ready. Make sure that any part of you cannot be seen behind a veil.
Learn a Magic Trick: Ice Breath
There is nothing more impressive than a parent’s magical abilities. In a world dominated by Harry Potter, not being a ‘muggle’ is the need for cool parents. Learn a simple trick to impress children.
Materials Required
A non-transparent cup
Sponge
Ice Cube
A clear water pitcher or glass with water
Instructions
Step 1: Cut a sponge in a circle so that it fits tightly into the bottom of the cup. Make sure that it doesn’t fall out when turned upside down.
Step 2: Place an ice cube on top of the sponge.
Step 3: Put a small amount of water (1/8 of a cup into a clear pitcher/glass).
Step 4: Tell your audience that you have really cold breath and you can freeze water by blowing on it. Show the cup and the water to the audience. Make sure no one can see inside the cup with the sponge.
Step 5: Pour the water into your cup. Let the sponge absorb the water.
Step 6: Blow onto the cup.
Step 7: Turn the cup slowly upside down so that the ice cube falls out.
Making a Toy: A Bunny
When you find that you are missing a sock from a pair, use the remaining on to make a stuffed toy with your child.
Materials Needed
A spoon
Dried lentils
A sock
Rubber Band
Ribbon
Scissors
Cotton balls
Glue
Paper
Instructions
Step 1: Use a spoon to add dried lentils and fill it just pass the heel.
Step 2: Use a rubber band to close the sock. Wrap it tightly.
Step 3: To make the head and neck, tie a ribbon around the sock right below the heel.
Step 4: Use scissors to cut the sock’s cuff into two ears. Round the ears to give them a right shape.
Step 5: Cut out a nose, teeth and eyes. Attach them to the sock bunny.
Step 6: Attach the cotton ball for the furry tail.
Learn a Yo-Yo trick: Walk the dog trick
Yo-yos are a classic. Every child should, at least once in its lifetime play around a yo-yo. There are quite a few tricks to play on a yo-yo; learn a trick and teach your kid how to do it.
Materials Needed
A Yo-Yo
Instructions
Step 1: Learn the Gravity Pull. Hold the yo-yo in your hand in front of you and let the yo-yo unroll. Whenoit reaches the end of the string, give a firm upward jerk. The yo-yo will curl back into your hand.
Step 2: When comfortable, move on to a Throw Down, which is the same as the gravitypPull but starts with the yo-yo at the edge of your palm facing up. The string should come off toward the top and front to the yo-yo. With a flick of the wrist, whip the yo-yo to the ground.
Step 3: Learn the Sleeper Yo-Yo. This is possibey the most important trick in yo-yoo. Have the yo-yo at the edge of your palm as in Throw Down. With a whipping motion, grab the yo-yo and flick it towards the ground. It should stay down spinning. Whenoit is spinning, turn your yo-yo hand over palm, facing down. Give the string a jerk and the yo-yo should retreat.
Step 4: You are now ready to ‘Walk the dog’. To take the dog out for a walk, throw a fast Sleeper.
Step 5: Swing the yo-yo slightly forward and set it lightly on the ground. It may snap back but practice is the key.
Step 6: Before they yo-yo stops spinning, give a slight tug and the dog returns back to your hand.
Kid’s yoga classes begin from the age of 4 until 12. Classes are separated into age groups: 4–6, 7–9, 10–12. Young kids from 4–7 have less concentration and most of the class is spent trying to keep their little minds active and interested. A class for little kids aged 4–6 is up to 40 minutes long. During the class, there are theme based stories which are acted out through yoga postures, and mini sequences are taught to the children. Children learn basic breathing exercises along with relaxation, and mindfulness meditation
Do look for a class where the children are having fun and receive positive attention from the instructor. 
Starfish
Removing chocolate stains from washable fabrics like clothes
Removing chocolate stains from carpets or furniture
1Start using a mild moisturizer or even children’s cream every day to maintain healthy skin. If women can get wrinkles, you too will not be spared from this aging process. There is no reason why you shouldn’t be taking care of aging skin.
11Most men have rough callused feet with cracked heels in spite of the fact that they wear socks and shoes throughout the day. Soft feet are not just essential for women, it is important for men too. Take care of them by soaking in warm water with few drops of olive oil for 5-10 minutes. Then use a pumice stone on the soaked skin to gently remove the scaly part and to reduce the roughness. Wipe it dry and apply a foot cream. Wear a pair of cotton socks over it to let the cream get absorbed into the skin.