Volume 7, 2018
Kids Night In
#KIDSNIGHTINBOX
This artwork was created with the guidence of art nook school & studio’s (aiken, Sc) instructors
artwork provided by:
2
Kids Night In Box // Give Thanks
Thank you very much for welcoming us into your homes! We are thrilled to announce, after some really great feedback, that Kids Night In Box will begin focusing on a life lesson each month. Rest assured, we will still deliver these valuable life lessons in fun and engaging themes, and we are excited to add value to children’s lives across the world. As a mom myself, I draw on my experiences every day in order to pour my heart into our boxes and bring educational, fun and thought-provoking topics to the forefront. Thus far, I’m so happy that many of you have enjoyed lessons about personal finance, the inclusion of people with disabilities, family heritage and so much more! This month, the very recognizable Eric Carle and his friend the Very Hungry Caterpillar will usher in conversations about gratitude and giving thanks. I truly believe a child who shows unprompted gratitude is one of life’s purest blessings. We are also pleased to announce the launch of our Kids Night In Box blog that will serve as an excellent and fun resource for activities, art projects, book giveaways and much more. Head over to kidsnightinbox.com/blog to explore! As we head into the holiday season, please keep us in mind as a gift option for your loved ones, and let us help you check them off your list. We also have a Date Night In Box that is perfect for busy parents or for any couple looking to enjoy quality time together from the comfort of their own home. We are giving a FREE BOX this month to someone who snaps a pic with his or her little one(s) while enjoying this box and posts it to Instagram or Facebook using the hashtags #KidsNightInBox and #KNIGiveThanks. We value your feedback and encourage you to reach out to us with any comments or concerns. Feel free to message us on Facebook or e-mail us at customerservice@nightinboxes.com. Giving thanks for each and every one of you, Megan Pruitt Founder of Kids Night In
Give Thanks // Kids Night In Box
4
Optional Give Thanks Recipe
5
Read Your Included Book Thanks from The Very Hungry Caterpillar
6
“Thanks for encouraging me… to always reach for the stars.” - Gratitude Hands
8
“Thanks for showing me…to care for the trees and sky and oceans.” - Plant Your Seeds
9
“But most of all…Thank you for being you!” - Create Your Butterfly Gratitude Bags
10
“Thanks for showing me…Thanks for reminding me Thanks for encouraging me…”
After the completion of this box, we would like to encourage you and your little one(s) to continue to give thanks each and every day!
3
4
Kids Night In Box // Give Thanks
Gobble gobble! I’m Marina from Marina Makes (marinamakesblog.com). Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to think of all the people we are thankful for and the blessings they’ve brought to our lives. I’m personally thankful for my family and the fact that I get to enjoy so many wonderful moments with them on a daily basis. Moments like being in the kitchen with my daughter, who loves to cook just as much as I do are the ones I hold most dear. We had so much fun making the very grateful caterpillar and preparing our gratitude bags for family and friends. Please read on to see how you can also enjoy these heartwarming projects. As always, I encourage you to involve your kids in the process of cooking, whether you have them form the caterpillar, dip the pretzels in chocolate, or just taste test. The directions section includes specific ways that children can help out. I hope you have fun cooking together! I’d love to see how your treat turns out, so please feel free to share pictures on social media. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #marinamakeseats. Happy eating!
Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 15 minutes
• • • • • •
1 green apple 1 red apple Candied eyes 1/4 cup of raisins 4-5 stalks of celery 6 cherry tomatoes
• • • • •
1 baby carrot (plus more for serving) 1/2 cup of raw broccoli Veggie dip 2 cups of salted peanuts 2 tablespoons of honey
First, let’s make the peanut butter. (Note: if you have a peanut allergy, feel free to substitute with another nut butter or cookie butter.) It’s going to be a great treat for the very hungry caterpillar! Using a food processor or blender, blend the peanuts and honey until smooth and creamy (4-6 minutes). Have your child help to scrape down the sides as you go along. You’ll notice the texture of the blended peanuts will go from dry to thick to creamy. When done, set aside. You can, of course, let your little turkey taste test. You can store the peanut butter in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of weeks. Next, using a sharp knife and cutting board, cut your green apple in half and then slice each half into thin pieces. From the core of the green apple, slice a curved sliver for the mouth of the caterpillar. Slice one side of the red apple to use for the head of the caterpillar. Have your child help you to form the body by lining up the slices next to each other. Place the head at the front. Now, on to those cute caterpillar feet! Have your child grab three raisins to make each “foot” for the caterpillar. Repeat to make as many feet as you like. Use the same technique to make two antennas on top of the caterpillar’s head. Finally, using peanut butter for adhesive, top the head with two candied eyes and the apple sliver for the mouth. To make the “ants on a log,” fill each stalk of celery with peanut butter then top it with raisins. To make the grass, thinly slice celery and cut broccoli florets. To create the flowers, halve the cherry tomatoes and dice the baby carrot. Place a thin slice of celery to make a stem. Let your child get creative with the caterpillar’s surroundings!
Give Thanks // Kids Night In Box
5
Read Your Included Book “Thanks from The Very Hungry Caterpillar” • • • • •
Knives Cutting board Food processor or blender Small bowl Spoon
Feel free to experiment with the peanut butter - add melted chocolate, dried fruit or flavored extracts to jazz it up!
6
Kids Night In Box // Give Thanks
““Thanks for encouraging me… to always reach for the stars.” As we begin our Give Thanks journey, let’s help your little one(s) get a better understanding of gratitude, giving thanks and paying it forward to properly set the foundation for the rest of the activities.
Gratitude Is Very Easy Thank others Help others Appreciate what you have Notice your blessings Know your gifts Serve others
Give Thanks // Kids Night In Box
7
Start by having your little one(s) place their hands in the outline above and explain to them that showing gratitude is very easy by reading through the acronym ‘Give Thanks’! Now, take those gratitude hands and reach up high in the sky. Since showing gratitude is very easy, ask your little one(s) to identify people in their life whom they want to thank for helping them.
8
Kids Night In Box // Give Thanks
““Thanks for showing me... how to care for the trees and sky and oceans.” There are so many things to be thankful for! It is important to care each day for our environment, including the trees, the sky and the oceans.
When we talk about our environment, we mean everything in the world around us that affects our lives and the Very Hungry Caterpillar’s life. Some examples of things that make up our environment are air, soil, water, plants and animals.
•
We breathe oxygen from the air.
•
We get water from the rain that fills our lakes, rivers and creeks, and we store this water in dams, reservoirs and water tanks.
•
We get food from plants, animals, fish and birds.
•
We make our homes from materials taken out of the earth and from plants that grow from the earth (trees).
•
We get warmth from the sun, fire, power and our clothing.
IT’S IMPORTANT TO GIVE THANKS AND CARE FOR OUR ENVIROMENT! One way to help the environment is to plant seeds that can turn into flowers, plants and trees! Locate the following supplies from your box to complete your first activity.
“But most of all… Thank you for being you!” -
There are many important people in your life who help you each and every single day. Think about how many people help you each day! Family members, doctors, teachers, friends and so many other people special to you. Take a moment to talk about all the people in your life that you are grateful for!
Give Thanks // Kids Night In Box
9
Supplies Needed: • •
Watch Me Grow Pocket Greenhouse Shovel
• •
Seed Butterfly paper Soil (not included)
Your seeds will need water and sunlight to grow! Instructions: 1. Grab your shovel and pocket greenhouse and head outside to scoop up about one to two shovelfuls of soil to plant your seeds. 2. Place your butterfly seed paper in the soil. 3. Water your soil, but don’t oversaturate the soil too much. 4. Place your pocket garden in the sun and watch your seed grow by watering regularly.
Can you believe these seeds will grow into flowers?
Supplies Needed: • • •
Small bag of pretzels Bag of Candy Melts Sprinkles
• •
Clear treat bags Clothespin
•
Plate or parchment paper (not supplied)
Instructions: 1. Place parchment paper or plate on a hard, clean surface. 2. Place your pretzels on the parchment paper. 3. Have an adult melt the Candy Melts according the instructions on the label. 4. Carefully drizzle the Candy Melts over the pretzels. 5. Before the Candy Melts dry on the pretzels, take the tube of sprinkles and decorate your pretzals. 6. Place the pretzels in the fridge to cool for 30 minutes. 7. When hardened, add the pretzels to your Butterfly Gratitude Bag (and save a few to enjoy now). 8. Close the bags and place the clothespin in the middle to create the butterfly shape. If you are feeling creative, you can draw on the clothespin to make it look like a butterfly.
Don’t forget to deliver your Butterfly Gratitude Bag to a special person in your life and let them know what you are thankful for! We would love to see a picture of you with your Butterfly Gratitude Bag and the person you are giving it to. Please share with us by posting to Facebook and Instagram using the hashtags #KidsNightInBox and #KNIGiveThanks.
10
Kids Night In Box // Give Thanks
““Thanks for showing me… Thanks for reminding me…Thanks for encouraging me…” Your little one(s) will finish their gratitude journey by creating artwork that incorporates the beautiful shape of a leaf while using reflective thought.
Supplies Needed: • • • • •
Black marker Crayons Watercolor paint and brush Drawing paper Scissors (not included) * Adult supervision recommended
Instructions: 1. Using a black marker, draw the leaf slightly diagonally on the included drawing paper. A leaf from outside or the following leaf examples can be used for inspiration, or children can create their own leaf shape. Be sure to draw a leaf large enough to create an interesting design inside the leaf. 2. Using the black marker, draw a few vein lines to divide the leaf because each section will contain a different type of line or shape. 3. Using a crayon, draw a type of line in each section of the leaf such as squiggles, waves, circles, zigzag, etc. 4. Be sure to press hard with your crayons because when you paint over them with the watercolors it will create a crayon-resistant effect. 5. Using one of the colored crayons, create an outline of the leaf outside of the black marker. 6. Using another color, draw one more outline on the outside of the ones you’ve already drawn. Remember to press hard with the crayons so they show up when you paint them. 7. Next, you will paint the background of your leaf. This can be done with any color you prefer. The example was done with all the colors of the rainbow, starting with yellow, and each section of the leaf was painted in. 8. After the entire background is painted and dried, have your little one(s) write (or help them write) what they are grateful for around the leaf. 9. Snap a photo of your little one(s) with their finished masterpiece and share it with us on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtags #KidsNightInBox and #KNIGiveThanks
Leaf Ideas!
Give Thanks // Kids Night In Box
11