KNI Winter Wonderland Insert

Volume 8, 2018

Kids Night In

#KIDSNIGHTINBOX

WINTER KIDS NIGHT IN BOX

YOUR BOX WAS THOUGHTFULLY AND CAREFULLY PACKED IN OUR OWN FACILITY BY TRI - DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF AIKEN COUNTY.

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Kids Night In Box // Winter Wonderland

Welcome To Your KIDS NIGHT IN WARMEST GREETINGS! Happy Holidays from the Kids Night In Box Team! We want to thank you for inviting us into your home and for allowing us to build memories with your little one(s). It’s an opportunity we are honored to have!

This adventure will take you into an enchanted Winter Wonderland, where children will learn about snowflakes and how they are uniquely and wonderfully made, just like your little one(s) taking part in the Kids Night In Box. As a mom, I know how important it is to have some additional entertainment prepared for our little one(s)’ holiday break. My hope is that through this box, you and your little one(s) will create lasting memories as well as a new holiday tradition.

We are giving away a GREAT prize this month to someone who snaps a picture enjoying his or her Kids Night In Box. The prize up for grabs is a $200.00 BuildA-Bear Workshop™ giftcard to be enjoyed at any retail location. For a chance to win, snap a picture with your box visible, and post it to Facebook or Instagram using the hashtags #KidsNightInBox and #KNIWinterWonderland.

If you received this box as a gift, we would LOVE for you to continue your Kids Night In Box journey with us! We value any and all feedback you provide, and we encourage you to reach out to us with any comments or concerns you may have. Feel free to message us on Facebook or e-mail us at customerservice@ nightinboxes.com Wishing you joy and peace during this holiday season,

Megan Pruitt Founder of Kids Night In Box

Winter Wonderland // Kids Night In Box

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WINTER WONDERLAND

Journey

4 Let’s Get Cooking!

Enjoy your optional yet amazing Frosty’s French Toast!

6 Reading Time!

Snuggle up and read Snowflake Bentley.

7 Art Project!

No two snowflakes are the same, create your unique snowflake work of art!

8 Dance your heart out!

The snow is dancing! Bring your snowflakes to life through music and movement!

9 Snow Cones!

Cool down from dancing and make your own sugar-free snow cone!

10 Glittering Snowflakes!

Create your uniquely and wonderfully made snowflake keepsake.

11 Ways to Continue Your Winter Wonderland Adventure!

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Kids Night In Box // Winter Wonderland

Let's Get Cooking

Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 20 minutes

Enjoy your optional yet amazing Frosty’s French Toast!

Frosty’s French Toast (makes two snowmen) I ngr edients FRENCH TOAST

SNOWBALL FROSTING

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• • • • • • •

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6 slices of thickly sliced brioche bread, or any thickly sliced white or whole wheat bread should be fine (preferably a couple of days old) 2 eggs 1 cup of half-and-half 1/4 cup of brown sugar Salt 1 tablespoon of butter Cinnamon

2 ounces of mascarpone cheese 1/8 cup of powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon of almond or vanilla extract 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips Sliver of an orange peel Pretzel sticks Maple syrup

Di r ections Alright kiddos, get ready to make the sweetest snowman you’ll ever enjoy!

Step 1: Step 2: Step 3:

Step 4:

Have your little one(s) help to mix the snowball frosting with a standing or hand mixer. To make the delightful snowball frosting, mix the wet snow (mascarpone), dry snow (powdered sugar) and vanilla extract until combined.

Using a biscuit cutter or varying-sized glasses/bowls, start building Frosty! Have your child help you cut the bread into circles to resemble a snowman (three circles for each snowman).

In a medium bowl, have the little one(s) help you whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Set aside. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and melt butter. Once the pan is warm, have your little snowflake(s) soak each piece of bread in the egg mixture on both sides and place them in the pan.

Sprinkle with cinnamon and flip with a spatula after a couple of minutes or once browned. Flip and repeat with the other side. Repeat with the other slices, soaking and then cooking. Set each piece aside once it’s done cooking.

Top each piece of French toast with a tablespoon of snowball frosting. Have your little helpers place chocolate chips on the face to make eyes, a smile, and buttons along the body. Using a knife, cut a piece of orange peel to resemble a nose. Use pretzel sticks for arms and top with syrup if desired.

Winter Wonderland // Kids Night In Box

TOOLS • • • • • • • •

Biscuit cutter or glasses/bowls to shape the snowman Medium bowl Frying pan Spatula Hand or standing mixer Small spoon Knife Bowl

H I NT Make your snowball frosting a day or two ahead if you have time. You can enjoy this delicious frosting with fruit and graham crackers too!

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO MARINA MAKES

Hi, kiddos! I’m Marina from Marina Makes (marinamakesblog.com). This time of year brings so many fun activities, and if you’re from a place that gets a lot of snow in the winter, you’re bound to have a great time playing outside! I hope my Frosty’s French toast gets you excited about all of the magic that snow can bring!

NOTE TO THE ADULT.. .

As always, I encourage you to involve your kids in the process of cooking, whether you have them cut circular shapes for the snowman, mix the ingredients, or simply taste test. The directions section includes specific ways that kids 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 hashtags #marinamakeseats and #KNIWinterWonderland. Happy eating!

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Kids Night In Box // Winter Wonderland

Reading Time!

Snuggle up and read Snowflake Bentley

Learn how dreaming big and working hard led one man to see that no two snowflakes are alike, each one beautiful in its own way.

Pre-reading questions for the little one(s): (grades PK-3) 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

What is snow?

What places on Earth get snow? What places don’t?

In what season(s) does snow fall in? Why? What shapes are snowflakes?

Are all snowflakes the same?

Pre-reading questions for the older one(s): (grades 4-5) 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

How do snowflakes form?

Why are no two snowflakes alike?

What is a biography?

What kind of information is found in a biography?

Why are biographies written?

Post-reading questions for the little one(s): (grades PK-3) 1. Why did Wilson Bentley take pictures of snowflakes?

2. Was Wilson Bentley able to capture snowflakes?

3. Are all snowflakes unique just like you?

Post-reading questions for the older one(s): (grades 4-5) 1. What technology allowed Wilson Bentley to view and draw snowflakes?

2. Did other people think that Wilson Bentley’s photos of snowflakes were important? Why or why not?

3. How did Wilson Bentley learn from his mistakes and failures?

Book Summary This Caldecott Medal–winning book is based on the real-life story of Wilson Bentley. As a young boy, Willie was fascinated by nature. He spent hours observing and drawing. His favorite thing to examine was the winter snow.

Drawing individual flakes was impossible because they would melt so quickly, yet photographing individual snowflakes had never been done. So, Willie set his sights on a new invention and would spend the remainder of his life perfecting his art.

His life exemplified perseverance and never giving up on his goal!

Winter Wonderland // Kids Night In Box

Credit: Courtesy of Sue Richardson

original photos of wilson bentley

Art Project No two snowflakes are the same, create your unique snowflake work of art!

Head over to http://kidsnightinbox.com/winter-wonderland to watch our guided video art instructions. Our friend Cindra from Art Nook School and Studio will help you create a snowflake masterpiece.

Wilson A. Bentley/Smithsonian Institution Archives

Wilson A. “Snowflake” Bentley

One of Bentley’s early flake photos

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Here’s what you’ll be creating!

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Kids Night In Box // Winter Wonderland

Dance Your Heart Out

The snow is dancing! Bring your snowflakes to life through music and movement!

I t e m s N eed ed • •

Phone, computer or tablet device to access music Snowflake Dancing Cards

Next, you will hear an enchanting Winter Wonderland song by the composer Claude Debussy Who is Claude Debussy?

Claude was born in France in 1862. He began to take piano lessons at the young age of 7 and was very good at playing the piano. He is known for writing impressionist music, which means his pieces were written to create a mood or emotion!

It’s snowing, and the snowflakes are dancing!

Visit https://www.kidsnightinbox.com/winter-wonderland to listen to this song while you guide your little one(s) through some questions, movements, and educational awakenings.

How does a snowflake dance when its....

ake snowfl a s e o How d en its.... wh dance

How do es dance w a snowflake hen its ....

How does a snowflake dance when its....

How do es dance w a hen

Winter Wonderland // Kids Night In Box

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Snow Cones

t Play the song once and ask: •

What instrument do you hear?

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What words describe the speed or tempo of this piece?

Answer Examples: Quick, Fast, Medium, Moderate, Animated, Lively

Play the song again, and guide the little one(s) involved to do the following or ask the following questions: Ask them to close their eyes and imagine the snow falling.

Tell me about the way the snow is falling!

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Is it spinning, twirling, swirling, floating, melting, dropping, lifting, flying, wiggling, glittering?

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Does the snow move differently during a BLIZZARD?!

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Does each snowflake fall differently?

Play the song one last time, and grab your included cards.

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Grab a card and show me how a snowflake dances when it’s ….

a snow fla n its.... ke

Cool down from dancing and make your own sugar-free snow cone!

Items Nee ded • • • • • • •

Two drinking glasses Sugar-free Strawberry Lemonade Drink Mix (included) Ice Blender Medium bowl Whisk Spoon

Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Step 5:

ake a snowfl How does a snowflake How does its.... en dance when its.... dance wh How do es dance w a snowflake hen its ....

Have your little one(s) put some ice in the blender.

Adult supervision is suggested.

Depending on your blender, turn it on for about 1030 seconds (pulse your blender if needed) to grind up the ice into SNOW. In a separate bowl, mix your included Sugar-free Strawberry Lemonade Drink Mix with one cup of water.

Have your little one(s) help whisk to combine the flavor mixture.

Slowly pour the mixture over your snow, and enjoy!

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Kids Night In Box // Winter Wonderland

Glittering Snowflakes Create your unique and wonderfully made keepsake snowflake.

I t e m s Need ed • •

Pipe cleaners Pony beads

It’s time to make your keepsake snowflake. In the directions, we have provided accommodations for younger and older children so all ages can enjoy! Please review the activities and decide which one you think is best for the little one(s) involved.

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Winter Wonderland // Kids Night In Box

Instructions Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4:

Fold three pipe cleaners in half.

Take two of the three pipe cleaners that you folded, and twist them together where both bend.

Twist the third pipe cleaner around the first two.

This should leave you with the shape of a snowflake.

Little One(s): With your help (as needed), allow your little one(s) to place different pony beads on the pipe cleaner snowflakes. Encourage them to do this on their own if possible. This is a great way for them to work on their fine motor skills and allow their creativity to shine!

Older One(s): Have your children create one or multiple color patterns by placing multiple pony beads on each section. As an alternative, you could also create a pattern for the older one(s) involved to replicate. This will enhance their fine motor skills, show their creativity, encourage counting skills, and build patternmaking skills. This is a great way to have fun while incorporating education.

Step 5:

Little One(s): Once you and your little one(s) are finished with placing the beads on your snowflake, wrap the end of each pipe cleaner around your finger, curl it, then tuck the end of the pipe cleaner into the last bead.

Older One(s): Once the beads are placed on the snowflake, have the children involved wrap the end of each pipe cleaner in an effort to keep the beads from falling off. Next, create unique patterns by bending and twisting the pipe cleaners.

Ways to Continue Your Winter Wonderland Adventure!

• Go ice skating • Decorate cookies

• Holiday movie marathon • Make a gingerbread house • Wrap presents

• Enjoy hot chocolate • Go caroling • See holiday lights

• Read stories by a warm fire

UNTIL KIDS NIGHT IN BOX #KIDSNIGHTINBOX #KNIWINTERWONDERLAND YOUR BOX WAS THOUGHTFULLY AND CAREFULLY PACKED IN OUR OWN FACILITY BY TRI - DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF AIKEN COUNTY.