Playworks PW's Playhouse June 2017

JUNE 2017

JUNE IS ALL ABOUT SUMMER SAFETY!

CRAFT Playdough Bugs!

PLAYWORKS STAFF SPOTLIGHT Inside!

Welcome to PW’s Playhouse Playworks is gearing up for a fun, jam-packed summer full of field trips, hands-on projects, and making memories. While you’re making the most of the season, remember to stay safe. Read up on tips about how to be safe this summer, whether you’re in the sun, at the pool, or enjoying the great outdoors.

Our Educare students will learn about bugs, insects, and flowers this month! Now that the weather has finally warmed up, it’s time to learn more about the critters outside. This will also encourage them to investigate, imagine, and problem-solve with the world around them.

We hope you enjoy reading about the wonderful world outside this month, while trying your hand at our craft or recipe. Thank you for being a part of Playworks!

JUNE JUNE 11: Beach Party, 2-5pm in the Playworks Atrium JUNE 12: First Day of Summer Camp JUNE 14: Flag Day JUNE 18: Father’s Day

JUNE 18

FATHER'S DA Y

We invite all fathers to stop by the fr on on JUNE 18 to t desk pick up a SPECIAL GIF T!

JUNE 21: Summer Solstice SUMMER CAMP BEGINS THIS MONTH! FOR A FULL LIST OF SUMMER CAMP EVENTS, VISIT PLAYWORKSFUN.COM.

PW’s Playhouse is a publication of Playworks |

Playworks Staff Spotlight: Brenda Anderson How long have you worked at Playworks?

3 ½ years

What is your position at Playworks?

Administrative Assistant Favorite part of working at Playworks?

I have many favorites about working at Playworks. They include: working with an awesome staff, the many hugs and smiles I receive on a daily basis, and being able to do what I love every day.

Describe your personality in one word: Cheerful Favorite Children’s Book: Love You Forever

by Robert N. Munsch Favorite Board Game: Blokus

Favorite Food: Chips & Salsa/Guacamole Favorite Color: Pink Favorite Animal: Dog

Educare Early Learning Classrooms

Suggested Reading Insects, Ants, and Flowers At Playworks, we make learning fun through engaging, realworld curriculum and activities—all designed to allow the kids to dig deeper into the subject matter themselves. Children learn best by doing, so this provides them with the ideal learning environment. This month, we’re learning about insects, ants, and flowers with activities and lesson plans that encourage your child to investigate, imagine, and problem-solve.

Children are captivated by insects and flowers, and love to get a closer look by exploring close to the ground. Insects and flowers are everywhere, so it’s easy for children to learn about them firsthand.

At Playworks, children will be encouraged to explore different types of insects and flowers, investigate their characteristics, learn how they work together with the environment, and learn how they keep themselves safe.

Children love to play in the dirt, pick flowers, and catch bugs.

Working with insects, ants, and flowers is a hands-on way for kids to improve their understanding of physical development and science.

Next time you’re in the backyard or on a camping trip, ask your child to point out some of the bugs and flowers they’ve learned about! The more time they spend outdoors, the more they will learn about the world around them.

Ants at the Picnic

by Michael Dahl

Ant Cities

by Arthur Dorros

The Tiny Seed

by Eric Carle

Jack’s Garden

by Henry Cole

Beetle Bop

by Denise Fleming

Insect Soup

by Barry Louis Polisar

Stay Safe this Summer Educare Monthly Classroom Study:

This time of year promises an abundance of joy, excitement, and a fresh beginning, amongst the sunshine and outdoor fun. As we trade in our winter boots for flip-flops, keep in mind that certain hazards can put a damper on even the sunniest of days. Make safety a top priority and you’ll be able to avoid common seasonal mishaps related to heat, water, and other natural elements. All it takes is a bit of preparation and awareness, and your family will enjoy a relaxing, safe summer, whether you’re in the sun, in the water, or in the great outdoors.

In the Sun It might be easy to remember sunscreen on a trip to the beach, but kids more often get burned during daily, normal playtime—even on cloudy days in the backyard. Sunburn is not only uncomfortable, it can pose real health risks for children, especially babies. Take the following steps to keep them protected: Always apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)—even on cloudy days—and reapply every two hours

Give them a hat, sunglasses, and tight-weave clothing to block UV rays

Dress infants in lightweight long pants, shirts, and brimmed hats

Play in the shade

Never leave children alone in or near a pool or body of water—even for a moment

In the Water

Stay within arm’s length of children under 5 years old

Swimming is a wonderful way to cool down on a hot summer day Unfortunately, waterrelated accidents affect many children every year. Whether they’re splashing in a backyard pool, boating on a lake, or swimming in open water, be especially mindful by practicing the following precautions.

Fence in your pool and install self-closing, self-latching gates Keep rescue equipment (life preserver, shepherd’s hook) and a phone near the pool Avoid “floaties” or other inflatable swimming aids—they are not the same as a life vest Have children wear life vests on a boat (make sure they fit!)

In the Great Outdoors Exploring nature and all of its little critters is one of the great joys of childhood. Don’t let a bee sting or some poison ivy spoil their curiosity!

Educate your kids about different plants and insects, and they’ll soon be able to identify and avoid potential hazards on their own.

On especially hot days, keep an eye on your kids’ activity level—they can easily become overheated or suffer heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Keep outdoor physical activities short and make sure children drink enough water. If your child feels dizzy, fatigued, or nauseous, take them inside immediately or cool them down with ice packs and/or fans.

See if you can identify the following poisonous plants!

Poison Ivy

1

Poison Sumac

2

Poison Oak

3

Answer key on page 7

Playworks Hosts Successful

Summer Camp Open House Now is the time to make those summer plans! Playworks welcomed Xtreme Summer Camp families for an open house in April. Children picked up their Xtreme Summer Camp packs, activity calendars, and met their leaders.

Winners were chosen for the two free Xtreme Summer Camp experiences.

If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time to sign up! Visit playworksfun.com for more information.

Refuel at Pixie’s Café

Playing at the Playworks Atrium can work up quite the appetite!

Whether you're throwing a birthday party or enjoying a Saturday at the Atrium, Pixie’s Café is the perfect place to refuel. With classic favorites like pizza, burgers, and wraps, Pixie’s Café is a delicious and affordable option for snacks and meals.

CRAFT:

Playdough Let your child’s imagination run wild with this creative, hands-on craft any kid can make! Encourage them to build several different bugs they’ve seen outside in real life. Then, let them play outside with their finished bug replicas!

MATERIALS: Playdough Pipe cleaners Toothpicks Straws Googly eyes

Want to Make Your Own Playdough?

You will need: 1 cup flour ½ cup salt 1 tablespoon oil

1 cup water 1 tablespoon cream of tartar

DIRECTIONS:

1

If you’re making your own playdough, mix together flour, salt, cream of tartar, oil, and water.

2

Cut pipe cleaners and straws into segments.

3

Place all of the supplies out on the table. Let your kids design any kind of bug they want!

Family-Friendly SMSC

Events

June 10 | Shakopee Dakota Convenience Store #2 Customer Appreciation Day

All day • Free SDCS #2 (14160 Wilds Path NW, Prior Lake) Games, food, and loads of family fun! Shakopee Dakota Convenience Store #2 is celebrating their customers by having a full day of entertainment, deals, and prizes.

Score some in-store specials, a gas discount, free samples, and giveaways all day long. We’ll even have fun games for the kids—Soccer Speed Kick, Pop-A-Shot, and Bulls Eye— from 11am-2pm.

June 11 | Atrium Beach Party

2-5pm • Playworks Atrium Normal rates apply for drop-off + Family Play Join us in welcoming summer at the Atrium Beach Party!

We’re turning Playworks into a beach this month with water balloons, root beer floats, watermelon, beach ball, volleyball, trike races, and sprinkler activities.

June 12-September 1 | Playworks Xtreme Summer Camp Playworks (2200 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake)

Keep your kids off the couch this summer with a jam-packed schedule of fun! Our camp includes daily educational activities, meals, field trips, Atrium play, and more. Special events include a carnival, camp dance, and ice cream social. Full-time and part-time options are available.

Visit playworksfun.com for more information.

ke

y

Ages 6+ 9-10am & 11am-Noon

952.233.9140 | mazopiya.com 2100 Trail of Dreams • Prior Lake

Celery Creatures

Recipe

Getting kids to eat fruits and vegetables is hard! But these little critters will help make it a fun activity and snack—and you can rest assured it’s healthy for them!

Ingredients:

Directions:

• Celery stalks • Peanut butter or cream cheese • Sliced apples • Sliced oranges

• Sliced kiwis • Sliced cucumbers • Sliced pears • Various nuts or seeds • Berries

1.) Fill the celery stalks with cream cheese or peanut butter.

2.) Top with various fruits and nuts to make your creation.

3.) Use the cream cheese or peanut butter to secure the berries for eyes.

The possibilities are endless! Let your kids have fun making different critters with countless ingredient combinations.

THE WAY GOLF

SHOULD BE The Meadows Bar and Grille | GPS Carts Scenic 18-Hole Championship Golf | Pro Shop

PW BEACH

CATCH SOME RAYS AND COOL OFF AT THE

BEACH PARTY! June 11 | 2-5pm WATER BALLOON TOSS, VOLLEYBALL, BIKE RELAYS, SNACKS, and more!

Indoor activities in case of inclement weather.

Standard rates apply.

952.233.5533 | golfthemeadows.com 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd • Prior Lake, MN Owned and Operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

952.445.PLAY (7529) | playworksfun.com 2200 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake, MN | Owned and Operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community