KidSpace Blog

My sister Librarian, Ms. Jennifer, was reading the September issue of FamilyFun, a Disney magazine about fun activities for kids and parents to enjoy together.  As you know, in the fall months we talked about the voting and election process.  In this issue, Ms. Jennifer, read an article, Dinner Elections, on the Jebsen family. Chris and Sarah Jebsen wanted to teach their kids about the value of voting through family fun.  In doing this, they gave their eldest, Nicholas, “the chance to vote on a topic that he’s quite passionate about: dinner.”  They began with 6 parties (six categories of dinner: main dish, vegetable, side dish, fruit, dessert, and drink) and a running campaign (consisting of a chart with all of the contenders under each party).  Finally, the day of the election arrived; each member of the family chose their candidate under each category and dinner was elected in a matter of minutes. This activity teaches the kids that each vote counts and just like a real election, they anticipate the results.  I found this activity exciting and plan to use it with my nephews.

Think about ways that you can bring Elections, or other “grown-up” responsibilities into your home for some family fun.  

Come visit the West Palm Beach Public Library’s KidSpace for some resources on fun activities for you and your kids to enjoy together, like:

Snacktivities: 50 edible activities for parents and children

by MaryAnn F. Kohl

Little hands paper plate crafts: creative art fun for 3-to 7-year-olds by Laura Check

Soap making: 50 fun & fabulous soaps to melt & pour 

by Joe Rhatigan

Until we meet again,

~Remember, Reading is Awesome.