The South-Central Ohio Wild, Weird, and Wonderful Social Distancing Driving Tour!

My family was sick and tired of our indoor quarantine life, so we took a simple road trip to some of the more interesting and off the beaten path sights in the Dayton – Xenia – Wilmington area. I like to call this the Wild, Weird, and Wonderful Social Distancing Driving Tour!  This was our route for sightseeing satisfaction at a socially acceptable distance. Every stop on this tour is free, open at all hours of the day, and provides enough space to keep socially distant from other folks. The route follows a U-shape formation, starting in Enon and ending in Dayton.

Adena Burial Mound

Stop 1: Enon Adena Burial Mound, 400 Mound Cir, Enon, OH 45323.

This conical burial mound is the second tallest in Ohio. The mound is 40 feet high and is thought to be the work of the Adena Native Americans, original settlers of the area. There is a small parking lot, and it’s an easy walk up to and around the mound.

Stop 2: Beavercreek 9/11 Memorial, 1152 N Fairfield Rd, Beavercreek, OH  45432

These 25-feet-tall steel beams came to Beavercreek from the World Trade Center site. This respectful memorial features placards naming all the 9/11 victims from all the crash sites. It’s easy to spend some time here reading and remembering. This stop is at Beavercreek Station, which also provides access for the Creekside recreational trail. When social distancing, this is the most challenging stop as it can be very busy with people accessing the trail. There is a great parking lot, picnic tables, and restrooms, although they were closed while we visited.

Stop 3: Engle Mill Rd. Covered Bridge, 3420 Engle Mill Rd, Xenia, OH 45385

It’s an easy country drive to the Engle Mill Rd. Covered Bridge. Visitors can’t drive across the bridge, but there are places to park on either end to get out and walk. When we visited, it was a lovely day, so we paused to enjoy nature for few moments. Descriptive signs provide the history of this bridge.

Engle Mill Rd. Covered Bridge

Stop 4: Downtown Wilmington wall mural (Corner of Rt. 68 and Main St.), 2 E Main St., Wilmington, OH 45177

It's easy to park across the street from the mural by the county courthouse and have the perfect spot for picture taking. This mural is the work of local artist Jason Morgan and it features images from the Century Farms life in the 1930s.

Stop 5: Frankenstein’s Monster, 1261 W Dalton Rd, Wilmington, OH

Standing guard at the gate of the Wilmington Haunted Hollow Ride, it doesn’t have to be Halloween to snap a picture with this guy! He’s officially the scariest stop on our tour, standing about 15 feet tall with a permanently creepy face. There’s no official parking during the off season, but it’s easy to pull in the driveway long enough to take a photo.

Stop 6: World’s Largest Horseshoe Crab, 7592 OH-124, Hillsboro, OH 45133

World's largest horseshoe crab

This crab is currently sitting in its fourth location having previously lived in Baltimore, the Creation Museum, and Blanchester, Ohio. At 28 feet wide and 68 feet long, it’s affectionately known as “Crabby,” and it’s worth the stop. The crab is large enough to house a picnic table and umbrella inside, although there's really no time for picnicking these days. The parking situation at this site is the most difficult. There is a driveway adjacent to the crab that will work for a quick stop. We missed the driveway, so we pulled across the street to an apartment complex. It's tough to pull off along the side of the road, and there’s no official parking lot.

Stop 7: Large Adirondack Chair, 6945 Hwy 73, Wilmington, Ohio 45177

This larger than life piece of furniture sits at The Wooden Branch business, so if visitors are in the market for a shed, they can kill two birds with one stone at this top. It’s easy to park in the parking lot and take a photo by the chair. Unfortunately, climbing up into the chair is frowned upon.

Stop 8: Tall Stack of Books, 111 West Spring Valley Pike, Centerville, OH

This sculpture can be found at the Washington-Centerville Public Library. Officially called “The Record,” it is 22 feet tall and is made of terracotta. The library parking lot makes for easy parking and access.

Stop 9: Big Apple Made of Flatware, 56 Armor Place, Dayton, OH 45417

This eight-foot-tall apple sculpture is the work of artist Chad Johnson and features thousands of knives, forks, and spoons. It can be found outside the Dayton Foodbank on the south side of their property. The adjacent parking lot makes it easy to visit.

 

Large apple made of Flatware

When touring during the pandemic, it's smart to pack sandwiches, snacks, and drinks, although we didn’t have trouble finding enough drive thru restaurants to feed us on our journey. Restrooms are harder to come by during the shut down. Gas stations proved to be the best bet. As always, pack hand sanitizer and masks to be prepared for any situation. The total travel time will be 4-6 hours depending on the starting point and how much time is spent at each spot. We had an easy five-hour journey on our travel day. 

Map of the driving route

Frankenstein's Monster

Large stack of books

Large Adirondack chair

Wall mural in downtown Wilmington

This beaver is an added bonus when you stop at the 9/11 site.

The 9/11 memorial

Yes, you can get close to the world's largest horseshoe crab!!

Day tripping at Charleston Falls

The Miami County Parks in western Ohio are a local treasure. Besides being so well maintained, they offer a wide variety of educational programs and activities for the entire family. My favorite park is the Charleston Falls Preserve.

This gem of a park is located between Tipp City and Huber Heights, Ohio. It covers 216 acres and offers almost 4 miles of hiking and jogging trails. The main reason to visit this particular park, though, is the waterfall. At 37 feet in height, it can be called a “Miniature Niagara” due to the rock strata of the same nature as the real Niagara Falls. These falls are fed from underground springs several miles away, but they are most spectacular after heavy rainfall. During periods of intense cold in the winter, the falls will actually freeze, and it’s worth the chilly walk to see this amazing sight.

The trek to the falls is an easy gravel pathway from the parking lot, less than half a mile. There are two vantage points for seeing the falls. The upper view allows visitors to see the top of the falls as the water tumbles over the cliff. Informational signage is posted as well as warning signs for safety. The lower vantage point is from a staircase which leads visitors down to the observation boardwalk. Visitors can see the falls as they splash down into the pool at the bottom. A bit of spray can sometimes be felt depending on the amount of water and the wind.

Most kids love the cave! Bring a flashlight and watch
out for standing water. 

From the lower observation boardwalk, it’s a short walk to the limestone cave. This is a popular spot with kids as they love to climb inside. The opening isn’t huge, so crawling is required (parents beware!). A flashlight or headlamp is handy since it becomes dark quickly. If the weather has been rainy, cave crawlers can expect standing water on the bottom.

From the cave, continue to follow the trail which rises to the junctions of the Redbud Valley and the Thorny Badlands. Either trail takes visitors to the outer reaches of the park. The trails loop through the woods, sometimes winding alongside the stream, the same one created by the waterfall which eventually empties into the Great Miami River. The lookout tower can be accessed from the Thorny Badlands trail, and it allows travelers to climb a bit higher for a birds’ eye view.

Visitors can also inspect the Cedar Pond, where glimpses of fish, snakes, or frogs may be seen. The pond is one section of the park not covered by trees, so sunny days are even more pleasant there. No fishing or swimming is allowed, just careful observation.

Charleston Falls Preserve also has picnic tables and full service restrooms adjacent to the parking lot. As with all the Miami County Parks, the preserve is open from 8:00 a.m. to sunset. Helpful signs at the park entrance alert visitors to the official closing times each day. Other handy signs are also posted throughout the park to remind visitors about safety and to also give directions.

Plan a visit to Charleston Falls or any of the Miami County Parks by visiting the website at http://www.miamicountyparks.com/ .

The stream running away from the falls is quite picturesque.

Wintertime visitors might get lucky enough to see this!

The Thorny Badlands is neither thorny, not bad! It's a lovely tree lined
walk through the woods.

Summertime Adventures at Marengo Cave

You WILL get muddy and wet on the "Waterfall Crawl!"

If you’re in the market for a summertime adventure, beat the heat at southern Indiana’s Marengo Cave, a U.S. National Landmark. Registering a cool 52 degrees year-round, this cave system covers approximately 122 forested acres. With a total length of 5 miles, the cave features dry upper level passages and two parallel underground rivers. The upper level show cave is Indiana’s most visited show cave, and the lower level is the largest of Indiana’s 3,000 known caves.

Adventurous visitors will want to hit at least one of the five cave exploring tours. Warning – you will get wet! Wear old clothes because explorers walk, crawl, crouch, and squirm through the mud. But it’s all worth it to see the waterfall at the end of the “Waterfall Crawl.” This two-hour tour leaves the spelunkers covered from head to toe in mud, as recently experienced by my teenage daughter. Once reaching the waterfall, the tour can be extended even further with the “Beyond the Falls Adventure.” This takes spelunkers to the most remote section of the cave. The “Underground Adventure” gives explorers the chance to wade in an underground river and crawl through narrow passages. All of these tours are offered year-round. Helmets and headlamps are provided.

Down into the depths -- the five cave exploring tours are
definitely for the adventurous!

The two “iCave” experiences are summer-only Saturday tours. Like the year-round tours, visitors walk, crawl, and crouch through the lower passages to the Old Town Spring Cave and the New Discovery Cave. Lucky visitors may see some cave dwelling animals, such as salamanders, crayfish, sculpin, or (gulp) the bat.

Folks who prefer a gentler cave experience can take walking tours, either the Crystal Palace or the Dripstone Trail. Both of these tours are ideal for families with small children, senior citizens, or folks who just don’t want to get wet. The Crystal Palace tour is a 40-minute walk past stalactites and stalagmites, huge flowstone deposits, and formation filled rooms. Visitors learn about the history of the cave and how it felt to explore the cave by candlelight, as the first visitors did.

The Dripstone Trail covers one mile of cave. This 60-minute tour allows visitors to see totem pole stalagmites, delicate soda straw formations, and the unique penny ceiling. Visitors experience total darkness when the lights are turned off. Unique parts of the cave, such as the Looking Glass Lake, Sherwood Forest, and Cave Hill Cemetery, delight visitors of all ages.  Note that the walking tours are not wheelchair or stroller accessible

In addition to the cave, try canoeing on the Blue River, Indiana’s first state scenic river. Trips for all experience levels are available from April through October.

Camping and cabins are available on-site for folks who want to spend several days. Air conditioned cabins feature electricity, bunk beds, fire pits, grills, and picnic tables. Restrooms and showers are a short walk. Electric and primitive campsites also have fire pits, grills, and picnic tables. Free wi-fi is available at the gift shop, and a playground is nearby for the little ones. All camping and cabins are open year-round.

A world of adventure awaits the entire family at Indiana’s Marengo Cave. Plan your trip today by visiting their website at http://www.marengocave.com.

Family Fun in Cincinnati

In Ohio for some family fun this summer? Head to the Queen City...Cincinnati. Packed with family-friendly destinations, you’ll think you’ve traveled to an entertainment hot spot. Try a few of these attractions to make the most of your visit.

The new Banshee coaster is the world's longest
inverted coaster.

King’s Island. Record-breaking rollercoasters, a world-class water park, and star-studded entertainment make King’s Island one of Ohio’s best attractions. Don’t miss the newest coaster, Banshee, which set a record as the world’s longest inverted coaster. The Beast, which celebrates its 35^th birthday this season, still holds the record as the world’s longest wooden coaster. It sits adjacent to the Diamondback, the Vortex, and a host of other rides that will surely deliver the thrills, chills, and spills that your family craves. Milder rides also abound in every section of the park along with an award-winning kids’ section, and the recently remodeled water park, Soak City. Daily admission starts at $59.99, but many discount offers are available online. Plan your visit at www.visitkingsisland.com .

The Asian elephants are always a favorite at the
Cincinnati zoo. See over 500 species of animals!

Cincinnati Zoo. If rollercoasters aren’t your speed, then head on over to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Consistently rated as one of the top zoos in the country, over 500 animal and 3,000 plant species are featured. Don’t miss the newest exhibit, Africa, which opens on June 28^th. Designed like an African savannah, visitors will have unrestricted views and close encounters with the animals. Other exciting exhibits include polar bears in the “Lords of the Arctic,” orangutans in “Jungle Trails,” and Asian elephants in the “Elephant Reserve.” There’s also  giraffes, rhinos, reptiles, and more. It’s a full day at the zoo! General admission is $15 for adults and $11 for kids, but there are many package deals available. Plan your visit online at http://cincinnatizoo.org.  

Kids of all ages love the Duke Energy
Children's Museum!

Cincinnati Museum Center. If you’d rather spend the day indoors, then try the Cincinnati Museum Center. Housed in the former Union Terminal train station, this museum houses three different museums, an Omnimax theatre, and a variety of traveling exhibits. The “Diana: A Celebration” exhibit is currently featured and showcases the life and work of Diana, Princess of Wales. This award-winning exhibit will be at the museum through August 17^th. While you’re there, visit the Cincinnati History Museum which takes visitors on a walk through the past of this great city. The Museum of Natural History and Science provides a wealth of hands-on experiences about prehistoric history and the scientific world. Finally, the Duke Energy Children’s Museum offers hours of hands-on play and exploration for kids of all ages. Wrap it up with a movie on the Omnimax’s five-story screen, and you’ve got a day full of excitement. Ticket prices vary depending on the number of museums visited. The website at www.cincymuseum.org explains the various options available.

Fountain Square.  Whether you choose to spend an entire evening here, or you stop by on your way to another location, Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati has food, fun, and entertainment all summer long. An daily schedule of events means that there’s always something happening, in addition to the permanent dining and shopping storefronts that surround the square. Music, dancing, sports events on the big screen...you’ll find it in the square. Check out their website at http://myfountainsquare.com for the full schedule of summertime events. Also, keep in mind that there’s ice skating here in the winter.

Reds Baseball. It’s the great American pastime, and a chance to see live Major League baseball in action. Tickets can be had for as little as $9, depending on the game. Visit http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com for ticket information and details on special events.

You can have a fun, family-filled adventure in southwest Ohio. Try Cincinnati and see what a great time you can have!

Other places to explore in the Cincinnati area...
The Beach Waterpark: http://www.thebeachwaterpark.com/
Newport Aquarium:  http://www.newportaquarium.com/
The Creation Museum: http://creationmuseum.org/
Newport on the Levee: http://www.newportonthelevee.com/
Cincinnati Art Museum: http://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center: http://freedomcenter.org/

Feed Your Brain

Winter weather might be getting you down, but it’s easy to keep your mind sharp by exercising your brain. Kids and adults benefit from a daily dose of “brain food.” So turn off the TV and video games and give your brain a workout with exercises meant to stimulate your mind.

Reading...the ultimate brain food!
Photo courtesy of Paul Bence, Creative Commons License

As a teacher, I have to recommend reading as the most important “brain food.” Readers create mental pictures that engage the imagination. Processing words along with their meanings forces the reader to understand a scenario as it’s being described. Reading will always top my list of “brain food” activities, and the greatest part about it is that if you visit your local library, it’s totally free.

Not a reader? Don’t worry. It’s not the only activity that qualifies as “brain food.” Puzzles are another engaging activity. Whether it’s a hands-on jigsaw puzzle, or a written puzzle such as Sudoku, a crossword, or a word search, puzzles force the brain to think creatively while also exercising memory and perception skills. Mazes also fall into the puzzle category. The more difficult the maze, the better the mental work out.

Crafts and hands-on activities also give the brain exercise. Knitting, crocheting, wood working, scrapbooking, painting, sewing, and even auto repair connect the hands and the mind together. Introducing these types of skills to kids provides them with opportunities that can be utilized into adulthood. Adults, it’s never too late to learn one of these activities, so don’t assume it’s all kids’ play.

Learning a musical instrument is exercise
for the brain.
Photo courtesy of Nikos Koutoulas, Creative
Commons License.

Music and dance provide wonderful exercise for the brain. Learning to sing or play an instrument stretches the mind and forces it to work, especially when reading music is involved. Dancing, besides its obvious physical benefits, gives the brain an opportunity to direct the body into a prescribed set of motions and actions. Singing and dancing together takes the entire process one step further.

Play board games as a family. Institute a family game night and make it a grand event. Snacks, games, and family competition make these “brain food” moments even more fun. Play a variety of games and keep a running total of the winners so that you can crown a champion for the night. Game night brings the family together for some quality time, as well.

Play with LEGOs, blocks, or other building materials. Give your kids the opportunity to create and build. Don’t just stick to the provided directions for LEGOS, either. If your blocks are all mixed together, then take them and just start building. It’s fun to see what can be created. Or, for an even bigger challenge, attempt to copy a well-known building or person to make a LEGO version.

Learn a new skill. It’s a healthy to engage in new activities or skills. Think about something you’ve wanted to do and learn how to do it. Encourage your kids to do the same. Your brain will thank you for it.

Build variety into the cold winter months by regularly feeding your brain and keeping it healthy. This is important for kids and adults. Feed your brain and give it a work out no matter what your age!

Cooking with Kids

In my last post I discussed the importance of eating dinner together as a family. One central idea to that concept involves kids in the kitchen. There’s beauty in the time spent on nourishing your family, and kids learn it best when they begin to cook as youngsters.

Good cooking is truly an art form. My younger self could cook, meaning that I could take prepackaged food and create something that was edible. But understanding food and the nuances that accompany a delicious dish is a skill that must be rehearsed, just like anything else. I’ve learned a great deal about cooking thanks to my husband who understands food much better than I do. My attitude changed as I realized that cooking for family and friends is truly an expression of love.

So, how can you develop a love for cooking in your kids’ hearts and minds? Several strategies bring kids into the kitchen to start them on a journey of food appreciation.

1. Begin by including them as your helpers, or as we like to call it at our house, “sous chefs.” Kids of all ages can assist in cooking, and it makes them feel important. Whether it’s getting out the ingredients, pouring things into a mixing bowl, or stirring, there’s always a task to be completed. Older kids can learn to chop, peel, and manage a hot skillet. If you need time to teach skills, approach it on a weekend when time is not as tight as on a school night.

2. Get kids’ attention with their preferred foods. If your child is reluctant to serve as your assistant, entice them with foods you know they already enjoy. It’s more fun to make a batch of cookies than to prepare a vegetable side dish. Be patient. The goal is to get them interested, so take it slow. Once you’ve got them hooked, you can start to introduce new foods or engage them in the preparation of other dishes.

3. Watch cooking shows on TV. Something amazing happens when you watch cooking shows...you really want to cook. Watching the masters at work stirs up a sense of excitement. “I could do that!” you start to think. And, if you’re thinking it, kids will, too. Find an entertaining cooking show host and start to tune in regularly. Not only will you pick up a few tips and tricks, your family will start to see how much fun it is to cook.

4. Find kid friendly recipes. Search the Internet, look in magazines, or visit bookstores for recipes that are written for kids. The local library is likely to have kids’ cookbook available, too, including ones written by celebrity chefs like Rachael Ray. It won’t take much time to find recipes which engage your kids in the kitchen.

Turn your children into chefs and start them on the road to a lifetime of cooking. Make food and mealtime a priority in your family and equip your kids with healthy habits and attitudes for the years to come.

Mealtime is Family Time

In this increasingly hectic world, it can be difficult to sit down for a family dinner. Don’t mistake the importance of this family time, though; coming together to leave the distractions of the world behind. Several wonderful things happen when a family eats together.

1. Children learn good table manners. At its most basic function, the family dinner helps children learn table manners, especially when mom and dad model them. Implementing the manners at home trains the kids for using those manners in other eating situations, such as restaurants and at friends’ houses. Train them at home and then take them out to practice their skills.

2. Children learn the art of conversation. Besides eating, talking is a major function of the family dinner. Not only do kids hear their parents talk, but they learn how to engage in polite conversation and all the nuances that accompany it. This frequent conversation with parents also improves vocabulary which develops better language skills.

3. Children have uninterrupted attention from their parents. Busy, busy, busy. It’s become the American way of life. But, when the entire family sits down to eat, the kids have the opportunity to talk to their parents, share information about the day, and ask questions. Some of the best conversations in families happen at the dinner table.

4. Children eat healthier meals. Research shows that families eat more fruits and vegetables when everyone sits down for a family meal. Teach kids about nutrition and model healthy eating habits. Eating at home also gives parents control over portion sizes, a difficult task when dining out.

5. Children learn about cooking. Preparing and then eating a family dinner teaches kids how to cook. Let children be part of the meal preparation. Older kids and teens can even take on the responsibility of preparing an entire meal once a week. Pass down those cherished family recipes by engaging kids in the process of cooking.

6. Children try new foods. While cooking and eating a meal together, take this opportunity to introduce a new food. Experiment in the kitchen and get kids on board with your new adventure. Eating at home is more economical than dining out, so trying a new recipe is gentler on the pocketbook. Let kids suggest a new menu item and even let them help make it. It’s easier to be adventurous when eating at home.

7. Children are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. Studies show that kids who eat at least five family meals a week are less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as cigarette smoking, drugs, and drinking. The time spent in direct contact with parents has a positive impact in helping kids make wise choices in these areas.

If a myriad of activities keeps your family from sitting down together on a regular basis, then it might be time to pare down the activities. Start small with one or two meals per work and gradually increase as you flex the schedule. In time, the family dinner will feel so routine, you’ll wonder how you survived without it. 

Keep Kids Active in the Winter

Winter has reared its ugly head with cold temperatures and plenty of snow. After just a few days of being stuck inside, you may be looking for ways to get your kids moving. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 60 minutes of exercise every day, and that can be a tall order to fill when winter weather keeps recreational activities at bay. Think outside the box to keep your kids active during the long days of winter.

1. Turn your house into an indoor gym. Create an obstacle course with chairs, pillows, sofa cushions, tables, and anything else that you can use to make a maze for your kids to crawl and jump through. Utilize the space in your basement or garage for kicking a soccer ball, having a “sword fight” with pool noodles, jumping rope, or creating the aforementioned obstacle course. Set up a fitness routine with a series of jumping jacks, push-ups, sit ups, and jogging in place. Time your kids and set goals for personal “bests.”

2. Bring technology into the mix with your video game system. Wii Fit games are a lot of fun, and kids love working out with other “Mii”s. Games like “Just Dance” provide a fun way to work out while dancing. Find workout DVDs that everyone can use. Kids enjoy using adult exercise DVDs because it makes them feel more grown up. Zumba DVDs incorporate dancing into the workout.

3. If you need to get out of the house, take advantage of your YMCA membership. Teens can visit the fitness room or shoot hoops in the gym. Get kids of all ages moving by walking on the track. Let kids use their MP3 players and headphones to motivate them while walking or running. Take the entire family for a dip in the pool and conduct family relay races across the pool.

Visit an indoor entertainment venue with jumping
inflatables, laser tag, and more!

4. Visit a local establishment with jumping inflatables. Older kids will enjoy laser tag, and you could even stage a family competition. Search out the indoor entertainment venues in your area to find other fun activities, such as sand volleyball, go karts, laser tag, mini-golf, and bowling. Many large cities now feature the SkyZone Trampoline Park. Jumping packages start at just $9 a person. Google search to find indoor entertainment establishments for admission rates, directions, and hours of operation for wherever you live.

5. Go outside! When those rare winter days with higher temperatures arrive, send your kids outside. Keep a few balls or other outdoor toys handy through the winter so that the kids can shoot a few hoops, take a spin on a skateboard or scooter, or swing on the swingset.

6. Don’t shy away from the snowy days, too. Buy your kids winter weather clothes so that they can go outside to play. If the price of snow pants and boots feels oppressive, check second-hand stores or consignment shops to pick up those clothing items for a lower price. At the end of the season, shop sale racks for next year’s winter gear.  Being prepared for the weather means kids can get exercise outside more often than not, year-round.

Don’t let cold weather keep your kids stuck on the couch all season. Get creative and keep ‘em moving.

Celebrate Thanksgiving Memories

Celebrate the season this Thanksgiving with some fun family activities.

1. Thanksgiving paper chain: Those paper chains seem to be a staple of most childhoods, whether it was for a Christmas tree decoration or a school project. Take this common idea and use it celebrate thankfulness. Spend a period of time, whether it’s the month of November or during the span from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and add links to your family’s chain daily. Each person can write something they’re thankful for on a strip of paper, link together, and create your chain. Try to emphasize people, situations, and opportunities instead of material objects. It’s easy to be thankful for “things,” but try to dig deeper into those parts of life that mean more.

2. Handprint Turkey: Kids seem to grow so fast! Capture a moment of time by making a handprint turkey of your family, including the parents. Trace each person’s hand onto colored paper and then cut out the shapes. On a sheet of scrapbook paper, arrange the handprints largest to smallest to create the turkey’s feathers. Cut out a few more shapes to create the turkey’s body, and finish it off by drawing a few facial features. Words could be added to the craft such as, “Thankful for Family,” or “A Thankful bunch of turkeys.” Not only have you created a cute Thanksgiving craft, but you’ve made a snapshot in time of the different sizes of your family, represented by their hands. Be sure to include the date somewhere on your masterpiece.

The handprint turkey is a
fun keepsake. 

3.  Personalized Place cards: Let your kids create place cards for the Thanksgiving meal. These can be as simple or elaborate as your kids can dream up. Provide the materials, such as paper, glue, scissors, markers, and stickers, and let your kids go to work. Older kids could write a couple of sentences about why they are thankful for each person.

4.  Conversation Starters: Instead of everyone drifting off to different corners of the house after the Thanksgiving meal, prepare some conversation starters to get everyone talking. Write questions on slips of paper, fold them, and deposit in a jar. During the activity, each person draws a slip of paper and then shares their answer with the group. This is a great way to stay connected as a family, and you might learn a few things about your relatives. Great questions could include, “What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory? What is a childhood memory that stands out to you? What was your proudest moment? What piece of advice would you like to give to the people here today?” Visit these websites for specific ideas: 

http://www.craftychica.com/site/2013/11/thanksgiving-craft-conversation-starter-centerpiece/

http://countrydesignstyle.com/2013/11/21/thankful-questions/

Thanks to "Spoonful of Imagination" for this great idea!

5.  Handprint runner. This is a fun activity that can take place after the meal. Buy burlap or another sturdy fabric and cut it as a table runner. Have everyone (even the adults) paint their hands and leave a handprint on the runner. Let each person decorate their handprint to be a turkey. For an added religious touch, each person could add a favorite Bible verse next to their turkey handprint. Store the runner away until next Thanksgiving when it comes out to decorate the table.  This could become a yearly tradition, and it’s a great way to keep a moment of family history. Read more about this project here:

http://www.hometalk.com/689841/diy-thanksgiving-table-runner

This Thanksgiving season, make your focus family and friends, not objects. People and experiences create long-lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come!