Using puzzles for kids party games.

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Alex Goodyear

Apart from having a small group of children complete a jigsaw puzzle, there are many other puzzles that provide enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment when completed as a team. These team activities are suitable for parties or when a small group of children get together.

The first activity or puzzle that I would suggest is to place a well known story in the correct order (sequence). This is best done, with younger children, by giving each of them a picture from a story they all know well (such as little red riding hood), and having them arrange themselves in the correct order for the story to be told. The rules of this game are that the party guests can only speak and show their picture to one other party guest at a time and then decide if they need to stand next to the person they have just spoken to or continue to look for their correct neighbors. For younger children this rule can be relaxed and a free for all can break out as the kids try to line up in the right sequence. Also, if appropriate, the story can be told ahead of time using the actual pictures that are subsequently given out. In this way all of the guests know the story and have seen the order and content of the pictures ahead of time.

Variations of this game, for older children, include having the guests describe (not show) the pictures and lining up based on the verbal descriptions given. Also, again for older children, a lesser known story can be given out including a story that is not known to the group so both the order and story itself needs to be deduced from the pictures.

Pictures of well known stories can be printed from the internet or cut out from an inexpensive story coloring book. If a coloring picture story book is to be used then the kids can color their picture just prior to the game, as an additional party activity.

This party game also lends itself to a themed party, as an appropriate story (to match the theme) can be selected.

The second activity (puzzle) that I would suggest is to give each party guest a piece of a jigsaw puzzle and have them arrange themselves in the correct position around a large room. This is relatively easy for a standard small square jigsaw as the corners and edges are a huge clue. The game can be varied by creating your own jigsaw puzzles, which could be circular, i.e. pizza shaped pieces. The guests can also be restricted to not showing, only describing their pieces, to make the game more challenging. The rules can also be relaxed, as per the first game, in that a free for all can break out.

The second activity is similar to having a group complete a jigsaw but they become the piece and need to place them self in the correct position, relative to the other pieces (guests).

Given the quality of printers, today, it is relatively easy to create a suitable jigsaw puzzle for any number of guests on card stock.

Alex

The human jigsaw puzzle and the “arrange a story” game are some girls party ideas that I have used in the past to add some extra interaction and collaboration to organized party events that I have hosted for my daughter.

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Origin and history of the jigsaw puzzle.

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Alex Goodyear

Although there have been sliding block puzzles around since ancient times the jigsaw puzzle, whereby a cut up picture is reconstructed on wood or card,  originated in 1760 in England. It is no coincidence the first jigsaw puzzle was constructed by a map maker, John Spilsbury from London, UK. These first puzzles were designed to teach children geography, as they reconstructed maps of the times. These early puzzles would have been expensive, being hand crafted on the finest hardwood. Most of the early jigsaw puzzles, up to around 1820, were seen exclusively as an educational game. For example pictures of British kings and queens, going back to 1066 would be made into jigsaw puzzles to teach privileged children history. It wasn’t until later, when printing and cutting technology enabled the mass production of these puzzles, that jigsaw puzzles became widespread as a game or pastime.

The golden age of jigsaw puzzles was around 1920 to 1930. This period was also the time of the great depression and it is said that constructing a jigsaw puzzle relieved stress during those troubled times. The low cost of these puzzles and their ability to be reused or exchanged could also be a reason why they were so popular in the depression era.

Today, my experience is that every child enjoys doing a jigsaw puzzle and adults are split into people that really enjoy doing them or people that never (or hardly ever) do them. 

I have recently noticed, in break rooms, three or four very large jigsaw puzzles being completed at work. The jigsaw puzzle may well be making a come back, as people are looking for inexpensive ways to relieve stress and to socialize.

For group activities and as an educational game the jigsaw puzzle should be considered as a great way to develop a young child. Indeed for the very young, basic hand eye co-ordination skills can be developed as the large pieces of a jigsaw are fitted together.

I can still remember, some 50 years ago, the picture of a zoo on a jigsaw puzzle that I did with my grandmother when I was around 4 years old. She would keep about 6 puzzles for my brothers and I to complete when we visited her and we would spend hours putting them together and taking them apart to redo.

The next time you have a party for younger children, around 4 to 8 years of age, consider having the group complete a large jigsaw puzzle as a party activity.

There are so many jigsaw puzzles available today, that the theme of the party (if there is one) can be easily matched with the picture on the jigsaw, from princesses to pirates. Also I would highly recommend, for all children, going back to the original idea of jigsaw puzzles (to teach geography) and purchase a large map of the world jigsaw puzzle for you own children, or as a group party activity, to complete. I have done this with my own children and it is a great way for them to understand where the main countries and cities of the world are located. 

Alex

Jigsaw puzzles are just one of the many subjects I have researched for girls party ideas  that encourage “in person” collaboration that is as enlightening as it is entertaining.

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Dinners you can be proud of… 3.9.11 – Mexican Stew

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Joseph and Leah Reed

What’s for dinner Mom?  What are we having Dad?  It’s the question heard round the world every day.  For those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to provide for our families, we know that just feeding them is not enough.  You want to feed them tasty meals that wont break your budget and that are unprocessed.  Does it have to be %100 healthy?  No of course not.  Does it have to be %100 tasty, it would be nice.

Every Wednesday we will be proud to bring you a tasty unprocessed meals that you can serve to your family.  The meals will be simple but interesting!  The recipes pulled right out of our own kitchen.  Dinner is the best opportunity you have to spend quality time with your family.  You can ask them about their day, talk about tomorrow, and build a future that you can be proud of.

What you will need…

  • 6 slices of Hormel Natural Choice Uncured Bacon (It’s every bit as flavorful and versatile as any other premium bacon. In fact, operators can use it in place of the premium bacon they’re using now.  It’s just as delicious, just as premium… and it’s all-natural!  It has no preservatives, no additives, and no added MSG.   Plus it’s gluten-free and is made from pork raised without added hormones (Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in pork).
  • 3-4 lbs. Top blade roast (a.k.a. chuck roast) rinsed and patted dry (This cut of beef is very flavorful and best of all its cheep and can be found at any grocery store.)
  • 4 Fresh Tomatillos, husks removed and chopped (these look like green tomatoes with a green/brown paper over them. Husk them at the store to make sure the tomatillos are free from bruises and spots.)
  • 3 cups off Imagine Organic Chicken Cooking Stock (The innovative aseptic carton package preserves the freshness and homemade taste of our soups for up to 12 months, literally locking in the nutrients and flavor by sealing out light and air. Plus, the flash heating and cooling process effectively retains our soup’s nutritional value, color and even texture.  The canning and aseptic packaging processes do not require artificial preservatives.)
  • 3 Serrano Chili Peppers, seeded and chopped (optional) (although Mexican food is well loved at our home, Mexico can keep the hot spices.  Plus when cooking for children you might want to omit this ingredient.)
  • 4 Large Cloves of Garlic, smashed
  • 6 tbsp of Fresh Cilantro, chopped
  • ½ of a Large Onion, diced (I like to use sweet onions or yellow onions for a milder flavor)
  • 1 Lime, cut into wedges
  • Ground pepper to taste
  • MexAmerica All Natural Tortillas

1) First you want to combine the tomatillos, onion, garlic and cilantro to a blender.  Squeeze all the lime wedges into the mix and discard the rinds (Put down the garbage disposal for a pleasant smelling sink) Turn the blender on and liquefy till all the ingredients are well blended.  Set aside.

2) In a large frying pan with a lid cook the bacon uncovered just until the bacon is crisp.  Remove the bacon to a paper-towel covered plate and crumble with your fingers or the side of a knife.  Now sear the roast in the bacon drippings on all sides. Don’t worry about cooking the meat all the way through it will finish cooking once you have all the ingredients together. Get the meat nice and browned.  This will help keep your meat tender and flavorful by sealing it in.

3) After your meat is well browned pour the contents from the blender over the roast.  Stir in the chicken stock and add pepper and salt to taste.  Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and allow to cook for 2 hours.  Or put everything in a crock (after browning meat) pot before you leave for work. Set on low and enjoy when you come home.

Serve with warm tortillas or cheese quesadillas and a fresh garden salad.

-LR
Leah Reed is a graphic artist from Sacramento California and the published illustrator of Little Eppy Children’s book.  To contact her about your illustration needs, email her at studiogipsy@gmail.com

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