Family Theme Night Blog

It has been a baseball kind of summer.  My youngest started t-ball this year, so there have been games to watch as well as informal ball tossing in the backyard.  In our family, we also love to spend time together enjoying "family fun nights"  (or "family fun afternoons"), so this summer we loved learning about baseball.  In addition to the obvious baseball-related activities (playing and practicing the game), here are a few extra things we've tried.

Stuffed Animal Baseball:

We emptied out the hat basket in the closet and discovered we have quite a collection of baseball caps!  We paired this collection with our collection of stuffed animals, and made an instant baseball team (actually 2 teams).  My five year old named the teams.

Since my kids are younger (ages 5 and 'just-turned' 8), I usually focus on picture books and easy readers for our family fun nights. However, my eight year old really enjoys chapter books now, and since there is a wide selection of books with a baseball theme, I made a list of fiction books with a baseball theme for this week's "Terrific Tales Tuesday" (for both elementary and middle school aged kids).

If you have a baseball fan in your midst that is just the right age for chapter books, try out some of these selections! (Click on the titles for more information.)

Cam Jansen: Cam Jansen and the Sports Day Mysteries by Adler, David A.

Dugout Rivals by Bowen, Fred.

"Memory-Making Meals Monday" is a new regular blog post feature that includes meal ideas for fun-filled family dinners and/or kid-friendly snacks.

This summer our family has enjoyed a lot of baseball-themed family fun. Our youngest started t-ball, so baseball has been a popular topic in our home. My kids love special baseball treats at mealtime—perhaps your family might enjoy these super easy ideas too!

Let's start with dessert first. What could be easier (or more appealing) than a baseball made from frozen yogurt/ice cream?

"Terrific Tales Tuesday" is a regular blog post feature that includes either book lists (usually based on a theme), or a book with an activity suggestion.

This weekend I was chatting with an acquaintance about kids and reading. This particular dad has a son that is really struggling with reading. (His son would prefer to play video games all of the time, if allowed.) I think it is a common problem. As the mom of two boys (and a former teacher), I have found that one key to reading success is to find books that interest kids.  It is also important to find books that are at a comfortable reading level so that they can learn the joy of reading.

This week's list is another baseball themed list. (If you have been reading my blog, you know that our family has enjoyed many "baseball family fun nights" this summer.) These "easy readers" are perfect for the young baseball fan.

Young Cam Jansen and the Baseball Mystery by Adler, David A.

"Terrific Tales Tuesday" is a regular blog post feature that includes either book lists (usually based on a theme), or a book with an activity suggestion.

My son started t-ball in June, and ever since we have enjoyed "baseball family fun nights" on a regular basis. It is often very simple (it's amazing how much fun wearing a baseball cap and popping "stadium popcorn" can be!). To go with our family fun nights, I love to read themed books. When it comes to baseball, there are a LOT of books to choose from! Here is a list of picture books with a baseball theme. (There are also many non-fiction books at the local library, shelved under Dewey Decimal number 796.357.) Click on the titles for more information.

Quacky Baseball by Peter Abrahams

Mama Played Baseball by David Adler

Whew! I'm glad to be back online! We temporarily lost our internet (although it seemed like an eternity). While I was "gone," summer offically arrived. Yeah! With the beginning of summer, we are continuing a series of family fun days with a baseball theme (it was supposed to be one baseball weekend, but we couldn't fit it all in!).

Our first baseballl family fun event was incredibly simple—something that anyone can do. We enjoyed my son's first t-ball game together, and followed it up with a baseball family movie night. To make it special, we popped "stadium popcorn," put on baseball caps and watched a baseball movie together. It is amazing that something as simple as wearing a baseball cap can make a special memory for young kids!

In the process of planning our baseball fun, I discovered that there are a LOT of videos that have a baseball theme. I'm including a list below. (Click on the titles for more information.) Get out your baseball caps, put on a video and enjoy some baseball family fun together this weekend!

Note: This list is extensive, and I have not reviewed all of these videos. Please click on titles/consult online reviews to clarify the appropriateness for your child/family.

My five year old has his very first day of t-ball on Saturday!  It will be a very exciting day for a kindergartner.  It is also an excuse to have some baseball-themed family fun.

To be honest, the weekend is sneaking up on me.  It may be Thursday, but it feels like Wednesday. Does that happen to you too after a long holiday weekend?  It's like I lost a day.  I need to catch up on my family fun planning!  Good thing we can keep things easy and still have fun.

I'm thinking of baseball themed food. I don't necessarily want to focus on ball park food (not exactly healthy).  Perhaps veggie sticks and blueberries ("baseball bats" and "baseballs")?  French toast stick "bats" and kiwi "balls"?  It would be fun to get some peanuts (to go along with the "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" song).  I think some homemade frozen treats might be another yummy idea.  (Ball players need a way to cool off.)

Activities are easy--family baseball practice after the t-ball game!  We can have fun learning the rules of baseball together.  I think it would also be fun to gather all of the stuffed animals in the house, and the extra baseball caps we have, and make an indoor baseball team.

I will also on the lookout for some baseball books and videos!  (More in my next blog.)