Some fun ideas to try with your preschooler on that day or the whole month long is to make cookies with your child to take next door, create a card, or just make a little visit to a neighbor in your neighborhood. Talk with your child first about neighbors. Who they are, what they mean to you and how we can befriend them and be good neighbors.

• Relax with the kids and enjoy looking through old childhood photographs of you growing up and the kids as they’ve grown up. Share your favorite memories and activities you enjoyed as a child. Take pictures on National Kids Day and start to organize, with your children, scrapbooks they can share with their kids in years to come.
• Instead of kids making coupons for parents, adults make a coupon for the kids. Develop a list with the kinds of things your family hasn’t had time for lately. Together, create a coupon booklet. Then kids redeem the coupon any time they want a little extra attention

Check out http://www.kidsday.net/ for more ideas.

• Check your coat closet: With your child, go to the coat closet and pull out all the old coats that nobody wears anymore. Take them to the local homeless shelter that serves families. Allow your child to go along and possibly meet another child who might need their coat. Your younger child may not completely understand what is happening, but they’ll surely feel the good feelings that come from giving.
• Donate old toys: Go through old toys together with your children. Make sure you explain to your child what you plan to do and let them help pick out the toys to be given away. Choose clean toys that aren’t broken. If your child really doesn’t want to give a certain toy away—don’t try to force them and make an issue out of it. They will benefit from being consulted and will get into the spirit of it once they have a chance to get more involved.
• Participate in food drives: So many of us take one or more children to the grocery store with us when we shop. One idea, to help them feel ownership of the project, might be to save a little bit each time you go shopping. Have your older kids help you figure out how much money you might save from using coupons, or getting an item on sale. You can even add the amount you saved by not buying a treat. Keep the money in a jar or envelope. When there is enough to buy a few things, take the children grocery shopping with the sole intent of picking up non-perishable food items for a shelter or food bank. Have your children join you to drop the food off at the food bank or food drive.
• Sponsor a needy family: My greatest memories of Christmas as a child were ringing the doorbell of a home, running and hiding behind a snowbank or a parked car with my family. No, we weren’t playing a trick, we had placed presents, food and even a tree on the front porch of a family in need. We waited with anticipation to see the joy on the children’s faces. We were involved in the shopping and present wrapping, and even picking out a tree. Often, we gave up a toy we wanted in order to provide for this other child. What a powerful lesson to learn young. There are many ways to do this with your family. Most malls and community centers will have a “Giving” or “Wishing” tree. Sub-4-Santa is also an excellent organization that can coordinate your family with a family in need.

No matter what you choose to do to introduce these activities to your children, remember that it will mean more to them if they are really involved. Also remember, you are never too young to feel good by giving.

1. Peel hard-boiled eggs and cut them in half lengthwise.
2. Remove the yolks and have your child mash them in a bowl with some mayonnaise and a small amount of prepared mustard.
3. Put the yolk mixture back in to the egg-white halves.
4. Make sails for the ships by poking two small holes in a small square colored piece of paper. Stick a toothpick in one hole and out the other.
5. Place the flags in the yolk mixture and sail away.

1. Take a brown lunch bag and draw a line around the bag down about 9″.
2. Draw curved lines from the two top corners of the bag down to the line.
3. Make round eyes, a triangle nose, and a curvy mouth.
4. For whiskers, you can use paste pipe cleaners or yarn.
5. With the bag still closed, cut the ears along the lines you’ve drawn.
6. Tape the tops of the ears together.

It may not fit much, but it’s a perfect little bag for a fun meal with your child.

1. With the bag flat on a table, draw two eyes, a nose and a big smile with funny teeth (like you would on a jack o’lantern) on one side.
2. Opening the bag up, cut the features out of just one side.
3. Gather the bag around a flashlight, using the yarn or string to tightly attach it. (Make sure you can reach the on/off switch).
4. Stand the bag up in a window, and it will shine like a jack o’lantern without the danger of a burn for little ones.

• Try green food coloring in the milk (just a drop!) and put it in pancakes, too.
• Serve celery moons as part of lunch (cut the celery crosswise and little half moons are formed.
• Broccoli trees are another green food and fun to eat for dinner.

Too bad that St. Patrick’s Day is on a Saturday this year.