Week of June 15, 2020

Y KIDS NEWS

rocketWhen school’s out, the Y is in! We hope you enjoy this edition of Y Kids News, a newsletter with games and activities you can do from home!

THIS WEEK'S THEME:

SPACE

Hey all you Earthlings! What do you see when you look up into the night sky? The sun, the moon, the stars — so much to explore and so much to wonder about. Have a blast learning about all things spacey this week!

healthy challenges

SPACE WORKOUT

space alien

Space explorers need to be healthy and strong. Get ready for your journey to another galaxy with this space workout.

Exercises

  • 10 Solar Squats: Squat and jump trying to reach outer space.
  • 10 Lunar Leaps: Leap like you're walking on the moon.
  • Space Swim: Lay on your stomach lift your legs and arms and act like your swimming in space for 15 seconds.

Repeat all exercises twice.

DIY BUBBLES

Let's make some bubbles! Julie from South Bay Family YMCA shows you how. Show us how you're having fun with your DIY bubbles, and submit your video for a chance to be featured on our social channels!

kids cooking

ROCKET FRUIT KABOBS

family cooking

Ingredients:

  • Strawberry
  • Grapes
  • Banana
  • Skewer

Instructions:

  • Cut the strawberry in half. The Pointy end will be the top of the rocket and the other half will be the bottom. If there are green leaves on the strawberry they can represent the flames.
  • Cut banana into ½- to 1-inch pieces.
  • Alternate between putting grapes and banana pieces on skewer. When finished put strawberry pieces on either side.

craft

BUILD A SPACE BOX

space flag

Build a space box to simulate working in space!

Items needed:

  • Gloves (preferably rubber)
  • Large cardboard box
  • Plastic wrap
  • Tape
  • Objects to put in the box

Instructions:

  • Cut top flaps off of box and holes large enough to fit your hands through.
  • Tape gloves to the holes just made.
  • Add objects to you box. Here's some ideas:
    • Nuts and bolts (to try screwing nut on bolt with gloves on)
    • Cereal, bowl, & spoon (to scoop up cereal and place in bowl)
    • Markers and paper to draw a picture
  • Add plastic wrap to top and tape.

TRACK THE SUN

ykids_news_arts_crafts_boy_270.jpg

This activity will help you understand that Earth is constantly rotating.

Materials:

  • Paper plate
  • Play-Doh
  • Marker, pen or stick

Instructions:

  • Place a blob of Play-Doh in the middle of the plate. Put the marker, pen or stick in the middle so that it sticks straight up.
  • Place the plate somewhere where the sun will be on it all day.
  • Show which way is north by making a mark on the plate.
  • Throughout the day, mark the plate to show the shadows and the time.

MAKE CONSTELLATIONS

Materials:

  • Mini marshmallows
  • Toothpicks

Instructions:

  • Get some ideas about what constellations look like by exploring online.
  • Use mini marshmallows and toothpicks to create your own constellations.
  • Make a picture out of your constellation, with the marshmallows representing the stars, and the toothpicks being lines drawn between the stars that create a picture, like a house, a person, an animal - anything you want!

jokes and trivia

ykids_news_joke_270x170rd.jpg

Trivia:

  1. What is the second biggest planet in our solar system?
  2. What is the hottest planet in our solar system?
  3. What planet has the highest mountain in our solar system?
  4. How many Earths could fit in the sun?
  5. If you could take a plane to Pluto how long would it take?

See answers below

Jokes:

  1. Why did the cow go in the spaceship?
  2. What do planets like to read?

more to explore

MORE OUTER SPACE FUN

FAMILY WORD WORKOUTS

ykid_news_family_word_game.pngOur Y families are staying active and having fun with Family Word Workouts. Each letter of the alphabet represents a different exercise! This week, we're challenging you to a spaced-out workout every day:

  • Monday: SATURN
  • Tuesday: ROCKET
  • Wednesday: CONSTELLATION
  • Thursday: CURIOSITY
  • Friday: ASTRONAUT

Download your alphabet workout sheet.Also, check our social channels (@YMCASANDIEGO) throughout the week for more get-you-moving words.

FLIP FOR GYMNASTICS!

gymnastics

Y Kids are having fun learning gymnastics tricks and practicing skills through our YMCA of San Diego Gymnastics Facebook group. You can get in on the fun, too! Note: A Facebook account is required to participate in this private group.

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