Kids' Corner is the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program's family radio hour created by kids, for kids. Our theme this month is spring. During this program, you will hear great songs inspired by this season, a read-aloud book, recipe ideas, a project by BES 4th graders, and much more!
This Spring Themed Show included the following:
Songs:
"Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz)" by The Laurie Berkner Band
"Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles
"When It's Springtime in the Rockies" by Gene Autry
"The Rainbow Connection" by Willie Nelson
"Raindrops Keep Fallin' on my Head" by BJ Thomas
"Green Grass Growin' All Around" by Sam Hinton
Recipe of the Month: Baby Carrots in a Pot
Ingredients: baby carrots, curly parsley, toothpicks, small terracotta pots, and hummus or any other dip that you enjoy.
First, gather all of your materials and ingredients. Next, snip the parsley stems into smaller pieces. Then pierce each carrot top with a toothpick to make a hole. Insert the parsley in the hole that you just made. After that, fill the little pots with hummus or dip. Only fill them about ⅔ of the way full so they don’t overflow when you put the carrots in. Finally, pop the carrots in and enjoy!
Project: Make a Pressed Flower Journal
Let’s make a spring themed art project! Our project is to start a pressed flower journal. This is a great project for kids and adults of all ages. It’s also a wonderful family activity and outing! Springtime is full of growth. So many different flowers are blooming! I love pressing flowers because I can look back on something so beautiful and special for many years to come. Unlike making a bouquet, pressed flowers last for a long time and are so much more special than just taking a picture.
Pick one of your favorite walking routes or do it in your own backyard. You will need a bag to collect your flowers, a sturdy book like a phone book or dictionary, parchment paper, a heavy weight, a blank journal, glue, and a pencil.
First, take note of all the different flowers that are in your area. Remember, native wildflowers are best to look at and take pictures of but not to pick. Instead, try picking flowers that you grew in your own garden, get permission from a neighbor, or find a public park where flowers like dandelions are plentiful. Only take what you need for your project because flowers are a really important part of our ecosystem, especially for pollinators.
Collect the flowers that you would like to preserve in your flower book. Arrange the flowers on a sheet of parchment paper with an inch of space in between each one. Try to press flowers or similar thicknesses together.
Next, carefully cover your flowers with a second sheet of parchment paper. Close the book and set a weight on top. You can also use a brick or more heavy books.
The next step is the hardest part. Wait 2 to 4 weeks for your flowers to dry. When they are done, they will be thin and dried, but they will still have their beautiful colors! Use tweezers or your fingers to carefully pick your flowers out of the book. Take the flowers and glue them into your flower journal. You can write a note next to each one about where you found it, what the flower is called, a memory from the day, or what you find most beautiful about it. Pressing flowers is a great way to save memories from the fleeting season of spring. I love looking back on flowers that I have pressed in the past, remembering what it was like to pick them and who I spent time with.
More info here: https://www.firstdayofhome.com/how-to-press-flowers
Read-Aloud Book: "Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt" by Kate Messner
Family Challenge: I challenge you to have a backyard picnic! Picnics don’t have to only happen for special occasions or be super planned. They can be a fun, everyday thing. Invite each member of your family to make or bring their favorite snack. Little ones might need help making them.
Pick a nice, sunny day, grab a picnic blanket, tapestry, or sheet, and head to your backyard, front year, or a local public park. Spread out your tasty snacks and enjoy! I hope you have fun on your family picnic!
