Starting 2023 with another whole week at home with the kids? Cara Kliman proposes a hilarious antidote to the usual holiday music and activities. Just gather a few props from left-over gift wrapping, look up something on YouTube and you will be all set to play:
TIE A YELLOW RIBBON
Before you head out:
- Find a long yellow ribbon or scarf in house to take to the park. If you don’t have a yellow ribbon or scarf, any colour ribbon or any scarf can stand in as long as it’s long .
- Get your kids to watch a YouTube recording of Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree by Tony Orlando and Dawn.
Note: Factor in time for their predictable sniggering comments, with you responding amiably, ‘Yes, your mum is very old’ and ‘Yes, Tony Orlando’s moustache does look like some kind of sinister moss is growing on his face. That’s just how they rolled in the ‘70s.’ Do not allow conversation to get onto Tony’s hairstyle; you’ll never get out the house. - Finally, Pritt Stick two lumps of claggy soil above your lip to fashion your own Tony Orlando moustache – only joking!
Time to head to the park.
- In the park choose one person to be ‘Tony,’ who is then handed the ribbon or scarf.
- Every else sits down on a bench and shuts their eyes.
- ‘Tony’ can now run anywhere in the Pak and ties the ribbon around any tree of their choice.
- ‘Tony’ then returns to the bench and shouts ‘Go!’
- The rest of you disperse, looking for the ribbon. The first person to find it is the winner/’Tony’ and is the next ribbon hider.
Should you tire of ribbon finding, there is always the fall back game
HUNTING TENNIS BALLS
Simple, and extremely satisfying if you find one.
For more ideas of things you can do in the park with kids not involving ‘70s throwbacks to singers with suspect mullets check out: