That’s Right…

Dandelions! Friend, Not Foe

Summer is almost over. (WAH!) And that means a lot of things. And one is the end of Dandelions. While fathers around the neighbourhood may rejoice that their battle with these prolific flowering weeds will soon come to a close for the season, it’s a rather sad day for kids.

Or at least it should be.

Do you let your kids spread Dandelion seeds by blowing them off the stems? Have they learned “Miss Polly had a Dolly and Her Head Popped Off?” Do you play the “Do You Like Butter?” game? How about make Dandelion stem jewellery?

No? Well there’s still time! Grab your kids and head for the dandelion patch! (I dare you to play “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” with dandelion petals! )

Dandelion Games for Kids

Got Dandelions? Good. Let’s Play:

Blow the Seeds Off Of Dandelions

This is a great outdoor game for toddlers (and older kids). Simply pick a Dandelion that has gone to seed and blow the seeds off it. When the kids start to get lightheaded, they can simply wave them in the air. They’ll love it! (I still do!)

Miss Polly Had a Dolly

Sure, some parents might freak out about the idea of a doll having it’s head popped off, but you know what? It’s a fact of life. Doll”s heads pop off and kids think this game is hilarious! And honestly, it’s a great way to get the kids beheading all the Dandelions in the yard before they go to seed.

How to play: Find a Dandelion that has bloomed. Grip the stem just under the flower’s head. Place your thumb against the stem under the flower and flick your thumb upwards while singing the song (lyrics below). The flower should pop off! (It may take kids a few tries to figure out the popping part. Let them experiment and problem solve this one. They may just rip that head off!–That works too!)

Lyrics: Miss Polly had a dolly and it’s head popped off. (Pop head off Dandelion on the word “popped.”)

Do You Like Butter?

This game originated with Buttercups, I believe, but being rather short on Buttercups but deluged in Dandelions, we always used Dandelions.

Find a Dandelion that is in bloom. Hold it under someone’s chin while asking “Do you like butter?” If the flower reflects yellow on their skin, the answer is “yes.” And then, if you are feeling especially bratty, you slide the flower up over their chin, leaving the gorgeous yellow pollen behind. (If you are thinking “allergies” don’t fret. Just play. You can always run to the Claritin later.)

Dandelion Jewellery

How to make Dandelion Jewellery: Take the stems of Dandelions–longer is better as they usually taper a bit more, making this easier–and take one end (skinnier end) and slide it through the hollow other end of the stem making a circle/loop. Voila! Make more loops, hooking them through another loop before closing the loop to make a chain. Make bracelets, anklets, necklaces, and even a headdress.

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

This game is a lot easier with a flower that only has a few petals, but if you are looking for a nice, BIG challenge, playing this game with a Dandelion is the sure way to go! Pull out the first petal and say “He loves me.” Pull out the second petal and say “He loves me not.” Continue back and forth. The last petal that you pull out will reveal if he loves you or not. Good luck!

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Strange and useless Dandelion facts: Dandelions are not considered a weed in England and are planted in gardens–intentionally. (or so I have been told–correct me if I am wrong). Dandelions make a lovely wine. Dandelion leaves are edible and can be added to salads.

What are/were your favourite Dandelion games to play? Did you play any of these as a kid?

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Dandelion games for kids. Have you played these games? http://t.co/TMDI7vEY

— Jean Oram (@KidsPlay) August 22, 2012

How to play Knock Your Socks Off

Divide the group of players (6-16 players works well) into two teams. Everyone needs to be wearing socks. The teams get down on their hands and knees as this is a crawling game–you cannot stand up or stand on your feet at any point during the game. Choose an area for the game such as the living room–if you leave the boundaries of the game area, you are automatically out.

When the game starts, the two teams begin crawling around, trying to pull the socks off the other team’s feet. The goal is to get all the socks off the other team. Once a sock is off a foot, it stays off. Once a player has no socks left on, they move to the sidelines to cheer on the other players (they are out of the game).

No kicking! And no grabbing at your own sock if someone is pulling it off. And no knee-high socks or stirrup pants–they are so unfair! (I know this because everyone used to whine when I did it. Sorry!)

Make this a family activity: Break into teams. Parents against kids or boys against girls or just mix it up! Watch out: Mom tickles!

This activity promotes speed, agility and a little healthy competition.