Mix It Up Mondays #4
Monday usually brings the start of a new week for many. But now, for most, it’s just another ordinary day. Well, we have some activities that can help you get out or your rut, get moving, and stay off of screens. And don’t forget to check out the previous Mix It Up Mondays for more activities to keep everyone busy: Mix It Up Monday #1, Mix it Up Monday #2, Mix It Up Monday #3.
Something Active: A Family Bike Ride or Walk
The recent weather has shown us that spring may indeed be here, and just because we are sheltering in place, it doesn’t mean we can’t go outside. We’re sure you’re all already doing this, but especially with the weather we’ve been having, there’s no better time to escape the house for a bit and get active with one another.
Something Yummy: Passover Chocolate Chip Cookies
Keeping Passover doesn’t have to be too hard, especially with this delicious chocolate cookie recipe!
Ingredients
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
¾ cup packed brown sugar
2 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted
½ cup matzo meal
¼ teaspoon course salt
4 large egg whites
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.Beat butter or margarine and sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy.
3.Beat in egg yolks and vanilla.
4.Add chocolate, matzo meal, and salt. Beat until mixture just comes together. (It should be thick.)
5. In a clean bowl and with a whisk attachment, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into chocolate mixture.
6. Stir in chocolate chips. Let mixture stand 15 minutes.
7. Scoop 2-inch balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until set, 10 to 12 minutes.
8. Let cool on sheet 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire rack, and let cool completely.
9. Enjoy!
Something Artsy: Photographer-Camera Memory Game
Here is a fun and creative game to test your art and memory skills. Grab your siblings, parents, or try it by yourself! Here is how it works:
Two people take turns being the photographer and the camera. The person acting as the camera closes their eyes while the photographer guides them to a pretty scene, whether on a walk, in your backyard or even inside your house. When the photographer has the camera in front of their scene the photographer says “take your picture” The camera opens their eyes for 3 seconds and then closes them, taking a picture in their head! The person acting as the camera then can draw or paint their scene or “photo” from memory. Take turns and see who can most accurately draw their memorized photo and who can find the most unique scene.
Something Messy: Make Your Own Play Dough
Play dough is fun for people of all ages and it is pretty simple to make your own batch at home.
Supplies
½ cup cornstarch
1 cup baking soda
¾ cup water
optional: 2-3 drops of essential oils are fun to add in
optional: 4-5 drops of food coloring
Directions
1. In a saucepan with NO heat, add the cornstarch, baking soda, water and stir.
2. Place your saucepan on the stove top and turn your heat to medium.
3. Continue stirring the mix constantly. It will start to bubble slightly and that’s when it happens really fast. It will begin to turn solid. Once a ball starts to form (4-5 minutes) take your pan off the heat.
4. Place your dough onto a piece of parchment paper or a silicone mat. Let it cool, it will be very hot. To speed the cooling process, flip it over and knead it a bit as it’s cooling down. Be careful, it’s HOT.
5. Once your dough is cool you have the option of adding in a food coloring or a scent.
6. Time to play!
For more activities and resources, be sure to check out Channel J, JCC Chicago’s home for live events, resources, activities for kids and more.
Also be sure to follow Jewish Camp at Home on Facebook as well as Camp Chi on Facebook & Instagram for more resources and events.