Fall Craft For Families – Turkey Windsocks

Happy Fall, ya’ll! As the weather gets cooler, you might be wondering what kind of activities can keep your kids entertained indoors. Check out this fun and cost efficient craft for your family!

thanksgiving kids craft turkey windsocks

(Image from Happiness is Homemade)

What you’ll need:

  1. Recycled Aluminum Can
  2. Brown Paint
  3. Craft glue
  4. Orange Paint Pen
  5. Large Googly Eyes
  6. Ribbons-Fall Colors
  7. Feathers, Felt, and/or Construction Paper-Fall Colors
  8. Scissors
  9. Masking Tape (optional)

Directions:

  1. Start by painting the Aluminum Can with the brown paint. 
  2. After the brown paint is dry, use your orange painter’s pen to draw an upside-down triangle as the turkey’s “beak.”
  3. Then, attach the googly eyes using your craft glue.
  4. Using your choice of feathers or construction paper, create the turkey’s “tail” by gluing the feathers/construction paper to the top of the back of the can on the inside rim. The can will have sharp edges, you can apply the masking tape there to protect your fingers.
  5. Cut 10-15 pieces of ribbon at about 18” in length.
  6. Apply a thick layer of craft glue to the inside rim at the bottom of the can, and then place your ribbon streamers. Allow the glue to dry.
  7. Cut out a red waddle (in either felt or construction paper). Use your craft glue to attach it beside the beak.
  8. Attach ribbon to the inside rim of the top sides of the can using craft glue to create a handle.

Adapted from: Happiness is Homemade. For more fun, Fall crafts, check out their website:

https://www.happinessishomemade.net/thanksgiving-kids-craft-turkey-windsocks/ 

Military Youth Magazine – Submission Guidelines and Overview

OMK is proud to announce our plans to publish a magazine written entirely by military-connected youth of Ohio and edited by members of our Ohio Military Teen Council.

Submissions will open on Friday, June 16th at 12:00am and will close on Wednesday, July 5th at 11:59pm.

Qualtrics submission link.

We encourage our military youth to brainstorm ideas for submissions and potential names for the magazine.

🟢 Themes & Content:

Written submissions:

  • In Relation to Military Life
    • Personal stories
    • Experiences
    • Reflections
    • Insights
    • Challenges
    • Resilience
    • Personal Growth
    • Overcoming Obstacles
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    • Physical Health
    • Self Help
  • Advice & Resources
  • The Impact of Camp

Illustrations, photos, comics, and other artwork:

  • Reflect the life or experiences of military-connected youth & families.
  • Demonstrate resilience
  • Show healthy habits
  • Bring joy

🔵 Submission Guidelines:

General Guidelines:

  • Age Eligibility: Submissions are open to military-connected youth and young adults.
  • Original Work: All submissions must be original.
  • Proofreading: Double-check your work for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors before submitting.
  • Multiple Submissions: You may submit multiple pieces across different categories (articles, photography, illustrations, and poetry). Please complete the submission survey once for each piece.
  • Submission Format: Submit all entries electronically in the appropriate file format (Word document, JPEG/PNG for images, and PNG/vector for illustrations).

📝 Articles, Personal Essays, Reflections, and Short Stories:

  • Length: Approximately 200 – 2,500 words.
  • Formatting: Break up text with headings as needed.
  • Accompanying Photos: Original photos may be submitted to accompany your writing. Follow Photos guidelines below.
  • Submission: Upload as a Microsoft Word document.

🎤 Poetry:

  • Length: Poem length can vary, but we recommend between 10 and 30 lines.
  • Submission: Upload as a Microsoft Word document.

🎨 Illustrations/Artwork:

  • Consent: If the artwork(s) contain recognizable individuals, make sure you obtain written consent for that photo to be published and shared publicly.
  • Submission: Submit digital files as PNG or in vector formats (.AI, .SVG).

🖌️ Comics / Graphic Novels:

  • Submission: Submit digital files as .JPEG, .PNG, or .PDF.

📸 Photos:

  • Consent: If the photo(s) contain recognizable individuals, make sure you obtain written consent for that photo to be published and shared publicly.
  • Submission: Submit photos as .JPEG or .PNG files.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and showcasing the talent, stories, and perspectives of military youth!

Marching Towards Success: National and Local Resources for Military Families

Ohio Military Kids believes in helping our military youth to grow & succeed by providing them with any available resources. We know that military life can be challenging, and that is why we are committed to supporting the families and youth of those who have served our country. In this post, we’ll highlight three programs that are working to support military families: The National Military Family Association, Purdue University’s Military Teen Adventure Camps, and the six Troop and Family Assistance Centers throughout the state.

 

Continue reading Marching Towards Success: National and Local Resources for Military Families

Blueberry-Lemon Energy Balls

You’ll Need:

3/4 cup walnuts

1/2 cup pitted dates

1/4 cup dried blueberries

3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

2 tablespoon pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:

  1. Process walnuts, dates, and blueberries in a food processor until chopped and combined – about 7 to 10 seconds.
  2. Add oats, maple syrup, and lemon juice.
  3. Continue processing until the mixture is smooth and thick. 20 to 30 seconds.
  4. Transfer the paste to a bowl, add lemon zest, and mix.
  5. Using your hands, form the mixture into 18 small balls.
  6. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Adapted from: https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/7964794/blueberry-lemon-energy-balls/

Scrabble Tile Zipper Pull

You’ll Need:

  • Scrabble tiles
  • Popsicle stick
  • Binder clips
  • Glue-On Bail
  • Lanyard Clip
  • Heavy Duty GlueBackpack with attached scrabble tile zip pull

Directions

  1. Measure and trim a popsicle stick so all the tiles will fit.
  2. Add glue to one side of the stick and arrange tiles straight & evenly. Leave enough room at the top for the bail. Clamp binder clips to the tiles and let set for 2 hours.
  3. Apply the bail to the back using glue. Secure with a binder clip and let set for two hours.
  4. Attach the lanyard clip to the bail and clip it on your backpack!

No bail? Try using the silver piece from an extra small binder clip instead!

Adapted from: https://www.momtastic.com/family/diy-for-kids/448307-scrabble-tile-zipper-pull/