日本語
Star shaped food
cookies
cake
sandwich
biscuits
mashed potatoes
jello jigglers
red peppers
watermelon
Tri-colored food
drinks
jello
parfaits
shaved ice
Other stuff
Fruit by the foot
Pop-Rocks
Toothpick flags
For Pre-school
Wear red white or blue
Listen to patriotic music and dance/march
Make a Barbie parade
Eat red, white and blue food
Tell stories about yourself and loved ones
Play hot-potato and name things you are grateful for (about the US)
After dark games:
sparklers or fiber-optic flashlights--draw shapes
glow-stick/ flashlight tag or hide and seek
Silly dance when the flashlight shines on you
For Teens
Watch segments of West Wing and explain things they don’t understand
Debate social issues
Kids try to stump mom and dad with history trivia (Tricky way to help them learn! Allow some popculture if that will motivate)
Make lists of things they like, and things they don’t like, and see which is longer (this can be passport country only, or both)
Watch a historical movie
Carve an amazing watermelon
Force them to wear a silly hat if they say predetermined word (red, for example)
Bore them with stories of family history
Plan discussion topics such as:
What was hard about last time in U.S.
What to do next time to make it better
What makes you feel uncomfortable
Strategies to cope with hard things
Teach a new skill they will need, such as how to write checks and balance book
Watch “Blast from the Past” and discuss the similarities with being an M.K. and what helped the main character to adjust
Make up your own list of “You know you’re an M.K.” or read what others have written
Make cartoons to illustrate humorous situations in both cultures
Open the time capsule they made during elementary years
For School age
Historical charades
Dress as Historical character party
Photo shoot: dress as Uncle Sam, Statue of Liberty
American Girl themed party (new era each year)
Contests (with prizes, of course): Who can name the most states, capitals, presidents, etc.
Watch a historical movie
Put on a historical play or puppet show
Make a pictorial time line, include yourselves
Research family history/roots (family tree)
Play a history trivia game
Wear silly hats, red hair, star garland, pins, etc.
Leave thunder sticks around, make up cheers
Make a time capsule
Learn Pledge of Allegiance
Learn national anthem
Summers in U.S., take advantage of free concerts in the park, watch parades, barbeque with relatives, decorate bikes for neighborhood parade etc.