Apps For Kids

Raking the leaves into a big pile and jumping into it, is loads of fun. But be sure to leave some patches of leaves for the bugs, too. Many insects like moths, butterflies, and fireflies, overwinter in leaves. Dead leaves also make good mulch for the lawn, so leave them alone. Enjoy the mess!

Researchers in Australia showed that solar farms, can create biodiversity. While agricultural fields discourage wild animals and native plants, solar fields allow them to thrive. Vegetation can grow underneath solar panels, providing shade and food for sheep, cows, and wildlife. The plants also cool the panels, helping them generate electricity more efficiently.

Do you have red hair? Show off its glorious color, because it’s Love Your Red Hair Day! Today is also Doughnut Day. Doughnuts are so good, there’s also a Donut Day in June. In 1847, 16 year-old Hanson Gregory claimed the invention of the first ring-shaped doughnut. Pardon me while I go eat doughnuts!

Now that it’s getting colder, people are spending more time inside. Remember to stay healthy, by washing your hands often with soap, and using hand sanitizer. It can protect you from illnesses like COVID, colds and the flu. Wearing a mask when you’re sick, protects others. Most importantly, stay up-to-date on your vaccinations.

Once Halloween is over, what do you do with your jack-o’-lanterns?  Leave your pumpkin outside as a science project, to watch it slowly mildew and rot. Let squirrels or groundhogs snack on it. Donate old pumpkins to a farm, to feed their animals. You could even have a pumpkin-chucking contest, into a compost pile!

Today is Eat Smart Day. It’s not only about eating foods that are good for your brain, like blueberries, pumpkin seeds, broccoli, dark chocolate, and nuts. It’s also about turning healthy eating choices, into a habit for life. Try some new fruits or vegetables this week, to expand your future meal variety.

For thousands of years, humans have been eating candy. Whether it was sweetened with honey, maple syrup, or sugarcane, something sweet has always been a treat. Today is Candy Day, so sample chocolates, hard candies, mints, marzipan, maple sugar candies, gummy candies, taffies, and more. Which ones are your favorite?

A 9-year-old boy named Tutankhaten became pharaoh, about 3300 years ago in Egypt. He took the name Tutankhamun, and became one of the most famous Egyptians ever. Today is King Tut Day, when King Tut’s tomb was discovered in 1922. It’s also Use Your Common Sense Day. You should know better than to do that!

Today is Jellyfish Day, so start out by watching these amazing creatures. Search for “world jellyfish day,” on NOAA.gov, to see how jellies swim, and glow in the dark. Most jellyfish have stinging tentacles, and some can reach 100 feet long. Jellyfish don’t have brains, and they eat and poop from the same opening!

How can you celebrate Sandwich Day, Marzipan Week, and Peanut Butter Month, all at once? Make a peanut butter and marzipan sandwich. Marzipan is made from ground almonds and sugar, so your sandwich will be super-nutty. You can make any kind of sandwich you want, as long as it’s between slices of bread.