I’m excited to see your posts and ideas today as we launch our first Free4All Saturday. Here are some ideas to help make posting easier. I’ve tagged a few people who have asked about this so please don’t think I’ve excluded you by design. - A favorite family game, could be a board game or something made up. Tell us about the game, why your crew likes it, and maybe a fun story. @Catherine McDowell @Adam Formanek - A favorite toy - is there a story behind it or one that just brings joy? @Betty Jo Winters @Gus Gray - A question - I’ve got a bored (x) year old and I’m looking for ideas to (y), what’s worked for you? @Mukkove Johnson @Michelle Fuentes - I teach (x), and here’s something fun I think your family might enjoy. @Mayelice Castro @Aurelie Delahalle @Daniel Cavaretta @Roslyn Hill @Max Orlewicz PS. Check out @Ramona Zihlke’s pinned post for how easy posting can be.

For many of the Christian faith, Good Friday is a solemn day. As a child, raised Catholic, I remember going to church and participating in the Stations of the Cross. I also knew we weren’t allowed to eat meat and the adults had to fast on this day. Before the age of 9, I never really understood what that meant but as I got older, I began to appreciate both the story and the tradition. Today, I’ve chosen to explore and share with you some Good Friday traditions. Here’s where you come in. First, I only know about these from research so if you have first hand experience, please share. I know we have several members from around the globe like @Rene Kerkdyk @Ruben Plasmeijer @Mayelice Castro @Max Orlewicz @Gus Gray @Yu-Tzu Huang @Mukkove Johnson @Erin O'Neill @Artur Rozmysł Across the Global Table, Good Friday is observed with a unique kind of "quiet power." While Easter Sunday is a shout of joy, Good Friday is a deep, collective breath. In Spain and the Philippines, massive, silent processions move through the streets, showing that grief and reflection are things we do together, not alone. In France, the church bells are "silenced" (legend says they fly to Rome), creating a literal vacuum of sound that forces everyone to notice the stillness. In the UK and English-speaking traditions, the "Hot Cross Bun" is eaten—a simple, spiced bread that represents a pause for reflection amidst the busy week. When we introduce our kids to these traditions, we are helping them set down the pressure of always having to be "on." We are showing them that "Solemnity" isn't the same as "Sadness." It is a purposeful stillness. In many faiths, this day is about Sacrifice, the act of giving something up for the sake of something greater. Today, we are teaching our kids that there is a profound "mattering" in the moments when we stop doing and start simply being.

As I was scrolling through our community today, I noticed something. Almost every single post comes from me. Now, that’s not horrible, as I like to think I’m offering some food for thought and good play ideas but…I don’t know everything and I don’t have your expertise and experiences. Here’s what I’m proposing Free For All Saturdays. On Saturdays, everyone shares. Start a post of your own and share one tip, one game, or one question. Confused on category, when in doubt use general otherwise our new Free4All category. What do you think?

I’ve been looking at recipes this evening after @Brenda Chilstrom captured my attention with her comment about homemade Peeps. What’s your favorite Easter treat? (Store bought or homemade)

In this activity, we are using Peeps or other suitable candies, as scientific test subjects. The Activity (Pick One): 1. The Expansion Lab: (Adult supervision required!) Put a Peep in the microwave for 30 seconds. I wonder why it gets so big? I notice the texture changes as it cools. See video for a jousting variation. This is one of my favorite things to do with Peeps! 2. The Peep-a-pult: Use a plastic spoon, a rubber band, and a stack of books to build a lever (remember Week 3!). See how far you can launch a Peep. Older Kids: 12–14 (The Peep Diorama): Use Peeps to recreate a famous historical scene or a scene from a book. This is "Literacy Play" (Week 2) meets "Sugar Art." Some ideas to get your creative juices flowing: https://libraryartscenter.org/peeps/past-peeps-dioramas-gallery/ 15–17 (The Solubility Test): Place Peeps in different liquids (Vinegar, Soda, Water, Oil). Predict which one will dissolve the sugar coating the fastest. Track the data over 24 hours. Your Turn Post a photo of your expanded Peep or your "Peep-a-pult" distance record! Share what you learned!