Messy fingers? No way! Not with this recipe! Glurch, a.k.a. slime, is a HUUUUUGE favorite in our home for the kids AND for the mom. Here's why my kids love it: it feels really cool it's is easy to make it makes great "farting" noises (yes, my son made me promise to share that one) Here's why I love it: it's easy to make it's cheap it is sticky, slimy and ooey gooey (oops...the kids should be saying that) it does NOT stick to things (no messes on hands, no messes on tables and it washes right out of clothes) it is the perfect combination of slime and goop but no matter how hard you try it won't leave a mess Here is what you need: 1 bottle of white glue (4oz) 1/2 tsp Borax ("20 mule team")- found in the laundry detergent aisle water Directions: In one plastic bowl mix the glue and 3oz water, stir well. In another bowl mix Borax and 1/4 cup of hot water (add a drop or two of food coloring here to give it a color of your choice). Pour glue and water mixture into the … [Read more...]
Archives for 2011
8 Helpful Halloween Safety Tips
We know that Halloween is still a few weeks away but it's never to early to start talking Halloween safety. We also know that most people know and teach their kids the basics of Halloween safety such as only go on well lit streets, don't go to strangers' houses, wear reflective tape or lights on your costume, don't eat the candy till you get home....yada, yada, yada.... I went around the web and searched for 8 helpful Halloween safety tips that you might not think about: If you and your child are going out with a group, make their costume a unique one so you can spot them easily in a crowded area. Wear something unique yourself so your child can easily spot you! Do not include high heel shoes or long dangling pieces of costume that your child could trip over. If they are carrying a prop such as a scythe or sword, make sure they are made out of a flexible plastic that will bend if fallen on. Getting injured because their costume can really ruin a kid's night! Plan a … [Read more...]
Tissue Paper Flowers
Want something easy to do on a rainy day? Have a bunch of tissue paper laying around? Then this is the project for you! If you are like me you purchase tissue paper for gifts and always have a few pieces extra...I try not to toss it and I save it in a box. Well, now I you have a great and easy way to use it and to create a pretty flower! We love to make these for grandparents, I have each kid pick out the colors they want and then they each have one to present to Grandma or Grandpa...plop them in a vase and viola....a vase of flowers. You can use seasonal colors too, the ones below are my "fall" mum colors. Here is what you need Tissue paper Twisty ties Pipe cleaners Step 1: Layer your tissue papers on top of each other (usually 6-8 pieces works best) Step 2: Fold them in accordion style (back and forth) Step 3: Attach the twisty tie in the center Step 4: Cut a decorative shape on each end (if you want) Step 5: Peal back each layer of the paper, one layer at a … [Read more...]
Toilet paper pumpkin
Here's a super easy and super cheap festive craft for this time of the year, and one pretty much anyone can help with. Here is what you need: 1 roll of toilet paper 1 sheet of orange tissue paper 1 sheet of black tissue paper (or a black marker) scissors glue or clear nail polish a green bow Roll your toilet paper (I must interject- I can't stand when people try to be polite and call it "bathroom tissue" lets be honest it's nothing but toilet paper) with the orange tissue paper Tuck the ends of the tissue paper into the ends of the toilet paper Attach the green bow to the top of the toilet paper Cut out and attach eyes, nose, and mouth (of your liking) Taaaaaaaa daaaaaaaaaaa! A toilet paper pumpkin! … [Read more...]
Caramel Cashew Pretzels
Caramel cashew pretzels don't last long at my house. They don't last long when I make them for parties either. They are the perfect combo of sweet and salty! To make them you'll need: pretzels, whole cashews (or another kind of nut if you don't like cashews), Rolo candies, and a cookie sheet. Step 1) Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Step 2) Have your kids fill the cookie sheet with pretzels while you begin to unwrap and eat the Rolos. Step 3) While you continue to unwrap and eat the Rolos (this takes a long time) have your kids start putting one Rolo on each pretzel. Step 4) After each pretzel has a Rolo on top, put them in the oven for 1-2 minutes or just long enough for the Rolos to begin to melt. Don't over melt them!! Step 5) Take the cookie sheet full of pretzels and barely melted Rolos out of the oven and place one cashew on top of each Rolo. Press gently down on the cashew so that it sticks into the Rolo. *Please note the cookie sheet will be HOT so … [Read more...]
Leaf drawing
Leaf drawing is a super easy, super fun craft to do with your kids. It requires little effort and little supplies, yet produces a beautiful piece of artwork that you will be proud to display. You'll need flat, dried leaves of all shapes and sizes, crayons, and paper. That's it! Step 1) Take your kids outside and go hunting for multiple kinds of leaves. The flatter the leaf is, the better it works. Step 2) Bring in the leaves inside (if it's super nice and not too windy, stay outside) and lay them out so it's easy to choose which leaf your child wants to use. Step 3) Put a leaf under a piece of paper, take a crayon and rub over the leaf. Have your child take the paper off the crayon and turn the crayon on it's side so they can rub. Don't let your child color over the leaf or the pattern won't come through. Step 4) Repeat putting leaves under the paper and rubbing until your paper is full of leaf patterns. Step 5) You're done! Compliment your child on their … [Read more...]
