Since today is our "Hodge podge" day where we post pretty much whatever we like (ha ha ha) I thought it might be a good time to post some ideas of fun things to do with your kids during the winter months, especially since we're in the thick of it right now. Hope you find some great tips from this list! 1. Explore tracks- take time to go outside and explore the different shaped animal tracks in the snow (or dirt) and see if you can figure out what they are. This adventure offers a few great things: a little science learning, quality time, and creative thinking. Photo courtesy of Five Elements Arts 2. Make a trail hunt- Go outside during their nap time (or a time when they can't see you) and make a trail throughout the yard, twisting and turning and jumping between steps. Have them go outside and follow the trail. Photo Courtesy of Log Like 3. Make a "headless snowman". We all know snowmen have three circles...well this snowman has only … [Read more...]
Make an indoor obstacle course
We live in the "frozen tundra" and winters here can be really long, especially when it's TOO cold to go outside and burn off a little extra energy. The other day my kids were telling me how bored they were bouncing off the walls with energy. So I made them all sit on the step (ha!!!) while I made a special surprise for them. What did we do? We did an indoor obstacle course. It was filled with items we already had in our house (making it FREE) and it was some really good fun! The kids were getting along great and helping and encouraging each other along the course. Here is how I laid out the course for them. Click on the photo to make it larger It was great to see them burning off the energy! Then a few minutes later the decided to get more creative! Here's what THEY decided the course was. click on the photo to make it larger Then even later the moved things around and redesigned the whole thing. I would say all in all it was a success! We … [Read more...]
Make fun of cleaning
I've mentioned my grandma a few times before and how she was creative, clever, and fun. I have so many amazing memories of the "little things" in life that she turned into great things. Not long ago she passed away and while the pain of losing her is still raw I know that I am so lucky because I have so many wonderful memories to last me a lifetime. One thing that she made fun was cleaning. Yes, you read the right, cleaning! She loved to sew and she had sewn me an apron that she kept in the top drawer in her kitchen (right next to her towels). On Sundays we'd get up and she'd open the kitchen drawer and pull out my little apron and tie it on. It's amazing to me that a simple apron made cleaning fun. I thought it would be really neat to "pass on the cleaning fun" to my daughter. I made her a special cleaning apron that I now keep in my top drawer in my kitchen right next to the one my grandma made for me. When it is time to get some cleaning done I try and make a game or a race … [Read more...]
Dance Party!
It was Christmas break and if I heard "I'm booorrred..." or "what can we do?..." one more time I was going to SCREAM! The girls were antsy and I was crabby. Soo... I put a Kidz Bop CD in the stereo, cranked up the volume, and had a dance party with my girls! It gave them something to do, got the antsies out, and uplifted my spirits. At this risk of self-embarrassment, I decided to post a video clip from our dance party. Yes, sometimes I set up the camera and take a video. #1--it's a memory to create, #2--my girls like to watch the videos of themselves dancing. Nutty usually dances a little more than this and she's got some great moves. For some odd reason, she decided she'd rather sing more this time. This is one of her favorite songs... Remember last week's coloring with your kids post or the cloud watching post from a few months ago? Having a dance party is another free, no-frills, spur of the moment, activities that you can do with your kids. Go ahead and get … [Read more...]
Make your own play make-up
Play make-up....you know your girls want it. It's kind of ridiculously expensive and to be honest it's just junk. I feel like the stuff is REALLY hard to wash off too! I made my daughter her own set of make-up the other day and I thought I'd share it with you. Here is what you will need: empty make-up containers nail polish Wash out the empty make-up containers and dry them well. (If you don't have any empty ones you are willing to share then you can always go to the dollar store and buy some there and empty them out.) Choose the colors of nail polish you wish to use. I chose a cream for the "foundation," a rose color for the "blush," and some vivid greens for "eye shadow." Shake your nail polish really well and let set for a minute to allow the air bubbles to rise. Then, carefully pour the selected color into the container of your choosing. Ignore the blurry quality of this photo- I should have taken more than one shot- oops Set them up and away from … [Read more...]
Make your own color/counting book
Have you ever considered making your own book for your baby? Most people would say "no" to this question. (and until this post I would have said no too!) It's really easy and fun to do, plus it's special because YOU made it! It requires little money too! BONUS! Here is all you need: a camera a photo book To make your own counting book you simply find things around the house and lay them out and snap a photo. Once you are done with that (and you can go up as high as you want) you simply upload your photos to a photo editing site like: Picnik and add words to it. Print the photos and add them to a photo book. I got mine at the dollar store! Score! Making a color book is a little more work because you have to find multiple things for each color and so many things come in different shades of a similar color. You can even make your own "I Spy" book! Simply put a bunch of stuff together, snap the photo then write a list of what they are suppose to find in the … [Read more...]
