It's Thanksgiving Day and you've got a house full of kids and adults...how do you keep them all entertained? Try these four activities that will get them interacting together: Word Search/Memory Game: 1) Make a list of of Thanksgiving related words. How many words depends on the number of adults you think will be willing to participate. Number the words 1-?? 2) When your guests arrive, give each adult a word from the list along with what number it is plus the following word from the list. Give each child a piece of paper and pencil and word #1. 3) Throughout the day/evening the children will search for all the words in order by asking the adults to act out the word he/she (the adult) was assigned. 4) The children will ask the adults to act out words until they find #1. That adult will give them word #2 and the children will have to hunt for the adult that acts out word #2. That adult gives them word #3 and the process is repeated until the children have found all the … [Read more...]
How to make a candy wreath for Christmas
Yummy!!!!! I love me some peppermint candy! The smell, the taste, the color, and the time of year. My kids love them too! I knew this project would be a sure fire hit with them (and me, tee hee hee!) I gathered my three oldest kids (knees and feet seen above) and had them help me unwrap all the peppermints! I let them eat one for every dozen or so they unwrapped, I was the BEST mommy ever (or so they told me) While they continued to unwrap I started gluing the candies onto the styrofoam wreath (which I got at the dollar store!!!) When it was all covered I added a bow and we all sat back and enjoyed what we had created together! It was so much fun to make, and pretty darn cute, if you ask me! … [Read more...]
Fall Leaves Print
The other day my kids and I were thinking to ourselves how sad we were that the pretty fall colors were almost gone (well, at least where we live) and how old man winter will be soon knocking on our door. I thought it would be fun to paint a photo of the pretty fall colors to "remember" them when we are staring out the window at the bitter cold white snow. It's really easy and relatively not messy! Here is what you need: Red, Brown, Yellow, and Orange finger paint A paint brush or sponge Paper A willing child Have your child paint their hand and lower arm brown (or if they are unable to do this you certainly can help out). Then place their arm and hand on the paper to look like a tree with the branches. Start with one of the remaining colors (red, yellow or orange) and use their finger tips to dot leaves on the top of the tree. Finish with the remaining colors. Ta-da...you have a pretty fall colored tree (and a keepsake of their hand print, make sure to date it!) … [Read more...]
Make Your Own Play-Dough
I don't know about your kids but mine love play-dough! The problem is, it can get expensive because they keep accidentally letting it dry out. Simple solution: make your own for much cheaper. Personally, I like the homemade stuff a little better anyway. Here's what you'll need: 1 cup flour 1/2 cup salt 2 teaspoons cream of tartar 1 cup water 4 Tablespoons oil food coloring Step 1) Mix the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in the pot. Step 2) Add the water, oil, and food coloring. Food coloring is to desired color. (At this point in time my camera ran out of batteries and I was not about to leave my 5 and 3 year old alone by a hot stove to find new batteries. Excuse the lack of photo(s) for the next part.) Step 3) Cook on medium heat until the mixture is able to remain a ball in the middle of the pot. The mixture will be liquidy and clumpy at first (and you'll wonder how in the world it is going to turn into play-dough) but it will get firmer as it … [Read more...]
Make your own crayons
Wanna be the "coolest mommy out there" (a direct quote from my 4 year old)? Take crayons to the next level with just a couple of bucks. I am a huge fan of party planning...and some would say I probably go overboard...but I just love it! I saw someone selling crayons in shapes in an online store for a pretty penny (5 for like 8bucks!) Way more than I wanted to pay. So here is what I did. I went to the dollar store purchased a few packages of crayons. I sorted them by color group. Peeled the wrappers off and broke them. Microwaved the crayons til they were melted. Carefully poured the melted crayons into candy molds. Let them set and harden...and viola, you have awesome crayons shaped to whatever you want. My son requested a Star Wars party so I purchased Star Wars candy molds! If you get a chance, what shapes would you make? Stop by our community and share with us. … [Read more...]
How To Make an "I Spy" Bottle
Do you want an activity that will entertain your kids for a while and keep them quiet? Make an "I Spy" bottle! It's super simple to make, and is good for kids of all ages (my husband loves it as much as my 2 and 5 year old!) Use the "I Spy" bottle for long car rides, laying low when your kids are sick, or keeping your little monsters busy when you need to clean. Here's what you'll need: A bunch of objects that are small enough to fit into a water bottle. An empty, completely dry water bottle without the label. Paper and pen Funnel (or a piece of paper to roll into a funnel) White rice Glue String, yarn, or ribbon Clear contact paper or laminating paper (optional) Now how to make it: Step 1) Have your kids help you hunt all over the house, garage, and outside for things to put in your bottle. Make sure to write on your paper everything you collect. Coins, nails/screws, Barbie or Polly Pocket accessories, Legos, hair stuff, rocks, office … [Read more...]
