Messy Kids: crafts

Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Toddler Friendly Tattooed Pumpkins

It's the night before Halloween and maybe, just maybe you are looking for one more way to decorate your pumpkins. Something that doesn't require paint, knives, glitter, or glue. Something you can do with your little one, as well as an older child. If you are, then I have the pumpkin decorating idea for you!

What you need:

A pumpkin (smoother ones work best but minis work too, as you can see from my picture)
Temporary tattoos of choice
Paper towels or a wash cloth
Water

If you've ever placed a temporary tattoo on your child, you know what to do, except place them on the pumpkin. It's that easy. If you've never used temporary tattoos, here's what to do

Pick out the tattoo you'd like to place on the pumpkin. Depending on what you have, like a sheet of designs, you may have to cut around the one you want. Others come as individuals or with perforations that allow for easy tearing. Make sure you remove the plastic before placing it on the pumpkin. Place the picture side on the pumpkin with the paper backing facing towards you (see Picture below).

Get your wash cloth or paper towels wet. Not dripping, but pretty wet, and place over the tattoo, holding it on for about 30 seconds. Afterwards, carefully peel the paper away from the pumpkin's surface. If you don't hold the wet cloth on long enough or are too quick to pull the tattoo paper away, some of the picture may tear away. That's O.K, you can always wipe the tattoo away and try again. Or leave it as I did with my daughter. She was proud to do it on her own so I let it be. If the tattoo is bunched a bit, simply use your wet cloth to gently rub and flatten the tattoo. And again, if your toddler is "helping" and proud of what they have done, it's O.K. to leave it as is. It's about the experience, not the finished product.

This project can take as long as you allow or as long as your toddler/preschooler is interested. This was a great mommies group activity and while some of the kids chose to play (while their moms enjoyed pumpkin decorating) a few of the kids (my daughter included) couldn't put enough tattoos on their pumpkin. Once the pumpkin had enough, my daughter moved to her arms.

Sometimes it's the simplest decorating ideas that inspire us the most. I've been absent to the blogging world for about 2 years now but it's time for a return. I hope I can continue to bring you fun and engaging activities for your children and family. Thanks for joining me again!

*This activity promotes fine motor skills and counting. If you have different pumpkins in your house, you could also talk about differences/opposites: Large, small, smooth, bumpy, etc.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

100 Days of Play Challenge

Would you like to reconnect with your children? Do you need an excuse to turn off the television? Or how about simply having a good time? Then join me and 100 bloggers from around the world for the 100 Days of Play challenge hosted by Sun Scholars and Life At The Zoo. Each day a new activity will be posted on the blog hop as well as the 100 Days of Play Pinterest Board encouraging you to join your children in play. Play, connect, and share, but most of all, have fun!

100 Days of Play Blog Hop
Sharing simple ideas on how to connect with your children through play!
New ideas shared each day from 4/1 - 7/9.

Help us spread the word!

Grab a Button to Share on your Blog!

100 Days of Play is brought to you by these wonderful bloggers

SunScholars . Frogs, Snails & Puppy Dog Tails . Playful Learners . Train Up a Child . Fantastic Fun & Learning . Scribble, Doodle & Draw . Learn. Create. Love. . Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas . Nothing if Not Intentional . My Little 3 & Me . Buggy & Buddy . Sun Hats & Wellie Boots . Twodaloo . True Aim . The Educators' Spin On It . Blog Me Mom . Life At The Zoo . Putti's World . Kitchen Counter Chronicles . Triple T Mum . Busy Kids Happy Mom . Crystal's Tiny Treasures . Rainy Day Mum . Momma's Fun World . My Little Bookcase . Craftulate . One Perfect Day . MumCentral . Artchoo! . Little Artists . Simple. Home. Blessings. . JDaniel4's Mom . NurtureStore . Me & Marie Learning . Child Central Station . Mamas Like Me . Making Boys Men . Powerful Mothering . Craft to Art . 3 Dinosaurs . Domestic Goddesque . Lessons Learnt Journal . Royal Baloo . Smiling Like Sunshine . Adventures at Home with Mum . B-Inspired Mama . PragmaticMom . Eazy Peazy Mealz . Gluesticks . TheBoy&Me . Learning is Messy . My Nearest & Dearest . Growing Book by Book . How to Run a Home Daycare . Here Come the Girls . Think Magnet . Dandelions Picked . 123 Homeschool 4 Me . Our Ordinary Life . Parenting with Professor Poppins . 2 Little Hooligans . Fun-a-Day! . The Non-Martha Mamma . Angelique Felix . My Very Educated Mother . Creative Playhouse . Go Explore Nature . Zing Zing Tree . Sense of Wonder . Childhood 101 . Crayon Freckles . KZ & Me . Serenity You . This Mumma's Life . Leapfrog & Ladybugs . Blue Bear Wood . Growing Together . KC EDventures . Mommy Lessons 101 . Nature & Play . Like Mama Like Daughter . Mums Make Lists . From Wine to Whine . Messy Kids . Babble Dabble Do . Sugar Aunts . Teaching @ Home . Preschool Powol Packets . Clothed in Love . Curiosity Creates . The Magnolia Barn . Strong Start . Toddler Approved

. Learn with Play at home

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Reusing Plastic Eggs on It's Playtime

This week I'm rushing. I have two other posts I want to get done and a baby who's being less then cooperative; ahhh the life of a mother. But I wouldn't trade it for the world. As we speak I'm typing one handed so I won't make this long. There were many amazing ideas shared last week. Thank you all for joining in. With Easter around the corner, here's one post with many ideas....

KC Edventures posted 10 Fun Ways to Recycle Plastic Easter Eggs. Science, reading, crafts, plastic eggs aren't just for jelly beans.

If you were featured this week, don't forget to grab your special "featured button."

These activities plus more can be found over on the It's Playtime Pinterest Board. Happy Pinning!

Now, on to this weeks play date!

It's Playtime is a community and Thursday link-up hosted by:

* Rachele : Messy Kids (That's me!)
* Rachel & Holly : Quirky Momma
* Jillian: A Mom With a Lesson Plan

How to Play :

* Link up a post about a playful learning experience enjoyed by kids.

* Give us love and pop a button into your post/blog. Invite your readers to the weekly play date!

* Stop by one of our blogs every Thursday and add your link about play. Your link will show up on each of the blogs in the It's Playtime community.

* Each week the playtime hosts will choose favorite posts to feature. (By linking you are giving us permission to use an image and link to you, if featured.)

* Be sure to visit some of the links that catch your eye. Commenting on posts that you find interesting or inspiring is a wonderful way to develop your own playful community.

By linking up you give us permission to grab a picture and feature you here, on a site we write for, on FB or Pinterest. If we share your link, we will always credit you, send people to your original post and use only ONE photo.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

BabbaBox Review: Fun & Learning Delivered to Your Door

Occasionally I have the privilege of reviewing products. I reviewed a great scrapbooking software back in February and I'll have another product review in the the next month or so. It's a blogging perk that I enjoy. I LOVE trying new products and sharing how I feel about them. The BabbaBox by BabbaCo is no exception. I was so excited to review this product I could hardly contain myself! It fit fantastically with my blog plus I've developed and taught curriculum in the past, so I felt comfortable reviewing this product. I wasn't disappointed!

We were so excited to get our BabbaBox in the mail. It was like Christmas! The theme for the month was "Sprouting Seeds". The box included everything we needed to sprout and explore our own seeds, make flower pens, read and learn about seeds, plus a treat of yummy caramel chocolate (which being pregnant, I ate right away), and some coupons for babysitting sources and such. It was quite the treasure trove.

Amongst the crafts and science fun, was a Curious George book, actually two books in one. My son, not being crafty, immediately grabbed the book to read. He loves books! After looking at it on his own, he asked me to sit and read the stories to him. Both the stories related to seeds and planting, corresponding with the BabbaBox's theme.

Once we sat down to play with our BabbaBox, my son became very interested. We used one of the charts to do a quick review on parts of a plant.

After our plant review, we pulled out the "explore" pack. It included a guide and a sturdy magnifying glass. Michael loved looking at everything with the magnifier before checking out our seeds.

One of the "create" packs included a packet of herb seeds needed for both that project and the "explore" project. I placed some of the seeds on a towel for my son and my daughter to examine.

The "explore" guide had a lovely picture of the different seeds in the packet along with the corresponding herb plant. The kids sorted the seeds they wanted to grow in their own pots.

After sorting, they each got a small bowl to soak their seeds in before planting.

Both "create" projects came with enough supplies for two children. For our planting project there were two pots, 4 dirt pellets, and a box of chalk. The kids used the chalk to decorate their pots.

Once the seeds were ready, my daughter added two dirt pellets to each pot. Then we added the water...

The kids loved watching the dirt "grow" until it filled the pot. My son may have added a bit too much water...

Time to plant the seeds and place them in a sunny spot.

The other "create" project in the BabbaBox were Flower Pens. We pulled out that packet and the included scissors to get started. The project included a guide, two silk flowers, two pens, two leaves, a vase, and green floral tape.

I had to start wrapping the tape for both the kids, but then they took over...

creating two unique flower pens. My daughter has decided this is what she wants to make for Christmas gifts.

So now, what do I think? I think the BabbaBox is a well thought-out product. It has parents in mind who want to provide fun and educational activities to their children at home without all the work of downloading and "pinning" ideas, plus shopping for supplies. This box can be spread out throughout the month or completed in a couple of days where a parent can add their own corresponding theme ideas. I love that everything you need is included: the instructions, the supplies, reading material, and even a parental treat! I didn't have to use anything of my own!

You can sign-up and join BabbaCo at anytime. There are 3 great membership options to choose from; you can also give the box as a gift! If you use the following code, you'll receive 20% off your first box: MK20OFF

Don't forget to follow them on:

Facebook

Twitter

I hope you enjoy your BabbaBox as much as we did!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

It's Playtime: Olympic Gold Pt. 2

Everyone has Olympic Fever and It's Playtime is no exception! Olympic Crafts, play ideas, and more were shared last week so it seems only natural to feature a few more creative ways to bring the Olympics alive in your house.

Jada Roo Can Do created an Olympic Pool Sensory Tub to inspire little Jada and her friends to "dive" into fun.

You and your kids can create some easy Recycled Medals via The Iowa Farmers Wife. Afterwards, hold a ceremony and hand out awards for the best "picker upper" or laundry sorter. If you are really creative you'll be able to keep up that kind of "play" for awhile ;)

I love this little indoor Summer vs. Winter Olympics game put together by Reading Confetti! It was inspired by the book G is for Gold Medal: An Olympics Alphabet. Besides this fun activity, Reading Confetti shares how they created simple gold medals.

If you were featured this week, don't forget to grab your special "featured button."

Now, on to this weeks play date!

It's Playtime is a community and Thursday link-up hosted by:

* Rachele : Messy Kids (That's me!)
* Anna : The Imagination Tree
* Rachel : Quirky Momma
* Jamie : hands on : as we grow
* Jenny : Let the Children Play

How to Play :

* Link up a post about a playful learning experience enjoyed by kids.

* Give us love and pop a button into your post/blog. Invite your readers to the weekly play date!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Resolutions and the New Year

Sure it's the 2nd week in January, but it's not too late to celebrate the New Year with your preschooler. It's a time to teach your kids about starting fresh, making promises, and....counting backwards!

Resolutions

My son's preschool class talked about resolutions (making promises) in the New Year. It was something they could work on to be a better person. First though, they had to make a face:

Give your child a flesh colored square. Use a crayon or marker to round the edges, then help them to cut on the lines.
Next, they glue on a triangle party hat. My son chose orange because it's his favorite color! If your child is able (or you want them to have the cutting practice) allow them to cut the triangle shape.
Once the hat is glued, they can draw their face. Talk to them about 2 eyes, 1 nose, and a mouth. Help them with the placement if necessary. It's important at this age that they begin to understand facial features and their placement. Give them a mirror to view their own face. But most important...don't push! Sure you want them to have two eyes, instead of 3, but we learn through our mistakes...or maybe your child simply wants to be an alien that day. It's OK to have creative license. They won't draw themselves that way forever!
Write a resolution. Talk about promises and how a resolution is a promise we make to ourselves to be a better person. It's OK to give examples: help mommy, be nice to sibling, pick up toys, etc. Then, have them tell you their resolution. Write it on a piece of paper that can be attached to the party hat. If they don't know, let it be. As you can see, my son has no resolution. He said, "I don't want to talk about it right now." Okie dokie.
If you want. let them staple a blower to their character. Our teacher added them when she hung them on the wall, but if you are doing this at home, your child can help you.
Hang it for them to see. This way you can remind them of their promise. Sure, they are still going to fight clean-up time, but it's about the learning process....and being a broken record...which lets face it, is what you have to do with preschoolers.

The Big Countdown

Kids love to countdown, especially if you have a cool ending like, "blast off!" Why not celebrate the new year with a special, messy, countdown? I assure you, your kids will ask to do this all month long!

If you are in a classroom**, hand 10 children a number (1-10), then call their number (beginning with 10) so they can line-up.
Give the kids on the carpet noise makers. When the class shouts "Happy New Year" it's their job to make as much noise as possible. Assure those in the number line that you will do it again so they have a chance to make noise too.
Call out each number, beginning with 10, and have the child holding the corresponding number hold it up (best they can). This will be a slow countdown, but just go with it.
When you reach 1, the kids can shout, "Happy New Year" and you (and any parent helpers) throw confetti (chunks of paper are easier to clean-up then hole punches). Yes, I know, but the kids will love it!
Repeat, shifting the kids on the floor with the number holders.

**If you are at home, you hold the number cards, flashing each number as your child(ren) call them out.

Of course, afterwards, have a clean-up contest. Maybe the "winner" lines up first???? Often, simple encouragement is enough. I use, "Wow! Look at Jonny go! And Susan, you are so fast!"

Additional Ideas:

Use the New Year theme to talk about noises. Quiet noises and loud noises. Try the New Years count down in quiet voices and see what happens. Use musical instruments to make soft and loud sounds. Play quiet and loud music and talk about the differences.
Make a Bubble Wrap Noise Maker
Make an Easy Noise Maker (from plastic cups, beads, and tape)
Read a good book (or many!)

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