Winter Break Activity #3 - ART - Torn Candy Canes

We had some friends over and decided to do our art project with them.  Each kid tore red and white paper and then glued them into candy cane shapes. We did this while my husband was making lunch (it was a snow day)

aaaaaand here they are!

Just something simple and fun and stress free to break up the break.  Another option would be to do finger prints in lieu of torn paper. We had 6 kids here so I stayed away from the paint, but you totally could use paint!

Winter Break Activity #2 - SCIENCE - Borax Snowflakes

mason jar

pencil

pipe cleaners 

string/yarn

borax

boiling hot water

Directions

1. Form your pipe cleaners into a snowflake shape or whatever shape you desire, while you boil water.

2. Add water to your mason jars.

3. Mix in borax. Stir it but don't worry if it isn't completely dissolved.

4. Attach your pipe cleaner shape to the string and hang it from the pen/pencil while submerging it in your jar.

5. Let it sit overnight, or do this at breakfast and check on it obsessively all day and right before bed pull them out. (that is what my 5 year old did.) We made a bunch of these - I had about 15 different mason jars lined up they looked like this...

but imagine my whole table lined up!

Here are the finished products....

Hang them on your tree or pick them apart to see how it happened, again my 5 year old did this. :)


PS - If you do it with white pipe cleaners here is the result:

Both are cool. :P

Winter Break Activity #1 - COOKING - Cracked Snowballs

• 
  
• 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 pound cream cheese
• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 3 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Confectioner’s sugar for rolling and dusting

Stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Set aside.  
In the bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the cream cheese, butter, and sugar together until fluffy.  
Add the eggs and vanilla extract.

Incorporate the flour mixture.  
Chill for at least 30 minutes.  
Scoop roughly 1-ounce balls and toss in the confectioner’s sugar.  
Place on a baking sheet, lined with parchment, a couple of inches apart.  
Bake at 325° F until they spread and puff slightly, about 12-16 minutes.  
They will be really soft in the center.  If they start to brown, they’ve gone too far.  Cool to room temperature.

From this point, we usually refrigerate them on the tray because as the cream cheese and butter get cold, they’re easier to pick up. It is a good tip. (matthew rice suggests this)  Dust with more confectioner’s sugar before serving.  


Our family usually serves these cookies straight from the fridge. They taste different warm. Store these in the fridge and you can serve them cold/cool.

These will keep for up to a week in the fridge. We are sending them out in the morning with Daddy. :)


They are gooey inside almost under baked but so rich and good!

Printable Christmas Tags!

My kids love to color, so the gifts that they exchange for each other gets "original" coloring artwork with the package!  Sure it gets tossed with the wrap, but it is a perfect quiet activity while you are counting down the days till present time! :)

HERE is the TAGS

HERE is a fun Christmas Coloring Book

Have fun!

Snow Day Activity - Balloon Butt Pop!

My daughter had a mermaid party for her 4th birthday.  One of the activities was popping bubbles with your butt!  They had a fantastic time and thought - hey lets do this again when it's snowy and we can't go out!

You don't have to be dressed like a mermaid to do this activity.

Haha.

Some other variations I would do with this particular game is play music and when they heard the chorus try and pop it.

Play the ABC's on repeat and they have to try and pop it on their letter.

The possibilities are endless AND the giggles are contagious.

So fun!

Holiday Tradtitions - Elf on the Shelf

I am sure you have heard of this book -

This is our 3rd year of doing Elf on the Shelf.  I started when my oldest was 3 and understood the concept.

We usually start this after Thanksgiving.  Zeke is our Elf's name and where the kids need a little boost of encouragement in the behavior department is where Zeke usually shows up the next day.  For instance - if they had a rough night during bathtime...Zeke is there in the morning. Haha.

We do Santa a little differently in my house.  Santa only brings items we need (socks, etc) and one special toy in the stocking. Partly because my husband wants credit for the big under the tree items and partly because we aren't heavy Santa believers.  Sure we partake in the fun but we make sure our kids know the real reason for the season.

Here are some places Zeke has shown up...

Sometimes he is in boring places like on a shelf and sometimes he is a bit of a rascal.

Have fun with it!

Quiet Activity - Bracelet Making

As promised, no more fuzzy ball activities - but they may come back! ;)

Here is what you need for this activity: Pipe Cleaners, Straws, and a pair of scissors.

Take the scissors and cut the straws into several different sizes. I had the kids do this.

Use the pipe cleaner to be the string for the bracelet.

Hook one end, although you don't need to because the fuzz on the pipe cleaner prevents sliding.

Then go to town and string your straw beads!

Wrap the end around the hook and make a bracelet.

Perfect for birthday parties, friends on a play date, Friendship bracelets...the possibilities are as endless as your supply!

This can also be done with string and straw beads!

Something fun and easy and quiet! 

Quiet Activity - Sock-er Balls!

More Fuzzy Balls! I promise this is the last one for awhile!

I am just a fan of quiet non messy games while I am confined to the bed. Haha.

Fill the socks with balls, then tie the top like a knot.

Then give them to the kids to untie, and pull the balls out to sort.

It's great for little hands because it takes patience, concentration and small motor skills.

Its great for bigger hands because they can classify the balls.

We sorted, counted and then did it again. They switched socks the next time.

30 minutes of fun, quiet and ... no mess!

Thanksgiving Fun!

This is a quick activity to do on Turkey Day with little ones.

I have received a few FB messages about posting fun crafts for Thanksgiving with kids.

Here is what we made this week:

My son made his at school, so of course I had to make more for the rest of them.  Draw the turkey head and fold in half so you have 2 sides, then fold and cut once. Click on the top pic and you can see how its glued. He cut the whole thing himself.

My daughter's is just triangle scraps attached to a headband and some feathers. All cut by her.

For smaller toddlers I would pre cut everything have them glue and then wear.


Thanksgiving Treats. Here is what we made last year:

Here is what we are making this year: HERE

Good Luck and see ya next week! :)

Quiet Activity - Fuzzy Balls 2!

Grab an empty formula can, a butter tub, an ice cream tub, anything with a lid.

With a sharp knife slice x's through the lid.  If you have a smaller kid cut complete o's.'

Give the kids some fuzzy balls and put them in the can.

 Then make it harder, open the lid and dump them out. Only the red ones! Only the green ones!

 Here is a closer look at the slits that were cut.

Super fun AND easy using recycled materials!

Winners of Epic Holiday Giveaway!

Using Random.org here are the 3 winners!!!!

Comment #88 Wins the first $250 to Lakeshore

Bugsy said...

I love everything! It is so nice to have everything on hand instead of having to go back to the store to do go get what I need.

November 17, 2011 6:08 AM 

Comment #103 wins the 2nd Lakeshore Giftcard.

Mia said...

I really enjoy your humor and honesty. I think about you often, and find you an inspiration as a mother and educator.

I would like more themed activities.

November 17, 2011 7:12 AM 

Comment 51 Wins the $150 to Amazon

championswimmer said...

I follow the blog, facebook, and posetd it!

November 16, 2011 10:24 AM 

Thanks for all the support, Facbook love and awesome comments!

I can't wait to get to work on the suggestions.

Next giveaway is in January!


Winners please email me your email/mailing address! :)

EPIC HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY!!!

It is time!

3 winners this time. The winners win BIG too!

Lakeshore is giving away 2...yes...2 - $250 gift cards.

Free Shipping on everything! Never Expires!

I also have a $150 gift card to Amazon!

To spend on ANYTHING you want!

So what do you have to do?

1 - Leave a comment telling me what you like most about this site and what you want to see more of.

2 - If you are a follower leave a comment and tell me you are a FOLLOWER. 

(its an extra entry!!)

3 - 3rd entry can be by following us on Facebook!

HERE

4 - For your FINAL entry - post this giveaway on Facebook/your blog and leave a comment telling me you did this.

Contest starts at 6am Pacific Time Wednesday Nov 16th and ends FRIDAY Nov 18th - 8pm Pacific Time. Winner will be announced Sunday Nov 20th at 12 NOON.

Tell your friends and GOOD LUCK!!