Pirate Ideas for Toddlers - 1

My kids are IN LOVE with Disney Junior's Jake and the Neverland Pirates.

So a perfect opportunity to talk and learn about REAL Pirates!

Today is Dress Like a Pirate Day!
Here is what you need:  Paper Bag, Felt, Yarn, Scrap Fabric, Cardboard Box and Snow Boots (optional).

 Cut the paper bag down the middle, then cut a neck hole and 2 arm holes...try it on the kid...

 Decorate how you want. WE did dot markers since we haven't used them in a while.

 my daughter insisted on having the word side in the front.

 with the scrap fabric and felt and yarn make head wrap and eye patch.

 cut the flaps off a box and use that for swords.

 try it all on and go on an adventure!

 yikes!

 this is serious stuff folks!

Then run around the house for the next hour shouting pirate terms and giggle a lot.

Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

:)

I will be focusing on Pirates this week and Next...stay tuned!

Not a Box!

I love books. We live walking distance to a library and we try and go every monday.  During Christmas break we found this gem of a book...

It is now one of my favorite books for 12-24 months.  Here is why...

So as you can imagine my kids thought they needed a Not Box!

So we found one and got markers out... 

 and went to town decorating every side. This lasted about 1.5 hours of coloring and playing.

 I did end up buying the book because they played happily and uninterrupted long enough for me and my husband to put ALL of the Christmas stuff away.

I will keep it and save it again (the book) for a rainy day along with a bigger box!

We played until the box was destroyed!

Dino Feet

Project #1 in Dino Week

Dino Feet - This is a lot of work on your part but once they are done they are fun for everyone! (with little feet)

You need 2 sturdy boxes, I used Capri Sun boxes because they are tough and the right size and I had 4 of them since I get to make 2 pair (lucky me) Paper, Scissors, Packing Tape and Paper.

Mark your holes and then cut with a utility knife.

Trace the circle you just cut out backwards so you can turn the paper over and see no lines and it still matches up. You can trim the excess box if you are anal like me and don't want to see it.

Cut your own crazy claw/toenail pattern and tape it to the box.

Then wrap the green paper over the box and get the short two sides as well. DO NOT COVER the BOTTOM, it will make them slippery!

Now let your toddler enjoy them. Wearing your pajamas is not a requirement!

We added scales to the feet with markers to give it a more authentic look, my son insisted!

Homemade Lacing Cards

When I was a young girl I loved to sew. Cross-stitch, Latch Hook, anything I could get my hands on. When I sew things now as an adult I see my kids watching me and really wanting to do it so here are some practice lacing cards that you can make and they can enjoy!

What you need is Cereal Boxes. The corregated stuff is too thick for this project. Cut cereal boxes into flat workable pieces.
Then on the side with all of the writing and print draw your shapes. Then cut them out and flip them over. See how clean they look?
Now poke holes with a hole punch or an eyelet setter (that is what I did) all around the shapes. Like so...
Then get your yarn and needles. I bought these 2 3/4 inch or 7 cm steel yarn needles at Michaels. They were $1.67 and I bought 3 packages. for a total of 6 needles so friends can do it too. These are very blunt, and I poked my kids to see how sharp they were and it didn't hurt them at all. :)
Tie a knot at one end and I painted clear nail polish on the lacing end so the needle would be easy to thread later. I cut about 12 lengths and tied knots so we had plenty of yarn ready to go.
Go ahead start lacing...

My kids were so into it I had to put it away so they would take a nap! It is a perfect little quite activity and it is PERFECT for airplane rides or car trips!

Cheese-It Mailbox

My kids love to get mail.
My kids love to write letters.
(sept 3.08)

My kids love to pretend.
(sept 3.08)

So today while we were playing post office, I decided we should make a mailbox.

Here is what you need. A Cheese-It box because they are sturdy and a good size. Brown paper bag or these book covers I found at target for 39 cents. Packing Tape, Scissors and a utility knife.

This is how we did it (2x because I didn't want them to fight)
You wrapt it like a present except the top, because you need to get the letters out.
Then you cut a hole out of the top.
Then you print the logo. Here is the link to the Post Office Logo.
I just cut and taped it on.
Now it is time to play!

Boxed Robots

We get back from Sam's and I see my son doing this...
I finish putting everything away and he says to me "Look Mommy, I'n a Robot" (yes I'n)
So I cut a hole in the Cheerios Box and said...
"Yes honey you are a robot! Do you come in peace?"
He said "Yup, peas and apple juice"
I don't know which is funnier... him in this get up or the fact that he is talking about robots while he is wearing his favorite caveman shirt? Either way, I laughed and looked over at the little one.
I can only assume that if she were talking she would have said "Me too, Me too!" I love that they are so close in age and that they always want to be crazy together!

She loved the box on her head...maybe we have figured out this year's Halloween Costumes?

So, I guess you need to add these to your cardboard stash! :)

Even when they don't mean to be my kids are an inspiration!

Original Post 9/27/08