Easy Canvas!

My kids love to draw(l). It is nice to not waste paper every once in a while. So, I bought these dry erase markers and gave each kid a paper towel and gave them my bathroom mirror.

These markers are for the mirror only.

To start, you need 3 adorable girls.

not a requirement. ;)

I let them get on the counter, and go to town on the mirror!

 They would have done this for hours.

This is a great place to keep them occupied while you are folding laundry,  or cleaning. :)

Crepe Weaving

I grabbed these grates from the microwave. If you have a toaster oven - you could use that too! 

The paper rolls were from someone's birthday.

I tore them into strips and then had them weave.

Everyone was focused on this activity.

My one year old plopped into my lap and wanted to do it too.

It is times like these that make me realize how important it is to stop and "play" with my children.

They need it, and pretty soon they turn 5 and don't "need" me anymore.

I encourage you to pick an activity and DO it with your children.

They truly love to explore and learn WITH you.

Also - save the crepe paper "scraps" I will be using it in another activity. Recycling! YES!

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!

Community Helpers - 2

Trash vs Recycle Game

So I had clip art - which you can find too in word of things that are recyclable and things that are trash.

We sorted them accordingly.

After that we looked at things that can be recycled. How can we tell? What does the symbol look like?

Then we looked throughout the kitchen for things with the recycle symbol.

It was fun and we still look at things today that can be recycled!

Handmade/Kidmade Flowers - Tulips 2

Whaaaaa? Another Egg Carton Craft? YES!

This is so much fun! I have loved the emails on these flowers.

Okay Parents: cut the cartons like this...

Ignore my nails, I am a nail biter.

yikes, apparently I don't believe in lotion either!

Okay pre-poke the holes with a wooden skewer.

Found these green straws at WM for a buck.

The bendy part of the straw is where the neck of the stem will go.

Now have the kiddos paint the cut cartons.

Both sides, Then let dry.

Then cut tissue paper in 2x2 squares and find a mini muffin liner. This is optional, as I liked it with or without.

Then stack the tissue in the dried cups.

Muffin Liner on the top.

then use the skewer to poke through again.

Then slide the straw right in.

So cute!

Here they are alone.

Here they are in my daffodil pot.

You can find the Daffodil Craft HERE

That's it! Kidmade flowers!

Homemade/Kidmade Flowers - Daffodils 3

Mom or Dad cut an egg carton into cup shapes.

Then paint orange.

Then get all of the other supplies ready.

A Sharpie, Green construction Paper, Yellow Cardstock and tape.

Roll the green paper into tubes and then tape.

Once they are taped cut the tubes into different lengths.

Next, draw a 5 point flower and cut out.

Yes, both kids can cut on the lines! SCORE!

Then glue all the pieces together.  We taped ours and they look CUTE!

Easy fun and cheerful!

Line City - Make your own

Something else that is fun with the taped floor.

Get some cars and drive on the road...

The kids even had their own idea to get boxes from the pantry and make their own city.  The Rice Krispies Box was the hospital, etc...

It was really fun to see what they were coming up with.  Another plus to this taped floor is that the toy room stays CLEAN! score!

Try it, it really is so fun!

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!