Math Ring Toss

We had some friends over for some fun.  First we painted paper plates...

I asked them to paint the bumpy outer rim, but they ended up painting the whole plate...oh well.

Once I blowdried them dry I cut the centers out.

While the popcorn was popping I made the stands.

I cut a wrapping paper tube into 3 unequal sizes so there would be a challenge. You could cut them all the same size, or use paper towel tubes...there is no right or wrong way here.

Then you cut them and tape them on a unpainted plate.

Then I grabbed the popcorn and headed out to the jungle. I mean the front yard. 

I chose to do math problems. If it landed on 5-2 they got 3 pieces of popcorn.

If they landed on 2+2 they got 4 pieces of popcorn.

If you are going to do this with younger kids just write the number or draw the number with shapes like 4 squares to determine how many pieces of popcorn they get.

The kids had a blast and then went crazy and took over the popcorn bowl.

Something fun for the summer that still requires some brains to do! Hahaha.

Try it! Its cheap and fun but most importantly educational!

Wreaths and People

Today is the last day of SHAPES because we have such a huge giveaway tomorrow!

So we did something simple but cute with HEARTS.

Cut a bunch of hearts out on different color construction paper, then cut a hole in a paper plate.

Then glue hearts to paper plate.

Then add glitter, because everything needs glitter.

Tada!

Then we had heart snacks.

Then we made heart people.

Paper Plate Sunflowers

Today we talked about Sunflowers. Partly because they are yellow and partly because they are so interesting. First we drove to the field where they grow by the Reunion Building, and then pulled them and took them home to discuss.

We observed that they were yellow with black in the middle and that the stems were spiky. Then we smelled them.

After that we really pulled them apart to figure out how to make them.

I explained that the black part of the flower made seeds for new sunflowers to grow, and we can eat them too. Here we are trying them.

After that I showed them that the shell is not the part we eat, it is the seed inside. Now it was time to paint.

I have received a lot of questions about how I dry painted things so here is how we do it...

My door is magnetic so I hang them out to dry and it is so fast and GREEN! :P
Once they are dry you cut out the flower shape.

Then glue the seeds and leaves on.

Ta-Da!

Meal Plates

This is fun even if you don't have a play kitchen. It can be used at any time, in any place, on any day! :)

Here is what you need...

Grocery Ads, Scissors, Glue, Marker, Paper Plates

We talked about the different meals we eat at our house.

Then we picked out the foods that we eat in our house.

Then we cut, and glued.


Then play kitchen! :) My kids and anyone else who comes over to play absolutely LOVES to pretend play with these plates.

Flat Maracas

Today we made Flat Maracas, next week we will make round ones.

Before we could start the kids wanted a snack. I know the picture is crooked but my daughter looks like a doll sitting in that chair!

Here is what you need:
(the scent crayons aren't necessary but I had them and my boy wanted to use the stinky crayons)

First color the plates
(I used small plates because I have kids with little hands, but you could use big ones.)

She thought it was hilarious to sit with her brother.

Then you staple all around the edges, leaving a 2 inch hole at the top. Then you fill with rice.
(You don't have to use rice, dry popcorn-unpopped, salt, beans...anything will work)

My son was very into this, look how serious he is!
She opted to use her hands
The last thing you do is staple the last 2 inches of the plate and shake away!
(staples work much better than glue and you don't have to worry about dry time)
He was double checking my stapling job.
They were quite easy to make and will last a very long time. We put them in our music box and will use them for Jack's Big Music Show tonight. We are doing a music themed Family Home Evening.

(these pictures were all taken in My Daughter's room, yes those diamonds are hand painted. My husband is great at full filling my visions. It looks awesome trust me!)

Happy Monday everyone!

Original Post 8/4/08