Playdough Please

We had a play date earlier so our family activity was pushed back til after we'd had dinner. The bad news - play time had to wait. The good news - Daddy got to join us!

Since this was going to be a later activity I chose something that didn't take much effort at all. Play-Doh. It really is a great item to have in the house. I wouldn't consider it an independent play item, but kids love it and it affords you an opportunity to play WITH your children.

We played a few games with our play-doh (no special tools required).

• Guess what I made?
• Make my favorite ammmimal
• Make A Shape

They are as simple as they sound. For older kids "Guess what I made" is a great conversation tool. The older child creates something with the play-doh then explains what it is and why they chose to make it that way.

Make my favorite ammmimal is wonderful for the little ones. They love to SMASH everything. So, they pick their favorite animal - you make it - they smash it. FUN - I swear it really is.

Finally, finish up with a little focused fun. Make A Shape, call out the shape and see who can create it first, or just make a demo then work with your kids while they copy your work.

Have a great time ~ no rules or special play-doh toys required!

Over the Rainbow

One of the easiest things you can do is color with your kids. Want to get a little more out of it then scribbles? Try focusing their coloring project with a specific and organized picture - we chose a rainbow project.

A rainbow is simple for a child to color in. They just have to scribble back and forth or up and down. No crazy lines to worry about staying in.

For this project you will need:

Scissors
Safety Scissors (for an older child)
Paper plates (or paper)

Tape

Crayons or Colored Pencils (ROYGBIV)

Step by Step:

1. Cut the paper plates in half, you can allow an older child to complete this step on their own.
2. Cut out a half moon from the straight edge of the paper plate half. Set the cuttings aside for later use

3. Color a demo rainbow.

4. Give each child their plate half and let them get to work on coloring the stripes on their own . 5. (optional) Once coloring is complete create a kickstand for your child's rainbow by folding the cuttings from earlier in half.

6. (optional) Tape the cutting to the back of the rainbow to provide support which will allow your child's rainbow to stand up on a counter or table.

TIPS:

Be realistic about your child's ability to recreate the lines. No rules remember!

For older children let them FIND the right colors (ROYGBIV) from a collection of crayons.

For younger children pull out the right colors for them, then just work on the colors names - don't worry so much about a perfect rainbow recreation.

Display the finished project and tell them they did a great job!

Little Hands

Ever hold your little one's hand and think "I wish they'd just stay little?" I think we are all guilty of that at least once during the toddler years - especially on the days when our babies are being sweet angels.

Kids love to color, trace and scribble. They also have a crazy curiosity about how big they are - and if they are growing. Our first daily activity is too easy! If you have scissors, paper, crayons and a sharpie you are ready to go. ((If not go get them and come back we'll wait right here for you...)) Have other craft supplies? Good for you use them to decorate the finished product.

Step By Step:

Allow your child to choose their favorite color paper

Using a black or dark crayon carefully trace your child's hand

take a few minutes to let your child color the outline of their hand.

1. once they've completed their coloring cut out the outline


2. using a pen or sharpie write your child's name and the date on the front (and back) of the cutout

display this project somewhere your LO can't get to it (2 year old LOVE to rip the fingers off these little hands)

Follow up project: Once a month we'll re-do this craft. Kids love to see if they've grown or not. Don't throw the hand prints away! We'll be using them for a great holiday project later in the year.

TIPS!

• Allow your child to do a tracing as well. Let them keep their hand while you save your tracing for the final project.


• With young children (2 years or younger) You'll need to hold down each finger as you trace around it. Try counting each finger to help your little one focused and wiggling at a minimum.


• hold onto the scraps from your cut outs. Let your older toddlers use safety scissors to practice their cutting skills :-) We'll use the scraps in a future project.


• REMEMBER! This isn't a school project - so there are no "rules" use this time to let your little one be creative and just enjoy the time together.


• If your child wants to make more tracings let them! Send the extra hands to grandparents, aunts... whoever might like a keepsake!

Have a great day with the kids!

Parents Craft Supply Suggestions

I recommend you stock your craft closet/bin with some or all of the following if you can. It will come in handy :-). Most of these items can be found at craft stores or even walmart and target.

Paper:

Construction Paper

Printer Paper

Cardstock

Scissors:

2 pairs safety scissors

2 pairs regular scissors

Coloring Supplies:

Over-sized Crayons
1 box regular Crayons

Colored Pencils

Washable Markers

Sidewalk Chalk

Adhesives:

Scotch Tape

Craft Clue

Glue Sticks

Storage:

Stacking drawers (rubbermaid)

zip lock baggies

Random Fun Stuff:

Playdough

bubbles

food coloring

paint (if you're brave)

Glitter

Colorful Pipe Cleaners

Popsicle sticks

Pom Poms

Feathers

Inspriratoin

I, like most stay at home moms, go through highs and lows being home ALL the time with no one to talk to but little people who need you to feed them, watch them... let's not forget WIPE them!

So in order to keep my sanity, and remind me of the fun things to do with my little ones I am going to dedicate at least 15-30 minutes a day to do a craft or activity with the kids. It might be as simple as coloring a picture together with a special twist - or maybe we'll go to the beach - we might even have a bake sale.

You never know until you try. I hope you will join me (and my kids) as we enjoy our journey through the next 365 together. My three little ones (2 boys and a girl - ages 4, 3 and 2) will test drive the activity and I will post the results WITH pictures the following morning.

I have to say that I was inspired to do this by my oldest son's preschool teach, Miss Mary Ann. She keeps me motivated as a mom - and I am SO very thankful for that.

~ Jinj

P.S. if you want to hear the funny SAHM stuff check out my other blog (that is where I use my grown up words) http://underthecape.blogspot.com/