Spring Gift to make for GIRLS or MOMS

I confess, I made this craft for my girlfriend's birthday, but can easily be made by kids too!  It was fun and easy to get creative on this Spring garden scene.  I picked out some flower hair clips at the store (Forever 21) and then set to work to make this card.  Using a single sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" blue card stock paper I cut small slits where I wanted to place the flower clips.  The rest is the Spring picture was made from card stock too.  When complete, place the clips and write a special message one the bottom.
This would great for Mother's Day, teacher appreciation, or a birthday gift.

What to do with Large Pieces of Cardboard

It seems like since our move we have had large boxes lying around.  So we decided to get creative when they all did not fit inside our recycle bin.  *FYI...if you are in need of some cardboard you can always go to your local hardware store and ask them for some!
Here are some ideas:

1.  Puppet Theater:  Unfold the box and lye it flat on the floor.  Cut an opening in the box to make the stage. Keep it simple or decorate theater with paint and curtains.  I used a kitchen towel and attached at the top with clothes pins for the curtains.  Once dry, stand upright and let the show begin!
2.  Race Track or Train Track:  Draw a track directly on the cardboard.  My son loves his race track.  I made a train track and brought it to my son's train birthday party at the park.  It was a hit!
3.  Turn the race track into a large board game by drawing lines to make spaces.  Decide which space you need to stop and get gas (lose a turn) or where your can "zoom" ahead and move ahead two spaces.   Take turns rolling a die and move along the track.  Who will be the winner of the race?  *You can also write letters or numbers on the spaces and have your child tell you what is on their space.
4.   House Hunt:  Draw a simple picture of your house which includes windows, door, rooms.  Go on a hunt around your house to look and count the number of doors, windows, rooms, tv's, bathrooms, tables, etc.  Record the information on your house drawing.  Have your kids come up with things to add and count.
I found this website that has 32 Uses of Cardboard Box...have fun!
http://www.tipjunkie.com/32-things-to-make-using-a-cardboard-box-diy/

These projects are easy to store - fold up and put in closet or under bed.

St. Patrick's Day O'FUN

Individually wrapped treats in the pot

Don't let this St. Patrick's Day go by without a hunt for the gold with your kids.  There are so many different ways you can do it and they are ALL fun!  Here are some ideas to put in your pot of gold.  I take my black cauldron from Halloween and fill it with bright yellow tissue paper.  Then I wrap up treats in yellow tissue paper and tie.  That way each child gets the same number of coins/treats.  Some treat ideas include plastic gold or green coins, small bottle of bubbles in colored containers, chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil, Hershey kisses or nuggets (most contain almonds so check for nut allergies), Reese's Rollo (chewy caramel inside), peanut butter cups.  Just check out the candy isle for other ideas.
*NO suckers or hard candy.  Children are excited and the last thing you want them to do it run around with hard candy - CHOKING HAZARD!

 

Leprechaun Disguise

1.  Follow the Green String:  Each child has their own string that they have to follow.  Along the way you can place coins on the string, wrap it around trees, under chairs, or over benches.  At the end will be the surprise.  If it is a larger group, you can do one string and all the kids follow.  This is good your younger kids.
2.  Have clues written on green shamrocks and the kids have to follow them to get to their pot of gold.
3.  The Letter Hunt:  perfect for ages 4-6 and they LOVE IT!   http://mrsodaniels.blogspot.com/2011/03/hunt-for-golden-letters-st-patricks-day.html

Easy Decorations:  Hang party streamers the color of the rainbow from your doorways.  The kids have to walk "through the rainbow"! (more ideas for using the streamers: http://www.blogger.com/posts.g?blogID=5912000420279799351&searchType=ALL&txtKeywords&label=St.+Patrick%27s+Day

Easy activity:  Rainbow Bracelets:  use pipe cleaners and kids string fruit loops on the pipe cleaner for make a bracelet.  Good thing to do until everyone is ready for the hunt.

Snacks:
Snap peas, green grapes, lucky charms/fruit loops, kiwi, cucumbers, rainbow sherbert or mint and chip ice cream.  Be sure to serve ice cream in "wee" sized bowls and "wee" spoons found at your local ice cream store (the ones used when you sample the flavors).  I have been looking for mini ice cream cones, but have not found any yet. 

Have Fun!

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day and Rainbows on March 10th

Come celebrate St. Patrick's Day and Rainbows with your wee ones (18 months - 4 years) at the Moraga Library, Saturday March 10th from 10:00-10:50.  Miss Diana will be leading this fun, interactive Parent and Me class. We will be talking about color, playing Irish games, rainbow dancing, and marching with musical instruments while spending the morning creating happy memories with your wee ones.  Be sure to have your child wear some clothing that represents their favorite color of the rainbow.

Parent and Me Class Theme: St. Patrick's Day and Rainbows
When: Saturday, March 10 from 10:00-10:50
Where: Moraga Library: 1500 Saint Marys Rd  Moraga, CA 94556
Age: 18 months to 4 years
Cost: Free

MARCH and Green Food Coloring

Green food coloring is a must during the month of March!
For a healthier alternative try spinach juice, all the color, no taste. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-ways-to-make-organic-diy-food-coloring.html

March 2 is Dr. Suess' Birthday.  Don't forget to read, Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss and make some green eggs for breakfast.  Just a few drops of green and whisk before cooking.  A fun and memorable breakfast.

"I do so like
green eggs and ham!
Thank you!
Thank you,
Sam-I-am"

March 17 is St. Patrick's Day.  You never know where you might see some clues that those clever leprechauns visited your house.  A few drops of green in your child's milk or even in your toilet bowl.  Silly Leprechauns!

March 20 is the first day of Spring.  Make a batch on homemade play dough and add green food coloring.  Click here for easy directions: http://mrsodaniels.blogspot.com/2010/08/playing-with-playdough.html