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| Click here to see Sharen's most recent activities, "That's a Wrap"
Air Date: December 26th, 2011, 1:00pm
Arizona Midday, Channel 12 |  | Juice Bottle Toy Soldier
Christmas decoration activities for young children should be quick, easy, and engaging. This little Toy Soldier is just the thing! Get that empty juice bottle out of the trash, wash it and start transforming.
Stuff you need:
- 1 empty “Simply Juice” plastic container or similar bottle
- Sticky felt in the colors of red or green, blue, white, or black (construction paper works too)
- Marker
1. Cut a simple shirt pattern that fit’s the top half of the bottle. Do the same with pants.
2. Cut the clothes from sticky felt. I suggest red or green for the shirt and blue for the pants.
3. Using the black felt, cut half circle boots for the end of the pants and cuffs for the shirt.
4. Cut two small rectangles as straps that cross on the shirt. An oval of white felt makes a nice face. Draw a face on the white oval with permanent marker. Stick on all the pieces to “dress” your toy soldier.
5. Optional play: When finished, allow your child to fill the bottle with jingle bells; confetti; small toys; small Christmas balls or whatever you can come up with together.
Note: If the Soldier is weighted with beans or rice inside you can play “bowling” with it.
Real Mini Christmas Wreath
Young children love to find nature items around the yard. Use branches from an evergreen tree in your yard or cuts from your Christmas tree to make this little wreath to hang on the tree. Add small pine cones, nuts or berries that you find outside to decorate. Stuff you need:
- 1 sheet of card stock weight paper (red or green if possible)
- Small boughs of pine from a live Christmas tree
- Christmas ribbon
- Berries or small pine cones
1. Trace a 4-6 inch circle on the cardstock paper and cut it out. Trace a smaller circle in the middle of this one and cut it out to form a wreath shape. 2. Using a length of ribbon about 24 inches long, tie it to the wreath to secure and then begin wrapping the wreath with wraps about ½ to 1 inch apart. Secure again when you get to the end. Cut extra length away. 3. Begin threading 4-6 inch lengths of pine branches under the ribbon wraps. Overlay them around the circle of the wreath until all of the cardstock is covered. Pull some of the needles loose from the ribbon to help fill in the wreath. Lace small branches with berries into the ribbon in about four places or glue small nuts or pinecones on for decoration. 4. Tie a ribbon at the top and loop it for a hanger. Sweet! |  | And They All Came Tumbling Down
Blocks, blocks and more blocks!
As old as time itself, stacking blocks is part of every child’s early years. Intrigued by the sheer size of each tower built, your toddler will stack and tumble, stack and tumble with great perseverance. With a tight budget, toys are quickly becoming discretionary items. So breathe easy. These blocks are found treasures in your home. Easy, durable, but light weight, they provide hours of fun including the time making them. Join me! Collect and clean several of these cartons from around your home:
- Milk/cream cardboard cartons all sizes (pint, quart, ½ gal.)
- Cereal boxes
- Rice/soy/almond milk cartons
- Tissue Boxes
- Other miscellaneous sturdy boxes
Cut the pour spout ends off of the milk cartons and the “tissue” pull top of the facial tissue boxes. Matching the sizes, push one box into the other so that the bottom of each form a closed box. This “doubling” makes the blocks much more sturdy. You are ready to build, unless you would like to also make them into a craft project and decorate. To decorate:
- Cover with cute shelf paper
- Cover with construction paper or wrapping paper
- Add stickers, colored dot stickers, shapes cut from stick foam or felt
- Draw numbers or letters on them
|  | Gobble Up Fun for the Kids
Little ones in the home can be overwhelmed by the tasks of holiday preparation. To ease everyone’s stress level, try a couple of these easy, crowd pleasing kids crafts for the table. Your children will contribute to the day and enjoy the holiday more. Just a few supplies collected from around the house and you are ready to go!
Coloring Mats
Stuff to collect from around the house:
- Construction Paper
- Scissors
- Washable Markers
- Flour/Water Paste
- Clear Contact Paper
Directions: Search for free, printable coloring pages on line that are Thanksgiving themes. Print several. Mix a simple flour and water paste and use this to glue the pictures onto construction paper. Cover with clear contact paper.
*Children can color these with wipe off or washable markers over and over.
Perfect for a pre-dinner activity. They make great place mats.
Woven Mat
Stuff to collect from around the house:
- Construction Paper
- Scissors
Directions: Fold in half a piece of construction paper. Starting at the folded edge, cut to within 2 inches of the edges. Make cuts two inches wide all the way across the paper. Remember not to cut all the way through the opposite side. Cut strips 1 ½-2 inches wide from a complimentary color of paper.
Beginning at one end, weave the strips in and out of the cuts on the first page. Continue until the entire page is woven. Remember to alternate “over and under” on each weave. Paste the edges to secure. These can be used again and again if you cover them with clear contact paper.
*Decorate if desired with stickers, markers, handprints etc.
Turkey Decoration
Stuff to collect from around the house:
- Round Coffee Filters
- Powdered Drink Mix/Jello or Food Coloring
- Small Cups or Bowls
- Cardboard T.P. or Towel Tube
- Flower/Water Paste
- Clothes Pins
- Construction Paper
Directions: Mix 2 T. water and 1 tsp of drink mix in small cups (each a different color) or use a drop of food color. Tie Dye several coffee filters by dipping sections into the colors. Allow to dry on paper toweling.
Start your Turkey by cutting two ovals about 2 inches in diameter from construction paper. Cut a T.P. roll in half to make a short ring. Paste one oval just over the top edge and one below to form a head and tummy of a turkey. Color in eyes, nose, mouth etc. Use two dry, tie dyed coffee filters
folded in half for the tail. Attach by clipping to the back of the T.P. roll.
with clothes pins. The pins now form “turkey legs”. Cute for the table and can be used as place cards.
Indian Corn Napkin Ring
Stuff to collect from around the house:
- T.P. Tubes
- Flower/Water Paste
- Tissue Paper (Indian corn colors)
- Scissors
Directions: Cut small 2 inch squares from the tissue paper. Colors of Thanksgiving are best: yellow; green; red; orange; brown.
Mix a simple flour/water paste in a small cup. Use about 2 T. flour and enough water to form a thick paste. (or use white glue)
Dip the center of the tissue paper square into the paste and then paste onto a ½ (short) TP cardboard. Cover the front half of the tube with all the little tissue paper squares. Fluff them so they are 3D or press them into small balls for an Indian corn look. Place a napkin in the ring and lay on the table at each place.
|  | Pumpkin Play-Baby Style
Toddlers don’t know very much about Halloween, but they do enjoy pumpkins. Pumpkins feel nice to baby hands and look like mis-shapen orange balls. These easy, no-stress activities will keep baby busy while you answer the door to all those older “trick-or-treaters."
Let's Play Pumpkin Ball
What you need:
* Large bowl or basket
* Small pumpkins and/or gourds
* Empty tissue box
* Empty oatmeal box
Enjoy the pumpkins together by rolling them back and forth. Allow your Toddler to “fill and dump” pumpkins and gourds into the boxes and baskets. Baby is the boss here, so take your cues from him.
Pumpkin Painting
What you'll need:
* Empty egg carton
* Q-tips
* Pudding or pudding mousse snack pack in colors
* Baby fruit snacks
* Halloween colored cake/cookie sprinkles
* Paper towel or wash cloth
* Newspaper
Place the newspaper on the floor or table in front of baby. In the egg carton spoon tablespoons of colored pudding into two or three sections. Shake cake sprinkles into another section. This is your paint tray.
Show your baby the pumpkin and tell him you are going to paint the pumpkin. Dip a Q-tip into a bit of pudding and paint it onto the pumpkin. Your Toddler will copy you.
Don’t be alarmed if he eats the paint, that’s why you are painting with pudding.
Refill the sections with more paint as needed. Don’t give your Tot the whole pudding cup unless you want the whole cup dumped onto the pumpkin. Help him sprinkle cake decorations onto the areas that have been painted. Stick fruit snack pieces on with the pudding. Don’t try to be literal with a Jack-0-lantern face. This is baby’s project.
For a spicy twist, sprinkle pie spices over the pudding, too!
To decorate:
* Cover with cute shelf paper
* Cover with construction paper or wrapping paper
* Add stickers, colored dot stickers, shapes cut from stick foam or felt
* Draw numbers or letters on them. |  | "Bubbles of Fun"
When does bath time go from a chore to playtime? These recipes for bubbly fun will help transport your child’s bath time from mundane to insane, fun that is! Parents often sell bath time short in the line up of family activity, but bath time is actually a very important time to bond, earn trust and enjoy being together. Toddlers need constant supervision during this ritual and I’m they are delighted with the focused attention that they receive. What other part of their day are you truly engaged in every movement your child takes and every word he speaks? No TV in the bathroom and I hope you don’t bring the cell phone. Warm water, loads of fun suds relax child and parent alike. So escape to a world of bubbles and enjoy. You may never want to leave the bathroom. Bath Paints
- 1/3 c. baby shampoo
- 1 T. corn starch
- Food color
- Essential oil (opt)
In a measuring cup, combine the shampoo and cornstarch. Pour small amounts into sections of an empty, clean ice tray. Allow your child to help drop food dye into each cup and stir with a Q-tip or toothpick. Use as finger paints in the bath or add in a small brush. *Note: For “Spray paint”. Mix the ingredients into a small spray bottle. Add 1/3 c. water and shake. Spray the paint in the tub on the shower wall or bath tub. Make several colors. Foaming Bath Jelly
- 1 pkg. unflavored gelatin powder
- 3/4 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup baby shampoo
- Essential oil (opt)
Place the gelatin from 1 package into a bowl. Slowly add boiling water while stirring. Continue until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Very gently and slowly, add the shampoo. When slightly cooled, pour into small plastic containers (I use baby food containers). Add a few drops of food dye to each little cup and stir the color in. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. To use in tub: Scoop a small amount out of the container and hold under running bath water. This wiggly jelly is fun to touch and fun to transform in to luxurious bubbles. Shaving Cream Color Foam
- 1 Can unscented shave cream
- Food colors
Let your toddler make this right in the tub. Float a muffin tin in the tub. Place recycled plastic containers or cups (I use fruit snack cups) into the muffin sections. Help your Toddler fill each cup with shaving cream. Drop food color into the shave cream and gently stir with fingers or a cotton swab. Mounds of floaty color in the water!! Bath Bombs
- 1/4 c. citric acid (or “fruit fresh”)
- 1/4 c. baking soda
- 1/3 c. sugar
- 1/2 c. cornstarch
- 1/3 c. Epsom salts
- 5 T. light oil (jojoba; sunflower or olive)
- Food color
Measure the dry ingredients into a bowl and blend very well. Add the oil and blend with hands. Divide into three or four parts and add a few drops of food color to each. Work color into the dough with your hands. Press the mixture into any kind of candy mold; butter mold or even plastic easter egg cups. Anything to shape your “bomb”. Make the bombs any size up to ¼ c. Larger than that will not leave too much oil in the bath water. Pop out of the molds and allow to dry for 72 hours on wax paper. To use: Pop a “bomb” into the bath water and watch it fizz and pop as it dissolves. |  | More than a Pool Noodle
Tons of new activities using swimming noodles.
Summer has ended. School has begun and the old swim noodles are left floating in the pool. Fish them out, dry them up and get ready for some cool new fun.
Fun noodles are available in attractive colors. At this time of year they are quite cheap. Don’t pay more than a dollar a noodle. If you already have some floating in the pool, that’s even better.
Here are some quick ideas for hours of fun:
Active Play:
Race track:
With a sharp kitchen shears, slice the noodle from one end to the other revealing the grooved “road” inside the two halves. Duct tape one end to the back of a chair allowing the noodle to drape to the floor.
Launch small rubber balls or marbles down the track. They will follow the grooved pathway. Catch the balls in a plastic bowl at the end and start again. Attach more noodle halves to the end of the first to make longer tracks and loop-the-loops in your track.
Ring toss:
Cut the noodle in half lengthwise. Then slit the noodle down the center. Tape the ends together forming a ring. Decorate with colored tape (opt). Use the hoop to: ring a favorite stuffed animal;
Ring a person; throw a ball or bean bag into; roll the hoop.
Batty Balloons:
Cut a section of noodle a foot long. Tie a string around the center with the other end tied to an inflated balloon. Bat the balloon with the noodle.
Quiet Play
Game pieces:
Cut 1 inch slices of noodle. Use several colors. These can be used for: a giant checker game taped on the floor; matching, counting and sorting.
Jewelry:
Cut noodles in 1 inch slices. Use ribbon or chenille wires to thread the sections and make jewelry. For earrings, simply make a cut in the noodle and place the cut edges onto the ear lobe.
Baby Noodle Stacker:
Using 1 inch slices of the noodles, stack one on top of the other to form a pattern and practice balancing and building. Place a small dowel into a solid piece of Styrofoam as a holder. Stack the slices over the dowel.
Construction:
Cut the noodles into several sections of different length. Cut four inch sections of PVC pipe or from an old hula hoop. Connect the noodle sections by placing the PVC into the holes in the ends of the noodle.
You do it:
Cut different lengths of noodles. Place near your child’s play area and watch the imagination take hold. (send me their ideas)! |  | Red, White and Blue: Shaving Cream 3 Ways!
Make Believe, Finger Paint, and Shave the Balloon
Make Believe
You and your child can have hours of fun with an inexpensive can of shaving cream. The cheaper the better, no menthol or added scents.
Remind your Toddler/Preschooler that the cream is actually soap, so it doesn't taste good.
Make believe with kitchen items such as: muffin pans; bowl and whisk; cake pan; ice cube tray, cookie cutters. Fill the pans and pretend they are cakes etc. Sprinkle with real cake decorations. They are truly lovely!
Finger Paint
Spray shaving cream on the counter top. Allow your child to fingerpaint designs into it. Write names, draw animals, numbers or letters. Color the shaving cream with washable children's paints. Mix the colors with your hands to form new colors.
Save designs by pressing a piece of paper gently over the art work and lift. It will transfer. Let it dry and hang it on the "friger".
Shave the Balloon
Blow up a heavy duty balloon. Anchor it by threading the knot through a hole in the center of a piece of cardboard. This will help it stand up while your child works.
Draw a simple face on the balloon with permanent marker. Squirt shave cream on the balloon face and shave it with a pop cycle stick! Great, silly fun!*For all the activites, keep a bowl of warm water near by for quick clean up |  | Summer N-ICE
"Hot and bored?" "Kids stuck inside?" These are common summer complaints. You can rev up the attitudes and cool off with these very simple "icy" activities for your children. Watch Sharen's segment here, aired on January 17, 2011 on Arizona Midday, to learn how to create these summer activities !
Stuff
-
Empty, clean cardboard milk/cream containers
Pour gelatin powder (any color) into a small amount of hot water. Stir to dissolve.
This will be your “color” for the ice. Fill one or two containers with water and the color mixture. Make several colors, if you wish. Fill other containers with plain water.
Freeze all over night.
Fill an ice tray (I used one with star shapes) with some of the jello mixture. Place a craft stick in each little ice cube slot. Freeze overnight.
The Giggle
Peel the paper off the colored ice blocks you have made. Stack as building blocks to make an ice house. Add toys to the pretend play. Slide them as race cars across a slick, wet surface and see which one wins!
Plain blocks - Place blocks on a dry towel. Rub coarse salt over the surface and let it melt into the ice. Drip food color onto the ice and watch it flow down the cracks and crevices.
Really cool! Repeat with other colors and more ice.
Ice Pops - Remove your colored ice cubes by gently pulling on the sticks. Use the ice as paint on paper. They can also be eaten! Have fun!
|  | Taking the Pain out of Painting with Toddlers!
Mother’s run screaming and Dad’s leave the house at the mere thought of their Toddler painting in the house. Today, we take the scary part out of painting and lay to rest with some simple tips.
It’s all about Preparation and Product to get rid of the Pain. Let’s begin with:
Preparation
1. Lay an old shower curtain under the area where you will be painting.
2. Protect your table surface with a second shower curtain or plastic table cloth
3. Prepare wet and dry wash cloths or have wet wipes in reach.
4. Purchase or make a simple paint smock for yourself and our Tot. (instructs below)
5. Assemble recycle containers that can be used to mix paint in.
6. Medium size plastic or metal bowl and pitcher of water should be handy for a quick clean up and transition from paint. No Toddler can resist a little water play.
Having the area prepared will keep the anxiety level of the parents down to a minimum. Children not only need a “border or boundary” they want it! Perimeters are set by the table cloth and shower curtain. Wet wipes etc. are handy and clothing protected, “no worries”. Right? “Toddler toga’s” (paint smock) can be easily cut from an old flock-backed table cloth. Simply cut a rectangle about 30 inches long and 12 inches wide.
Fold in half and cut a half circle for the head hole. Make a 6 inch slip from the circle down the front for ease of slipping over the head. Easily washed off after use, you can get 16 of these out of one picnic table sized table cloth.
Product
Paints should be safe for Toddler and easy to make for the parents. I include some recipes, but first let’s discuss painting tools.
1. Variety of brushes
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Q-tip swabs are excellent for thinner paints. Toddlers can hold them successfully and the swab holds minimum of paint (enough said)
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Household paint brushes are useful for larger paper coverage and thicker paints.
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Scrubbie pads are fun to add to finger paints to make those fun swirls and stripes. Some children are resistant to put their hands right in the paint. This is a nice tactile element and usually leads to the hands finally getting into the paint.
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Sponge pieces held with a clothes pin are fun and easy as starter brushes and can be used and discarded with little expense. Useful for all paints.
- Popcycle/craft sticks optional but handy for stirring.
- Spray bottle-Great for thin water color paints. Place the paper in a container for spray painting or even spray paint in the bathtub or outside!
2. Paper
Toddlers don’t care if the paper is a fancy sketch pad or just newspaper. Think about your paint thickness to decide what paper to use. For Finger Paints use wax, parchment paper or even some recycled backing paper from contact shelf paper. Anything that is slick. Toddlers need to be able to move the paint around without the paper tearing.
Heavy bond paper or paper bags can be used for thicker flour based paints.
For thinner paints, try computer paper or coloring books. For all papers, tape the edges to the table with duct or electrical plastic tape so that it does not move around while your toddler works. Other surfaces can be used as the painting area such as a table top; the front of the refrigerator (yep, it works) or an outside wall that can be hosed down. Even the bath tub makes a fun paint surface. Never leave your child alone anywhere they are painting.
3. Paint
Easy recipes are listed below to make your own paints. I am an advocate for this for several reasons: safety (edible ingredients); cost (pennies); creativity (make it together).
Mix your paints in recycled applesauce cups; muffin tins; bottom of milk cartons. Think recycle and “throw away”. Make sure your container is heavy enough to support the thickness of your paints so that spills are minimal. A coffee caddie from your local espresso store works well to hold four containers. Whatever you can throw away makes the job of clean up easier. Most homemade paints do not keep well.
Recipes:
Cornstarch Fingerpaint
- 1/3 c. plus up to 2/3 cups water
- food coloring (gel type works best)
- few drops liquid detergent
Mix cornstarch and 1/3. water. Boil 1 cup water and add to cornstarch/water mixture, stirring constantly to desired thickness. Add a few drops of liquid detergent. Add food coloring. Store in airtight container in refrigerator. (I have done this with all cold water too and it works well. Just start with cornstach and add water slowly to desired mixture.
Flour Fingerpaint
- Dry powder from drink mix; kool-aid; jello (for each color) Amount depends on desired color.
Mix each paint color separately using ¼ of the recipe to make four colors. I like using recycled plastic fruit cup containers and place them in a coffee caddy. Add flour or water to desired thickness.
Corn Syrup Paint
Pour 1 inch of corn syrup into a paint container of your choice. Add food color drops for desired color. Dry drink mix powder or jello powder can be used for easier clean up. Food color stains more. This paint is sticky but virtually spill proof.
Enjoy your painless painting!
|  | Playing Princess
In the aftermath of a Royal Wedding, I wouldn't be surprised if your little ones are "playing princess". Here are some easy activities to make at home together.
Castle:
Cover two empty oatmeal boxes with paper of your choice. I used wrapping paper with a polk-a-dot pattern, but any paper will do.
An extra large cereal box or shoe box becomes the center of the castle. Cover it with paper also. I used white contact paper. Decorate the Castle Spires and Center building with scraps of paper, tissue paper flowers or even fruit cereal pieces. Use a mixture of flour and water paste for glue. I also used a strip of packing cardboard that had an interesting shape to border the roof and make the tiny flower box windows. Cut a hole for a door and your little ones can add favorite dolls to the action.
Carriage: Cut an empty, clean chinese take-out box down about a third of the size. Punch holes in one end and thread strong string or chenille wires through to form reins for the horse. Decorate the outside of the carton with flower stickers; tissue paper flowers; paper cut outs...anything you wish. I hot-melt glued spools on the bottom for wheels and added a tiny plastic horse. Giddy up!
Tiara-Use an interesting cardboard piece such as an egg carton or other packing material for a section of tiara or cut one from cardboard. Cut tiny slits every four or so inches and thread a nice piece of ribbon in and out of the tiara shape. Leave enough ribbon to tie around the back of the "Princess' head. Decorate with stickers; flowers; markers; cereal; macaroni noodles as jewels.
Crown your "little princess".
Tutu-Cut 24 inch long strips by 3 inch of netting such as used for wedding decorations. Tie the strips onto an elastic headband leaving 12 inch strips as a skirt. Continue around the headband with the strips until full. I placed the headband over a pillow to work on the strips. Your child can easily do this by herself! Glue tiny flowers or other decorations on the skirt if desired. |  | Butterflies, Bees and Beetles
Yuck, it’s a bug! But not yucky for your Toddlers! They are fascinated with these small creatures.
Spring is here and your little ones will be out and about. A perfect time for a bug hunt.
Build a whole theme around it. After your bug hunt, have fun creating these little guys made from recycled items in the house.
Bumble Bees and Beetles
Stuff you need:
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Small plastic bottles and tubes with lids. McDonalds milk bottle for kids is perfect.
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Colored tape (electrical type)
The Goof
Decorate your bottles with stripes of colored tape. Yellow and black for a bee, but any color for the beetles. Use permanent markers to draw a face on the cap of the bottle.
Create antennae with the chenille wires or bits of rolled paper. Gather cupcake paper in the center for wings and tape on. For a musical instrument, put a few grains of rice or some dry beans in the bottle.
Butterfly
Stuff you need:
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Round shaped coffee filters
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Q-tip or small piece of sponge
The Goof
Lay a couple of coffee filters side by side on a paper towel. Help your child spray water on them to dampen and then sprinkle the powdered drink mix on for color. Use a small sponge or Q-tip to “paint” the sprinkles around the filter until they dissolve into colors.
Add more color, if desired. Allow these to dry (only takes a few minutes)
Gather the dried filter into the middle to create two wings. Hold the wings gathered by clipped a clothes pin to it. This becomes the body of the butterfly. Draw a tiny face on the end of the clothes pin and pinch a small piece of chenille wire into the clip for antennae.
The Giggle:
Clip the hair band into the clothes pin and slide it onto your child’s wrist. Now, fly, fly little butterfly.
The Goof:
For a dragonfly, use two filters and tape them onto a paper towel tube. Put the hair band over the tube for flying.
|  | Fun and Easy Preschool Math Games
Math for Toddlers and Preschoolers is a no-brainer for parents to put together. Don’t be afraid, just look at your house as if you were a math teacher without a calculator. Sorting,
Counting, organizing, adding to and taking away from are all beginner math skills. So, let’s find some math treasures in the house.
Stuff
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Straws and Popsicle Sticks
The Goof
Now the fun begins.
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Sort and count the balls into the muffin tins. Make up simple adding and subtracting problems while working with the balls. Group by color. Count and regroup.
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Count the straws and sort by color. Throw onto the ground and pick them up again while counting. Sort by color. Group in sets of 2, 3, 4 etc.
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Colored Popsicle Sticks: Count and sort by color. Leave a single color in the group and sing “which one doesn’t belong here”. Repeat with all the colors one by one.
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Paper Cups: Construct a pyramid with a four cup base and layers of three, then two, then one. Deconstruct and begin again. Vary the base size. Count the cups in a variety of pyramid shapes. Count the colors or layer them by color and then count.
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Dominoes: DUH! Count the dots. Find dominoes that match on each end. Stack and build trains. Line them up flat or line them up on end and knock them down. Yes, this is still math!
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Egg Carton: Fill the egg carton with tiny items you find around the house. Have a treasure hunt. Count the items and sort into the egg carton. How many of each item are there? How many different items do you have. Sort into color groups or alike groups.
- Make patterns of the groups: Button-Ball-Ball-Toy Dinosaur. Then make a new pattern: Ball-dino-dino-button.
- Plastic Lids: Group into size groups, color groups. Place on a paper and trace around them. Color the circles to match the lids and then find where they go again. Look for patterns in fabric around the house. I bet you can come up with more games for “match the color”.
See! Math can be fun and easy for little ones and their parents!
|  | Edible Valentine Art
Tortilla Collage
Valentines Day is generally associated with candy and love, of course. How about
elevating the treats to healthier level. Toddlers and older siblings alike will enjoy these two edible art projects. Most of all, they will love the time spent together.
Tortilla Collage - Activity #1
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Strawberry or Mixed Berry whipped cream cheese
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Paper doilies (heart shaped)
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Clean pastry, craft or paint brush
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Heart shaped cookie cutter
Blend six or eight raspberries and 4 strawberries in a small blender. Add 1-2 T. of water if needed. Honey and a drop or two of lemon can be added if desired. This becomes our craft paint.
Cut the large tortilla into a heart shape. Lay flat on a work surface. Slice the strawberries very thin. They will have a “heart” shape. Slice the apple into several thin slices.
Using a heart shaped cookie cutter, assist your child in cutting heart shapes from the cheese and apple slices.
Lay a paper doilie in the center of the tortilla. Paint over the doilie holes with the fruit paint. Pull the paper free to reveal the heart shape left behind.
Allow your child to decorate with the heart sliced fruit, raspberries and cheese using the cream cheese as “glue”. Remember to let your child create as wished.
Take a picture and then “EAT UP”
|  | Edible Valentine Art
Love Bug
You’ll love making and eating our little “Love Bugs” This is a complimentary recipe to the Tortilla Heart Collage.
Supplies:
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Whole grain round crackers
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Strawberry or mixed fruit whipped cream cheese
Layer cream cheese on a cracker. Place six pretzels along the edges sticking out beyond the cracker for legs. Stack another cracker on top, sandwich style. Slice a small rounded edge of the apple and glue it to the top of the crackers with cream cheese for the back.
Cut a strawberry in half. Glue one half to the end of the cracker with the cheese. This becomes the head.
Dip cranberries in the cream cheese and then dot over the apple as for “spots”. Place two more on the strawberry half for eyes.
Yummiest, cutest Love Bug ever! Healthy, too!
|  | The Very Slippery Snowman
Watch Sharen's segment, "The Very Slippery Snowman," aired on Arizona Midday, January 17th, 2011, by clicking here.
"Baby, it’s cold outside” - For Arizona, we have had some cold weather. Now is a great time to introduce Toddler to some snow activities. I recommend finding books and pictures that include: snowmen; snow; ice; snow animals. Snowmen are not usually in the visual parameter for a “sunny state” baby so by describing what baby sees in a picture, you introduce new vocabulary. A snowman doll or toy, is a nice 3D example as well.
Now that your Toddler is acquainted with “snowmen” you are ready to begin building your own Very Slippery Snowman and “Baby it’s cold” so wear your little gloves.
Supplies:
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Shallow pan or plastic dish tub
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Scraps of felt or other cloth
Fill the balloons with water, as in a water balloon. Fill one slightly larger than the other. Tie end and place in the plastic bowls.
Freeze these at least 24 hours.
Lay a towel on your play surface. Put your gloves on and get ready for the fun!
Remove the ice balloons from the freezer and snap the balloon off of the ball. It should tear away easily, but clip with scissors if necessary. We call this “the skin”.
Allow your Toddler to explore the ice ball. Careful, it is heavy and will break if dropped.
Rest a ball on the towel to balance. Smooth away the top and bottom to flatten by sprinkling with course salt. Rub it in with your gloved hands. Place the second balloon ball on top of the first. Hold for a few seconds until it begins to melt into the other ball. Use a little more salt to help the process. (If you are brave, you can add a third ice ball)
While the ice balls are “melting together” cut eyes, nose, mouth, scarf, buttons from fabric. Dress your snowman by wetting the pieces down, dipping in salt and holding onto the snowman until they stick (a few seconds) Don’t push too hard or he will fall down. Make a stocking hat by cutting the long leg part of the sock off from the foot part. Tie a rubber band around one end of the tube and turn the other end back to make a stocking cap. Place on the snowman. Decorate with markers if you like.
Place the snowman in the plastic tub or pan for the day as you watch him melt. You can dress and redress the snowman with different outfits cut from more felt or fabric.
Have fun with your “very slippery snowman”. Great “baby” science!
|  |
Candy Cane Band
Supplies:
Assortment of empty clean plastic bottles and milk cartons and paper plates
Red electrical tape and/or duct tape
1/4 cup beans, rice or dry noodles
White contact paper or construction paper.
Design instruments to look like candy canes or peppermint candy.
Use the red tapes to make stripes. Use the beans, rice or noodles to fill for rattle. Be creative. If you use milk cartons, you will need two so that you can cut open the ends and stuff one inside the other. Each end will have the bottom of the carton. Be sure to put your 'sound item" in before you
insert one into the other. Paper plates can be turned into each other, filled with rice etc. and taped all the way around with duct tape.
Plastic bottles just need a sound item, then tape the lid on and decorate with red stripes.
Use the contact paper or construction paper to cover any printed material on cartons.
Sing your favorite Christmas song and have a Candy Cane Parade. |  | Hands on Harvest
Exploring the elements of fall with your Toddler
November 11, 2010
Start your activity by taking a fall "treasure hunt" walk with your Toddler.
* Collect: Leaves, pine cones, seed pods, etc.
* Add: Fall decor items such as: small pumpkins, gourds, indian corn.
At a pet store or feed store purchase a 2 lb. bag of cracked corn.
Activity: Place the following items into a large plastic, shallow container.
1. Cracked Corn
2. Fall items that you have collected
3. Scoops; spoons; cups from the kitchen
4. Large bowl or container for "fill and dump"
Place a large shower curtain or sheet on the floor.
This is your "boundary" for play. Your "happimess" will be easy to clean up with this protection.
Guide your Toddler in playing with the corn as you would a sand box. Always stay with your Toddler so that he/she does not try to eat the cracked corn.
Add in small farm animals, little trucks to haul corn, etc. to extend the play.
Have fun!
| | Boo Goo
Halloween edible paints for Toddlers
October 29, 2010
Decorate a pumpkin cut from cardboard with:
1. 1 jar green peas baby food
2. 1 jar berry mix baby food
3, 1 jar squash baby food
4. dry gelatin powder-green and red (opt)
Pre-draw a face on the cardboard pumpkin so your baby can have an outline to go by.
Mix a little lime gelatin into the peas and red gelatin into the berry mix to intensify the color.
Use a variety of "tactile" brushes such as: small pine cone;
piece of damp sponge; tooth brush; indian corn to apply the paint to the pumpkin! Great fun! All the scents, colors and feel of the products are very brain stimulating! Expect good results!
3D Pumpkin Painting
Use an uncut real pumpkin.
Draw a face on the pumpkin with your child using a permanent marker.
Your glues will be:
1. Corn syrup (colored with gelatin)
2. Peanut butter
Glue on: Any small snack items such as
1. Carmel corn candy
2. Pop corn (popped)
3. Coffee grounds (not edible)
4. Cake sprinkles
5. Fruit O's cereal
Gooey Hair
1. Cooked spaghetti sprinkled with gelatin powder for color!!
Oooey, Gooey, Booey fun! |  | Mommy D.I.Y.
October 11, 2010
On Monday, October 11th, Sharen Pearson aired on Arizona Midday (NBC) teaching "Mommy D.I.Y." on how to create your own laundry detergent. Similar to "Baby D.I.Y.," Sharen walks you through a step-by-step creation you can do at home! Why make your own laundry detergent? It's simple--you can finally know the exact ingredients in your detergent and you can save up to $20 for 48 loads of laundry!
Mommy D.I.Y. Laundry Detergent ($1.99)
1 cup Borax
1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
1 cup shaved soap (Ivory, Castile or Fels Naptha)
Chop the bar of soap into small bits using a knife or cheese cutter. Measure to 1 cup.
Combine all three ingredients and stir until well-mixed (a whisk works great!)
Store in a jar/plastic or cardboard container.
Use 1 T. for normal loads of wash. Up to 2 T. for heavy, dirty loads.
Add detergent while water is running into the washer, then add clothing.
Also Try:
Mommy D.I.Y. Dishwasher Detergent
1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
1 cup Borax
Combine two ingredients and stir until well blended. Store in container.
Use 1 T. in soap dispenser of dishwasher.
*For extra sparkle-fill rinse agent dispenser with white vinegar.
|  | Baby Laundry Fun - Sock Puppet
Supplies:
- 1 calf and knee length sock
Everyone has a loose sock now and then without a mate. Turn one into this fun little Sock Pet activity with your baby.
Tear pages of newspaper into 1/4 sections. Have fun making them into little balls of paper. Tear them and toss them. Caution-"not for mouth".
Find the single sock and begin stuffing the sock with the balls. Shape it as you stuff. With rubbber bands, section off ears, legs or arms. Be creative.
Using washable markers, draw factial features on your pet. Add stripes with colored electrical tape and dots using the markers.
Put the sock pet into the laundry basket and swing it. Now allow baby to sit in the basket with her pet. With two adults holding each end of the basker, swing baby a few inches off the ground and very slowly.
Toss more newspaper balls into the basket for a second game. |  | Read More
Want to get into Sharen's head and find out how she comes up with all these ideas? Read her blog, "Just a Goof and a Giggle," on Verde Independent. You will also find more great projects like those listed above! Just click here! |
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