Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Happy happy birthday to the one and only Dr. Seuss! This American writer and cartoonist would be 111 years old today! SO...we thought we would pay tribute to this lovely, looney, tooney legend with a craft from one of his famous stories, Bartholomew and the Oobleck. 

As a child, this was one of my favorite rainy day activities and would keep me entertained for hours. :) This super simple oobleck slime recipe will guarantee a goopy good time (with barely any ingredients!) 

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 1½ cups of cornstarch
• 1+ cup of water
• green food coloring
• glass mixing bowl
• mixing spoon
• newspaper or other covering for a work surface

Then just slowly mix together the water and cornstarch and add the food coloring to achieve the desired slime green! For the complete instructions, click HERE 

Have your child experiment with the different forms the goop will take, it's like magic! 

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** When finished, do not pour the oobleck down the drain as it will clog. Dispose in the trash** 

Beautiful Letter One Mom Wrote To Her Little Boy...

We found this lovely post on Huffington Post from a mother to her little boy. This message can be applied to so many different families, situations and environments. Let kids be kids! Some say that children are conditioned to gravitate toward certain gender cues and association, while this may be true, this mother will not stand for it. She wants her little boy to explore, experiment and do whatever it is that brings him joy! We love this message and what it supports.

See the full post HERE 

I have a little boy... 

A little boy who likes to wear tutus. A little boy who likes to dance. A little boy who loves to paint and a little boy who hums happy tunes all day long.

A comment came. 

A comment too riddled with prejudice for me to repeat. A warning to me to be careful. A warning to not encourage such things or I'll regret it later.

And so to this person I say nothing. For my words to her will change nothing. But to my little boy I say this, for my words can change everything.

I say dance. And not just hip-hop dancing -- wear that blue tutu that you love and twirl and twirl.

I say wear whatever clothes you want. Wear blue because you like blue, not because it's a boys' color. And if you like pink, well, wear pink. And if you want to wear your sister's dress, then heck, go ahead and do that too.

What's that? Well of course you can wear fairy wings. Oh, and a firefighter's hat too? Sure. And you know what? I'll wear one too. And we'll all head out for a walk, dressed in our glad rags, laughing and giggling.

Shall we play with clay today, Mommy? Sure. Shall we add some sparkly beads? Sure. And why not? Are pretty things that sparkle only to be enjoyed by girls?

Do you want to play soccer, Mommy? Sure do, buddy. But let's play it because it brings you joy, not because it's a boys' sport. And maybe after we finish we can go inside and finish that tea party we were playing this morning?

I have a little boy. 

He is a boy. He is a child. He likes to play. He builds blocks and plays house. He plays soccer and dances on tippy-toes. 

He really couldn't care less if he uses a pink toothbrush or a blue one. And neither could I.

And neither should you.

I have a little boy.

A Book With No Pictures?! Watch The Children's Reaction!

Most people think children need books with pictures. Sure, they can be entertaining can bring life to a story, but they are not necessary. Children can have just as much fun with a book sans the photos! It also teaches kids to listen rather than just simply relying on the illustrations for story context clues. Watch this video to see for yourself. 

Creative Crafts With Cardboard Tubes!

We all know they are everywhere! So, why not make a creative use out of them? Parents are always looking to use regular household products to create inexpensive, fun and entertaining projects for their children. Thanks to our good friends over at Happy Hooligans we have found this list of 22 ways to use these otherwise disposable products! 

22 Things to Make with Cardboard Tubes:

Click on the highlighted descriptions to see a full tutorial for each craft or activity.

Fall Decorations with Cardboard Tubes:

Use a cool paint process to make some fall napkin rings.

Make a turkey table topper for your Thanksgiving table.

Round up some fabric scraps and a few crafty odds and ends for some adorable toilet roll owls.

Crafting for Halloween:

The kids will love making a quirky monster mobile out of cardboard rolls.

A spooky crow or owl is a very fitting decoration for Halloween.

Our toilet roll mummies help little ones develop their winding and wrapping skills.

Winter Toilet Roll Crafts:

These cardboard roll snowmen are just the cutest little things, aren’t they?

The hooligans LOVE playing with our toilet roll Nativity set.

Cardboard Roll Christmas Crafts:

Fleece, batting and a cardboard roll makes an adorable Santa Claus.

Make a set of cute reindeer ornaments for your Christmas tree.

This snowman ornament would be great for the tree or as a gift topper.

Spring Crafts:

Summons up some April showers with a colourful rain stick.

These Easter chicks in paper nests are just too sweet.

Peeps!  Everyone loves Easter peeps, right?

And don’t forget about the Easter bunnies!  Check out our paint chip bunting too!

Bracelets and Cuffs:

Make some simple toilet roll cuff bracelets.

Anklets can be made using cardboard rolls and colourful duct tape.

Skill Building Activities:

Make some cool 3-D structures with tubes and a low-temp glue gun.

Toddlers love to drop things through our cardboard Drop Zone.

Arts and Crafts:

Create a unique piece of art for a kid’s room, toy room or classroom.

Turn a long cardboard tube into a torch.

Cardboard Tubes for Play:

In a pinch, a sturdy kitchen roll, makes an excellent bubble wand.

Make a set of simple “stand up” paper dolls.

Well?  What do you think?  Did we inspire you?  Now, it’s your turn to inspire me!  If you have a favourite cardboard roll craft or activity, I’d love to hear about it!

Now, I’ll bet you’re wondering how you can re-use all those Keurig K-cups you have stashed too!  Don’t worry!  We’ve got you covered: 25 Ways to Re-use Your K-cup pods.

10 Fun Fall Activities for Kids to Do in the Backyard

Fall is right around the corner!! The weather will cool down, leaves will change and good 'ole Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back at Starbucks! Here are some great ideas for outdoor Fall activities from our friends over at Happy Hooligans...Check it out! 

Each of the activities described contains a clickable link that will take you to the detailed blog post.

 

Rake up a leaf maze or leaf labyrinth!

Pick up some decorative corn cobs for sensory play! This fine-motor activity keeps the hooligans busy for days on end!

Set up a fall sensory bin using found items and thrift-shop materials.

Fall play on a mirror!  An display of autumn dollar store items is doubly interesting to explore when set up on a mirrored surface.

Collect a big bucket of chestnuts.  Kids LOVE shelling them, and then using them for sensory play.

A corn and chestnut run will keep little ones entertained for hours!

Make a leaf slide!

Set up an invitation to play with sensory materials on a mirror under a canopy of leaves or the clear, blue sky.

Explore a variety of harvest items.  The hooligans love dissecting sunflowers!

A nature table laden with gourds, candles, pinecones, bark and other natural element provides loads of discovery and learning.

4 Different Teaching Styles - #1 Waldorf

This is the first day to our 4-day series of teaching styles! 

Children learn in a variety of ways. Through play, music, experience and imitation, kids absorb information around them like sponges. In this 4-part series, I will go over a few of the popular teaching philosophies we see today. Each of these teaching styles have their own history and background as well as distinct values and practices. 

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First up, Waldorf education! This style began in Germany back in 1919 and is all about creative play. Waldorf's rich curriculum encourages children to learn by interacting with music, myth, theater, writing, dance, language, and nature. Young Waldorf schooled children are taught to explore both artistic expression and social capabilities from a young age. Secondary school introduces critical thinking and idealism to the mix, encouraging the use of imagination. Throughout a child's time in a Waldorf school, the goal is to combine intellectual, practical and artistic themes to create free, morally responsible and creative individuals that are socially competent. 

Teachers of the Waldorf style (whether parent, teacher or tutor) create an environment that is nurturing and which encourages learning through imitation and experimentation. The "teacher" will demonstrate various activities such as baking, gardening, painting, building etc. to stimulate the little ones' imaginations. Creative and free play is supported. 

As the children grow older, their curiosity grows, leading to experimentation in poetry, music, writing and art. By stimulating a sense of awe from a young age, critical thinking skills are developed. 

A few things that play huge roles in Waldorf education: colors, simple objects, handwork, daily rhythm, forts, musical instruments, natural toys and many more. Below are a few examples of Waldorf inspired activities to check out thanks to Alina's Adventures,  :) 

- Candle illuminated paper scenes 

- Nature painting and stamping

- Peek-a-boo sprites

 

Sources:

http://www.creativechild.com

http://www.alinasadventuresinhomemaking.com

http://www.whywaldorfworks.org

 

A Little Monday Afternoon Pep-Talk

Well another weekend has come and gone. Monday's can be a struggle..I know I am a little sluggish today. SO, here is another inspiring, funny, adorable video from Mr. Kid President. We love this little guy and the video speaks to everyone. Happy Monday! 

Genius Snack Hack Ideas!

Thanks to our friends at Kids Activities, we discovered this holy grail of Snack Hacks! These fun, simple and creative ideas will guarantee a smile at snack time! 

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Get Organized

Have a bin of snacks ready and waiting in the fridge.  This is great for portion control and encourages diversity.  Kids have to eat the whole bin before it’s replenished.  via – Iheartorganizing

Don’t search for your kids cups.  Glue magnets to the sides of their cups and your kids can stick cups onto the fridge.  When they want a drink they can use the fridge dispenser and put the cup back on the fridge. via – Dayna Made It.

Have your fridge organized so you don’t spend time looking for food or forgetting about a veggie or snack. via – Glamorous Housewife.

Cut up apples ahead of time and then wrap a rubber band around the slices.  This will keep them from turning brown. via -  A helicopter mom

Enjoy drip-free popsicles.  Fill the popsicle molds with jello.  Tastes great and are less messy!

Play Date Tips

Give your kids cups of dip along with their veggies.  This is a great make-ahead tip that works well for playdates and parties.  No double dipping!  via – Floor 24

Cut slivers of oranges in a jiffy – no more peeling and picking off the white of the orange!

Layer a cake evenly with the help of dental floss.  You can also use this tip to cut blocks of cheese or rolls of dough.  via – wiki how

Create double decker snack cups with the help of a cupcake liner.  These were a huge hit at a recent slumber party!  via- I can teach my child

Freeze sponges to create a safe, drip-free icepack alternative in a lunchbox.  The kids can even use the sponge to clean up their table before and after they are finished eating.

Transform a regular water bottle into a sippy cup by punching a hole through the lid and inserting a straw. Perfect for a picnic.  Best part, you can dispose of it when you are done.

Portion control snacks with the help of a set of old Easter eggs.  You can even use an egg carton to transport the food.  “Egg” lunches are my kids favorite park treat.  via – Kailo Chic

Quick and Easy Treat Tips

Use a cupcake liner to contain drips when your kids are eating popscicles.   Your kids won’t be as sticky!

Create ice-cream sandwiches quick and easily with mini-icecream containers.  Heat your knife to make cutting them easier.  Then peel the carton away before eating.

Make a single serving of cake in a mere 3 minuets with only 3 ingredients.  This recipe tastes just like a mug of hot chocolate.

Happy snacking!! 

Awesome NON-Toy Gifts For Children!

"I want this Barbie", "I want a new Xbox game", "I want that dollhouse", I want, I want, I want...

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to give your children a gift that ISN'T a toy?! Present them with something different, stimulating and creative? I have always been a huge fan of DOING things instead of GIVING things. When you get out of the house and participate in a local activity, event or outing, there are more opportunities to bond and learn than simply throwing your child a toy and saying "have at it!"  

With commercials and advertisements targeting children more than ever, it is hard to escape the "I want" mentality. They are constantly being bombarded with the bigger, better toys and gadgets. What is even more frustrating is when you finally cave in and buy the life-size T-Rex, your child is over it within the week. Why not try taking little Tommy to the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park so he can LEARN about dinosaurs in a fun environment? 

Here is a fun list of 18 non-toy gifts, thanks to Nourishing Minimalism, to consider for the next birthday party you attend, a reward for Tommy's good report card or maybe even just a weekend outing :) Enjoy!! 

 

1. Classes. Music, dance, riding, drawing, classes are a great way to encourage children in their interests and let them know that you pay attention to them and what they enjoy.
2. Memberships. Zoo, science museum, children’s museum, YMCA membership, etc. These are particularly great for family gifts! Many young families want to enjoy day outings, but affording them can be a challenge, so give them the gift of a yearly membership.
3. Subscriptions. Kids enjoy getting things int he mail. Why not encourage their reading by getting them a magazine subscription for something they are interested in!
4. Events. Movie tickets, tickets to a play, concert or sports event are really exciting! Having an event to look forward to makes the rest of life more enjoyable.
5. Activities. Mini golf, bowling, skating rink. These are so much fun! And a big part of the fun is going together. Children love spending time with the adults in their lives, they want to see you enjoying your time as well as enjoying them.
6. Recipe and Ingredients. Kids love cooking with their parents. Baking something special or cooking dinner is an ideal time to spend together and learn life skills. Print out a recipe, purchase all the ingredients and set a date for cooking together.
7. Crafting Date. Our daughter loves making crafts. I do to, I really do enjoy the creative aspect. But I rarely take time out to do it with her. These crafting dates mean the world to our creative little girl. Keep a basket of craft supplies and get out a book for inspiration. We like this book.
8. Arts and Craft supplies. If your craft box is running low, stock up a little on things you need. Add in something fun the kids haven’t used before. A gift of art and craft supplies often brings on the imagination and kids can’t wait to get to work!
9. Coupons. An envelope of coupons that they can “spend” at any time: I’ll do one chore- no questions asked, movie and popcorn night, you pick the movie!, 1:1 game of cards or basketball (whatever the child’s interest is in), sit and read a book with me, Stay up 1/2 hour past bedtime
10. Restaurant Gift Card. Dinner, ice cream, coffee, cupcake- whatever suits their fancy! Give them the freedom of inviting whoever they wish: it may be mom or dad, it may be a grandparent, aunt or even teacher that they would like to spend more time with.
11. Dress Up Clothes. These do need to be limited, but  2 dresses and couple play silks can get hours and hours of play!
12. Books. We get a lot of books from the library, but there are some that I just can’t find there, or it takes us longer to read through. We have read through the entire Little House series, Narnia and are working our way through Shel Silverstein’s books. Be sure to pass the books on when you are done, so they don’t clutter up your home.
13. Clothes. When kids only have a certain amount of clothes, they often enjoy getting clothes. Make it a point to get something that fits their style. That may mean western clothes, super-hero, fancy dresses, etc.
14. Snacks. If your child is a foodie, they will love this! Some homemade granola or cookies made just for them, is a special treat!
15. Outdoor Supplies. If you are an outdoorsy family, giving kids their own fishing tackle or gardening equipment can be a big deal. It’s also something that gets left on the shelf in the garage, so you always know right where to find it.
16. Telling Time. The average child these days doesn’t know how to read analog, or finds it takes too long to think about it, so they search for a digital watch. Getting them a cool watch makes them want to be able to tell time on it. Boys, girls, and even teenagers can be excited about this.
17. Games and Puzzles. Games and puzzles are great activities for when kids have to be indoors. It’s a good practice to have individual quiet times during the day, and having a puzzle to sit and work on by themselves helps brain development and problem solving skills. Games teach a lot too! My kids talk about how they passed geography, just because we played Risk when they were little. Monopoly and PayDay have been popular and help cement math skills. Memory games are great for younger children.
18. Calendar. Many children like to know what is going on, what day it is, how many days until ____. These kids are the ones that want to know what the plan is for the day, in what order things will happen, what time friends are expected over, etc. They struggle with spur-of-the-moment and can be frustrating if you are a spontaneous parent. But celebrate it! These children have many strengths and make our world run smoother. Embrace their inner schedule and get them their own calendar. They can write down their own classes, appointments, play dates, etc. And if they ask you, send them to their calendar so they can get used to being in control of their own schedule. You can even schedule “spontaneous days”, so they know that something different will happen that day. Trust me, it will help them enjoy the spontaneous outings!