Craftivity Corner

Allison McDonald
Creative crafts, book suggestions, and tips to make time for learning in your busy day.

archives

June 29, 2010
Family Travel Games
Allison is on maternity leave, so in the meantime, the staff here at FE will be posting some guest posts until she gets back. ************* Family vacations are usually a blast, but getting to your destination can be tough when you are traveling with little ones. It's imperative that you are prepared for boredom and temper tantrums with activities and snacks to tide your kids over until you get to where you're going. Check out this printable booklet of games that you can take with you in the car, on the plane, or any other mode of transportation. All you need is a pencil, and you're child can...
Family Vacations; Boredom; Summer Fun; Summer Activities; Travel Activities
June 25, 2010
Homemade Bubble Solution
Allison is on maternity leave, so in the meantime, the staff here at FE will be posting some guest posts until she gets back. ************* It's Friday, which means you have the whole weekend stretched out in front of you. If you're lucky enough to have some downtime with your little ones, try out this homemade bubble solution. It's easy to make, and super fun to play with. After all, what's better than blowing bubbles with your child on a warm summer day? For your ingredients, you'll need: * 2 cups warm water * 1 cup liquid dishwashing soap * 1/4 cup glycerin * 1 teaspoon sugar * Funnel,...
Summer Crafts, sunny day activities, Toddlers and Preschoolers
June 22, 2010
While Allison is Away...
...we'll be posting some guest posts to tide you over until she gets back. When the sun is shining and the weather is warm, the last thing you want is for your child to be stuck inside. So, why not take your camera for a walk. What catches your child's eye? Something funny? Serious? Whatever it is, let him go to town snapping pictures, and when you get home, turn it into a collage to hang on your fridge to remind you of your sunny day adventure. Click here to find out what you need for your Sunny Day Camera Adventure.
Outdoor activities, sunny day activities, Toddlers and Preschoolers
June 18, 2010
Taking Some Time Off...
...to have a baby. I will be taking some time off to spend with my ever growing family. My due date is just days away and as I type this I am hoping that all my crazy nesting today was a sign of something! I will be back in a few weeks, until then there will be some guest posts and other fun stuff. See you in a bit! Allie
Maternity Leave
June 17, 2010
My Favorite Books
Last week I focused my book reviews on books my son can't get enough of right now. So this week I am going to highlight some books I love. Madeline's Rescue by Ludwig Bemelmans was perhaps my favorite book in the whole series. In this story brave little Madeline is perhaps too brave for her own good , ad while daringly walking along the edge of a bridge she falls in the Siene. Luckily she is as the title suggests , rescued by a fine dog! The dog is immediately adopted by the school but things go awry after the annual inspection by the board of trustees. I love all the illustrations in this...
Children's Book Recommendations
June 16, 2010
10 things to paint with not including a brush!
Painting whatever you want is fun, but painting with a novel tool is even better. Forget plain old brushes. This summer break out one or all of these 10 alternatives to a plain old brush. 1. Fruits ! Carve them into shapes like the one above, or simply slice them. We have had fun with apples, oranges ( squeeze some juice out first), limes and more. 2. Forks! Yes plastic forks make great paint tools, they leave awesome markings that make wonderful trees, and very cool porcupines. 3. Pool Noodles. Slice them into pieces easy enough to handle and voila a cool washable and reusable paint stamp...
Activities for children, Arts and Crafts
June 15, 2010
What do you do with all their art?
I am asked this questions constantly! What do you do with the art work your kids make?! My answer is almost always .... I recycle it. But That doesn't help most moms who want to keep it, and who's kids are more attached to it than my son ( he gets his lack of sentimentality from me). Here are a few things you can do with the art to preserve, show off and make memories . 1. Make a clothes line display .Get some cool themed ribbon , clothes pins and 2 inexpensive hooks. Put the hooks along your child's bedroom wall 4-8 feet apart, tie the ribbon on, then using the clothes pins hang the art to...
Art Storage, Arts and Crafts, Kids Art
June 13, 2010
Easy 4th Of July Bracelet!
I remember learning to braid really vividly. It was for a Brownie ( Canadian girl scouts) badge , and I used those really thick woolly hair ribbons to learn. Thinking back on that I thought pipe cleaners would be an even better way to learn because if you let go your work isn't lost since they bend. Which I remember being the most insanely frustrating thing about learning to braid, when I let go it would unravel. So today's craft is all about braiding but because I used red, white and blue pipe cleaners, it's the perfect accessory for the 4th of July! 1. Gather your materials. You will need...
4th of July, Arts and Crafts, Kids Activities
June 10, 2010
Crafty Links !
Make personalized paper dolls with instructions from Make and Takes! Anyone can be a Princess with these crowns from Feels Like Home ! How amazing do these felt donuts look?? Love everything Valerie from Frugal Family Fun Blog comes up with ! I want these alphabet bean bags from Notes From A Very Red Kitchen. WOW!
Arts & Crafts, Kids Crafts
June 9, 2010
Fun Father's Day Idea
Personal DVD! Today's families are busy, and if your house is anything like mine time together is precious. Sometimes parents have to go away for work and that can be hard on everyone. This is a fun Father's Day idea but can obviously be used anytime for mom , dad or other family members far away. As a stay-at-home-mom I am privy to little moments of silliness throughout the day , elaborate pretend play and spontaneous songs. To me this is why I stay home - I get to see these moments and wish my husband did too. I have started recording them on video , and will be putting them onto a DVD so...
Family Life, Father's Day
June 8, 2010
Family Puppet Craft
Now that my son is 3 he is all about pretend play. He has recently gotten into puppets so we made this super easy and really fun photo puppet craft. It's really hilarious to hear what your child says when they are pretending to be you . 1. Gather your materials. You will need a photo of each person you are making into a puppet, some double stick tape, scissors and popsicle sticks. 2. Cut out your photographs. 3. Add double stick tape to the stick and add the cut out picture. Have fun!
Arts and Crafts, Family Activities
June 6, 2010
Books We Love!
I was going to do a themed book post but decided to highlight the books that my 3 year old son has asked to read over and over again this week. What could be a better recommendation than that? Chief Rhino To The Rescue by Sam Lloyd was an instant hit with my son and I had to sneak it out of the house yesterday to return it to the library without him knowing. It's a simple but fun book about a fire chief with the best intentions but who is a little too eager to save the day. Baby On The Way by Martha and William Sears and Christie Watts Kelly. I started reading my son books about having a...
Children's Book Recommendations
June 5, 2010
Educational Treat!
I love summer because there are some things that simply are easier to do outside. This activity is fun, educational and tasty! 1. Gather your materials. You will need some white( I use natural lemonade for this it's almost white), red, blue and yellow drink mix ( like Kool-aid), popsicle molds and either measuring spoons or eye droppers. 2. When I do this with little guys I pre- fill the molds 2/3 of the way up with one color . 3. Now put a small amount of each color in bowls and allow your child to use the eye dropper ( turkey baster works great too), and watch the colors mix and change. 4...
Early Learning, Summer Cooking, Summer Science
June 3, 2010
Gift Ideas For Teachers
Having been a teacher I get this question all the time. What should I get my child's teacher for a gift? My answer : Nothing unless you can afford it. A heartfelt card will mean just as much if not more than anything. I have an envelope of cards , letters and notes from parents that mean the world to me and are among the things I would grab in case of fire or flood. That said most friends reply with "Yeah but what should I GET them?" It depends on the school, the class and your budget. I have worked at schools where families were struggling to make ends even get close to meeting and others...
End of school year, Summer, Teacher Gifts
June 1, 2010
Easy Clam Shell Craft
This is a craft even the most uncrafty can do! Also since it uses something many of us have way too many of come summer time ( paper plates) you might even have everything you need already! 1. Gather your materials. You will need a paper plate, some googly eyes , markers and glue. 2. Start by coloring your paper plate ( we just did the underside but you can do both). 3. Next add glue for the eyes. 4. Add the eyes. 5. When dry fold in half - voila easy and cute clam!
Arts and Crafts, Beach, Summer Fun