Craftivity Corner

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

archives

July 29, 2011
Make A Book Fort
Reading doesn't have to only be at bedtime , making the act of reading play will make books that much more fun for your kids and deepen a love of books for even the littlest book worms among us. One way to do that is to create a book fort. No not out of books, the books are inside. Out of sheets and blankets and table cloths. Just like you made when you were a kid. Grab a camping lantern or flash light, a stack of books and you have successfully made reading extra cool!
early literacy, Reading
July 28, 2011
7 Fun Activities to Add To Your Summer Bucket List!
I have heard from many parents how with school budget cuts their children are going on fewer field trips with school. So during the summer it's even more important to get thee to museums, farms, zoos and other special events to broaden your child's horizons, see things first hand , touch and feel and experience ! Here are 6 fun places to check out : 1. The Zoo - ok so this is probably not new to you but when was the last time you went? This is a must in my book. Seeing animals up close is such a wonderful launch pad to come home and learn about them. 2. Sculpture Parks. Most cities...
Summer Field Trips
July 27, 2011
Great Princess Book!
I don't often write the words Great and Princess Book together. I read a lot of books that I don't like and while I will sometimes write bad reviews, I choose to spend more time promoting great books so parents and kids can read something awesome. This book is awesome. Not All Princesses Dress In Pink by Jane Yolen and  Heidi E.Y. Stemple The reason I love this book is because it says princesses can do anything, and wear their crowns while doing it. It doesn't tell girls what they should be doing, it just tells them they can do anything.  It also has such a variety of...
Book Review, princess
July 26, 2011
5 Activities To Leave For Babysitters
I have been lucky enough to have a wonderful Jr.High student come over a few hours a week during the summer as a mother's helper. I am home while she is here but hiding in my room working out, writing or just going to the bathroom in peace! However she is still young so I lay out easy activities for her to choose from so if she gets in a rut the tv doesn't automatically get flicked on.  1. Easy Arts & Crafts - I pre cut sticky back foam, get out paper, markers and bring the scrap paper bin out too. This minimizes the mess you have to come home to. 2. A few "new"...
babysitters, Children
July 25, 2011
Real Life Writing Practice
My son loves to read but writing has never been something he does willingly. He's only 4.5 and there is no urgency in forcing him to do worksheets or the like but from time to time finding real life reasons to write is a perfect way for him to practice but not just for practices sake. One night before dinner I thought " Place cards!" So he got to choose where everyone sat as long as he wrote their names on the place card. He loves to choose seats for everyone so this was all the incentive he required. We used old Christmas cards as our easy place cards, he wrote the names on...
Early Learning, Handwriting Practice
July 24, 2011
Easy Texture Board
My daughter loves touching the stove. We also have an open floor plan and did I mention she screams non stop in a play pen? I know I just made you all want kids or more kids or you have just said to yourself " Oh thank god my child isn't like that!" She likes the high chair though, she just gets bored. So to keep her busy I made this texture board for her to explore while I do things like take hot things out of the oven! You will need a old cutting board, some duct tape, and various things from your kitchen that have different textures. I used netting from a bag or shallots,...
Toddler Activities
July 20, 2011
Colorfast Experiment
This experiment was originally going to be simple paper printing, but as you will see sometimes things don't go as planned . However my son and I transitioned our failed art project into a fun experiment. What we were supposed to do was dip the paper into the water and make prints, only the paper was way more color fast than expected. So Instead we cut strips from all colors , made predictions about which would make prints, and which wouldn't. Slowly as we did it my 4 year old started to grasp that the paper was dyed, that it was the color coming out because it was wet. Soon the...
Early Learning
July 17, 2011
Mr. Clean It - Pretend Play and Chores
Who doesn't love miniture things? I love smaller but functional household items for my kids so they can really join in the fun and work of daily chores. I picked up this bucket, clothes , duster , brush and dust pan all for a few dollars at the dollar store. We talked about what each tool was for, then went around the house tidying up. I love having his own cleaning tools that I know are free from any cleaning chemicals . Also it gives him a good sense of pride in our home by participating in taking care of it now that he has the right tools.
Chores, Pretend Play
July 16, 2011
Creative Toy Storage
My son loves Playmobil but the little pieces get mixed up, lost and that impedes his play. So when we were at the dollar store we saw these glasses cases, they are the perfect fix. Easy to open but secure, roomy and the little non skid pad even grips small pieces a little so they don't slip out when opning or closing. Oh and they are see through too, score! I haven't heard " Where's my Fire fighter's axe,?" in days!
toy storage
July 15, 2011
Repourposed T-Shirt Wall Art
My son loves superheroes and when a family member gave him a shirt that was YEARS too big I immediately knew what I'd be doing with it. It took 3 minutes and is now proudly hanging in his room. The prized Matisse that I carried through Europe at 19 was shunned to the playroom to make room for this 6.99 tee shirt ! Here is what you do. You will need a staple gun, a teeshirt and a mounted canvas. Take the shirt with you when you buy the canvas. Now you can cut the tee shirt but I wanted to be able to at least send it to good will with only tiny holes in it when my son outgrows this stage...
Home Decor
July 14, 2011
Stationary Circle Stamps
Shape fun continues with this incredibly easy stamping project that uses things we all have , oh and the results are amazing! You will need some things from around your art closet like a pencil with an eraser, glue stick (cap on), and a marker. You will also need a wasable kid friendly stamp pad. Go for it! How cool is that? I've done eraser stamping before but I love the glue stick stamps, they look almost like sea urchins!
Arts & Crafts
July 12, 2011
Heart Shape Collage
Playing with shapes is a great way to reinforce learning while being creative. We made a heart with our hearts but allow and encourage your child to find their own idea if they are interested. I love how this turned out, so pretty and so simple. You will need various colors of construction paper, a heart paper punch, and glue. Punch out the hearts. Make a heart out of glue on a full sheet of construction paper. Add the hearts.
Arts & Crafts
July 11, 2011
Create With Shapes
This week we are creating with simple materials and focusing on shapes both as a material and an end product.  Today's project can be done with any shape so you can let your child choose or use the one your child needs to work on. You will need scissors, glue and construction paper. Cut various sizes of the shape of choice. Invite your child to play and decide on design . Glue it to another full sheet of paper. It's an evil robot.
Arts & Crafts, Early Learning
July 7, 2011
Edible Finger Paint
One of the most common questions I get from parents is what to do when their kids put art materials in their mouths. My responses are always to watch carefully, avoid choking hazards, use only materials from companies they trust ( I am a Crayola devotee, and no I wasn't paid to say that! ), but there is another option... edible paint! This is great for any age but I specifically like it for babies and toddlers who are still genuinely and appropriately exploring with their mouths. You will need some plain yogurt, food coloring, containers, a spoon, a bib or smock and a few wet cloths for...
Arts & Crafts, Finger Paint, Toddlers
July 6, 2011
Cup Jelly Fish Craft
  Easy and fun but this Jelly Fish Craft also is a fun way to practice tying knots which is awesome fine motor skill practice for writing and things like tying shoes independently. You will need a paper cup, a hole punch, ribbon, scissors, stickers ( or something else to decorate) , glue and googly eyes. Start by cutting multiple strands of ribbon, we made 7. Punch the same number of holes just below the rim of the cup. Thread it and tie a double knot for each. Add stickers ( I love these labels , they don't rip like some stickers when fumbly little hands peel them off). Glue...
Arts & Crafts
July 5, 2011
Birthday Card Puppet
My daughter loves this birthday card she got from her brother for her birthday so to make the fun last longer we turned it into a puppet! You will need a card with a picture on it, scissors, tape, crayons and a paper bag. Start by coloring your paper bag Cut your picture out. You can do this two ways, you can cut the head in two and body separately so that your puppet can "talk" or you can do it the way we did cutting out the whole body. We will only attach the head to the bottom of the bag so the doll will "dance".   Attach the picture to the bag using tape. Be...
Arts and Crafts, Upcycling