Saturday, December 20, 2014

Packing Peanut Play - Indoor Snow?

The doorbell rang.  I ran through the house and threw open the door. A smile pulled up both corners of my mouth as I could not contain my excitement.  As the roar of the delivery truck faded in the distance I reached down to pick up today's box with wonder.  Daily arrivals brought gift orders for loved ones or
surprises from those who love us!  Who knew what was inside today's box!

It was so much fun to see what would be delivered each day.  'Tis the season for surprises and delights in all shapes and sizes.   Hence, the focus of today's post.  With mail deliveries, come packing peanuts.  Many a parent groan over the appearance of these static filled "hopping" Styrofoam creatures.  It seems almost impossible to contain them.  They hitch-hike and creep to far corners of the room.  You find them in the most unlikely places days after you have disposed of the box and packing.  How do they do this?

But, today we will look at these little squiggly packing peanuts in a new light and explore the many ways they can bring additional joy to the moment.  They will be the gift that keeps on giving!

photo source:  thinkoutsidethebox.com    



Here we go!

Ideas to re-purpose the lives of packing peanuts!


1.  Create an indoor snow storm!  Yes, I'm for real.  Everyone -adults too- take a bag (plastic shopping bags work well) full of peanuts and on the count of three have a "snow storm"!   Seriously, this will be fun and your kids will never believe you let them do it!  The sane part of this activity for the adults involved is the last part of the game.  Set a timer for a few minutes and see who can collect the most "snow" in that amount of time.  This is a fun way to clean up after the "snow storm".  

Do you have some small plastic children's snow shovels or sand shovels?  Use them to "shovel" snow off of the floor.  

Tip:  save the shipping boxes.  They make play even more fun and you have a box to put the "shoveled snow" back into, when play is finished.

Don't rush this activity.  Let the kids play as long as they want.  Don't worry... this snow will not melt, stain or destroy.  And, it will provide entertainment above and beyond most store-bought toys you could ever give your children.  So, sit back, relax, and enjoy your kid's contentment, excitement and creativity with this activity.




2.  Buried treasure:   Fill a cardboard box up with packing peanuts and hide (bury) small toys throughout the box.  Then have children search for buried treasure!

3.  Fill the sink, tub or large box with packing peanuts. Add small toys - cars, trucks, wagons, small,empty (clean) food containers, kitchen items:  measuring cups, small plastic cups, empty plastic or cardboard food containers, small sauce pans, etc.  Let the play begin!

4.  Buried child:  Kids love to cover themselves up inside a box with packing peanuts!  They also like to curl up in the boxes.  You can pretend to "mail" them to grandma!  :-) Ha!  Cardboard boxes become sleds, four wheel drive vehicles, etc.  Imagination determines your boundaries.    Give this a try and enjoy the giggles and laughs!


5.  Watch packing peanuts dissolve or float:  IF they are the cornstarch packing peanuts, fill the sink or tub with water and add a few peanuts.  Watch them dissolve.  Count how long it takes to dissolve into nothing.  Does it matter what temperature the water is?  Does warm or cold water dissolve them faster?

Check to see if they are dissoluble and watch them float!  Add plastic boats or small  plastic containers (clean, empty food containers are a lot of fun!  i.e.  yogurt, fruit cups, etc.)  Styrofoam peanuts make great toys for water play. 

6.  To make a magnet:  With a marker draw eyes, nose and mouth on the end of a peanut.  Add chenille wire antennas to one end.  Then, add a small magnet on the back. 

7.  Scoop and Dump:   an empty milk carton with the bottom cut out makes a great scoop!





SAFETY NOTE
As always, make sure activities are age appropriate.  
If a child still puts everything in their mouth, these are not suitable activities.
Always supervise activities with your children and watch for areas of safety concern.

Spend time playing with your kids every day, even if it is for just a few minutes.

It will be well worth your efforts!


Enjoy!

Saturday, December 13, 2014

What Kind of Chocolate Are You? Fun Christmas Gift Idea

Are you looking for a special gift  for that someone special?  

Do you want your gift to have meaning and have an uplifting effect on the recipient ?

If so, check out Becky Baxa's latest book.  It is sure to entertain and inspire you!


What Kind of Chocolate Are You?  

The parallels of chocolate and Christianity

by Becky Baxa

 

 

Available in paperback and electronic version from
Amazon.com


This book would make an excellent Christmas gift!

Add a little real chocolate and this gift will be a hit!

 

Order your copy today from 

http://www.Amazon.com

Friday, December 12, 2014

Christmas Gift Idea: Inspirational Book

Are you looking for a special gift  for that someone special?  

Do you want your gift to have meaning and have an uplifting effect on the recipient ?

If so, check out Becky Baxa's latest book.  It is sure to entertain and inspire you!


What Kind of Chocolate Are You?  

The parallels of chocolate and Christianity

by Becky Baxa

 

 

Available in paperback and electronic version from
Amazon.com


This book would make an excellent Christmas gift!

Add a little real chocolate and this gift will be a hit!

 

Order your copy today from 

http://www.Amazon.com

Christmas Gift Idea! Family Activity Book

Family Activity Book

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes: 

Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share 

by Becky Baxa

Available from
Amazon.com

see details below.
This book is available from
http://www.Amazon.com

in both paperback and electronic versions.


This book would make an excellent Christmas gift!

Order your copy today from 

http://www.Amazon.com

Holiday Special:  Copies will be signed by the author!

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Play-Dough Snow!

As I opened the cabinet door a small tube of glitter hopped out and bounced across the counter.  
What a marvelous idea!  Today is a perfect day to make "snow" play-dough.  
 This is a perfect activity, both in the making of the play-dough 
and also in continued play, for the holidays.  
Making and playing with play-dough is a great way to keep the children --and some adults too! :-)  entertained during family events.

No matter what age you are, a play session with play-dough is rewarding, comforting and just plain fun!
So grab the rolling pin, cookie cutters, a plastic knife, plastic/child scissors;
 power up your creativity and let the fun begin.

Here is the basic recipe.  Jazz it up however you want!  Have fun!






Inspired by the book:

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes: 

Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share

by Becky Baxa
Available from http://www.Amazon.com
in both paperback and electronic versions.

Blog posts are many times an extension of this book. 
                                    We started at 500+ and are counting upward and onward!

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Snowman Building "Kit"


We had our second snow of the season yesterday.  It included a slippery layer of ice that shone in the sun like glass.  Our outdoor view was transformed into a sea of diamonds in the sun's reflection.  Yes, winter had arrived with a mighty announcement that the season was here to stay.

Then it struck me!  It was time to bring out the snowman building "kit"!  When the next big wet snow blew in, we would be ready for some outdoor fun.  I added whole carrots to my grocery list and made sure nothing had fallen out of my kit during storage.

You can prepare a snowman building kit too!  Here is what you will need:



Snowman building "kit"

1.  An old hat - any color, shape or material
2.  A scarf or one long, skinny piece of fabric (strips from on old towel, blanket or sheet will work)
3.  Buttons or round rocks for the eyes and mouth.
     Lightweight wire (floral wire works well, or even wire twist ties from bread sacks are effective) can be  
     added to the buttons so you can stick them into the snow.


4.  A long carrot for the nose
5.  Sticks, that are straight for the arms
6.  A bubble pipe left over from summer fun can also be added to your snowman's mouth

Add these accessories to giant snowballs and POOF you have created a snowman!  
 Why not try your hand at a snow family?  Make snow pets too!


The Finished Product...with a happy boy!




What kind of snowmen can you build?   
Please send us pictures of your creations.  We would love to see what your creativity discovers!

Inspired by the book:

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes: 

Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share

by Becky Baxa
Available from http://www.Amazon.com
in both paperback and electronic versions.

Blog posts are many times an extension of this book. 
We started at 500+ and are counting upward and onward!






Tuesday, December 2, 2014

There is still time to order this book for arrival before Christmas!

Order today so your book will arrive before Christmas!

  Family Activity Book

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes: 

Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share 

by Becky Baxa

Available from
Amazon.com

see details below.
This book is available from
http://www.Amazon.com

in both paperback and electronic versions.


This book would make an excellent Christmas gift!

Order your copy today from 

http://www.Amazon.com

Holiday Special:  Copies will be signed by the author!