Jar of Gumballs Costume

I thought it was a grand idea!  It was quick, easy, inexpensive and most of all fun!   I had seen the idea in a magazine and was eager to try it out.  Although it wasn't the best traveling costume,  I felt it was worth the inconvenience.  This was twenty five years ago, but my son still remembers the costume.  I would like to say he remembered it with fondness... he was only five years old, who would have guessed?  But, he hated it then and still complains about what I "did to him" all these years later.  I tell him to "let it go".  He smiles and shakes his head.  We'll see what transpires when HIS children start dressing up for Halloween.

I still think it is a marvelous idea for younger school-age children, so I will share it with you.

A little jar of gumballs!  Only 35¢ please!

Here is what you will need to transform your little one into a jar of gumballs:

- One large clear plastic trash bag with a drawstring closing
- Small round balloons in multiple bright colors, blown up
- 1 piece of card stock cut to look like a price tag.
         I made my price tag on the computer, but you could also hand write the tag
- Solid color pants and long sleeve shirt


Directions:

1.  Blow up several dozen balloons and tie them shut.  Set them aside until you are ready to fill your gumball 
     jar.

2. Using a sharp pair of scissors, cut two leg holes in the bottom of the trash bag, then cut two arm holes
    toward the top of the bag- one on each side.

    Your child's size will determine where these holes go and how large they should be.

3. Dress your child in solid color pants and shirt.

4.  Have your child step into the garbage bag, placing a foot through each of the leg holes at the bottom of
     the bag.

5. Carefully slip the child's arms through the arm holes in the top of the bag.

6.  For this step a second pair of hands may be helpful.  Begin to add balloons inside of the garbage bag
     surrounding your child until you achieve the desired shape.

7.   Attach the SALE sign onto the drawstring of the bag.

8.  Tie shut - in a bow--- NOT A KNOT-  "the jar of gumballs"  by tying the bag closed around the child's
     neck.   Tie it in a bow for ease of removal and MAKE SURE IT IS COMFORTABLE - the same
    comfort amount used in the size of buttoning a shirt's top button .   Obviously this costume is not for a very
    small child due to this step.

For safety there is the assumption that you are with your child during putting the costume on and taking it off as well as during the wearing of this costume.  Common sense must prevail.

When Halloween trick-or-treating is over make sure to have fun with the balloons!

Ideas for the balloons from the costume:

-play volleyball
-see who can keep their balloon in the air without  touching the floor the longest
-sit on balloons until they pop  :-)
-draw faces on balloons with permanent marker or pen and use them as puppets
-play "tennis" or "bad-mitten" with the balloons
-rub balloons on your hair and create static cling
-decorate your room or the center of the table

What other ideas can you think of?

Use the empty trash bag to collect the balloons when finished playing for easy clean-up.

Have a Fun, Safe and  Happy Halloween!

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!

Water Balloons!

The sun is blazing, it is hot outside. 

The kids are bored and it is too hot to think about doing anything! 

Now is the PERFECT time to pull out a bag of balloons,

 put on your swim suits

and have a family water fight! 

Recently, I volunteered for Vacation Bible School. The first couple of days during game time, I dutifully stood guarding the sidelines. Then on Wednesday the temperatures were in the hot 90's and the station leader pulled out water balloons and squirt guns. Well, all inhibition fell off at the sight of this refreshing activity. From that point on, this time of the day was a highlight. As the kids and I played we had so much fun (and there was a 50 year age difference between my students and myself!) Relationships were strengthened through this time of playing. So, throw inhibition to the wind, and PLAY with your kids. You won't regret it!


http://www.fineartamerica.com


P.S.  Two weeks passed and I ran into one of the little boys from my class.  In the past he had always been shy and reluctantly, but respectfully, answered any question I asked.  But on this encounter he was eager to tell me all about the movie he was going to see and he invited me to see it too.  It was a wonderful conversation.  I am positive this change was due to our play time with water guns during VBS.  Playing with your kids opens all types of doors to communication!

This Blog Post is inspired from the book:

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes:

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

by Becky B. Baxa

If you would like more fun ideas to share with your children

(that do not require batteries or electronics )

you can purchase this 180 page book,

full of color photos,

for $21.95

from Amazon.com or Etsy.com

Or

from the gift shop at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO,

Silver Dollar City- General Store in Branson, MO .

This book can also be checked out of the following libraries:

Scenic Regional Library - Union and Pacific, MO

First Christian Church - Washington, MO

Hawaii State Library - Honolulu, HI

Story City Public Library - Story City, IA
Ellsworth Public Library - Ellsworth, ME

 

 

Having a Blast With Balloons!

BALLOON FUN 

 

Today's post is an excerpt from the book:  Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes: 

Over 500 Quick Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share  by Becky B. Baxa

 

No matter what your age, balloons are fun.

 

Balloons are fun to play with, look at and create with.

We know we can bounce them, stomp them, sit on them

and play volley ball with them,

 but here are a few more things to do with balloons. 

· Message Balloons

Write a message on a piece of paper.  Ideas:  Hug someone you like, sing a song, pat your head, hop on one foot, etc.  Fold this message and insert it into a balloon.  Decorate your balloon with a marker before you blow it up. After a game of Balloon Toss (keeping the balloon in the air as long as possible before  it touches the floor), pop your balloon and do whatever the message inside tells you to do. One or all of these should produce lots of laughter! 

· Static Electric Balloons

Can you make a balloon stick to your hair or a wall? Can you get it to pick up thread or some other lightweight object?  You can build a  negative electrical charge by rubbing an inflated balloon on someone's hair. Tiny particles (electrons)  move from the hair to the balloon.  The balloon will now stick to various things.  How many things can you find that are uncharged that you can make it stick to?

 

· Singing Balloons

Who has not made funny noises with a deflating balloon's “neck?”  Inflate a balloon but do not tie it.  Stretch its neck as the air escapes. You can make singing and silly noises. 

 

 

· Critters and Shapes

 

Twist and turn long skinny balloons to make animals and shapes.

 

· Floating/Flying Experiments            

             At our house, many boats and planes were created with the use of a balloon.  Not all of            the experiments worked, but it was fun and a good learning experience. 

             Give your older kids some balloons, tape and spare “parts” from their exploration play and let them create. Being the photo journalist for these experiences and encourager will be some of your favorite memories.

 

 

· Balloon Puppet

                 Blow up a balloon and draw a face on it.  Do not tie the balloon closed.  Deflate and       keep in your pocket. Then, pull out your “balloon buddy” whenever you need an attention getter.  This is especially fun and effective for transition between activities for younger children.  Older children will enjoy making their own balloon cast of characters. 

I used to sing a little tune, when the  balloon I called “Betty” wanted my  four year old preschool class to do something.   The words were: 

                                      “Betty Balloon, Betty Balloon,

                                       Betty Balloon says to….  (action desired).”

                  Action examples:  sit right down, come to me, pick up the toys, etc.

                      You can make up any tune, words, and name for your balloon.

 

 

 

This Blog Post is taken from the book:

 

    Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes:

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

    by Becky B. Baxa

 

If you would like more fun ideas to share with your children

(that do not require batteries or electronics )

you can purchase this 180 page book,

full of color photos,

for $21.95

from Amazon.com or Etsy.com