Pine Cone Turkey

Here is a fun idea to do with pretty leaves from your yard.  You can use fresh leaves or ones that you have pressed, dried and preserved between clear contact paper.   Lay a pine cone down on its side.  Stick in leaf "feathers" at the widest end of the pine cone.  Use white craft glue to attach "googly" eyes. Small leaves can be used for the beak and wattle of your turkey.

These make cute centerpieces and are tons of fun to create for ages preschool to senior citizen.

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!

This book would make an excellent Christmas gift!

Order your copy today from 

http://www.Amazon.com

Leaf Creatures

Now is the perfect time of the year to explore the great outdoors.  So, grab a bag (plastic, paper or canvas) and head outdoors to discover fall treasures.  After your expedition, come inside and have a show and tell of what each person found.  This is a great time to share feelings and thoughts about why each person chose their items. You will discover the inner thoughts and some of your child's values, too.

There are many things you can do with the natural items that you found.

But, one idea is to make pictures of leaf people, animals, and/or creatures.

Directions

-Sort through your bag of treasures. 

-Lay out the items in piles of different sizes, shapes, textures and colors.  

-Plan a design.

-Arrange leaves and natural items onto a piece of paper of your choice into desired shapes.

-You can also use your natural materials to make objects around your person or creature: sun, trees, grass, etc.  Crayons, colored pencils, markers and /or chalk are great to enhance your picture.  Cookie cutters can be used to add different shapes to your design.  Construction paper. foam pieces, stickers, yarn, googly eyes, etc can be added for eyes, nose and mouth as well.

-Glue each of your natural items to the paper using white craft glue.  Set in a safe place to dry.

Alternative Idea:  Have your child make a picture of the whole family using leaves and outdoor treasures. Don't forget the family pets in your creation.--

Be sure to have your child sign and date this creation and don't forget to take a picture of your child with their fall treasure artwork!

Here are some kids in action to help you generate ideas. 

This child chose to use a cookie cutter to add design next to a leaf rubbing.

                  Can you think of more ideas?  Children are masters when it comes to creativity.                                                Follow their lead and see where it goes!
                           It should be a grand adventure filled with lots of fun and laughter.
                                                                             Enjoy!

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!

Nature Detective

We are now in the heart  of fall, a beautiful season!

Today's activity is so simple you will wonder why you hadn't thought of it...

or maybe you have!  yea! 

 

Grab a basket, shopping bag or some type of container with handles. 

 Grab a coat and bug spray, if needed, and head outside.

 

Older children may want to decide before going outside what they will look for.  However, spontaneous observation is a great skill to practice that will serve children well in all areas of their lives... at school, in play and later in the work force.

 

You have now taken on the role of a Nature Detective! 

 

Here are some ideas to prime your detective skills. 

 

1.  How many treasures can you find?

2.  If you find leaves as one of your treasures, what shapes, sizes, colors and textures did you collect?

3.  How many colors can you find?  Are they the same colors as during summer, spring or winter?
4.  Today pick up only red leaves.  Next trip out, pick up only yellow leaves.  The following day
     look for only orange leaves.  etc. 

5  What does the air smell like?  Does it smell the same as summer, spring or winter air?

6  What animals/birds do you see?  What are they doing? Why?

7  How does the air feel?  Is it the same or different from summer air? How?

8  What does the sky look like? 

9  Are there clouds in the sky?  If so, can you find shapes hidden in the cloud formations?  If you found a shape, how long does it stay in that same shape?  Does it stay the same or change?  Why?

 

Photo Source:  Hidden Splendor ©

Can you find the heart?

After your nature detective activity, why not extend the play inside.  Draw pictures of what you saw, make up or write stories about your adventure and discoveries.  Bring some treasures inside  and turn them into an art/craft project or use as a decoration for the holidays.  Study your treasures with a magnifying glass, microscope and/or flashlight.

 

This is just the beginning!  There are many more things to observe and investigate outside.

What else can you come up with?

 

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!

 

 

1-2-3 JUMP! The Fun of Raking Leaves.

Have you heard the expression, "Many Hands Make Light Work"? This is such a true statement and the reason our family owned four pitchforks. For you see, even though the kids grumbled going to the barn to clean stalls, we always ended up having lots of fun together and everyone was smiling when we left the barn. And, the sense of pride and accomplishment of a job well done gave everyone a boost. I used to tell my boys that if we all worked together, then we would have more time to play together. However, we always mixed in heavy doses of fun into our work. Many productions were created (although, they never hit Broadway) and lots of songs were sung.

Now here is the beauty of today's activity. Not only are you working together (producing team work, sense of accomplishment and boosts to your self esteem) you can have just as much fun.
Don't dread the job of raking leaves any longer! The simplest form of this activity is to rake the leaves into a big pile, then jump in!

 

Photo property of Hidden Splendor ©

 

 

Scoop leaves up with your hands and throw them into the air making it “rain.”

Older children might like to have a contest. Section the yard into equal areas, give everyone  a rake and a large garbage bag and say "GO!".

Who can rake their section the fastest? Remember, quality work cannot be sacrificed.

Or, maybe all parts of the yard are fair game and the clock will be your guide.

Who can fill the most bags in a given time period?

No matter which version you choose, the results are sure to produce many giggles, laughs

and smiles... and not to mention a beautifully raked yard!

You don't have a yard? Not to worry. Do you know someone who does? Wouldn't they be pleasantly surprised if you and your children offered to rake their leaves? Charity and good will to others would then be added to your list of positives for this activity.

 

Take a walk down the street, introduce yourself to your neighbors and offer

to give them a helping hand.

 

Do you know of an elderly person? They would also be pleased to have help

and would enjoy the company too.

You don't live in a neighborhood with yards and trees? Then, head to the closest local park. Leaves can be swept also... not as efficient as a rake, but it would work to make a pile to jump in.

 

Safety note: If you live in an area that has ticks and chiggers, you may want to spray with insect repellent before doing this activity.

 

Wishing you many fun fall adventures!

 

 

 

 

 

Inspired from 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 Kindle and Paperback versions

            


 

 

            

 

Fall Leaf Pressing Projects

           
The fall season officially started on September 23.  As the trees become flaming sources of color for your delight, it is fun to bring some of that beauty into your home.  Here are a couple of fun projects that can be enjoyed for those ages 2-102.

            

Take a nature hike and collect pretty leaves along the way.  Use a basket or shopping bag to collect your colorful treasures.  Once you are back home, sort the leaves into piles of different shapes, sizes and/or colors.
 

Press your leaf collection in between the pages of an old magazine, or between sheets of newspaper.   Be careful to make sure the leaves are lying completely flat before pressing.  Weigh down your pressed leaves with something heavy (books, door stop, brick, etc.).  Check every few days until the leaves are flat and dry.  When completely dry you can have fun making one, or both, of the projects below.

 Placemats 

 Select a piece of poster board in the color you desire for your background.   Use a placemat you already own as a pattern to determine the size.  Make a design with leaves on your cut poster board.   A piece of double stick tape or a dot of white glue will help hold your leaves in place.  Cover the leaf side of your placemat first with clear contact paper.  Then cover the back of your placemat.  Don’t forget to sign and date the back of your project before sealing with the contact paper.  

 

An alternative idea is to make and send a card to someone special using the same materials.

 

 

 

 Not only are these placemats fun to create, they look pretty on the table for autumn meals and are great keepsakes.  I still have placemats that my children made 30 years ago!  They have retained their color, look festive on the table and bring back a whole lot of fun memories.  So, why not make a set of memories with your children this fall?

 

 

Window Decorations

Wax paper version:  Arrange a few pretty leaves on wax paper.  Cover with another sheet of wax paper the  same size.  Put a brown paper bag, that has been cut apart, under and on top of the waxed paper while ironing with a warm iron to seal.  These look pretty hanging in a window. 

 

Clear contact version:  Seal dried, flattened leaves in-between two sheets of clear contact paper.   Trim around the edges of the leaves using a pair of sharp scissors.   Leave about a quarter of an inch around the leaves when trimming the contact paper.  Hang individually or string together using monofilament lineor colorful yarn.  You can also tie leaves together or hang individually to a wire clothes hanger to make a mobile.

 

Photo source:  http://www.artful-kids.com


 

 

Inspired by the book:

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes

by Becky Baxa

Available from http://www.amazon.com

 

 

 

 

 

Leaf Rubbings

There was  crispness in the air this morning with a promise that fall was approaching.  As I drove down the lane tiny shivers of joy ran up my body as I gazed at my favorite maple tree.  It was starting to change colors! It is by far the Queen of Fall trees and never fails to fill me with happiness and excitement as I feast upon its rainbow of harvest colors. 

Tis the season for leaf activities! 

Probably the most simple of the long time favorites is leaf rubbings.
All you need is a fun walk outside to collect your leaf treasures.  Once inside,  grab a plain piece of paper, some crayons and your leaf collection.  Place the leaves under your paper, vein side up, in any pattern that you desire and run the side of a crayon over the top of the paper.  As an imprint of your leaf appears it will be exciting to find the edges and complete your colored leaf!  This can be as simple or complex as you want to make it. 

This will be a wonderful decoration for the refrigerator door and a great way to start the fall season!

These pictures would also make a fine cover for a card for someone special.  Imagine the smile it will bring when they open up a bit of nature and creative artwork from your house to theirs!... I'm thinking grandparents would love this treat!

Have Fun!



Photo Source:  http://wwwfirstpalatte.com
 

 

 

 

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 Amazon.com

 

Leaf Fun!

 

Raking Leaves Becomes a Family Affair Full of Fun!

 

Raking leaves does not have to be a dreaded activity!  Kids love to help with family chores. 

Provide each child with a child size rake and let the fun begin!

 

Who can make the biggest pile in five minutes? 

 

Who can find the prettiest leaves to rake? 

 

Section off the yard and see who gets their section raked first.  Then count to three and take a flying leap into your pile of leaves.  This is the best part of raking leaves... jumping and playing in the pile! 

 

Have a leaf tossing "fight". 

 

Make it rain leaves. 

 

Stuff white trash bags until full and round.  Then decorate the outside of the bags. Why not make a catepillar for your yard?  Can you think of other things to make with your "leaf balls"?

 

Playing in leaves is an open-ended activity for all ages. Play for a few minutes or for hours!

The choice is yours. No matter how long or how old you are,

Fall leaf play is sure to provide lots of smiles, laughs and fun!

 

Follow up the outside fun with a round of hot cocoa or hot cider.

 

Other leaf ideas...

 

Save the prettiest leaves out of the piles to create pictures with them inside. 

 

Or, press your leaves between newspaper or in an old magazine. 

When dry, glue leaves onto poster board, then cover with clear contact paper to make Fall place mats.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leaf Person/Family

Fall is the perfect time to explore the beautiful, bountiful treasures of nature.       

Give each child a bag to pick up their favorite Fall treasures, then head outdoors to explore.  After your expedition, come inside and have a show and tell of what each person found.  This is a great time to share feelings and thoughts about why each person chose their items.  You will discover the inner thoughts and some of your child's values, too.

 

There are many things you can do with the natural items that you found.

But, one idea is to make pictures of leaf people.

Leaf people

Sort through your bag of treasures. 

Lay out the items in piles of different sizes, shapes, textures and colors.  

Plan your design.

Arrange leaves onto a piece of paper of your choice into people shapes.

You can also use your natural materials to make objects around your people: sun, trees, grass...

Glue on your design.

  Markers, construction paper or foam pieces can be used to make eyes, nose and mouth.

 

Have your child make a picture of the whole family using leaves and outdoor treasures. 

Don't forget the family pets in your creation.

 

Be sure to have your child sign and date this creation!