Jack-o-Lantern Fun!

I just recently returned from a trip "up north".  The colors were amazing and the air was crisp and cool!  It seemed that about every mile, we passed a produce stand.  It was glorious.  One stand had an old fashioned scale with weights and balances, like the kind you could find in doctor's offices.  It was upon this scale that you set your selected pumpkin before purchase.  The pumpkins were priced by the pound.   A variety of choices were available from tiny to huge!  We made our selection and bought a pumpkin.  As we carried it back to our vehicle I allowed a little skip in my step as I was
filled with delight!  It had been years since we had carved a pumpkin. 

I remember as a child sitting at the kitchen table every year with my grandpa.  We would decide on our design and he set about carving the pumpkin.  Each year's events ended with a photo session of
our creation.  It was a tradition that I looked forward to and remember with joy. 

We continued this tradition with our children.  I pray they have many warm memories as well.  There is nothing like the excitement of lighting the candle in your freshly carved pumpkin and setting his top on.  Watching the rays of light stream from the Jack-o-Lantern's smiling face produces great joy and  happiness!  (Our pumpkins were always happy!)

Some years we saved the seeds to plant next year and other years we washed, seasoned and roasted the seeds for a special treat.

 

Here are a few tips/ideas for your annual pumpkin carving festivities:

Adding newspapers under your work surface makes clean-up much easier.  Just roll up the
mess and toss.  Adults/much older children (teens) should be in charge of the cutting, as pumpkins are very tough to cut.  Always use a sharp knife.  Dull knives result in more injuries.

An ice cream scoop or large metal spoon works nicely to scoop out the inside of the pumpkin.
Hands work well too, if you don't mind getting slimy...which by the way, is half the fun!

 

Instead of a free hand design, we chose to cut a pattern out of a piece of scratch paper until we got the look we wanted.  Then using double sided tape we taped the design onto the clean, dry pumpkin.

 

You can either use a pencil or the tip of your knife to outline your design, then remove the paper pattern; or cut around the paper pattern while it is taped onto the pumpkin.

Carefully remove the pieces after cutting through the pumpkin shell.

 

 

 Add a votive or tea light candle inside.  It is wonderful to have battery operated tea lights and votive candles to use as they are a safer option.  Set your pumpkin on a plate to protect the table surface.  A large plastic lid from a container you were going to throw away will work great as well.

 

No matter if you are 2 or 102 years old

carving a pumpkin in the fall is always a thrill! 

 Look at that smile!

 

 

 

Alternative options:

 

Foam pumpkins from a craft store can also be carved. 

This will eliminate the slimy part of the activity and

your creation can be saved, to use for many years.

 

An alternative to carving is to drill your design. 

These pumpkins were drilled with two different size drill bits. 

 

You can do design drilling on real pumpkins too!

 

 



 A very non-traditional pumpkin can be made out of a tin can.  Any size tin can, can be used. 
Wash and dry a tin can and make sure there are no sharp edges around the top.  Investing in a can-opener that leaves smooth edges is well worth the investment!  Paint your can orange.  Punch a hole in each side of the can to insert a wire handle.  Use black paint or permanent marker to produce your face design.  Add a bow, if desired, and your Tin Jack-O-Lantern is ready to go!

Are you really feeling artistic?  Use a hammer and nail to punch small holes in your tin can to make a design.  Add a battery operated votive or tea light candle inside.  The light will shine through your holes.

Whether you are a family, a couple or doing this with a group of kids

(Sunday school, scouts, 4-H, or other club)

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!

Glove Finger Puppets

 

Think Before You Toss! Make your gloves come to life!

 

You have been working hard and one of your rubber gloves has developed a hole or tear in it. 

Before you throw it out, STOP!  You can extend the life of those gloves. 

Turn the good parts into finger puppets!  Your kids will love them! 

 

These cute puppets are easy to make and store easily in a pocket or purse for those

"oh no!  we have to WAIT?  My kids will never behave that long" moments.

 

They are great for dramatic and role play, as well as storytelling. 

 There is a distinct possibility that your old gloves could provide hours of fun and entertainment.

 

Here is how to make glove puppets.

 

1.  Cut off the fingers of a glove about the length of your second knuckle.

 

You can also use a pair of new gloves, if desired.

I purchased a package of 2 pair of gloves at the Dollar Store (yes, for just $1)  to make these

"Minion"  puppets for my grandson's 5th birthday party.

 

2.  Decorate the tips with faces and designs of your choice. 

An ink pen or permanent marker works well for this step.

 

 

 

 3,  Behold, a whole family of puppets are born!

 

The puppets below happen to be "Minions" from the movie, Despicable Me.

But, you can make your puppets look like people, animals, flowers, fruits and vegetables etc. 

Add hair,eyebrows, eye lashes, ears, jewelry or anything else you can think of to your puppets. 

 

Make puppets to match your favorite story book or television characters. 

Your imagination is the limits.  And, kids are the masters of imagination. 

All you have to do is supply the materials and head them in the right direction.

 

 

 

Want something a little more detailed and permanent? 

The process of making puppets can become a treasured activity memory for the older child. 

Or, if you are a "crafty" parent, you can make up these puppets to go along with your child's favorite story book or movie characters for storytelling activities.

 

Here's how...

 

The single winter or work glove can also be used to make puppets. Who knows where its mate ran off to, but you can't find it anywhere.  Don't despair, the remaining glove can still serve a wonderful purpose in your family.

 

 The entire glove can be five puppets connected together to tell  a story;  

or you can snip off the fingers and make finger puppets. 

 

Supplies/Equipment Needed 

Permanent markers or fabric markers can help you make the faces along with scraps of felt or fabric, yarn, mini pom-poms, sequins, bedazzle jewels, needle and embroidery thread, wiggle eyes, buttons, fake fur, scissors, tacky glue, or other materials laying around the house. 

 

Here are some pictures ideas. 

They are not my originals. Credit to their source is listed below each photo. 

Visit their sites for more ideas!

dreamalittlebigger.com
 

specialneeds.5minutesfor mom.com



multiplemummy.com 
These puppets go along with the story "The Very Hungry Catepillar" by Eric Carle

 

 

loveitsomuch.com

makinglearningfun.com

makinglearningfun.com

makinglearningfun.com

thecraftycrow.net

 

 

 

Safety Precautions:  If you are not making story telling props, remember these are activities to do WITH your kids. especially if you are using permanent markers.  Provide protection for their clothes (an old men's work shirt buttoned up the back makes an excellent "paint" smock) and also for your work surface.  Lay down a piece of newspaper, cut open a brown paper bag or use an old plastic tablecloth (the kind you use for parties.  Don't throw these cheap plastic tablecloths away.  Clean off food spills and then save them for messy type of projects.  They are nice for painting drop cloths too).

 

 

 

Let the puppet shows begin! 

Have fun!  Who knows... this could be the highlight and on-going adventure of the summer!

 

 

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

Bugs & Beasties

A perfect 72 degrees, the heavens filled with twinkling stars and the serenade of tree frogs filled the air.  The sweet aroma of the buds bursting into daily new eye candy assaulted the senses and I sighed in peace.  This was a perfect night.  And then I saw it... a flash of light so quick that I thought it was my imagination.  I studied the horizon with intensity and waited.  Yes, there it was again.  A burst of light and then another.  Lightening bugs had arrived!  

Within seconds my mind was carried back 50 years ago.  I could feel the sense of anticipation and hear the squeals of children as we ran around the yard.  We all carried small jars and let out a whoop when we caught a lightening bug.  That night I would lay in bed and watch the lightening show in the jar sitting beside my bed. It was the best night light ever invented.

Summer brings about insects and creepy, crawly things.  And, children have a natural curiosity about these things.  It is when that curiosity peaks that parents can seize the most perfect teachable moment.  So, you need to be ready. 

Here are a few things to have ready so you can become scientists this summer:

Safety Note:  Always know what is poisonous for your area and teach this to your children.  This should be taught in a calm 'matter of fact' manner.  In other words, it is a safety precaution.  It should be presented in a way as to not scare or frighten your child from all insects or creeping, crawling things (like lizards, frogs, toads, etc.)  Not every insect and crawly thing can be picked up, but most can!  So, don't miss out on great learning opportunities by avoiding all of them.  Educate yourself and your children so that you can have many joyous adventures and be safe at the same time.

My favorite thing to have on hand when exploring anything new is a field guide.  Find a book on insects from your area.  If you don't have one, check one out from your local library.

A magnifying glass is also a wonderful tool to have in your insect collecting supplies.

A notebook with lined paper is great to take notes about what you find, keep tallies of how many you find, draw pictures or make up stories about your discoveries, etc.

This activity is for all ages.  Small children will observe and catch.  Older children can journal, identify and classify their critters.

Here are a few ideas for "BUG BOXES" that you can make from items you might throw away:


1.  Plastic fruit box from the produce department.  It has holes to allow your "catch" to breath while studying it.  Observe and release.

 

 2. Plastic jars with holes in the lid.

Below is an empty peanut butter jar.
Holes can be made BY AN ADULT with a small drill bit or a heated awl.

 

                            

 

Happy Hunting!

 

 

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

 

 

Bird's Nest Enhancers

For years we raised livestock...Saanen dairy goats, horse and pony and a calf here and there.  Naturally in the spring these animals would shed their winter coats in preparation for the long hot summer.  Many nights were spent combing and grooming the animals, including our dog and cats, in order to assist them in refining their summer attire.  As spring progressed it was always a delight to look up and see how the birds had used this soft material to line their nests. 

 

We have a phoebe that nests in our barn's loafing shed each year.  She faithfully weaves  animal hair inside of her nest to prepare a soft, warm environment for her eggs.  What a marvel it is to see the craftsmanship and ingenuity of these birds! 

It is amazing!

Picture source:  http://eastgwillimburywow.blogspot.com/2013/04/eastern-phoebewild-bird.html

 

 

This is a nest we found in our yard after a wind storm that has a lining of goat hair.

 

Here's a fun activity for your family to try from the book Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes:  Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share by Becky Baxa (available in paper back and Kindle edition from Amazon.com)

NEST ENHANCERS 

Lay out short pieces of colorful yarn somewhere in your yard.

Ideas for yarn containers/placement:

        Place the yarn in an empty plastic fruit container (from the produce department or any other
        plastic container) or fill an unused suet cage and set it on top of a post or picnic table. 

       You could hang it on an iron shepherds hook that is not quite ready for your hanging flower
        planter.  

       Yarn could be placed in a mesh bag (like oranges or potatoes come in from the grocery store) and
       hang it from a tree branch.

      Decorate a bush or small tree by draping colorful pieces of yarn over the branches.


Tip:  make sure the yarn is placed high enough away from predators and somewhere where the birds
           feel safe.

Photo Source:  http://www.fiberfarm.com/2011/03/the-first-day-of-spring

                                                 

 As time progresses, become nature observers and watch for evidence that the birds

have used your donation in their nest building efforts. 

 

Watch the yarn... is it disappearing or becoming frayed? 

 

Watch birds nesting behaviors to see where nests are being built.  Then, carefully and respectfully sneak a peek to see the masterpieces that have been built!

Photo source:  http://cache.lionbrand.com/Newsletters/29178.html


What other signs of Spring can you find?  Go on a Spring Scavenger Hunt!
Explore and Have FUN!
 

 

            

            

Source:

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

 

Candy Canes Second Time Around!

There they sat. 
Each time I opened the pantry the little pile seemed to beg me to pay attention.
It was sad really. 
A reminder of that warm, happy time of year that always produces feelings of love and joy. 
And yet, this left-over pile that was a treat relished during the holiday season  sat abandoned and forlorn just days after.
 

Surely there was something that could be done with my leftover candy canes! 

 

"Round Two" for Candy Canes!

Grandma had always crushed candy canes inside a plastic bag and then sprinkled it through my tapioca pudding.  I suppose the same thing could be done with instant vanilla pudding.


But, I needed more ideas, so the search began.  Here are some ideas you might like to try as we approach Valentine's Day.

1.  Candy Cane Art - leave messages of love in crazy and unexpected places, and/or on top of
     presents. 

Photo source: 
www.christynelson.net
 

    Place a sweet heart treat on top of your loved one's pillow
    Tape a candy cane heart to the top of their notebook or briefcase. 
    Arrange a heart in the center of tonight's dinner plate. 

    Look for other places to leave this "sweet heart" surprise.

Photo Source:  from the book: 
Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes:  Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share
by Becky B. Baxa
 Available from www.Amazon.com
 

 

 

 

2.  Candy Cane Sweet Heart Pops or Candy Cane Sweet Heart Treat

 

How to get started:

 

1.  Collect all of your left-over candy canes from the holiday season.

 



2.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper.

3.  Arrange your left over candy canes on top of a cardboard pop stick (purchased at a craft or cake store) as illustrated in the photos at the bottom of this post.

4.  In a double boiler, melt chocolate wafers  or chocolate bark, usually found at the grocery store in the baked goods aisle.  White, dark or milk chocolate can be used.  You can even add food coloring to the white chocolate and make it any color you want!



Photo source:
 http://www.glorioustreats.com
 

5.  When the chocolate has melted and is a smooth consistency, drop one spoonful at a time into your heart shapes. Smooth the surface within the heart "frame" with the back of the spoon and spread the chocolate to the edges.

Or, you can use a pastry bag to fill the hearts as shown below. 

If you don't have a pastry bag:

1.  Clip the corner off of a Ziploc baggie and use it as a pastry bag. 
2.  Or, use parchment paper. Cut out a triangle piece, then roll it into a cone shape. Tape the sides, cut off the pointed tip, fill with chocolate and pipe the chocolate into your hearts.


Photo Source: 
www.zimonawhim.com

6.  Sprinkle with crushed candy, commercial sprinkles of any color combination or leave plain.  You could even add a few miniature marshmallows for a variety.

7.  Allow candy to sit until completely cool.  At this point the candy should peel easily off the paper.

8.  Serve pops in a clear glass container filled with colorful candies (like M & M's) using your heart pops like flowers in a vase.  This would make a fun centerpiece or gift for someone.

Note:  if you don't have pop sticks, make your sweet hearts without the stick!  These would make lovely favors at each person's plate on Valentine's Day.

 

Photo Credit and Original Source for a complete set of instructions

that include using your oven to make these treats,

visit this website.

  http://sprinklesomesunshine.blogspot.com/2012/01/sweet-heart-valentine-pops-party.html

 

 

Keep in mind.... You don't have to wait until Valentine's Day to tell someone you love them! You could surprise your family with these treats any time! 

 

Use candy cane pops or treats as a gift for someone special.

 

Photo source: 
http://barbschram.blogspot.com/2012/01/stamp-simply-ribbon-inspiration.html
see more lovely ideas on this blog site!





 

Photo source:
www.mismbs.wordpress.com

 

 

 

This blog post was inspired by the book: Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes : Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share

by Becky B. Baxa available from Amazon.com

180,full color, pages of non-stop fun!

Stencils... only a container away!

Stencils

 

I was about to throw away the cottage cheese carton when my hand stopped mid-air!

Out whisked the cookie cutters, a marker, a small exacto knife, a cutting board

and WAH-LA

a stencil was born. 

            

             Use a lid from the peanut butter jar, cool whip carton, yogurt, cottage cheese  or any other food container to make circles.  Even the inside ring from that used up roll of tape will work.       Make different size circles using different size containers. A pasta measurer makes a great stencil too.

 

Use cookie cutters to trace shapes onto lids before cutting out different shapes.

Both the shape you cut out and the lid result in a stencil.

 

 

 

 

This blog post was inspired by the book:  Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes : Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share

 

by Becky B. Baxa  available from Amazon.com

 

180,full color, pages of non-stop fun!

 

Match-Making Game

Match-Making Game or Lotto Game

Build children's memory skills as well as cooperation, when played with more than one child.

 

Materials Needed

Lids - from the top of frozen juice containers, or any other lid from a food container that is clean and free of sharp edges. If you have a can-opener that leaves smooth edges, lids from food cans will work.

Stickers - two of each design

Container with lid - for storage
                                                                  

 

Directions

 

Decorate one side of two lids so they match, using stickers.  Decorate the remaining lids in pairs so that each lid has a match.

 

 

To play, turn all the lids sticker side down.  Each player turns over 2 lids at a time, trying to find a match.  If they guess correctly and turn over two lids that match, they get to keep the pair.  If they guess incorrectly, they must turn the lids back over and it is the next person's turn.  The player with the most matches at the end of the game wins.

 

Smaller children can play keeping all the lids sticker side up and find the matching pairs.

 

Below is a nativity sticker matching game.

                          (2 camels, 2 sheep, 2 baby Jesus, 2 angels, 2 Mary's, 2 Joseph, etc.)

 

                                  


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

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 from the following libraries:

Scenic Regional Library - Pacific, MO

First Christian Church - Washington, MO

Hawaii State Library - Honolulu, HI

Story City Public Library - Story City, IA

Ellsworth Public Library - Ellsworth, ME

Ludington Public Library - Ludington, MI
Denver Public Library - Denver, CO
Pikes Peak Library District - Colorado Springs, CO

Dallas Public Library - Dallas, Texas

Quick, Easy Christmas Activities

 

During the Christmas season, life can become hectic, to say the least. 

But, it is important to remember not to let the urgent things

keep you away from the important things.

Take time to play with your kids each day. 

Here are a few quick, easy, fun ideas. 

If you have older children they can make these activities. 

Smaller children will need your help to create the fun. 

Lace-Up Cards 

 

Left over Christmas cards, cards from last year, an old calendar or even the front of a cereal/food box can be turned into a quick activity.  Using a one hole punch, make a row of holes around the outside of your picture.  Then using a piece of yarn or shoe lace you can play with your new "sewing cards".  If using yarn, be sure to wrap a piece of tape around one end to make it stiff enough to push through the holes.  The tape will also prevent raveling.

 

 

 

Flannel Story Box 

 

A story box is great for travel, telling, or re-telling, a story anytime, anywhere. 

This can be used anytime of the year.

A Story Box can be used for individual child entertainment or for a group of children.

 

Materials needed: 

an empty shoebox (one with a hinged lid is preferred)

a piece of solid colored flannel and thin batting

felt pieces

small pieces of sandpaper (optional)

white craft glue/hot glue

LID

1.  Measure the shoebox lid and add 1/2 inch on all four sides. 

2.  Cut out flannel with the dimensions you measured in step #1

3.  Press under 1/2 inch toward the back with a warm iron. 

4.  Cut out a piece of batting that is the exact size as your lid. 

5.  Place the batting on the wrong side of the flannel with the 1/2 inch turn down covering the raw 

     edges of the batting.

6.  Glue the flannel and batting to the lid of the shoebox.

7.  There should be no raw edges showing.

8.  Allow to dry before using.

 

STORY PIECES

Cut out shapes and/or pictures using felt, old greeting cards, pictures from magazines or calendars. Cookies cutters and stencils can be helpful in making pieces.

 

On the back of the non-felt pieces, glue small pieces of leftover felt, or small pieces of sandpaper. This will help the pieces stick to the flannel board lid when telling the story.

 

A fun idea is to make color copies of your child's favorite story book.  Cut out the main characters and add felt or sandpaper to the back.  This will allow children to re-tell their favorite story and to create variations as they wish.

 

Create a Christmas tree from green felt, star from yellow felt and an assortment of ornaments and presents for your child to decorate a Christmas tree. 

 

 

The box in the picture below is telling the Christmas Story. 

Felt shapes, as well as old Christmas cards are used for telling the story.

 

  

Story Telling

The fronts of old greeting cards are also a great way to create stories.

1.  Creativity and Storytelling:  Present a picture and then make up a story about that picture.

2.  Sequencing and Logical reasoning:  A fun way to tell the Christmas Story (or any story) is to provide a variety of cards that include the major events of a particular story.  Ask children to place them in order.  They can then present a card as they tell the story or lay all the cards out on the floor, table or bed before telling the story.

 Puzzles

Remember ... old greeting cards can be used as puzzles.  If you have two of the same card left after sending your holiday greetings, these are perfect to make a puzzle.  Glue the front of one card onto the front of an envelope so you can see what the resulting picture of your puzzle will look like. 

Take the front of the second card and cut it into random pieces.  Remember cut fewer pieces for younger children (even as few as two pieces) and more pieces for older children.  

 

 

 

Using cookie cutters to create a few novelty pieces are great to hide hidden shapes inside the puzzle. 

 

A cereal box - inlaid puzzle



This puzzle is made from a pizza box

 Always write how many pieces are in the puzzle on the outside of the envelope.

If you do not have two of one design, simply add a description and the number of pieces to your envelope front.

This type of puzzle travels well, take little space to store and are always a hit with kids, both young and old alike!

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

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 from the following libraries:

Scenic Regional Library - Pacific, MO

First Christian Church - Washington, MO

Hawaii State Library - Honolulu, HI

Story City Public Library - Story City, IA

Ellsworth Public Library - Ellsworth, ME

Ludington Public Library - Ludington, MI
Denver Public Library - Denver, CO
Pikes Peak Library District - Colorado Springs, CO

Dallas Public Library - Dallas, Texas