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!

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!

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!

Traditional Handprint Turkeys

The traditional hand print turkey never gets old.  

Today we re-visit a post from November 27, 2013.    

This activity is fun for both young and old and is a classic treasure.

Each year when my kids were little we would make a hand print turkey. The boys would write their name under their creation and we would add the date. These fine feathered fowl would be transformed into a holiday greeting card and away it would travel over the miles to brighten the face of their Granny. Granny saved these cards for years creating a flock of turkeys of varying sizes on her refrigerator door. We didn't plan it, but it turned out to be a wonderful way to watch and remember the growth of our children.

It's that time of year again to pull out the paper, markers and maybe even paint or ink pads

to continue the tradition onto the next generation of children in our family.

I foresee a flock of turkeys being created to decorate my refrigerator!

Traditions are a wonderful component of building strong families. Spending time together, interacting, laughing and communicating helps cement the bonds of family relationships.

Why not add turkey hand prints to your family traditions?

Below seven people comprising four generations enjoy making handprint turkeys
 as an after dinner family activity.
Each person traces their hand, colors in the feathers then adds what they are thankful for somewhere on the paper. 
They sign and date their creation and it is added to the photo album.

Supplies Needed:

Paper - size and color are your choice

Markers if you want to trace your hand print

Finger paint or ink pads if you want to stamp your hand print

Crayons or markers to add a turkey beak, feet, wattle etc.

Directions:

Trace or imprint your hand print onto a piece of paper with your fingers spread out wide. The fingers become the turkey's feathers. Your thumb is the turkey neck and head. Use a thumb print for the turkey wattle. Or, use markers/crayons to add the feet, eye, wattle, feather colors, etc

Hand/Foot Print Turkey

http://www.squidoo.com/Thanksgiving-Kids-Crafts

Note:

Turkeys should be allowed to be any color, depending on your child's preference.

In reality, they DO show a rainbow of colors in the wild when sunlight hits their feathers!

When my oldest son was in kindergarten, the teacher refused to hang up his turkey because he colored it "wrong". He had made a beautiful purple turkey with green legs. His self esteem took a big hit that day, when he was not included with the rest of his class. So, no matter what color your child interprets their turkey to be, hang it up with pride and joy. Let their creativity be expressed in any form they wish to take. Let them think "out of the box" and enjoy the fruits of their efforts!

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

Developing Successful Adults!

What life skills can you teach your child today?  

 There are many chores that children can do around the home. Not only do chores prepare children for independent living, it teaches responsibility and assists in developing a positive self esteem.  Create the motto, "a family that works together has more time to play together".  Do not make chores a punishment or dreaded task, but simply a part of everyday family routines in which everyone pitches in.   

Make sure chores are age appropriate.  For example, it would be inappropriate to say, "go in and clean your room" to a 4 year old.  They would not know where to begin.  But, breaking it down into manageable tasks and slowly teaching where toys are stored.   Make sure to pitch in and help too, especially at the beginning.  This will help teach responsibility.  Instead say, "pick up all the blocks"  then check that job before assigning the task of picking up all the cars, etc.  Having containers that are labeled with photos that match a shelf with the same photo makes picking up toys a fun and achievable matching game.  Toys boxes just "ask" children to dump everything out to see what is in the bottom of the box!

Here is a list to help you think of ideas that are age appropriate.  Remember, trust, but validate.  They are after all still children.  Children need to be coached, taught, encouraged, praised and checked .  

Do not expect perfection.  DO expect to check and  follow-up.  

Source:  http://www.flandersfamily.info

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!

Family Activity Book Makes GREAT Christmas Gift!

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!

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