Fun activities with little hands!

Sand Art!

2010-06-01T08:25:00.000-07:00

Materials...

Colored Sand

Old newspapers

Funnel

Thin wooden stick

Different shapes of plastic containers (you can also use small glass jars)

Directions...

Prepare your work space with old newspapers for ease of clean up. Then place the funnel in your plastic container and let your child pour different colors of sand in. You can make different designs by pushing the sand with the stick, you can focus on making patters with your colors or what ever your imagination dictates! When you are done you can decorate your bottle or leave it as is. These also make great gifts that your child can be proud to give!

Trip to Botanical Garden - Chicago

2010-06-01T08:11:00.000-07:00

Materials...

Camera

Glue

Construction paper

Markers / Crayons / Pencils

Materials collected from your trip

Hole puncher / Stapler / Ribbon / Yarn

Laminating paper is optional

Directions...

This is a great project to make with your child to help you remember the trip you took together and reinforce some of the things your child has learned during the trip. If your child is old enough and you're not worried about the camera being dropped and damaged, give your child the camera and allow them to take pictures of the things that are interesting to them through out the trip. Talk about what you are going to see first and what you will do next to aid the child to remember the order of events. For example the first picture we took was at the parking lot, with the number that identifies where our car is located.

Also you can collect tickets, recites and pamphlets through out your trip. When you come home. Look through the pictures and select as many as you like and print them out. Order the pictures remembering what you did first, second, and so on. On a construction paper have your child glue the pictures and depending on their age/skill level have them write a few sentences (or you can write what they say) about what is happening in the picture, what did they do and learn.

Use 2 extra construction pages to make the front and back cover of your book. Write the title and author (your child's name,) and the date of your trip. Let your child decorate it to their liking.

Using your hole puncher, make 2 or 3 holes on the left edge of the construction paper (you can also just staple the pages together if you wish.) If you used a hole puncher, thread some ribbon or yarn through the holes and tie to keep the pages together.

If you decided to use the laminating paper, which is always a nice touch and helps your project last for year and years, laminate each page before stapling or punching holes.

When you are done, enjoy reading your book to other family and friends!! A great addition to your library!

Have fun!

Bottle cap Patterns

2010-05-27T10:24:00.001-07:00

Materials...

Glue

Construction paper

A variety of bottle caps.

Directions...

This is a fairly easy project made with recyled bottle caps. (Please make sure to wash and dry bottle caps before collecting them.) Place the bottle caps on the table and explore making a variety of patterns. Make a sample pattern for your child to see and depending on your child's skill level ask them to make one just like your saying the pattern out loud or challenge them to make a different pattern. You can also make other patterns and play a game of guessing each other's pattern! This is a lot of fun!!

If solving the pattern is difficult for your child help them out by saying the pattern out loud and helping them figure it out. Never put them on the spot or make them feel bad if they don't understand! Please make it a fun activity so your child will learn while having fun and building a positive self worth!

For example you can say... "let see if you can guess my pattern... I have blue, blue, black, blue, blue, black, blue, blue....." if the child can't say black.. then extend your pattern to make it easier for them to recognize it and say it together!!

If you want to .. you can glue some of your favorite patterns on construction paper.. and then let your child quiz other family members to figure out what her pattern is!!

As always have fun! And enjoy your precious time together!!

Pine Cone Painting

2010-05-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

Materials...

Pine Cones

Paint

Paint brushes

Container with water

Newspapers

Directions...

Collect pine cones outdoors. They are very common this season. We collect some on our way to and from school :) Place old newspapers on your table for ease of clean up. If you have more then one paint brush you can put out one for each color (in that case you don't need the container with water to clean your brush in between changing colors.) Give your child the pine cone and let them paint it how ever they like! If you have many pine cones.. this is a fun family activity to spend time together. When you are done leave your pine cones to dry.

Have fun!

Numbers with bottle caps!

2010-05-27T10:22:00.000-07:00

Materials...

Glue

Construction paper

A variety of bottle caps.

Directions...

Have fun!

Letters with bottle caps!

2010-05-27T10:20:00.000-07:00

Materials...

Glue

Construction paper

A variety of bottle caps.

Directions...

This is a fairly easy project made with recyled bottle caps. (Please make sure to wash and dry bottle caps before collecting them.) Place the bottle caps on the table and make the letters of the alphabet or spell out your name! Once you're done making your letters, glue the pieces onto construction paper.

Have fun!

Bottle cap art!

2010-05-27T10:18:00.000-07:00

Materials...

Glue

Construction paper

A variety of bottle caps.

Directions...

Have fun!

2010-05-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

Materials...

Brown construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Pencil
or
Regular paper
Pencil

Crayons

Directions...

Depending on the childs age you can either draw for the child or have the child draw his/her own shapes. Draw 2 ovals and a circle on brown construction paper (or you can draw on regular paper and color in with brown crayon.) Next let your child cut out the shapes and glue them to look like an ant. Last draw in the legs, antennas and face!

Fruit Shake - Nutritional Activity

2010-05-12T19:04:00.000-07:00

Materials...

4 Medium strawberries

4 Orange sections

1/2 cup sliced banana

1 cup pineapple juice

4 tsp sugar

8 ice cubes

Directions...

Prepare all the items together with your child: washing the strawberries, peeling the oranges, peeling and slicing the banana, measuring the pineapple juice and sugar. Once all the ingredients are ready, pour it all into a blender and blend for about 10 - 15 seconds. Pour into cups and enjoy your nutritious treat!!

(makes 4 servings @ 77 calories per serving)

Turkey Handprint.. a classic!

2009-11-30T11:24:00.000-08:00

Materials...

Paint

Marker

White construction paper

Directions...

Paint your child's palm and thumb brown. Paint the rest of the 4 fingers in different colors. Have the child open his/her fingers and place the hand on a white construction paper. Next you can have the child draw in the legs, eyes and the beak for the turkey!

If you would like to use other materials.. You can use just brown for the palm and thumb to make the hand print. Then you can use different colored feathers vs. the colored fingers. You can use a googly eye vs. the markers.. Get creative and have fun making the turkey!!

Measurement Hunt!

2009-11-30T11:09:00.000-08:00

Materials...

masking tape (blue works best, but any color tape will work)

Ruler

Clipboard

Paper

Pencil

Directions...

Go around the house and put masking tape on 10 different items, using different lengths of tape.

For example, use 10inch masking tape on the door, 5 inch masking tape on the side of the table, 7 inch masking tape on the leg of the chair, etc. Make sure you place the tape straight so it can be easily measured. Number the sheet of paper from 1 to 10 and place it on a clip board. Encourage your child to go around the house and find 10 items labeled with masking tape. Then he or she has to write the name of the item and the length of the masking tape on the item. Give them a 12inch ruler to use.

If this is the first time your child is learning to use a ruler, be sure to demonstrate and help out with the activity so they get a clear understanding of how to line up the bottom of the ruler with the bottom of the tape to get an accurate measurement!

Have fun on your scavenger hunt!

Patterened Holiday Card!

2009-11-29T18:16:00.000-08:00

Materials...

Pencil

Scissors

Weaved paper from the previous activity

White construction paper

Stapler

Directions...

Trace a heart shape on your weaved paper from the previous days activity.

Cut out the heart carefully while you staple the edges along the way.

Fold the white construction paper in half and glue your heart on the cover.

Open up your card and encourage your child to write greetings to a loved one.

If your child isn't big enough to write, have them tell you what they would like to write and you can write it down for them!

Have fun!

Christmas colors weaving pattern

2009-11-29T17:49:00.000-08:00

Materials...

Construction paper (1 red, 1 green)

Scissors

Card board (cereal box works well)

Stapler

Directions...

Cut the construction paper in about half inch thick strips.

Cut out the card board to match the length of the strips.

Staple a green strip horizontally and then a red strip about half an inch apart.

Next staple green, then red until you run out of space. Staple on top and the bottom of the strips.

Then you can demonstrate how to use the remaining strips to weave going under and over the previously stapled strips of paper to make a pattern.

In the next blog we will turn this activity into a Christmas card! So hang on to your patterned creation!

Make your own ring toss game

2009-11-29T17:19:00.000-08:00

Materials...

Heavy duty paper plates (as many as you like, we used 5)

Scissors

A soda bottle filled with water for weight. (we didn't have an empty soda bottle so we used it with soda still in it!)

Directions...

Cut the middle parts of the paper plates. And you are ready to play! Place the soda bottle on the floor and toss the plates trying to go on the soda bottle! Take turns and have fun!

A good way to make the game fair is to place a small tape on the floor to mark where each player needs to stand behind before tossing the rings!

Playdough Fun!

2009-11-29T16:50:00.000-08:00

Materials...

2 cup flour

1 cup water

1/4 cup salt

1 tbsp oil

bowl

food coloring (optional)

Directions...

Help your child measure each ingredient and pour into the bowl. Then mix all the ingredients into play dough. If you have food coloring, you can choose to put it in now, or you can separate the dough into smaller pieces so you can add different colors to each piece. Next just have fun with your dough. You can roll it, pound it and make lots of fun shapes!

Enjoy!

Alphabet Train! (Uppercase and lowercase letter matching!)

2009-11-12T10:15:00.000-08:00

Materials...

Printer

Scissors

Cardboard

Glue

Laminating paper (optional)

Velcro (optional)

Directions...

Print the images above. Glue them on cardboard to make it durable.

Laminate them if you wish. Cut out the train and glue them together.

Cut out the letters and if you wish to use Velcro you can put that

behind the letters and on the train next to the other letters. When

you are done assembling the train give the cut out letters to your

child and have them find the matching uppercase or lowercase letter

and place it next to its matching letter!

I like to laminate and use the Velcro so I can put up the assembled

train on the wall and the letters stay on it nicely.

Enjoy!

If you need any help downloading the images or if you have any questions

please feel free to email me! Thanks!

Feed the fish rhyming words!

2009-11-12T09:06:00.000-08:00

Materials...

Printer

Scissors

Card board (cereal boxes work well)

Glue

Laminating paper (optional)

Velcro (optional)

Pair of dice

Directions...

Print the first image 2 times. (For a two player game.)

Next print the other two images. Glue the pages printed on card board

to make it more durable. You can laminate them now if you choose to

do so. Cut out all the rhyming cards. If you would like to use Velcro, place

one on the back of each rhyming card and one inside all the squares on

the game card with the fish picture.

To play the game give each player the fish card. This is the hungry fish!

He will anything as long as they rhyme! Place all the rhyming cards face up

in the middle (mixed up.) Player one rolls the dice and adds their number.

For example if she rolls a 5 and a 3 she has to add the numbers and say 8.

Then the second player rolls the dice and adds their number. The player

with the highest number can take a single rhyming card from the pile and

place it on their fish card. And will have to wait until it's their turn again to

find it's rhyming pair. The player who can finish feeding their fish first wins

the game!

To make this game easier you can play with one dice and pick out rhyming

cards when you roll an even number and loose a turn when you roll an odd

number.

To make the game more challenging you can play with the rhyming cards

faced down (the game will take a lot longer.)

If you don't have dice you can play the game with the rhyming cards faced

down like a memory game.

The possibilities are endless either way the kids are learning rhyming words,

learning to take turns, and adding while they are having fun! Can't beat that!!

Enjoy!

Practice Reading Color Words!

2009-11-09T09:42:00.001-08:00

Materials...

Printer

Card board

Laminating paper (optional)

Scissor

Glue

Dice

Directions...

Print out the bottom 3 pages above. Glue them on a cardboard. (I had a cardboard that I recycled from a shoe box so it's long. If your card board is wider you can glue the pages next to each other vs. underneath.) You can laminate them now if you wish. Next cut out all the colored circles.

Pass out 5 colored cards to each player (for 2 players.) To play the game roll the dice. If you roll an odd number 1,3,5 you loose a turn. If you roll an even number you can place one of your colored circles on a circle on the board. The player that gets rid of all of his/her cards first wins the game!

Have fun!

If you have any trouble downloading the images please feel free to contact me. I can always email over the documents! Thanks!

Fall picture ~ puzzle!

2009-11-05T14:45:00.000-08:00

Materials...

Printer

Scissors

Card board (cereal box works well)

Glue

Laminating paper (optional)

Directions...

Print the picture above. Glue it on the card board. Laminate if desired and then cut along the red dotted lines. You can print it twice if you wish to have the image of what it's supposed to look like. To make the puzzle challenging you can cut it up into many more smaller pieces.

You can make lot's of fun puzzles with any of your favorite pictures! Just print it out, glue it on and laminate to make it sturdy, and cut up the puzzle pieces!

Enjoy!

5 little pumpkins (putting abc's in order!)

2009-11-05T09:04:00.000-08:00

Materials...

Printer

Scissors

Glue

Laminating paper (optional)

Velcro

Card board (optional)

Tape

Directions...

Print out all of the pages above. Glue them on the back of a card board (cereal boxes work well.) Next laminate the pages if you wish. Cut out the letters and place Velcro on the back of each letter and also in the white boxes on the pumpkins. You can tape the 5 little pumpkins display on the wall and place the small letters in a ziplock bag or envelope next to it. Have your child place one letter in each box in abc order. After your child is done, sing the 'abc' song together touching each letter to make sure you got all the letters in the right order!

Have fun!

To download the images right click on the pictures and save. If you have any trouble with the documents please feel free to let me know. I can always email over the files. Thanks!

Leaf Letter Matching - Lower Case Letter (b,f,n,g,n,d,q,t,r,p,h,k)

2009-11-05T07:17:00.000-08:00

Materials...

Printer or Construction paper

Marker

Scissors

Laminating paper (optional)

card board (cereal boxes work well)

Directions...

If you have a printer you can save the images above on your computer by right clicking on the images. Then print them out. Next glue the page on the back of a card board (I use the cereal boxes.) If you want to laminate them to make them last longer, this is the best time to do it (before cutting.) Last step is to cut along the black lines.

If you don't have a printer. You can draw 24 squares or any other shape you wish on construction paper and write the lower case letters (b,f,n,g,m,d,q,t,r,p,h,k) inside the shapes you drew. Next glue your construction paper on the card board. Laminate if you wish. Next cut out your shapes!

To play the game you can spread out the leaves facing your child. Have them say the letter and find its match. If this is to easy you can turn the cards face down and play the game as a memory game. You can also make it more challenging by asking the child to say a word that begins with that letter and a word that ends with that letter after they find the match.

If more then one child is playing. The player with the most number of matches wins the game. If you don't like having only one winner. You can put a container in the middle and everyone can put their matches in the container with each turn. Everyone can win through out the game regardless of who had the most matches.

Have fun!

If you have any questions or need help with downloading the image please feel free to contact me. I can also email the files over. Thanks!

Pumpkin Mask!

2009-10-31T13:07:00.000-07:00

Materials...

Paper Plate

Scissors

Crayons

Ribbon

Glue

Hole puncher

Directions...

Color the whole paper plate orange (you can also choose to paint it)

Next draw on the eyes and mouth

Cut out the eyes and mouth and punch holes on the sides for the

ribbon. Draw in vertical lines with a black or brown crayon to make

it look more like a pumpkin. On another sheet of paper draw your

leaves and stem. Color those pieces and then glue them on your mask.

Tie in the ribbons on each side and your mask is ready to wear!

Leaf Prints...

2009-10-31T13:00:00.000-07:00

Materials...

Real leaves (1 or 2)

White paper

Crayons

Scissors (optional)

Directions..

Place the leaf under the white paper and color over it until you see the leaf

emerge on top of the paper! This is a really neat project and kids love

seeing the leaf come on top!

You can just experiment with this with different leaves and crayons..

or you can choose to cut out your finished product!

Have fun!

Making a Wreath with Paper Leaves!

2009-10-31T12:55:00.000-07:00

Materials...

White construction paper or regular white paper

Crayons

Scissors

Glue

Paper Plate

Tape

Directions...

Cut out the middle of the plate leaving just the outer edge.

On a white sheet of paper draw different kinds of leaves then

color and cut them out.

Glue the leaves you made on the paper plate!

Tape your finished product on the door and enjoy!

Making a Wreath with real Leaves!

2009-10-31T12:50:00.000-07:00

Materials...

Leaves

Paper plate

Scissors

Glue

Directions...

Collect leaves about 15 is enough but you can fit in more if you want to layer them.

Cut out the middle part of the paper plate leaving just the edge.

Glue the leaves around the edge of the paper plate.

Tape your finished product on the door as a festive decoration!!

Enjoy!