Kids Craft Idea: Tin Bird Feeder

This is a pretty simple, straight forward craft idea that could be as elaborate and decorative as you like and could lead to more learning opportunities.

What you will need:

A large tin, thick twine or rope and bird seed. You will also need some plastic and glue to keep in place. We used an empty milk carton.

Directions:

Remove both ends of the tin with a can opener (make sure there are no sharp edges sticking out). We used a tin with a lid so only one end needed to be removed. Trace a circle around the tin onto a piece of plastic. Cut the circle out and then cut in half. Glue or tape the plastic pieces to the ends of the tin to create a troff type enclosure. When the glue has dried loop a long piece of twine in through the cylinder and use it to hang from a branch. Place bird seed inside. Now wait patiently for the birds to find it...

You can decorate it as little or as much as you like and you could take photos and study the kinds of birds who visit.

Friday Love

Today I am grateful for...

*Rain and plenty of it
*Chocolate Cupcakes and my two little cooks who consumed way too much chocolate icing than the recommended daily intake...
*Storytime online for snuggling up in bed to a good story that I didn't have to read... ah.
*No cook playdough with sparkles less mess for mum, more texture, a little extra sparkle and plenty of squishability for kids.
*The leather belt Angus played with for half an hour
*A very lovely baby sitter who made it possible for me to take down the wet washing and vacuum pathway through the mess.
*Pizza, another favourite cooking activity for a rainy day.

Kids Craft Idea: Puffy Paint

This is a fun craft activity for something a bit out of the ordinary. Make puffy paint. The kids enjoyed making it just as much as using it. Be sure to make plenty if you are going to make a few different colours.

Instructions

• equal parts of flour, salt, and water
• food colouring or tempera paint

Mix dry ingredients thoroughly and add water. Divide into small containers for several colours then add food colouring into each container (you can also use tempera instead of food colouring). Put the paint into squeezey bottles for smooth lines or apply with a paint brush for a more painted and textured effect. Have fun and get messy!

Double Layer Skirt

Love this design. It is the simple kind... Easy for anyone to make.

Ruby is loving this skirt I made for her yesterday. It is a very easy design to make but the added layer makes it a bit fancier, a bit twirlier and a bit more exciting than the average skirt. Sewing binding around the hems of each layer makes it a bit of fun too and you can mix and match materials which I love. I will be making plenty more I think. I'm wondering if the pattern works for big people too... Poppy has already put in her order, anybody else?

The instructions are found here on this lovely lady's blog, Dana Made It, along with heaps of other cool tutorials.

Friday Love

Today I am grateful for...
*A computer!!!! (It was repaired after water made its way into the spacebar which protested)
*Energy expended on a long walk and swim and play with out mates.
*Playschool
*Tap shoes
*Washable textas
*Mousaka for lunch
*The weekend to come

Friday Love

Today I am grateful for...
* friends who drop by with goodies.
* new resolutions
* moments when ALL the kids are asleep.
* empty shopping corridors to run through and balloons
* the times when paint touches paper or canvas (not chairs, floors, strollers, boxes and walls!) Although I am grateful their sense of adventure.
* a 4 year old who can feed a baby, vacuum and mop floors.
* sleep

Photocopy Art

Here is a quick and easy craft idea that your kids might enjoy at any age. Open your photocopier, and arrange an assortment of objects on the glass surface, shut the lid as best you can and print in black and white. High density or contrast works best. The copier will print out an interesting photocopy of your arrangement which you can add to using paints, crayons, pencils etc for an interesting artwork or leave as is for a simpler look or series of prints.
You can experiment as much as you like. You could try objects with interesting textures, transparency, different shapes and contrasting colour or patterns. You could even try printing on the same paper several times for a layered effect... There is lots to learn about and is heaps of fun.

Friday Love

Today I am grateful for...

*The company of such lovely Mummies at our play group
*The 'Curious George' Soundtrack, music to play to...
*A beautiful sunny day that wasn't stinking hot like every other day this week
*Playdough, puzzles, pencils and popcorn that covered the entire carpet but filled the afternoon.