Popcorn Sight Word Game

Draw a bag of popcorn and write words that you want to work on  in each kernel.  Say a word out loud and have them find it and cover it with a piece of real popcorn. Or, have them read the words and cover them as they read them.  When they have covered all the words, let them have their popcorn snack.

My Inspiration: http://www.makinglearningfun.com

Homemade Bath Fizzies

I have always wanted to try and make bath fizzies and I finally tried it this Christmas.

Here is the result..

My Inspiration: http://www.marthastewart.com/280275/how-to-make-bath-fizzies

Felt Bunting

Newspaper Gift Wrap

First, we painted some newspaper...

...then we worked on some newspaper bows.

  

You fold about a 6 inch wide strip of newspaper in half, the long way. 

Then you cut thin strips along the edge, leaving a little room at the bottom .

And you roll it up and tape it.

Here's the final product :)

My Inspiration: http://www.adelle.com.au/gift-wrapping-ideas

Christmas Star Garland

I cut out star shapes from an old book and sewed them together to make a star garland.

 

Here is the finished tree after the kids decorated it.  Notice all the decorations near the bottom :)

 

My Inspiration: http://beinggeekchic.com/post/2166677352/diy-friday-garland-for-the-book-lover

Munching Puppets Math

First we made our munching puppets...

 

Then we used small objects to do this worksheet with the puppets that they made.

My inspiration: http://kindertastic.blogspot.ca/2012/04/subtraction-buddies.html

Sight Word Road Map Game

First, we made houses and buildings for our "town".  After they decorated them, I wrote different numbers that I wanted my daughter to practice on them.

Then, I used masking tape to make the roads and I wrote different sight words for the street names.

 

We set up the houses on the streets and then started our delivery business.  I would tell my daughter which house number on what street needed a delivery with her little toy car.  For example, "Go to house #13 on See Street.  She thought it was just a fun activity, but little did she know she was actually practicing her sight words and numbers!

My inspiration: http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2011/11/gross-motor-reading-game-pizza-delivery.html

Leaf Printing

Okay, so if you live where I live, the leaves are long gone and snow is on its way, but here is my last  leaf craft that I meant to post weeks ago :)

We collected a whole bunch of different coloured leaves to do leaf printing.  It didn't turn out quite as well as I thought, but it was fun, nonetheless.

We put the leaves on a piece of watercolour paper and then covered them with paper towel.  We got out the toy hammer and started pounding.  My 3 yr. old son especially loved that part!

 

 The end result...

My inspiration: http://buildmakecraftbake.com/2009/04/how-to-hammered-flower-and-leaf-prints.html

 

Leaf Garland

I love making leaf crafts!  This was a simple garland that the kids helped me with.  I pressed some leaves and then put them in between contact paper.  I cut them out and hole punched them at the top and strung them up.

Fall Bucket List

I made a Fall Bucket List a few weeks ago and hung it on our wall.

 

Some of the ideas were:
-Make a pie
-Go on a fall hike
-Jump in a pile of leaves
-Do a leaf craft
-Go on a hayride
-Carve a pumpkin
-Go on a fall picnic
-Make cookies

We're still working on some of them, but it is nice to have them on the wall to remind us of fun fall things to do.

Caramel Apples

My kids were very excited to make caramel apples as part of our apple unit.  We found a great dairy/gluten free caramel recipe here.

 

Apple Printing Banner

We did an apple unit this fall and one of the activities we did was making apple prints.  We just printed them on cardstock and then taped them to a string to make a little banner.

 

My Inspiration: http://sassypriscilla.typepad.com/sassy_priscillas_craft/2009/10/apple-print-newspaper-bunting.html

Zucchini Fries

Zucchini fries are a great way to use zucchini!  I served mine with a chipotle aioli.  Cut the zucchini into strips.  Dip them into egg and then flour/seasoning mix.  Cook them in a 450 degree oven for about 10 mins. on each side or until golden brown.

 

My Inspiration: Zucchini Fries, Chipotle Aioli

I'm Back...sort of...

Well after a long hiatus filled with visiting family, camping, major renovations, and a computer crashing, I am happy to say that I am hoping to be back to blogging soon!  I am still working out the computer crashing thing, so I am unable to post pictures at the moment.  Hopefully I will be able to post shortly :)

Water Play

What you need...

Add food colouring and soap to water and let your kids be entertained.

My Inspiration: http://handsonaswegrow.com/2011/11/30-days-to-hands-on-play-water-play.html

Tuna Quinoa Burger

This recipe is a keeper! - http://blissdogyoga.com/2010/09/15/salmon-quinoa-burgers/

Note:  I substituted tuna for the salmon and added mushrooms, onions, and aoili.

Strawberries!

We went to a strawberry U-Pick the other day...here is what we did with them:

Strawberry Lemonade: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/strawberry-lemonade-recipe/index.html

Dehydrated Strawberries: http://puttingupwiththeturnbulls.com/2011/03/14/dehydrating-strawberries/

Strawberry Rhubarb Fruit Leather: http://www.rosybluhandmade.com/2012/06/14/diy-strawberry-rhubarb-fruit-leather/

Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins: http://www.robinhood.ca/recipe-details.aspx?rid=3446

Summer Meal Ideas

I've been on the hunt for quick, easy meal ideas for the summer.  Here are a few that I'd like to try:

-Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Almonds
-Summer Vegetable Crepes
-Caramelized Onion and Pear Flatbread Pizza
-BBQ Chicken Salad with Creamy BBQ Cilantro Lime Dressing
-Red Waldorf Salad
-Greek Tacos
-Salmon Quinoa Burgers

If you have any ideas, feel free to leave a comment.  I'd love to add them to my collection!

Paper Bead Necklace

I just found a paper bead making kit at the thrift store, but I think it would be pretty easy to make on your own.  Here's how:

What you need: string, toothpicks, patterned paper cut into long triangles, glue

 Step 1: Roll up the paper tightly, using the toothpick.

Step 2: Put a little glue on the end of the paper to make it stick

Step 3: Thread your beads onto the string and tie it up to make your necklace.