Tokens For Teacher!

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Homemade CardsThe new school year is in full swing! It’s a bit bittersweet, but parents aren’t the only grown ups guiding their kiddos anymore. Teachers have become stars in their every day lives as well. Now is the perfect time to encourage your little one to show his or her appreciation with TOKENS FOR TEACHER!

1. Nothing is as sweet as a handmade card. Your little Picasso can decorate the cover with a portrait of their new teacher. Translate a message from little ones who are still learning to write, and let them “sign” their name at the bottom.

2. A gift bag of healthy snacks, vitamins, mini tissues, and mints make for a great “Back To School Survival Kit!” He’ll think of you every time he opens his fully stocked desk drawer.

3. A bitty box of hand sanitizer, mini lotion, and nail polish will make her feel special. Include a manicure gift card for extra pizzazz. Write a message like “Hands Down, You’re The Best Teacher Around!”

4. Make some homemade goodies. It will make for a great after school activity for you and your little one, and a great after school treat for your favorite teacher. Include a message like, “You’re Making Me One Smart Cookie!”

5. A new mug for a new year filled with coffees and teas will invigorate any overworked teacher. He’ll feel jazzed every morning with this practical and perfect gift. Caffeinate to appreciate!

A Crown For All Seasons

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Paper Crown PlaySometimes we find a craft idea that just keeps on giving! This pack of paper crowns has kept our toddlers’ attention for more than a few afternoons. Because why just make one, when you can make A CROWN FOR ALL SEASONS?!

We used Creatology’s Crown Paper Shapes. 6 regal crowns for $3 seemed like a steal. But you can also make your own with extra card stock. There are lots of sample templates online. Just get your scissors ready!

Paint was not an option for our tots who were antsy to wear their latest crown creations. So we stuck to markers, stamp pads, glitter, gems, and stickers. Less drying time means more play time!

We took lots of care choosing which stickers would make for a perfect Summer crown. Baseballs and sparkly fish made the cut. While our pumpkin and football stickers were put aside for a later date.

Encourage kids to decorate their crowns to the fullest! Color the left, glitter the right, add gems to each of the arches at the top. Practice counting as you place each gem down. And don’t forget to let kids peel their own stickers. It’s fantastic fine motor skill practice. Even if you have to start the peel, let you little royal’s hands work hard to do the rest!

 

Our ALL AGES Craft Time Shopping List!

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Our ALL AGES Craft Time Shopping ListIf you have (or had) a Toddler, you probably already have the crafting basics: From markers to paint to paper. But sometimes the usual suspects just aren’t enough to fill a Saturday morning with crafting adventure! It may be time to reinvent your crafting cabinet with these…

1. Clothespins — Wooden clothespins can turn into paper dolls, tiny animal puppets, or part of a clothespin airplane! And once you’re done, reuse them to hang your favorite art pieces with some twine. Display your little Picasso’s work with pride!

2. Painters Tape — It is AMAZING! Use it to hang a big piece of paper on your garage door, and suddenly your kiddos are making giant murals! Indoors, try taping down different letters or shapes with the tape, then have your littles watercolor right over it. Peel the tape away and you’ll reveal a geometric art masterpiece!

3. Popsicle Sticks — Affordable and timeless! They become easy tree trunks when glued to construction paper. Add googly eyes to turn them into puppets. You can even put a few together to make a picture frame!

4. Feathers — You can use them in lieu of a paintbrushes for a softer stroke across the paper. Or incorporate them right into your art. Birds, butterflies, and faeries take flight once they have crafty wings to help them fly right off the page!

5. Tissue Paper — The silky pieces will make your collages even more beautiful to the sight and to the touch. Try cutting them into delicate flower petals. Or press pieces onto clear contact paper and you’ve made a special sun catcher!

 

 

 

Our TODDLER Craft Time Shopping List!

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The Ultimate Craft Time Shopping ListMaking your family craft time more exciting can be an intimidating task for some parents. But you don’t have to be a Rembrandt with a Rockefeller budget to take your play to the next level. Investing in a few simple supplies can make all the difference. So take a peek at OUR TODDLER CRAFT TIME SHOPPING LIST!

1. Set of Washable Markers — We love the chubby little ones for our toddlers. Crayola’s Pip-Squeaks are made especially for tiny hands. Plus they come in the most vibrant colors!

2. Roll of butcher paper — You’ll never need to empty your computer printer’s paper tray again. These giant craft paper rolls last a long time. And you can even cover the entire table with them to protect your space.

3. Washable Tempera Paint — You can use a paintbrush, Qtips, plastic forks, or almost anything as a tool to dip into the messy fun! Buy the 3 primary colors: Red, Blue, and Yellow. Then encourage your child to mix their own custom-made shades on a paper plate palette. Bonus tip: Add a bit of water to each of your paints to make them last even longer!

4. Washable Glue Sticks — Give a kid a sticky glue stick, and you’ll see the biggest smile appear. Because even alone, it’s a sensory exploration in itself! Add some collage paper scraps, tin foil squares, or beads and the options are endless!

5.  Googly Eyes — Granted these are less basic than our supplies above, but they make such a huge difference. Googly eyes help all of our best creations come to life! Before you glue them down, try sorting them by size, shaking a bag of them to make a homemade shaker, or counting them in Spanish. Any supply can be used in many ways when you put a little imagination into it!