The BEST Art Supplies for Kids

We mamas are in big anticipating the coming of SUMMER VACATION, eh?   Sometimes we feel excitement to just chill and relax, and other times a little dread pulses through the veins. I mean dread in all good ways... we love our kiddos like no one else, yet that fear of keeping them from turning to technology addicted zombies bites at me.

I asked my kids what they wanted to spend their summer doing, and their quick answer was: lots of swimming, and lots of art.  I couldn't be more pleased with their answer since we live in Las Vegas, and it is H-O-T. We. Will. Swim. Lots.

...And art...  kids are the BEST natural artist that exist. I would LOVE to keep creative little artists forever. Plus, art is my total and 100% favorite way to "play" with my kids. When working on art projects, if we relax, we can have a grand time with the kiddos.

I'm hoping to carve out some time to make these adorable at smocks by Becky from Ucreate!

Here's my list of great art supplies to entice budding artists to spend less time looking at the screen, and more time with a smock on. I'm acquiring them a little at a time... thank goodness for the craft store coupons!!


(*** Means a definite essential)
1. Oil pastels ***
2. Colored pencils (twistable are great!) ***
3. Pip squeak markers ***
4. Skinny markers
5. Sharpies
6. collage materials (buttons, googly eyes, etc)
7. Chalk
8. Sidewalk chalk
9. yarn
10. Scissors, fun shaped ones too ***
11.Glue ***
12. Glue gun (teach older kids to use)
13. Embroidery floss
14. Stockmar crayons
15. Mini paint rollers
16. Colored masking tape
17. Colored duct tape
18. Tempera paint
19. Watercolor crayons
20. Liquid watercolor paint, or watercolor tubes
20. Watercolor cakes (regular stuff) ***
21. Variety of paintbrushes ***
22. Glitter glue
23. Shaving cream
24. Pipe cleaners ***
25. Printmaking tools (vegetables, sponges, bubble wrap)
26. Finger paints
27. Contact paper (for stained glass activities)
28. Stapler
29. Regular pencils ***
30. Regular pens
31. Sketch books ***
32. Beads
33. Paper plates
34. Clay ***
35. Salt dough
36. Play dough
37. Construction paper ***
38. Card stock
39. Heavy weight white sulphite paper
40. Poster board (cut smaller)
41. Fabric and felt scraps
42. Brown contractor's paper from Lowe's (instead of butcher paper) ***
43. Marshmallows (sculptures)
44. Glitter
45. Toothpicks
46. Wooden shapes (to paint or make magnets)
47. Window markers
48. Mat board remnants (from frame shop)
49. Rainbow loom and bands
50. Perler beads (or melty beads)
Pull out a few of these materials ever day and watch the kids go to town with their creations... better yet, "go to town" with them!

Oh all the possibilities:
 suncatchers, postcards, printing with kitchen supplies, magnets, embroidery, illustrating a book, marble rolling, shaving cream on the window, painting cookies with edible paint, paper mache, puppets, dyed pasta, melted crayon shapes, and so much more!

Happy summer preparations!!
XO,
Nancy

Themed Meals

 

I have always loved to plan parties for my family.  I remember starting planning holiday fun when my two oldest were 5 and 2.  That was a magical age. I stayed at home all day with my girls and we didn't make a lot of money, so I remember trying to create Holiday Fun for us.  It started to become a tradition and my girls loved to see what would happen on holidays.  Even when I went back to work outside the home they still loved when I would create Holiday Fun for them, even if it was on a much smaller scale. 

Pinterest has so many ideas for themed meals, parties and activities. So if you feel in the mood to create some Themed Meal Time check out our pinterest board and some of these food ideas we have done in the past.

Holiday Parties.......

Heart Shape Party Food for Valentine's

14 Heart Shape Foods

Green Party- St. Patrick's Day

Breakfast

 Green Eggs and Ham, Green Oatmeal or Lucky Charms

Lunch

Picnic Lunch- Leprechaun Switch

One year we made a picnic lunch. Picture on the left. 

When we came back from running errands to go on our picnic

 our lunch had been turned green by the Leprechaun.

Rainbow Snack

 

Holidays are probably the easiest to create a Themed Meal for.

Have you heard of National Food Holiday Days.  Pick a day and check out this website and you can create your meal around the National Food Holiday.

Did you know.......

March 14th is National Potato Chip Day?

March 25th is National Waffle Day.

March 26th is National Spinach Day.

March 28th is Something on a Stick Day.

Themed Meals for PRESCHOOLERS

Preschoolers love themed meals and can be especially easy to create. 

Use a book for Inspiration:

Try using shapes to create lunch whether it is a orange for a circle, pizza for a triangle

or using a cookie cutter to cut heart shape PB and J's.  

Your PRESCHOOLER will love it!!! 

Pick a letter for the day and make a lunch using that letter. 

C: Carrots, Celery and Cucumbers, Crackers and Cheese, Clementine, Craisins,   

Themed Meals for

MOVIE NIGHT

Polar Express Movie Night

Teen Beach Movie Night

Beach Party

Themed Meals for

Sports

Football Party

The ideas are endless just think of a fun day you want to celebrate and then begin planning!!

Enjoy!
Jan

20 Yarn Crafts for Kids

My family is having a reunion next week, and I'm assigned to bring a craft project to keep the kiddos busy while we're there.  I decided to just bring yarn and show them all of these ideas, then let the kids go to town and make their own creations. I can't wait to see what they come up with!

I LOVE yarn! There are so many awesome, funky, and beautiful creations that can be made with it. Even if kids can't knit or crochet, they can definitely do one of these....

1.

Craft Passion

Pencil Holder Tutorial

2.

Eighteen25

Yarn Baskets

3.

Pom Pom Flowers

4.

Family Chic

Yarn Hearts

5.

Creative With Kids

Easy Yarn Wrapped Letters

6.

Know and Tell Crafts

 Yarn Bracelets

7.

Annie Get your Glue Gun

Woven Yarn Pouch

8.

Live Laugh Rowe

Yarn Star Ornament

9.

Giddy Giddy

Yarn Wrapped Words

 10.

Apartment Therapy

Wrapped Sticks

11.

Two Shades of Pink

Yarn Leaves

12.

Symczacs in Seattle

Plate Wall Art

13.

Flax & Twine

 Finger Knitting How to

look what adults can do with finger knitting....

Burda Style

V and Co

14. 

Design Mom

Yarn Pom Pom Bookmarks

15.

Lion Brand

Wrapped Animals

16. 

Spud and Chloe

Yarn Dolls

17.

Kid's Craft

Baby Yarn Porcupine

18.

Oh Poppy Drops

 Pom Pom Fairies

19.

Homemade @ My Place

 Tiny Yarn Butterflies

20.

Hat Loom
These are found at any craft store, and are great for older kids and adults!
Make hats, scarves, and more.


Happy yarning!
Nancy

Rock Bug Pets

I know painting rocks is the most simplistic project, and it's been done millions of times by millions of people in millions of ways. However, it has been our #1 favorite indoor summer activity!  Honesty, when I feel like I'm being a "good mom" is when I'm spending time with my kids-- and this is something we all enjoy.  They've had loads of fun painting and playing with our "Rock Pet Bugs" :)!

Get some paints and rocks then enjoy some time together! All kinds of creations result!!!

XO,
Nancy

Chocolate Playdough

Playdough is one of the best creations E-V-E-R! My kids especially love helping me make it. The process really is quite fascinating.  The only thing better than making just regular playdough is CHOCOLATE PLAYDOUGH :)! 

It's not edible (well, I guess it is, but it's REALLY disgusting and salty).
However, it does smell and feel A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!


You can make it any color....

call it dark chocolate or pink chocolate.

Definitely, brings hours of fun and yummy scents!

Even put it mason jars and give as a gift....

Chocolate Playdough Recipe

Adapted from Chocolate Never Faileth

Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
1 tsp. oil
2 tsp.cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 tsp or small bottle chocolate flavoring OR 2 tsp chocolate extract
food coloring of choice

Directions:
Mix all ingredients into smallish sauce pan (food coloring can be added now or after- whichever you prefer).
Cook on medium heat until ingredients form into a ball. It may not be a perfect ball like many other home made playdough recipes. This one is a bit more firm.  I

Remove from heat.  Let cool and work food coloring into dough, if you have not already added it.

This can be stored in jars, plastic wrap, or ziplock bags.

Have fun!!
Nancy

Summer Fun: Marshmallow Sculptures

This is such a fun and easy Summer Project that is NOT messy!!!  After playing out in the water we came in and made marshmallow sculptures. 

All  you need is:
tooth picks
mini marshmallows (use the colored ones for more fun!)
and a wild imagine. (which every kid has)  

Put a marshmallow in each side of the toothpick and then just attach another toothpick to the marshmallow and add another marshmallow. Repeat over and over again making shapes and buildings.  This is a perfect activity if you need to cook dinner and then the kiddos play or if you want to get involved and let your little creative side come out!

Jan

Linking to:
Marvelous Mondays
Mad in Crafts
Craft-O-Maniac Monday

Riding in cars with babies

Is there anything more exciting than a new project? The adrenaline surge that comes from knowing you are going to take something lame and make it awesome? When I saw this sad weather worn car in the yard area at DI I knew it was meant to come home with me and be my new best friend for the next couple days. It was a yucky pink and I felt it should be candy apple red not only because red cars are so cool, but just in case any boy babies came our way and would want to ride it.

Sanding got pink dust alllll over

Inspecting the work

Had to make sure everything was taped just right especially those darling little headlights. So cute!

Finished! Ready to take the buddies for a spin. Don't worry when she felt the car was rocking to hard for their safety she put them both inside.

Have fun!

Maren