Thursday, July 30, 2009

Terrariums!





Creating with your kids can be really fun, and not too complicated.

These terrariums were a great experience.

My mom took the kids to the local thrift store for different containers. If you select one with a lid, like my daughter did in her dinosaur terrarium, the humidity will self-hydrate the jar! Either way, this is a blast. My son did one with African animals, like the rainforest.

Here is a great terrarium site.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Recycle Art with Newspaper is Great!





We decided to try real recycle art. Of course, my kids had to come up with something a bit complicated, at least for me. But what a great project!

Get a bunch, and I mean a bunch, of newspaper. Maybe 15-20 papers. For each shape, you will use 4 sheets of paper, folded in half. So, each peice is actually 8 peices thick.

Fold the paper and cut to size. A tiny peice for Sonic's tail and a whole sheet of large newspaper for his torso.

Staple it with the exception of a small opening and stuff it with the newspaper scraps.

Staple it again and paint it with tempura paint.

For Sonic, we painted all the individual parts and then stapled his parts together.

For the letter, we hole punched them and strung them together with twine.

The kids will have a blast and it really comes out nicely.

Send me your stories and ideas as well!

Maria

Monday, July 6, 2009

Book Review: Helping Kids Understand Money - Three Cups - A Review

I don't know about you, but keeping my kids on track about money seems to always baffle me. How on earth am I supposed to keep track of everything? Well, at least that's what I used to think. Recently, I came across a book called Three Cups. The art on the cover caught my eye. And then the subtitle caught me. "Teaching children how to save, spend and be charitable with money is as easy as one, two, three."

I like easy and I like the sound of three steps. So, I took a read. What I found really threw me. Allow me to begin with the illustration. Reminiscent of Good Dog, Carl and The Polar Express, the artwork in this book has the distinct quality of the timelessness and beauty you would find in a classic.

The book itself is well written, an easy read for parents and kids. The message is powerful. It teaches kids the value of saving, for themselves, for their future and for others(via charity.) The tenets of the book are so simple, any family can practice them and succeed at teaching children the importance of managing money.

In addition, an easy to use parenting guide is included in the back of the book. This book is not just another book. It is a message to parents that they can change the way their children see money over the course of their lives with just a little effort. How wonderful.

Three Cups is beautiful in appearance and in message. At only $10 per copy, I think stocking up for holiday gifts is in order.

Consider this one if you are looking for simple ways to introduce money management for your kids and if you love children's book with classic style and messages.

Check out the book and its illustrations here.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Craft Idea - Beaded Solar System






This is something I did with my kids during Camp Curiosity.

We looked up the size and color of the planets, in proportion to each other. We cut out the nine planets, using scrap card stock. We hole punched the end of each planet. Then we strung each of the planets on some ribbon, in order and using beads as separators. It was a great project and is hanging in the dining room. The kids are proud and I can point to any planet and ask them whenever I want. Its their project and they are eager to show off what they know!

They work on find motor, sequencing, association (Mars is the red planet)and have a lot of fun!

Key fact.

Tie the end of the ribbon before you start! We forgot and watched our whole solar system fall apart when the tape slipped off the wall. Woops! Good for laughs but I would still avoid it...