Easy, Inexpensive Mother's Day Craft

This is a fun, easy craft to make for a Mother's Day keepsake. I've done this with my preschool and kindergarten student s.
Materials:
4x4 or 6x6 white tile (available in home supply stores)
permanent markers
hairspray
felt square (optional)

Instructions: Clean the white tile with soapy water and let dry. Using permanent markers,draw a picture on the tile. Have them write their name. Write the date on the back. When the markers are dry, spray it lightly with hairspray in a well ventilated area. Add felt squares. This can be used as a trivet. So easy but a great keepsake.
Alternative: Paint child's hand with ceramic paint and place hand firmly in the center of the tile. Let dry and spray lightly with hairspray.
Note: Wipe gently with a damp sponge to clean.

Cost - under 50 cents each

$5.00 Sea World tickets for children

Sea World is pricing its kids tickets at $5 and giving 100 percent of that ticket price to wildlife conservation projects.

Here are the details from Sea World:

Now through Dec. 31, 2010, with each full-paid, Sea World Orlando single-day, adult admission purchased online, any child age 12 and younger gets a $5 admission, all of which goes to fund non-profit organizations that are working right now on wildlife conservation projects. Families even can choose which wildlife conservation effort receives their donation.

Complete details are available at SeaWorldCares.

At Sea World Orlando, fans can brave Manta, an all-new flying roller coaster and the only one of its kind in the world. It’s a seamless blend of up-close animal encounters with a head-first, face-down thrill ride that’s sure to top the must-see lists again.

This summer, the nights are cooler and the atmosphere is hotter during Sea World AfterDark, when the park transforms daytime favorites into nighttime spectacles.

Sea World After Dark showcases the park in a whole new light, with a nighttime
rock ‘n' roll extravaganza, a high-energy Shamu show, a hilarious sea lion show and a mystifying fireworks finale. That's in addition to being able to experience all that's awesome day and night, like Manta, up-close animal encounters and spectacular shows. Sea World After Dark begins May 29 and continues through Aug. 15.

Printable DVD Coupons:Pooh and Handy Manny

Here are two great coupons for Pooh and Handy Manny fans:

Save $8.00 when you buy both My Friends Tigger and Pooh Super Double Super Sleuths (with a never-before-seen episode) and one other ‘My Friends Tigger And Pooh DVD’.

Save $6 when you buy Handy Manny’s Big Race (with a never-before-seen episode) and one other Handy Manny DVD.

Update: If you shop at Publix you can stack with $3.00 off DVD in the Green Advantage Flyer found at the front of the store.

Solar Experiments

I don’t know about you but the words I use to dread every school year were – SCIENCE FAIR. As a parent this was a nightmare. I knew I was going to be doing most of the work and I was the one who was competing against other parents. One year, I went as far as to purchase ($3.00) a project online just to avoid the whole process. Now, on the other hand, as a teacher, I loved science experiments and wanted my students to learn through experiences. In honor of Earth Day, below you will find a couple of solar projects you can do for FUN – no one will be judging you.

Solar Oven: My middle son and I did this project when he was in 4th grade.

Materials:
A medium size pizza box
Black construction paper
Extra-wide aluminum foil
Clear Plastic sheeting (available at hardware or fabric stores)
Glue, Tape, Scissors
Ruler
Magic marker
String
Dowel

Instructions:
Draw a one inch border on all four sides of the top of the pizza box. Cut along three sides leaving the line along the back of the box uncut. (Diagram #1)

Form a flap by gently folding back along the uncut line to form a crease. (Diagram #2)
Cut a piece of aluminum foil to fit on the inside of the flap. Smooth out any wrinkles and glue into place. Measure a piece of plastic to fit over the opening you created by forming the flap in your pizza box. The plastic should be cut larger than the opening so that it can be taped to the underside of the box top. Be sure the plastic becomes a tightly sealed window so that the air cannot escape from the oven interior.

Close the pizza box top (window), and prop open the flap of the box with a wooden dowel, straw, or other device and face towards the sun. (Diagram #4) Adjust until the aluminum reflects the maximum sunlight through the window into the oven interior.
Your oven is ready! You can try heating s’mores, English muffin pizzas, or hot dogs, or even try baking cookies or biscuits. Test how hot your oven can get using a simple oven thermometer!
Originally posted:http://www.solarnow.org/printpizzabx.htm

Solar S’mores
If you want something a little easier to try, this is one I did with my kindergarten and first grade classes.

Materials:
Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil
Graham Crackers
Hershey Chocolate Bar
Marshmallows

Instructions: Tear off a piece a 12” piece of foil. Place ½ a graham cracker in the center of the foil. Place ½ of the chocolate bar on top. Next, top with a marshmallow and the other ½ of the graham cracker. Wrap tightly and place in direct sunlight for 30 minutes. Enjoy the gooey treat. Talk to your kids about why some items melted and others did not.

Variation: Place one in the sun and one in the shade. Compare the results.

Solar Energy Kids Experiment: Ice Cubes

This solar energy kids experiment is aimed at understanding the different heat absorbing capacity of different colors backgrounds and the effect of those on the melting rate of ice cubes.

Materials
6 different colored square pieces of card or paper. Black and white are essential, and any other 4 colors will do (the three primary colors red, blue and yellow, as well as green are good choices for the other cards). Make the squares about 7cm x 7cm (3 inches x 3 inches).
6 ice cubes of the same shape and size
food coloring (optional)

Instructions:
Put one ice cube on each card and place them all in the sun. Make sure all the ice cubes are exposed to full sunlight. See which one melts the fastest, which melts the slowest.

What Will Happen?
The black card or ice will melt fastest as it absorbs the most light; it is the most efficient Solar heat collector. The white will melt the slowest since it reflects most of the light. The other colors absorb all the light EXCEPT the ONE they reflect; this is the color they appear to us.

Possible Extensions:
Another option is to make colored ice using food coloring. For the white block I suggest adding milk to the water and for the black one mix up all the other color food dyes; it won't be quite black but it will be close enough. Other options for the black block could be cola. This variant will have a lot more interest for your child as they also get to prepare the ice. For this variation, use white paper. Combine Both Tests:
Why not combine both the colored cards and the colored ice blocks and compare the results! Both these activities together will take a young child at least an afternoon to complete. And while she's outside watching the ices melt, you might even get a break...
http://www.green-planet-solar-energy.com/solar-energy-kids-4.html

Mother's Day Workshop at Pottery Barn

Click here for locations.

Pottery Barn Kids Celebrates Earth Day

Click here for locations.

Kids Bowl Free All Summer

I know summer is a ways off yet but when great opportunities come up you have to take advantage of them. This summer children can bowl two free games, every day, all summer long by registering at http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/ . Bowling alleys all across the country are honoring this promotion, so don't miss out on this awesome freebie opportunity for your kids to bowl free all summer! Family packages are available. Visit http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/ for all the details.

Family Fun Subscription for $5.00

Are you looking for a family friendly magazine that offers crafts, recipes, party ideas, travel tips and much more. Disney’s FamilyFun magazine dishes up these and many more creative activities. This is a must have magazine for parents with young children (I used many ideas in my classroom) and while supplies last you can get a years subscription for just $5 per year! Please note this is for the auto renewal option but you can cancel your subscription at any time.

(Thanks In a Kids World)

Insect Lore Giveaway

As a former teacher, I always felt the best way for children to learn was through hands on, real life experiences. One of my favorite spring activities was teaching the life cylce of a caterpillar/butterflies. If you have never tried this before, here is your chance. Busy Mommy Media is giving 5 lucky winners a chance to win a Butterfly Garden Kit. Check out Insect Lore for many other wonderful creepy crawl things.

Earth Day Crafts

As we all know, recycling is good for the environment, but it can also help save money. With the projects posted here, you can have tons of fun with your kids and turn trash into treasures! Crafting is fun, crafting “green” is even better.

Cans
Scrap Cloth Pencil Holder

*photo compliments of Kaboose

Do you have scraps of fabric leftover from previous projects or want a unique way to use your children’s worn out clothes? Here is a cute way to use up those scraps and recycle materials.
Materials:
• Empty can (vegetable can, tuna can, coffee can)
• Sandpaper
• Acrylic paint
• Paint brush
• Fabric scraps
• Scissors
• White glue
• Water

Instructions:
Wash and dry empty can. Sand any rough edges from opening the can. Paint can with acrylic paint. Let dry. Cut fabric scraps into 1 to 1 ½ inch squares. Mix equals parts glue and water. The mixture should be paintable but not too runny. Starting at the top of the can paint a small section of the can with the glue mixture. Apply a fabric square and coat the fabric with glue and smooth out wrinkles. Repeat this process overlapping the fabric so no area of the can shows. Use scissors to trim off excess fabric. Let dry before using.
Use cans to:
Hold pencils, art supplies, utensils, silverware (vegetable or coffee can)
Plant herbs or flowers (poke holes in the bottom for drainage)
Candy dish (tuna can)
Time capsule (coffee can) – Cover with scraps from child’s clothing then fill with items you want to keep from them.
Alternatives: Instead of fabric you could use newspaper, pages from magazines, wrapping paper, or scrapbook paper.

Cereal Box
Magazine/Book Holder
I liked to have my kindergarten students make this each year to hold their books. Since they were all reading at different levels each student would have a place to store books appropriate for them. You can cover these in decorative paper or fabric to use at home to store magazines.
Materials:
• Cereal box
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Glue
• Paper, fabric or paint
• Stickers or markers(optional)

Instructions:
Use a pencil and ruler to mark a line four inches from the bottom of the box. Draw a diagonal line from the four inch mark to the top opposite corner of the box. Repeat on the other side of the box. Using scissors cut away the top portion of the box, following the pencil lines. Decorate according to your needs. You can cover with fabric or decorative paper, paint it or leave it as is.

Markers
Beth, from www.mommyonashoestring.com has some great ideas to use old markers.

Pen/Pencil Holder
Materials:
• Plastic water bottle
• Old markers with lids
• Rubberbands
Use a small recyclable plastic drink/water bottle and trim away the top to the preferred height of your pencil holder (this is the base). Set it on a table and line up your used pens with caps around it. Carefully stretch a rubber band around the pens to hold them in place toward the bottom. Repeat with another rubber band toward the top. Easy!
Note: You could add a colorful ribbon to cover up the rubberbands.


Can you believe this jump rope is made with dried out markers?
Jump Rope
Materials:
• old markers (use your thinnest markers for the for middle of the rope and the 2 largest markers for the handles)
• Pliers
• Hammer
• Hacksaw and Ice Pick (that’s right, we are in the big leagues now!!)
• Thin rope or string (Jenna used kitchen twine, though if done again, she would probably use fishing line)
Instructions:
• Remove all caps from markers.
• Using pliers, remove ends (except for the larger markers – keep the ends)
• Remove the ink pads so you only have the plastic tubes left.
• For the middle of the rope: Use the ”thinner” markers and take hacksaw to make a small cut in each tube, 1/2 way along the tube. Holding them away from your face, snap the tubes in half.
• When you have enough 1/2 tubes, take your ice pick and hammer, and punch a hole through the tops of the caps.
• For the handles of the rope: Punch a hole through the tops of the caps and the ends.
• String it all together! Start with the handle—putting the twine through the cap end and tie a knot.
• Start stringing the rest of the larger pen together for the handle (snapping the pieces together), then alternate caps and middles, ending with the other handle when you have the length just right.
NOTE: You could skip the hacksaw part if you only use caps!

Color Glue
Materials:
• White glue
• Old markers
• Tweezers

Instructions: Using tweezers pull out the tip of the marker from the tube. Place the tip of marker inside the glue bottle and shake until you get the desired color. Remove. Optional: add glitter.
Use the colored glue to make suncatchers: Roll out a sheet of wax paper and put something heavy on the four corners so it won't roll up on you. Pour some glue out in different shapes. You can use cookie cutters as a template. Add beads, ribbon, glitter, or sequins and let it dry for a few days. After they sit for one night, poke a hole in top with a straw. After they're dry carefully peel them off the wax paper and hang in the window.

Newspaper

Paper Mache Earth
Materials Needed:
• Round Balloon
• Newspaper
• Flour
• Water
• Salt
• Washable Paint, green and blue
• Paintbrush

Instructions:
To make the paste, mix together 1 part flour to 2 parts water. You will want the paste to be the consistency of thick glue, but not thick like paste. Add more water or flour as necessary. Mix well to remove any lumps. Add 2 or 3 teaspoons of salt to prevent mold.
Make sure you cover you work surface well. This is a very messy project!
Blow up and tie the balloon. Place the balloon in a bowl large enough for it sit firmly. This will hold the balloon still while you work. You may wish to cover the bowl with plastic wrap so the paper mache does not stick to it. Tear (they lay flatter if you tear them instead of cut them) newspaper into strips about 1- or 2-inches wide and 4- to 6-inches long. You will need a lot of newspaper. Dip one strip of newspaper one at a time in the paste. Hold the strip over the paste bowl and run it through your fingers to squeeze off excess paste. Stick the newspaper strip on the balloon and smooth it down with your fingers. Add more paste if needed. Continue this process, overlapping the strips until you have completely covered the balloon. You will need to apply 3 or 4 layers, allowing each layer to dry completely before applying the next. Paint to resemble the earth.
Once the paper mache is dry, paint your balloon to look like a real globe using blue, green, and even white paint. Add as much or as little detail as you like!
* photos courtesy of PlanetPal

$5.00 Coupon for PS from Aeropostale

Hurry over to PS from Aeropostale and print your coupon and get $5.00 off your $10+ purchase. I really do mean HURRY because the offer expires 4/15/10.

Family Fun at Local Retailers

If you are a fan of "Fancy Nancy” like I am, your time has come. Stop by your local Borders Books this Saturday and celebrate her new book, Fancy Nancy Poet Extraordinaire.
This event, ideal for children aged 4-8, will feature poetry games, Fancy Nancy crafts and kids poetry readings. Find the closest participating store here.






If Fancy Nancy is not your style you could head over to Toys R Us for a playdate with Thomas the Train. This fun event should entertain children aged 2-5. Look here for the nearest location.

Looking for a hands on activity, attend Lowe's Build and Grow Workshop and create this cute wooden flower planter this Saturday. The workshops are free, start at 10am, and you can register and find your closest location here.

Veggie Tale DVD and Music DVD Combo for $5.00

Hurry over to the Veggie Tales Store to purchase select DVD combo packs for just $5.00. The Combo packs comes with a full length movie and a FREE Silly Song DVD!!! Just click on the “products tab” at top of page then on the right hand side of the screen you will see an ad for the $5 DVD promotion click on it to see the videos included. Also if you spend over $50 use coupon code FREE50-CJ at checkout and get free shipping!

April Showers Bring...MUD PUDDLES

Now that April is here, along with nice weather, I like to get outside with my almost 2-year old daughter. Today we painted with "mud". She was much more into eating the "mud" than painting but still it was fun. Beware: it will make a mess!

“Mud" Fingerpaint

MATERIALS:

INSTANT CHOCOLATE PUDDING, 4 OZ. PKG

2 CUPS COLD MILK

POSTERBOARD, cut into 4 squares*

NEWSPAPER

INSTRUCTIONS:

Make pudding according to the directions on the package. Cover work area with newspaper for easy clean up. Place a large spoonful of pudding on the posterboard and spread with fingers. Have fun.

Alternative: Use pre-made pudding cups.

AGE: 1 AND UP

TIME: 10 minutes and up

COST: >$1

EDUCATIONAL: fine motor, sensory, build vocabulary, measuring

*I didn't have posterboard so I used wax paper.

Here are some more "mud" activities you can do with your kids.

Mud

MATERIALS:

DIRT

WATER

INSTRUCTIONS:

Mix ingredients and have fun!

AGE: 2 AND UP

TIME: VARIES

COST: FREE

EDUCATIONAL: fine motor, sensory, build vocabulary

Dirt Cups

MATERIALS:

INSTANT CHOCOLATE PUDDING, 4 OZ. PKG

2 CUPS COLD MILK
8 oz. COOL WHIP
1 16 oz. PACKAGE OF OREO COOKIES,CRUSHED
8 CLEAR CUPS

GUMMY WORMS

INSTRUCTIONS:

Pour 2 cups cold milk into bowl. Add pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk until well blended. Let stand in refrigerator for 5 minutes. Fold in whipped topping and 1/2 of the crushed cookies into the pudding, very gently until mixture is all the same color.

Place 1 tablespoon of remaining cookies into bottom of cups. Fill cups about 3/4 full with pudding mixture. Top each cup with the rest of the crushed cookies. Put cups into refrigerator to chill until set, about 1 hour. Garnish with gummy worms (optional).

AGE: 3 AND UP

TIME: 1 hour, 15 minutes

COST: $5-6

EDUCATIONAL: measuring

Clean Mud

MATERAILS:

BAR OF SOAP, DOVE OR IVORY

TOILET PAPER, 1 ROLL

WARM WATER

INSTRUCTIONS:

Have the children tear up the toilet paper into little bits (the smaller the better). Using a cheese grater (younger children will need help with this), grate the bar of soap into a big bowl. Add the torn up toilet paper to the bowl. Add the warm water a little bit at a time while mixing the toilet paper and the soap together. You have added enough water when the mixture begins to feel like a thick cool whip. Do not make the mixture soupy. The more you play with it the fluffier it becomes. Have children describe the feel and texture.

CAUTION: BE CAREFUL NOT TO GET IT IN YOUR EYES.

AGE: 3 AND UP

TIME: VARIES

COST: $1-2

EDUCATIONAL: fine motor, sensory, build vocabulary

Serena's Party Boutique Giveaway

Head on over to Jamie's Precious Peas to check out the great giveway for a $25.00 gift certificate to Serena's Party Boutique.

Giveaway:Enter to Win a $15 Barnes & Noble Gift Card and Leapfrog Tag Junior Book

In a Kids World is giving one lucky reader a chance to win a Leapfrog Tag Junior ABC Orchestra Book and a $15 Barnes & Noble Card to buy another book for your Leapfrog Tag Junior Book Pal! Head on over and leave a comment for your chance to win. You better hurry because the deadline to enter is April 12th.

Target Gift for Expecting Moms

In some regions, Target is giving a bag full of goodies to moms when they stop in and fill out a new baby registry.

Bag includes….
Package of 2 Huggies Newborn diapers
Package of 1 size 1 Pampers diaper
Travel size Johnson bedtime bath
$20 gift card to Shutterfly

Target Coupons:
$5 8pk 2fl oz Simiilac Advance EarlyShield ready to feed bottles exp 7/1/10
$3 purchase both Pampers baby wipes and diapers exp 8/15/10
$1 Target Cafe purchase of $1 or more exp 8/31/10
$5 20oz or larger Enfamil powder formula exp 8/31/10
$1.50 Jumbo pack or larger Huggies Diapers exp 9/4/10
$1 98ct or larger Huggies wipes exp 9/4/10
$1 California baby toiletry excl trial size exp 9/4/10
$1 Jumbo pack or larger Luvs diapers exp 9/4/10
$1 Pampers wipes (excl trial size) exp 9/4/10
$2 Gerber purchase of $10 or more – Baby food or Graduates exp 9/4/10
$2 Johnson spf 40 baby daily face and body lotion
$2 jumbo pack or larger Pampers exp 9/4/10
$3 Gilligan & O’Malley nursing bra or tank exp 9/4/10
$5 24oz or larger Gerber Good Start powder infant formula exp 9/4/10
$5 off Pampers jumbo pack or larger diapers and 420ct or larger wipes exp 9/4/10
$6 Gerber Good Start powder infant formula exp 9/30/10
$20 off Medela electric breast pump exp 9/4/10
$.75 Aveeno baby toiletry excl trial size exp 9/4/10
5% off Brightstarts ingenuity product exp 9/4/10
$.75 Johnson or Desitin baby toiletry excl trial size and buddies exp 9/4/10
$1 Johnson baby care product – Bath or Lotion exp 12/31/10
$1 Johnson or Desitin baby care product exp 12/31/10

Huggies coupons exp 3/11/11:
$2.50 any Huggies package of diapers
$.75 any package of Huiggies wipes (64ct or larger)
$3 any package of Huggies Pure and Natural diapers

Trash to Treasure 2010

This is for kids who are innovative and creative. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, PBS KIDS GO!’s Design Squad is launching a nationwide 2010 Trash to Treasure competition. Kids across the country ages 5-19 are asked to recycle, reuse and re-engineer everyday materials into new inventions. Three young inventors will win a trip to Boston to see their designs built and have the process chronicled for an upcoming episode of the engineering TV series. For all the details and contest rules go to Design Squad.

GIVEAWAY

Head on over to Jamie's Precious Peas to enter to win a $75.00 gift bag from Mayfair Lane.

National Library Day

Are you looking for something FREE to do with your children today? Check out your local library. April 9th is National Library day. Libraries, once the cornerstone of every community still provide many wonderful services. We all know that you can checkout books at the library but they are many other benefits of having a library in your area. Services vary from library to library so check with your local branch.

1. Get the latest movie or CD releases. Local libraries now have movies, TV series and children’s programs on DVD for you to checkout at no charge. You no longer have to head to your favorite video store to rent them.
2. Digital materials. In addition to checking out the latest best seller you can now download books on to your Kindle or IPhone.
3. Children and Teen Programs. Not surprisingly, libraries seek to instill core knowledge and promote literacy. They accomplish this by hosting educational and fun events specially tailored for children and teens and their interests.
4. Join a Book Club. The library is not just for children and students. Adults can join book clubs based on topics or genres of interest. This is a great way to make new friends and enjoy intelligent conversation with other adults.
5. Book a meeting room. Most offer rooms for free or a small fee. This is a great place for study groups to meet or hold a small conference.
6. Literacy Programs. Libraries provide tutoring service to help improve adult literacy for English and non English speaking residents.
7. Computer Training. With the rapid growth in technology many citizens (especially seniors) have a hard time keeping up so many libraries provide basic training on using the internet and Microsoft Word programs.
8. Buy books. Libraries host book sales to get rid of old and donated books.

Libraries offer a wide variety of valuable services, activities and events for all ages. They have kept up with societies every changing technology and expanded their role in our communities. They provide safe, free entertainment for all. Be sure to check out your local branch today.

Carmel Popcorn Day

In honor of Carmel Popcorn Day (don't tell me you didn't have this important date on your calendar!) here is an easy recipe kids of all ages can help with.

1 cup brown sugar 1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cup light corn syrup 1 pinch of cream of tarter
1 stick of butter Dash of salt

Boil all ingredients together on medium heat.
Pour over 1-2 bags of popped corn. Mix well.
Put on cookie sheet of aluminum foil, bake for 1 hour at 200 degrees.
Stir occasionally to prevent burning.