by Katriena Knights
In these uncertain economic times, the holiday season might prove even more of a challenge than usual. With holiday gift-buying a... Read more
Picture Perfect: Turn Photos Into Unique Holiday Gifts
Personalized gifts are always a hit with family and friends. In today's digital era, it's easy to create custom products at an affordable price. One place you're sur... Read more
Eggs & Bacon Candy
by Amanda Formaro
Make this fun treat while on your next camping trip or any old time. It's cute, it's tasty and the kids will love it! This is a fun project for 4H, S... Read more
Kids love summer vacation, but parents often find it difficult to keep them engaged in productive activities. And most kids experience a summer learning slump during their time away from school. According to the National Summer Learning Association, at best, students show little or no academic growth over the summer, and at worst they lose one to three months of learning.
It's possible to give kids a fun way to keep up with learning by providing engaging books that feature hands-on activities. Three new books from DK Publishing will help kids of all ages fill their summer with science fun.
"One Million Things: Space" (July 2010). Perfect for backyard sleepovers and camping trips, this book serves up imagery and information about all things cosmic: from planets, moons, and comets, to black holes, nebulae, distant solar systems and more. Young readers won't be able to wait until sunset to start exploring. Elementary-aged kids will:
* Learn about spherical and irregular asteroids by playing a computer game.
* Find out about volcanoes in the solar system by comparing them to firecrackers.
* Explore the universe with stunning photographic galleries.
"I'm a Scientist: Backyard" (July 2010). Part of a new series for younger readers, this book introduces kids to the world of science with a wealth of outdoor experiments. With clear, step-by-step instructions, the book is full of bite-sized experiments that help children absorb science easily. Preschoolers and early elementary students will learn how to:
* Make a sun dial and tell time using the position of the sun.
* Find out a tree's age and then measure its height with just a stick and a piece of string.
* Learn about centrifugal force with a simple bucket of water.
"Big Idea Science Book" (July 2010). A comprehensive guide to key topics in science with a unique difference - an online component with 200 specially created digital assets that provide the opportunity for dynamic, hands-on, interactive learning. Older children can learn from video clips and interactive animations that take them:
* Inside plants.
* Around the human body.
* Deep below the surface of the earth.
Help kids flex their mental muscles during the summer with exciting projects and experiments that make learning fun. For more on these and other summer learning books, visit DK.com.
Some of you may have been wondering where the MomTalk.com events calendar disappeared to. Well, we have good news and more good news You can now find the calendar on our brand new social networking page, share.momtalk.com. You can even add events for your organization.
That's not all--once you sign up on share.momtalk.com, you'll have access to our new improved forums, live chat, groups, photo uploading and more. Share is brand new, so it's just ready and waiting for you to join and create the kind of social network you want it to be. And please let us know what you think.
If you are looking for a fun craft consider making marble magnets, which are simple to make but fun and creative. The sheer variety of marble magnet styles makes this a craft that everyone can put their unique stamp on.
Not only are they simple, but marble magnets are also inexpensive to make. Wrap a few up in tissue paper and present them to a teacher or daycare provider and you have crafted a gift that looks like more than it costs. Have the children make their own magnets that you can use to hang their artwork on the fridge. The possibilities with this fun craft are endless.
First, the supplies. To make marble magnets, you'll need the following:
♣ Flat backed marbles (found in the floral section of the craft store)
♣ Small magnets that are the same size as the marbles
♣ Clear-drying glue
♣ Scissors
♣ Simple and small pieces of art
Keep in mind that adults should probably handle the gluing for children who are under the age of about 8 or 9. Too much and the marble is ruined. As well, while you can cut out pictures to use under the marbles, children can also do simple line drawings or even use stickers under the marbles.
Here's how you make them:
1. First, trace around your pictures using the marble as a guide. Cut out the circles as cleanly as you can but keep in mind that once the magnet is on the back and the marble over the front, the overall design is fairly forgiving. If you are using stickers that are the same size as the marble, you can skip this step.
2. If you cut pictures out of a magazine or if the paper you used is very thin, first glue the design to a piece of cardstock and cut that into the circle shape too. If the paper is thin (like magazine paper), the glue will show through and ruin the look of the marble.
3. Dab a small amount of glue on a magnet and place the picture down on top of the magnet. Then put another dot of glue on the top of the picture and place the marble over the top. Hold the marble for a few minutes so it sets cleanly over the magnet. Leave to dry.
4. You're done. It's that simple.
Here are some ideas for packing these up for a unique gift.
Pack several of these into an Altoids container that you have covered with fabric. You can also buy plain aluminum tin containers that might hold a few of the magnets. Look in the scrapbooking section of the craft store for these.
If you're giving these to a teacher or daycare provider, consider taking pictures of each child under their care. Present them with a set of marble magnets that feature pictures of the children. Or have the children make simple drawings for the magnets.
Spell things out with the magnets. You can make one magnet that says, "I", another that has a heart and then a third that is your child's name. Consider using parts of their own artwork to make the magnets. If you are making magnets for a child's room, find wallpaper or other elements that coordinate with the room.
Making marble magnets is a rare craft that is suitable for all ages and abilities.
Warning, danger. Summer break is right around the corner.
Ok, it's not riiiight around the corner, but it will sneak up and be here before you know it. Are you ready for your kids' summer break? Are you prepared to give them a great break?
Summer break is a special time for kids, and you can do much to ensure that they remember their summer breaks with fondness and laughter.
Summer box
It all starts with the development of a summer box. But warning - after you begin this tradition, your children will look for their box every year.
A summer box is nothing more than a box that you fill with goodies for summer. It might include a calendar of events, treats, outdoor fun toys, new video games or movies and new books. It could include games or toys or anything that your children enjoy doing.
How to build the box
First, find a box you want to use as the summer box. You can re-purpose a box you already have (say, box from a recent purchase like a computer printer), or you can purchase one for this purpose. Think about something sturdy that can be used for as long as summer break lasts. Your children will be in and out of the box often.
If you have more than one child, you can make boxes for each child, or you can provide one box for all the children, with some items that are for specific children.
If you decide to re-purpose a box, have some fun with it. Buy a can of chalkboard paint and paint the entire box with the chalkboard paint and then use sidewalk chalk to decorate it with pictures you draw and perhaps your children's names. You might even hint as to the contents of the box.
What to put in the box?
The best thing about planning the summer box is that it forces you to think about summer. If you want to register your child in that art day camp that always fills up, planning and orchestrating a summer box now helps remind you that now is also the time to sign up for the camp.
As you go about signing your children up for things and booking summer travel, start a summer calendar for each child. Add dates and activities as you plan things, and keep adding to the calendar until the last day of school.
Go shopping.
Now is the time to get the best summer goodies before they are gone. Children of all ages enjoy these kinds of summer toys:
♣ Water balloons
♣ Beach balls
♣ Sidewalk chalk
♣ Flashlights (for those all-important late-night flashlight tag games)
♣ Art supplies
♣ Sand toys
Then, think about the specific interests of your children.
If you have one child that's a video game fanatic, you might include a new video game. Of course, you can still remind that child there will be limitations on playtime, but adding a game to the box is also a subtle way of letting your child know you are interested in their interests.
Have a child that would spend every waking summer moment on his or her bike if possible? How about a new bike horn or helmet?
If your kids love going to the movies in the summer, you can add some movie candy to the box, or even some inexpensive DVDs for those days when it's just too hot (or stormy) to be outside much.
To balance the box, make sure you cover all the bases:
♣ A calendar (so your child can know what's on the agenda as far as vacations, day camps, swimming lessons and parties go)
♣ Some fun and silly toys like the water balloons and beach balls
♣ Something to read (new books or magazines)
♣ Special items your kids might need for camp or vacation
♣ A photo album or special box for your child to save summer keepsakes
♣ Special items that are specific to your child's interests and hobbies
Finally, one great advantage of planning the summer box now is that you can take advantage of coupons and sales to get good deals on all of your summer box items.
Have your box ready by the last day of school and include a special treat for that day's afterschool snack. Your kids will need their nourishment before they head outside to play with all their fun summer box goodies.
Editor's note: how do you plan ahead for summer? Use the comment area below to share your ideas.
Making gifts from salt dough is fun and creative. Make these easy salt dough alphabet letters for your teacher. Whether you simply add a magnet or your glue them to something more elaborate like a wall plaque, she will appreciate the work you put into them!
What You Need
1/4 cup salt
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup water
alphabet cookie cutters
cookie sheet
acrylic paint in primary colors
acrylic sealer spray
What you do
Preheat oven 250 degrees F.
Mix together the flour, salt and water to make a soft dough. If it's too sticky, add small amounts of flour until pliable. Be careful not to add too much as your creations will crack if the dough is too dry!
Roll the dough out, or press it with your fingers, to about 1/2" thick.
Cut ornaments out with cookie cutters and place on cookie sheet, or you can place dough on cookie sheet and cut them out directly on the sheet.
Bake for 2 1/2 hours.
Remove from oven and let cool.
Paint each letter with a different color acrylic paint and let dry. repeat with another coat if needed.
Spray with acrylic sealer spray.
Amanda Formaro is the entrepreneurial mother of four children. She is the Chief Editor of FamilyCorner.com Magazine.
Spring is a time for renewal and brightness. We often think about moving furniture around, adding new pictures to the walls and bringing some flowers into the house. It's all about lightness and brightness.
Many of us also head to the craft closet this time of year, and it's a great idea to do so. You can create fun and bright crafts that bring the season to life. Many spring crafts are also kid-friendly and - best of all - affordable.
Painted butterflies
Make colorful butterflies out of coffee filters. This is an easy craft that children enjoy doing because they can make many butterflies without a lot of additional effort.
For this craft, you'll need:
Coffee filters
Black pipe cleaners
Acrylic paints, or watercolors
Paint brushes
Newspaper
To make, lay out the newspaper and lay the coffee filters on top. The paint will soak through the coffee filter, so don't skip this step.
Paint the coffee filters with paint, trying to make designs that mimic those you would find on a butterfly. Leave them on the newspaper to dry. When dry, fold the coffee filter like a fan, accordion-style.
Cut one black pipe cleaner in half and wrap it around the middle of the coffee filter; adjust the tops of the pipe cleaner to make antennas, then fan out the coffee filter so that both sides look like butterfly wings.
You can hang the butterflies from the ceiling or in front of a window with fishing line or yarn.
May Day cones
These cones are a great way to use leftover scrapbooking paper. Choose paper that's bright or colorful or has a unique design. You can use solid paper, but those with designs will be more attractive when made into a cone.
Using the 12x12 size paper cut about 2 inches off one side of the paper (so your paper is about 10x12 inches). Roll the paper into a cone, making sure that the paper at the bottom of the cone has come together. You can add a small staple at the bottom to hold the cone together if need be.
Now at the top of the cone, staple the cone together. Only use a few staples, just enough to hold the cone into a cone shape. If you want your cone to look very professionally done, use colored staples in colors that coordinate with your paper.
From the 2" wide piece of paper that's left from when you trimmed the paper, cut a 1" wide strip. You can leave it 12 inches long, or you can cut it in half to make a smaller loop for the cone.
Staple one end of the strip of paper on either side of the cone to make a cone handle.
You can fill these cones with candy or flowers (or a combination of the two) and hang on doorknobs on May Day (May 1) to welcome spring.
Mosaic flowerpots
Make flowerpots that showcase a special spring plant or flowers. These make great gifts for grandparents or for Mother's Day. Teachers might also like to get one of these as an end-of-year gift.
What you'll need:
Clay flowerpot
Ceremic tile grout (sold pre-made at home improvement stores)
Flat-backed marbles (from the floral section of the craft store)
Sponge
Newspaper
Lay newspaper down on your work surface and spread the flowerpot with grout. Quickly, before the grout begins to set, place the flat-backed marbles in any design you wish around the flowerpot. You can also use pieces of broken glass, broken tile and even shells if you wish.
Use a small amount of grout to fill in the rough edges or where the grout is low, so the surface is even. When it dries, use a damp sponge to wipe off the grout film.
A lot of people are looking for affordable entertainment these days. In fact, according to a recent Nielsen Online Global Consumer Survey, 56 percent of us are cutting back on out-of-home entertainment.
Books, movies, video games and music are great ways to relax and have fun at home, but their costs can be hard to justify. Fortunately, there are websites where you can get these items for free.
CafÈ.com is a free online service dedicated to casual gaming. There are dozens of fun, easy-to-play online games suitable for any age group. There's also a social element for those who enjoy connecting with others through multiplayer games and networking options.
Hulu.com is a free video service that offers unlimited streaming of hit TV shows, movies and clips. There is a large selection of videos from more than 100 content providers, including Fox, NBC Universal, MGM, Sony Pictures Television, Warner Bros. and more. Users can choose from more than 900 current primetime TV hits and access them any time from anywhere.
Pandora.com is a free online music service. Enter the name of one of your favorite songs or artists to create your personal music station. Pandora will search a vast collection of music to find songs with musical similarities to your choice. Then you get to enjoy a unique listening experience created just for you.
Swaptree.com is a site where you can trade books, CDs, DVDs and video games that you don't want, for the books, CDs, DVDs, video games that you do want. Unlike other e-commerce sites, on Swaptree all the items are free and you only pay for shipping, which is typically around $2.
Greg Boesel, Swaptree co-founder, says "You simply list the items that you are trading and the items that you want, and the system sets up trades for you with other users. One of the great features of Swaptree is that when you list an item for trade, we instantly show you thousands of items that you could receive in trade for that item."
To make the trade transactions even easier, you can print accurate postage and mailing labels right from the site.
The site provides relief for parents who are frustrated by how quickly their children get bored with new video games or when they no longer have any interest in the DVDs that they used to watch constantly. Once you are finished with an item you've traded for, you can list it again and get something else for free.
"In this economy," says Boesel, "Free makes a lot more sense than shelling out full price for media items."
