tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52622942018966264222024-03-05T18:50:33.450+01:00Mama Pea PodI am a mother, a teacher, and an endorser of play time! Children grow up so quickly, so I'm trying to savour these precious moments with my little peas by playing, creating, and getting outdoors with them - while they're still small enough to want to spend this time with me. Come join us in our creative play times!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103692192944918234noreply@blogger.comBlogger372125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-30607254731985683252014-12-27T23:09:00.000+01:002016-12-11T21:45:37.254+01:00DIY Crackers for Christmas or New Year<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">DIY Crackers for New Year's Eve</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Remember how fun it was pulling Christmas crackers at dinner? Well, we had loads of fun making these homemade crackers last year to pull during our New Year's Eve celebrations with the kids! They were easy to make with just recycled materials and a few odds and ends to pop inside. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieb1h9zBZtNFubJcOiKGl59tnKVdYAH2dbtkcNAJLtqKybDPjewPiEibQ-8F8-2k8byI8pqKITa-waPwoHxwlitbLULVugrKM3dptE4BGMlaK1SyjeKQpkUsfGFqpB_bs_1Td9PRizItVb/s1600/diy+christmas+crackers+homemade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="homemade DIY christmas crackers for new years eve with kids" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieb1h9zBZtNFubJcOiKGl59tnKVdYAH2dbtkcNAJLtqKybDPjewPiEibQ-8F8-2k8byI8pqKITa-waPwoHxwlitbLULVugrKM3dptE4BGMlaK1SyjeKQpkUsfGFqpB_bs_1Td9PRizItVb/s1600/diy+christmas+crackers+homemade.jpg" title="" width="448" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If you want to try these all you need are some <b>paper rolls</b>, <b>leftover tissue paper</b>, glue, and <b>bits of string or ribbon</b>. You might also want some stickers or whatever you have on hand to decorate with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">First, we got some empty paper roll tubes and cut them to about 5 inches long (one paper towel roll cut in half).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Using a pair of scissors, we cut along the diagonal line where the tube has a seam. We cut about two thirds of the way along the roll, following the seam, leaving just the last third intact. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Then we cut some </span><span style="font-size: large;">leftover tissue paper from gifts</span><span style="font-size: large;"> to about double the length of the tube and wide enough to wrap the tube in. </span><span style="font-size: large;">After that, we reformed the tube back into its original shape and rolled the tube up in the paper. We sealed the edge lightly with some glue. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Using bits of string and ribbon, we tied the tissue at one end. Then we filled the tube with a few small surprises*! Once it was filled, we tied the other end, too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, we decorated the paper with more stickers (or you could use whatever you like - glitter glue to make it sparkle?)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the time comes to pull the cracker, one person pulling each end will tear the tissue paper and the roll will fall open, spilling treats!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">*When I asked the kids what they thought we should put in our crackers, they raced around the house gathering up small things that we already owned: hair clips, tiny figures, candy, dress-up jewelry, etc. They each picked some 'surprises' for the other one's cracker. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It was so sweet to see how absolutely delighted they were to find out what the other one had surprised them with, even though it was something that was already theirs! However, some other suggestions to put inside might be:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">* a <a href="http://www.kristendukephotography.com/printable-kids-lunch-jokes/#_a5y_p=2061954" target="_blank">joke</a> printed on a tiny scroll of paper</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GSI56IO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00GSI56IO&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=NK3X7HCKYOVSO3NW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lego</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0073U3MRS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0073U3MRS&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=JMKLNBJWPP5I5UJP" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Playmobil</a> person</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* a sprinkling of glitter, if you don't mind a bit of mess</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* a wrapped chocolate</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* enough loom bands, loose, to make a bracelet and/or a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GEEVM9E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00GEEVM9E&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=KZSXSQ5KQFGGZTFL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">loom band charm</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ICXM8C/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000ICXM8C&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=MLGDI7MMTZNAII6J" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">mini pack of cards</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IZ9N78/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000IZ9N78&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=E7UQ4ACQSDXYVCH4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">glow sticks</a> (you'll need to make sure you cut your roll long enough for these)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* lip balm</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* a couple of crayons and a few sheets of small note paper rolled into a scroll</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0049OXMEY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0049OXMEY&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=SG2MK2ZNKSOFMIAV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">temporary tattoos</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* stickers</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007FGA2UK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007FGA2UK&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=TI6AW7TCGCPBRQT4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">finger puppet</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* some kind of nature treasure: a feather, a tiny pine cone, a walnut, a pretty stone, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy!</span><br />
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<a href="http://s755.photobucket.com/albums/xx199/michelehoffman/?action=view&current=Mama.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx199/michelehoffman/Mama.jpg" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-42543529111938222522014-11-16T23:29:00.000+01:002014-11-25T09:41:12.219+01:00{Rubbed Leaf Hedgehogs}<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These cute little hedgehogs brightened up our dreary fall afternoon last weekend!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Rubbed Leaf Hedgehogs</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Creativity for Preschoolers</span></h4>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6WUEPmz7mbs/VGkYUBvaS-I/AAAAAAAAE98/r3YG1whFJlo/s1600/rubbed%2Bleaf%2Bhedgehog%2Bcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="rubbed leaf hedgehogs art for preschoolers collage" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6WUEPmz7mbs/VGkYUBvaS-I/AAAAAAAAE98/r3YG1whFJlo/s1600/rubbed%2Bleaf%2Bhedgehog%2Bcollage.jpg" height="640" title="" width="448" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sweet Pea loves collecting leaves, sticks, rocks, anything from nature that she finds on our walks. As a result, we had a large pile of leaves that she had collected and pressed and was looking for something to use them for.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i7lItdOjjms/VGkiQBA06VI/AAAAAAAAE-g/hTHQp08QWwg/s1600/IMG_5250%2B500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="child making leaf rubbings with crayons" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i7lItdOjjms/VGkiQBA06VI/AAAAAAAAE-g/hTHQp08QWwg/s1600/IMG_5250%2B500.jpg" title="" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After seeing these <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/218283913165086523/" target="_blank">leaf turkeys</a> and these <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/218283913165086578/" target="_blank">leaf hedgehogs</a>, we decided to make our own versions of hedgehogs with them. Sweet Pea is in the Hedgehog class at preschool, and our dog's name is Hedgehog (in Hungarian), so hedgehogs were the perfect subject for our crafty Sunday together!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAvMpDShABe-rqke76sOUhaseKLqTIsbKGCQbovkbhaDOKaCwDybN9_LnECsJnRigIh1toUrMtuU6xdcFBuH95psxTYPVQkRDZMQcx0qo8RAm_jlZ_-UHwbXWHD9ofBw5sH6pAydzitIO/s1600/IMG_5268+500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="child making hedgehog art from leaf rubbings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAvMpDShABe-rqke76sOUhaseKLqTIsbKGCQbovkbhaDOKaCwDybN9_LnECsJnRigIh1toUrMtuU6xdcFBuH95psxTYPVQkRDZMQcx0qo8RAm_jlZ_-UHwbXWHD9ofBw5sH6pAydzitIO/s1600/IMG_5268+500.jpg" title="" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We got out some paper and drew some snouts - just a rounded, slightly curved triangle with a circular nose on the end. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYy26xEXTQkQcReKe1qdvNrXWouJgvNuWYORC8BJ_o6gyS8NVsPRtpQ4iJlFraBwAuvzWj8WZS8E30AqXX5VGOBJW2jiMpFCmIe8PHvGYJDVRmGxYs3zWYaCkB6y7E2rmQdyx1eMPQuLc/s1600/IMG_5261+500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="child using boya ergonomic crayons" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYy26xEXTQkQcReKe1qdvNrXWouJgvNuWYORC8BJ_o6gyS8NVsPRtpQ4iJlFraBwAuvzWj8WZS8E30AqXX5VGOBJW2jiMpFCmIe8PHvGYJDVRmGxYs3zWYaCkB6y7E2rmQdyx1eMPQuLc/s1600/IMG_5261+500.jpg" title="" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then we put leaves under the papers and rubbed them gently with the side of a crayon (we love these <a href="http://www.nokoncept.com/boya/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ergonomic crayons from Boya</a>). </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-49t1_AiJf4I/VGkirr9DcQI/AAAAAAAAE-4/BR6nEI9bMmY/s1600/IMG_5298%2B500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="hedgehog picture made from leaf rubbings" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-49t1_AiJf4I/VGkirr9DcQI/AAAAAAAAE-4/BR6nEI9bMmY/s1600/IMG_5298%2B500.jpg" title="" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aren't they sweet? I think our little Hedgehog approves!</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jEjYcB_QIfg/VGkixPeLPTI/AAAAAAAAE_A/n9CObSVTH5I/s1600/IMG_5262%2B500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="red and yellow hedgehog made from leaf rubbings" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jEjYcB_QIfg/VGkixPeLPTI/AAAAAAAAE_A/n9CObSVTH5I/s1600/IMG_5262%2B500.jpg" title="" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Looking for more leaf-y activities? How about these?</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nUVfbEYYEt0/UmrUyjnCeQI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/EozcJiqDZHQ/s1600/natural%2BDIY%2Bleaf%2Bgarland%2Bcraft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Nature leaf garland" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nUVfbEYYEt0/UmrUyjnCeQI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/EozcJiqDZHQ/s1600/natural%2BDIY%2Bleaf%2Bgarland%2Bcraft.jpg" height="240" title="" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2013/10/diy-natural-leaf-garland.html" target="_blank">Natural Leaf Garland</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwoys6RwTy6SCzt8gu8TVeaII1qqG4paEKHzy2otjWmT8749HvfBqMzlo5HHw0niaxPD8vJ_4Wy-jRkX-wq6e7cP2ll8u2QiwleFlX19i3qhkG2kWGxnvh_4L6v3EAYyCQUhb-Xc5h3HD/s1600/fall+leaf+wreath+for+kids+to+make.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="fall leaf wreath for kids to make" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwoys6RwTy6SCzt8gu8TVeaII1qqG4paEKHzy2otjWmT8749HvfBqMzlo5HHw0niaxPD8vJ_4Wy-jRkX-wq6e7cP2ll8u2QiwleFlX19i3qhkG2kWGxnvh_4L6v3EAYyCQUhb-Xc5h3HD/s1600/fall+leaf+wreath+for+kids+to+make.jpg" height="320" title="" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2013/10/fall-leaf-wreath-for-kids-to-make.html" target="_blank">Fall Leaf Wreath for Kids to Make</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pkp1y-GOwnI/VGkoArM8RUI/AAAAAAAAE_k/QFZ75d9V-Bg/s1600/1375063_10151903996706405_159231012_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Simple fall nature art" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pkp1y-GOwnI/VGkoArM8RUI/AAAAAAAAE_k/QFZ75d9V-Bg/s1600/1375063_10151903996706405_159231012_n.jpg" height="320" title="" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2013/10/simple-fall-nature-art.html" target="_blank">Simple Fall Nature Art</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://s755.photobucket.com/albums/xx199/michelehoffman/?action=view&current=Mama.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx199/michelehoffman/Mama.jpg" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-17838175033050557212014-09-12T22:59:00.000+02:002014-09-12T22:59:00.530+02:00{Recycled Sharpie Sun-Catchers}<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Recycled Sharpie Sun-catchers</span></h2>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O1oZ4cC4Ts0/U9HEXgzU74I/AAAAAAAAE3s/byyVYebJ7ks/s1600/500+pin+colorful+recycled+sun+catchers.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O1oZ4cC4Ts0/U9HEXgzU74I/AAAAAAAAE3s/byyVYebJ7ks/s1600/500+pin+colorful+recycled+sun+catchers.jpg.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*This post was originally shared as a guest post on <a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/2014/07/30/recycled-sharpie-sun-catchers/" target="_blank">Skip to My Lou</a> on July 31st, 2014.</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We loved making these simple and colourful DIY sun-catchers out of materials from the recycling bin! They look just gorgeous hanging in a sunny window indoors or outdoors on the porch. I plan to move them to hang from our dining room light fixture in the winter months so we can still enjoy them without much sunlight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We used plastic from an empty package of frozen mini quiches, but any plastic container with individual 'cup' sections would work just as well. In fact, even flat plastic would work, but the 'cups' make it easier to cut out circles.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">First, cut out the circular bottoms from the 'cups' of the plastic packaging.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CsB0C6eAloE/U9HEo6dCfZI/AAAAAAAAE30/FXZ9vViBHsI/s1600/recycled+sun+catcher+500+marked.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CsB0C6eAloE/U9HEo6dCfZI/AAAAAAAAE30/FXZ9vViBHsI/s1600/recycled+sun+catcher+500+marked.jpg.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Next, draw colourful designs on them with permanent markers (we used these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0003WN0DO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0003WN0DO&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=N5PGZ63DNNDLACPH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">'80s Glam Sharpies'</a> [affiliate link] and <i>love</i> the fun, summery colour combination!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then poke a hole in each circle with a needle or hole punch (we like this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MAPHXS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000MAPHXS&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=OH5D7NIXAWMNLVSR" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ribbon hole punch</a> [affiliate link]) and string onto some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RTKGW4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002RTKGW4&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=EDQG4TZSPZXUQLNJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">fishing line</a> [affiliate link]. Tie a knot onto each one to keep them from sliding together when you hang them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zC4eNOQGzNo/U9HE0AGMkXI/AAAAAAAAE38/2T2lDytv9nw/s1600/suncatcher+garland+500.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zC4eNOQGzNo/U9HE0AGMkXI/AAAAAAAAE38/2T2lDytv9nw/s1600/suncatcher+garland+500.jpg.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then hang up where the light can shine through them! The pictures really don't do them justice - they are BEAUTIFUL!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P54lZUFdxrU/U9Jg1E22UTI/AAAAAAAAE4U/as61BdFxxRk/s1600/horizontal+colorful+recycled+sun+catchers+500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P54lZUFdxrU/U9Jg1E22UTI/AAAAAAAAE4U/as61BdFxxRk/s1600/horizontal+colorful+recycled+sun+catchers+500.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some suggestions for hanging:</span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">*hang down in front of a window</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">*hang horizontally in front of a window as garland</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">*make several strings and hang them together as a mobile</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">*hang outdoors on your porch or deck</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">*hang indoors from a light fixture</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">*attach to the bottom of a lampshade and let them dangle</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">*hang around the frame of a mirror</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you're looking for more crafts ideas, check out our <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/search/label/%7BArts%20and%20Crafts%20for%20Kids%7D" target="_blank">ARTS AND CRAFTS FOR KIDS</a> and our <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/search/label/%7BTime%20for%20Mama%7D" target="_blank">TIME FOR MAMA</a> sections!</span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://s755.photobucket.com/albums/xx199/michelehoffman/?action=view&current=Mama.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx199/michelehoffman/Mama.jpg" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-48665382348056132752014-08-27T20:00:00.000+02:002014-08-27T20:00:00.841+02:00{Easiest Sewing Project Ever: No Cut No Measure Table Runner Tutorial for Complete Beginners}<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">EASIEST SEWING PROJECT EVER:</span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">TABLE RUNNER</span></h2>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BfEMdBtfe8g/U97Dka0If6I/AAAAAAAAE60/1oods9jZNzY/s1600/pin+table+runner+500.png.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pin it! Easiest sewing project ever - a no cut, no sew table runner!" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BfEMdBtfe8g/U97Dka0If6I/AAAAAAAAE60/1oods9jZNzY/s1600/pin+table+runner+500.png.png" title="No Cut, No Sew Table Runner Easiest Sewing Project Ever!" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Oh my, I cannot believe how much I love this table runner and how incredibly easy it was to make! Seriously, there is absolutely nothing to it whatsoever! No cutting! No measuring! That's my kind of sewing project! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">:-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I found these beautiful 'fat quarters' at our local hobby shop. All I did was select 3 coordinating fabrics and sew them together! (You can buy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=coordinating%20fabrics&linkCode=ur2&tag=mapepo-20&url=search-alias%3Daps&linkId=CVO262IL47IXTJKZ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pre-matched coordinating fat quarter sets</a> here [affiliate link].)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am truly a complete beginner when it comes to sewing (or most anything domestic, really), so I get it - you still want a tutorial. So, here is <i>exactly</i> what I did:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Iron your fabrics nice and flat. Lay out your 3 fat quarters in a line, arranged in the order you like and be sure the patterns are all right-way up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1KUuO7nB2Vg/U97DeDeB1WI/AAAAAAAAE6s/N6gt4u5lLJY/s1600/no+cut+no+measure+tablerunner+sewing+project+500.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Lay out your table runner fabrics as you want them to look when finished" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1KUuO7nB2Vg/U97DeDeB1WI/AAAAAAAAE6s/N6gt4u5lLJY/s1600/no+cut+no+measure+tablerunner+sewing+project+500.jpg.jpg" title="Easiest sewing - Layout" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Take the left hand piece and fold it over the middle piece, so that the two pieces are facing right-side-in together. Sew along one edge (the edge where you want them to join, obviously, so select the edge that suits how you want them laid out in the end - if you folded over like I just said, that should be the left side), about 3/8 to 1/2 inch in from the edge of the fabric. Open out flat. Lay it back down with the third piece again. Take the third piece and fold it over the middle piece, so that the right sides are facing in together. Sew along the edge where you want them to join (this time it will be the right side if you folded as I said). Open out flat. Iron again so that the seams lie flat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-giM2_HaReeA/U97Dqs5paSI/AAAAAAAAE68/uMPNwowHeG4/s1600/tablerunner+on+sewing+table+500.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Sew your table runner fabrics together - so easy!" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-giM2_HaReeA/U97Dqs5paSI/AAAAAAAAE68/uMPNwowHeG4/s1600/tablerunner+on+sewing+table+500.jpg.jpg" title="Sew easiest ever table runner" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Fold the edges in as straight as you can (I just eyeballed it) and pin all the way around the entire runner. Sew a hem all the way around, about 1/4 to 3/8 inch in. Iron again so the seams lie flat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">That's it! Yay, you! You sewed something!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s755.photobucket.com/albums/xx199/michelehoffman/?action=view&current=Mama.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx199/michelehoffman/Mama.jpg" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-24114736700655399632014-08-14T20:00:00.000+02:002014-08-14T20:00:01.058+02:00{DIY Galaxy Shirts}<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">DIY 'Galaxy' Shirts</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhol5iKcU_uCwrYdRJqh-doTKt-4cZfSCvkfm9gG2BiYgiCg4ZLTqHkj4bij5-AxG3eoyi6VBu7FCDXNRcjD_CEU0ZSe_pFYrQpZshJZHX2cs3BQvzwodyatWqx-eeYeZnaaUJW2jfPowWX/s1600/pin+galaxy+shirt+500.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pin it! Kid-Made DIY Galaxy Shirts!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhol5iKcU_uCwrYdRJqh-doTKt-4cZfSCvkfm9gG2BiYgiCg4ZLTqHkj4bij5-AxG3eoyi6VBu7FCDXNRcjD_CEU0ZSe_pFYrQpZshJZHX2cs3BQvzwodyatWqx-eeYeZnaaUJW2jfPowWX/s1600/pin+galaxy+shirt+500.jpg.jpg" title="DIY Galaxy Shirts!" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Kids and adults alike will enjoy showing off their DIY 'Galaxy' shirts - fun and simple wearable art for the whole family!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You will need: [all product links are affiliate links for your convenience]</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">* <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YHNMQ8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000YHNMQ8&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=GFUGQCKAED4FGAVP" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">plain black shirts</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">* <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008VXNE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00008VXNE&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=I2KD2VUG7ELGOCPL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">spray bottle</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">* bleach</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">* <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009MMMHU8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009MMMHU8&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=CFEW67Q34BJTOQWP" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">spray-on fabric paints</a> (or try these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NGXEUO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005NGXEUO&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=J7NUIAM3QAAC32JJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">glitter fabric paints</a>!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">* scrap cardboard or plastic</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">* possibly garbage bag or tarp</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Lay your shirts on a large garbage bag or tarp outside. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Place a piece of cardboard or plastic inside the shirt, to prevent bleach and paint from seeping through to the back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Scrunch the centre of the shirt and twist it tightly (if you want, you can secure it with an elastic, but it's not necessary).</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Put some bleach in the spray bottle and s</span><span style="font-size: large;">pray it onto the front of the shirt. Then untwist and lay out to dry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ITlfxaM23zY/U960ekzIdgI/AAAAAAAAE6c/KBaibpFD9P8/s1600/spray+painting+fabric+500.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spray painting fabric for galaxy shirts" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ITlfxaM23zY/U960ekzIdgI/AAAAAAAAE6c/KBaibpFD9P8/s1600/spray+painting+fabric+500.jpg.jpg" title="Making Galaxy Shirts" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once dry, use the spray-on fabric paints to spray over the front of the shirt (keep the cardboard/plastic inside). We found that it's best to apply the spray paint liberally - we thought Sweet Pea, aged 4, was putting far too much on hers as it seemed too concentrated, but in the end hers turned out to be the brightest and prettiest!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Leave out to dry according to the directions on your fabric paint.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then wear them in style and show off your coolness! (Thanks, Auntie K, for doing these with us!)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Still want to make more? Try these <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2011/07/diy-tie-dyed-t-shirts.html" target="_blank">Sharpie Tie-Dye Shirts</a> next! </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2011/07/diy-tie-dyed-t-shirts.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmEpL3v8C_HtmQ3EYzDTm22KaEW6EIWRPPzZYbE7zQzRV2ey1lrQ0oVQYqdu9NGDBJsVIpZN_tFKhHHpalrnoPP1CUCAk4R7VFRgEFkFqtg39Z188YZgZ8_86_dESjemBB2UFFm4GxGg_/s400/nova+scotia+2011+266.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Don't miss a thing! </span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-88479475632545206772014-08-02T22:34:00.000+02:002014-08-02T23:23:34.942+02:00{DIY Bubble Machine}<h2 style="text-align: center;">
DIY BUBBLE MACHINE</h2>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i9Zcj6-lY-M/U91EWb8qflI/AAAAAAAAE4k/poVG4jJMVtg/s1600/pin+bubble+machine+lottsa+bubbles+500.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pin It! DIY Bubble Machine" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i9Zcj6-lY-M/U91EWb8qflI/AAAAAAAAE4k/poVG4jJMVtg/s1600/pin+bubble+machine+lottsa+bubbles+500.jpg.jpg" height="640" title="Make Your Own Bubble Machine!" width="435" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">These DIY bubble machines are easy and fun to make for endless foamy bubble fun this summer!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You will need: [affiliate links included for your convenience]</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">*styrofoam or plastic cups</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">*plastic food wrap</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">*<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7G7UYO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H7G7UYO&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=NR5JEAMAH6GN2ROO" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">bendy straws</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">*tape in a pinch but preferably sticky tack or chewed gum ;-p</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">*dish soap or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SNOMUS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000SNOMUS&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=42P66WFOB37PVU3Y" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">bubble solution</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">*toothpick</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">*elastic bands or hair elastics</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">*something sharp to poke holes in the cups (we used a corkscrew)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<ul>
</ul>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i60sOmrL7Oo/U91E7wGebNI/AAAAAAAAE4s/zStf6DnJ9Qk/s1600/bubble+machine+materials500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Materials needed to make a DIY bubble machine for kids" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i60sOmrL7Oo/U91E7wGebNI/AAAAAAAAE4s/zStf6DnJ9Qk/s1600/bubble+machine+materials500.jpg" height="265" title="Materials" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">1. Poke a hole in the cups, about 1 - 2 cm above the base, that is just big enough for a straw. Be careful not to let the hole tear too big. (I think next time we'll try a hole punch - if you try that, let me know how it works!)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Poke the bent end of the straw through the hole so that the long end is on the outside of the cup, bent upwards. Use tape, sticky tack or even a piece of chewed gum to seal around the hole. (We used tape, but it did leak, so if you have sticky tack or gum I'd go with those.)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IYoDafCW31s/U91F3d0ppPI/AAAAAAAAE5k/J-h15HHOQaE/s1600/bubble+machine+straw+500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to attach the straw for your DIY bubble machine for kids" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IYoDafCW31s/U91F3d0ppPI/AAAAAAAAE5k/J-h15HHOQaE/s1600/bubble+machine+straw+500.jpg" height="640" title="Straw attachment for Bubble Machine" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Pour bubble mixture or water with a generous squirt of dish soap into the cup (if your cup is leaky, you might want to do this step after step 5 so as to avoid losing all your solution.)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Pull a piece of the plastic food wrap as tightly as you can over the top of the cup and secure with an elastic band or hair elastic.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H1gtcB4JracD_-zGf-q2jttZQ6ncaIS9Aje56z5yJ7bOO1gbEXzNDM-zfiqVeroPA78VfoL3i_RiTdAVyKvD2A3EUw-LSyYbziLtJl6IQL1sl3JUtCBLYAiZYtYIpffVy7ExGd3QrIH_/s1600/bubble+machine+making+holes+500.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Poking holes in the plastic wrap for your DIY bubble machine for kids" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H1gtcB4JracD_-zGf-q2jttZQ6ncaIS9Aje56z5yJ7bOO1gbEXzNDM-zfiqVeroPA78VfoL3i_RiTdAVyKvD2A3EUw-LSyYbziLtJl6IQL1sl3JUtCBLYAiZYtYIpffVy7ExGd3QrIH_/s1600/bubble+machine+making+holes+500.jpg.jpg" height="640" title="Poke holes in the plastic wrap" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. Use a toothpick to poke lots of tiny holes in the plastic wrap. (If you didn't yet put your bubble solution in, follow this step by taking off the wrap and adding it now, then reattaching the wrap, pulling tightly again.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. Blow into your straw and watch the bubbles foam out of your own homemade bubble machine! Fun!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmPh9TyZYmrgfhUWiBTXaiQX5KdyfYMTzjZ8YufWzsUXArCAsUTgrhtSUk2K1x8nihEnPukD7wXCf7IRRGGl4j7pWwKQSeOUeqBXkoqvHNPaYZz6C6OT4tkON9IsfXw4Ow_mGtbbbcb73/s1600/bubble+machine+blowing+more+bubbles+500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Blowing lots of bubbles at once with your homemade bubble machine!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmPh9TyZYmrgfhUWiBTXaiQX5KdyfYMTzjZ8YufWzsUXArCAsUTgrhtSUk2K1x8nihEnPukD7wXCf7IRRGGl4j7pWwKQSeOUeqBXkoqvHNPaYZz6C6OT4tkON9IsfXw4Ow_mGtbbbcb73/s1600/bubble+machine+blowing+more+bubbles+500.jpg" height="265" title="Blowing bubble machine - lotsa bubbles!" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Note: Obviously, this is only suitable for children who are not going to suck on the straw - please use your parental judgement as to whether this activity is appropriate for your child. (I did it with my 7 year old and 4 year old with no doubts in my mind.)</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-53096026150111301892014-07-04T23:56:00.000+02:002014-07-06T14:25:09.813+02:00{Crazy Hidden Colours Science Experiment for Kids}<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Crazy Hidden Colours</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Science Experiment for Kids</span></h4>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZNS0cp2TQs/U7QJXzJ3dxI/AAAAAAAAEqk/1RakjEZQBlA/s1600/hidden+colour+science+experiment+cover+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZNS0cp2TQs/U7QJXzJ3dxI/AAAAAAAAEqk/1RakjEZQBlA/s1600/hidden+colour+science+experiment+cover+image.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of our favourite science experiments from our recent <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/07/rainbow-fairy-science-birthday-party.html" target="_blank"><b>Rainbow Fairy Science Party</b></a> was this 'Hidden Colours' Experiment. (You can <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/07/rainbow-fairy-science-birthday-party.html" target="_blank"><b>read the story about how this experiment involved fairies here</b></a>.) It's such a simple experiment and the girls just LOVED it - they could have spent all day on this one, trying every liquid in the house!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's very simple, but it does require red cabbage powder. We got ours as part of this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BURAP2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000BURAP2&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=T4ABOTLN6QAWC73F" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>science kit</b></a> [affiliate link] for kids, but you can also buy the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005R3C1NE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005R3C1NE&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=4F3DJEPYEXW3LOG5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>red cabbage powder here</b></a> [affiliate link], or <a href="http://www.classic-play.com/the-science-issue/experiment-red-cabbage-ph-indicator/" target="_blank"><b>make your own red cabbage dye</b></a> (if you make your own, keep in mind that it doesn't keep fresh like the powder does.)</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dF9oCYwqaNM/U7K9sHAKHkI/AAAAAAAAEo0/fshzJQPoyIA/s1600/science+fairy+party+colour+hunt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dF9oCYwqaNM/U7K9sHAKHkI/AAAAAAAAEo0/fshzJQPoyIA/s1600/science+fairy+party+colour+hunt.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first step is to mix a tiny amount of the red cabbage powder into a cup* of water. (Since we did this as part of our Fairy Science Party, we used special Fairy Water - which is glittery!) When I say tiny, I mean really tiny. Our science kit came with a teensy scoop that allowed us to measure out 0.3mL of it. Just put a tiny bit on the end of your smallest spoon and mix it in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*W</span><span style="font-size: large;">e used clear, empty yoghurt pots. </span><span style="font-size: large;">As you can see in the photo, we used enough water to mostly fill a single-serving yoghurt pot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The water will turn a beautiful purple colour.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAi24EDcXtI3obFRqyzkLxAgxQ9XrgvZmWhZLCdx-AvEpZNvFVGJC2DVE39LPsKrYXEgC0thRXtj6kJDKdKwmIV7NYAKkkkJiqkQnTUWNCUrkqnPIedqW0bQX9eIjtyIc6Md1956P2L7Ec/s1600/science+fairy+party+colour+hunt+pouring.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAi24EDcXtI3obFRqyzkLxAgxQ9XrgvZmWhZLCdx-AvEpZNvFVGJC2DVE39LPsKrYXEgC0thRXtj6kJDKdKwmIV7NYAKkkkJiqkQnTUWNCUrkqnPIedqW0bQX9eIjtyIc6Md1956P2L7Ec/s1600/science+fairy+party+colour+hunt+pouring.jpg.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then pour the purple water into an ice-cube tray so that each compartment is about 3/4 filled (so that the sections don't run together.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVI1C3bY8CX7VHYPZ7GbbCCDodhGJh6d70KgfV5Ee2tIQmctG8OYjyA-voWAc-u4S7Kgk8r0oaN93_7UxhQcxY9WvUe2IbjFp-bqwdk-Wn8romsMfQQfgzKlLdDsYcPMELspeQ9cN6qh0/s1600/science+fairy+party+colour+hunt+household+liquids.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVI1C3bY8CX7VHYPZ7GbbCCDodhGJh6d70KgfV5Ee2tIQmctG8OYjyA-voWAc-u4S7Kgk8r0oaN93_7UxhQcxY9WvUe2IbjFp-bqwdk-Wn8romsMfQQfgzKlLdDsYcPMELspeQ9cN6qh0/s1600/science+fairy+party+colour+hunt+household+liquids.jpg.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next, gather up a selection of household liquids (ones that are safe for kids to handle, obviously.) We used apple juice, orange juice, liquid soap, cola, lemon juice, soda water, tap water, tea, tomato juice, milk, coffee, and vinegar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Use a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EFMLQ2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000EFMLQ2&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=K33T2CRAKKLQ4VKL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>pipette</b></a> [affiliate link], an old medicine dropper, or a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B51367M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00B51367M&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=GE44KTJEW4UCNVFV" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">squirt bottle</a> [affiliate link] with a small nozzle hole to drop a few drops of each liquid into one of the ice cube compartments. Stir with a toothpick and watch what happens.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dcVl0SApEEU/U7K9r8BjwOI/AAAAAAAAEpI/uLSX9HhNwJM/s1600/science+fairy+party+colour+hunt+in+ice+cube+tray.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dcVl0SApEEU/U7K9r8BjwOI/AAAAAAAAEpI/uLSX9HhNwJM/s1600/science+fairy+party+colour+hunt+in+ice+cube+tray.jpg.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We found all sorts of beautiful colours hidden in our household liquids!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then leave it to sit out a while and see what happens to the colours after some time.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sOgvGxeJYXw/U7QJYF9UH3I/AAAAAAAAEqo/crA6xR25q-s/s1600/household+liquids+acidity+test.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sOgvGxeJYXw/U7QJYF9UH3I/AAAAAAAAEqo/crA6xR25q-s/s1600/household+liquids+acidity+test.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is actually a pH test of the liquids. Red cabbage is a known pH indicator. Depending on the acidity/alkalinity of the liquids, the purple water will change anywhere from green (very alkaline) to red (very acidic).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tip: We found that the milk made an especially pretty opaque, lilac colour :-)</span></div>
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<a href="http://s755.photobucket.com/albums/xx199/michelehoffman/?action=view&current=Mama.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx199/michelehoffman/Mama.jpg" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-42976040686567891752014-07-01T18:32:00.000+02:002014-07-14T06:42:17.862+02:00{Rainbow Fairy Science Birthday Party!}<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Rainbow Magic Fairies</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Science Adventure:</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">A</span><span style="color: orange;">n</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: #f1c232;">E</span><span style="color: lime;">x</span><span style="color: cyan;">c</span><span style="color: blue;">i</span><span style="color: purple;">t</span><span style="color: magenta;">i</span><span style="color: lime;">n</span><span style="color: blue;">g</span><span style="color: magenta;">,</span> <span style="color: orange;">C</span><span style="color: #f1c232;">o</span><span style="color: lime;">l</span><span style="color: cyan;">o</span><span style="color: blue;">u</span><span style="color: purple;">r</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta;">f</span></span><span style="color: red;">u</span><span style="color: orange;">l</span> <span style="color: #f1c232;">B</span><span style="color: lime;">i</span><span style="color: cyan;">r</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">t</span></span><span style="color: purple;">h</span><span style="color: magenta;">d</span><span style="color: red;">a</span><span style="color: orange;">y</span> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">P</span><span style="color: lime;">a</span><span style="color: cyan;">r</span><span style="color: blue;">t</span><span style="color: purple;">y</span></span><span style="color: magenta;">!</span></span></h4>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PzAZoMdkzjs/U7K6dLaKKuI/AAAAAAAAEoA/RTEKRhO7uOU/s1600/rainbow+science+fairy+party+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rainbow Magic Fairy Science Birthday Party - cover image" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PzAZoMdkzjs/U7K6dLaKKuI/AAAAAAAAEoA/RTEKRhO7uOU/s1600/rainbow+science+fairy+party+cover.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Princess Pea turned 7 last week, and </span><span style="font-size: large;">this year she really tested my creative party planning skills by requesting a 'Science Fairy' party! (Erm...sure, honey, I can do that!) </span><span style="font-size: large;">So, I put on my party planning hat and set out creating a Rainbow Magic Fairies Science Adventure party! It needed to involve fairies, magic, science experiments, and plenty of colourful fun! Read on to see what we did to create this super-fun, super-colourful, crazy party!</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Rainbow Magic Fairies</span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Her favourite books are the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=rainbow%20fairies%20books&linkCode=ur2&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Arainbow%20fairies%20books&sprefix=rainbow%20fairies%20boo%2Caps&tag=mapepo-20&url=search-alias%3Daps&linkId=GN5FYEF4VGRQ4QJH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rainbow Magic Fairies series</b></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> [affiliate link]. If you don't know it, check it out, they're actually pretty good books if your child is into imagination and adventure. The stories are well-written and she also likes that there is a fairy with her name, her sister's name, and the names of pretty much all of her friends, too - there are over 100 books in the series, each named after a different fairy, so there's a good chance you can find one with your daughter's name, too. Although they are fairies (inherently traditionally 'girly' to some extent), the fairies themselves have a variety of interests, so something to match most any interest your children may have - be it animals or sports or dance, or whatever. I think they've really helped my 'girly-girl' to widen her horizons, and I appreciate them for that. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">+ Love of Science</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That said, there are no 'science fairies' in the series, so I needed to get creative! </span><span style="font-size: large;">Since science is her favourite subject at school, she really wanted to combine those two loves into one birthday party theme! (Eh...lucky me!)</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lR_W3I8AwWc/U7La5gVAcMI/AAAAAAAAEp8/bjUI55wTRZ4/s1600/science+goggles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="girl wearing science goggles" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lR_W3I8AwWc/U7La5gVAcMI/AAAAAAAAEp8/bjUI55wTRZ4/s1600/science+goggles.jpg" height="320" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My budding scientist :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: magenta;">= </span><span style="color: red;">Rainbow</span><span style="color: magenta;"> </span><span style="color: orange;">Magic</span><span style="color: magenta;"> </span><span style="color: #f1c232;">Fairies</span><span style="color: magenta;"> </span><span style="color: lime;">Science</span><span style="color: magenta;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: cyan;">Adventure</span></span><span style="color: purple;">!</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I put on my party planning hat, and set out creating a <i><b>Rainbow Magic Fairies Science Adventure Party</b></i> (whew, what a mouthful!) It needed to involve fairies, magic, science experiments, and lots of colourful fun! (While most of the experiments were done with household items, I did order this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BURAP2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000BURAP2&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=T4ABOTLN6QAWC73F" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>science kit </b></a></span><span style="font-size: large;">[all product links in this post are affiliate links,] </span><span style="font-size: large;">which gave us some special harder-to-get ingredients as well as 'professional' equipment such as test tubes and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009QOM80Q/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009QOM80Q&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=Q4H55EHYMOQFKA4W" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>droppers</b></a>. But mostly we used empty yoghurt pots</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B51367M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00B51367M&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=D5K645GRWLMGISTX" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>medium</b></a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B5133PC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00B5133PC&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=3EQRJ3YMJVVKQ4SO" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>small squeeze bottles</b></a>.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I created a story to build the party around. In the series, the antagonists are Jack Frost and his band of dull-witted goblins, who always cause trouble by messing with the fairies' magical items that they use to control events in the human world. So in our story, Jack Frost was deliberately mixing up all the colours in Fairyland, which the fairies use to colour our world as we know it, and the fairies needed our help to sort out all the colours again.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll share more about the details of the experiments in a series of shorter posts, but for now, here's a glimpse of how the party actually went. I don't, unfortunately, have pictures of all of the experiments they did, but here's an overview:</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The Letter</span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The party started off with the girls receiving a letter:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>"Dear friends,</i></span></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What’s your favourite colour? Everyone has a favourite colour… Mine is </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">green</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, like the grass and the leaves on the trees… But I also love </span><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">yellow</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, like the sun and daffodils, </span><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pink</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> like roses, </span><span style="color: #4a86e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">blue</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> like the sky…. in fact, I love all the colours of the rainbow! Just think how dull and boring the world would be without colours...</span> </span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, as it happens, that is exactly what the evil Jack Frost wants! The colours you see all around you in the human world are controlled by the fairies in Fairyland. But Jack Frost and his band of wicked goblins have mixed up all the colours in Fairyland, and now the fairies are all mixed up and confused! And if the fairies don’t get all their colours back and sorted out, pretty soon all the colours in the human world will disappear!</span> </span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The fairies in Fairyland are very worried and we are asking for your help… You will need to use your science skills, some science fairy magic, and your powers of observation (looking carefully) to help us sort out all the colours! Work together with your friends. Remember to record all your observations in your </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">science notes</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> so you can remember how to fix the colours.</span> </span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you for always helping us! You are truly wonderful friends.</span></span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yours sincerely,</span> </span></i></blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Fern, the Green Fairy"</span></span></span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The girls were then divided into small groups, each with an adult/helper. Each girl got a packet with the letter, the rest of the story including the directions for all the experiments, and science notes pages for each experiment if they chose to record their observations (some did, some didn't - my daughter took it very seriously, haha!) Then they each got a pair of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F8R5GO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000F8R5GO&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=O4NNHHN2SNM7S455" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>science goggles</b></a> to wear (we borrowed them from our science teacher friend), which they thought was really cool!</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Magic Fairy Crystals</span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first thing they had to do was mix up some Magic Fairy Crystals. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Science Fairies have some </span><span style="color: #ff9900; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SPECIAL FAIRY CRYSTALS</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> that have magic powers. They have sent us some to give us temporary magic fairy powers, so that we can help the rainbow fairies to find all their colours."</span></i></span></blockquote>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0gS9M-4bhPs/U7LcctDBPxI/AAAAAAAAEqI/-BGoRry2JVg/s1600/water+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="magic fairy crystals (water beads)" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0gS9M-4bhPs/U7LcctDBPxI/AAAAAAAAEqI/-BGoRry2JVg/s1600/water+beads.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the course of the party, the tiny magic crystals (which were really <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003NZG936/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003NZG936&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=7BXSFOWES5FRI5EP" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>water beads</b></a>) grew bigger and bigger and they had fun playing with them at the end.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Fairy Waterfall</span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next, they had to help find the colours in the Fairy Waterfall:</span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-d501146e-f277-37d9-94b2-845e966313b2"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"In Fairyland, there is the most beautiful, crystal clear waterfall that flows into a lake with a <span style="color: red;">r</span><span style="color: orange;">a</span><span style="color: #f1c232;">i</span><span style="color: lime;">n</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: cyan;">b</span></span><span style="color: blue;">o</span><span style="color: purple;">w</span> volcano in the middle! Unfortunately, Jack Frost has turned all the water in the waterfall and lake <span style="color: purple;">purple</span>!"</i></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wks0rqYp55s/U7K9oX7f9vI/AAAAAAAAEoM/9V2ATmJCf3Q/s1600/colour+unmixing+theory+science+fairy+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="girls doing science experiments" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wks0rqYp55s/U7K9oX7f9vI/AAAAAAAAEoM/9V2ATmJCf3Q/s1600/colour+unmixing+theory+science+fairy+party.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dF9oCYwqaNM/U7K9sHAKHkI/AAAAAAAAEos/l63ZRM_zRNM/s1600/science+fairy+party+colour+hunt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="science experiment red cabbage" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dF9oCYwqaNM/U7K9sHAKHkI/AAAAAAAAEos/l63ZRM_zRNM/s1600/science+fairy+party+colour+hunt.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fairy Waterfall Experiment</span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Hidden Colours</span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next was the <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/07/crazy-hidden-colours-science-experiment.html" target="_blank">Hidden Colours experiment</a>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"<span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jack Frost has cleverly hidden colours all around us so the fairies won’t find them! See what colours you can find hidden in these everyday liquids."</span></i></span></blockquote>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBgtkVNcLb0/U7K9zIUya0I/AAAAAAAAEpo/3g7JPCdoBsg/s1600/science+fairy+party+colour+hunt+household+liquids.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="household liquids for testing acidity" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBgtkVNcLb0/U7K9zIUya0I/AAAAAAAAEpo/3g7JPCdoBsg/s1600/science+fairy+party+colour+hunt+household+liquids.jpg.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dcVl0SApEEU/U7K9r8BjwOI/AAAAAAAAEoo/ENriIbPg1_Y/s1600/science+fairy+party+colour+hunt+in+ice+cube+tray.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hidden colours experiment for kids (testing acidity)" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dcVl0SApEEU/U7K9r8BjwOI/AAAAAAAAEoo/ENriIbPg1_Y/s1600/science+fairy+party+colour+hunt+in+ice+cube+tray.jpg.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hidden Colours Experiment</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">[Read all about how we did the <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/07/crazy-hidden-colours-science-experiment.html" target="_blank">Hidden Colours Experiment here</a>.]</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Test Your Fairy Powers</span></h4>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have you been checking your </span><span style="color: #4a86e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">magic fairy crystals</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? Are your magic fairy powers working yet? Let’s test them and see…"</span></span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They did a cool surface tension experiment to see if their fairy powers (that they'd gotten from the Magic Fairy Crystals, of course) had kicked in yet.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Magic Milk</span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now that their fairy powers were working, they were ready to make some magic!</span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-d501146e-f288-428f-a9f3-85d6c13f7815"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Now that your magic fairy powers are working, you can make some colours come alive."</i></span></span></span></blockquote>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3cRA73x2_XM/U7K9vDgOBJI/AAAAAAAAEo4/L7A6DKkT-to/s1600/science+fairy+party+magic+milk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /> <img alt="magic milk experiment" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3cRA73x2_XM/U7K9vDgOBJI/AAAAAAAAEo4/L7A6DKkT-to/s1600/science+fairy+party+magic+milk.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oNmrhgZp4lE/U7K9wpbiICI/AAAAAAAAEpc/s6DbpMKgAjM/s1600/science+fairy+party+mixing+magic+milk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="girls doing magic milk experiment" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oNmrhgZp4lE/U7K9wpbiICI/AAAAAAAAEpc/s6DbpMKgAjM/s1600/science+fairy+party+mixing+magic+milk.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Magic Milk Experiment</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Make A Boat</span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They had to put their understanding of basic physics to work with the next activity. </span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-d501146e-f28b-27a8-da76-7bd6e882ff05"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Make a boat to help the fairies float across the fairy lake to where Jack Frost and the goblins are hiding. Choose whatever materials here you think will help you. Then test your boat to see if it floats."</span></i></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UWxKWOYpMEk/U7K9tKoqWpI/AAAAAAAAEow/BXgAWVszveU/s1600/science+fairy+party+float+your+boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="whatever floats your boat - making boats out of recyclables" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UWxKWOYpMEk/U7K9tKoqWpI/AAAAAAAAEow/BXgAWVszveU/s1600/science+fairy+party+float+your+boat.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Boat Building</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Rainbow Volcano</span></h4>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Their final experiment involved lots of colourful, fizzing fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lookout! The Fairyland <span style="color: red;">r</span><span style="color: orange;">a</span><span style="color: #f1c232;">i</span><span style="color: lime;">n</span><span style="color: cyan;">b</span><span style="color: purple;">o</span><span style="color: magenta;">w</span> volcano is about to erupt! Hopefully it will help us to get back some more colours!"</span></i></span></blockquote>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gqrLGE0ChgA/U7K9yCsklTI/AAAAAAAAEpY/7TT410Ss-Ho/s1600/science+fairy+party+rainbow+volcano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="rainbow volcano baking soda and vinegar experiment" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gqrLGE0ChgA/U7K9yCsklTI/AAAAAAAAEpY/7TT410Ss-Ho/s1600/science+fairy+party+rainbow+volcano.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rainbow Volcano Experiment</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">R</span><span style="color: orange;">a</span><span style="color: #f1c232;">i</span><span style="color: lime;">n</span><span style="color: cyan;">b</span><span style="color: blue;">o</span><span style="color: magenta;">w</span><span style="color: red;"> B</span><span style="color: orange;">l</span><span style="color: #ffd966;">a</span><span style="color: lime;">s</span><span style="color: cyan;">t</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The grand finale was blasting Jack Frost and his wicked goblins right out of Fairyland with this Rainbow Blast experiment (otherwise known as elephant toothpaste!) We used a slightly stronger concentration of ingredients to make it really blast out.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kn-eVNo4Vww/U7K9qPyPOeI/AAAAAAAAEoU/qkWzNYmR1no/s1600/science+fairy+birthday+party+coloured+flasks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="flasks of coloured liquids for science experiment" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kn-eVNo4Vww/U7K9qPyPOeI/AAAAAAAAEoU/qkWzNYmR1no/s1600/science+fairy+birthday+party+coloured+flasks.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9iTRLvKLCcA/U7K9o9RnoMI/AAAAAAAAEoY/dSB68-Kgk_A/s1600/rainbow+fairy+science+birthday+party+elephant+toothpaste+experiment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="elephant toothpaste experiment" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9iTRLvKLCcA/U7K9o9RnoMI/AAAAAAAAEoY/dSB68-Kgk_A/s1600/rainbow+fairy+science+birthday+party+elephant+toothpaste+experiment.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rainbow Blast Experiment</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And finally, the girls had fun mixing up their own magic potions and eating some rainbow snacks! </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hqfhp6zCoWc/U7K9rXC3eRI/AAAAAAAAEog/H5ep58czfSo/s1600/science+fairy+birthday+party+mixing+potions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="girls science experiment mixing potions" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hqfhp6zCoWc/U7K9rXC3eRI/AAAAAAAAEog/H5ep58czfSo/s1600/science+fairy+birthday+party+mixing+potions.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mixing Potions</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MtUT0ntUb8M/U7K9xafMHwI/AAAAAAAAEpM/jo0BWQb7vp4/s1600/science+fairy+party+rainbow+jello+cups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="rainbow jello cups for party food" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MtUT0ntUb8M/U7K9xafMHwI/AAAAAAAAEpM/jo0BWQb7vp4/s1600/science+fairy+party+rainbow+jello+cups.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rainbow jello cup snacks</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5a1z0XAP68E/U7K9oiM51XI/AAAAAAAAEoc/URc32HwJFNo/s1600/rainbow+fairy+science+birthday+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="rainbow magic fairies birthday cake" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5a1z0XAP68E/U7K9oiM51XI/AAAAAAAAEoc/URc32HwJFNo/s1600/rainbow+fairy+science+birthday+cake.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rainbow Magic Fairies Birthday Cake</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(made by my incredibly talented friend, Masha)</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Some party planning notes:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since the experiments required a lot of set-up, I decided to forego fancy party food and just order pizza instead - plus some fruit/veggie plates and rainbow jello cups. (Can't have a </span><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2012/04/rainbow-party-and-rainbow-blog-hop.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>rainbow party</b></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> without rainbow jello, right?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I recruited a 13 year old helper to take one of the groups so that each group would have an 'adult' to help them with the experiment directions. We also made it more manageable by only inviting a few friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We held the party outdoors, but even so I wanted to minimize the mess as much as possible, so each experiment was set up on a tray or in a large baking dish. It worked well at containing the mess, and the clean up was really easy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The girls each took home their story/experiment packet (with explanations of what all the 'magical' ingredients really are, in case they want to do them again at home), their boats they had built, and a<b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=rainbow%20magic%20fairies%20books&linkCode=ur2&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Arainbow%20magic%20fairies%20books&tag=mapepo-20&url=search-alias%3Daps&linkId=6BLLEOKRD3RY7NG4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rainbow Magic Fairies book</a></b> as their party favour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We ordered this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BOCYDO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002BOCYDO&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=QOEKIPB52MVNACAO" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>fairy-themed party set</b></a>.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Kh1vS2zHGc/U7K9t7BPwKI/AAAAAAAAEpA/5YTSLmrzImU/s1600/science+fairy+party+happy+birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="happy birthday girl 7 years old" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Kh1vS2zHGc/U7K9t7BPwKI/AAAAAAAAEpA/5YTSLmrzImU/s1600/science+fairy+party+happy+birthday.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A happy birthday girl!</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-34050423183568379302014-06-20T11:36:00.000+02:002014-06-20T11:41:37.941+02:00{Dinosaur Party for Kids (Boys AND Girls!)}<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Our Dinosaur Birthday Party for Kids</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(all kids!)</span></h4>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L5luxHjnBsc/U6PwGgghCGI/AAAAAAAAEms/jwI7X-NYkrQ/s1600/Dinosaur+Birthday+Party.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dinosaur Themed Birthday Party for Kids" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L5luxHjnBsc/U6PwGgghCGI/AAAAAAAAEms/jwI7X-NYkrQ/s1600/Dinosaur+Birthday+Party.png" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm putting all our Dinosaur Birthday Party posts in one place for easier reference. Our daughter LOVED her dinosaur-themed party for her 4th birthday! We kept it all 'neutral' - this is not a dinosaur party for boys, nor is it a dinosaur party for girls - it's just a dinosaur party for KIDS! :-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Click on the links below for more details:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/salt-watercolor-painting-dinosaur-party-invitations.html" target="_blank">Dinosaur Party Invitations</a></span></h2>
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<a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/salt-watercolor-painting-dinosaur-party-invitations.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Dinosaur party invitations" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upk67R7msJQ/UydBGh49ySI/AAAAAAAAEQo/9_jaBilMV3c/s1600/dinosaur+art+party+invitations+triceratops.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/salt-watercolor-painting-dinosaur-party-invitations.html" target="_blank">Dinosaur Party Invitations Made From Kids' Artwork</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/dinosaur-birthday-party-food.html" target="_blank">Dinosaur Cake and Party Food</a></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Creating the food for our party was so fun! From a dinosaur cake to dino dig jello cups, to dino poop (mmm, yum!), we kept to our dinosaur theme for a delicious table of treats fit for carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/dinosaur-birthday-party-food.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Dinosaur birthday cake" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A_6YeRhxkCg/U6Px3A3ZrYI/AAAAAAAAEm4/FCT-SLYCRv8/s1600/dinosaur+birthday+party+cake.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dinosaur cake</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QHFG57_JRD8/UzM57627P6I/AAAAAAAAEV4/FC-fbWH3QJY/s1600/dino+dig+cups+2.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Dinosaur birthday party food" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QHFG57_JRD8/UzM57627P6I/AAAAAAAAEV4/FC-fbWH3QJY/s1600/dino+dig+cups+2.jpg.jpg" title="" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dino Dig Jello Cups</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dinosaur Games and Activities</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For our little 3 and 4 year old guests, we decided play stations to move freely among would be more appropriate than organized 'games'. Here's what we set up:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/rainbow-dinosaur-sensory-play-dig-hunt.html" target="_blank">Rainbow Dinosaur Dig:</a></span></h2>
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<a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/rainbow-dinosaur-sensory-play-dig-hunt.html" target="_blank"><img alt="dinosaur rainbow sensory dig" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HmO4kS_ZWkQ/UydjujQNwuI/AAAAAAAAERQ/XtXQ_axpx6A/s1600/rainbow+dinosaur+hunt+sensory+play.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/04/cool-dinosaur-small-world-play.html" target="_blank">Cool Dinosaur Small World Play Table:</a></span></h2>
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<a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/04/cool-dinosaur-small-world-play.html" target="_blank"><img alt="cool dinosaur small world play table" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A57RKiQCls0/UzMkAOKe04I/AAAAAAAAEVM/OPgeM8RKSqo/s1600/cool+dinosaur+world.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/egg-decoupage-for-preschoolers.html" target="_blank">Making Decoupaged Dinosaur Eggs:</a></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/egg-decoupage-for-preschoolers.html" target="_blank"><img alt="dinosaur egg decoupage craft" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2THLsgPISkbCUweNMVGpJr3tXvctuvVCt8s-MHbMr5MYIkRSf_S6KUsAi-CodYiLEKqek5SMioEetumHlc3rCZbquuUTaQJkwpwuauYmDCGG-lGkO8sk_X4WHwq-RNyL5mkaNdI2RBZ_/s1600/dinosaur+egg.jpg" height="640" title="" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sweet Pea made the paper maché dinosaur egg above before the party as a decoration. See how we did it, <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/egg-decoupage-for-preschoolers.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/egg-decoupage-for-preschoolers.html" target="_blank"><img alt="dinosaur party craft" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-muTGKkg6eyg/UzBDWUzU9kI/AAAAAAAAEUg/W6xneByZPEE/s1600/decoupaged+wooden+easter+eggs.jpg" title="" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then all the kids decoupaged wooden dinosaur eggs in the same way at the party to take home as favours. (Since our party was held just before Easter, these made cute hanging Easter eggs, too.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dinosaur Colouring Pages</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">I printed some pages for kids to colour at the party. Find a selection of dinosaur colouring pages <a href="https://www.google.hu/search?q=dinosaur+colouring+pages&rlz=1C5CHFA_enHU524HU524&espv=210&es_sm=91&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=yv6jU-6cHKu8ygOl5oD4Bw&ved=0CB8QsAQ&biw=1252&bih=624" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pin the Horn on the Triceratops</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was our one organized game, which they enjoyed (parents stayed at the party, by the way, so they were able to help their kids with this game). We got our game from a friend, but you can get something similar <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026VNZNK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026VNZNK&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=K5LCY77I6YJC6DRJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. [affiliate link]</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0hsr6dXBG0M/U6P527t9EDI/AAAAAAAAEnY/q6rFREhDrco/s1600/dinosaur+game+triceratops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="party game pin the horn on the dinosaur" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0hsr6dXBG0M/U6P527t9EDI/AAAAAAAAEnY/q6rFREhDrco/s1600/dinosaur+game+triceratops.jpg" height="320" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-69Xs41qi4bM/U6P5LYEhkWI/AAAAAAAAEnQ/7KpUSPAYUPM/s1600/dinosaur+pin+the+horn+on+the+dino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dinosaur party game" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-69Xs41qi4bM/U6P5LYEhkWI/AAAAAAAAEnQ/7KpUSPAYUPM/s1600/dinosaur+pin+the+horn+on+the+dino.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dinosaur Birthday Gifts:</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We like to get our kids a gift that fits with their party theme, since their theme is usually representative of their current interests anyway. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/diy-dinosaur-costume.html" target="_blank">Easy DIY Dinosaur Dress-Up Costume</a></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">This time, Sweet Pea had requested a dinosaur costume for her birthday, so here's what I put together for her (you need to know that I am a super beginner seamstress!)</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/diy-dinosaur-costume.html" target="_blank"><img alt="diy dinosaur dress up costume" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Imd5M332j2w/Ux9neVX3yEI/AAAAAAAAEPg/w1U72oKNHFM/s1600/DIY+dino+costume+pinnable2.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other dinosaur-themed gifts she got:</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">[affiliate links]</span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0077QSO44/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0077QSO44&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=CDDT2OUPI5MQOLCR" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0077QSO44&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=mapepo-20" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HSVBCG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000HSVBCG&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=NPGQXKSZPQREZVEG" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000HSVBCG&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=mapepo-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=mapepo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000HSVBCG" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-65713950886303726162014-06-09T16:51:00.000+02:002014-06-20T17:20:11.524+02:00{Magical Tooth Fairy Coins}<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1Pa_JTZLT0/U6RRBPEh5JI/AAAAAAAAEno/Z-1-qOkqP0c/s1600/magical+money-93206_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="magical fairy coins from the tooth fairy" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1Pa_JTZLT0/U6RRBPEh5JI/AAAAAAAAEno/Z-1-qOkqP0c/s1600/magical+money-93206_640.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At our house the tooth fairy brings 'fairy money'. Since my daughters don't really have much concept of the value of coins or any chance to spend them anyway, the tooth fairy leaves little (I mean really tiny) 'fairy' coins. It all stemmed from my daughter's imagination, actually....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Shortly before losing her first tooth, Princess Pea (then five) asked me about the tooth fairy that she'd heard of at school. She reported that someone had told her the tooth fairy brings money, but that she didn't really believe them (I could tell from her voice that she really wasn't sure, though, and was prodding for my opinion!) When I inquired why she didn't believe it, she pointed out that because our money was much too big for tiny fairies, and since different countries have different currencies (she didn't use the word 'currency'), that they must have their own fairy money in Fairyland that's probably really tiny and magical. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">How could I argue with that logic?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, that sent me into a complete panic as I tried to figure out how to get my hands on some magical, tiny fairy money - and fast! - as this tooth was about to fall out imminently! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Luckily, I was able to find some, and so now the tooth fairy brings teensy fairy coins. I save them from our travels and I bought a bagful of them at a market this spring. Some are old out-of-use coins, some are currencies from countries she won't recognize, and some are even transit tokens! (Sshhh, don't tell!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">She believes they're really magical, and she keeps them in a special treasure box beside her bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Has the tooth fairy visited your house? What tooth traditions do you have in your family?</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtRbOR64fng/U5XJGkyABSI/AAAAAAAAEl4/-xYBjhxQa28/s1600/IMG_6241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="child missing front teeth - tooth fairy traditions" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtRbOR64fng/U5XJGkyABSI/AAAAAAAAEl4/-xYBjhxQa28/s1600/IMG_6241.jpg" height="320" title="" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://s755.photobucket.com/albums/xx199/michelehoffman/?action=view&current=Mama.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx199/michelehoffman/Mama.jpg" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-48886423465646708822014-05-18T06:00:00.000+02:002014-11-25T09:38:54.569+01:00{Three to Five Playful Preschool: New Resource for Parents}<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Three to Five: </span><span style="font-size: large;">Playful Preschool</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Creative, Hands-On Learning</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's here! And you're going to LOVE all the brilliant, playful learning activities inside! </span><span style="font-size: large;">The awesome new preschoolers' parent resource I was telling you about,</span><b> <span style="font-size: x-large;">"<a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=1346032&c=cart&aff=219646&ejc=2&cl=206960" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Three to Five: Playful Preschool</i></a>"</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> is ready for you all to download!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImfmLkkIXFKzGdycMsckoCeMXRTbSA4z7F9DMH4q17wSKDZZRMEArG-0gHib0vn78k2S8V_TusGCQJFNA93J-VwxYI-ypwWckT2QXSxvF7m0Qm8t9CHVEp57NqGJIQnh75bihYJeK-ddE/s1600/10346312_788030207887683_6604733623691846317_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImfmLkkIXFKzGdycMsckoCeMXRTbSA4z7F9DMH4q17wSKDZZRMEArG-0gHib0vn78k2S8V_TusGCQJFNA93J-VwxYI-ypwWckT2QXSxvF7m0Qm8t9CHVEp57NqGJIQnh75bihYJeK-ddE/s1600/10346312_788030207887683_6604733623691846317_n.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=1346032&c=cart&aff=219646&ejc=2&cl=206960" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMrSMAgIW58/U3O8f9A2CsI/AAAAAAAAEio/vZ9PQHDgAXE/s1600/10336858_788042897886414_4512174850754575523_n.jpg" height="170" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Why is it so awesome? Well, aside from the fact that Mama Pea Pod is a co-author (ahem!), there are <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/05/come-one-come-all-step-right-up.html" target="_blank">plenty of reasons</a>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"<i>Three to Five: Playful Preschool</i>" is loaded with fun, play-based learning activities to help <b>support your preschooler's development</b> - from early literacy to early math learning to gross and fine motor skills to science and art, this e-book will help you provide learning experiences for your preschooler across a broad <b>range of developmental skill areas</b> through <b>age-appropriate,</b> <b>play-based learning activities</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In addition to <b>more than 25 playful learning activities</b> and links to over <b>50 more activities and resources</b>, the book also comes with <b>10 free printables</b> to complement the activities - all brought to you by some amazing kids' activities bloggers including Nurturestore, Teach Preschool, Happy Hooligans, No Time for Flashcards and many more! And as an ebook, it is available everywhere worldwide for download directly to your computer, e-reader, and/or mobile device, so you always have it handy when you need it!*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And it's a steal! You can <a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=1346032&c=cart&aff=219646&ejc=2&cl=206960" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">get your copy for the regular price of only $8.99</a>! It's waiting for you :-) </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=1346032&c=cart&aff=219646&ejc=2&cl=206960" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Three to Five Playful Preschool ebook resource for parents cover image" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cg3_jtxS6jE/U3PNaGzmruI/AAAAAAAAEjE/G-ldHkdKlzQ/s1600/3-5+playful+preschool+download+here.jpg" height="266" title="Three to Five Playful Preschool resource for parents download here" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Here are some more reasons why you should get your hands on your own copy:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">*It's an amazing resource!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">*Hands-on, play-based learning activities</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">*Inspiring ideas, yet practical for every parent</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">*Handy checklist of developmental skills covered by each activity</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">*Convenience - with everything all in one place, j</span><span style="font-size: large;">ust think</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">how much time you will save</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> by having all that searching already done for you!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">*Gorgeous photographs with step-by-step guides - and all things you can easily do at home!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">*Over 25 ideas for preschoolers, ten printable resources (including a city-scape play scene, My First Journal pages, recipe card, numbers game, weather chart printables, alphabet play mats, unique hand-drawn art pages, conversation cards, block building challenge cards, bookmarks) and additional links to over 50 more activities!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">*A range of activities to meet your preschooler's various developmental needs: hands-on, learning through play, math, language, literacy, science, art, sensory, gross motor and fine motor play and more</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">*At only $8.99 (regular price) you really can't beat that deal!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=1346032&c=cart&aff=219646&ejc=2&cl=206960" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMrSMAgIW58/U3O8f9A2CsI/AAAAAAAAEio/vZ9PQHDgAXE/s1600/10336858_788042897886414_4512174850754575523_n.jpg" height="170" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Think your friends would like a copy? Share this post with them using the share buttons below my signature, below!</span></div>
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* <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 21.46666717529297px;">You can buy it now, on any device, and then download it when you are ready. Depending on the apps you have installed and your operating system, you might be able to go ahead and download the book directly onto your mobile device, but if you have any doubts or problems, I recommend you use a computer to download the book and then share it to your mobile devices.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-77874511140856809022014-05-06T22:59:00.000+02:002014-05-26T14:44:11.534+02:00{Come One, Come All, Step Right Up! Awesome Resource for Preschool Parents!}<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<br /><span style="font-size: large;">Come One, Come All! Step Right Up!</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Awesome Resource for Parents of {Preschoolers}</span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Parenting a preschooler is a ton of fun - and a ton of work! There is so much they need from us at this age of learning and discovery, and it can seem like a big responsibility to ensure they have access to all the right learning opportunities! I find myself constantly asking myself, "Are they getting enough fine motor skills practice?", "When was the last time they engaged in sensory play?", "How can we squeeze in more math learning?", and everything else in between! <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/mamapeapod/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> is great for finding ideas, but I do find that I spend more time pinning than actually doing!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">f you have a preschooler, too, </span></span></span>and this sounds familiar, well, I'm thrilled to announce that I might just have exactly what you (and I!) need!</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/05/three-to-five-playful-preschool-new-resource-parents.html" target="_blank"><img alt="three to five playful preschool ebook hands on play based learning ideas for preschoolers" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rwRA-m-vNoE/U3PMT3NLSlI/AAAAAAAAEi4/TdCe_Qmxd0g/s1600/10346312_788030207887683_6604733623691846317_n.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">This awesome new e-book, "<b><i>Three to Five: Playful Preschool</i></b>" is
packed with fun, play-based learning activities for helping to support your
preschooler's development - all conveniently in one place! <b>Available now</b> for only $8.99, this is an awesome resource for parents of 3-5 year olds
and includes more than <b>25 playful learning resources</b> plus <b>10 free
printables</b> and links to more than <b>50 more activities and resources</b> for parents of preschoolers - all brought to you by some amazing kids' activities bloggers,
including <a href="http://nurturestore.co.uk/" target="_blank">Nurturestore</a>, <a href="http://happyhooligans.ca/" target="_blank">Happy Hooligans</a>, <a href="http://www.teachpreschool.org/" target="_blank">Teach Preschool</a> and more (including Mama Pea Pod!) </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Here's why <a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=1346032&c=cart&aff=219646&ejc=2&cl=206960" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">you don't want to miss out</a>:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">+ It's an amazing resource!<br /> + Hands-on, play-based learning activities<br /> + Inspiring ideas, but really practical and everything all in one place <br /> + Great photos with step-by-step guides, and all things you can easily try at home<br />
+ Over 25 ideas for preschoolers, ten printable resources (including a cityscape
play scene, My First Journal pages, recipe card, numbers game, weather
chart printables, alphabet play mats, unique hand-drawn art pages,
conversation cards, block building challenge cards, bookmarks) and
additional links to over 50 more activities!<br /> + A range of activities to meet your preschooler's various developmental needs: hands-on, learning through play, math, language, literacy, science, art, fine motor and gross motor, and play<br /> + While similar resources on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&tag=mapepo-20&linkId=HGVOH7FKHW6BLS4O" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a> retail for anywhere between $15-$25, ours is <b>only $8.99</b>, so <a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=1346032&c=cart&aff=219646&ejc=2&cl=206960" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">order now</a> so you don't miss out!! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Or <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/05/three-to-five-playful-preschool-new-resource-parents.html" target="_blank">find out more about Three to Five: Playful Preschool here!</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Spring Wreath Flower Fairy Crowns</span></h2>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Quick Craft</span></h4>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MdnQf8JuFnY/U1FEJ8LhA1I/AAAAAAAAEgU/wd9gnipT2mU/s1600/fairy+crowns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cute fairy crowns craft made from paper plates and flowers" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MdnQf8JuFnY/U1FEJ8LhA1I/AAAAAAAAEgU/wd9gnipT2mU/s1600/fairy+crowns.jpg" height="640" title="Cute Flower Fairy Crowns" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We made these sweet flower crowns as our Easter bonnets this year, but they make perfect fairy crowns! You can tie them on with a bit of ribbon to make bonnets, leave as is for fairy flower crowns, or even hang them as spring wreaths.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>You need: </b>[affiliate links provided]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NG9FWQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004NG9FWQ&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">paper plate</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DIW0MA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005DIW0MA&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a synthetic flower lei </a>(one lei will make several crowns)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JKMQOE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000JKMQOE&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">thick markers</a> (or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FY2O7M6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00FY2O7M6&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">paint</a>)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>other decorative items such as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027I824Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0027I824Y&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">stick-on jewels</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002FTJFR8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002FTJFR8&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sequins</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003PB708G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003PB708G&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">butterflies</a>, etc.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00178KLEY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00178KLEY&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">glue</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>To make them into Easter bonnets or wreaths, you'll also need a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MAPHXS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000MAPHXS&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hole-punch (I like this rectangle one for ribbon)</a> and some pretty <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005IWAH7Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005IWAH7Q&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ribbon</a>.</i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">1. Cut out the centre of the plate, leaving just the ring edge (to make it easy to cut out, just bend the plate slightly and it's easy to snip a hole through with scissors).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Use markers to colour the crown all over (or paint, if you prefer, but then it will take longer because you'll have to wait for the paint to dry.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Cut the string of the lei and pull off the individual flowers. Attach them to the crown with glue. Use stick-on jewels or sequins in the centre of each flower to make it fancy. Add any other decorative items you choose.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">4. If you're making Easter bonnets, use the hole punch to make holes on opposite sides of the crown to string the ribbon through. We made two small holes on each side and threaded some pretty yellow ribbon through. The ribbon also makes a hanger to hang it up as a spring wreath if you like!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5h6DpwqZ6ic/U1FKNYB4aAI/AAAAAAAAEgs/c9BE12Bu3wI/s1600/spring+wreath+crowns.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="spring wreaths or crowns made by kids from paper plates and flowers" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5h6DpwqZ6ic/U1FKNYB4aAI/AAAAAAAAEgs/c9BE12Bu3wI/s1600/spring+wreath+crowns.png" height="400" title="spring wreath crowns" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wear with pride, or hang up on the wall or door. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-45862540351471044262014-04-17T06:00:00.000+02:002014-04-20T15:51:54.342+02:00{Made-With-Love Daffodils Spring Craft for Kids}<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Made-With-Love Daffodils</span></h2>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Spring Craft for Kids</span></h4>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CkW0UHkfGk/U0w78MIpZHI/AAAAAAAAEfk/Ljmm3sSzbeI/s1600/Made+With+Love+Daffodils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="painted egg carton daffodils as a beautiful mother's day gift" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CkW0UHkfGk/U0w78MIpZHI/AAAAAAAAEfk/Ljmm3sSzbeI/s1600/Made+With+Love+Daffodils.jpg" title="Made With Love Daffodils 1" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These sweet daffodils made from recyclables are a classic spring craft for kids, and a bouquet of them makes a lovely gift for Mother's Day or for grandparents or teachers. They look beautiful in a makeshift bottle vase! I remember first making them at school when I was very young, and now the tradition is being passed on to the next generation. They are very easy to make; even the youngest children can be involved.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>You need:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">An egg carton</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Paint - yellow; optional: orange, black</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Pipe cleaners - preferably green</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">An empty glass bottle or vase</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>First</b>, cut out each individual 'cup' of the egg carton (you'll probably want to do this part for young children.) Then have them paint each carton cup inside and out with yellow and/or orange paint. Leave to dry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next</b>, if you like, paint a blob of black in the middle. Leave to dry.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>After that</b>, use the pointy end of a pipe cleaner to poke a hole through the centre of the carton cups. Push through about 1/3 of the pipe cleaner and leave the other 2/3 hanging straight down the back as a stem. Curl the 1/3 third inside the centre of the flower, to make a spiral. This will hold the pipe cleaner in place and also looks like the inside of a flower. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Finally</b>, pop them in a glass bottle or vase and put them on the shelf to admire them!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--D_y6GdGE_s/U0w_Gc5S9lI/AAAAAAAAEfw/EidqRTAl4eU/s1600/Made+With+Love+Daffodils+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beautiful bouquet of kid-made flowers made from recycled egg carton" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--D_y6GdGE_s/U0w_Gc5S9lI/AAAAAAAAEfw/EidqRTAl4eU/s1600/Made+With+Love+Daffodils+2.jpg" title="Made With Love Daffodils 2" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-62306791855772683852014-04-13T09:52:00.000+02:002014-09-24T22:38:52.778+02:00{Free Printable Easter Egg Hunt Invitation}<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
Easter Egg Hunt Invitation</span></h2>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Free Printable</span></h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sm3OuqI9lLg/VCMrWQEN-kI/AAAAAAAAE9c/LCydu0PSveU/s1600/easter%2Bbunny%2Band%2Beggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Easter bunny and Easter eggs" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sm3OuqI9lLg/VCMrWQEN-kI/AAAAAAAAE9c/LCydu0PSveU/s1600/easter%2Bbunny%2Band%2Beggs.jpg" title="Free Printable Easter Egg Hunt Party Invitation" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image: Patou / FreeDigitalPhotos.net</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our annual Easter Egg Hunt party is a highlight of the year for my kids. Hidden eggs to find, games, crafts, lots of yummy food, and a special bunny cake - it's a favourite Pea family tradition! This year will be our 5th annual Easter egg hunt party.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm busy in planning mode right now, but I thought some of you might also be planning Easter egg hunts, either for friends or just for your own kids, so I thought I'd share a printable template that I made for our invitation. It's in jpeg format and it should print nicely as a 4x6 inch postcard size.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a great Easter!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You can see some of our past Easter Egg Hunts here:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2012/04/3rd-annual-easter-egg-hunt-party.html" target="_blank">3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt Party</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2011/04/2nd-annual-easter-egg-hunt.html" target="_blank">2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt Party</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">and some of our Easter crafts here:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/egg-decoupage-for-preschoolers.html" target="_blank">Egg Decoupage for Preschoolers</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2013/03/easter-craft-for-kids-fluffy-chicks.html" target="_blank">Easter Craft for Kids: Fluffy Chicks</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2012/04/easter-bonnet-head-bands.html" target="_blank">Easter Bonnets</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2011/04/easter-bunnies-craft.html" target="_blank">Easter Bunnies Craft</a></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-45813699446365351652014-04-08T21:30:00.001+02:002014-05-19T15:47:45.247+02:00{Best Board Games for Preschoolers}<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Best Board Games for Preschoolers</span></h2>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Board games are a great way for young kids to work on many important preschool skills - social skills, math skills, language skills and problem-solving skills can all be developed through a good quality board game! Counting along spaces on the board helps develop <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/one-to-one-correspondence-counting-practice.html" target="_blank">counting and one-to-one correspondence</a>, turn-taking is an important social skill as are winning and losing with grace, and many board games also incorporate strategic problem-solving skills and more. So if you think your child might be ready for board games, here are our top recommendations of the best ones for preschool-aged children to start out with. Let the Family Games Nights commence!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002V3RCE6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002V3RCE6&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Busytown Eye Found It! Game</b></a> is a family favourite - great for developing teamwork, social skills and observation skills as well as <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/one-to-one-correspondence-counting-practice.html" target="_blank">one-to-one correspondence</a>. The object of the game is to get your entire team (all players) to the finish line before the naughty pigs eat the entire picnic. Along the way, you need to search for clues on the board using the mini magnifying glasses before the sand runs out of the timer.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002V3RCE6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002V3RCE6&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="Busytown board game for preschoolers" class="fullScreen" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91oJKEUk8sL._SL1500_.jpg" height="311" style="left: 0px; position: relative; top: 0px;" title="Best Board Games for Preschoolers - Busytown" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035LDF80/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0035LDF80&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>If You See A Crocodile</b></a>... - this was Princess Pea's first board game when she was 2 1/2 and she just loved it! Teaches colours, counting, and <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/one-to-one-correspondence-counting-practice.html" target="_blank">one-to-one correspondence</a>. The object of the game is to get to the finish first. Along the way you need to hop along coloured spots and watch out for crocodiles. Even more fun if you sing along to the tune of 'Row row row your boat'.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035LDF80/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0035LDF80&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="If You See a Crocodile game for preschoolers" class="a-dynamic-image a-stretch-horizontal" data-a-dynamic-image="{"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61hu2gXeSiL.jpg":[500,378],"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61hu2gXeSiL._SX450_.jpg":[450,340],"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61hu2gXeSiL._SX355_.jpg":[355,268],"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61hu2gXeSiL._SX466_.jpg":[466,352],"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61hu2gXeSiL._SX425_.jpg":[425,321]}" data-old-hires="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61hu2gXeSiL.jpg" height="302" id="landingImage" style="max-height: 391px; max-width: 391px;" title="Best Board Game for Preschoolers - If You See A Crocodile" width="400" /></a>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001SHUV3U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001SHUV3U&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fancy Nancy Positively Perfect Parfait Game</a> </b>- develops problem-solving skills and social skills. And, of course, what kid doesn't get excited at the prospect of building the ice cream sundae of their dreams?! The object of the game is to build an ice cream sundae consisting of at least 3 different flavours with a cherry on top - but be careful someone doesn't switch your scoops!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001SHUV3U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001SHUV3U&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Fancy Nancy Positively Perfect Parfait Game for preschoolers" class="fullScreen" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/911Uc6AGvwL._SL1500_.jpg" height="331" style="margin-left: 163.5px; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;" title="Best board games for preschoolers - Fancy Nancy Positively Perfect Parfait Game" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A42CMA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000A42CMA&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>The Game of Ladybirds</b></a> - great for practicing counting and adding on, important early math skills, as well as familiarity with dice, which is useful for quick number recognition. The object of the game is to collect as many ladybugs as possible, keeping count of how many you have.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A42CMA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000A42CMA&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="The Game of Ladybirds for Preschoolers" class="a-dynamic-image a-stretch-horizontal" data-a-dynamic-image="{"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51vg34r1osL._SX450_.jpg":[450,332],"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51vg34r1osL._SX466_.jpg":[466,344],"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51vg34r1osL._SX425_.jpg":[425,314],"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51vg34r1osL.jpg":[500,369],"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51vg34r1osL._SX355_.jpg":[355,262]}" data-old-hires="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51vg34r1osL.jpg" height="295" id="landingImage" style="max-height: 391px; max-width: 391px;" title="Best board games for preschoolers - The Game of Ladybirds" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Busytown <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004S2M414/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004S2M414&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Busy, Busy Airport Game</b></a> - this one is perfect for those active little ones that aren't quite ready to sit down for a board game yet, as it involves moving around the room to deliver passengers to their destinations. Super for practicing strategic thinking and problem solving. The object of the game is to deliver all the passengers to their destinations and collect souvenirs from all the places.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004S2M414/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004S2M414&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Busytown Airport game for preschoolers" class="fullScreen" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/917YME6x2uL._SL1500_.jpg" height="310" style="margin-left: 144.5px; margin-top: 10px;" title="Best board games for preschoolers - Busytown Airport" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Any kind of Snakes and Ladders type game - games where there are unexpected 'gains' and 'losses' that can't be helped are good for developing social skills and good graces. We have the My Little Pony version, but for some reason that is now very expensive on Amazon, so try this popular <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000DMF6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00000DMF6&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Chutes and Ladders</b></a> version instead. The object of the game is to reach the finish first, but beware of setbacks. If you're lucky, you might even find some shortcuts.</span></div>
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<img alt="Chutes and ladders game for preschoolers" class="a-dynamic-image a-stretch-vertical" data-a-dynamic-image="{"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XTMJMB4CL._SX466_.jpg":[466,466],"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XTMJMB4CL._SY450_.jpg":[450,450],"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XTMJMB4CL._SX425_.jpg":[425,425],"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XTMJMB4CL.jpg":[500,500],"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XTMJMB4CL._SY355_.jpg":[355,355]}" data-old-hires="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XTMJMB4CL._SX425_.jpg" height="400" id="landingImage" style="max-height: 391px; max-width: 391px;" title="Best board games for preschoolers - Chutes and Ladders" width="400" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">What are your family's board game recommendations? We'd love to hear them!</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-70366208844073170162014-04-02T21:30:00.000+02:002014-05-18T10:52:33.467+02:00{Cool Dinosaur Small World Play}<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cool Dinosaur Small World Play</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">with Play Dough and Nature Items</span></h4>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A57RKiQCls0/UzMkAOKe04I/AAAAAAAAEVI/IbH2ay0CDVQ/s1600/cool+dinosaur+world.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="fun dinosaur play small world with playdough" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A57RKiQCls0/UzMkAOKe04I/AAAAAAAAEVI/IbH2ay0CDVQ/s1600/cool+dinosaur+world.jpg" title="Cool dinosaur world" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This dinosaur small world play scene was a big hit at Sweet Pea's dinosaur birthday party! The kids had so much fun playing with it, and it was really easy to set up in about 10-15 minutes with just a little preparation ahead of time. All I used was some <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2011/03/makin-playdough.html" target="_blank">no-cook homemade play dough</a> and nature items collected from the garden!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDFZTkln4nM/UzMlob0z4GI/AAAAAAAAEVY/B6MA_Fg4WPA/s1600/dinosaur+small+world+play+with+play+dough.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dinosaur small world imaginary play from homemade play dough" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDFZTkln4nM/UzMlob0z4GI/AAAAAAAAEVY/B6MA_Fg4WPA/s1600/dinosaur+small+world+play+with+play+dough.jpg.jpg" title="Dinosaur small world play with play dough" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few days before her party, I made several batches of <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2011/03/makin-playdough.html" target="_blank">no-cook homemade play dough</a> in 'earthy' colours - shades of blue, brown, grey and green. To make the brown I first tried mixing red and green food colouring, but it made more of a greyish colour (which I used as 'rock' in our dinosaur world.) Then I found it worked much better to make brown if I just added some cocoa powder instead - and it smelled divine, too! In total, to fill our whole <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D7WLXGI/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00D7WLXGI&link_code=as3&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sensory play table</a> [affiliate link], I made 5 batches of this <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2011/03/makin-playdough.html" target="_blank">no-cook homemade play dough recipe</a>. I stored it in resealable plastic bags to keep it soft and fresh.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4u4t4R1nVec/UzMnBp8V6BI/AAAAAAAAEVk/XiPxAlN4SlU/s1600/dinosaur+small+world+with+playdough+and+nature+items.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="fun dinosaur world play from play dough and nature items from the garden" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4u4t4R1nVec/UzMnBp8V6BI/AAAAAAAAEVk/XiPxAlN4SlU/s1600/dinosaur+small+world+with+playdough+and+nature+items.jpg.jpg" title="dinosaur world play" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I flattened the play dough down in sections to make different landforms - blue for a lake, grey/beige for sand/rocks, brown for mud/earth, and green for grass/forest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I went out to the garden and collected some bits and pieces of nature - clippings from some bushes, bits of grass, twigs, rocks, wood chips, and some flowers. I brought them in and placed them around the dinosaur world - bush/tree clippings, grasses and flowers in the grass/forest area, wood chips and twigs around the brown parts, and rocks to section off areas.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ye-6iQfEkvk/UzMk-P96miI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/nkcwemLFy4o/s1600/rose+petal+volcano+dinosaur+small+world+play.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dinosaur and volcano made from homemade play dough and flower petals" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ye-6iQfEkvk/UzMk-P96miI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/nkcwemLFy4o/s1600/rose+petal+volcano+dinosaur+small+world+play.jpg.jpg" title="dinosaur play world" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I used some brown play dough to form a volcano shape and rose buds and petals to make the red lava. Then I hid our <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0077QSO44/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0077QSO44&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Playmobil dinosaur set</a> and all the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0033RVDVC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0033RVDVC&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">dinosaur toys</a> [affiliate links] I could find in amongst it all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Doesn't it look fun?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you have a little dinosaur lover, too, you might also like our <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/egg-decoupage-for-preschoolers.html" target="_blank">Decorated Dinosaur Eggs</a> and our <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/rainbow-dinosaur-sensory-play-dig-hunt.html" target="_blank">Rainbow Dinosaur Dig</a>!</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-41353175106026002612014-03-27T06:00:00.000+01:002014-04-20T16:04:19.607+02:00{Dinosaur Birthday Party Food}<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dinosaur Party Food</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For Herbivores, Carnivores, and Sweetivores</span></h4>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3FThhnWCME/UzM-22TA6JI/AAAAAAAAEWo/9jUmUyyPRII/s1600/Dinosaur+Birthday+Cake.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="green dinosaur shaped birthday cake with colourful confetti sprinkles" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3FThhnWCME/UzM-22TA6JI/AAAAAAAAEWo/9jUmUyyPRII/s1600/Dinosaur+Birthday+Cake.jpg.jpg" title="Dinosaur Birthday Cake" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sweet Pea loved her dinosaur birthday party for her 4th birthday! And I had lots of fun creating crazy dinosaur-themed food for the party menu!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the cake (yes, it did take me all day! and no, I'm not good at cakes at all!) I pretty much followed the directions in <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/218283913163559229/" target="_blank">this pin</a> but added spikes from small triangles of cake that I attached with frosting blobs. I didn't bother printing the template and just did it freehand instead, which may have been a mistake but oh well! To decorate it, I used colourful <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MBTGGU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001MBTGGU&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">confetti sprinkles</a>, a spot of frosting and a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B0H1GAU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00B0H1GAU&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">candy dragée</a> for the eye, a line of frosting and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A36S594/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00A36S594&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">mini chocolate chips</a> for the mouth, and brown mini M&Ms for the toes </span><span style="font-size: large;">[affiliate links].</span><span style="font-size: large;"> This was my first time making a shaped cake and I have to say that cutting the cake to make the dinosaur shape was pretty easy. It was frosting it that was hard for me, but I always seem to have trouble with frosting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some of the other treats we had include:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0rM_72u9xn3pstcE-xaBLv_nGeHisQ8Cg44LD5RzekjgXjbNrSmndGuw-RuTcNX-bqKw-QSikvTiDtRDVOub8dAf2kPV1TAkjuzVL-wIa-Ht3VXjdfSyXi8xmWSFNWdOtLXTMC4QVE9A/s1600/dino+dig+cups+2.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Dinosaur Dig Jello Cups" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0rM_72u9xn3pstcE-xaBLv_nGeHisQ8Cg44LD5RzekjgXjbNrSmndGuw-RuTcNX-bqKw-QSikvTiDtRDVOub8dAf2kPV1TAkjuzVL-wIa-Ht3VXjdfSyXi8xmWSFNWdOtLXTMC4QVE9A/s1600/dino+dig+cups+2.jpg.jpg" title="Dinosaur Party Food Dino Dig Cups" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dino Dig Cups</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Layered jello cups with crumbled chocolate Oreo cookies on top, topped off with a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008M2DYOC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008M2DYOC&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">gummy dinosaur candy</a> and some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0091UEK06/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0091UEK06&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">watermelon jelly beans</a> as dinosaur eggs [affiliate links].</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SssA1sBBiN8/UzM8jkxTSGI/AAAAAAAAEWM/zkZ1i0yLE1s/s1600/Dinosaur+Party+Food+Dino+Poop.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Dinosaur poop chocolate covered marshmallows party food" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SssA1sBBiN8/UzM8jkxTSGI/AAAAAAAAEWM/zkZ1i0yLE1s/s1600/Dinosaur+Party+Food+Dino+Poop.jpg.jpg" title="Dinosaur Party Food Dino Poop" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dino Poop</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gross, but let's face it - four year olds love gross! And they love marshmallows! So these <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2013/06/princess-pops.html" target="_blank">chocolate covered marshmallow treats</a> were Sweet Pea's special birthday party food request. And I'm sure real dinosaur poop wasn't nearly this pretty!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV85D-7i0fb6g4IZei7LfV0Gn-nufmH8RmiLd8r8C66jAHSVZ4CPMt7_N8x5Hd3lA8P6495R2lsINx5lIFkEVDYZah47Djip3CuRjynB92G_UBDzT6VJKZ4mo3hP3KDdzvi8iHAApgsDV/s1600/Dinosaur+Party+Food+Herbivore+Platter.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Vegetable sticks dinosaur party food" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV85D-7i0fb6g4IZei7LfV0Gn-nufmH8RmiLd8r8C66jAHSVZ4CPMt7_N8x5Hd3lA8P6495R2lsINx5lIFkEVDYZah47Djip3CuRjynB92G_UBDzT6VJKZ4mo3hP3KDdzvi8iHAApgsDV/s1600/Dinosaur+Party+Food+Herbivore+Platter.jpg.jpg" title="Dinosaur Party Food Herbivore Platter" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gotta get some veggies in them, right?</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RlOu2jHRv7c/UzM70HJ00GI/AAAAAAAAEWE/LPJim35QiHY/s1600/Dinosaur+Party+Food+Dino+Cheese.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="dinosaur shaped cheese party food" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RlOu2jHRv7c/UzM70HJ00GI/AAAAAAAAEWE/LPJim35QiHY/s1600/Dinosaur+Party+Food+Dino+Cheese.jpg.jpg" title="Dinosaur Party Food Dino Cheese" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dinosaur Cheese Plate</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My original plan was to make dinosaur-shaped sandwiches with this adorable dinosaur sandwich cutter I got specially for the party (similar but not quite the same as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00167X2Y2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00167X2Y2&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this one</a> [affiliate link]). But as it turned out, our bread is smaller than the cutter, so I had to scrap that plan at the last minute and make normal sandwiches and dinosaur shaped cheese slices instead!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UJWRNGyGW0lJS_ErsDIAIRN9R7wn_CqSP-6eyYMAfoHeH5bRgu8HuQBDHZuRuzaYbq8hImloeO-255eGOb0gTAZ9FGfO41GlPEM6u6a0x4LrEvrUrFx4B4nud9hJqlwdUe3Mxt0DfGEx/s1600/dinosaur+party+food+carnivore+rolls.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dinosaur party carnivore sausage rolls" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UJWRNGyGW0lJS_ErsDIAIRN9R7wn_CqSP-6eyYMAfoHeH5bRgu8HuQBDHZuRuzaYbq8hImloeO-255eGOb0gTAZ9FGfO41GlPEM6u6a0x4LrEvrUrFx4B4nud9hJqlwdUe3Mxt0DfGEx/s1600/dinosaur+party+food+carnivore+rolls.jpg.jpg" title="Dinosaur Party Food Carnivore Rolls" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our little carnivore loves sausage rolls, so we have to find a way to fit them in to any party theme! So carnivore rolls it is!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9IKKYWJuRg7BFAqmBlVfkX_YXtZxZVvd4e_K2WQSDvTykLOaLrAzkr7AobvrRzIYK643975f9MvTbB57k3FCUT7hrYKFahl3_-Cvv5U6N1AgWoiBbzFN2Cvsf3XWM0nWH_9v3rmUaNpp/s1600/Dinosaur+Party+Food+Dinosaur+Nests.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Dinosaur party food marshmallow eggs in silicone cupcake nests" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9IKKYWJuRg7BFAqmBlVfkX_YXtZxZVvd4e_K2WQSDvTykLOaLrAzkr7AobvrRzIYK643975f9MvTbB57k3FCUT7hrYKFahl3_-Cvv5U6N1AgWoiBbzFN2Cvsf3XWM0nWH_9v3rmUaNpp/s1600/Dinosaur+Party+Food+Dinosaur+Nests.jpg.jpg" title="Dinosaur Party Food Dino Nests" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dinosaur Nests</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A handful of coloured marshmallows (I did mention that Sweet Pea's special request was to have lots of marshmallows at her party!) in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EIA53PK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00EIA53PK&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">mini silicone cupcake holders</a> [affiliate link] made easy-peasy nests full of dinosaur eggs.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlTQub4fYBo/UzNAToDbwKI/AAAAAAAAEW0/7jCYHsmP43A/s1600/Happy+4th+Dinosaur+Birthday+Party.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Four year old girl blowing out candles on her dinosaur birthday cake" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlTQub4fYBo/UzNAToDbwKI/AAAAAAAAEW0/7jCYHsmP43A/s1600/Happy+4th+Dinosaur+Birthday+Party.jpg.jpg" title="Happy 4th Dinosaur Birthday Party" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you have a dinosaur lover, too, you might also like these posts:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/egg-decoupage-for-preschoolers.html" target="_blank">Decorating Dinosaur Eggs</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/rainbow-dinosaur-sensory-play-dig-hunt.html" target="_blank">Rainbow Dinosaur Dig</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/diy-dinosaur-costume.html" target="_blank">DIY Dinosaur Costume</a></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-32428562442832261592014-03-26T22:51:00.003+01:002014-05-25T21:33:57.269+02:00{Salt and Watercolor Painting Dinosaur Party Invitations}<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Salt and Watercolour Painting:</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dinosaur Party Invitations From Kids' Art</span></h4>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-upk67R7msJQ/UydBGh49ySI/AAAAAAAAEQU/hJkkRRmLe7g/s1600/dinosaur+art+party+invitations+triceratops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dinosaur birthday party invitations made from kids salt and watercolour art work" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-upk67R7msJQ/UydBGh49ySI/AAAAAAAAEQU/hJkkRRmLe7g/s1600/dinosaur+art+party+invitations+triceratops.jpg" title="Dinosaur Party Art Invitations " /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kids loved the process of this salt and watercolour painting, which we then turned into dinosaur party invitations for Sweet Pea's dinosaur birthday party. Easy, colourful, and pretty!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q14w6jSjbWg/UydBHe60k8I/AAAAAAAAEQ4/UzPXgoLkKVI/s1600/salt+and+watercolor+painting+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="child making salt and watercolour paintings" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q14w6jSjbWg/UydBHe60k8I/AAAAAAAAEQ4/UzPXgoLkKVI/s1600/salt+and+watercolor+painting+2.jpg" title="salt and watercolour painting" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First the girls did a watercolour wash over pieces of white paper in various colours.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNOQDN9zmx4Gt3kKfakehmvWWi8eENLOcLCApbjb6H7icNQOjNWrVxE_8aTUEu9l3YubkAEL1cZvdMX5fdByreFO0s-kaOE3hD9Jrn26oYKKe1Dm2rbAAycOheYQ9HoiUMUVGkElGgEps/s1600/salt+and+watercolour+painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="salt and watercolour painting" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNOQDN9zmx4Gt3kKfakehmvWWi8eENLOcLCApbjb6H7icNQOjNWrVxE_8aTUEu9l3YubkAEL1cZvdMX5fdByreFO0s-kaOE3hD9Jrn26oYKKe1Dm2rbAAycOheYQ9HoiUMUVGkElGgEps/s1600/salt+and+watercolour+painting.jpg" title="salt and watercolours art" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then while the paint was still wet, they sprinkled some salt onto the paper. It makes an interesting textured appearance in the paint. Sweet Pea got a bit carried away with the salt and we ended up having to brush off lots of excess salt afterwards! </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M0vSXq1BR4U/UydBHYmCykI/AAAAAAAAEQc/mZv41GZwxbQ/s1600/dinosaur+party+invitations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="dinosaur birthday party invitations made from salt and watercolour artwork" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M0vSXq1BR4U/UydBHYmCykI/AAAAAAAAEQc/mZv41GZwxbQ/s1600/dinosaur+party+invitations.jpg" title="salt and watercolour artwork dinosaur party invitations" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once the papers dried, I cut them out into dinosaur shapes. I started by making templates first on cardboard, which I'll try to make into a printable for you and add it later. Then we glued the dinosaur shapes onto coloured card stock - beautiful, colourful invitations made from the kids' artwork!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gi8y2-CDwJU/UydBGggdMXI/AAAAAAAAEQY/6m7TSkzx-ZY/s1600/dinosaur+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stegasaurus art from salt and watercolours" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gi8y2-CDwJU/UydBGggdMXI/AAAAAAAAEQY/6m7TSkzx-ZY/s1600/dinosaur+art.jpg" title="Salty Stegasaurus" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you have a dinosaur lover at your house, you might like these posts:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/egg-decoupage-for-preschoolers.html" target="_blank">Decorating Dinosaur Eggs</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/rainbow-dinosaur-sensory-play-dig-hunt.html" target="_blank">Rainbow Dinosaur Sensory Play</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2014/03/diy-dinosaur-costume.html" target="_blank">DIY Dinosaur Dress-Up Costume</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And I'll be posting more soon from our Dinosaur Party so check back again, or <a href="http://mamapeapod.us3.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=477904b028ca342f6303f2441&id=f20aa13984" target="_blank">subscribe by email</a> and get the posts directly to your inbox.</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-50128046371708032092014-03-25T15:39:00.000+01:002014-05-18T10:56:39.692+02:00{Egg Decoupage for Preschoolers}<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Egg Découpage for Preschoolers</span></h2>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(For Easter or Dinosaurs)</span></h4>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh3F0H2gNnI/UzA98k3w1oI/AAAAAAAAEUI/-UXl-pZ_PPg/s1600/egg+decoupage+for+preschoolers+easter+dinosaur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh3F0H2gNnI/UzA98k3w1oI/AAAAAAAAEUI/-UXl-pZ_PPg/s1600/egg+decoupage+for+preschoolers+easter+dinosaur.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This easy way to decorate eggs (great for Easter or for dinosaur play) is fun to do and results in beautiful découpaged eggs! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">We used a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MAQ5US/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004MAQ5US&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">paper maché egg</a> [affiliate link] for the large egg, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00505QQ94/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00505QQ94&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wooden eggs</a> [affiliate link] for the smaller eggs. I got all of these eggs at our local craft store. We used the big one as a decoration for Sweet Pea's Dinosaur Birthday Party, and the little ones were a decorate-your-own-egg play station at the party to make eggs to take home. The wooden eggs we got came with holes drilled through lengthwise, so we threaded through some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00627IS5Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00627IS5Y&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">plastic craft string</a> [affiliate link] to hang them. (The dinosaur egg theme was perfect for her spring birthday party because now they all have decorated eggs to hang up for Easter!)</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZcqG4XB34w/UzA7Dc057yI/AAAAAAAAET0/Xt_-cM9ILbM/s1600/egg+painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZcqG4XB34w/UzA7Dc057yI/AAAAAAAAET0/Xt_-cM9ILbM/s1600/egg+painting.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the large egg, we first painted it with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003LVYN80/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003LVYN80&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">washable paint</a> [affiliate link] and let it dry. For the wooden eggs we skipped this step.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LqoCgwCdVbo/UzA795z_2II/AAAAAAAAET8/m_DoD7xPS_g/s1600/egg+decoupage+for+preschoolers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LqoCgwCdVbo/UzA795z_2II/AAAAAAAAET8/m_DoD7xPS_g/s1600/egg+decoupage+for+preschoolers.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once it was dry, we mixed up a solution of 1 part glue to one part water. We usually use <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001SH7UVQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001SH7UVQ&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">white school glue</a> [affiliate link] for this mixture but this time we used clear liquid glue and it worked just as well.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-muTGKkg6eyg/UzBDWUzU9kI/AAAAAAAAEUc/ZMzxe_H3cNo/s1600/decoupaged+wooden+easter+eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-muTGKkg6eyg/UzBDWUzU9kI/AAAAAAAAEUc/ZMzxe_H3cNo/s1600/decoupaged+wooden+easter+eggs.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We cut up squares of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ANRANIE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00ANRANIE&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">tissue paper</a> [affiliate link] in bright colours and glued them on by painting a glue 'wash' onto the egg then sticking on the tissue squares, overlapping here and there. (I recommend painting the glue wash on a small area at a time as the glue dries quickly.)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8jBI0iIQmic/UzA-u2IFnyI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/tjGfJV_ruMY/s1600/dinosaur+egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8jBI0iIQmic/UzA-u2IFnyI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/tjGfJV_ruMY/s1600/dinosaur+egg.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, we painted over the entire egg with the glue wash to make a shiny finish. We just adore the results!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For a similar technique with real eggs, see how lovely <a href="http://www.redtedart.com/2013/02/25/egg-decorating-ideas-preschooler-eric-carle-eggs/" target="_blank">these blown eggs turned out over at Red Ted Art</a>!</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-56081021092022511702014-03-24T09:02:00.000+01:002014-05-18T10:56:24.151+02:00{Hands On One to One Correspondence Counting Practice}<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One to One Correspondence</span></h2>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Playful Hands-On Counting Practice</span></h4>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qrLzjXM8-xo/Uy_gjf9J0ZI/AAAAAAAAESo/ncE1ysvJ4_g/s1600/one+to+one+correspondence+counting+play+with+text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="one-to-one correspondence counting play practice" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qrLzjXM8-xo/Uy_gjf9J0ZI/AAAAAAAAESo/ncE1ysvJ4_g/s1600/one+to+one+correspondence+counting+play+with+text.jpg" title="one-to-one correspondence counting play" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One to one correspondence is an important skill in early math and early literacy development. It refers to the ability to understand that each item represents one thing and to maintain the one-to-one match while counting objects or while reading words on a page. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In math it is the ability for kids to count along objects without skipping any - to count one more for each object. Many kids can rote count numbers, but counting objects without skipping any is more difficult. In reading it is the ability to follow along with each word on the page, understanding that each visual word they see corresponds to an individual word with its own meaning and to maintain that one-to-one match while reading.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For some fun, hands-on practice with one-to-one correspondence, try this simple count and stick activity. You'll need:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>* foam sheets or pieces of paper </b>(I used foam for a more sensory tactile experience)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>* glue</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>* various small objects that you have pre-counted </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>* bowls</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I set out a bowl for each different type of object, but you could challenge your child more with one bowl containing all the items to 'find' first. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Label each foam sheet with a number from 1-10.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Your child needs to count out the number of objects that match the number on the sheet (if they can't read numbers yet, you can tell them the number) and glue them on.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We used small items that we had around the house. Try these suggestions:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*foam shapes</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*craft sticks</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*cotton balls</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*feathers</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*shells</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*squares of tissue paper</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*dried beans</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*dried pasta</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*stickers</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*leaves or flowers from the garden</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*twigs</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*pine cones</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*acorns</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*pompoms</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RN36WTYujfY/Uy_dpKv5bwI/AAAAAAAAESc/e9ekaK4Hgt4/s1600/one+to+one+correspondence+counting.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="child counting objects for one-to-one correspondence practice for math and reading" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RN36WTYujfY/Uy_dpKv5bwI/AAAAAAAAESc/e9ekaK4Hgt4/s1600/one+to+one+correspondence+counting.jpg.jpg" title="counting objects one-to-one correspondence" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other ways to practice one-to-one correspondence:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*<a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2011/08/some-simple-preschool-math-play-ideas.html" target="_blank">Egg carton math</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*Playing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=board%20games%20for%203%20year%20olds&linkCode=ur2&sprefix=board%20games%2Ctoys-and-games%2C225&tag=mapepo-20&url=search-alias%3Dtoys-and-games" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">board games</a> </b>(counting along the spaces) [affiliate link]</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*Counting out spoonfuls as serving dinner or playing tea parties</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">More playful math learning:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*<a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2012/10/playing-with-symmetry-preschool-math.html" target="_blank">Playing With Symmetry</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*<a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2011/08/some-simple-preschool-math-play-ideas.html" target="_blank">Simple Preschool Math Play</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*<a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2011/07/pool-noodles.html" target="_blank">Pool Noodle Patterning</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>*<a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2012/08/number-recognition-car-game.html" target="_blank">Number Recognition Travel Game</a></b></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-6846101775579709442014-03-17T22:55:00.004+01:002014-03-30T11:39:41.703+02:00{Rainbow Dinosaur Hunt Sensory Play}<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Rainbow Dinosaur Dig</span></h2>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sensory Play</span></h4>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HmO4kS_ZWkQ/UydjujQNwuI/AAAAAAAAERM/Q3ssdcY2RWs/s1600/rainbow+dinosaur+hunt+sensory+play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sensory play with rainbow coloured rice and dinosaurs - dig and hunt" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HmO4kS_ZWkQ/UydjujQNwuI/AAAAAAAAERM/Q3ssdcY2RWs/s1600/rainbow+dinosaur+hunt+sensory+play.jpg" title="Rainbow dinosaur hunt sensory play" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For Sweet Pea's 4th birthday we had a dinosaur themed party. I wanted to keep it easy and not too organized for the kids (all three and four years old), so I tried to have a balance between party games and less structured 'station' type activities. This rainbow dinosaur dig sensory bin was a huge hit! Digging, scooping, pouring, rummaging, squeezing, sifting - the sensory table was the centre of the party action!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To make it, I simply poured in lots of <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2013/02/rainbow-sensory-play.html" target="_blank">rainbow dyed* barley</a>, rice, tiny star-shaped pasta and lentils, buried some little dinosaur figurines (some regular hard ones and some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QI36LI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003QI36LI&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">squishy gummy-style ones</a> [affiliate link], too, for extra sensory stimulation), and tossed in whatever else I could find on hand - some feathers, pipe cleaners, large wooden beads, some wicker balls, and some fake petals. I added a couple of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ZQZDME/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005ZQZDME&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wooden scoops like these</a> [affiliate link] and that was it.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLb2AeCx9ro/UydqekBb16I/AAAAAAAAERc/95rfuSqyqwo/s1600/sensory+rainbow+dinosaur+dig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="rainbow rice, dinosaurs and scoops for sensory play" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLb2AeCx9ro/UydqekBb16I/AAAAAAAAERc/95rfuSqyqwo/s1600/sensory+rainbow+dinosaur+dig.jpg" title="rainbow dinosaur dig party play station" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Colourful, playful, sensory play - a preschool party hit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*To dye the grains, simply put some in a resealable plastic bag, squirt in some food colouring and hand sanitizer and shake like mad. Then lay out in as thin a layer as possible to dry.</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-84155320056119101112014-03-11T20:46:00.000+01:002014-03-30T11:40:07.598+02:00{DIY Dinosaur Costume}<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Easy DIY Dinosaur Costume</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(From Old Pyjamas)</span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ESdePBR9EcqkdApJZ17K7SHZ7NuYlOsNx68LlA-Ylvph_4u6RyQHSl4pV-YesjAgA_97t5SuRyGpff6pbFWHt-dHyKBzpo4nOGM-F3OlDZeQ8pJv81dIHRmDbYFhk4vs2B9KGvuAjmmi/s1600/DIY+dino+costume+pinnable2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="child wearing a DIY homemade dinosaur costume for dress up play" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ESdePBR9EcqkdApJZ17K7SHZ7NuYlOsNx68LlA-Ylvph_4u6RyQHSl4pV-YesjAgA_97t5SuRyGpff6pbFWHt-dHyKBzpo4nOGM-F3OlDZeQ8pJv81dIHRmDbYFhk4vs2B9KGvuAjmmi/s1600/DIY+dino+costume+pinnable2.jpg" title="DIY Dino Costume" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you have a dinosaur lover at your house? Sweet Pea is into dinosaurs these days. She turned four yesterday and we are busy preparing for a dinosaur-themed birthday party! Her birthday request was for me to make her a dinosaur costume for dress-up play. As a beginner sewer, this sewing project seemed daunting at first! I turned to Pinterest and saw <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/218283913163719978/" target="_blank">this</a> and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/218283913163719979/" target="_blank">this</a> example, got some advice from a friend, looked through my box of fabric bits to see what I had on hand, and then set out to see what I could come up with on my own. What I discovered is a way to make a DIY dinosaur costume that is actually quite easy, even for beginners, and I just love the final product!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First I took a pair of Sweet Pea's favourite old pyjamas that were too small (as it happens, they had a dinosaur printed on the top, which is why they were her favourites.) </span><span style="font-size: large;">I used just one leg of the pyjamas to make the tail. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Then I found some shimmery green fabric from an old costume that didn't fit. I used that fabric to make the spikes, but you could use the other PJ leg if you wanted to.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>To make the spikes:</i> To cut out the fabric for the spikes, first I cut a triangle out of cardboard (I used an old cereal box from the recycling bin). I traced around it on a double layer of the green fabric to get my first spike. Then I trimmed about half a centimetre off each side of the cardboard triangle and used that to make the second spike slightly smaller than the first, and so on so that each spike was slightly smaller than the last (see photo below.) I sewed the spikes (right sides in if there's a right side to your fabric) along two sides and left the third side open. Then I popped them right side out and poked the corners straight with a blunt pencil.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Mob8VbvrK8/Ux9mG3samCI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/YJEFs0vbphY/s1600/IMG_6616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Mob8VbvrK8/Ux9mG3samCI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/YJEFs0vbphY/s1600/IMG_6616.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>To make the tail:</i> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I cut the pyjamas up the middle seam, separating the two legs, and continued down the seam to the bottom of one leg. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Although the leg fabric was more or less triangular when laid flat, I trimmed it to make it come to a narrower point at the bottom by simply folding it back into its original 'leg' shape and then trimming freehand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I laid the open edge of the spikes along the cut edge of the PJ leg - on the right side of the fabric and with the spikes protruding inwards, not upwards in the spiky fashion they end up in. The spikes were in order from the smallest at the end of the tail to the largest at the top. (Be sure that the spike's edge sticks out further than the edge of the PJs.) Then I folded over the PJ fabric so that the two edges were on top of one another, with the spikes inside, and sewed along the whole length together. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fe2Vu49P2ko/Ux9mHlbap2I/AAAAAAAAEPM/g1fP49bZVyc/s1600/IMG_6618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fe2Vu49P2ko/Ux9mHlbap2I/AAAAAAAAEPM/g1fP49bZVyc/s1600/IMG_6618.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I turned the tail right side out and stuffed it loosely with a bit of batting. Finally I just sewed straight across the top to close it up, but I sewed it so that the top lies flat across her back, not flat along the centre seam of the tail, if that makes sense. This way when she wants to wear it, I can just pin it to the top of her pants and it will fall flat and be more comfortable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>To make the top:</i> I was going to use the dinosaur pyjama top, but since it was already too small I thought she'd get more use out of her dinosaur costume if I used a larger top, so instead I used an old t-shirt of her sister's. I cut it open up the centre of the back, and followed the same procedure with the spikes as I had for the tail - laying the spikes in size order on the right side of the t-shirt with the spikes poking downwards, then folding the other edge of the t-shirt fabric on top and sewing along the entire length. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, I turned it inside out and was relieved to see that I had a super cute dinosaur costume for my little dino lover!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5NSm7m_B5s/Uxydobvxj9I/AAAAAAAAEOk/zrMpRL2Lhjw/s1600/diy+dinosaur+costume+pinnable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homemade DIY dinosaur costume made from kids old clothes" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c5NSm7m_B5s/Uxydobvxj9I/AAAAAAAAEOk/zrMpRL2Lhjw/s1600/diy+dinosaur+costume+pinnable.jpg" title="DIY Dinosaur Costume" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a dinosaur lover in your household, too? Here are some great ideas for dinosaur-themed birthday gifts and party themes - and a sneak peak at what we're doing for Sweet Pea's birthday! [affiliate links]</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-86638798689638130922014-03-06T21:38:00.000+01:002014-05-24T22:24:21.653+02:00{Simple Canada Flag Nature Craft - Maple Rubbing}<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Canada Flag Nature Craft for Kids:</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Maple Tree Rubbing</span></h4>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ojEp7OhJco/UxjaOq4V1II/AAAAAAAAEOI/hkF4FxNF2So/s1600/maple+rubbing+canada+flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="maple tree rubbing canada flag craft for kids" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ojEp7OhJco/UxjaOq4V1II/AAAAAAAAEOI/hkF4FxNF2So/s1600/maple+rubbing+canada+flag.jpg" title="Maple Tree Rubbing Canada Flag Craft for Kids" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For Canadians feeling patriotic or for non-Canadians learning about Canada, here's a fun nature craft to get your creative kids outdoors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We made this Canada flag craft last summer for Canada Day, but it would be great to do anytime! </span><span style="font-size: large;">All you need is some paper, a red crayon or coloured pencil, and a maple tree!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lay your paper in landscape format and using a maple leaf, mark out thirds with vertical lines down the paper. Make a leaf rubbing in the centre of the paper (notice that nice Canadian spelling of 'centre' ;-p ) by laying the paper on top of the leaf and gently rubbing the crayon at a sideways angle over the paper where the leaf is underneath.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WSJEA-8Uz44/UgAcrNylO1I/AAAAAAAADtM/f0M2dgU52JY/s1600/P1300547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="child making a bark rubbing on a maple tree" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WSJEA-8Uz44/UgAcrNylO1I/AAAAAAAADtM/f0M2dgU52JY/s320/P1300547.jpg" height="400" title="" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then, lay the paper on the trunk of the maple tree and make bark rubbings over the outside thirds of the paper to fill in those sections completely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy the time outdoors and perhaps take the opportunity to also check out some other types of barks and leaves and make comparisons.</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133828767254902028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5262294201896626422.post-29603570440212766852014-02-09T16:10:00.001+01:002014-05-25T23:29:21.482+02:00{Why a Play House is the Perfect Toy for Imaginary Play}<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Simple, Creative Play with a Play House </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Let Their Imaginations Run Wild!</span></h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Peekaboo! How's the weather?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Imaginary play is definitely the number one choice for playtime at our house, and the addition of a play house has really helped to make our children's imaginary play come to life! Imaginary play is a key ingredient in growing creative kids and has huge intellectual and emotional benefits for children. It allows them opportunities to explore hypotheses, problem-solve, role-play social situations, develop language and literacy skills, and work through emotional stresses. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lgLYHK9R1W8/UvKrxcthS4I/AAAAAAAAEL4/HI09GUjxI1w/s1600/super+sleuth+on+a+bear+hunt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Child with magnifying glass" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lgLYHK9R1W8/UvKrxcthS4I/AAAAAAAAEL4/HI09GUjxI1w/s1600/super+sleuth+on+a+bear+hunt.jpg" title="Super Sleuth on a Bear Hunt" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Imaginary play: Super sleuth on a bear hunt</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Having a play house has given our kids so many opportunities to expand their imaginary play, and having a 'life-sized' structure to play out their scenes in makes it all that much more real to them. In fact, we actually have two play houses - a wooden play house outdoors and a <a href="http://www.villacarton.com/XXL_HOUSE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cardboard play house</a> [sponsored link] indoors - to support their imaginary play.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbM2xVrV0Ug/UvKrCfuhGaI/AAAAAAAAELw/g2xDL0X-eOM/s1600/picnic+in+outdoor+play+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Children having a picnic lunch in a play house outdoors" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbM2xVrV0Ug/UvKrCfuhGaI/AAAAAAAAELw/g2xDL0X-eOM/s1600/picnic+in+outdoor+play+house.jpg" title="Picnic party in the play house" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Play house picnic </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">party</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">at the 'ballet studio'</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Below are some of the ways they play with their play houses and some suggestions for props. I recommend placing a basket of mixed accessories in or next to a play house and leaving the rest up to them. If your child wants to engage you in the play, follow their lead instead of trying to direct the play. Chances are, your child has much more imaginative ideas than you could dream up! If your child needs a nudge when it comes to imaginary play, try picking up a prop and starting the ball rolling with an inviting prompt. Something like, "Oh, thank you for this lovely invitation to your tea party! What can I bring?" or, "Excuse me, Doctor, but my baby has been coughing all night. Can you help?" will likely be enough to trigger a scenario in your child's mind.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns34A0JEVkc/UvKso_lt84I/AAAAAAAAEMA/R3dEJ1wkDHY/s1600/making+art+gallery+in+play+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Child drawing on the walls inside a cardboard play house" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns34A0JEVkc/UvKso_lt84I/AAAAAAAAEMA/R3dEJ1wkDHY/s1600/making+art+gallery+in+play+house.jpg" title="Creating an art gallery" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Making the play house into an art gallery</span></td></tr>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Some ways that our play houses are used: <span style="font-weight: normal;">[affiliate links provided to some of our favourite props]</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*<b>House</b> - they play family roles, baby care, tea parties. Possible props: baby doll, tea set.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*<b>School</b> - Possible props: paper, pencils, math manipulatives, their homework!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*<b>Farm</b> - Possible props: stuffed animals, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00270WHQG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00270WHQG&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">watering can</a>, baby bottle (for feeding baby animals), <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Y4LZQA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Y4LZQA&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">vegetables</a> (real or pretend)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*<b>Ice-cream stand</b> - Possible props: scoops, empty ice-cream containers, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003V0JAG6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003V0JAG6&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cash register</a>, play money</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*<b>Art gallery</b> - Our girls have drawn their own art inside their indoor play house, complete with frames. Possible props: paper, markers, paint or crayons, homemade paper frames</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*<b>Puppet theatre</b> - The windows of a play house make a perfect stage for a puppet show! Possible props: puppets, piece of fabric taped up for a curtain</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*<b>Tent/Camp</b> - Possible props: sleeping bags/blankets, pillows, marshmallows</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*<b>Circus</b> - Possible props: leotards, hula hoops, stuffed animals</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*<b>Book nook</b> - a play house makes a wonderful, quiet spot to read. Possible props: basket of books, cushions, lamp (we have the cord running out of a window to the outlet)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*<b>Shop</b> - Possible props: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003V0JAG6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003V0JAG6&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cash register</a>, play money</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*<b>Gardening/Garden centre</b> - </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Possible props:</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00270WHQG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00270WHQG&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">watering can</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QMPWB8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001QMPWB8&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">kids' gardening tools</a>, plastic flowers and pots</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*<b>Dog breeder's kennel</b> (a favourite these days!) - </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Possible props:</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VECFA6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002VECFA6&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">toy dogs</a>, ribbon to use as a leash, brush, bowls</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*<b>Rabbit caretakers</b> - </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Possible props:</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">stuffed animals, real or pretend carrots</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">*<b>Dentist office</b> - </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Possible props:</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">flashlight (our kids use these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006O35DW2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006O35DW2&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">invisible ink pens with UV lights</a>), medical mask, tongue depressor</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*<b>Doctor's office</b> - play <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009XNSY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00009XNSY&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">medical kit</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*<b>Vet</b> - play <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009XNSY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00009XNSY&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">medical kit</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002T1DQNG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002T1DQNG&linkCode=as2&tag=mapepo-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">toy animals</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*<b>Picnics</b> - serve a snack inside (<i>way</i> more tasty than when it's eaten at the table!)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaNBOs92fVUjSNN0K2yTCacuVLBeUzMESrihP2JM-1LqdLdf8Qw2eV_frk1hknGqLnXY7RNkMXuIGulxxzH5oL9Qs8UBr-4MC12jce0GVELrqQ3uQfI-lj-2lkxeXy4DhiZSms3UwIzc1/s1600/villacarton+cardboard+play+house+Collage+3+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="children decorating and playing in a cardboard play house" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaNBOs92fVUjSNN0K2yTCacuVLBeUzMESrihP2JM-1LqdLdf8Qw2eV_frk1hknGqLnXY7RNkMXuIGulxxzH5oL9Qs8UBr-4MC12jce0GVELrqQ3uQfI-lj-2lkxeXy4DhiZSms3UwIzc1/s1600/villacarton+cardboard+play+house+Collage+3+small.jpg" title="Villa Carton cardboard play house" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Our decorate-your-own indoor play house</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Our indoor play house is a <a href="http://www.villacarton.com/XXL_HOUSE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Villa Carton XXL House [sponsored link],</a> which is a brilliant creation - a cardboard house that comes flat and pre-printed in black and white to look like a country farmhouse that you put together and let your kids colour/decorate themselves! My girls (and I) LOVE Villa Carton products (you can see our <a href="http://www.mamapeapod.com/2013/02/creative-cardboard-box-city.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">review of the Villa Carton City Blocks here</a>). They are the perfect combination of creativity and imaginary play. And while it would be possible to make your own cardboard box house out of a regular box, my girls love the 'real house' look of the Villa Carton house (and Daddy Pea much prefers it to having a regular cardboard box in the living room!) To colour it, they used a mix of </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">paint, markers, and crayons (they especially enjoyed colour-mixing to make brown paint and using it to paint 'mud' on the tractor!) They added their </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">artwork in </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">frames that they painted on the inside walls. You could also make pretty paper frames with an open top to change out the artwork. They strung up some sweet star-shaped </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">fairy lights inside, and have kitted it out with a cosy blanket on the floor. As you can see in the pictures, the colouring and decorating are ongoing (which is one of the things I love about it - both the creating and the play go on and on!) Our next project will be to make some paper </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">bunting to add to it.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cP_M2f10BnA/UvKtd0XNAAI/AAAAAAAAEMI/h-foELksfVM/s1600/tea+party+for+pinkie+puppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="child having a tea party with her toy dog" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cP_M2f10BnA/UvKtd0XNAAI/AAAAAAAAEMI/h-foELksfVM/s1600/tea+party+for+pinkie+puppy.jpg" title="Tea party for Pinky" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Imaginary play: Tea party for Pinkie</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For more pictures of how my girls created and decorated their play house, click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mamapeapod/posts/589199671149417" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">(Please note that we received the Villa Carton XXL House for free to try out for review. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.)</span><br />
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