Rainbow Fish

We have been very active in our local libraries summer reading program, and I thought it would be fun to include a craft with some of the books we have been reading. I wish I could for all of them, but there are just way too many! So we just recently read the story Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. A cute little story about a fish with shiny scales on his body. Well after digging around my art stash I remembered that I had bubble wrap. Perfect way to use it up!!!

Supplies needed:
bubble wrap for each fish (I found a roll at Dollar Tree)
fish shape cut out of cardstock
blue, green, purple, white, and black paints
foam paint brush
egg carton for paints
glitter

I started out by drawing out a fish shape and having it cut out for each child. I layered newspaper on the table to protect it from the paint. Next up we mixed our paints. In the story the fish is all shades of blue, green, and purple so I thought it would be fun to mix up some new shades. I made sure there was a spot of the plain color first, next I mixed each color with a little white, a little black, and a little of each of the other colors (like blue into purple, purple into blue, blue into green, and green into blue). The kids really thought it was neat to see the different shades. Next, cut out the bubble wrap just a little larger than your paper fish cut out. Show the kids how to dab on paint of different colors all over the bubble wrap. It doesn't matter if your colors mix, it will all come out great! After the bubble wrap is covered in paint, lay the paper fish on top of the paint and smooth with hands. Slowly pull the fish back up and flip over! Before the paint dries, sprinkle with glitter to give the fish some shiny scales.

The kids had a blast with this one!

Lakeshore Learning!!!

I was contacted last week through my blog about a really fantastic store opening up this weekend in Indianapolis. Unfortunately, I can't make it down there this weekend, but I am just itching to get down there and explore! If you are around the Indy area, you should head in there today! There will be free crafts, product demonstrations, contests, giveaways, and 50% off some products! How fun is that! Did you know that during the summer break from school, students loose up to 2 months of the skills they just learned? Why not pick up a few things to help your kids retain that info over the summer, and have it be a really fun thing to do! Don't live near Indy? You can always check them out online at www.lakeshorelearning.com. As a special treat to my readers, they have offered you guys a great Buy 1 Get 1 50% off coupon!!! Just go to www.lakeshorelearning.com/bogo to use!

Here are some great pictures of the new store, provided from the company. Just looking at all the pictures, I am getting so excited to visit the store. Look at all that fun learning stuff!!

I don't know about your kids, but mine would be in heaven right here!

I see some of my favorite companies here.

 Please check out the new store in Indy! 1300 E. 86th Street

Indianapolis, IN 46240

This post was sponsored by Lakeshore Learning Company. The pictures were provided by the company.

Crafts in July

We have been so busy that blogging has gone by the wayside.  So instead of writing much I'll just show pictures.  At the end I'll post all the link to the great blogs I have found many of these ideas.  Enjoy!

For the fun Letter animals:  http://totallytots.homestead.com/NowIKnowMyABCs.html
For the butterflies:  I followed the idea found everywhere but used washable marker and "painted" with water like found on http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/2010/07/quick-craft-tie-dyed-sunshine-ornaments.html
For the ladybugs: http://www.craftideas.info/html/rock_lady_bug_b.html  and  http://www.create-kids-crafts.com/bug-and-insect-crafts-for-kids.html

Handprint Flags

 Wow, it's been awhile since I last posted.  We have been super busy over here this last month.  We had both kid's birthdays, a party, vacation, too many really bad storms, cake class, mom's group stuff, and so much more.  I will try to play catch up over these next few days.  One thing I did come up with is a index card box that I am starting to keep all the fun craft ideas in.  If your like me, you will see a really neat craft someplace, whether that be a website, blog, or magazine, and then I totally forget about it.  I figure this way, I can write it down right away, along with the supplies and directions.  When I'm stumped for a craft idea, because my kids wake up asking for one almost everyday, I can just scan through my box of ideas.  

While searching for fun ideas to add to my box, and looking for a kid friendly fourth of July craft, I came across this one on Muffin Tin Mom.  I can't say enough how much I LOVE this site!!  So many great ideas.  If you haven't checked it out yet, you must!

Supply List:

Red, white, and blue paint  (We used the crayola kids washable paint, and just plain acrylic)

brushes (again, we like the big foam ones you can get cheap at Michaels)

blue construction paper

large popsicle sticks

glue sticks

star stickers

ribbons

hole puncher

and of course wet wipes or a washcloth to clean the little hands up with

This was super easy and fun!  Both kids have been asking to do something with paint for about 2 weeks now after we painted their feet and made Father's day crafts.

Paint the palm blue, and each finger (other than the thumb) red and white.  Place the painted hand on the paper.  And let dry.  We did this on Monday and let them dry overnight.  

Add your star stickers to the blue palm part.  Have the kids glue the paper to the stick, and punch a hole in the top.  Slip through the ribbons and tie in a knot.  I did trim the paper before we glued them to the stick.  Tons of fun!  Now the kids have a fun gift to give grandma on her birthday, which is of course the Fourth of July!

 

Marble Painting

Once again, a project I have seen in other places, but most recently while I was surfing Muffin Tin Mom, I found this project. Daddy went to spend time with a friend so the kids and I got to painting.

Supplies:
plastic cups
spoons
marbles
paper
washable paint
a shallow dish

I put the marbles in a cup, added a nice dollop of paint to each cup, stirred the marbles in the paint with the spoon. I put the paper in the shallow dish (we used a lid to a cardboard box and a roasting pan), and then spooned the paint covered marble onto the paper. Then let the kids wiggle the dish around to move the marbles around. The kids had fun. We set this up on the kitchen floor to make clean up a snap. (We headed outside originally, but it started to drizzle)
D did loose her marbles a few times, she got kind of crazy with the wiggles. But over all a great indoor project!

The kids then gave their dried paintings to Auntie Beth for her birthday later that day. They were very proud to show off their creations.

Tissue paper Sun catchers

I have seen this in a few places, but most recently was at the blog called Muffin Tin Mom. This blog rocks!!! She has so many great craft and lunch ideas. It truly is my newest obsession! We made tissue paper sun catchers. Here is the link to MTM's!



Supplies:
Tissue paper (We cut up all the tissue paper that come in gift bags throughout the year.)
contact paper
hole puncher
yarn


Cut a sheet of contact paper and lay it on the table. Let the kids put as much tissue paper as their little hearts desire. Lay another sheet of contact paper on top, and cut out whatever shape you wish. Both of my kids wanted circles. I then punched a hole in the top, looped some yarn through, and hung them in the windows. Each kid made 2 a piece and we now have them hanging in the living room windows and one of the windows in their shared bedroom. They can't wait to show Daddy when he gets home!