Homemade Puff Paint Snowflakes

We were inspired by the beautiful puff paint snowflakes over at Inner Child Fun, that we just had to try it!

Today was the first day back from break for Adam, but the kids still have a few days off. I figured it was a perfect snow themed craft in our pajamas kind of day!

Supplies needed:
self rising flour (found in the baking aisle)
table salt
water
squeeze bottles (I happen to have these for decorating cookies, but you can recycle any squeeze plastic bottle from the kitchen)
food coloring (optional)
blue and white construction paper (I cut our full sheets in half)

In a bowl, mix equal parts flour and salt. I used 1 cup of each and that made more than enough "paint" for us to use. Add enough water to make it the same consistency as pancake batter, ours was about 1 cup of water. Stir well. Divide into the bottles. I added some plain white into 2 bottles, then added a few drops of blue food coloring to the third that was left in the bowl and added that to another bottle.

Have the kids draw whatever snowflakes they like! We each did 4 drawings!!! Now comes the fun part, place 1 sheet in the microwave and cook for 30 sec. Some of ours didn't take that long, it really depends on how thick the paint is on the sheet. The kids loved watching it puff up while it cooked. They also loved taking turns setting the microwave and taking the sheets out. These now hang proudly on the outside of our apartment door. It's fun to think that anyone coming over to our apartment or our neighbors apartment will get to see these. We also thought it would be tons of fun to do these for Valentine's day in different shades of pink, red, and purple.

 Before the microwave...

 After the microwave.

2011 Advent calendar

For the last 3 years I have made a fun advent calendar for the family that includes tons of fun Christmas or holiday activities. So far on the 1st day, we read tons of Christmas books including a new Berenstain Bears book. The 2nd day, we watched Rudolph, ate pizza, pop, and peppermint ice cream. The 3rd day we went to a friend's house and decorated cupcakes and drank hot chocolate. The 4th day we set up the tree. The 5th day we cut snowflakes out of coffee filters. The 6th day we made homemade peppermint play dough. And tonight is the 7th day, we will be setting up the Playmobil nativity scene.  We have all had a blast so far, and are looking forward to opening the door on the calendar each morning before school!

 So excited to put up the tree

 This tree is nearly as old as I am. It is the one my parents bought when I was about 4 or 5 I think from Sears. Adam and I have used it every year for the last 7 years.

 Trying so hard to make a snow flake

 Every year Adam makes a tree snowflake, but this year he put a new take on it. Do you see the ornament with the star in the middle surrounded by trees and gingerbread men?

 D wanted to make a peace sign. Pretty close.

 And Adam the show off once again!

Snowflakes

Today is December 1, and we were lucky enough to get a nice blanket of snow!  The kids were so excited to look out the window and see that.  They insisted on digging out the good old snow boots!  So after naps today I figured we would do a science experiment.  I got out 3 sheets of black paper.  And then I asked the kids "What do you think the snowflakes look like?" STARS!!! and "Do you think they all look the same?" YESSSS!!!!  So we all bundled back up and headed out front.  I showed the kids how to hold the paper to collect the most amount of flakes.  So I asked them the questions again, and they said the same thing.  I showed them that all the snowflakes looked different.  There was a big one that had tons of lines, and then another big one that had very few.  They loved it! 

So we headed back inside and got out computer paper that had been used on one side.  Folded them up and showed the kids how to cut.  It was a great way to work on their cutting skills.  D didn't really get the whole concept and barely cut anything off hers.  L really got into it!  L did ask if we could decorate them with glitter.  Sure, no problem!  I went into the craft supplies, grabbed the Elmer's glue, glitter, paint brushes, and some egg carton cups.  I mixed up a few teaspoons of glue with a sprinkling of glitter and mixed.  I sat the kids down at the table and gave them a paintbrush.  They had a great time.  Do put a layer of newspaper down under the crafts before hand.  It wasn't too bad to clean up, I sprayed it down right away and it cleaned right up. 

The pictures don't do these justice!