Blog Favorites: Crafts requiring minimal materials

• 4 Crazy Kings shows how to make Easy Toilet Paper Tube Stamps. Materials used: toilet paper tubes and paint. Haven’t got paint? See the post for some substitution ideas.

 

• Make a nature collage using a lint roller as described at the Frugal Family Fun Blog. You can even turn your collage into a placemat! Materials used: a sticky lint roller and plants from your neighborhood.

 

• Make your own foam bath toys as seen at Pink and Green Mama. Materials used: craft foam (and scissors).

 

• Looking for outdoor water play ideas? Try this aluminum foil river from Filth Wizardry. Materials used: aluminum foil.

Blog Favorites: Father Day Crafts

• Make a water color resist silhouette for Dad using the techniques described at 4 Crazy Kings.

• Turn your child’s artwork into a bookmark following this tutorial at No time for flashcards.

• Make and Takes shows how to turn a tie into a snake – looks like a craft the kids would love to help make for Dad!

• We made this card for Valentine’s Day, but it would make a great Father’s Day gift as well (thanks, Just For Fun blog, for the inspiration!)

Blog Favorites: Recycled Crafts

• Recycle town made using cereal boxes, scissors, markers, and tape from No Time for Flashcards. Allie even includes books and a song to go along with this activity!

 

• Make a marble run using old toilet paper rolls as shown at Adventures of a Flake. I’ve seen toilet paper roll marble runs before, but I love the stability of this one since the rolls are taped to the wall (use painting tape to protect walls), and the idea of adding cups to catch the marbles is also great!

 

• Ikat Bag recycles a diaper box into a fun, interactive play aquarium.

 

• Made By K shows how to make a cardboard castle, and then how to turn said cardboard castle into a puppet theater!

Blog Favorites: Collages

I feel like I’ve been seeing collage crafts everywhere lately. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Check out this cute collage bear activity that goes with the book “Elmer and the Lost Teddy Bear” from Teaching Tots at Home.
• I’ve seen a LOT of contact paper plus tissue paper collages, and it’s on my crafts-to-make-with-my-kids list. I love the tactile nature of this one from Chasing Cheerios.
• More Mom Time shares how your toddler can make a fun no-theme collage.
• Use color collages to review/teach colors – learn how at The Adventures of Bear.

If you know of a collage craft I’ve missed, please link up in the comments, I’d love to see it!

Blog Favorites: I Spy Activities

I’ve seen several “I Spy” activities for toddlers across the blogosphere recently. Here are some of my favorites:

• Two “I Spy” game boards from The Peterson Party – one 2D and one 3D.
• A barebones “I Spy” bag from craftpad. Sometimes simpler is better – at least it’s more likely to get put together quickly!
• Beautiful round "I Spy" bags from Ikat Bag – I love the picture list she created for non-readers.
• “I Spy” party favor bottles from Teachingtinytots. I love the idea of including the letters from the receiver’s names in the bottle.
• Another “I Spy” bottle from Having Fun at Home. This one comes with the list of things to find.

Have an “I Spy” craft on your blog that I missed? Please link to it in the comments – I’d love to see it!

Blog Favorites

Recent favorites from the blogosphere before I run off to prepare for Emma’s birthday party today…

If you love Eric Carle’s "The Very Hungry Caterpillar as much as we do, be sure to check out this cute Construction Paper Caterpillar from Her Cup Overfloweth.

Feeling crafty? Dress up your baby wipes container with this no-sew wipes clutch tutorial from homemade by jill.

For goofy fun, check out these Funny Feet from Lucky Me!

I love this simple Shape Find learning game from Katey at Having Fun at Home.

Make some noise with recycled music instruments from the Frugal Family Fun Blog.

Want to add a starch to your child’s stash of play food? Check out this tutorial for Pantyhose Potatoes from ikat bag.

Blog Award

Sandy from Just For Fun very kindly gave me this award earlier this month, and I’ve finally got my act together enough to pass it on. Drop by Sandy’s blog if you haven’t already – she’s a mother of five who posts tons of fun and exciting ideas of things to do with your kids. Thanks, Sandy!

Here are the rules for the award:

Thank the person who gave the award to you, post the award on you blog or on a post, nominate 10 blogs which show great attitude/gratitude, link to the people you chose on your post,and comment on their blogs to tell them about the award!

I’m passing this award onto these blogs:

• Chronicle of an Infant Bibliophile
• Ellieboo
• Full Circle
• Having Fun at Home
• homemade by jill
• ikat bag
• Raising Peanuts
• Sew Mommy Sew
• Two Under Two. Whew!
• UK lass in US

Blog Favorites

More Mom Time shows how to make a great No theme collage using paper, contact paper, and any other craft supplies you have available. This activity looks like something toddlers and older kids could enjoy.

I love this simple woven placemat activity from Frugal Family Fun Blog. All you need is scissors, colored paper, and contact paper. Again, this seems like an activity that could appeal to younger and older kids.

Any kid that loves letters should enjoy this Wall Pockets activity from Having Fun at Home. And the same activity could be done with colors, numbers, or shapes. Now to keep my 13-month-old son from ripping the pockets off the walls…

I see lots of great sensory tub ideas on the internet. This thoroughly mess-less spaghetti and meatballs activity from Teachingtinytots looks like a great option for sensory tub first0timers to get their feet wet.