Robots!

This month we have been enjoying playing with our robot sensory bin. I got some clear beads for playing with but they weren't enough to cover the bottom of the bin. I didn't want to spend any more money on them (being the big cheapskate I am) so, I decided to get shiny, metallic foam sheets (.50/each)to cover the bottom & then put the beads on top. I'm pleased with how it turned out and Mia loves it!

 In the bin: 

Foam star stickers ($5 but will reuse in other projects), Letter beads ($1), Clear pony beads ($4), Foam sheets ($2) Pasta we dyed with rubbing alcohol & food coloring (free), Robots ($1, Michael's). Total cost: $13.

Easter Fun!

 

I haven't posted for a few months because I've been working on another big project "from scratch"...our new addition: Penelope Joy!

When we aren't busy baby-gazing, Mia and I have still been doing lots of fun things!  Here's some of the Easter crafts & activities we've been up to lately.

Easter Sensory Bin

In this bin:

• Easter Grass
• Egg puzzle
• Foam egg ornaments
• Plastic shapes (from party favor section): stars, hearts, etc.
• Easter themed erasers
• Little baskets & Easter bunny eggs for sorting

 Bunny Finger Puppets

This was a ton of fun! I found this tutorial over at: Craft Jr. for a bunch of different animals.  The bunnies were the only ones that turned out well for us (our "Easter Chick" looked more like a bug than a bird - not that Mia minded).

 

Easter Wreath

This was a quick and easy craft that Mia could do while I did things around the house. Just cut a circle from a paper plate, cut egg shapes from construction & patterned scrapbook paper, give toddler glue stick...and voila! Easy Easter Wreath.  If you want to do a fancy one try: this one from DLTK.

 

Pinecone Easter Eggs

Inspired by Pink & Green Mama, we collected some pinecones outside and painted them with acrylic paints & sprinkled them with glitter for good measure. This was a favorite: cheap, easy, and adorable!

Homemade Gifts

Here are some gifts I made for my nephews and Mia this Christmas but they are fun for anytime!

 Personalized Tote Bags

I used this tutorial from the bloesom kids blog as a starting point. I printed out letters in a font I liked, traced them onto freezer paper & cut them out.  Then I ironed on the freezer paper like a stencil and used acrylic paint mixed with fabric medium over the freezer paper.  I let it dry for a day or two and then took off the paper & set it with an iron.

 

 Marble Maze

Inside the totes were some art supplies and also a couple homemade games.  I made one of these each for both older boys using this tutorial from Family Fun Magazine.  The idea is that you stretch bands in different patterns and roll marbles through the maze.  I included a bag with bands (I used the kind found in craft stores to make pot holders...similar to these) and marbles with each maze.

 Felt Fishing Game

For our youngest nephew, I made a fishing game from felt, fabric, batting and velcro dots.  There is a great tutorial here from Just Another Day in Paradise that I used.  I was excited to find fabric that looks like shiny scales on the clearance rack at Walmart - you can find all sort of fun finds there!

I don't know yet how my nephew liked the fish game but I ended up making a set for Mia because she was so enamored with them.

I also made a couple things just for Mia:

Geoboard

I got the idea from Mama Jenn in this post. It was super easy and cheap ($3 total) to make and Mia enjoys making patterns on it so far.  I'm using it in our Tot Trays this month with pattern suggestions in a sheet protector for her to copy.

Rag Quilted Fabric Letters

These are a big hit with Mia (almost as much as she liked the felt fish game for her cousin...haha!). She likes to throw them around and find which letters she knows.  They were pretty easy to make but do require sewing.  Get the tutorial and templates here from Happy Together.

Christmas Sensory Bin

I hope to catch up on posting - Mia has been sick and ornery so I haven't posted in a bit :)

Sensory bins are becoming a fast favorite in our house!  Here is this month's:

The base is "fake snow" from a bag.  Also in there: plastic cookie jar, mini ornaments, presents, zipper pouch, mini lunch box, bows, erasers, wind up santa & penguin and Christmas tree. I also keep a tray of various sized bowls, scoops, a little rake, cups, funnel, etc. next to the bin.  Mia had a blast picking up the snow with a scoop and have it fall on the Christmas tree.

 

Here are some more fun Christmas bins:

Totally Tots' bin is made with split peas

Pink & Green Mama has an awesome winter themed bin

Counting Coconuts made hers with dyed rice

Learn more about the basics of sensory bins here.

Stocking Stuffers

Some people have asked me what I put in those advent calendar boxes.  I thought I would post about it since many would make good stocking stuffers too. Here are some ideas we used:

- Pretty cards with the activities we will be doing "tonight we are going to see the Christmas lights!"
- Little figurines (I used some I had stowed away when Mia got them too little to use them)
- Wind up toys
- Coloring Crafts from the Dollar Store
- A stamp that says "thank you" so we can be ready to make cards after the holidays.
- I also just finished making felt finger puppets (I put 2 in each box so this knocked out three days ;)

These were inspired by ornaments sold by Red Marionette at Etsy

- Ornaments