Tweetle Beetles

I love Dr. Seuss! Some of my favorite Dr. Seuss characters are Tweetle Beetles.  I don't know why, but they are just fun. So, while I was stuck at home with my kids last week with yet another snow day we pulled out our copy of Fox in Socks. This book is challenging to read regardless but with my fabulous cold I'm sure it was quite comical to hear this time... Anyway, we enjoyed our snowed in afternoon making our own DIY Rock pet Tweetle Beetles.

 

Supplies:

Smooth Rocks

Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks

Paint

Paint Brushes

Water

Paper Towels

Google Eyes

Colored Pipe Cleaners

Scissors

Hair Dryer (for impatient kiddos who are in a hurry for the paint to dry)

I picked up a bag of rocks at Walmart for $4-5. It seems like a shame to buy rocks but I don't have any close that were what I was looking for. I'm sure you could find these or something like them at any craft store too.

Grab some acrylic or tempura paint and let your kids mix the colors and decorate their rocks however they want. My kids immediately wanted to add eyes and antennae so we had to pull out the trusty hair dryer to help the paint dry quicker.  Hopefully your kids are more patient but if not it works wonders!

Grab your hot glue gun.  We tried regular school glue and tacky glue but if you want your pieces to stick you pretty much need hot glue.  My kids are older so I let them use it on their own so they could show off their individuality. Cut up some pipe cleaners and make some fun furry antennae for your beetles.

Now the most important part, Google eyes.  Everything is more fun with Google eyes! Even if you kids want to add 3 or 4 or 10, who cares? It's fun right? :)

Now you have some fun friends to read with!

Yeah for Tweetle Beetles :)

Quick and Easy DIY Bookmarks

Quick and Easy DIY Bookmarks 3 Ways

Scrapbook Paper
Camo Duck Tape
Leftover Valentines
Stickers
Packing Tape or laminator
Rotary Cutter
Scissors
Old credit card or store reward card (optional)

As I sat down to read with my son the other day I had to laugh at the bookmark he was using.  My boys can be very inventive with what they use as bookmarks. I've seen pencils, crayons, money, pokemon cards, tissues, and apparently itty bitty shreds of paper. I finally had the "Here's your sign moment" when I sat down this night. Apparently my kids need some more bookmarks. So, we sat down and whipped up a bunch using some leftover valentine's, some new duck tape, and some stickers.  The verdict: bookmark success!

#1 Valentines:

Collect a few sheets of scrapbook paper that match your valentines.

Cut the scrapbook paper down to 1 7/8" x 6" strips.

Line up the valentine on the strip of coordinating scrapbook paper.  Using a strip of 2" packing tape, attach the valentine to the paper.  Cut the tape so it will extend past the edges on both sides.

Flip the bookmark over and cut another piece of tape.

Line up the two pieces of tape and press flat.  Use a credit card or store card to get out any air bubbles in the tape.

Leave about 1/8" space on either end of the bookmark and cut off the remaining tape.

Voila! Quick and easy Valentine Bookmark.

#2 Stickers: 

In one of my son's book orders we were given a whole package of Minion stickers.  My son loves these cute little yellow guys.  So, I used one of my pre-cut 1 7/8" x 6" strips of scrapbook paper and decorated it with Minion stickers.  Then following the same steps above cover each side with 2" packing tape.  

Use a credit card or store card to press out any air bubbles and to make a tight seam at the edges.

Use your trimmer to cut each end down to 1/8" of tape.

So easy and so cute!

#3 Duck Tape:

This is the easiest bookmark to make.

Cut a piece of tape about 7" long or so.

Then cut another piece of tape the same length.

Flip one of the strips over.

Line up the edges and press together.

Use a credit card or store card to press out any air bubbles.

Trim down the strip to the size you want. 6" - 6 1/2" is a good length.

Done!

LearningCandy

I am so excited to share a post with you today from LearningCandy.  This company was started by a Mom for kids.  Miss Lana's mission is to foster curiosity, confidence and give inspiration to every child to help them succeed in life and to help teach parents how to do that! I cannot think of a better goal.  I have tried to instill those same qualities in my two boys and I love participating in activities that will help them achieve this goal and grow up to do the same with their future families.

LearningCandy offers fun personalized products for children with themes including History, Geography, Math, Science, Marine Animals, The Solar System, Emotions, Big Brother/Sister, Character, Inspiration and others.

Check out their blog with great articles with ideas for you and the kids in your life:  

• 12 Ways to Develop Your Child's Imagination
• 9 Fun and Educational Pen and Paper Activities That Can Be Done Anywhere
• A Basic Music Lesson That Can Be Taught On the Go
• Sensory Development: Stimulate all Five Senses

They also have FREE activities and printables to get the creativity flowing! 

I hope you take a moment to check out this fun and unique resource for successful kids.

- Krista         

A Gift For Kids Every Parent Will Approve of

One of the best gifts we can give our kids (besides our unconditional love) is the gift of a love of learning.  Curious, inquisitive kids think proactively, they love exploring, it's easier for them to learn new things and they tend to achieve greater success in life.

Did you know that 90% of a child's brain is developed by age 5? No time is more important for developing mentally healthy, happy, inquisitive people who will contribute greatly to the lives they touch.

How can we help our kids develop a love of learning from an early age?

Easy! Just play and talk with them!

It's true. It's that easy.  Well, almost.

Research is clear: by consistently stimulating young kids' brain through interactive learning, you grow their learning muscle while instilling within them a life long sense of curiosity and exploration.  The most important thing you can do to help increase your child's IQ and build a solid foundation for future academic and life success is to build strong language skills from birth.  Do not wait for the child to start school. We never get those critical first five years back.

LearningCandy.com offers families tools and resources to have the all-important intentional conversations, to spend quality time bonding and to help get kids excited about learning and knowing. 

LearningCandy was founded in 2013 by a mom on a mission to foster success in kids.  We offer fun, unique, educational gifts every kid will love and every parent will approve of.  

For little kids, our fun personalized products help families spark a love of learning.  For big kids, our inspirational line of character-building gear addresses issues such as confidence, no bullying and self-awareness.

To support our mission further, a portion of our profit is going to be donated to Jumpstart, a non-profit focused on early learning.

We are inviting you to work with us to raise awareness that families can make a profound difference in kids' lives and open the world of opportunities by getting them excited about learning, by becoming their best teachers and by encouraging them to take an active life position.

If you share our beliefs and hopes for a better society we encourage you to tell your friends and family about the work we do. Connect with us on social networks, grab our button and get in touch to share ideas and feedback. We would love to hear from you (info@learningcandy.com)!

When visiting www.learningcandy.com join our mailing list for inspirational and educational articles, free printables and exciting updates. 

  

Resources:

Read Kindergarten Is Too Late [by Masaru Ibuka] book overview

Find easy but effective kids activity ideas on our blog

Get Free activity printables

Read the first article in our new series: Parenting Lessons From Successful People: Richard Branson

Related Links:

www.facebook.com/learningcandy

www.twitter.com/learningcandy

www.pinterest.com/learningcandy

email: info@learningcandy.com

I am proud to be a:

Magic Reindeer Food

My son received a bag of Magic Reindeer Food when he was in preschool and it has been a fun tradition to continue! This year I am making it for both of my preschool classes and for my scouts! I hope your family gives it a try too :)

Printable

Supplies:
Zip top bag, snack or sandwich size
oats (rolled/quick/oatmeal pack) about 1/4-1/3 cup
1/4-1/2 tsp of red glitter
1/4-1/2 tsp of green glitter (or whatever color you would like)
Staples or a hole punch and ribbon
Printout of the poem

Magic Reindeer Food:

For use on Christmas Eve.

Sprinkle on the lawn at night!

The moon will make it sparkle bright.

As Santa’s reindeer fly & roam—

This will guide them to your home.

Merry Christmas!

This one is an easy activity to let the kids help with or you can throw it together in minutes.

Print out the poem.  

Scoop the oats into the zip top bag.

Add the glitter.  

 Seal the bag and shake to combine.  

Staple on the poem and voila! 

You are done :) Happy kiddos!

*Image source: http://www.homeschoolhelperonline.com/worksheets/coloring/rudolph.shtml