Materials:

• 2 Bottles of Elmer’s glue (5-6 oz each bottle)– Clear, Glitter Glue, or White Glue
• ½ – 1 tsp of Borax (the tiny sized spoons)
• 1 cup hot water, ½ cup water
• Big, wide bowl
• Liquid watercolor or food coloring (optional)
• Glitter (optional)
• Confetti (optional)
• Vinegar (in case it gets on clothes or hair — you’ll be so glad if that happens)
• Gloves

See how here:

https://preschoolinspirations.com/make-slime/

Do what works 

Have a three year old who won’t stop bugging you? Sometimes, we have to do what works, regardless of aesthetics. This can look different depending on the circumstances: If you have a compact toddler slide that can fit in the living room, now’s the time to move it indoors. Need to fill up the bathtub and let the kids run wild with shaving cream? Go for it. Does your kiddo love to mix and match all of the pots and pans? No judgement here. 

Both kids and parents will need to be flexible over the next few months, and that’s ok.

For this and other ideas check out https://www.curbed.com/2020/3/18/21181768/home-with-kids-tips-coronavirus-quarantine

I am guessing people have more empty toilet roll tubes at home than normal.  Wondering what to do with them?  Tired of making binoculars or shakers, check out some of these ideas.

Toilet Paper Roll Octopus

Toilet Paper Roll Bowling

Toilet Paper Roll Love Bugs

Toilet Paper Roll Snakes

Toilet Paper Roll Fairy House

https://www.mykidstime.com/things-to-do/8-creative-toilet-paper-roll-crafts-kids-make/

Another gem from littlepassports.com. Did you know we share the Earth with more than one million different species of insects? In the ant world alone there are over 11,000 varieties! In fact, scientists say that nine out of every ten animals in this world is an insect. And, they can be found in nearly all habitats and environments.

Whether large, like the South American longhorn beetle, or small – like the flea, all insects share some common characteristics.

They each have an exoskeleton, which means their skeletons are on the outside of their bodies with the soft parts inside. Because of this, they molt or shed as they grow.

Insects have two antennae and three pairs of jointed legs (making them arthropods). Many have wings at some stage of their lives and they all have three distinct body parts: a head (at the front), a thorax (in the middle) and an abdomen (at the end).

A fun way to teach your kids about these three body parts is to have them craft a few insects using a variety of found objects.

Supplies:

Clothespins
Googly eyes
Scissors
Glue (white craft glue or hot glue, with adult assistance)
Pipe cleaner (optional)
Scrap paper (optional)
Some of each of the following: pompoms, buttons, beads, pebbles, craft gems, stickers, felt shapes, etc.

Step 1: Choose some objects to serve as the three body parts. We used pebbles, pompoms, buttons, beads, and gems.

Step 2: Children can select three items for each of their insects.

Step 3: Kids can glue their three items onto a wooden clothespin, thus creating a head, thorax and abdomen. Googly eyes can also be added.

Optional: For younger children, this may be enough, but for older kids, the embellishing can continue with the addition of paper wings, pipe cleaner legs and wire antennae.

Display your creepy-crawlies proudly!

Thanks www.littlepassports.com!   

If you are getting bored of your coloring books and looking to color something super cute check out the printable pictures from carrythefuture.org.  They are an amazing charity who support refuges with critical aid including clean diapers, baby beds, newborn supplies, hygiene kits, and more.

https://carrythefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CTF-Color-Sheets.pdf

Here’s a fun activity to do while we are all at home! I found it on www.littlepassports.com... they are brilliant! Check them out if you aren't familiar.

So let's make gelatin bird feeders to hang outside. The kids will love to watch the birds and if old enough can take notes on the different birds in your area who come to feed on them!

These can be made out of birdseed and peanut butter, karo syrup, or unflavored gelatin. We chose gelatin to minimize the attraction to insects in our area.

Supplies

½ c. boiling water

2 packets unflavored gelatin

1 ½ c. birdseed

Cookie cutters

Straws cut into 2” segments

Parchment paper

Baking sheet

String

Instructions

Add the two gelatin packets to ½ c. boiling water, and whisk until dissolved.

Stir in the birdseed.

Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and place cookie cutters on top. Spoon birdseed mixture into cookie cutters. Add a straw and press down. This will create an opening when the birdseed has dried for the string. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

Carefully pop each bird seed shape out of the cookie cutters and let dry on the counter for a few more hours (or overnight).

Attach a string through the hole, and attach to a tree.  Watch and wait for a few hours, you’ll see birds come to nibble!

A super fun Spring craft for the little ones - Egg carton Chicks!

What you need to make the chicks:

• egg cartons
• acrylic paint & brush
• glue, scissors, marker
• construction paper

What you need to do:

1. Cut apart two egg holders from the carton and trim off the excess on the edges.
2. Glue the two pieces together.
3. Paint and allow to dry.
4. Add a beak and some eyes.

And that’s it! Happy Spring!!

You can also make little piggies and sheep (cotton wool).

Dr. Rachel Kramer - Parenting in the age of Coronavirus

Clinical Psychologist. Psychotherapy for Children, Adolescents, & Families Parent Coaching and Consultation

Dr. Kramer provided some free webinars on parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can access the information here:

https://www.drrachelkramer.com/covid-19

Here are a few simple tips for making the most out of your water play.

Make an Invitation

To get kids really engaged, we can we can make the “launch” of our water playgrounds into a moment. Share a “Hurrah!” as you and your child turn on the faucet or pour the first bucket of water into your set up. Once the water is in, plop in a tool or two, and enjoy some splash, scoop, pour and explore action. Let the water play roll!

Keep the Play Rolling

Introduce new materials over time, so that kids have plenty of opportunity to explore each new ingredient. Wonder about things together, either by saying them out loud or just by trying them.

• How does the water feel on our skin?

• What sound does the water make if we pour it on different surfaces?

• How does a washcloth feel when it’s dry?

• How about when it’s wet?

• Use questions or ‘I wonder…’ statements as you introduce various extensions.

Thank you for these ideas tinkergarten.com!

Water play isn't just for babies.  If you have older kiddos at home to get them in on the action. 

• Got Twinkle, Twinkle? Set out a half dozen large glasses, a pitcher of water and a spoon. Challenge kids to use them to make a xylophone that can play Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (or any simple melody they love!).

• Got a water park? You likely don’t yet, but you can take those same “frog friends” or other small toys and build them a water park. Cut the bottoms off of recycled milk jugs or top and bottom off of cans. Grab funnels, turkey basters and even tinfoil—anything that can channel water. Use duct or packing tape to link them together to make channels of water and turn a bathroom, sink or bin into a water park for whichever toys you pick.

• Got various viscosities? Pour some oil into a glass. Partially fill another with water. Take time smelling, feeling and even tasting each of them. “What do you notice about the oil? the water?” Then, wonder, “What will happen when we put them together?” Welcome kids to pour a bit of each into a third glass. What do kids notice now? (Liquids layer!) Make predictions and test what happens with other combinations using liquids like molasses, honey, vinegar or whatever you’ve got on hand.

• Got lots of feelings? Sensory or “calming” jars help children focus inward, offering a positive support for sensory self-regulation. Fill a clear container with water, oil, or liquid dish soap, and an assortment of small nature items. Secure the lid and enjoy!

Thank you Tinkergarten.com for all the water play ideas!