1. Balloon Tennis (paper plate; wooden paint stir stick;
craft glue; balloon)
Glue the wooden stir stick to the paper plate. This is your
tennis racquet. Blow up the balloon, tie the end, and let
the games begin!
2. Touch and Feel Book (construction paper; glue; materials
of different textures, e.g., small piece of sandpaper, cotton
balls, velvet, bubble wrap, felt, wax paper, etc., stapler)
Glue one textured material per page of construction paper.
Staple the pages together. Have your toddler close her eyes
and tell you what each feels like (rough, soft, etc.). Young
children will enjoy discovering the many textures of the world
around them.
3. Bread Art (white bread; food colorings; small drinking
cups; milk; new paintbrush; toaster)
You will need a drinking cup for each color you wish to use.
Pour a small amount of milk into each cup. Add a few drops of
food coloring to the cups (a different color for each). Using
a paintbrush, paint designs or pictures onto the bread. Don't
soak the bread. Use just enough "paint" for the picture to
show up. Now toast the bread for edible art!
4. Animal Walk Parade (radio; silliness)
First, choose your favorite animal. Form a straight line,
Turn on the radio and walk the way your animal would walk. If
you're an elephant, use your arm as a trunk. Giraffes, stretch
your neck out and hold your head up high. Birds, flap your
Wings to the music.
5. "People Who Love Me" List (paper; pen or pencil)
Sit down with your toddler and make a list of all the people
who love her. (Parents should limit the time spent on this
project because, after all, doesn't everyone love our children?
This list could take hours!) When you're finished, frame the
list or have it laminated, then hang it in her bedroom. Have
her refer to the list whenever she feels blue.
6. No-Bake Banana Crunch Cookies (bananas; graham crackers;
Ziploc baggie; butter knife; rolling pin)
Place 3 or 4 graham crackers into the baggie, and gently
crush the pieces with a rolling pin. Peel a banana, and then
slice it into small circles. Drop the banana circles into the
bag and shake, coating each slice with crumbs. This simple
treat is sure to become a favorite!
7. Yummy Finger Painting (package of instant vanilla pudding;
food coloring; muffin pan; spoon; paper plates)
Prepare the pudding as directed on the package. Once it's
ready, spoon the pudding into a clean muffin pan. Add drops
of different food coloring to each (mix 2 different colors to
make wilder colors). Stir each until the color is consistent.
Now, "paint" yourself silly on the paper plates. Yummy!
8. Sun Spots (blueprint paper, available at office supply
stores; small objects such as leaves, flowers, buttons, rubber
bands, keys, etc.; clipboard; lots of sunshine)
First, attach a piece of blueprint paper to the clipboard.
Place a collection of small objects onto the paper. Leave
space between objects when arranging. Set the clipboard and
its contents outside in direct sunlight for several minutes.
Bring your project inside and remove all of the objects.
Beautiful artwork compliments of the sun!
9. Sheet Murals (white bed sheet or pillow case; tempera paint;
squirt bottles such as a clean ketchup or mustard container,
or clean spray bottle; water)
Hang your canvas (sheet or pillow case) on a clothesline.
Fill the squirt bottles with water and just enough paint to
color the water and not clog the spray. Shake well to mix.
Now stand a few feet away from the sheet and spray your art!
*Note: If you're doing this project indoors, be sure to put
down a sheet of plastic to protect the floors.
10. Colored Ice (plastic ice tray; water; different colors of
food coloring; freezer)
Fill the ice tray with water. Add a few drops of food coloring
to each square, and then freeze. This may help children who
don't drink enough water. Add a few cubes of colored ice to
their bath water for even more fun!
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About The Author
Deborah Shelton is the author of The Five Minute Parent:
Fun & Fast Activities for You and Your Little Ones. Visit
The Five Minute Parent for fun rainy-day activities, family
links, and a free email newsletter filled with craft ideas,
guest articles, contests and so much more!
http://www.fiveminuteparent.com
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