Toddler busy bags

We are heading off on a great adventure in the coming days: Four weeks overseas, partly with my all family and partly just our wee family of three. I am currently full of excitement, and a little anxiety, about what is to come. Of a little concern is how our two and a half year old will tolerate the 24 hours in transit it will take to get us there (I can't even think about the extra time it is taking on the way home).
So in an effort to make this trip as painless as possible, I have embarked on a mission - a busy bag mission. Armed with a laminator and pair of scissors I have created for Ruby some little sackfuls of fun... hopefully hours of it.

Inside this cute Dr Seuss case (available from Buttoney Boo) are zip lock bags containing a variety of new activities to keep Ruby occupied.

 

Along with your stock standard drawing implements I have added the following:

'Build a rainbow' felt activity from All our Days,

A cute animal beading game a friend gave us,

 Alphabet letter match up game (cue cards from Mr Printables),

 The very hungry caterpillar matching/ memory game courtesy of Mama's Learning Corner

As a token to my own childhood days, these cute little felt folk and an assortment of clothes and accessories. Felt people and clothing templates available from Billy Bear 4 Kids,

 Ice cream colour matching game from Busy Little Bugs.

Here's hoping that this will help us on our way across the globe. I love the added perk of being able to grab a single activity and throw it my handbag for when we are out and about too.
Wish me luck!
xx

Easy Easter Craft for Kids

It was a bleak and bleary afternoon last week and I felt Ruby and I both needed a break from 'Frozen' playing in the background of ALL our daily activities ("I need it" she tells me). So I thought a little crafternoon project was in order. With Easter fast approaching, and while Rubes was having her nap, I set about preparing a little something to get her creativity going.

We have had fun before with the old 'contact paper on the window' activity, so I thought we could give this an Easter twist. So after scouring the craft box (thankfully containing lots of goodies following Ruby's birthday). This is what we came up with.

What you'll need:
* Clear contact paper
* Coloured cardboard/ thick paper
* An assortment of items for sticking eg. sequins, feathers, bits of cut up coloured paper, felt shapes etc
* Glitter glue pens (optional)

Now, take your cardboard and draw an large egg shape on it. Then fold the card in half and mark about and inch or so inside your egg shape, and cut all around so a smaller egg comes out, but you are left with your outline.

 Measure and cut a piece of contact paper the same size as your cardboard, then remove backing and stick the card onto the contact. (I stuck the backing back over it, as we weren't using it right away and I wanted it to stay sticky). Then cut out around the line you drew earlier so you are left with an egg shape.

 Remove backing, and lay sticky side up on the table and let them stick away!

Hmmm, this requires some concentration...

When they have finished their artwork, stick it to the window so the sun catches it.

We used the glitter glue to decorate the smaller egg shape we had left over from the beginning. Not actually sure we are ready for glue yet though...

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Easter!

xx