Bake/Cook/Make Day Saturday!

Bake/Cook/Make Day Saturday:

Saturdays are set aside to spend some quality, fun time in the kitchen with your child.

Honey Crunch Cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup honey
2 eggs
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup butterscotch chips
4 cups crisp rice cereal

Instructions:

1. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy.  Add honey, a little at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Mixture will appear curdled.  Gradually add dry ingredients; beat until moistened.  Fold in coconut, chips, and cereal.  Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove to wire racks to cool.

Chocolate Pecan Kisses

1 egg white
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions: 

1. Place the egg white in a small bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.  Beat on medium speed until soft peak form.  Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form.  Fold chocolate chips and pecans.
2. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets.  Bake at 250 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until firm to the touch.  Turn oven off and let cookies dry in the oven for 1-1/2 hours.
3. Carefully remove cookies from the parchment paper.  Store in an airtight container.

Recipes were found in the Taste of Home Best Loved Cookies and Bars  magazine.  Available in stores until January 18, 2010.  Also log onto www.tasteofhome.com.

Bake/Cook/Make Day Saturday!

Funny Fridays!!!!!

Funny Fridays!!!!

The Things Little Ones Learn From Their Siblings!

This story happened around Christmas of 1990.  My family was out Christmas shopping at our little mall that was in our small town in South Dakota.

I was pushing my baby sister, Kristy, who was 3 1/2 at the time, around the store looking for Christmas items for the family. I was 19 and home for the holidays from college.

We were looking up and down the aisles and the place was busy.  We went to go down one of the aisles and this older lady around 50, was blocking the aisles with her cart. We really wanted to go down this aisle and I told Kristy that we would just have to wait until the lady moved her cart.

Well Kristy didn't want to wait and shouted out "Hey Butthead, move out of the way!"  I couldn't help but to start laughing because of what she had said and the expression on the ladies face.  The lady just said "Well!"  and walked away.

Kristy smiled and said, "We can go down the aisle now, the lady moved!"

I was still laughing my head off.  Of course when I told my parents what had happened they blamed me for teaching her to say, "Butthead!"  No, not me!  I wouldn't do no such thing.  LOL!!!!

Funny Fridays!!!!!

Thirsty For Knowledge Thursday! Week 14 : December 24 : Number 27 & 28

Thirsty For Knowledge Thursday:

Foam Number Books:

1. This week add the numbers 27 and 28 to your number books.
2. Remember to write 27 on the first page, 28 on the second page, twenty-seven on the third page, and twenty-eight on the fourth page and repeat with the rest of the pages.

Picture Books:

1. On the twenty-seven page put the following on top in the middle of the page 27(make sure its big enough)
2. Then a little bit below the number 27 put the spelling of the number 27 (twenty-seven).
3. Then directly below the word one put a picture of any Twenty-seven items like snowflakes, toys, or blankets (make sure it is Twenty-eight items).
4. What is really neat to use for all this is foam letters, letters and pictures.
5. On the Twenty-eighth page do what you did with the twenty-seventh page except use the number 28, the word twenty-eight and a picture of 28 items like 28 computers, 28 cups, or 28 cats.

Index Cards:

• Place the number 27 on a card, word twenty-seven on a card, a picture of twenty-seven items
• Also write the number 28 on card, word twenty-eight on a card, and a picture of twenty-eightitems.
• Add these cards with the your other index word cards.
• Remember to add the numbers and words to your key chain card holder
• Remember to keep on teaching  your kid's math.  Here's an example: Write on a card 21 + 7 = 28 on the other side have a picture of twenty-eight  items. And the number twenty-eight written out.  Try not to go above = 28. Keep it real simple.

Number Sewing:

• Don't forget you can have your child sew the numbers 27 and 28. 

Memory Game:

• You and your child can now play their memory game with the numbers 27 and 28.

Math:

• Remember to do more math with your child

Yarn Math Art:

• Supplies Needed: Construction Paper, Yarn, Glue and Scissors : Have your child make numbers from pieces of cut up yarn.

Clock:

• Remember to work with your child on telling time.  Check past posts if you need to make a clock.  You can also teach them military time too, now that they are up to number 28. 

People Puzzle: 

• Large pictures of people from old magazines, Glue, Cardboard, Clear Contact Paper

1. Glue them onto cardboard and cover with clear contact paper.
2. Then cut each picture into two to four large pieces and give them to the child to put together.  
3. After they can put one person together, easily, give them the pieces to two or three people at the same time.  See if they can put it together by themselves.
4. Ask them to count how many arms, legs or noses they can see?
5. How many people in the picture?
6. What colors do they see?
7. You can do this with dogs, cats, or other pictures too.

Coin Drop Game:

• Shoe box with lid, Scissors, Decorate Box(If Desired), 28 Poker Chips

1. Cut out a hole on the lid, a little bigger than the poker chips.
2. Decorate box, if desired.
3. Have your child stand over the box and try to drop the poker chips into the box.

Guess What It Is Game:

• Plastic Margarine Tub, Big, Clean Sock, 1-10 small counting items, such as cubes, small balls, or acorns, newspaper.

1. Stuff the end of sock with newspaper.
2. Take the tub into the sock and put in the heel of the sock.
3. Place small items into the tub.
4. Have your child, without picking, put their hand in the sock and try to guess what is in the sock.    
5. Then they can pull out items, counting them and seeing if they are right.

Fruit Kabobs: 

• Different kinds of Fruit, Pictures of that fruit, bowls, Skewers, Index Cards

1. Glue the pictures of fruit onto index cards. Let dry.  Turn cards over so you can see the pictures.  Glue one, two or three fruits on each card. 
2. Have your child turn over each card and whatever fruit shows up and how many fruit, that is what is your child puts onto the skewer.

Thirsty For Knowledge Thursday! Week 14 : December 24 : Number 27 & 28

Wacky Wednesday: Polar Express!

Wacky Wednesday:

Polar Express

Stay in PJ's all day and Relax and Watch the Movie.  They even have it in 3-D!!!  It's Great!  Read the book at night to your child before they go to bed.

Snow Blowers Game

• Supplies Needed: Paper Towel Tubes, Paint, Decorations, Glue, Cotton Balls

1. Decorate the paper towel tubes.
2. Divide into 2 teams.
3. Each player on the team gets a tube.  Have the team members stand facing each other.  Then one side gets a cotton ball.  They place the cotton ball into the paper towel tube and blow it across to their team mate to catch it.  If they catch it then they take a step back.  The person who caught it steps back. 

Bell Scavenger Hunt

• Supplies Needed: Big Jingle Bell

1. An adult hides a Big Jingle Bell in the house.
2. Then everyone tries to find it.
3. The one who finds it gets to hide it.

Popsicle Train Tracks

• Supplies Needed: Small and Large Popsicle Sticks, Glue, Paint

1. Paint popsicle stick and let them dry.
2. Then lay two large sticks by each other.  
3. Then glue smaller sticks on top of the larger ones, to form tracks.

Candy Train 

• Supplies Needed: Life Savers, Pack of Double-mint Gum, A Hersey's Kiss, 4 Peppermint Candies,  Carmel

1. Glue a roll of life savers on top of a pack of  gum.  
2. Then glue a carmel in front of the life savers.
3. Next, glue a kiss on top of the carmel.
4. Finally, glue 4 peppermint candies on the sides for wheels.

Train Ticket

• Supplies Needed: Card Stock, Black Marker, Decorations, Glitter, Glue, Stickers

1. Cut a rectangle shape like a ticket.
2. Write down destination, time, train number, station, child's name, and whatever else you would like.  
3. Have your child decorate their train ticket.

Wooden Train

• Supplies Needed: Wooden Train(Found at Hobby Lobby or Walmart), Paint, Paint Brush

1. Just have your child paint their very own train.

Cardboard Train

• Supplies Needed: 1 large Cardboard Box, Several Small Boxes, Black and Red Construction Paper, Very Small Box, Paint or Wrapping Paper, Empty Paper Towel Rolls, Yarn, Pieces of Cardboard, Large Brads, Empty Oatmeal Container, Cotton Balls, White Pipe Cleaners

1. The large box in the engine and the smaller ones are the rest of the train.
2. The very small box goes on the front of the big box.  You can tape or tie this onto the big box.
3. Cut out red circles for the lights on front of the train and glue in place.
4. Wrap up or paint an oatmeal container.
5. Glue the oatmeal container on top of the very small box for the stacker.
6. You can then pull apart cotton balls to glue around the top of the oatmeal container to look like steam.  You could also glue white pipe cleaners on top for steam too.
7. Connect the train together with yarn.
8. Cut out large black circles for wheels.  Connect them together with brads onto the train.
9. Take paper towel rolls or wrapping paper tubes and glue them to the front wheels. 
10. If you really wanted to you could put the front wheels onto the paper towel or wrapping paper tubes and fasten them with brads.  Then cut out a circle out of the cardboard on the sides, with a circle in between.  You can then put a handle in the middle of the tube, using cardboard, so your child can move the wheels with the handles.

Lost Cargo Train Game

• Supplies Needed: Different Items to Hide, Sheet of paper, Pen

1. On a piece of paper write down all the items that you have hidden around the house.  
2. Let your child try to find all the things on the paper.  

Coal Game

• Supplies Needed: Foil, 6 Empty Containers, Train Pictures, Tape

1. Tape train pictures on 6 empty containers.
2. Then wad up foil to have your child try to get their pieces of coal into the bucket.
3. You can put a value on the buckets if you want too.

Passport

• Supplies Needed: Card-stock, Picture of your child, Glue, Decorations, Marker, Yarn, Plain Paper, Hole Puncher

1. Make a passport book with a piece of card-stock.  Write passport on the front.
2. Glue a picture of your child on the inside, so when they open it their picture will show right away. 
3. Write down your child's information on the opposite side of picture.  Things like their name, age, address, whatever you wish.
4. Punch a hole in the corner of passport.  Thread the yarn through the hole for your child to wear around their neck.

Loading The Train Game

• Supplies Needed: Ping Pong Balls, Spoon, Container

1. Divide into 2 teams.  
2. Each team most carry a ping pong on a spoon to fill up the container.  
3. The first team to get rid of all their balls wins.

Index Card Train

• Supplies Needed: Index cards, Decorations, Cardboard, Glue, Yarn, Hole Puncher

1. Make a train with index cards.  You need an engine, cargo and caboose.  
2. Have your child decorate their train.
3. Punch holes in the train toward the bottom to connect them together with yarn.
4. You can glue the train onto a piece of cardboard if you want.

Pretend to be an Engineer

• Supplies Needed: Red Bandana, Stripped Overalls, Conductor Hat, WoodenTrain Whistle or Candy Whistle

1. Have your child pretend they are an engineer.

Pretend Train Tracks

• Supplies Needed: Blue Painters Tape

1. Place tape onto your floor to form train tracks.

Go on a Real Train Ride

Bell Bracelet

• Supplies Needed: Pipe Cleaner, Bells, Beads

1. Thread bells and beads onto a pipe cleaner and twist the ends together to hold it together.

Pin the Train on the Tracks Game

• Supplies Needed: Poster Board, Popsicle Sticks, Glue, Picture of a Train, Clear Contact Paper, Double Sided Tape, Blindfold

1. Glue sticks onto a poster board to form train tracks.
2. Cover a train picture with clear contact paper.  
3. Put double sided tape on the back of the train picture.
4. Blindfold a child and let them try to place the train onto the tracks.

Popsicle Railroad Crossing Sign

• Supplies Needed: Popsicle Sticks, Blank and White Paint, Glue, Black Marker

1. Paint popsicle sticks black and white like a crossing sign.
2. Glue them together in an X.  
3. Then glue a stick on the back of the X, to make it like a finger puppet.

Choo, Choo, Caboose Game

• Just Like Duck, Duck Goose

Pretend Fire

• Supplies Needed: Empty Paper Towel Tubes, Scissors, Red and Yellow Tissue Paper

1. Cut notches in the paper towel tubes to make them lay onto each other without them rolling around.  You can glue them together to help hold them together better.
2. Place tissue paper in between the tubes to make it look like fire.

Dining Car

• Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows or Whip Cream with Candy Cane Stirrer (Hy-Vee has great flavored hot chocolate in individual packets like butterscotch, carmel and more.

• Pretzel Train Tracks: Pretzel Rods, String Licorice 

1. Take 2 rods and set them by each other.  
2. Then take pieces of licorice and tie the rods together like train tracks.

• Train Gummies
• Cakes and Cookies
• More on the website below

Printables:

• Click Here: For Great Printables and other ideas
• www.polarexpress.com

Wacky Wednesday: Polar Express!

Tuesday Tips!

Tuesday Tips!

Last Minute Gifts For Those Wanting to Lose Weight!

Nintendo Ds Game: Personal Trainer Walking: 

• I own this game and its great. Its more of a helpful weight loss device than a game.
• It comes with 2 Pedometers.  
• You must have a Nintendo DS or DSI to use this game.  
• The pedometer blinks red until you have reached your daily goal.  Then it blinks green.
• You are unable to see how you have done until you log on with it.  Which keeps you motivated.
• The pedometers can link up wirelessly to your DS or DSI.  Once you link it up, it will tell you how many steps you took.  How long you sat and when.  If you ran or jogged and how long.  
• It also gives you goals for the day to do.  
• You can have up to 4 people onto one game. The extra pedometers can be purchased online for around $20 a piece. You can have competitions with one another. You can even put one on your dog.
• If you own a Wii, you can load your own Mii to the pedometer, that will show up when you log onto the game.

Wii My Fitness Coach:

• I also own this game too.
• This game is great because you can set up the way you want to exercise.
• The game has you do different things like jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups, etc.  They will time you and then at the end of the timer, they will ask you how many you did and how difficult it was for you.  Then they will set up the exercise routine according to how you did.
• During the exercise they will ask you after a routine how it was if it was too hard, just right, too easy.  Then they will adjust the routine.

Wii Fit:

• I own this game too.
• This one keeps you moving and having fun doing it.
• Has several games and exercises to do.
• Every-time you play the Wii, it weighs you and tells you how you are doing.
• My sister-in-law has lost over 30 pounds playing this game and so many others I know too.
• Great way to keep your children active too, especially during the winter months.
• They also have Wii Fit Plus.

Simple Steps: 10 Weeks To Getting Control Of Your Life Book: 

• Great book to help get your house and yourself organized in just 10 weeks.  
• Helps you get into habits of doing stuff.
• Helps you to keep moving and lose weight.
• Helps you feel better about yourself because you are more organized.
• Amazon has this book for only $3.23. Free shipping for those who have Amazon Prime. You can order a bunch if you want your friends and yourself to do this together.  Keep yourselves motivated if there are a group of you.  There is free shipping if you spend $25 on Amazon.  Remember the Amazon link is on my page.

Any Denise Austin Exercise Videos:

• She has all sorts of videos out there.
• I find hers simple and easy to use.
• She even has ones for pregnant women.
• She doesn't have an annoying voice, like some do.
• She has been around for a long time.

I-Phone or I-Pod Touch Apps:

• There are several apps out there for people to download great thing onto their devices.
• I know there is one that you put all your information in like your weight, height, meds and more in.  Then when you go to the store you can scan barcodes and it will tell you whether it is good for you or not.  If its bad for you then it will give you an alternative that is better for you.
• There are ones for tracking what you eat and drink.

Join a Gym:

• This is great if there are a couple of you that go and do this together.
• You can hire a personal trainer for as long as you want. If you want do this to get you started.
• Most gyms have a swimming pool, which are great for those who have problems with their back, legs, or arms.  I have big problems with my leg and a day of swimming helps take the pain away and makes it feel so much better.
• Most gyms have babysitting services for those with young kids.  This is great for new moms.  Lets moms have time to for themselves.
• Most gyms have programs like yoga, martial arts and so much more.  These usually cost extra.

A Pedometer:

• Purchase one that has calories burned, how many miles walked, and how many steps taken.  Ones that keep the information for a week at a time.  Just in case ones forgets to write it down.
• Try to purchase ones that wont reset to easily or to loud or too bulky.
• They have pedometer watches too.

A MP3 Player:

• This will give someone something to listen to, while working out.
• Keeps you motivated with the songs that you love to listen too.

My sister has several helpful hints to help someone lose weight on her website:  www.coupongeek.net

She always has free giveaways on her website too.   She helps you save lots of money too!

Tuesday Tips!

Educational Learning For Toddlers: Week Fifteen

Educational Learning For Toddlers:  Week Fifteen

New Words For This Week Are: Deer, Side, Ice

Combine these three new words with: Cat, Dog, My, Bat, Log, Sat, On, Mom, Dad, Tree, The, Up, And, Big, Boat, Down, Sun, Love, Fall, Mat, Or, See, Hat, Rat, Moon, Car, Left, Right, Flag, All, Fun, Book, Off, Time, Cold, Santa, Snow, Wet

Child's First Book

1. Make sure to add three new sentences to your Child's First Book.
2. For the word Deer: We saw/We saw a bunch of /We saw a bunch of deer in the yard.
3. For the word Side: You will/You will always/You will always be by my side.
4. For the word Ice: We went/We went ice skating/We went ice skating on the ice.

When your child is reading their book to you or anyone else, make sure not to just tell your child the words.  Have them spell it out, to see if they can get the word and/or see if they can pronounce it out.

Index Card Project:

1. Write the words Deer, Side, Ice on index cards.
2. On the other side glue a picture of that word or have them draw a picture.
3. You should have a nice pile of words now.
4. Have your child make a sentence with the words.

 Key-chain Index Cards:

• Don't forget to add these 3 new words to your key-chain cards.
• Are you remembering to use these while shopping.
• Do you need to make another keychain?

Go Fish Game:

• Remember to add their words to their Go Fish Game.  
• Are you playing the go fish game with your child.

Little Foam Books:

• After adding the words to your new little foam books, your child will have 13 books to practice in now.
• Do your kids need new books for their older words?
• Are your kids still practicing all their words?

Same/Different:

• Cut some pictures of things that are same/different.  For example: Up/Down, Left/Right, Black/White, Cat/Kitten, Cat/Dog, Dog/Puppy, Hot/Cold, Apples/Grapes, etc.
• Ask your child if the pictures are the same or different.  

Make It Match:

• Supplies Needed: Colored craft sticks, cool-temperature glue gun/glue sticks, foam crafts, tin can or cup

1. On the end of the first 2 sticks, draw or glue the same design.  For design use shapes like stars, squares, triangles, circles, hearts, rectangles, diamonds, etc.
2. Repeat with all remaining craft sticks, until you have several sets of craft sticks.
3. Put all of the sticks into the can or cup.  Take turns drawing pairs.  If your sticks match, you get to keep the pair.  If not, put them back.  The player with the most pairs at the end of the game wins.

• For Printable Same/Different Worksheets: Click Here

Educational Learning For Toddlers: Week Fifteen

Here Comes Santa Claus: Part C: Week 16: December 20-December 26H

Here Comes Santa Claus: Part C

Crafts:

Shooting Star

•  Supplies Needed: Yellow Construction Paper, 2 Gold Sparkle Pipe Cleaners, Tissue Paper, Gold Glitter, Scissors, Glue, Hole Puncher, Nylon Thread.

1. Cut out each star.
2. Paint each star cutout with water-thinned glue.  Sprinkle glitter onto the glue; then set the stars aside to dry.
3. Cut one pipe cleaner into two different lengths.  Cut the other pipe cleaner in half.
4. Glue the stars together along the back edges, leaving an opening between two points of the star.
5. After the glue dries, stuff crumpled tissue paper into the opening.
6. Insert the pipe cleaners between the two stars to create the shooting star "streaks".  Then glue the open edges together.
7. Punch a hole in the star; then tie a nylon hanger onto the star.

"Hand-Y" Holiday Ornament

• Supplies Needed: Cookie Sheet, Knife, Oven, Small Photo of Child, Green Felt, Tiny Sequins, Green Tempera Paint, Glue, Red Ribbon, Round Film Container, Drinking Straw, Clear Acrylic, Cornstarch Dough(One Cup  of Cornstarch, Salt, Water; Makes 8).

1. In a large pot, mix one cup each of cornstarch, salt, and water.  Stir over low heat until the dough is the consistency of firm mashed potatoes.  Let the dough cool, covering it with a damp cloth to prevent drying.
2. Press a portion of the dough to about 1/4 inch thick.  Have a child press his hand into the  dough to make a handprint.
3. Cut out the handprint with a knife.  Use the film container to cut out a hole from the center of the hand.  Use the straw to cut out a hole near the edge of the palm.
4. Bake the dough hands on an ungreased cookie sheet at 200 degrees for three hours.  Then set them aside for a day to harden completely. 
5. Paint each hand , and them glue on colorful sequins as desired.
6. When the project is dry, spray the hand with a clear acrylic; then let it dry.
7. Glue the photo to the back of the hand so that it shows through the opening.  Then back the photo with a piece of felt.
8. String a length of ribbon through the small hole and tie the ends together to create a hanger.

"Ginger-Bag" House

• Supplies Needed: Small Brown Paper Bag, 6" Brown Square (Cut from a paper grocery bag), Assorted colors of construction paper, White Paint Pen (Or White Paint and thin brush), White Ribbon, Glue, Hole Puncher, Newspaper

1. About halfway down, fold the top of the bag back.
2. Use the paint pen(or paintbrush) to paint a decorative edge around the sides and bottom of the front of the bag.  Also paint an edge around the brown square(roof).
3. Cut out a white window and door; then glue each piece onto the house.
4. Cut out paper candy shapes and glue them onto the house.
5. After the paint and glue dry, unfold the paper bag and stuff it with newspaper.  Then fold down just the top two inches of the bag.
6. Fold the roof in half; then place the fold on top of the bag
7. Punch two holes through all thicknesses near the fold.  Thread a length of ribbon through the holes and then tie a bow in the front.

Gingerbread Friends

•  Supplies Needed: Large Bowl, Red and Green Food Coloring, Ground Cinnamon, Ginger, And Cloves, Gingerbread people cookie cutters, rolling pin, coffee stirrer, cookie sheet, oven, white paint pen, fine-tipped permanent markers, small pom-poms, craft glue, thin ribbon, baking dough(2 1/2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup of salt, 1 cup of water; makes 12 gingerbread people)

1. Baking Dough: Mix together 2 1/2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup of salt, and 1 cup of water. Add flour as needed to form a firm dough. 
2. Mix into the dough about 20 drops each of red and green food coloring and one teaspoon each of cinnamon, ginger and cloves.
3. Roll out a portion of the dough  to about 1/4 inch thick; then cut out three people shapes.
4. Place the cutouts on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Use the coffee stirrer to poke a hole near the end of the arms of each dough person.
5. Bake the dough people at 200 degrees for three hours; then allow them to air dry for about three days. (If desired, eliminate the baking by air-drying the cutouts for about seven days.) 
6. Decorate each gingerbread person with the paint pen, markers, and pom-poms.
7. Tie the gingerbread friends together with ribbon.  Tie a longer ribbon to the two outside arms.

Toy Soldier Mask

• Supplies  Needed: 9" Paper plate, Black, red, yellow and blue Construction Paper, 6" Length of Yellow Ribbon, wide craft stick, regular craft stick, chalk, scissors, glue, black marker or crayon, clothespins, stapler

1. Fold the plate in half; then cut out an eye opening in the top third of the plate as shown.
2. Use chalk to trace the hat onto black paper; then cut it out.
3. Trace the circle two times onto both red and yellow paper; then cut out all four circles.
4. Trace and cut out several feathers in the desired colors; red, yellow and blue.  Or use craft feathers.
5. Glue the ribbon, yellow circles, and feathers onto the hat.
6. Glue red circle cheeks onto the inside of the paper plate; then draw a mouth and nose.
7. Squeeze a line of glue along the plate rim above the eyehole; then attach the hat to the mask.  Use clothespins to hold the hat in place while the glue dries.
8. Glue a wide craft stick handle to the mask.

Candle Pencil Topper

• Supplies Needed: 3" felt Squares, orange felt, fabric marker, glue, pencil, scissors

1. Cut out an orange felt flame.
2. Draw a glue line along three edges of the felt square.  Fold the square in half, inserting the flame into the glued top of the resulting candle.
3. After the glue dries, write your child's name ( or initials) on the candle.
4. To use as a pencil topper, simply slide a pencil into the opening at the bottom of the candle. 
5. Add sparkle to the candle by gluing gold glitter onto the felt flame.

Fancy Filter Angel

• Supplies Needed: 2" round coffee filters, white milk jug lid, half-length of gold pipe cleaner,  glitter, cotton, glue, black permanent marker

1. Fold one coffee filter in half and glue the edges together.
2. Fold the other coffee filter in half; then fold it half again and glue the two folded edges together.
3. Glue the folded coffee filters together to create the angel's body.
4. Draw a face inside the milk jug lid; then glue the lid onto the angel's body to resemble the head.
5. Shape the pipe cleaner into a halo.  Glue the halo to the back of the head.
6. Glue cotton hair onto the angel's head.
7. Draw a glue design on the angel's body; then sprinkle it with glitter.  When the glue is dry, shake off the excess glitter.
8. If desired, attach a piece of magnetic tape to the back of the angel to create a decorative magnet.

Holiday Windsock

• Supplies Needed: 4 1/2 x 20" card-stock strip, 8-10 wrapping paper strips, red, green, yellow, and blue tempera paint, ribbon, hole puncher, stapler, set of sponge printers(trace christmas shapes like tree, candy cane, bell, star) on sponges and cut out.

1. Sponge-print holiday shapes onto card-stock strip.  Allow the paint to dry.
2. Staple eight to ten wrapping paper strips along the bottom of the card-stock strip.
3. Staple the ends of the card-stock strip together to create a windsock.
4. Punch a hole near the top of the windsock; then punch another hole opposite the first one.
5. Tie on a ribbon hanger.

Drinking Straw Art

• Supplies Needed: Drinking Straws, Poster Board, White Glue, Scissors, Pencil, Tape, Pipe Cleaner( for hanging)

1. Design a Scene or Word.  
2. Sketch it onto poster board.
3. Cut straws and glue them onto the design. 
4. Glue more straws around your child's picture to form a frame.
5. Glue or tape a pipe cleaner on back for hanging.  Could also thread cut straws onto the pipe cleaner to add style.

Checkbox Camera

• Supplies Needed: Cardboard toilet paper tube, acrylic paint, check box, construction paper, craft knife, double stick tape, foil or other shiny embellishment, markers, pencil, scissors, small viewfinder-like embellishment, transparent tape

1. Cover outside of the check box with construction paper and tape into place.
2. Cut toilet paper tube to 3" long.
3. Paint the toilet paper tube.  Let dry.
4. Using the toilet paper tube as your guide, trace a circle in the center of the check box, then cut it out with craft knife.
5. Slide the toilet paper tube in to the circle cut from the check box, making sure most of it is sticking out.
6. Cut a small square of foil and tape to the upper, right hand corner of the check box to create the flash.
7. Tape small viewfinder-like embellishment next to the flash.
8. Using markers or construction paper, create other camera buttons and features as desired.

Picture Frames

• Supplies Needed: 4 Craft sticks for each frame, Cool-temperature Glue Gun/glue sticks, Photograph, Embellishments, Ribbon

1. Put a dab of glue on both ends of 2 sticks.  Glue these to the top of 2 additional sticks.
2. Put a tiny bit of glue on the photograph side of each corner of the photograph and place it behind frame window.
3. Glue a ribbon to 2 corners at the back of the frame for hanging, or add embellishments for a designer touch.

Sun Catchers

• Supplies Needed: 3 medium notched craft sticks, cool-temperature glue gun/glue sticks, rhinestones, ribbon or string for hanging

1. Glue sticks on top of each other to form a star pattern.
2. Glue rhinestones to star one at a time.
3. Hang in a window so the sun will catch and reflect light from your sun catcher.
4. Use can also try using pom-poms or beads.

Table Craft Sticks

• Supplies Needed: 5 small craft sticks, 11 jumbo craft sticks, cool-temperature glue gun/glue sticks, paint

1. Place 4 jumbo sticks on the table so they have a slight space between them.  Put a dab of glue on each stick and stick 2 small sticks on top of glue dots
2. Glue 1 jumbo stick on each long side of tabletop and 1 small stick on each end of tabletop.
3. Cut legs desired length, glue legs in place underneath table in each corner. 
4. Glue jumbo stick in place as table support, underneath table slant ways.
5. Glue a small stick in place to resemble drawer.
6. Paint table and glue bead for drawer handle.

Chair Craft Sticks

• Supplies Needed: 3 jumbo craft sticks, 11 small craft sticks, cool-temperature glue gun/glue sticks, paint

1. Front legs of chair; Cut 1 jumbo stick into 2 pieces rounded on 1 end.
2. Put a dot of glue on either end of 1 small craft stick and place on straight end of one stick.  Put a dot of glue on second small stick and place slightly below first stick.
3. Chair back and back legs.  Place 2 jumbo sticks next to the 2 sticks in step 2, align rounded bottoms, and repeat step 2.
4. Chair seat: Glue 5 small sticks together with a thin thread of glue on one side of each stick.
5. Glue the front legs to the front of the seat and back legs to the back of the seat.
6. Glue 2 small sticks to the underside of the chair as support.
7. Paint chair.

Bed Craft Sticks

• Supplies Needed: 4 medium craft sticks, 8 small craft sticks, 13 jumbo craft sticks, cool-temperature glue gun/glue sticks, paint

1. Footboard --- place 1 medium stick on hard surface.  Place a jumbo stick on each end of medium stick.(Do not glue in place).  With a dab of glue on the end of 4 small sticks, glue the small sticks to the medium stick, in the space between the 2 jumbo sticks.
2. Repeat with bottom medium stick.
3. Glue jumbo stick under each end of medium stick.
4. Headboard--- repeat Steps 1-3 only turn opposite way so the small sticks are at the top.
5. Bed---Glue 6 jumbo sticks together with a thin thread of glue on each side of stick.
6. Bed support--turn bed upside down and glue 2 jumbo sticks on each side.
7. Glue footboard to bottom of bed headboard to top of bed.
8. Glue one jumbo stick diagonally across bottom of bed for support.
9. Paint.
10. Decorate with miniature linens and pillow or cover the bed with roses--you now have your own "bed of roses"!

Photo Jars

• Supplies Needed: Jars with lids, favorite photographs, metal paints, paintbrush

1. Paint lids and let dry.
2. Cut pictures to fit exactly from top to bottom of jar.
3. Place photograph in jar.
4. Use in place of picture frames.

Water Globes

• Supplies Needed: Baby Food jar with tight-fitting lids, course sandpaper, distilled water, epoxy glue, glitter, glycerin(available at the pharmacy or hobby lobby), metal paint, miniatures, ceramic figurines, or plastic toys(do not use metal-they rust), paintbrush

1. Paint jar lids. Let dry.
2. Sand the inside of the lid until the metal is scratched.
3. Following manufacturer's instructions, using clear-drying epoxy to adhere the miniature to the inside of the lid.  Let epoxy dry.
4. Fill the jar almost to the top with distilled water.  Add glitter and a dash of glycerin to keep glitter from falling too quickly.  
5. Screw the lid on tightly, being careful not to spill the water or dislodge the miniature.

Christmas Tree Ornaments

• Supplies Needed: Fresh Cranberries, Miniature Marshmallows, Thin Florist Wire, Holiday Ribbon

1. Cut the wire into 16" lengths.  
2. Begin by threading a cranberry on the wire, leaving about 1 1/2" of wire at the end.
3. Alternate cranberries and marshmallow.  
4. When the wire is almost covered, twist it into a wreath shape.
5. Twist end pieces of wire together.
6. Attach a ribbon to the wire and hang it on the tree.

Greeting Card Oraments

• Supplies Needed: Embroidery Floss, Used Greeting Cards,  A Cup, Pencil, Scissors, A Ruler, and Glue

1. Fold a length of embroidery floss about 16 inches long in half and set it aside.
2. Use the cup to trace five circles onto colorful areas of the cards. Cut them out.
3. Fold each circle in half so the picture is on the inside.
4. Spread the glue on one of the plain halves of one of the folded circles.  Press half of another folded circle onto the glued area.
5. Apply glue to the other half of the second circle and press on a third circle.  Then glue on the fourth circle.
6. Run a line of glue down the center area.  Place the folded floss in it so the ends are in the glue and the lopped end is free.
7. Glue the last folded circle in place  to close the ornament.  Allow the glue to dry before you hang up the ornament.

Activities :

Homemade I Spy Game

• Supplies Needed: 25 sheets of Card-stock(2 Different Prints), 2 Duplicate Pictures(Around 50), Glue

1. Cut out 2 x 2" squares out of card-stock.  
2. Glue each picture on the blank side of the card-stock squares.
3. Then divide the pictures put one of each picture in two separate piles.
4. Take one pile and turn upside down, so you can see the pictures.
5. Then take the other pile and put them out on the table or floor, with picture side up, making a square.
6. Then turn over a card in the pile and see who can be the first one to find the picture in the square.

Take Apart Old Machines

• Supplies Needed: Old machine that is broken(VCR, Old Clock, Computer, etc. , Tools to take it apart, Cardboard, Glue

1. Let your child take apart an old machine.  Have them look at all the parts.
2. If you want you can see if your child can put it back together.
3. You can also have your child glue the parts onto a piece of cardboard for artwork.

Shaving Cream Bath Paint:

• Supplies Needed: Muffin Tin, Spoon, Can of Shaving Cream, Food Coloring(Variety of Colors)

1. Squirt shaving cream dollops into each section of a muffin tin.  
2. Add a couple of drops of food coloring to each section and mix together with a spoon.
3. Place the tin where kids can reach it while in the bathtub.  
4. Let them dip their fingers, hands, or sponges into the paints and create pictures on the walls and tub.
5. When bath time is over, be sure to rinse away the paint.

Rubbery Flubbery Dough

• Supplies Needed: Cornstarch, Cold Water, Measuring Cups, Mixing Bowl and Spoon, Salt, Hot Water, Saucepan and hot plate or stove, wooden toy mallet or block of wood, wide dowel or rolling pin, items to stick into dough( birthday candles, chopsticks, craft sticks, golf tees, large pegs, plastic animals, straws), box lids, airtight container or plastic bag

1. Prepare:  Make the dough.  (Children love to help and particularly enjoy putting their hands in the soft cornstarch.)  Pour 1 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup cold water into a mixing bowl and stir with a spoon.  Set it aside.  Add 1 cup salt and 1 cup hot water into a saucepan on a hotplate or stove and bring it to a boil.  Pour the contents of the mixing bowl into the hot saucepan mixture.  Turn down the heat to low.  Stir constantly while it cooks, until the mixture is dry and thick (like pie dough).  Remove from the heat and put the dough on a board or counter to cool.  After it cools, knead until smooth.
2. Put out a toy mallet or block of wood, a rolling pin or dowel, and a selection of items(in box lids) for poking the dough.
3. If the dough gets sticky, pour some dry powdery cornstarch on the table and roll the dough in it.
4. Although this recipe stores well in an airtight container, it does dry out more quickly than other play-clays.

Buttermilk Chalk Drawing

• Supplies Needed: Chalk in assorted colors, buttermilk, white typing paper, plastic bowls, colorful sheet of construction paper

1. Partially fill the bowl with buttermilk.
2. Dip the chalk color of your choice in the buttermilk.
3. Draw a design with the wet chalk on the white paper.  Continue to dip the chalk as needed to keep the end wet.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each desired chalk color.
5. Let the picture dry; then mount it on the construction paper.

Wrapping Paper Battle

• Supplies Needed: Wrapping Paper

1. After opening all the presents, save the paper.  
2. Everyone grabs paper and the battle begins.
3. Wad up paper and start throwing it at everyone.
4. Toward the end you can have someone stand with a garbage bag and see if they can make a basket.

Present Pouch

• Supplies Needed: Felt, Ribbon, Hole Puncher, Gift 

1. Trace a plate onto felt. Cut out the circle.
2. Punch holes one inch apart along the outside edge of the felt circle.
3. Thread a ribbon through the holes until the ends meet.  Leaving two inches extra on each end, cut the ribbon.
4. Place a gift inside the pouch, and pull the ribbon ends until the pouch closes.  Tie a bow.

Different Ways To Gift Wrap

• Supplies Needed: Use Tissue Paper, a Bandanna, or Aluminum Foil, Pinecone, Glue and Glitter, Plain White Wrapping Paper, Paint, Sponges or Stamps

1. Draw christmas shapes on sponges and cut out and use as stamps.  Stamp on plain white wrapping paper and let dry.
2. Decorate a pinecone.  Add glue to pinecone and place in plastic bag with glitter, close and shake the bag.  Pull pinecone out and let dry.  Put string on top of pinecone and tape onto present.

Sparkle Tag

• Supplies Needed: Poster Board, Sequins, Aluminum Foil, Ribbon, Markers

1. Cut out a poster-board tag.
2. Glue a shaped sequin, such as a snowflake or tree, on one corner of the tag.
3. Wrap the tag with aluminum foil, gluing the ends in back.
4. Rub your finger over the sequin to make the shape appear in the foil.
5. Glue the tag onto poster board.  Punch a hole in the corner, and thread a ribbon through it.

Bag of Cocoa Mix

• Supplies Needed: 2 cups instant dry milk, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa, plastic sandwich bag, piece of paper, paper lunch bag, glitter, glue

1. Fold a square piece of paper several times.  Cut out triangles and other shapes from the edges.  Open the paper, and glue it to a paper lunch bag.  Decorate with glitter.
2. Mix together 2 cups instant dry milk, 1 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa.  Put the mixture in a zip-top plastic sandwich bag.  Write the following directions on a piece of paper:  Place three heaping teaspoons in a cup. Add boiling water, stir, and drink it up!
3. Put the sealed sandwich bag and the directions in the decorated bag. Tie it closed with ribbon.

Coaster Set

• Supplies Needed: Colorful Scrubber Pads, Yarn Needle, Yarn, Small Box, Wrapping Paper, Tape

1. Cut large circles from scrubber pads.
2. With a yarn needle and yarn, stich designs into the coasters.  Knot the ends on the back.
3. For the holder, cut the bottom section from a small box, that's slightly wider than the coasters.  Cover the box with gift wrap.

Squish and Wish

• Supplies Needed: Empty 16-ounce plastic shampoo bottle, 1 heavy-duty (helium-quality latex)  11" ballon, 1/2 to 3/4 cup of flour, rag or dishcloth

1. Throughly rinse the shampoo bottle with warm water until all soapsuds are gone.  Cut off the bottom of the bottle.  Dry the inside of the bottle thoroughly.
2. Roll down the neck of the balloon and stretch it over the bottle's neck.  Make sure it fits tightly.
3. Scoop 2 tablespoons of flour into the bottle and shake the flour into the balloon.  Continue adding a tablespoon of flour at a time until the balloon appears full.  Gently press the balloon against the countertop to force any air out of the balloon.  Add more flour.  Continue pressing out air and filling the balloon with flour until it is the weight and has the feel you desire.  (The more air inside , the more spongy the feel.  Less air allows the balloon to be molded into shapes.)
4. When the balloon is filled, pinch it at the base of the neck and remove the bottle.  Tie the neck into a knot.  With a slightly damp rag, wipe off any excess flour around the outside of the balloon.  Pat the balloon dry with the dishcloth.

Human Christmas Tree Game

• Supplies Needed: Non-Breakable, Christmas Tree Ornaments, Tinsel, Garland, Pipe Cleaners, Tape

1. Have two teams if you want to play it like a game.
2. Each team tries to decorate their human tree the best they can.
3. You can use the pipe cleaners for the hangers or tape the tinsel and garland on.
4. Make sure to take pictures.
5. The most decorative teams wins.

Christmas Printable Activities

• Christmas Games: Click Here

Child's 12 Days of Christmas

• Supplies Needed: Writing Paper, Pencil, Crayons, 12 Sheets of Plain Paper, Foam Craft, Yarn

1. Make a book.  Fold a foam craft in half and cut for the front and back of their book.  Then fold papers in half for the book, don't cut.  Make sure there is enough for 12 days and a front and back page.
2. Place foam on top of folder papers and punch 3 holes down the sides .  Thread yarn through the holes and tie.
3. Then let your child think of something that their family members gave them.  Like on the first day of christmas my brother gave to me a sock to hang on top of my tree.  Write it down on the first page at the bottom or top of page.  Make sure to leave enough room for your child to draw a picture of the sock on the tree.  Then on second page they can say: On the second day of christmas my aunt gave to me two pairs of shoes to hang on my tree.  Do this until on twelve days are done.  The sillier the items received, the better.  You can use grandpa, grandma, uncle, sister, friends, dog, cat, mom, dad, cousin, etc.

Food:

• Campbells soup Chicken and Stars and Christmas Crackers

• Trail Mix: 8 cups freshly popped popcorn, 1 cup walnuts(toasted at 350 degrees for 5 minutes), 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 cup kosher salt, pinch of baking soda, 1 cup of dried cranberries, oil, baking sheet

1. Heat the oven to 300 degrees.  Grease a large, rimmed baking sheet.  
2. Mix the popcorn and nuts in a large, well-oiled bowl. 
3. Bring the syrup, cinnamon, and salt to a bowl in a small pot set over medium heat.  Let the mixture boil for 4 minutes, swirling the pan occasionally.  
4. Turn off the heat and add the baking soda, stirring until the mixture is creamy.  
5. Pour the mixture over the popcorn and stir well.
6. Spread the popcorn on the baking sheet and bake until its dry to the touch, about 15 minutes.
7. Let the popcorn cool for 20 minutes, then mix in the cranberries and serve.

• Stylin' Snowmen: 1 cup white chocolate chips, 50 mini chocolate chips, 10 gummy rings, 10 gumdrops, 10 (8-inch-long) pretzel rods, orange decorators' gel, fruit leather

1. Place the white chocolate chips in a 2-quart bowl.  Microwave them for 1 minute, then stir with a wooden spoon.  If the chips are not completely melted, microwave them for 30 seconds more, then stir until smooth.  Let the chocolate cool and thicken slightly.
2. One at a time, dip one end of a pretzel rod into the melted chocolate and use a plastic spoon or knife to spread the chocolate two-thirds of the way down the rod.
3.   Place the pretzel on a sheet of waxed paper and press on mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons.  Use orange decorators' gel to add a carrot nose.
4. Chill the pretzels in the refrigerator until the chocolate hardens, about 2 minutes.
5. Stand the pretzels in a mug or glass, and tie on strips of fruit leather for scarves.  For each hat, stretch a gummy ring over the narrow end of a gumdrop and secure it to the pretzel rod with a dab of melted chocolate. 
6. Makes 10.

• Candy Cane Milk

• Christmas Cupcakes: Cupcake Mix, cupcake liners, christmas candy decorations, decorators' gel, frosting

1. Have your child line the cupcake tin with cupcake liners.
2. Make cupcakes with your child. Let cool.
3. Let your child frost the cupcakes and decorate them

• Holiday Oreos
• Little Debbie Christmas Brownies or Cake Trees

Books: 

• If you take a mouse to the movies: A Special Christmas Edition by Laura Numeroff
• Twas The Night Before Christmas 
• Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck
• Legend of the Christmas Stocking by Rick Osborne
• Bear Stays Up For Christmas by Karma Wilson

Some of the Craft and Food Ideas came from the following books:

• Prime time together with kids by Donna Erickson
• Big book of monthly arts and crafts by The mailbox  : www.themailbox.com
• Highlights presents Get set for the Holidays : 2008 and 2009 edition
• Disney Family Fun Magazine: December/January 2010
• Look What I Made! By Anita Reith Stohs
• Easy Fun Projects with Everyday Items by Ruby Shumaker

Here Comes Santa Claus: Part C: Week 16: December 20-December 26H

Here Comes Santa Claus: Part C: Week 16: December 20-December 26H

Here Comes Santa Claus: Part C

Craft Supplies:

Shooting Star

•  Supplies Needed: Yellow Construction Paper, 2 Gold Sparkle Pipe Cleaners, Tissue Paper, Gold Glitter, Scissors, Glue, Hole Puncher, Nylon Thread.

"Hand-Y" Holiday Ornament

• Supplies Needed: Cookie Sheet, Knife, Oven, Small Photo of Child, Green Felt, Tiny Sequins, Green Tempera Paint, Glue, Red Ribbon, Round Film Container, Drinking Straw, Clear Acrylic, Cornstarch Dough(One Cup  of Cornstarch, Salt, Water; Makes 8).

"Ginger-Bag" House

• Supplies Needed: Small Brown Paper Bag, 6" Brown Square (Cut from a paper grocery bag), Assorted colors of construction paper, White Paint Pen (Or White Paint and thin brush), White Ribbon, Glue, Hole Puncher, Newspaper

Gingerbread Friends

•  Supplies Needed: Large Bowl, Red and Green Food Coloring, Ground Cinnamon, Ginger, And Cloves, Gingerbread people cookie cutters, rolling pin, coffee stirrer, cookie sheet, oven, white paint pen, fine-tipped permanent markers, small pom-poms, craft glue, thin ribbon, baking dough(2 1/2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup of salt, 1 cup of water; makes 12 gingerbread people)

Toy Soldier Mask

• Supplies  Needed: 9" Paper plate, Black, red, yellow and blue Construction Paper, 6" Length of Yellow Ribbon, wide craft stick, regular craft stick, chalk, scissors, glue, black marker or crayon, clothespins, stapler

Candle Pencil Topper

• Supplies Needed: 3" felt Squares, orange felt, fabric marker, glue, pencil, scissors

Fancy Filter Angel

• Supplies Needed: 2" round coffee filters, white milk jug lid, half-length of gold pipe cleaner,  glitter, cotton, glue, black permanent marker

Holiday Windsock

• Supplies Needed: 4 1/2 x 20" card-stock strip, 8-10 wrapping paper strips, red, green, yellow, and blue tempera paint, ribbon, hole puncher, stapler, set of sponge printers(trace christmas shapes like tree, candy cane, bell, star) on sponges and cut out.

Drinking Straw Art

• Supplies Needed: Drinking Straws, Poster Board, White Glue, Scissors, Pencil, Tape, Pipe Cleaner( for hanging)

Checkbox Camera

• Supplies Needed: Cardboard toilet paper tube, acrylic paint, check box, construction paper, craft knife, double stick tape, foil or other shiny embellishment, markers, pencil, scissors, small viewfinder-like embellishment, transparent tape

Picture Frames

• Supplies Needed: 4 Craft sticks for each frame, Cool-temperature Glue Gun/glue sticks, Photograph, Embellishments, Ribbon

Sun Catchers

• Supplies Needed: 3 medium notched craft sticks, cool-temperature glue gun/glue sticks, rhinestones, ribbon or string for hanging

Table Craft Sticks

• Supplies Needed: 5 small craft sticks, 11 jumbo craft sticks, cool-temperature glue gun/glue sticks, paint

Chair Craft Sticks

• Supplies Needed: 3 jumbo craft sticks, 11 small craft sticks, cool-temperature glue gun/glue sticks, paint

Bed Craft Sticks

• Supplies Needed: 4 medium craft sticks, 8 small craft sticks, 13 jumbo craft sticks, cool-temperature glue gun/glue sticks, paint

Photo Jars

• Supplies Needed: Jars with lids, favorite photographs, metal paints, paintbrush

Water Globes

• Supplies Needed: Baby Food jar with tight-fitting lids, course sandpaper, distilled water, epoxy glue, glitter, glycerin(available at the pharmacy or hobby lobby), metal paint, miniatures, ceramic figurines, or plastic toys(do not use metal-they rust), paintbrush

Christmas Tree Ornaments

• Supplies Needed: Fresh Cranberries, Miniature Marshmallows, Thin Florist Wire, Holiday Ribbon

Greeting Card Oraments

• Supplies Needed: Embroidery Floss, Used Greeting Cards,  A Cup, Pencil, Scissors, A Ruler, and Glue

Activities Supplies:

Homemade I Spy Game

• Supplies Needed: 25 sheets of Card-stock(2 Different Prints), 2 Duplicate Pictures(Around 50), Glue

Take Apart Old Machines

• Supplies Needed: Old machine that is broken(VCR, Old Clock, Computer, etc. , Tools to take it apart, Cardboard, Glue

Shaving Cream Bath Paint:

• Supplies Needed: Muffin Tin, Spoon, Can of Shaving Cream, Food Coloring(Variety of Colors)

Rubbery Flubbery Dough

• Supplies Needed: Cornstarch, Cold Water, Measuring Cups, Mixing Bowl and Spoon, Salt, Hot Water, Saucepan and hot plate or stove, wooden toy mallet or block of wood, wide dowel or rolling pin, items to stick into dough( birthday candles, chopsticks, craft sticks, golf tees, large pegs, plastic animals, straws), box lids, airtight container or plastic bag

Buttermilk Chalk Drawing

• Supplies Needed: Chalk in assorted colors, buttermilk, white typing paper, plastic bowls, colorful sheet of construction paper

Wrapping Paper Battle

• Supplies Needed: Wrapping Paper

Present Pouch

• Supplies Needed: Felt, Ribbon, Hole Puncher, Gift 

Different Ways To Gift Wrap

• Supplies Needed: Use Tissue Paper, a Bandanna, or Aluminum Foil, Pinecone, Glue and Glitter, Plain White Wrapping Paper, Paint, Sponges or Stamps

Sparkle Tag

• Supplies Needed: Poster Board, Sequins, Aluminum Foil, Ribbon, Markers

Bag of Cocoa Mix

• Supplies Needed: 2 cups instant dry milk, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa, plastic sandwich bag, piece of paper, paper lunch bag, glitter, glue

Coaster Set

• Supplies Needed: Colorful Scrubber Pads, Yarn Needle, Yarn, Small Box, Wrapping Paper, Tape

Squish and Wish

• Supplies Needed: Empty 16-ounce plastic shampoo bottle, 1 heavy-duty (helium-quality latex)  11" ballon, 1/2 to 3/4 cup of flour, rag or dishcloth

Human Christmas Tree Game

• Supplies Needed: Non-Breakable, Christmas Tree Ornaments, Tinsel, Garland, Pipe Cleaners

Christmas Printable Activities

• Christmas Games: Click Here

Child's 12 Days of Christmas

• Supplies Needed: Writing Paper, Pencil, Crayons, 12 Sheets of Plain Paper, Foam Craft, Yarn

Food:

• Campbells soup Chicken and Stars and Christmas Crackers
• Trail Mix: 8 cups freshly popped popcorn, 1 cup walnuts(toasted at 350 degrees for 5 minutes), 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 cup kosher salt, pinch of baking soda, 1 cup of dried cranberries, oil, baking sheet
• Stylin' Snowmen: 1 cup white chocolate chips, 50 mini chocolate chips, 10 gummy rings, 10 gumdrops, 10 (8-inch-long) pretzel rods, orange decorators' gel, fruit leather
• Candy Cane Milk
• Christmas Cupcakes: Cupcake Mix, cupcake liners, christmas candy decorations, decorators' gel
• Holiday Oreos
• Little Debbie Christmas Brownies or Cake Trees

Books: 

• If you take a mouse to the movies: A Special Christmas Edition by Laura Numeroff
• Twas The Night Before Christmas 
• Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck
• Legend of the Christmas Stocking by Rick Osborne
• Bear Stays Up For Christmas by Karma Wilson

Wacky Wednesday:

Polar Express

Stay in PJ's all day and Relax and Watch the Movie.  They even have it in 3-D!!!  It's Great!  Read the book at night to your child before they go to bed.

Snow Blowers Game

• Supplies Needed: Paper Towel Tubes, Paint, Decorations, Glue, Cotton Balls

Bell Scavenger Hunt

• Supplies Needed: Big Jingle Bell

Popsicle Train Tracks

• Supplies Needed: Small and Large Popsicle Sticks, Glue, Paint

Candy Train 

• Supplies Needed: Life Savers, Pack of Double-mint Gum, A Hersey's Kiss, 4 Peppermint Candies,  Carmel

Train Ticket

• Supplies Needed: Card Stock, Black Marker, Decorations, Glitter, Glue, Stickers

Wooden Train

• Supplies Needed: Wooden Train(Found at Hobby Lobby or Walmart), Paint, Paint Brush

Cardboard Train

• Supplies Needed: 1 large Cardboard Box, Several Small Boxes, Black and Red Construction Paper, Very Small Box, Paint or Wrapping Paper, Empty Paper Towel Rolls, Yarn, Pieces of Cardboard, Large Brads, Empty Oatmeal Container, Cotton Balls, White Pipe Cleaners

Lost Cargo Train Game

• Supplies Needed: Different Items to Hide, Sheet of paper, Pen

Coal Game

• Supplies Needed: Foil, 6 Empty Containers, Train Pictures, Tape

Passport

• Supplies Needed: Card-stock, Picture of your child, Glue, Decorations, Marker, Yarn, Plain Paper, Hole Puncher

Loading The Train Game

• Supplies Needed: Ping Pong Balls, Spoon, Container

Index Card Train

• Supplies Needed: Index cards, Decorations, Cardboard, Glue, Yarn

Pretend to be an Engineer

• Supplies Needed: Red Bandana, Stripped Overalls, Conductor Hat, WoodenTrain Whistle or Candy Whistle

Pretend Train Tracks

• Supplies Needed: Blue Painters Tape

Go on a Real Train Ride

Bell Bracelet

• Supplies Needed: Pipe Cleaner, Bells, Beads

Pin the Train on the Tracks Game

• Supplies Needed: Poster Board, Popsicle Sticks, Glue, Picture of a Train, Clear Contact Paper, Double Sided Tape

Popsicle Railroad Crossing Sign

• Supplies Needed: Popsicle Sticks, Blank and White Paint, Glue, Black Marker

Choo, Choo, Caboose Game

• Just Like Duck, Duck Goose

Pretend Fire

• Supplies Needed: Empty Paper Towel Tubes, Scissors, Red and Yellow Tissue Paper

Dining Car

• Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows or Whip Cream with Candy Cane Stirrer (Hy-Vee has great flavored hot chocolate in individual packets like butterscotch, carmel and more.
• Pretzel Train Tracks: Pretzel Rods, String Licorice 
• Train Gummies
• Cakes and Cookies
• More on the website below

Printables:

• Click Here: For Great Printables and other ideas
• www.polarexpress.com

Thirsty For Knowledge Thursday:

• Index Cards
• 2 Duplicate Pictures Of Items 27 and 28
• 3 8 x 10 Cardboard Pieces
• Foam Book, 2 duplicate Pictures Of Items 27 and 28
• Cardboard, Marker, Yarn, Plastic Needle
• Clock
• Large pictures of people from old magazines, Glue, Cardboard, Clear Contact Paper
• Shoe box with lid, Scissors, Decorate Box(If Desired), 28 Poker Chips
• Plastic Margarine Tub, Big, Clean Sock, 1-10 small counting items, such as cubes, small balls, or acorns
• Different kinds of Fruit, Pictures of that fruit, bowls, Skewers, Index Cards

Bake/Cook/Make Day Saturday

Honey Crunch Cookies

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup honey
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup  butterscotch chips
• 4 cups crisp rice cereal

Chocolate Pecan Kisses

• 1 egg white
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Here Comes Santa Claus: Part C: Week 16: December 20-December 26H