Edible Mud Play Dough (Guest Post: A Pinch of Perfect)
I’m excited to share this guest post with you by Katie from A Pinch of Perfect. Katie posted on my Facebook wall that she found me through the SITS Girls and as soon as I saw her blog I knew I had to ask her to guest post right away. Katie’s blog is packed full of great activities and fun ideas for your little ones, so be sure to visit her blog after reading and commenting on this post! Now here’s Katie…
I have noticed that mud must have some sort of magnetic properties because my son can’t seem to stay away from it. My poor garden has suffered multiple assaults from my son and his shovel. To try and deter him from the garden I wanted to make him some mud that he could play with indoors or outdoors and as often as he would like. This is how Edible Mud Play Dough came to be. It had to be edible because I think you never can be too safe when toddlers are around (my son just turned 1.5) so I work really hard at coming up with safe activities for him.
(See more Toddler Friendly Activities Here)
Our homemade mud can be made with things found in your pantry. It’s fast and simple to make and looks exactly like mud. After coming up with this awesome recipe, when my husband came home from work and took a look at the “muddy” tray on the table he wondered why I had brought mud into the house. Oh the look he gave me when I took a bite was priceless, lol! By now he should know we are always up to something fun and interesting.
The awesome part about Edible Mud Play Dough is it is dry and crumbly and at the same time doughy and shapeable. Although it is edible, it doesn’t taste good at all so this activity shouldn’t turn into snack time. Get those trucks, shovels, and mud pie pans out because your kiddo is going to love playing with it. What a fun new Sensory Play experience!
(see more Sensory Play Activities Here)
Supplies:
1 Large box of chocolate pudding mix (we used the instant kind)
1 C. baking soda
1/4 C water
3 Tbs. oil
I suggest making one batch per kid.
Directions:
Mix dry ingredients together.
Add wet ingredients and mix evenly and it’s ready to be played with.
Makes a perfect mud ball because it can hold its shape, but will still crumble apart.
Here are my busy little kiddos smashing, filling, and building away.
My daughter used the words, “crumbly, brown, and soft.” What sensory words will your kiddo use to describe it?
Sometimes toddlers are hard to keep entertained…well my little man played with his dough for an impressively long time and even outlasted my daughter. He must love his new mud!
We hope you enjoy our Edible Mud Play Dough Recipe. Thanks for playing with us. Drop by A Little Pinch of Perfect to say hi and make sure you catch our next fun idea!
Love-Katie and the Kiddos
Katie is a Stay-At-Home-Mom who is kept busy by her spunky 3 year old daughter and curious 1 year old son. She is always coming up with new, fun, and creative ideas to keep her kiddos excited throughout the day. She believes that creativity helps little minds learn & grow in amazing ways that conventional methods only dream about. Visit A Little Pinch of Perfect to discover more or follow her on social media on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, and Bloglovin’
Thank you, Katie! 🙂
Do your kids love playing in the mud?
Have you ever made mud play dough?
Please leave a comment for Katie below!
This post is linked to: SITS Sharefest (July 12, 2014)
Celebrating Memorial Day: Patriotic Traditions!
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Here are some great family traditions for celebrating patriotic holidays: Memorial Day (May), Flag Day (June 14), Independence Day (July 4th), and Veterans Day (November).
Attend a local parade or other event
Many towns hold parades, fireworks, or memorial services on certain patriotic holidays.
If you live in Beaver County, PA or the Greater Pittsburgh Area you can find local events posted here or on my local Facebook page: Beaver County Family Fun.
Display and/or carry a flag and wear poppies
Wear red, white and blue
(Video here)
Make a patriotic themed craft
Teach the kids to salute servicemen/women and veterans
Teach the kids the Pledge of Allegiance
Here’s a video of Adaline reciting the Pledge of Allegiance when she was 3 years old.
(Video here)
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Need more inspiration? See how other bloggers celebrate patriotic holidays…
*Flag Tag Relay Race: @ Spoonful.com
*Flag Day activity for kids: Flag Hunt!: @ No Time for Flashcards
*4th of July Neighborhood Bike Parade: @ Busy Kids Happy Mom
*Making Memorial Day Special and Fun For Your Kids: @ Disney Family
Patriotic Balloon Volleyball, Patriotic Color Race, Plan a Patriotic Party for Memorial Day
*10 Kids 4th of July Celebration Ideas: @ B-Inspired Mama
Have a Kids 4th of July Party, Decorate the House, Play with a Sensory Bin, Make a Kids 4th of July Treat, Dress Up, Have a Picnic, Do a Craft, Learn about Independence Day, Have a Kids 4th of July Parade, Decorate Your Bike
*Our Family Flag: @ Beauty and Bedlam
”What better way than the 4th of July to create your own Family Flag? Use construction paper, felt, or fabric. Select…symbols that represent each member of your
family.”
*Activities to Teach your Child about Memorial Day: @ Premeditated Leftovers
Have a History Lesson, Observe the Moment of Silence at 3 PM and Important Tradition, Learn About Your Military Relatives, Gather for a Family Cookout, Learn a Patriotic Song Together, and More Patriotic Activities for Kids
*10 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day with Your Child!:
@ Super Coupon Lady
Go to your local cemetery, Fly your flag high, Find out about Memorial Day events in your city, Bring donations to your local veteran’s hospital, Enjoy children’s Memorial Day books together, Make a patriotic themed craft, Wear patriotic colors, Take a moment of silence, Attend a Memorial Day parade, Teach your kids to place their right hands over their hearts when they see the flag go by
*Memorial Day for Kids {A Few Ideas}: @ Fun-A-Day
A Simple American Flag Craft, Drawing Pictures for Marines (or other servicemen/women), Visiting a family member’s grave
*Memorial Day Activities for Kids: @ My Kid’s Guide
Make bouquets and wreaths, Make flags, Visit the local veterans hospital, Memorial Day Activities for Kids: Visit Veterans, Read stories on Memorial Day, Everyone wears red, white and blue
*10 ways to say thank you on Memorial Day: @ The House of Hendrix
Use your phone, Tweet use the #wearegrateful hashtag, write a letter, Fly a flag, Attend a parade, Make patriotic cookies, Pray for the families, give a discount to veterans, offer to do yard work, Do something
*10 Memorial Day Traditions That Are More Meaningful Than a BBQ:
@ The Stir Cafe Mom
Visit a veterans’ home, Visit the local veterans cemetery, Attend a parade., Attend a memorial service, Raise your flag, Honor the National Moment of Remembrance, Hoist a POW/MIA flag, Visit a battlefield, Watch/Listen to the National Memorial Day Concert, Share a photo of your beloved fallen soldier/airman/etc. on Facebook or Instagram.
*Discover and Share Memorial Day Traditions and Activities: @ PBS.org
Displaying the Flag, Visiting Gravesites, Participating in the National Moment of Remembrance, Visiting Local Veterans Homes and Hospitals, Attending Memorial Day Parades, Experiencing the Nation’s Memorials, Brushing Up on Family and American History, Wearing Memorial Day Poppies
*5 Family Activities for Memorial Day Weekend: @ Parent Society
Get out and grill, Watch a parade, Watch the fireworks, Snag some savings, Root, root, root for the home team
*Celebrating Memorial Day with Children: @ No Twiddle Twaddle
Honor a soldier’s grave, Read books that honor soldiers
*Sharing Memorial Day with Kids: @ The Educator’s Spin on it
*Memorial Day Books for Kids: @ 3 Boys and a Dog
How does your family celebrate patriotic holidays? Let me know in the comments!
May Day (May 1st) Traditions
May 1st is “May Day”! On May Day there is a tradition of leaving baskets of flowers or goodies hanging on your neighbors’ doors anonymously. Other ways to celebrate May Day include the Maypole, building fairy houses, making/wearing a floral hat or wreath, and even a Magic Jellybean Lollipop Garden (a tradition that my family does for Easter). Below you will find a round up of May Day ideas from around the web including traditions, maypole tutorials, May Day treats, and free May Day printables.
You can find inspiration and tutorials for May Baskets on my May Day pinboard. A May Day Basket post will be coming someday. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next year. Who knows?! (I sure don’t.)
MAY DAY TRADITIONS
*6 Ways to Celebrate May Day: @ WikiHow
Adding a Maypole to Your Backyard, Warming Up By a Bonfire, Trying Other Dancing, Enjoying May Day Food and Drink, Celebrating May Day with Flowers, Trying a Little May Magic
*The Most Fun May Day Traditions: Magic Morning Dew, Fairy Houses and Foliage Accessories: @ BunchFamily.ca
*Jack in the green: @ Wikipedia.org
*Creating Summer Hats: @ Creative Connections for Kids
*May Day Flower Headband Tutorial: @ Simple Simon and Co.
*May Day – Magic Jelly Beans: @ Nothing But Country
*Super Mommy Secret~May Day Tradition: @ Secrets of a Super Mommy
*An Old-Fashioned May Day Celebration: @ Mrs. Gore’s Diary
*Montessori Inspired May Day Activities: @ Living Montessori Now
A great collection of links to May Day Activities
*LOCAL SPRING FESTIVALS!
Check your local community to see if they are hosting a spring or May Day festival!
Adelina from @ Home Maid Simple shared her family’s trip to the Provo Spring Festival complete with Maypole dancing!
*Carrying on the May Day Tradition: @ Omahaha
MAYPOLES
*Paper Towel Roll Maypole Craft: @ DLTK-Kids
*Children’s Maypole Tutorial: @ Mommy Blessings
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*Making a Maypole: @ MarthaStewart.com
*Maypole Dancing and DIY Maypole: @ How to Run a Home Daycare
*May Day and DIY Maypole: @ Montessori Mischief
They used a tall floor lamp as a maypole!
MAY DAY TREATS AND SNACKS
*DIY Mini Maypole Cakes: @ Studio DIY
Cute Maypole bundt cake made with a stripey straw and ribbons.
*May Day Cupcakes: @ Cupcake Project
*Maypole cupcakes: @ Martha Stewart
*Maypole Cake: @ Fiskars
MAY DAY PRINTABLES
*Start a May Day Tradition with these Free May Day Printables: @ Happy Money Saver
*May Day Surprise: @ Creative Preschool Resources
Free printable tag
*Free Printable May Day Gift Tags: @ Skip to My Lou
*DIY Printable May Day Basket: @ Alpha Mom
*Printable May Day Basket Template: @ Printables4Kids.com
*Free Printable May Day Basket (cone): @ The Neighborhood
*May Baskets Poem and Poster / Coloring Sheet: @ DLTK
Do you celebrate May Day? What’s your May Day tradition? Let me know in the comments!
April Holiday Traditions
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April is almost here and it’s time to start planning your holiday traditions!
Here are some ideas for family traditions for April holidays.
*30+ APRIL FOOLS PRANKS TO PLAY ON YOUR KIDS
If you’re not really digging the idea of pranking your kids maybe you can come together
as a family and create some silly and foolish April Fools Day fun with these…
*APRIL FOOLS DAY FAMILY TRADITIONS!
*FREE APRIL FOOLS PRINTABLES!
Just print and prank! 😉
*EASTER TRADITION: MAGIC JELLYBEAN PRAYER AND LOLLIPOP GARDEN
*FREE PRINTABLE EASTER BUNNY PAW PRINT TEMPLATE
*EASTER TRADITION: EASTER BUNNY TRACKS 2011
*EASTER TRADITION: EASTER BUNNY TRACKS 2012
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*EASTER TRADITION: EASTER BUNNY TRACKS 2013
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*50+ EASTER EGG DECORATING IDEAS
*NATURAL DYES FOR COLORING EASTER EGGS
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Free Dr. Seuss Fonts (links)
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If you’ve been looking for a FREE Dr. Seuss font to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday (Read Across America Day)…look no further! The following FREE fonts are perfect for any Dr. Seuss project, craft, printable, birthday party, baby shower, or school classroom.
Below are the links to 10 free Dr. Seuss-like fonts 🙂
The top line of each sample contains the name of the font in caps and lower case, the second line is all lower case, the last line is all upper case.
I did not create these fonts I only linked to them. To download the fonts you must click the links to go the various font websites. I have downloaded all of these fonts myself with no issues, but please be cautious when downloading anything on the internet. I am not responsible if you accidentally download a computer virus, download at your own risk. Many of the sites linked to below have several “download” buttons, but only one of them is for the actual font. Please read carefully before downloading.
Dr Seuss
As far as I know these are all the same font, but I included all of the links in case you had trouble downloading one of them.
@ SearchFreeFonts.com*@ FreePremiumFonts.com
Capital letters are all dingbats
Dr. Eve L
Not as “Seuss-y” as others, but saw it recommended in a
few places around the web so I decided to include it.
Fishbowl
This one isn’t as “Seuss-y” as the others, but I thought it might work in particular with “fish” themes such as One Fish Two Fish or the goldfish from The Cat in the Hat.
NOTE: You can not download the fonts here on my blog (I did not create the fonts, I only linked to them). You must click through the links to download the fonts and then install them on your computer. Read my comment below about how I installed these fonts to my Windows 7 computer. Please do an internet search for “how to install fonts” if this isn’t helpful to you. I have downloaded all of these fonts myself with no issues, but please be cautious when downloading anything on the internet. I am not responsible if you accidentally download a computer virus, download at your own risk. Many of the sites linked to above have several “download” buttons, but only one of them is for the actual font. Please read carefully before downloading.
How do you plan on using these free Dr. Seuss fonts?
Let me know in the comments!
FREE Ladybug Fonts / 10 Easy Dr. Seuss Snacks / A Splendiferous Dr. Seuss Breakfast
Celebrating Seuss 2011 / Dr. Seuss Celebration at the Library 2011 / Dr. Seuss Storytime at Target 2011 / Read Across America 2011
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This post is linked to…
@ Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas, Ready. Set. Read!, Reading Confetti, Montessori Tidbits, Make, Do & Friend, Putti Prapancha, Kitchen Counter Chronicles, Living at the Whitehead’s Zoo, Mama Mia’s Heart2Heart, Living Montessori Now, Kindergarten for Teachers and Parents, Toddler Approved, Creativity My Passion, Rainbows Within Reach, PreK & K Sharing
On JennRian.com: Christmas traditions with Joe Boxer pajamas from Kmart
Joe Boxer pajamas from Kmart have been a part of our family Christmas traditions for many years, so I’m excited to share this sponsored post with you over on JennRian.com. Please click the image below to see how my family chooses to #ShowYourJoe and watch a new video where my son, Jonny, completely upstages me with his cuteness!
December Christmas Traditions
December is the month for holiday traditions! Coolest Family on the Block has your family Christmas tradition needs covered from Christmas Pajamas, to Ugly Christmas Sweaters, to proof of Santa’s existence, and so much more!
Christmas Book Countdown Advent
Christmas Morning Tradition: Gift Wrap Doorway
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10 Ideas For Your Christmas Pajamas Tradition
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Ugly Christmas Sweater Tradition
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Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest Rules
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Santa Proof: Photos of Santa in your home!
Santa Proof: Santa’s Magical Sooty Bootprints
Santa Proof: Phone Calls from Santa
Santa Proof: Watch Santa feed his reindeer!
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Make Writing a Letter to Santa a Tradition
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How to Mail a Letter to Santa at the North Pole
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How to Email a Letter to Santa
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What are some of your family’s December traditions?
Let me know in the comments!
Visit my other blog…it’s pointless, sarcastic, and mildly amusing.
JennRian.com: I’m, like, funny…
Easy Last Minute Halloween Costumes
This year the Cool Family opted for some extremely cheap, simple, and easy no-sew Halloween costumes.
Thankfully Adaline insisted on being a Black Cat this year. I was going to go the leotard route but figured it was pointless to spend the extra money, especially if she would end up being too cold. She wore a black long sleeved shirt and black pants that she already had. We got a cat kit for $5 at Target which included the ears, tail, and bowtie (it also came with a weird nose, but it looked awkward). A little eyeliner nose and whiskers and we’re done!
Jon wanted to be a scarecrow. The costume was simple: overalls and flannel shirt. Jeans would work as well especially if the shirt is a little longer and you could cinch the waist with some rope. For the straw “cuffs” I just tied some yard into a circle and then tied yarn around it and put it on his wrists and shoes. For the hat/hair I stuck pieces of yarn to duct tap and then safety pinned the strip of duct tape to the hat. Simple! I was going to put a scarecrow nose and stitched mouth on him, but he wouldn’t let me 😦
When I was 2 years old I was also a scarecrow for Halloween. That’s me on the left. Do you think Jon and I look alike at all?
I decided to go as a nerd because I only needed a few accessories to complete the costume: nerd glasses, suspenders, and a bowtie. I will tell you that I’m not happy with my accessories at all. We went to Party City because it was closer and these were the only options. I think the glasses are too “trendy”, the bowtie is too “cocktail waitress”, and it was all pricier than I would’ve liked. After I’d already bought the stuff I found cheaper and more appropriate accessories at a Halloween store at the mall. So I’m disappointed.
Nerd glasses, suspenders, bowtie: Party City 2014
Nerd knee socks: Target 2014 (I already had these, because they’re awesome)
Hair Pom Poms: Gymboree 2010 (They’re Adaline’s, I thought they worked perfectly)
Because I wasn’t entirely thrilled with my nerd costume (I hated the bowtie in particular), I decided to change it up and go specifically as a Harry Potter Nerd or a Potterhead, if you will. I already had the awesome Gryffindor t-shirt and scarf, and the round Harry Potter glasses. Yes, I already had those, just for every day use. Because, shut up.
Harry Potter Glasses: Amazon
Gryffindor T-shirt: Wal-Mart 2014
Gryffindor Scarf: Universal Islands of Adventure 2011
Nerd glasses, suspenders: Party City 2014
Nerd knee socks: Target 2014
Hair Pom Poms: Gymboree 2010
It ended up being chilly so I wore a gold cardigan that I already had that matched perfectly and in the end I decided to wear the nerd glasses instead of the Harry Pottery glasses. Fascinating stuff, right?
Gryffindor T-shirt: Wal-Mart 2014
Gryffindor Scarf: Universal Islands of Adventure 2011
Gold Cardigan: Target 2013
Nerd glasses, suspenders: Party City 2014
Nerd knee socks: Target 2014 (I already had these, because they’re awesome)
Hair Pom Poms: Gymboree 2010 (They’re Adaline’s, I thought they worked perfectly)
Last year Adaline and Jon went as an Artist and Masterpiece.
Click for costume details.
What did your kids dress as for Halloween this year?
What’s your favorite go-to last minute costume?
Let me know in the comments!
Visit my other blog: JennRian.com. It’s pointless, sarcastic, and mildly amusing.
Healthy Halloween Snacks
We were in charge of bringing classroom snacks for the Kindergarten Halloween party. Homemade treats were not allowed (which is just as well since I don’t cook or bake). I really get tired of all of the junk my kids accumulate from October to January during the holidays, so I really didn’t want to give the kids loads of sugar. Instead I prepared healthy snacks (fruit and cheese) with a fun “Halloween” twist…and they got organic lollipops as well. Yep, I’m one of those super fun parents :P.
(Don’t worry, they also got store bought cookies filled with sugar and artificial junk and bags of artificially colored Cheetos 😦 That was my husband’s doing. He’s everyone’s favorite.)
These healthy Halloween snacks were ridiculously easy to make. Seriously, I can’t express to you enough how quick and simple this was! I made 16 of each and it only took about half an hour to complete. I know, right?! All you need is a black Sharpie Marker!
These String Cheese Ghosts were the easiest to do. I just drew little ghostly faces on the back of a cheesestick and was finished in only minutes! Effortless!
Using a Sharpie marker I drew Jack-O-Lantern faces onto oranges. Okay, okay…so they were Halos or Cuties which are technically Mandarin Clementines. But I’m still going to call them “oranges” anyway because this is my blog and I’m a rebel that laughs in the face of accurately classifying fruits by their proper species and binomial name. Suck it, science!
I’ve seen these Banana Pirates around cyber space for years now. They’re not particularly “Halloween-y” but I still thought they were cute and fun. Halloween is a time you can dress up and be whatever you want…so can your banana! Maybe if I wasn’t so lazy I could’ve come up with a different more appropriately themed “character”, but this will have to do.
What are your kids’ favorite healthy Halloween themed treats?
What other creative character can you turn a banana into?
Do you call Clementines “oranges” too?
Let me know in the comments!
Need last minute Halloween Costumes for siblings?
Check out these adorable and easy Artist and Masterpiece costumes!
Visit my other blog: JennRian.com. It’s pointless, sarcastic, and mildly amusing.
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Fun and Dysfunction 