Alternatives to Party Loot Bags
Something’s happened to birthday parties. The cake gets eaten, games are played and gifts are still given — but then the loot bags come out. The children pull toys, candy and jewelry from lovely, hand-sewn bags. Suddenly, goodbyes are forgotten and the entire party becomes overshadowed by chaotic looting.
Cardboard Box Halloween Costumes
Some adorable costumes have come to light using little more than a cardboard box, some paint and lots of imagination. Here are several ideas to choose from. Happy Halloween!
Essential Art Supplies for Creative Kids
Creativity brings joy to life. Stimulate kids' imaginations by having these inexpensive supplies on hand.
Old-fashioned Ways To Inspire Your Kids
Walk through any toy store and you will see walls and walls of toys that are loud — toys that require batteries, have flashing lights or look like your child's favorite movie character. But what about those of us who want to raise children with imagination and curiosity? I'll tell you what we do. We choose to fill our houses with some of the following old-fashioned items.
The Magic of Homemade Easter Eggs
Here's a list of some natural food items you can use dye eggs. Boiling the egg with the natural materials produces a dark color. Vinegar is added to act as a mordant (which helps the dye set), except with onion skins. Lighter shades can be achieved by boiling the plant materials in enough water to cover them for 20 to 30 minutes. Then strain out the materials, put dry, hard-boiled eggs into the hot dye and add a teaspoon of vinegar.
Make Your Own Christmas Crackers and Holiday Poppers
They are made from pretty paper wrapped around cardboard; when pulled by the ends so that the wrapper is broken, the friction causes a piece of paper inside called a cracker snap (which is treated with an explosive chemical called silver fulminate) to make a noisy pop.
Homemade Cornstarch Clay
Directions for making home made clay to use for play or make ornaments and sculptures.
Essential Art Supplies for Creative Kids
Creativity brings joy to life. Stimulate kids' imaginations by having these inexpensive supplies on hand.
Crafting With Homemade Salt Dough
Folk art -- and in particular, the art of making craft objects using salt dough -- has become a very popular hobby in recent years. Getting started requires only the minimum of equipment and materials, most of which are already in your kitchen.
Make your own Toothpaste
Making your own toothpaste is both easy and cheap.
Make Your Own White Glue
70 Uses for a Humble Jug of Vinegar
Science in the Blink of an Eye
Help children develop a love for science or nurture their already growing interest with these simple experiments. Ever wanted to catch a cloud in a bottle? Now's your chance! Pour just a splash of water into a two-liter plastic bottle. Light a match (a grownup's job) and drop it into the bottle. Immediately replace the lid and squeeze the bottle a few times to watch your cloud form.
