Craft - Happy Thanksgiving!

I posted about one of my favorite crafts being Crayola Model Magic Clay.  It's a great non-greasy craft that allows kids to be creative.  While doing this craft with the family for the last year I've realized the creativity with this clay is endless.

Here is a picture to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving Baskets & Turkey

Halloween Cookies =)

Last friday, right before Halloween, I had a job with a regular family (girl 11, boy 8) and decided to decorate Halloween cookies with them.  While shopping at Albertson's I had seen a package of cookies ready to decorate with frosting and sprinkles.  However, I thought a pack of Albertson sugar cookies, frosting, and sprinkles would be better and taste better.  I packed all these materials and then also brought food coloring, paper bowls, and plastic spoons.  I used food coloring to color the vanilla frosting in separate bowls.  The kids were able to frost the cookies using the mixing spoons - trying to cut down on dishes!  I also brought paper plates as it made a good tray for the kids to put their cookies on to keep the sprinkles in one spot. 

I have a picture on my phone but realize I don't have internet access on my phone to add in the picture.  I'll see if I can send it to another's phone and they can get it to me to upload.

With the kids, I had decided I would leave half the cookies with the family and half I would take home - yes, that was a good decision!!  =) 

Crafts - Doorhangers

One of my favorite (and easy) crafts to do with children would be to make a doorhanger decoration. 

Supplies needed:

• Doorhangers (can be found at Michaels or Dollar Tree)
• Foam stickers (could be any theme - Halloween, Christmas, or just fun stickers)

Two containers of Halloween foam stickers, alphabet foam stickers, and doorhangers.

Kids like the idea of doorhangers to help decorate and claim their rooms.  It's a fun and easy -very light mess- activity that can easily be altered to fit any theme you are currently celebrating or teaching the children.

In order to cut costs, it's wise to check our your local 99 cent store or Dollar Tree.  I believe at the Dollar Tree close to me they sell doorhangers in packs of 4.
Also, here in Tucson we regularly get coupons in our weekly ads for Michaels Craft Store where you can get 40% any one item.  Michaels does have more expensive doorhangers, but they are thicker and have more gender neutral designs.  I found heart and princess shaped doorhangers at the Dollar Tree and those are usually liked more by the girls I watch.  =)

Pack of 4 doorhangers = $1.00 + tax
Package of foam stickers = $2.49 + tax

This activity is less that $1 per child.  This is usually my goal when spending my own money back out on children I watch.  It's a balance between finding fun activities and also not breaking the bank in the process!

Here's an example of a doorhanger!