I’m not sure if Erin had Halloween on her mind when she was making this one – it’s pretty evil looking..

Pasta faces are a simple and cheap activity requiring little effort and a lot of fun, I didn’t do this one with her, Daddy did, perhaps that’s how it’s taken on such a sinister look!

Update: I just showed Erin the picture of her plate on the ‘puter’, apparently the face is Daddy!

When choosing activities for a two and a half year old I find simplicity the key.? Any more than 3 steps and I’m afraid you’re asking for trouble, lucky this activity only has three steps then eh!? Seriously though, this activity was soooo age appropriate and Erin was thrilled with the result, definitely worth a blog…

You will need (for two caterpillars):

One egg carton

4 Straws

Green Paint and Brush

One Marker pen

Scissors

1.? Cut the egg carton until you’re left with two pieces, each with 3 ‘cups’, see picture(!)

2. Paint green and leave to dry.

3. Make two small holes, cut bendy part of straw and feed through. If you keep the hole small enough the straws should fit snugly. Finally, draw on some eyes and a nose.

Disclaimer: These caterpillars may not be anatomically correct, cuteness was the main aim!

This activity in ‘Have Fun with Your Kids’ by Marilee LeBon reminded me of the several times we made these, except we pretended they were guitars.

How To Make a Homemade Banjo

You will need;

A Paper-Towel Tube

A Tissue Box (one of the rectangular ones)

Three Rubber Bands

Paint or other materials for decoration

1. Staple the paper towel tube to the back of the tissue box lengthways.

2. Cut three notches on each end of the tube. Stretch the rubber bands from one end of the tube to the other and let them rest in the notches.

3. Paint/decorate your banjo.

I found this idea in a very old book by Juliet Moxley. Erin’s too young for it yet, but it seems so simple, and ideal for mums and dads that aren’t that great with more in-depth projects.

All you need is some newspaper, a large piece of paper (wallpaper will do), masking tape, paint and a paintbrush.

Prep: Cover the work surface with newspaper.

1. Tear strips of newspaper and lay them across the paper, don’t be too tidy, the more raggedy (is that a word?!) the more interesting a pattern you will create, don’t forget to leave gaps in the paper where you can paint.

2. Once you are happy with the pattern tape the newspaper ends to the work surface (which should also be covered with newspaper!).

3. Paint the whole picture, before removing the strips one by one to reveal the pattern.

*Tip This would work great with zebra or tiger colours. For a jungle/zoo display use huge pieces of wallpaper using the pattern as a background.

Photo by flickr user Lorna is copyrighted.

We redeemed a christmas voucher of Erin’s for the ceramic centre last week. We’ve been so busy partying that I haven’t got around to posting the pics.

So here you are, what do you think?

The ceramic centre was fun and it was great to get the cute hand print coasters, but I can’t wait to take Erin back when she’s older and able to fully enjoy it. The way time is flying that won’t be far away!

Make an Ice-Cream Cone Picture

You will need;

Cotton Wool (coloured if possible, if not white is fine)
Paint (pale brown)
Paint Brush
Water
Black Felt Tip Pen
Glue
1 Piece of White Card

1. Draw your Ice-Cream shape onto the paper with the felt-tip pen, include the cone part + a couple of scoops of ice-cream and a wafer too.

2. Paint the cone and the wafer with pale brown paint.

3. Draw a criss cross patten to make the cone look extra real.

4. Glue your cotton wool on to look like ice-cream, white = vanilla, pink = strawberry, yellow = banana.

5. Cut the whole ice-cream out.

Make a Flower Collage

You will need;

A4 piece of paper (or larger)

Coloured card or paper (green + any other colours)

Glue

Scissors

1. Pre-prepare flower cut-outs, you will need to cut out;

several leaves in different sizes

several stems in different lengths

petals in different colours and shapes

circles in different colours and sizes – these are for the flower centres

2. Lay the shapes out and let your child ‘build’ his/her own flowers – one shape at a time and glue them onto the paper.

*Tip Don’t interfere too much, they will learn about the different shapes – they will learn even more when the flower doesn’t look right because the leaf is in the wrong place! You can do this activity again and again with different pictures progessing in difficulty as they get older – try a doll, a car, a house…..

Reader Tip

Keep little ones entertained by filling juice bottles with water, stick a number on them and play skittles. (thanks, Lisa)

(Also teach them to count by numbering the bottles 1-10 and making these their points value ie knock over a one, a three , and a nine and get 13 points. First to 100 wins! – Little Mummy)

Happy Sun

You will need;

A paper plate
Yellow paint
Yellow and orange tissue paper
Black crayon or pencil
Glue

1. Paint your paper plate yellow. And leave to dry.

2. Cut out lots of triangles from the tissue paper.

3. Glue the triangles all around the edge of the plate to make the sun’s rays.

4. Draw a smiley face onto your sun.