Monday Pink Day Crafts

PINK PINK PINK 

Well today is wear pink day. Kids need to stop being bullied.  So try to wear something pink today!  Now Lets get crafting!

Flowers can be very expensive this time of year, so why not brighten your house will some paper flowers.

Sometimes switching up from regular construction paper to Scrapbook Paper makes things so much fun. Cut out pink hearts, Cut out Strips, get glue, and a white canvas or paper to make it POP!  Make your own or use this Flower Pot Link:  http://flowers-kid.com/flower-pot-template.htm

Here is craft number two. Paper Flowers.  Material used: construction paper, or any fun paper you want to use. Cut out a lot of hearts, and Popsicle sticks. Put them in a vase at home, add some pink ribbon and spray a bit of perfume or body spray to make them seem more real.  
Check out this template for more flower ideas.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tatalina/217320039/in/set-72157594238627911/

Please teach your kids about bullying and that you're always there for them to support them in any bad situation.  Have your kids back, they need it. 
Hope you enjoyed today's PINK Day Craftz!

XO
JEN

Gaming Wednesday: Happy Valentines and Family Day

With Valentine's Day and Family Day Long Weekend around the corner, I decided to change up this Blog Post a bit by giving you some fun games to play during this long weekend. (As if your mind isn't already on your Saturday and Monday plans)

Here are some games to play at home around the house. (Or maybe even at Grandma's or Grandpa's)

On Thursday: I'm thinking of Family Member edition
It is similar to twenty questions, for those that are familiar with that game.  Have a family member in your head and go around and see who can get it right, and get them to ask you questions or you can give hints. Ex. (Dad) He is Tall, he is Handsome, and mommy loves him.  Who am I thinking of?  In the end give them a "HUG" prize, or something that suits your child best. 

On Friday: send some Heart Messages.
Cut out a stack of hearts from pink, red, and white paper, write some little messages on them.  Put them in the Lunch Bags, or in unexpected places such as; their pillow, by the night stand, in their shoe/boot, jacket pocket, in cereal bowls, tucked into pajamas.  So fun finding a loving message.

On Saturday, here are a few ideas. 

Valentine's Day Draw Something 
What You Need: 1) A drawing easel, or paper  2) Pens, crayons or markers 3) A timer 4) Small strips of paper for the words and phrases (Use below or your own)
For young children: heart, love letter, candy, box of chocolates, roses, balloons, broken heart, friend, sweet, flowers, pink, red, chocolate, honey
For older children: Cupid’s arrow, Valentine’s Day card, heartache, blow me a kiss, conversation hearts, a dozen roses, romance, be mine, sweetheart

Valentine Heart Airplanes  
Whip up a few of these for a craft and then have the kids fly them to see who can hit a heart target across the room. Hearts will be flying!

Giant Heart Tic Tac Toe 

Create a tic tac toe game board with a red or white poster and cut out two different coloured hearts. Playing a larger scale version makes it more fun!

On Sunday: Why I Love You. 
What I Love About You is an esteem-boosting game which can be played at the dinner table or during bed time routine. Great for Valentine's Day, or even a once a week routine to remind each other the importance of love and family.

I'm going to end this with a little story about the importance of Hugs.  My 4-6 year olds in my class this week were having a really hard time getting along.  I stopped what they were doing and explained that the importance of playing games is to have fun; not to boss each other around or to get upset.  I asked them all to stand up, and hold someones shoulder on the right and on the left of them, making it one big "hug circle".  I said, " in here we are all friends and now we are in one big group hug."  They all smiled and one little boy said, "wow, this is nice. I feel better already".  In that moment, it reminded me how a simple hug can change the way we feel. 

Happy Love Day.

XO
JEN

Monday: Valentines Treats to make at home

Valentine's Day is a good excuse to eat a yummy treat.  So why not have a yummy treat without the extra guilt. Here are some ideas that you can make at home.

 

1. Chocolate covered strawberries
You may not have a fondue set, but you don't need one.
 
How to melt Chocolate:
Bring about an inch of water to a simmer in your saucepan. Set the heatproof bowl at the top of the pot. (making sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl.) Stir chocolate occasionally as it softens. When you have just a few small unmelted chunks, remove bowl from heat (residual heat will melt the rest). 
Then dunk the strawberries.
MMMMmmmmMMMmmmm.....

2. Rice crispy, melt chocolate swirl with strawberries.
Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine                             
• 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
• Dark chocolate squares or chips (Melting instructions are above)                 
• Strawberries  

Directions

1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted.
2. Add Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.
3. Using butter spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool slightly. Using cookie cutters coated with cooking spray cut into desired shapes.

4. Decorate with melted chocolate and strawberries. Best if served the same day.

 

3. No chocolate idea

1. Cut up fruit in different shapes, ex heart watermelon, cantaloupe / bow and arrow orange slices, strawberries or grapes. Make them into cute kebabs.
2.  Jell-O can be made into hearts once its cooled and solid
3. Yogurt covered fruit (below)
4. Apples cut into heart shapes and peanut butter spread on top for a sticky snack

Enjoy,

XO

Jen

Wednesday Valentine's Day Craftz

Valentines Day is coming up, so if you're anything like me, I like to be prepared.  Here are some kid friendly facts to get your kids excited about this festive day!

• The first box of chocolates for made for Valentine’s Day was made by Richard Cadbury in the 1800’s.

• Over 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent worldwide every year.

• Millions of heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are bought every year for Valentine’s Day. (So make sure they tell their mom or dad to get you one)

• Did you know that Groundhog’s Day was originally held on February 14th? (Ya me either) THANKS! http://www.kidsplayandcreate.com/funvalentines-day-facts-for-kids/

OK LETS GET CRAFTING!!

How cute is this:

Save a Toilet Paper Roll, fold in a bend into it to make a heart shape. Tape it together. Put a blob of paint and get stamping!!! TOOOOO CUTE!  If you make a Valentines Day card or Post Card with this, please send me the pictures! XO

Again, a Toilet Paper Roll, a Egg Carton, and Pipe-Cleaners. Easy-Peasy! Get decorating with crayons, markers, glitter, beads ETC. Put them all together anyway you like. These flowers will surely brighten your day.

 Butterfly, Hearts, Bees..whatever artistic abilities you have, create the shape and decorate.  Instead of buying a generic Superhero Card, or Princess Card, Make them.  Add in a peanut free treat if you're allowed, or a pencil to make their friends feel extra special.  (Most schools only allow, To: My friend, and don't forget the teachers! 

Play-dough is so fun, even for us adults. This will take you ten minutes to make, which is even faster then going to the store to buy some. 

Materials: 

1/2 cup salt

1/2 cup water

1 cup flour.

Mix together with food colouring.  I used green, but maybe use Red for Valentine's Day :) 

That's it Folks!

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

XO
JEN

Gaming Friday and Snacking Monday

Two in one special.  Friday I was suppose to submit a fun game idea for you all to enjoy over the weekend, but I was not feeling well.  Now that I am better you get a two-in-one.  So first, lets catch up from Friday by giving you my gaming ideas. 

So here in Toronto, there's a lotttt of snow.  Some here are some snow day ideas to do with the family.

First: Go outside.
Put on some leg warmers and boots and whatever else you need and go clean the snow together. Seems like a choir so put some music on and dance and sing while you shovel.  Get the kids involved. Children love snow and being outside. Then build a path for them so they can run around.
Best part is coming in and making hot chocolate together.
Second: Play a board game.
Some people think that board games and puzzles are the old school way of playing.  Well wipe the dust off and break out that monopoly or 200 piece puzzle you always wanted to do.  
These may not seem like an idea that seems to be so spectacular, but it is an idea that is suppose to remind you that simple is more and that you learn more from your children by playing with them and letting loose.  Snow days are the perfect time to just have some fun!

Here is a snack idea for you and your hungry children to munch on while vegging inside on a cold day.  Do you still have your sandwich maker?  Well if you do then put some Nutella OR Peanut Butter with bananas inside and grill that bad boy.  So tasty! (Putting it in the pan does the trick too, but looks more fun in a sandwich maker) Enjoy!

XO
Jen

SUPER BOWL CRAFT WEDNESDAY

SUPER BOWL!!!!!! Whether or not you like football, Super Bowl is a great reason to  have a Party!

5 STATS for the non-football watchers out there, that can get you to look like you "like" football 

         1.       New England vs Seattle (That’s whose playing, I just found that out myself)

         2.       Seattle is the first team to play in two consecutive Super Bowls since 2004-2005

         3.       No Super Bowl has ever gone into Overtime

         4.       Winning Team wins the Vince Lombardi Trophy (Made by Tiffany...LADIES!!) 

         5.       Super Bowl is the most watched program in US history, SO...    

                                        CHECK IT OUT

Sunday February 1^st at 6:30pm @ the University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Now let’s try and get the kids involved! 

 You can make your own "Cheer" item at home!

Materials: 

Tissue paper (Or wrapping paper), Durable Tape, Ribbon or Pipe-cleaner

Directions: 

1) Cut the tissue into strips - more the merrier 

2) Connect them on one end with tape

3) Cover it up with ribbon or Pipe-cleaner

Add "MORE" by: ~ Adding stickers to your Tissue ~ Teach your kids about patterns, ~ Practice a cheer to get pumped for the Super Bowl!!

My favourite part about the Super Bowl is the Half-Time Show (Katy Perry) and the Commercials. (A 30 Second commercial costs 4 Million Dollars; just sayin')  

Will you be watching the Super Bowl?

XO
Jen

Foodie Mondays

Lets face it, kids can be very difficult to feed, especially when you have more then one child to worry about. And why is it that they never like the same things? My niece and nephew are so opposite.  My niece really enjoys eating healthy, and my nephew prefers a carb filled diet. (Not that I blame him) Mondays will be something to look forward to because it will make you hungry from my food ideas but hopefully it helps getting your kids eating something new. (And maybe even mom and dad too)

Growing up, I loved fruit, and I still do.  I would eat it every time it was cut up, because for some reason, it tastes so much better that way. Are you the same way?

Here I cut up some fruit: Strawberries, Oranges and Apples, and threw some Blueberries in there too.  I love Apples, and to make them even more tasty, I added a sprinkle of cinnamon and a small spoon full of almond butter on top. OMG it was so delicious. 

 

So to add to the fruit platter, I made a Yogurt Parfait station (below). Greek yogurt, granola, and some almond butter.  I love mixing the three together, then adding in some berries to make it even better!

You can even try adding in:

Honey, jam, fiber, cereal, frozen fruit, peanut butter.

What are some things you add in yours?

 

Thanks for coming!

 

XO

 

Jen

 

Gaming over the weekend!

A lot of parents struggle with time, and don't have the energy levels to play games with their children over the weekend....because lets face it, you're tired!! Do I blame you?  NO!

40 hour work week, cleaning and cooking as if its your other job, swimming lessons, piano or whatever activities you provide for your children so that they can have it all.

Life is tough  

So what if I show you some different games on Fridays so that you can now have the best of both worlds? 

Simple fun is always the best kind of fun! Try these games over the weekend and let me know how it turned out!  If you have any activities or blog posts you want me to write about, then let me know and I will get right on it!

Three ways Gaming can get your kids helping around the house and 

having choirs be more like having fun, instead of work

1) RED LIGHT GREEN LIGHT

RED LIGHT = STOP

GREEN LIGHT = GO

While they set the table, shout out red light! They may think you lost your marbles, but it will make them laugh once they see its apart of a game! 

2) DIRTY BASKET

Laundry is always a drag!!!!!!!!! Turn it into a dirty cloths Basketball Game! Most shots into the basket wins and the winner gets to tickle their opponent.

3) IN BETWEEN GAME

My kids at school need moments to unwind, and so do I. 

So treat yourself with a ten minute dance break or a quick game of hide-and-seek.  Stop taking yourself so seriously.  It's O.K. to take a ten minute break to have some fun, and you'll see your kids will want to help you out more because they can't wait for that next ten minute break. 

Hope you are enjoying my Blog Posts.  

Have fun Gaming!!!!!

XO

Jen

Crafting Wednesday // Masking Around

Ready, Set, Craftz!

 

 

The great things about Masking Around is that its easy to make, and you can be apart of royalty or a mascaraed ball.

 

OK so lets get this party started!

 

Need:

1. Paper (Construction , cardboard, an old cereal box, wrapping paper or colouring book paper) Make sure that there is a solid paper supporting the mask to make it more durable.

2. A straw

3. Markers or Crayons

4. Tape and Glue

5. Anything extra to decorate your mask 

 

 

Step One: Once materials are gathered, trace your hands and cut out the image. (on our left)

Step Two: Decorate! The messier, the better! Start telling stories to your kids about a carnival you went to, or make up a story about a prince meeting a beautiful princess in a mask.  (Using your kids names always makes a story better)

Step Three: Glue the hand prints together such as the image above.

Step Four: Cover up the straw! Find left over Holiday paper or Birthday wrapping paper to make it extra colourful.

Tape it onto the star, then roll it and secure it onto the straw.

Step Five: Glue and Tape it to your mask.

 

The fun doesn't have to end here. Go make a fort and save the princess from the dragon or put on some music and dance around with your masks. (Take it to the bext level by putting on a fancy outfit!)

 

Kids love using their imagination, and it gets harder to remember what that's all about the older we get. 

 

Growing up is a trap, so try and stay young at heart as long as you can!

 

Thanks for reading.

 

Email me pictures or tag me on twitter or facebook or instagram with your families creations!

 

XO

 

Jen

Family is Everything

Kiddie Craftz is about lifting the scare and stigma off crafting, and providing ideas and comfort for those parents who wants to spend more time doing more "stuff" as a family.  Dazzling up the time for those time sensitive parents and creating a fun journey for them and their child so that they can craft and create together.  If this sounds like you, then welcome aboard this creative ride. 

So every parent wants credentials when it comes to anything to do with their children, so here is a tidbit of me, and if you have any questions at any time, please feel free to email me at kiddiecraftz@gmail.com.

Name: Jennifer AKA Jen
Occupation: Registered Early Childhood Educator since 2009 
Project Manager for Strategic Marketing Council Inc. since 2011
Family: Eldest niece is 15, eldest nephew is 12, youngest nephew is 6 and youngest niece is 4
Hobbies: Soccer, being creative and learning
Likes: Coffee, the colour blue and Oreos
Dislikes: People touching my face
I am such a Dog person

O.K so why crafting, well, why not?  I have been working with parents for over five years and I learned the value of time, and parents never seem to have enough of it.  I want to help parents by providing Snack Ideas on Mondays, Craftz Ideas on Wednesdays, and Gaming on Fridays (for at home over the weekend).  The importance of family and time spent together is so valuable, and that's the stuff kids remember when they grow up.

My father told my brothers and I at the dinner table, that the people here to your right, left and in front of you at this table are the most important people in your life...and he was right.

Family is Everything

So this blog is not just about Craftz, but its the stepping stones for the memories you and your child will create together.

Hope you're looking forward to tomorrows Craft Idea!

XO



Jen

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