Just in time for the winter activities, provided by Chicago Public Library, it started to snow on Christmas Day in Chicago.Chicago Public Library has a very well-thought holiday and vacation programs. Like the "Reading Program" during the summer, they had the Winter Learning Program" for the winter break. We have a really nice Children's … [Read more...]
Organizing LEGO instruction booklets
I've written how I tried to contain the LEGO parts mess by storing them in ziplocs by color in this post. Since LEGO’s are both of my kids' the favorite toys and the toy that they spend time playing the most, we are continually accumulating new models. After I organized the parts and pieces, the instruction booklets started to become a bigger part … [Read more...]
Organizing LEGOs: Alternative storage idea for LEGO pieces
LEGO - at least the basic sets - are considered to be the toys that foster children's creativity. It is also the main source of the mess in the house. Kids go crazy when they cannot find the piece they are looking for. Parents go nuts having to clean up and store all the itty bitty pieces. Not to mention that one of the worst painful moments in … [Read more...]
Halloween activity – Skeleton puzzle
This is one of the kids' favorite activities around Halloween. I was inspired by Chasing Cheerios‘s building skeleton post. I downloaded the printable skeleton from this address and printed them on cardstock. Then I laminated and cut them. The set has a visual guideline. I am planning to let my son play with it as a puzzle for a while. Then maybe I … [Read more...]
Toys, games and activities Rolodex for kids
Kids' playroom is organized in a way where they can easily see and reach their toys and materials. Everything has a place. I rotate some of them in order to reduce disinterest due to ADD and stimulation overload.I decided to create a toy, game and activity Rolodex as a reference guide for them as well as myself, to refer to, when we scratch our … [Read more...]
Cheap Cheap
I got hooked on craigslist.com, dollar and thrift stores. This happened because I saw on other mom blogs and homeschooling blogs, moms creating inspirational playrooms or classrooms , shopping from dollar and thrift stores.I got amazing deals for furniture and other stuff.I got these shelves for $10 each. … [Read more...]
Playing with colored water
My son loves this game / activity and can entertain himself literally for hours. All you need is food coloring. I got this 4 color, food coloring set at Target for $2. I gave him a dropper from one of the first aid kits we've got at home. I put water in few old baby food jars, then put a drop of color in each. I also gave him few empty ones. He … [Read more...]
Practical solutions and ideas with a pair of scissors
Easy grab hole/ window for teabags. If you are a tea fan, like I am, you know how hard it is to get teabags out of the stacked boxes in the kitchen cabinets. The boxes clutter, fall down, just drive you crazy.I figured this trick actually from a Stash tea box. You just cut a half circle at the bottom. Then sort the tea boxes vertically, side by … [Read more...]
Making toy snake with plastic bottle caps
I made this "snake" using the 5 gallon water bottle caps, I have been collecting.Materials:Plenty of water bottle caps Yarn or rope Scissors Adhesive tape A screwdriver or knitting needle 1 plastic cupDirections:Make holes in the middle of bottler caps using the screwdriver or knitting needles. Cut the yarn to double … [Read more...]
Cardboard Box Puppet Theater
I have been getting weekly messages from babycenter.com, since I was expecting my son. In the last message of 2006, "the New Year's Message" they were wishing all the moms to "be the best mom you can be.” What a nice new year's wish! That wish required 3 actions:Be patient Spend more time with your kid (s) Be a creative mom who addresses … [Read more...]
My sons first fleet
This is my son's first fleet of cars, buses, trucks and garbage trucks. He loves garbage trucks. Our unit oversees the alley and he wakes up every day to watch the garbage truck picking up garbage. Unfortunately, the truck comes at 7 am every morning. I wish it came a bit later.Greetings to all moms whose son's are garbage truck fans. … [Read more...]
Cardboard toy: Multi-level racing track
I was inspired by a toy I saw in a toy catalog for this race track.Materials:4 23" diaper carton lids for columns. 5 16" cardboard piece for tracks. Fold the sides up to make curbs./li> A lot of colored construction paper Glue Toy cars (preferably flat and heavy)Directions:I used the dimensions of the toy in the … [Read more...]
Family album for children
Our nanny, Ana, prepared this special family album for my son.We live far away from our extended family, grandparents, and grandaunts and uncles. The time between visits are long enough for a young kid to forget the new family member (s)he met and spent time only for few weeks. So Ana put together a photo album with family members in it. We … [Read more...]