Olympics Fun- The Balance Beam

 With the Olympics in full swing we have been setting up many obstacle courses in our home. The kids love this sort of indoor play and they are so fascinated by the Olympics so they are very eager to swing and move just like they see the athletes do.

 About a month or so ago I built a balance beam for some extra gross motor fun in our playroom. I wish I could give you more specific instructions for this, but honestly my handy man at Lowe's was a huge help in this since I am not the most handy when it comes to building these sorts of things. But, basically I used one 8' piece of wood and had two 9"pieces and one 6" inch piece cut out of it at Lowe's.  I connected the two 9" to the ends and the 6" in the center for stability. I used those bracket things (sorry I did say not handy) to connect it all.

 I think I may have the kids paint it one day, but for now it has been a wonderful addition to our obstacle courses just as it is!

Glow in the Dark Moon and Stars Painting

The kids made some fun glow in the dark paintings for their rooms last weekend. They enjoyed making them, but enjoyed turning out the lights over and over again once the painting was dry much more. 

Materials

glow in the dark paint
masking tape
black canvas
q-tips

 Using the masking tape make the shape of the moon on the canvas. The kids can dot the paint all over the canvas with the q-tips making stars and filling in the moon. I think a sponge would make some neat moon craters as well. Once dry, remove the tape and turn out the lights!

Cork Stamp Set, Homemade Birthday Gift

Homemade gifts are so special, unique and important in teaching children that we don't need to run out to the big box to buy everything. Making things ourselves with lots of love is a very special way to say Happy Birthday to friends and family.

Join me over at Family Sponge today as I show you these adorable stamps that are perfect for summer party gifts. 

Summer Sand Playdough

Today we made sand dough and I couldn't stop thinking of how, oh how can possibly make huge batches of this to send to each child I know. Yes, it was that great. This is basically mold-able sand and my kids had such fun with it! I gave them rocks and bugs to use with the dough, but they eventually started to add in their own nature findings. 

Best Playdough Ever Recipe!
4 cups of play sand
4 cups of flour
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup oil

Mix all ingredients and knead to soften up. Done. Go play!

Painting with Kids

Art is a wonderful way to express emotion, especially in children who can not always verbalize how they are feeling. Sometimes when talking about our day I have my children draw pictures for me. This way they are free to draw whatever comes to mind about their day and how they are feeling. 

 Emma is greatly anticipating the visit with her Uncle Ray, Aunt Meesha and their sweet little dog, Suki next week. Telling a five year old she has to wait one more week can cause frustration so I have been giving her a different task to do for the count down to her big awaited day. 

Emma decided she wanted to paint a painting for her Uncle and Aunt. She chose Suki for the model and asked me to print a photo for her. This was the first time Emma did a painting of a subject. I honestly thought she was too young for such a painting, but I learned differently. This was a wonderful way for her to focus and spend time on something that she would take pride in making. 

Not only did this project help to build Emma's confidence, but it expanded her way of painting and helped her to  express the excitement she is feeling for our family visit. This was a win!

 Tips I have for subject painting with young children:

• Sit with them and take a moment for them look at the subject and decide what colors they will need for this painting. 
• Have them look at the shapes in the photo (or whatever they might be painting.) This helped Emma when she was having trouble with Suki's body. I asked her what shape it looked like. Once she reconized it as a rectangle it was easy for her to paint. 
• Let them know that in art there are no mistakes. Art is beauty we create, no right or wrong.

Recycled Croc Planter

Hello Wonderful Crafty Friends! Long time no create! I am sorry I have been off the map these days, but things have started to settle down after a very busy beginning of the summer. I am getting back into a regular routine and hoping to get some recent projects put up. Unfortunately my trusty old Canon proved to not be so trusty and needed some work. So for now I apologize for the lack of photos. I am stealing the hubby's phone at the end of the day to photo projects. 

 Now on to the good stuff. This is a project Emma did at the end of the year in preschool and I loved it so much I had to make more. 

Using old Crocs that have been sanitized (check thrift shops if you don't have any old ones) use moist soil and some succulents and get planting. Pull them apart and stick some in the front holes as well. Succulents are tough and can handle moving around pretty well.

Are these so darn cute you could just scream, or what? I think so. 

Hope you are all having a blissful summer.

xo

green owl mama

Painting "for real" with kids

 Emma is at an age where she can now focus and participate on a painting with me. Do you hear the angels singing like I do? Oh the artful world that we will explore together. I am thrilled, if you couldn't already tell by the angels singing.
Painting with your child is such a wonderful opportunity to talk, share and learn to work together. It is a great bonding experience has you create art with your child. I am excited to spend the summer painting with Emma. I encourage you to try it out even if you are not a painter.

I knew I wanted a painting for our guest room. Emma wanted to paint a blue rainbow. I love it.

 My tips to get started:

• You can usually find inexpensive canvas on sale at the art supply store and you can reuse it each time while you practice your art.
• If you are terribly afraid of you using more permanent paints with your child just start with kids washable paints on canvas, they work too!
• Get outside and paint. Let nature inspire you and your child.
• Have fun! No pressure, just paint and go with your child's ideas.  

Wishing you a summer full of color, paint, love and art!
xo,
green owl mama