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Peach Blossom Prints

8/29/2014

Supplies:

White paper
Brown and pink paint
Paintbrush
Plastic soda bottle (smaller works best)

Directions: Paint a brown branch. Dip bottom of soda bottle into paint and stamp it onto the branch to create peach blossoms.

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Drippy Peach Blossom

8/29/2014

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Supplies:

White paper
Brown and pink paint
Dropper
Popped popcorn (optional)

Directions: Slightly thin out brown paint with a few drops of water and mix well. Use dropper to put several splatters of brown paint onto paper. Holding paper by the edges, quickly tilt the paper in different directions causing the paint to drip down the page. Repeat until you have created the desired look for your tree branches. Press popcorn or a finger into pink paint and stamp onto the branches to create beautiful peach blossom flowers.

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We’re going on a camping trip

8/3/2014

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Post by Successful Solutions Training in Child Development.

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PVC Sprinkler

7/31/2014

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Head to your local hardware store for the following 3/4" pipe and fittings:
2 ten foot lengths of PVC
3 end caps
1 threaded female hose connector (slip fit)
2 elbow joints (90 degree)
2 T connections

Time to cut.
You will need the following sections and sizes:
2 at 5 feet
1 at 4 feet
4 at 18 inches

Cut one of the 10' lengths in half so that you have two 5' sections. Then, cut a 4' section from the second one. Cut the remaining 6' section in half and then each of the 3' sections in half.

Time to Drill.
We want all the sprinkler holes pointing more or less in the same direction, so start out by making a center line on the three longest pieces of pipe. Hold two pieces of pipe next to one another and use one as a guide to mark the other. The angle you hold your pen/pencil at isn't important, just keep it the same and you'll end up with a straight line. I found that a 5/32" drill bit was perfect for the holes we wanted.

Make sure there are no PVC chips or other debris in the pipes before assembly. Fit the drilled pipes together to form a "U" shape with all the drilled holes facing inward. Once you're satisfied glue up the "U", making sure the holes stay facing inward.

Time to Assemble.
Now that the "U" is glued, we need a base to stand it up on. Assemble the "U" and the base without glue. Make sure the base pieces are parallel with each other, and perpendicular to the plane of the "U". You can place the base pieces on either edge of a sidewalk for a handy reference before gluing it up. Line the "T" pieces up with each side of a crack, then make the base pieces parallel to the edges of the sidewalk and you're ready for the final glue.

Once the glue is dry, you can attach your hose and try it out.

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Pool Noodle Poppers

7/1/2014

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Supplies Needed; Large balloons, pool noodle, duct tape, and pompoms

Directions;
*Adults Only* Cut a 2-3" section of pool noodle. We used a steak knife to cut ours.

Tie the end of your (deflated) balloon in a knot. Cut off a small piece of the top of the balloon. Take your balloon and stretch it over the end of the pool noodle. Then seal the edge of the balloon with a round of your duct tape. See the photos below for a better idea of how to assemble the poppers.

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Sun catcher made from Melted Beads

6/21/2014

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Supplies Needed; Cheap plastic beads, pie tin (or cupcake tin) and ribbon to hang

Directions;
Place your beads, with the holes facing up, in the pie tin (or cupcake tin). You do not need to grease or prep the pan. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place pan in oven for 20 minutes, or until all beads are melted. When melted, remove pan from oven, and allow to cool. Once cool, remove your sun catcher from the pan, add a ribbon to hang, and display as desired.

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Easy Marble Chute

6/21/2014

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Pool noodles seem to overly abundant, and cheap, this time of year. We decided to pick up a couple at the local dollar store and create marble chutes. We cut them in half using a steak knife. The cutting was very easy to do, and barely made a mess. We then used a tv tray, some painters tape, and a bucket to catch the marbles at the bottom.

As the project became more elaborate we incorporated toilet paper rolls and match box cars.

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Dinosaur flip flops

6/21/2014

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Supplies Needed; Foam or construction paper, green flip flops, scissors, glue gun, pencil, and a yellow pipe cleaner.

Directions; Use the toe of your flip flop to "free hand" the shape of your dinosaur toes. Cut out the shape. Cut your pipe cleaner into pieces about 1/2 long. Glue the pipe cleaner pieces to the tips of your dinosaur toes. Glue the shape to the bottom of your flip flop, and allow to dry.

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Nature Scavenger Hunt

6/15/2014

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Scavenger Hunts are a great way to get kids interested in nature and being outdoors.

Supplies Needed;
Egg carton, print out of template (below), scissors, and glue

Directions;
Print out template, cut it out, and glue it to the inside lid of the egg carton.

To Play;
Give each child, or group of children, an egg crate and ask them to locate all of the items on the chart. Ask them to put each item in the corresponding cup of the egg crate. If the items we have suggested do not match your geographical area, we have provided a blank template for you to create your own chart.