Snow Fabulous! Extra-Long Mittens

Anyone with children knows that as soon as you get them dressed to play in the snow, they are banging at the back door like some cute, two-legged boomerang.  Mostly I am returning gloves to cold fingers or tucking sleeves in to cover up cold wrists.  After a particularly lazy morning, wanting more time with my coffee and Pinterest, I took matters into my own hands!

I know you can purchase extra-long gloves in catalogs, but since that would only help me $25 and 3-5 days later, I got straight to work.  I whipped up a pair of my own whilst the offending child was dressed and waiting at the back door.

Cut the top off an adult sized sock.  Save the bottom for dusting.....good times!

Turn the top inside-out.

 

Slide the inverted top over so that the cut end lines up with the cuff of the mitten.

 

Sew the sock to the cuff of the mitten.

Turn the sock right-side out.

Voila!  Extra-Long Mittens!  Snow Fabulous!

 

With the little one back outside, I warmed my coffee for the 10th time, parked in front of Pinterest and knock-knock-knock......"I've gotta go to the bathroom." 

Go Ahead, Make Childhood Magical!

Oodles of Noodles!

     I had a few minutes alone in the dollar store today (don't be jealous).   I was looking for materials for my Kindergarten summer camp.  I found some pool noodles ($1 each) and couldn't wait to put them to use.  Of course they are good for their originally intended use as a fun pool flotation device OR as a tool to whack each other, as my kids have invented.  But the uses for noodles are in the oodles (sorry, I can't ever resist the urge to rhyme).  

     I took a serrated knife and cut the noodles into pieces (1 1/4"each gives you about 35-40 pieces).  I numbered 20 of the noodles with black sharpie marker (let dry for a few minutes) so that my students could string them in numerical order.  On another set I am going to print the letters of the alphabet on them to string in alphabetical order, as well as make a set where the students can match upper to lowercase letters while stringing them in alphabetical order.  So right there you have 3 activities.

     You can also get them in a variety of colors, cut them in the same fashion as above and allow younger students to make a pattern of their own.  You can also make pattern cards by tracing the noodles onto a piece of card stock and coloring in the outline in patterns that you intend the kids to match. And that gives you 2 more uses.

     You can also cut the noodles and allow your children to use them to count with or practice adding with them.  You can build with them, stamp with them (see the flower shaped one I found at the dollar store as well) or they can have a good time floating them in a water play container.  5 more uses.

     See the uses are in the oodles for your noodles!  What will you do with yours?

 

Go Ahead, Make Childhood Magical!

Flashlight Tag

Nothing says summer nights like a game of tag!  A little hazy on the rules of yesteryear?  Refresh your memory below!  Go round up some neighborhood kids (and their parents, why not?) and get your game on!  Go Ahead, Make Childhood Magical.

How to Play:

1. Play this game at night outdoors.
2. Find a place to be base.
3. Choose one player to be “IT”.
4. The person who is “IT” waits at the base and counts while everyone else hides. Hiders can move around during the game.
5. “IT” searches for the hidden players with the flashlight. The flashlight must stay on at all times and cannot be covered.
6. Meanwhile, players try to run to the base without getting caught.
7. Players are tagged if “IT” spots them with the flashlight and calls out a player’s name.
8. Each tagged player is sent to the base to wait until the very last player is caught.
9. The last person tagged is “IT” for the next game.

  Safety Tips:

• Have an adult mark off the game area and walk the perimeter with the players.
• Play in the safe area. Mark off dangerous holes and low hanging branches, and remove all potential hazards such as yard tools, toys, clotheslines, etc.
• Provide everyone with a flashlight for safety purposes, but only the person who is “IT” keeps theirs turned on.
• Players should not leave the game area without telling an adult.
• Never play near a busy street or intersection.