Basically not much to this I have just collected stickers overtime and added them to a box. I save this box for particularly challenging days when I am desperate for anything to keep the little one occupied.
Thursday 16 October 2014
Busy Box 6 - Stickers
It never ceases to astound me how much children LOVE stickers. I was recently speaking to a friend of mine who teachers 4 year old kindergarten and she mentioned a parent of theirs worked for a clothing company and donated pages and pages of small round stickers with "s" "m" "l" (small, medium, large). She said the 4 year olds loved them even going home with a small white sticker saying "s" seemed to thrill them beyond belief.
Basically not much to this I have just collected stickers overtime and added them to a box. I save this box for particularly challenging days when I am desperate for anything to keep the little one occupied.
Basically not much to this I have just collected stickers overtime and added them to a box. I save this box for particularly challenging days when I am desperate for anything to keep the little one occupied.
Veggie garden fun
Best way to get kids to eat veggies is get them involved in growing them!
If you are not a gardener I can assure you veggie gardening is easy.
My only tips are
- Start with something simple (I started with 4 different veggies at once which was too many!)
- Start with a good soil base (mix some good organic potting mix in with your soil before you start)
- Make sure they get lots of water.
For about $3 we bought a punnet of Cauliflowers, some turned to seed but most grew well and we had many evenings with home grown Cauliflower for dinner, much cheaper and tastier than what you buy from the shops.
The best part was getting the kids involved. When we harvested our first Cauliflowers, my son (who has refused to eat Cauliflower since he was a bub and it was pureed) ate it raw straight from the plant. Who would have thought veggies have become one of our best home made toys yet!
Can't wait for our carrots and celery to finish growing!.
If you are not a gardener I can assure you veggie gardening is easy.
My only tips are
- Start with something simple (I started with 4 different veggies at once which was too many!)
- Start with a good soil base (mix some good organic potting mix in with your soil before you start)
- Make sure they get lots of water.
For about $3 we bought a punnet of Cauliflowers, some turned to seed but most grew well and we had many evenings with home grown Cauliflower for dinner, much cheaper and tastier than what you buy from the shops.
The best part was getting the kids involved. When we harvested our first Cauliflowers, my son (who has refused to eat Cauliflower since he was a bub and it was pureed) ate it raw straight from the plant. Who would have thought veggies have become one of our best home made toys yet!
Can't wait for our carrots and celery to finish growing!.
Cheesymite Scrolls
These are an absolute hit with kids, they are relatively healthy and freeze well. (I freeze them individually and start defrosting the night before for lunch box). Kids also love getting involved in the making of them, kneading, spreading the vegemite and sprinkling cheese.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups self raising flour
1/2 Cup wholemeal flour
90g butter
2/3 cup milk
3/4 cup of tasty or colby cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese (if you don't have parmesan cheese - just add more tasty cheese)
1 - 1 1/2 Tbsp Vegemite
extra milk
Method
- Preheat oven to 180C. Line a large biscuit tray with baking paper.
- Rub the butter through both of the flours until it is of breadcrumb consistency. Add half of the cheese mix and milk and work into a dough with your hands. On floured bench gently knead (be careful not to over knead) and then roll out into a square approximately 1cm deep.
- Spread Vegemite evenly over the dough and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Roll the dough away from you into a long rope shape. Cut into eight equal rounds and place them on the baking tray. Brush on the top with the extra milk. Bake for about 20 minutes (until just brown on top and cooked through).
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups self raising flour
1/2 Cup wholemeal flour
90g butter
2/3 cup milk
3/4 cup of tasty or colby cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese (if you don't have parmesan cheese - just add more tasty cheese)
1 - 1 1/2 Tbsp Vegemite
extra milk
Method
- Preheat oven to 180C. Line a large biscuit tray with baking paper.
- Rub the butter through both of the flours until it is of breadcrumb consistency. Add half of the cheese mix and milk and work into a dough with your hands. On floured bench gently knead (be careful not to over knead) and then roll out into a square approximately 1cm deep.
- Spread Vegemite evenly over the dough and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Roll the dough away from you into a long rope shape. Cut into eight equal rounds and place them on the baking tray. Brush on the top with the extra milk. Bake for about 20 minutes (until just brown on top and cooked through).
Busy Box 7 - matching/sorting game
You can use this games in many different ways for matching, memory and sorting. The games encourage concentration, observation, turn taking and great skill development for 2-3 year olds.
I created these sheets just by picking pictures my son knows, printed four copies and laminated them. I have then kept two as base mats and then cut the other two up into small pieces. We have used the game a number of times to play the matching and memory games with our two and a half year old and he has really enjoyed them. At this point we still have to help a bit with the memory game but he is really improving.
Stage 1 - Matching
Start simple by giving the child one board and one set of cards and find the cards and match them to the place on the board.
Display 2 sets of cards mixed up but right side up and get the child to match together the cards.
Stage 2.
Game 1 - MEMORY
I created these sheets just by picking pictures my son knows, printed four copies and laminated them. I have then kept two as base mats and then cut the other two up into small pieces. We have used the game a number of times to play the matching and memory games with our two and a half year old and he has really enjoyed them. At this point we still have to help a bit with the memory game but he is really improving.
Stage 1 - Matching
Start simple by giving the child one board and one set of cards and find the cards and match them to the place on the board.
Display 2 sets of cards mixed up but right side up and get the child to match together the cards.
Stage 2.
Game 1 - MEMORY
The object of the game is to collect the most matching pairs.
Shuffle the cards. Lay out the cards face down in rows forming a large rectangle on the table or floor. Make sure the cards are not touching each other. They need to be able to be flipped over without disturbing any cards around them. Decide who will go first. Typically it is the youngest player that goes first.
The first player chooses a card and carefully turns it over. Be sure not to bother the surrounding cards. The player then selects another card and turns it over. If the two cards are a matching pair for example two dogs then they take the two cards and start a stack. The player is awarded another turn for making a match and goes again.
Shuffle the cards. Lay out the cards face down in rows forming a large rectangle on the table or floor. Make sure the cards are not touching each other. They need to be able to be flipped over without disturbing any cards around them. Decide who will go first. Typically it is the youngest player that goes first.
The first player chooses a card and carefully turns it over. Be sure not to bother the surrounding cards. The player then selects another card and turns it over. If the two cards are a matching pair for example two dogs then they take the two cards and start a stack. The player is awarded another turn for making a match and goes again.
If the cards are not a match they are turned back over and it is now the next players turn.
The next player chooses their first card and turns it over. If it is a match for one of the cards the previous player turned over then they try to remember where that matching card was and turn it. If they are successful at making a match they place the cards in their stack and choose another card.
If the first card turned over was not a match for one previously turned over the player selects another card in an attempt of making a pair.
If they are unsuccessful in making a match they flip the cards back over and play is passed to the next player.
The game continues until all of the cards have been paired.
* you can start the game with only half the number of pairs until your child gets the hang of it.
GAME 2 - BINGO
The object of the game is to be the first player to match all of the tiles/cards to the squares on their sheet OR first player to match a whole line.
Each player takes a sheet, shuffle the cards and lay them out on the table face down. Each player randomly picks up a card and matches it to their sheet. taking turns one card at a time. When the player completes a line they call bingo and win that game.
GAME 3 - SNAP
Object of the game is to get as many cards as possible. The dealer shuffles the cards and one by one places them face up in a stack. When a matching card is placed on top of it's pair the first player to see calls snap and takes the stack of cards. The dealer continues to place the cards down until another pair is matched.
Game 4 - Go Fish
* you can start the game with only half the number of pairs until your child gets the hang of it.
GAME 2 - BINGO
The object of the game is to be the first player to match all of the tiles/cards to the squares on their sheet OR first player to match a whole line.
Each player takes a sheet, shuffle the cards and lay them out on the table face down. Each player randomly picks up a card and matches it to their sheet. taking turns one card at a time. When the player completes a line they call bingo and win that game.
GAME 3 - SNAP
Object of the game is to get as many cards as possible. The dealer shuffles the cards and one by one places them face up in a stack. When a matching card is placed on top of it's pair the first player to see calls snap and takes the stack of cards. The dealer continues to place the cards down until another pair is matched.
Game 4 - Go Fish
Saturday 13 September 2014
Busy Box 5 - Threading
Threading is fantastic for developing children's fine motor skills.
All you need is
- Large needles and thread ( I used plastic needles, pack of 3 was $3 from spotlight, even through they are plastic they are still sharp so close supervision is required and some old wool).
- things with holes to thread. Start with large things (e.g. pasta and you can decrease the size as children's skill level increases). I used coloured pasta, straws, and paper.
I tied a piece of pasta to the end as an anchor and showed my 2.5 year old how to do one piece and he ran with it. It is up to you if you make items to keep (e.g. necklaces) or simply cut the bottom off and start again each time.
Coloured pasta - I made this by
- Put about 125g of pasta in a plastic bag
- Mix food colouring (enough to reach desired colour) in with 1 tablespoon of vinegar.
- Pour the vinegar into the plastic bag with the pasta and rub until the pasta is covered.
- Tip out onto a tray and leave to dry (about an hour)
All you need is
- Large needles and thread ( I used plastic needles, pack of 3 was $3 from spotlight, even through they are plastic they are still sharp so close supervision is required and some old wool).
- things with holes to thread. Start with large things (e.g. pasta and you can decrease the size as children's skill level increases). I used coloured pasta, straws, and paper.
I tied a piece of pasta to the end as an anchor and showed my 2.5 year old how to do one piece and he ran with it. It is up to you if you make items to keep (e.g. necklaces) or simply cut the bottom off and start again each time.
This necklace took my 2 year old about 15 minutes to make. He made a few, I love anything that can keep a 2 year old occupied for over 30 minutes.
Coloured pasta - I made this by
- Put about 125g of pasta in a plastic bag
- Mix food colouring (enough to reach desired colour) in with 1 tablespoon of vinegar.
- Pour the vinegar into the plastic bag with the pasta and rub until the pasta is covered.
- Tip out onto a tray and leave to dry (about an hour)
Busy Box 4 - Tongs and Things
I included tongs as part of my kitchen play and found they were a hit with all children. My son would walk around the house finding all sorts of things to pick up.
Basically you can add anything that can be picked up with some tongs to this box. I would start by tipping them out and asking them to pick the things up with the tongs and then put them back in the box. As their fine motor skills develop give them smaller containers (e.g. a jar, or tin with a small hole cut out) and get them to pop the things in the top.
Basically you can add anything that can be picked up with some tongs to this box. I would start by tipping them out and asking them to pick the things up with the tongs and then put them back in the box. As their fine motor skills develop give them smaller containers (e.g. a jar, or tin with a small hole cut out) and get them to pop the things in the top.
Wednesday 27 August 2014
Busy Box 3 - Felt Board
Felt boards are great for children to explore imaginative play. You can use them to tell stories, create art and pictures etc. Even better they are clean and quiet.
I have just put a few things into begin with and hope to add to it over time.
I have started with some basic pieces such as shapes body cut outs and clothing. You can basically add anything you want
All you need is some felt pieces and imagination (I also bough a firm felt board from the craft shop for about $1 but you can create one of your own by gluing felt to cardboard.
I have just put a few things into begin with and hope to add to it over time.
I have started with some basic pieces such as shapes body cut outs and clothing. You can basically add anything you want
All you need is some felt pieces and imagination (I also bough a firm felt board from the craft shop for about $1 but you can create one of your own by gluing felt to cardboard.
Busy Box 2 - Magnifying Glasses
This is crazy simple idea but amazingly effective and I have to give full credit to Nana. My mum looked after my son 2 days a week whilst I am at work and bought over this packet of magnifying classes (plastic ones) a few months ago and they have been an endless source of entertainment.
We have used them for many things including
- exploring outdoors
- reading books
- finding things on the floor
- looking at pictures in books
- finding hidden things.
One more than one occasion I have sent him outside and asked him to find me a caterpillar or ant or similar, he usually gets distracted and plays with something else but it keeps him busy which is the goal.
We have used them for many things including
- exploring outdoors
- reading books
- finding things on the floor
- looking at pictures in books
- finding hidden things.
One more than one occasion I have sent him outside and asked him to find me a caterpillar or ant or similar, he usually gets distracted and plays with something else but it keeps him busy which is the goal.
Busy Box 1 - Coloured Rice
This is great for sensory play for children 2 and up. You don't want to give it to children when they are still putting things in their mouth.
Rice play is used a lot in Montessori education. It be a great tactile and calming play experience for children and teaches them early science skills.
To make the rice.
- Add one cup of rice to a plastic bag
- Mix your choice of food colouring to 1 tablespoon of vinegar
- Optional - also add 1 drop of essential oil to the mix, this just makes it smell nice and takes away the vinegar smell
- Pour the vinegar mixture over the rice and rub into the rice until it is all coated.
- Pour the rice onto a tray an leave it to dry (about an hour).
Ideas for use.
- Put it in a large plastic tray with Scoops, cups, funnels, bottles, water wheel.
- Put it in shaker bottles.
- Put with plastic tweezers and get older children to separate the colours (takes a child with an eye for detail and lots of focus to enjoy this).
- Add animals, dinosours etc.
- With some scales and get they to try and balance the weight.
- Ask children how they could use it, children are far more inventive than adults.
Keep it in a zip locked bag and it should last for months. Be wary this can be a very messy play experience.
Rice play is used a lot in Montessori education. It be a great tactile and calming play experience for children and teaches them early science skills.
To make the rice.
- Add one cup of rice to a plastic bag
- Mix your choice of food colouring to 1 tablespoon of vinegar
- Optional - also add 1 drop of essential oil to the mix, this just makes it smell nice and takes away the vinegar smell
- Pour the vinegar mixture over the rice and rub into the rice until it is all coated.
- Pour the rice onto a tray an leave it to dry (about an hour).
Ideas for use.
- Put it in a large plastic tray with Scoops, cups, funnels, bottles, water wheel.
- Put it in shaker bottles.
- Put with plastic tweezers and get older children to separate the colours (takes a child with an eye for detail and lots of focus to enjoy this).
- Add animals, dinosours etc.
- With some scales and get they to try and balance the weight.
- Ask children how they could use it, children are far more inventive than adults.
Keep it in a zip locked bag and it should last for months. Be wary this can be a very messy play experience.
Kitchen Play
So my son was loving using the toy kitchen at a friends house recently and is really into helping in the kitchen. I really wanted to encourage this interest in cooking but I didn't want another huge piece of children's equipment taking up space and not sure how long the interest would last. Luckily we had just purchased some bookshelves and I had the large boxes left over so I decided to make him his own stove/oven. It only took me an hour and I figured that I could just pop in the recycling bin when we were finished with it. He has been using it for months now and still loves it, after about 2 months the oven door is a bit wonky but other than that it has stood the test of time.
I purchased some mini cooking equipment - tongs, spatula, whisk, pots and pans - from Kmart for $1-$2 each to the whole thing cost me about $10.
I purchased some mini cooking equipment - tongs, spatula, whisk, pots and pans - from Kmart for $1-$2 each to the whole thing cost me about $10.
Long Break
Hi All,
My blog has been neglected for quite a while. Returning to work and parenting seem to have taken up every moment of my day. Just to add to the business we are expecting a second child any day now. I have been busy creating lots of toys still and am hoping over the next couple of months to update you on what we have been doing. I have been putting together some "busy boxes" of things to keep the 2 year old occupied while I am tending to the new bub so will add them to the blog.
Stay tuned more to come very soon.
Thanks for sticking with me
Caroline
My blog has been neglected for quite a while. Returning to work and parenting seem to have taken up every moment of my day. Just to add to the business we are expecting a second child any day now. I have been busy creating lots of toys still and am hoping over the next couple of months to update you on what we have been doing. I have been putting together some "busy boxes" of things to keep the 2 year old occupied while I am tending to the new bub so will add them to the blog.
Stay tuned more to come very soon.
Thanks for sticking with me
Caroline
Saturday 21 June 2014
Cheesy Mac and Veggies
This is a favourite recipe in our household. I tend to make it just for the kids but the adults are always pleased to eat up left overs.
Ingredients
125g Macaroni
25g Butter
1 Tbsp Plain Four
3/4 Cup milk warmed
150g (about 1 cup) of grated Colby or Tasty Cheese
1/2 Cup of Peas
1 Carrot peeled and diced.
(optional extras corn kernels, cauliflower, zucchini - it is great to get 5 veggies in the dish and see it eaten all up).
Method
- Cook the macaroni as per packet instructions
- Cook the veggies.
- Melt butter, add flour, cook for 1 minute on medium low heat. Gradually add milk stirring until smooth. Stir until milk is hot but not boiling. Add cheese, and stir until cheese is melted. Mix together with pasta and veggies. Enjoy!
Ingredients
125g Macaroni
25g Butter
1 Tbsp Plain Four
3/4 Cup milk warmed
150g (about 1 cup) of grated Colby or Tasty Cheese
1/2 Cup of Peas
1 Carrot peeled and diced.
(optional extras corn kernels, cauliflower, zucchini - it is great to get 5 veggies in the dish and see it eaten all up).
Method
- Cook the macaroni as per packet instructions
- Cook the veggies.
- Melt butter, add flour, cook for 1 minute on medium low heat. Gradually add milk stirring until smooth. Stir until milk is hot but not boiling. Add cheese, and stir until cheese is melted. Mix together with pasta and veggies. Enjoy!
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