Stuff to Make out of the Cardboard Boxes you have left over from Christmas

Most of us have large boxes that Christmas presents came in just lying around that could be put to good use. My daughter received a Step2 play kitchen (more on that later-definitely the hit of Christmas) that left us with a large box. Much too big to just get rid of! I'm either going to make a playhouse, puppet theater, or play washing machine/dryer out of it. In searching for ideas I came across a few sites that I thought I'd share. When I start the project, I'll be sure to take pictures...


Castle:
http://family.go.com/entertainment/craft-ff-25816-the-great-cardboard-castle-t/#
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/Boxcastle.shtml
http://www.4ormore.co.uk/crafts3.htm
http://www.stormthecastle.com/paper-castle/make-a-cardboard-castle.htm


Playhouse:
http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/cardboard-playhouse-plans.html
http://www.lhj.com/relationships/family/crafts/make-a-cardboard-playhouse/

Puppet Theater:
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cr_toys_games/article/0,,DIY_13781_2270857,00.html
http://www.activitytv.com/37-make-your-own-puppet-theater

Rocket Ship
http://www.instructables.com/id/How_to_build_a_cardboard_Rocket_ship/

I've been searching for washing machine/dryer made out of a cardboard box but haven't been able to find any free plans online. If anyone knows of a source, I'd appreciate it. I'd love to see your pics and posts about your own cardboard creations.

BTW, can you believe Land of Nod is selling a cardboard box playhouse for $89? I like the stuff in Land of Nod...but thing this is ridiculous. I read about this here http://www.cafemom.com/dailybuzz/home_garden/1385/How_Land_of_Nod_Inspired_a_DIY_Cardboard_Playhouse

Theme of the Week: Black and White Animals

This weeks theme inspired by Tinytots is black and white animals. Animals we used included the zebra, panda bear, penguin, and whale. I can't believe we forgot about a cow! It was a lot of fun but was also successful as a learning tool. Zhana has had a ride on zebra for a long time but has never said "Zebra" to refer to it-just horse. After this theme, she says Zebra! Also she started by coloring zebras in circles but at the end started using straight lines.

Zebra
Zebra magnet

Start by searching the web for an image or a horse or zebra. Next cut out the zebra and have some fun with painting. First, we used the edge of a sponge, next some cooking screwers, and finally good old fingerpainting. Super fun!

Next, I let Zhana play with some Tempura paint in the bathtub. It isn't really going along with the theme of black and white animals but it does use the concepts of the colors black and white. I discovered a wonderful trick to convince my 2 year old to help clean the tub up after painting. I added shampoo to the paint already in the backtub and showed her how fun it would be to paint the tub. It worked and she had a blast painting (cleaning) the tub. Maybe this could sort of fall under Montessori practical life?

Toilet paper roll Zebra

There are a few different methods for toilet paper roll zebras online but the easiest in my opinion is the DLTK method: http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mzebra.html; This one just requires gluing on a template. So much easier!

Playdoh zebra

I don't have a pic of our zebra but we blended white and black playdoh together and then shaped it.

Panda
Panda toilet paper roll also at http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mpanda.html. Just color in and glue on. (I didn't have any more empty toilet paper rolls so I just used an empty soda can.

We already had our Circle Panda game and brought it out again for this weeks theme. See shapes post for instructions.

Panda lacing card can be found at http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/panda_lacing_card.pdf . I didn't have any yarn, so I just used a pipecleaner.

Unfortunately, this project was not a hit for Zhana and she did not pay any attention to it UNTIL I just used the top two holes as a hanger. Now, she's been carrying around her panda pal all day.This link is for a printable feed the panda game. I thought Zhana was too young for this but would be SOOO cute for older kids. We did print the panda cards in this game though to play a variation on hide the mouse. For this, I put a printed piece of bamboo under a panda and Zhana had to guess what color it was under. http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/themes_feed_the_panda.htm Tune of: "Happy and You Know It (If You're Happy)"
If you're a giant panda and you know it, eat bamboo.If you're a giant panda and you know it, eat bamboo.If you're a giant panda and you know it, then your face will surely show it. If you're a giant panda and you know it eat bamboo.

Penguin:
· Footprint Penguin: You need white paper, construction paper, paint, and googly eyes. Dip the child’s foot in black paint and put it on white paper. Next add and orange beak and small white circle for a belly.

Whale:

We found this pom pom whale kit at Michaels for $1 so we thought we'd give it a whirl. It was a little complicated for a 2 year old but together we managed. I think it is something you could easily make at home if you can't find the kit.

Tissue Paper Butterfly, Sound Cylinders, and Learning Poster

Hello everyone. We are still getting settled in from moving and unfortunately learning activities have been slow. Today, I thought I'd do a post about tissue paper butterfly, learning poster, and sound cylinders.

Tissue Paper Butterfly
I am a huge fan of recycling material to make fun projects to do with Zhana. Here is an idea of what to do with tissue paper received in a gift bag. This project is perfect for our little toddlers. It is super cheap, easy, and an activity that is easy for them to do.

1. First of all gather about 3-4 different colors of tissue paper. Next cut them into squares about 3x3.

2. Search the web for a butterfly to print out. Then of course cut it out.
3. Next twist the pieces of tissue paper and dip it into some glue and randomly apply to the butterfly. Voila-you have a tissue paper butterfly.

Learning Poster:

When Zhana and I begin working on a new theme we generally make a learning poster. On the poster we put letters she is learning, number of the week, color of the week, animal of the week, and so on. It really helps to enforce what she has learned. She enjoys having the poster and will often go into her room, point to the pictures, and state what is up on the poster. Try to keep the poster in a highly visable place so your child can refer to the poster and concepts often.

Sound Cylinders:

One of the easiest Montessori activities you can make on your own is sound cylinders. I simply take 3 pill bottles and put 3 different materials inside of the bottles. Try to choose material that sound markedly different to begin with. In the bottles below I have sand, pebbles, and pennies.

What to Do With Them: 1. Name the material for the child, “Sound Cylinders”. 2.Take out each cylinder, one at a time, and place them in a horizontal line (left to right) 3. Pick-up the first cylinder on the left and shake it. 4. Return the cylinder to its place. 5. Pick-up each of the remaining cylinders, one at a time, and shake them. These bottles are see through-as Zhana gets older and better at this I'll use containers that she can not see through.

You can also have the child close their eyes and shake the bottles to produce sounds going from soft to loud. Make sure you use language such as loud, louder, soft, softer, and so on...

I haven't made a set of 12 cylinders (red and blue) yet but it is on my to-do list. For this you have one set of 6 cylinders with red tops and another set of 6 with blue tops. The sounds in the red set match their counterpart in the blue set. Each cylinder in their sets make a different sound when shaken ranging from loud to very soft. Currently, I'm saving up more containers so I can complete this project. I already have the different sounds I'll be using which include sand, pebbles, tiny bells, pennies, lentils, and screws. I have some garage sale dots to put on the bottom of the cylinders so that Zhana can check her own work.

This activity helps to develop auditory discrimination which in turn helps with language acquisition and judgement ability. They help to isolate different sounds an orient the child to the sounds around them.

If you don't want to make your own (which I cant imagine why you wouldn't when you can make them for free in comparison for paying $30+ dollars for them) they can be purchased from Montessori catalogs. For example, the sound cylinders pictured below are from Montessori and Such for $37.50.

Fun crafts to do with toddlers and tissue paper

Whenever I get presents I always have a great deal of tissue paper and do not want to throw it out. What to do with it? Here are some crafts you can use it for.

1. Draw a pattern of a butterfly. Tear tissue paper into 2 inch squares. Dip in glue and fill the pattern. You can find patterns at http://www.makingfriends.com/tissue_paper_crafts.htm.

2. Flowers: Take eight 3" squares of tissue paper and fold as you would a paper fan. Stack the folded paper and wrap one end of the pipe cleaner around the middle. Turn each piece of tissue paper a half-turn to create the flower petal.

3. Sun CatchersApply torn pieces of tissue paper to a clear plastic lid with diluted white glue. Let dry. Punch a hole in the lid and tie a ribbon through it.

4.Tin Foil DesignsTear up tissue paper. Apply a layer of glue and water mixture on a piece of tinfoil. Arrange the tissue on top, then spread with another layer of the glue mixture. Add as many layers as you like, then let dry.

5. Tie-Dyed FishCut white paper into fish pattern. Place small squares of tissue paper on the fish pattern. Take a squirt bottle filled with water and carefully squirt the water onto the tissue paper. When the water dries peel off the tissue paper and you have a tie-dyed fish.

6. Window DecorationsSmear petroleum jelly on your window. Apply tissue paper in a pattern, picture, etc. Change picture as often as you want. Washes completely off with warm soapy water.

7. Jewelry BoxApply several layers of small torn pieces of colored tissue paper to an Altoid mint box using a gloss decoupage solution. Finish off with a final layer of glaze and sprinkle on some glitter.

8. Stained Glass PicturesPhotocopy coloring book pages for children to glue on pieces of colored tissue paper. Hang it in the window for a stained glass effect.

9.Tissue Paper WreathCut the center out of a paper plate. Cut tissue paper into 4" squares. Place the eraser end of a pencil in the center of a piece of the tissue paper and pull it up around the pencil. Dip the pencil with the tissue on it in white glue. Then place it on the paper plate. Hold it there for several seconds until it sets. Continue this way until you fill the paper plate ring. Try putting several layers of tissue inside each other gluing one layer at a time to make a fuller flower. Add some green tissue leaves, glitter, ribbons, or roll the tissue into a ball to make berries.

10.Vases: Decorate old bottles or jars by adding small pieces of torn tissue paper applied with watered down white glue. You can give the tissue depth by applying several layers of tissue or crumpling the tissue before you apply it.

11.Decoupage Votive HolderTear assorted color tissue in small pieces and randomly glue them onto a glass votive holder with a mixture of white school glue and warm water. Be sure the colors overlap a little so you won't see glass painted with glue. When you are done, paint over the whole thing with a light coating of the mixture, and sprinkle with glitter.

12. PaperweightsDecoupage smooth round stones with tissue paper to make really awesome paper weights. There are some really unique designed papers that can make more meaningful paperweights for like mother's or father's day.

13. Decorated CandlesTear many colors of tissue paper into small pieces. Cover the outside of a white candle with school glue and apply pieces of tissue. It looks like stained glass and doesn't effect the way the candle burns.

14. Paper Mache"Tear into strips. Dip into liquid starch and apply over a plate or balloon. Let dry. Remove and decorate

15.