inside play

what do you do when school is canceled because of snow slush?

...build forts & make Valentine's Day decorations! (thanks for the sheets Grandma Shelley!)

.

.

.

.

jack-o-lantern puzzle favors - TUTORIAL

 


Today I am sharing a fun, easy, inexpensive, AND sugar-free party favor that the kiddos can help make.
I know I have gone on, and on before about how grateful I am that my son's preschool encourages parents to hand out sugar free items as party favors, but really, I LOVE it.  Don't get me wrong, my kids have candy sometimes, but it just seems at Halloween they end up with way more than any kid needs.  And the funny thing is, my kids are way more excited to get pencils or fun band-aids anyway.  OK, enough ranting, on to the tutorial.
 

A few weeks ago, I made this Halloween concentration game games to hand out, but I really wanted the boys to be involved in making something to give away to their friends.
 
So, I searched the web and came across this Jack-O-Lantern Puzzle project (scroll down to the middle of the page to find it).  Using craft sticks, paint, and a marker, the kids create pumpkin puzzles.


To make them easy to hand out as party favors, I packaged them up in coordinating bags and tags.


 
Materials for the puzzle:

• large crafts sticks (6 for each puzzle)
• orange paint (I used tempera paint)
• paint brush
• marker
• tape (something that can be easily removed)
• overhead transparency & Exacto Knife - for making a pumpkin template (optional)

Materials for the bags: 

• 9.5" x 4.25"  orange fabric (I used rip-stop fabric)
• 15" piece of black ribbon/yarn (I used yarn because that is what I had on hand)
• safety pin

Materials for the tags: 

• printed tags - click on image to enlarge and save to your computer ( I printed these as 4"x6" photo at my local photo center)
• Scissors or paper cutter
• Hole punch

OK, lets get started...   Start by taping the craft sticks together. (I found that taping on the diagonal makes it easier to handle.)
Then flip over and paint (I taped as my boys painted) .
Sorry, I don't have any pictures of this... in the pictures below, just imagine the craft sticks are orange.

After the paint dries, draw the pumpkin with a marker.  Make sure all of the craft sticks have some portion of the pumpkin image on them.
Optional Step:  If you are making a number of these at a time,  a template is helpful in speeding up the process a little.  To make the template, place the sheet of overhead transparency on top of the craft sticks and draw your pumpkin. Then cut out the black areas with an Exacto knife (carefully).
Once you are done drawing all the pumpkin faces on the painted craft sticks, set them aside (don't remove the tape yet).

 The next step is to make the bags...




The first step is to create a finished edge for the casing.  Measure down at an angel 2" along both of the long sides and stitch in place (see photos above).




Fold the top down 1" and stitch in place, creating the casing.



Fold in half lengthwise and stitch all the way around to the bottom of the casing (don't sew the casing shut).


Using a safety pin, thread you ribbon/yarn though the casing, then turn the bag and press.

Now on to the tags...


Cut out and punch holes in each of the tags.



Now it is time to assemble the favors...

remove the tape from the back of the puzzle (assemble one at a time so the pieces don't get mixed up).



Insert the puzzle pieces into the bag, add the tag and secure with a bow - and repeat.

That's it - You're done!

...combine both games for a Halloween game bonanza!

Thanks for stopping by - Have a SUPER Halloween!

halloween concentration game DIY

  
Every Halloween my son's preschool does "trunk-or-treat," where the kids go around to the parents' cars and get their goodies. 
The teachers ask that we give out non-candy items (which I think is great). 
So this year I decided to have a little fun with it and make my own.  I thought a Halloween Concentration Game would be perfect because it is fun for all ages. 

I adapted the hang tag tutorial to make the cards for the Game.  (and Free to print - can't beat that!)

 

 

I used sheer black ribbon to package them up. 
Doesn't the knot look like a bat, maybe?  OK, that might be a stretch, but I am going with it!

If you would like to use the game pieces that I created, just click on each image below, and download it to your computer.  I had them printed as 4X6, and they were ready to pick up in 15 minutes.  

 

 

thanks for stopping by!

geocaching - great family fun!

About three years ago, I while sitting in a waiting room (I'm telling you, I find great inspiration in waiting rooms) I came across an article about geocaching - my first thought was, Geo-what?  Then as a read on I learned that it was basically a high-tech version of a treasure hunt. 

With one little boy at home, and one on the way, I knew this could become a very popular pastime for our family.   And I began visualizing all the wonderful places we could go treasure hunting...

 
As soon as I got home I informed my husband that I wanted a GPS unit for Christmas...  he was a little shocked at first, but when I explained to him what geocaching was, and about the adventures that we could have in our own back yard (and all over the world), he was excited too.  

Buying a GPS is kind of a steep up-front cost, but you might not even need to buy one if you have GPS-enabled cell phone or PDA.  (The iphone has great ratings.)
Geocaching in 8 easy steps: (list from geocaching.com)

1. Go to www.geocaching.com and register for a FREE account.
2. Click “Hide & Seek a Cache.”
3. Enter a postal code or address and click “Search.”
4. Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.
5. Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS device.
6. Use your GPS device to help you find the hidden geocache.
7. Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location.
8. Share your geocaching stories and photos online.

 

So, here we are three years down the road.  Summer is right around the corner, and we are itching to get out and so some exploring.  I download some new caches and began to pack a bag so we could go on a hike. 

While searching the house for all the items we needed, and I realized that it would be so much easier if I just had a bag to keep all of the essential geocaching items in.  A bag that we can just grab and go at a moments notice - when the sun decides to peek out from behind the clouds.  (Although, I might not be able to wait that long, so some ponchos might need to be added to the packing list.)

After making the first round of Hobo Sacks from Dana's wonderful tutorial over at MADE, I knew they were the perfect size for a geocaching bag.  I grabbed some fabric from my stash (navy linen, gray quilting cotton, and orange jersey) and set to work. 

 

Feeling like I needed to label the bag, I searched the internet and came across the geocaching symbol and stenciled it on using freezer paper.

But I couldn't stop there, I then decided that we needed a First-Aid pouch, AND a bag for all our treasures to trade (swag). 

I had so much fun making these bags - super fast and easy!
Our Geocaching bag includes:

• GPS
• notebook
• pen
• trash bag - cache in, trash out (we use plastic bread bags)
• Swag Bag with various small items for trading
• first aid pouch
• sunscreen
• (poncho)

 
Other items we throw in the backpack:

• camera
• extra clothes
• snacks

I hope you get out and try geocaching, it is fun for the whole family.  And you might even learn something along the way, because many caches are linked to historic sites! 

Happy Hunting!

treasure bag

 

My boys have spent hours collecting treasures, but sadly they often end up smashed at the the bottom of the back pack or picnic basket, never to be cherished as they should.  With the loss rate being as high as it was, I decided it was time to do something about it!

The idea for this bag came from this book by Amanda Soule.  I love the idea of using mesh for treasure bags (especially beach treasures) so the sand and dirt is left behind where it belongs!

This little treasure bag is also a perfect mate for these scavenger hunt cards (great gift idea too).

And this bag happens to be for a cute little boy we know - Happy Hunting Isaac!

scavenger hunt cards

- make a set of your own!

 

Here are a few of the cards in our set

Scavenger hunts are a great activity for kids of all ages (and adults too). 

You can customize them to fit a theme, making them great party favors. Or, make a few sets to use as last minute gifts - the possibilities are endless.  These durable cards can be used again and again - I keep a set in my purse for some spur of the moment fun!

If you would like to make some cards of your own, here is a brief how-to:

Materials needed:

• items to hunt for (for these cards we simply gathered items from around our neighborhood)
• white poster-board
• camera
• a nice spot with filtered sunlight (near a window or outside)
• a photo editor - if you don't have a great one, check out Picnic (free). 

Place your items on the poster-board and photograph them up close.  Look for settings on your camera that allow you to capture close-up detail (usually represented with a flower symbol).


Edit the photos to your liking (perhaps adding words too).  Just be sure to leave enough space at one end for the hole punch.  Then re-size them to no larger than 874 x378 pixels (300dpi).

Then go to MOO mini cards and upload images. I ordered the pack of 100 (making five sets of 20 cards).  The cards are very durable and great quality.


The last thing left to do is string them together.  I simply punched holes and strung them together with some twine and a wood bead.
Treasure Bag:

read more about the treasure bag HERE.

blynkenandnod on Etsy has a great set if you don't want to make your own.

Birthday Gift

A darling little boy we know will be turning one soon, so I whipped up a set of beanbags that spell out his name - Thomas.  The thrifted tan fabric was from my dear friends Kelly and Michael, and the blue fabric came from my scrap bin.

I just love the little fabric basket...it doubles as a target! I followed this tutorial (which fits 5 beanbags perfectly, so I added a little length to accommodate 6). I finished one other gift today, but as usual, I have yet to take any photos. Tomorrow perhaps.

Scavenger Hunt Cards - Reusable Party Favors

For my son's Birthday I wanted be as green as possible, so I decided to give away party favors that could be used again after the party. I had seen cute scavenger hunt cards on Etsy, and I decided to make some cards tailored to the area where we live. My boys gathered items from our beach and surrounding woods, and I photographed all of the treasures and added the words using Picasa from Google. When it came time to print I considered doing it on my printer and then laminating each of them, but it just seemed like a lot of work. I had heard a lot about the printing site MOO, and I decided the mini cards woud be a perfect size and strength for this project. When the cards arrived I simply punched holes in each, and strung them on some twine and added a wooden bead. They turned out better than expected! They are the perfect size to keep in my purse, and use anywhere we go.