With Thanksgiving coming up (here in the US) there are plenty of opportunities to talk about thankfulness with our kids. Here is a fun art project that adds a little more than just whimsy to the Thanksgiving table - the thankful turkey. This little paper turkey can be constructed in many ways. The fun thing about him is that each of his feathers has a thankful note on the back for each person at the table to read during dinner. … [Read more...]
One Week Outdoor Play Challenge
Getting kids outside in the cold and wet weather can be a challenge, we know. But doctors and teachers agree that kids need lots of time outside for a variety of reasons. Playing outside sparks imagination, improves motor skills and balance, provides a setting to learn about the natural world, boosts Vitamin D and promotes a healthy lifestyle that decreases obesity. … [Read more...]
Fun with Logs
At first I was feeling guilty that this post is long overdue - we started the series back in May after all. But now I'm thinking it might be just the time to re-visit the idea of natural outdoor play spaces. With summer coming to an end, so too is the time for running through the sprinklers and planting vegetable gardens. The return of cool, crisp fall weather is actually quite perfect for a more rustic approach to outdoor play. … [Read more...]
Our Favorite Ways to Make Memories Outside
I'm having so much fun rounding up our best posts for you to peruse while I'm working away on the site's redesign. Today we're covering our all time favorite outdoor activities. Take a look at the list and find a few items to put on your summer bucket list before it's too late. 1. Get Creative with Sidewalk Chalk - Grab some cheap sidewalk chalk, your camera phone, and ideas from this post and you'll have at least an afternoon's worth of playtime. You'll also have some super cute … [Read more...]
Summer Fun for Everyone: Finger Knit Bracelets
I'm guessing that knitting isn't high up on most of your lists for summertime fun. But I'm here to change your mind. In fact, I'm at eHow this week talking about the perfect summer knitting project: finger knit friendship bracelets. As the name implies, this is a needle-free type of knitting suitable for kids of all ages. It's a great way to get your littlest little ones in on the summer-friendship-bracelet-making fun and it promotes fine motor skills to … [Read more...]
Creating Art with Nature
I've been really inspired lately by a concept known as "invitations to play". The steps involved are about as simple as they come: Find some interesting materials Lay them out in an appealing and accesible way Watch the children be drawn in like moths to a flame Recently I decided to try the technique with a mix of art materials and found nature objects. To add to the fun, I set everything up in our playroom while the kids were napping and just left it there for them to … [Read more...]
Play: DIY Body Paint
A few weeks ago C finished up his first year of preschool and they had a little carnival to celebrate. (I'm not even going to talk about the mini panic attack I had at the realization that my baby will be heading off to real school in a couple of years - nope, not gonna talk about it.) Anyway, a few of C's beloved teachers offered up their face painting skills at the festivities and I asked the kids if they'd like something painted on. At the time they only had eyes for the … [Read more...]
Life-Size Building Blocks
Happy Monday everyone. I'm pretty thrilled to be able to announce today that Allison of All for the Boys will also be joining the MPMK team as a regular contributor. If you've been paying attention, then you already know I'm a fan (featured her here and here). As you'll see from today's post, her ideas are spectacularly fun but also remarkably simple. You really won't be able to resist trying them out at home. It's no secret that we love forts, tents, and hideaways … [Read more...]
Simple Print Making
I can't believe it's already Wednesday, short weeks always seem to wreak havoc on my schedule. Plus today was C's last day of preschool (Aggh! He must stop growing. Right. This. Minute.) Anyway, no more school means it's time to start stocking up on ways to engage the kids over the summer. Kaley's gorgeous DIY play dough post was a good start and I'm at eHow this week posting on another kid art classic: bubble wrap print making. Did you ever try this when you were young? The results … [Read more...]