Fun Fall Activity for a Toddler

We went on a leaf hunt. Although, at the time there weren't many leaves on the ground, now there are a lot. Just waiting for the rain to clear up so we can make a big pile and jump in!! On our leaf hunt we collected leaves, Mackenzie loved this job! Once we collected them I scratched my head for what to do with them. Well, I brought them inside and washed them to save for another day!  I finally decided to make a leaf garland. It was super easy.

I took some plastic straws and cut them in about 1/2" sections.

I then taped those sections to the back of the leaves. I used scotch tape but, they have slowly started to fall down as they dried. So, I would recommend something stronger.

We then took kite string and laced them on. Lacing is a great activity for toddlers, perfect for hand- eye coordination. Mackenzie has some lacing cards and hasn't shown a lot of interest. Needless to say I ended up lacing.

Hang up and all done.

I love how it turned out, I plan on making another but, again I need to wait for the rain to go away.

Next fun fall activity for a rainy day. 

Super easy to make cloud dough. I have actually never used the baby oil we got at our baby shower for Mackenzie. I don't know what to use it for? Is that weird? So, I finally opened it and used it to make cloud dough. This is super easy just 4 cups flour and 1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons baby oil. I used a whisk to stir mine and even though it was clumpy as we played with it, it smoothed out.

To make this a fall activity I found fall cookie cutters to play with.

During play time I put it in a cookie sheet on the table above a wood floor. Warning this is messy, clean up is a breeze though. If you don't have an easy to sweep floor it might be nice to do it on a shower curtain (get a cheap one at the dollar store) or I am sure it will vacuum easily. Just expect a mess!!

Both these activities Mackenzie loved and it was nice to do something fun with out a lot of work! Next month I am starting our at home preschool, I will share my ideas with that. November is the color Yellow and the shape is a square. Do you have any activity ideas to share?

Talk to you next time.

Dorinda

DIY: Cheap Chalkboard

I know I said I would be posting a new point on my "Fight Like A Girl" series each week. Since this topic is so important to me I want to make sure I spend a lot of focused time on each point so, I will post every other week. Also, I plan on blogging again two times a week here shortly.

Until then here is how I made a super cheap chalkboard to last until I find the perfect frame to make my own.

Start off with one black and one white poster board. Measure 3" in and draw a square. This see through large ruler really helped!

Cut that square out with out cutting the edge. Give inside square to your toddler to draw on to keep them busy!!

Next hand draw your frame outline. I just rounded out the corners, use a cup to help keep it perfect. I also rounded out the edge. You only have to do half of the frame, just carefully fold in half before cutting to ensure they both match.

Glue the black poster board and white frame together.

Cut off any showing black.

Measure string across the back and glue down, near the top. I chose to use string so I can take it off the wall to draw on.

Draw on your board with chalk.

To erase use a slightly damp cloth, I found wet wipes worked great. There will be residual chalk, that just makes it look more realistic. When it gets two worn down just replace the black. Also, I am going to try painting it with a thin layer of homemade chalk paint? I will let you know how that goes.

Thanks, have a great week!!

Dorinda

Valentine Activities

I had spread out all our Valentine activities through out the month and instead of posting them in individual posts I decided to combine them.

Early in the month we had some snow fall. I had been wanting to make snow cream, so I ran out stuck a bowl in the front yard and snow cream was made (tutorial to come)!! Mackenzie loved it, and since I added valentine sprinkles I felt this made it a valentine activity.

Week before Valentine's day we made glitter hearts.

One wall in my kitchen was screaming for a big chalkboard. Since I haven't been able to find a frame I liked to make my own I made a cheap one to use until I find the perfect frame (tutorial to come). Mackenzie decorated the hearts. Essentially, I just cut out a bunch of hearts from construction paper, taped them down and let her "paint" the glue on, then glittered. She loved it!!

The day before Valentine's one of Mackenzie's friends hosted a tea. So we went to that, there they got to make valentine's and eat pink cinnamon rolls.

Finally, Valentine's day. Mondo and I decided we are going to make a shutterfly book. We just haven't done that yet. Hopefully soon! Here is what we did get each other and Mackenzie.

We were going to make Red velvet pancakes, then Mondo mentioned donuts. So we went to a local donut shop, so fun and cute!!

Of course after that we went to the gym but not before taking some more pictures.

That concludes most of our Valentine's festivities.

I have a ton of posts coming up you won't want to miss out! A new series fight like a girl, new one piece four ways, one diy, and a weight loss update!

I love because He first loved me,

Dorinda