VALENTINE TIC TAC TOE
Give a Valentine that can be use over and over again! Who doesn’t love the game tic tac toe.
Besides playing with your friends, this game is great to keep in the car, bring to a restaurant, or play while dinner is getting ready.
Materials:
- Tic Tac Toe Template
- scissors
- x & o’s (see below #1)
- clear plastic bags
- stapler
- white cardstock
- printer with color ink
To make:
1.) X’s & O’s Decide what you want to use for the X’s and O’s. You will need 5 of each (10 total). I found my erasers at Michaels CRaft Store. Mini erasers are a great option, gems, or candy: Hershey kisses, candy hearts. If using candy, you can always replace the x’s and o’s with other candy once you eat the candy you have.
2.) Print templates. Print out templates, cut out. Fold the top template in half.
3.) Bag it. Place the Tic Tac Toe board in a clear plastic bag along with the X’s and O’s. I used a 5×7 bag.
4.) Attach. If extra room in bag (at top), fold top of bag down. Then attach the label on top by placing the clear bag inside. Staple.
Happy Creating & Gifting!
Out Of Quarantine Countdown
Being in quarantine is no fun, especially for kids. When we were in it, everyday my daughter would ask how many more days until we were out. Make it easier on yourself! Create a Quarantine Countdown to help them understand when they are out!
The quarantine requirement is different for everyone. I’ve included up to 12 days in the countdown. Print only what you need. I have also included blank strips. Use them to add more days or you can have your child write out the numbers to make them more involved with the creating process.
Materials
- Quarantine Countdown Template
- White Cardstock or white printer paper
- Stapler
- Scissors
- Tape or Tack (to hang up)
Directions
1.) Print templates on white cardstock or white printer paper. Paper choice depends on thickness/durability you want. Choose between two options. One option has color ink (red), the other option is only black/white.
2.) Have your child/children color the templates (optional).
3.) Cut out the circle on template #1. Cut out the strips of paper on the light gray line on templates #2-3.
4.) To make the chain: Start with strip 1, staple side 2 on top of side 1.
Then, with the 2 strip, slip it through 1 and staple. Repeat until done.
5.) Hang up & let the countdown begin!
YOU’VE BEEN BOO’D!
Happy Halloween! No way better to celebrate than by surprising your friends and family with a “Boo Bag“. Boo Bags are a fill-your-own kit to surprise friends and family with Halloween treats as an alternative to traditional trick-or-treating during the pandemic.
This is a great family project/activity to do together. Have children pick out items to go in the bags. Then, have them place the items in the bag (make bags together). Lastly, have your kids place on friends/family’s door steps. Activity incorporates family time, and the idea of giving to others without getting anything in return.
The traditional Boo Bags come with a sign that say you’ve “been boo-ed”, then the recipient places the sign in their window. That family then is expected to “boo” two more families by creating their own boo bags.
These Boo Bags I made, are simply just to give to friends/family and not expect them to doing anything in return. They are just an alternative to trick or treating this year. Maybe next year we will do the traditional Boo Bags.
Materials:
- bag or container (number depending on how many you want to make)
- Boo Bag Template (see below)
- white cardstock
- scissors
- glue (I used hot glue)
- Boo Tag Template (if different items in bags or to organize, or to/from)
- goodies (candy, food, toys, bandaids, socks)
Notes:
I found our bags at DollarTree and then made the template to match. Any bag or container will work.
I knew I was going to make these bags for awhile, so I would just collect things while out shopping. Lots of fun stuff I found at Walmart, Target, DollarTree, and Walgreens. Oriental Trading has a lot of fun stuff too. I tried to avoid candy, because I’m sure they’ll get plenty from other people.
The Tic Tac Toe boards are on the blog here.
If you don’t want to be anonymous- sign your name on the gift tag. Or text to let them know a surprise at their door.
Boo bags can be for any ages- not just families with kids. Fill with yummy snacks for adults!
Enjoy family time making these and then boo-ing your friends/family. Share in the comments your Boo Bags! We love to see what everyone is up to! Happy Halloween!
EARTH DAY BINGO
Happy Earth Day! How are you celebrating? There are so many fun ways you can celebrate the Earth!
Celebrate by playing the game of Earth Day bingo! Check out these great Earth Day books too.
In order to get bingo, you must complete 3 of the below activities in a row or all of them to fill up your bingo card. Print on the back of an already used paper and recycle the bingo sheet once done.
1.) Recycle old crayons to make new ones– checkout this post here by MAT.
2.) Recycle glass, plastic, and paper- in your kitchen, talk about items that can be recycled? Do you have a special bin or garbage can for recycling? Who takes the recycling? Where does it go? Check out this video that explains recycling.
3.) Make a bird feeder– check out these posts- Birdseed Ornaments & Simple Bird Feeder by MAT.
4.) Turn off light when not in the room– quick video to explain why it’s important to save energy.
5.) Donate old clothes– go through clothes and decide which are too small & other people could use.
6.) Don’t run water while brushing your teeth– turn the water off to save water.
7.) Pick up litter– go around your neighborhood and pick up litter. Then decide if what you find should be recycled or not.
8.) Plant seeds– Start by planting a few seeds in the ground. Then watch them grow.
EARTH DAY BOOKS
Earth day is April 22nd. Celebrate it by reading some of the books below with your child. These books are great for discussing our planet and environmental issues. Reserve them from your local library, watch a YouTube video of them (links below), or you can purchase them from Amazon by clicking the links below (affiliate links). Books below are best for ages 2-9 years old.
1.) Earth Day: An Alphabet Book by Gary Kowalski (Age 2-5)
Children and adults will delight in Earth Day, a litany of gratitude that celebrates earth’s diverse species, from apricots to groundhogs to junebugs, from quahogs to zinnias, zucchini and zebras with bright and whimsical illustrations. In alphabetical order, the wonders of nature arise from the page, reminding readers that every day is a reason to give thanks and that miracles are as simple as ABC. Read Aloud Video
2.) The Earth Book By Todd Parr (Age 3-6)
With his signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity, Todd Parr explores the important, timely subject of environmental protection and conservation in this eco-friendly picture book. Featuring a circular die-cut Earth on the cover, and printed entirely with recycled materials and nontoxic soy inks, this book includes lots of easy, smart ideas on how we can all work together to make the Earth feel good – from planting a tree and using both sides of the paper, to saving energy and reusing old things in new ways. Read Aloud Video
3.) Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary McKenna Siddal (Age 3-7)
Kids everywhere are seeking knowledge about the environment and climate change. Not only is composting becoming more common in households and residential gardens, but many school gardens feature compost piles, too. But how do you start a compost pile? What’s safe to include? Perfect for an Earth Day focus or year-round reference, this inviting book provides all the answers for kids and families looking for simple, child-friendly ways to help the planet. Read Aloud Video
4.) I Am Earth: An Earth Day Book for Kids by James McDonald (Age 3-7)
Learn with planet Earth as the guide! Children ages 3-5 will discover important facts about the planet they call home through entertaining images that preschoolers and kindergartners will want to read again and again. Imaginative illustrations and easy to follow facts make this an excellent book for young learners. Read Aloud Video
5.) 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh (Age 3-7)
Do you remember to turn off the tap while you brush your teeth? How about using both sides of the paper when writing and drawing? Bold, child-friendly illustrations and die-cut pages will draw even the youngest listeners to this gentle reminder of the easy, everyday ways we can be kinder to the earth. Read Aloud Video
6.) Don’t Throw That Away (a lift the flap book) by Lara Bergen(Age 4-6)
Follow an eco-conscious super hero as he teaches kids how to recycle and reuse common household items! The six large flaps throughout show that oridinary trash is really a treasure. From turning old clothes into fun costumes or an old box into a brand new car, kids will learn that saving the environment is super cool! Read Aloud Video
7.) The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle: A Story About Recycling by Alison Inches (Age 4-6)
Learn about recycling from a new perspective! Peek into this diary of a plastic bottle as it goes on a journey from the refinery plant, to the manufacturing line, to the store shelf, to a garbage can, and finally to a recycling plant where it emerges into it’s new life…as a fleece jacket! Read Aloud Video
8.) The Adventures of an Aluminum Can: A Story About Recycling By Alison Inches (Age 4-6)
Peek into this diary of an aluminum can as it goes on a journey from inside a bauxite rock, to the manufacturing line, to the store shelf, to a display on a bookshelf, to a garbage can, and finally to a recycling plant where it emerges into its new life…as a baseball bat! Read Aloud Video
9.) The Earth and I by Frank Asch (Age 4-7)
This story celebrates friendship that one child has with the Earth. They play together, listen to each other, and nourish each other. But when the Earth is sad, the child is sad–so he finds a way to make his friend, the Earth, happy. Read Aloud Video
10.) Why Should I Recycle? By Jen Green (Age 4-7)
What if everybody threw away old bottles and newspapers, littering the world with glass and plastic and tin cans that should be recycled and made into new products? Mr. Jones is a teacher who sets a good example for kids by separating his trash for recycling. When he takes them on a class trip to a recycling plant they learn the value of recycling. Read Aloud Video
11.) Biscuit’s Earth Day Celebration by Alyssa Capucilli (Age 4-8)
We love Biscuit books at our house. Join Biscuit as he helps take care of our green world. From planting seeds to cleaning up, Biscuit’s celebration is an exciting adventure for Earth Day and for every day! Read Aloud Video
12.) How to Help the Earth-by the Lorax By Tish Rabe (Age 5-8)
After explaining how the trash in a waste basket ultimately ends up in a landfill or incinerator, the Lorax suggests realistic ways children can reduce waste, such as by carrying a lunch box, donating old clothes and toys, sharing magazines with friends, recycling cans and bottles, and using rechargeable batteries. He also explains how they can save energy around the home by turning off lights, taking shorter showers, donning sweaters to stay warm, and much, much more. All in all, this is a great introduction to helping the Earth and helping kids step into reading! Read Aloud Video
13.) Earth Day Every Day by Lisa Bullard (Age 5-8)
On Earth Day, we find ways to help the Earth. Trina plants trees with her class. She forms an Earth Day club with her friends. What can you do to make every day Earth Day? Do your part to be a planet protector! Discover how to reduce, reuse, recycle, and more with Tyler and Trina in the Planet Protectors series, part of the Cloverleaf Books™ collection. These nonfiction picture books feature kid-friendly text and illustrations to make learning fun! Read Aloud Video
14.) The Lorax By Dr. Seuss (Age 5-9)
Dr. Seuss’s beloved story teaches kids to treat the planet with kindness and stand up and speak up for others. Experience the beauty of the Truffula Trees and the danger of taking our earth for granted in a story that is timely, playful, and hopeful. The book’s final pages teach us that just one small seed, or one small child, can make a difference. The Lorax Movie – Read Aloud Video
15.) Where Do Garbage Trucks Go?: And Other Questions About Trash and Recycling by Ben Richmond (Age 6+)
What is a landfill? What makes some garbage dangerous? Why it is good to recycle—and can we recycle water? Kids see the garbage truck all the time—but this entertaining and educational book will tell them what it does and where it goes, along with other facts about the trash we create and how it affects the environment. Read Aloud Video
16.) Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethel (Age 6-8)
Perfect for Earth Day on April 22, but important for teaching environmental lessons year around! Michael Recycle tells the adventures of a young superhero whose power allows him to teach people about recycling. Read Aloud Video
Happy Reading!
EASY HOMEMADE CRAYONS
Earth Day is April 22nd, but everyday should be Earth Day. Don’t throw away those old crayons. Recycle them in this super easy activity! Make them with materials you already have at home. Then enjoy creating unique masterpieces with them or gift to friends to celebrate Earth Day!
Materials:
- Broken crayons (make sure to peal all paper off, I used an Xacto knife)
- Muffin tin (mini or regular size)
- Cooking spray
- Oven
Get Started!
1.) Spray muffin tins with cooking spray. Fill muffin tins with the crayons about half full.
2.) Bake at 350 degrees in the oven for about 5 minutes until melted/liquid.
3.) Leave in tin until dry & then take them out.
Notes: Try to avoid brown & black crayons. They will dominate in color and create dark muddy colored crayons. Mixing similar colors gives the best result. You can also use other fun molds to create different shapes.
Happy making & creating!
HAIR SALON/BARBER SHOP PRETEND PLAY
Let’s cut hair! Not only is your child pretending to be a hair stylist/barber- they are also having fun while practicing scissor skills! Make a hair salon or a barber shop in the easy steps below.
After a trip to the hair salon my daughter said it would be fun to “cut hair”. We added onto a previous activity we did before. Instead of just cutting hair, we created a hair salon out of a cardboard box too. This is a great all afternoon or broken up into a few days activity. We made a hair salon and then played with it off and on for over a month.
Supplies:
- small paper plates (dessert)
- markers
- crayons
- scissors
- construction paper
- cardstock paper
- clay (non-hardening)
- printer
- cardboard box or poster board
To begin, make a list of what all is in a hair salon or barber shop. Chairs, mirrors, sink, scissors, brush, blow dryer, waiting room, magazines, and plants, etc.
Hair Salon/Barber Shop:
Create the salon/barber shop out of a cardboard box (you can also make out of poster board if no box). If making out of poster board, fold each side 2-3 inches from the outside. Cut a slit on each end and overlap the corners, then tape together. *This is optional part, but adds more fun.
To start, make the floors. We picked a simple block pattern and colored it (reviewed pattern). Second, add furniture. Use construction paper to make chairs and tables. Third, accessorize! Look at the list made above and search for images (clipart black & white) on google. Place images in a document and print. Make sure they are the right scale with furniture and people. We also made an open/closed sign and a door that opened and closed into the salon.
Customers (People):
Create faces on paper plates. Don’t take a lot of time on the faces because you will go through a lot. We made them have all different kind of faces (silly, serious, mad, happy etc.).
Print out the template below for the bodies. We colored in the bodies with crayons and then went back with a black sharpie to add details. Cut out the bodies and bend them at the waste (sitting position) once colored.
To be able to switch heads easily on the bodies, use non-hardening clay as a base. Make sure to leave a tab (neck) on the paper plate heads. Place the neck/tab in the clay (see example below). Your heads will now stand upright, then place body in front of it. Notes: Clay will leave an oily residue since non-hardening. We used a plastic cup for a garbage can.
Time to Play!
Once the Hair Salon was complete- the fun begins! The waiting room becomes full of customers. They can open the door and come right in! Once a customer is done, change their head and a new customer comes back.
Happy creating & playing!
CHRISTMAS POPCORN Label & GIFT TAG
Tis the season of gift giving! Who doesn’t love popcorn?Grab a round container of popcorn and attach the label below- gift done! Easy & personal! Great gift for teachers, neighbors, hostess gift, mail carrier, employees, and co-workers.
Materials: Popcorn in container, double sided tape (or regular tape), templates, cardstock, printer with color ink, gift bags, twine
Directions:
Print: Choose between the small (4 in. tall x 17in width max) & large labels (7 in tall x 17 in width max), based on how big popcorn container is. Print both page(s) in template. Cut out. Sign your name/family name at the bottom.
Attach: Tape the label template to the additional plaid template. You will trim length later. With the label template (short end), attach double sided tape on end, center the label so image is in front, then place side with tape down onto container. Bring the other side around and overlap, trim excess & tape.
I bought paper bags and then attached labels to the bags with twine to make more festive & know who all they are for too.
Happy Gifting!
CHRISTMAS CHECKLIST WITH ACTIVITIES
Christmas will be here in no time. Time to start celebrating! Print off the list and have fun creating memories at home.
Need help with your checklist? Check out the ideas & links below. Have fun!
Letter to Santa: Write a letter to Santa & mail it. Santa’s Address
Christmas Songs: We found a bunch of great videos on YouTube to listen to or on Pandora.
Donating Toys: This is a helpful article.
Christmas Movies: All of the movies are G rated, great for all ages. Some of them will be shown on TV (DVR them). If not, they are available on Netflix, Prime Video, or Disney Plus.
Reindeer Food: Make Reindeer food with this recipe & attach the label.
Homemade Christmas Ornaments: Lots of ideas here.
Christmas Lights: Look at the lights & do a scavenger hunt, then once home color it in!
Read Christmas Books: You can never read enough books. Here is a great toddler list or older kids list. Check out your local library too or watch books being read aloud in youtube videos. Happily Cultivated on YouTube has lots of options.
Build a Blanket Fort: We love making these. You can make them anywhere in your house. To make a simple one you’ll need a few blankets and chairs or a table to help hold the blankets up. The most fun part is what you put inside- be creative!
Watch the Nutcracker: The Nutcracker & The Four Realms is on Disney Plus, best for older children. There are other versions of the Nutcracker available as that are better for younger children. Youtube has some great videos. Local ballet theaters may offer a virtual viewing as well, ours does here for free.
Christmas Coloring Sheets: Google “printable Christmas coloring sheets” and you’ll find lots of choices. Crayola website has lots of choices.
Make Paper Snowflakes: Great resource here. Only need a few materials and easy to make.
Merry Christmas!
THANKFUL TAG
Have someone you want to show your appreciation for? Neighbors, relatives, teachers, or friends? Attach this tag to a gift and all set to thank them!
In our house we are very thankful for teachers. Being a former teacher I know how much teachers appreciate small gestures. It would make my day when a family went out of their way. I designed this tag for my daughter’s teachers. It can be used for many different people and with gifts.
Materials:
- tag template
- white cardstock
- ribbon/string/twine
- gift (see ideas below)
Gift ideas: chocolates, flowers, wine, popcorn, nuts, candy, tea assortment, hot coco mix
Notes:
- When printing, if want smaller or larger, change the scale in print setup.
- In the past I made Harvest Chex Mix . I then put the mix in small clear bags & attached the tags. It was a favor for everyone at Thanksgiving to take home and enjoy later. It was a big hit!
Happy Gifting!
MAT Create 
