Observing Insects before it was cool in Kids play microscope

One of the few things we keep year to year as the kids age is this microscope. Even now as we have gotten into bug collecting, the kids will take out the insect slides and learn facts and bits and pieces about the critters. here my now Older son was exploring.

Observing Insects before it was cool in Kids play microscope

Observing in my play microscope

Just to think it all started around this time - our blog has grown into a bug collecting guide. And so has our YOUTUBE CHANNEL! Please visit and subscribe.

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Observing Insects before it was cool in Kids play microscope

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My Daughter was Inspired by a Beading Game...so we made One at Home

We found an easy toddler inspiration at my young sons preschool. While waiting to pick up younger son, we helped ourselves to the game shelf in his classroom (which his teacher said was okay for us). The teacher had great ideas, including this one. Simple pipe cleaner, and a bag of beads. We replicated this activity at home.

The simplicity of it is genius, and I am amazed that months later this beading fun is STILL exciting at our home. I created a bin, similar to the teachers, and baby girl has access. She lets me know when she warns to play (and while I'm reasonably not afraid shell eat the beads, I make sure I'm with her when we do this activity), and we start. My older and younger son even love this game and they play often. And the boys have added, on their own, patterning ideas, counting, and other ways to change up the beading. 

You can see the teacher had number labes on the pieces of pipe cleaner as a counting game.

So fun, so easy. Made with supplies and Tupperware we had on hand at home.

Just paying attention to what my little toddler wanted, and her interests, inspired all of us, including her two older brothers. Kids CAN teach us about what they like to play, learn about, an where their ability levels are.

Make mistakes. Breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud

Mommy Made Hand Assembled Toddler Hospital Homecoming Gift

Our little cousins had surgery recently. As a home coming gift for him and his siblings we assembled a hospital homecoming gift.

Kids are stellar in play based learning. Kids understand the basics if what's happening to them and these ideas are solidified in play. This was a mommy made gift when I didn't find much in ideas online. I wanted something simple that the kids could play with based on their understanding of the experiences that were happening not only to the sick nearly one-year old, but for his brother and sister, who were also experiencing this illness crisis (because when our kids are sick it really is a crisis).

This little Hospital Homecoming kit makes a fun gift, but it's also a fun simple kids activity to assemble at home too.


Handmade Kids Birthday Gift and Hospital Homecoming, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Our Homecoming from the Hospital Kit:

- A new Elmo doll
- Elmo wrapped in a stretchy piece of bandage (from home)
- a bandaid on the bandage
- a box / container for our Doctor supplies: a small sponge square, an empty travel size shampoo container (which we use in the tub so we have plenty), a small notebook for writing down symptoms and a pen, get better stickers, pill bottle, bandaid box with 5 real bandages, and a small cup for water or syrup sipping.

Some parents feel children shouldn't open pill bottles, we advocate for teaching responsibility and never playing with real syrups and medicines. Also, parental supervision should be included so the blue bandage which is removable doesn't go around a toddlers neck.

Of course my kids made a handmade get well card too. We don't feel spending loads of cash is necessary to make fun, heartfelt gifts.

Make Mistakes. Breathe, Reflect. And Laugh.Out.Loud

Converted 12 x 9 foot Playroom into Centers

We have finally remodeled the playroom. I have been inspired to use centers (separate spaces) with in ONE Room for the kids. They often need their own "private" space to play, uninterrupted and not bothered by prying eyes and hands from their brothers and sister.

We've managed to play here a few times and it seems to be working nicely for those moments the kids want some quiet playtime (they love each other, but everyone needs a break from their siblings). 

Converted 12 x 9 foot Playroom into Centers, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Sensory Bins and Bags: I Spy, Ocean Blue and an African Habitat

I discovered the world of Sensory Bins! Not only amazing for the kids but pretty wonderful to put together for them and watch them play, and play, and play.

Sensory Bins and Bags: I Spy, Ocean Blue and an African Habitat

First we made a sensory bin. Thank you Pinterest for this blog list of some great sensory bins. Since my son was 3 years old he loves playing with small toys (you know the ones with warning labels not for under 3 years old). Ya those! Well he is very into fine motor skills play and is well aware of not putting things into his mouth. So I grabbed my newly empty bin (from my Lenten Giving Up on Giving Up Clean Up) and added some bulk bought rice that is ages old. Even now at age 4 he loves those small figurines, so I grabbed a few miniature animals and trees.

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But then - I also added some pouring and measuring spoons so he can dabble in a little math while he plays. The first time out, I played with him for about 10 minutes to also

Introduce the sensory bin:

- talk about each animal that went inside, their habitat (for example hippos love the water and giraffes eat the leaves off of trees

- and safety rules (of Course) don't let the baby near it

- call mom for help

- don't put anything in your mouth

- keep the rice inside the bin

- and you can only pour the rice and animals inside the bin

- when you take an animal or spoons out make sure to wipe off any rice.

- Close the lid to the bin when your finished and come get mom.

Even tho he's playing about 6 feet away from me I still encourage them to come and get me whenever they want to show me something they made/created.

African Habitat Sensory Bin Areyousureaboutthatblog

Of course then I had to make something for 12 month old Baby Girl. I have been giving my kids this since the first one was a year old. A few stacking bowls, a large spoon and a large spatula. She can unstack the bowls, knock them around and upside down, throw them and hit them with the spoon. I have learned that the babies don't throw the bowls to be naughty, instead they do it to hear the variety of sounds that are made.

Baby Girl Sensory Center, bowls and a spoon and spatula, for making music: Areyousureaboutthatblog

Our 1st sensory bags. OKay so I went crazy, over 3 days we had to try everything to see what we liked best....and we love it all. My inspiration for these bags came from Growing a Jeweled Rose here and Mama OT who has a list of over 40 sensory bag ideas here. 

The red I spy bag has some knick knacks from around the play room and through our clean up process mentioned here. Its 1 cup water, 3 drops red food coloring, 1/4 cup baby oil and lotsa fun items. Confetti in a winter theme with sequins snowflakes, a bat, and rabbit. There's a green lobster and a blue alligator eraser. A red disk from some broken plastic gun, lotsa glitter and sequins.

Don't over fill the bag, it should still lay flat and thin. Seal the bag and then apply clear tape. Fold over and tape again. Ours unfortunately leaked from very heavy use and was transferred to a bottle. Very cool results! The die from the blue alligator (I think) came off a bit and made the baby oil in the  bottle blue, the water stayed red....great for my 4 year olds color mixology obsession right now.

The blue bag is 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup baby oil with 2-3 drops blue food coloring (which gave it that amazing blue beautiful texture. Glitter, and some SOFT fish toys with their corals form the bath tub play set. Baby girl loved this. I had to monitor her NOT to put it in her mouth. BUt the little baby oil that spilled on the bag helpedeep her at bay too.  Seal the bag and then apply clear tape. Fold over and tape again.

Our 1st sensory bags - Red I-Spy complete with poem and the Blue Baby Oil Ocean Areyousureaboutthatblog

Lastly is a GREAT sensory toy from walmart of all places (I do like them :-) for $5. The plastic sticks shape molding. You know you can push your face in to see your image. We keep this in the kitchen table and everyone loves to try it and use it. Even mom and Dad!

Baby girl loves this plastic sticks shape molding frame, areyousureaboutthatblog

Keep playing those games and having fun with your kids.

Update: September 18, 2013

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We've made more Sensory Bags here, learning about the different properties of oil, water, gel (dissolves) and paint (changes waters color). See more here. We love sensory bags and bins, there a frequent "go to" activity. 

While there are crazy amounts of Pinterest crafts and books to buy with science, arts and craft ideas, you can find ONE great idea and make it over and over again. Each time to craft will vary a little, and kids are building on there experiences from the previous time. Don't feel the Pinterest Pressure to do it all, pick one and do it over and over again works too.

NEW UPDATE :: YOUTUBE CHANNEL INFO ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT BLOG

Our family has had many adventures through the years. Mom, the @Minstr0Interior had an a-ha moment . . .  Suddenly I See what we will have filled our life with, ADVENTURES! We travel, craft, sing, dance, collect insects and spend loads of time together. Sometimes too much time together. Our kids have recently begun to document their own adventures, and so this channel was born. Enjoy our adventures. Or not. WANT MORE? If there is a blog post accompanying this video we will share it here. Sometimes we will include the ingredients list of the craft or recipe, or the itinerary of our trip. In the meantime click play. 

From our family: 👍 + 🙃 + ❤️ ( Thumbs up, emoji face, hearts! )

See It Live >>> 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2mGpujQIVgxdfTImFnQuLA

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The days are long, but the years are short - Chinese Proverb.

Make Mistakes. Breather, Reflect, and Laugh.Out.Loud.

Originally published in Febuary 2013