Monsters made of yarn, just in time for the spooky season.
There’s not much to these monsters, but I think they turned out kind of cute.
Henry and I used the same technique we did for our Yarn Circle Garland.
Henry did very well 
Art Activity : Zoo Animal Puzzles
September 27, 2011 by 8 Comments
A counting book called 1, 2 ,3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle inspired this creative art and activity.
The book is a counting train of zoo animals!
Henry really enjoyed this book and loved counting each zoo animal.
A great way to learn to count
Art: DIY Wrapping Paper from Tissue Paper
September 21, 2011 by 12 Comments
George is turning 1…tomorrow!
Henry and I got creative by making some of our own wrapping paper for George’s present.
A simple art technique with tissue paper and water, that I learned about from The Little Red Hen.
Henry started with ripping different colors of
Activity: Indoor String Scavenger Hunt
September 20, 2011 by 26 Comments
During naptime, I setup this simple string scavenger hunt.
I strung yarn around the room [a couple rooms actually].
Looping it through furniture and toys, creating a tangled mess.
[I found this string scavenger hunt idea for outside awhile back from Ready. Set.
Fine Motor Activity: Pipe Cleaners
September 14, 2011 by 18 Comments
I know Henry’s fine motor skills have never been his strongest trait. So, I do sneak in some fun here and there that works his fingers, such as the Dandelion Hat and Colored Vinegar and Baking
Kids Experiment : Colored Vinegar & Baking Soda
September 6, 2011 by 22 Comments
Henry was fascinated by the reactions the colored vinegar made when it hit the baking soda in this activity.
Shh… it was really a science experiment!
This science experiment [that I found at The Adventures of the Smith Family while I was browsing the
Make Your Own Puzzles with Blocks!
August 26, 2011 by 22 Comments
On ‘one of those days’ I needed something to have Henry do to get out of his slump
I started putting painters tape down on the floor…
Not really sure what to do with it though.
I made squares.
Henry decided they were fields.
Henry harvested these
![2011-08-23_7218-250x250[1]](http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-23_7218-250x2501.jpg)
Art : Tape Resist Letters with Homemade Edible Finger Paint Recipe
August 24, 2011 by 41 Comments
As George is getting older, it’s getting more interesting to keep him entertained during activities with Henry. Especially art activities.
To solve this, I included George in the activity this time. I made my own Edible Finger Paint [recipe found At the
Outdoor Play : Balance Beam
August 23, 2011 by 9 Comments
A backyard balance beam is super simple!
Grab some scrap wood from the garage or shop and lay out in the lawn.
[If you have clean boards, bring it inside for an indoor walk the plank activity, an idea from No Time For
Fine Motor Activity: Cutting Straws
August 16, 2011 by 20 Comments
As a learning activity to help Henry learn to use a scissors better, I set out the above items on his play table during his nap.
It includes straws, Magic Loops [plastic strings], and a pair of child scissors.
I
Free Play : DIY Road Map
August 9, 2011 by 8 Comments
Not sure why it took me so long to realize that I can draw on our play table.
But now that I have, Henry and I have created many road maps!
Roads are the biggest hit.
And since Henry can’t reach across the table, the
Art : DIY Upcycled Crayons
August 3, 2011 by 22 Comments
Long ago, when there wasn’t any reason to Beat the Heat.
My mom had a bucket full of old crayons with lots of bits and pieces.
So, Henry, Grandma and I made some upcycled crayons.
I read, somewhere at the time, about a tip
Outdoor Play : Scavenger Hunt
August 2, 2011 by 12 Comments
It has been a while since I made a scavenger hunt for Henry.
This time I wanted Henry to be more self-sufficient at it.
So I made a scavenger hunt guide with pictures [as well as the word].
[Super easy to make, I
Art : Frozen Painting
July 27, 2011 by 31 Comments
Beating the Heat has been fun last week.
Even though it was miserably hot, we used lots of ice to keep us cool.
So far, George has played with ice cubes [a simple sensory activity for babies]
Holiday Craft: Coffee Filter Streamers
June 29, 2011 by 14 Comments
Creating streamers for the 4th of July was the last thing on Henry’s mind. I tried for many days and many approaches to create these. Sometimes I just don’t win.
Okay, a lot of times.
Then, I saw a post that linked up at It’s
Crafty Art : Eric Carle Caterpillar
June 24, 2011 by 11 Comments
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is probably the most well-known, and popular, of his books. At least it is to me.
I asked Henry if he’d like to make a caterpillar out of tin cans.
He jumped at the chance and
