Archive for January, 2008
A fun snack from canned fruit leftovers
Instead of draining the leftover juice from canned fruit, pour it into a small cup and place in the freezer. About 1/3 of the way through freezing, insert a popsicle stick. Allow to fully freeze. Enjoy a healthy fruity popsicle. Using multiple cans of fruit? Make multi-layered popsicles by pouring a small amount of juice into the cup...
Remove sand quickly
After a fun (and tiring) day of play at the beach, the last thing we want to do is spend large amounts of time trying to remove sand from a squirmy and tired toddler. Next time, sprinkle a little cornstarch (or baby powder if it is all you have) on your hands and rub along your child's skin. The sand will fall right off....
Safer (and cheaper) baby powder
Instead of using regular baby powder which isn't safe for baby's (or your) lungs, empty the baby powder container and replace it with regular cornstarch instead for a safer but effective alternative....
Glitter bracelets
Create a loop of tape just big enough to wrap around your little one's wrist (sticky-side out). It is a good choice to use a tape that will tear easily in case your child wants to remove suddenly such as masking tape or painter's tape. In a bowl, shake out a small amount of glitter. Now use the sticky side of the tape to pick up the...
Mess saving tip for working with glitter
Glitter can be a real mess - and can get EVERYWHERE. The next time your little ones are feeling crafty and ready to break out the sparkles, slip a baking tray lined with paper under their project.  The paper will allow you to roll up and dump any excess glitter back into the container - and the baking tray will contain everything else that...
Make your own face paints
Make your own face paint for Halloween on just for fun. For each color, use a separate bowl or an individual section of a muffin tin to mix. In each bowl, stir together 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon cold cream, and 1/2 tsp water. Add food coloring 1 drop at a time until you have reached the desired shade of color. Mix together...
Teach your daughter colors with her toes!
A fun way to teach your little girl about colors is to paint each of her fingernails and toenails with a differant colored fingernail polish. While you are painting, be sure to say the color that you are using and have her repeat. After they dry, be sure to point out her colorful digits regularly and discuss the colors....
Cinnamon Applesauce Dough (for ornaments)
You and your children can make your own cinnamon scented Christmas ornaments by using the recipe below: 1 cup applesauce (store brand of course!) 1 1/2 cup cinnamon Mix together applesauce and cinnamon until a thick dough is formed. Roll the dough out in between two sheets of waxed paper until it reaches approximately 1/8...
Soap Crayons
Below is a great recipe to create your own soap crayons (no expensive trip to the store necessary). Even better, you and your child can decide what shape you want the crayons to be. Mix 1 cup of mild detergent flakes (Dreft is a mild choice) with 2 TBSP of hot water. Stir constantly - the mixture will be thick and hard to stir. Mix...
What to do with broken crayons
Every parent probably has a collection of broken crayons that they can’t bring themselves to toss. Below are a couple of uses for them: Preheat oven to 400′. Line muffin tins with foil baking cups (or foil…) and place broken crayons into the foil. Place in the over for approximately 5 minutes or until the crayons begin...
