St Patrick's Day Fun-- Part 4

Glassy Shamrocks

1. Cut out a large shamrock from construction paper and lay in a soda flat or somewhere to contain the "mess."

2. Pour a small dot of light karo syrup in the center of the shamrock and add a few drops of green food coloring.

3. Allow your child to "finger paint" until the two are blended across the shamrock.

4. Let dry.  When dry, the syrup will be smooth as glass.  Fun to hang in the window.

Teaching How Long to Brush Teeth

Dental hygiene is not exactly high on my 2 year olds priority list.  However, it is on mine.  So how do we get him to comply with the nightly teeth brushing?  One simple trick...

We sing!

From the time that we started brushing my little guy's teeth, we've been singing the alphabet. Not once, not twice, but three times.  There's nothing magical about the number; it's just what we've found works for us.  He knows it's going to be the same thing every night.  We don't cut it short because we're running out of time.  And we don't add to it because we've missed a night.  No, the number of times is always the same.

He loves having his teeth brushed and it's become an enjoyable part of our routine.  Plus, he here's the alphabet.  And that's what works for me.

For more "Works for Me" ideas, check out www.rocksinmydryer.typepad.com every Wednesday.

St Patrick's Day Fun-- Part 3

Shamrock Caterpillars

1. Cut out 5 shamrocks (or however long you want to make your caterpillar).

2. Draw or craft a face on one.  Here's where you can be really creative.  Googly eyes, markers, cotton, dried beans, pipe cleaners, glitter... the sky's the limit.

3. Glue the shamrocks together, slightly over lapping with the stems pointing down.  These are the legs.

4. Don't forget to add antennas.

Activity Wednesday

Who doesn't love finger painting?  It's a great texture activity, very creative, and just plain fun. What could make it more fun?  

What if you could "eat" your finger paints?

I spend so much time telling my son not to eat things.  Don't eat the Play-doh.  Don't eat the crayons.  Take you mouth off the shopping cart handle.  What did you put in your mouth?  Here's something that our little ones can play with AND put in their mouths.

Pistachio Pudding Finger Paints

Instant pudding is so easy.  Just follow the directions on the box.  Couldn't be simpler.  It comes in so many colors and flavors; the possibilities are endless.  And why pistachio?  For St. Patrick's Day, of course.  So the next time you need a fun activity for your child AND a snack, why not whip up a batch of pudding?  Sometimes it's fun to play with your food. 

St Patrick's Day Fun-- Part 2

Want to treat your kids to some gold coins, but know that money doesn't grow on trees?  Here's a fun treat to add to your St. Patrick's Day celebration.

Gold Coins

Ritz crackers

Peanut Butter

Butterscotch chips

Wax paper

Spread peanut butter between two ritz crackers.

Dip these small "sandwiches" into melted butterscotch chips, coating the whole cracker.

Allow "coins" to dry on wax paper.

Treat your kids to a fun afternoon snack.