Category — Blogroll

A remarkable letter from Mother Earth asking for help from children everywhere and entrusting them with her protection. The illustrations are exquisite.

Materials: Sandwich bag, a piece of paper the size of the sandwich bag, a variety of items you might normally throw away or recycle (magazines, colored paper scraps, wrapping paper, ribbon, yarn, sequins, etc.).
Directions:
1. Create a picture with recyclable items and glue on one side of the paper.
2. Write a short story or poem on the opposite side of the picture. If your grandchild isn’t writing yet have them tell you what to write and they can sign their name.
3. Slide the paper in the sandwich bag. The items from the picture won’t get lost and your grandchild with have the picture and the story they created together.

Variation: You can use a photograph of a special event or a post card from a vacation and write about it. The sandwich bag will keep it protected.

You can get Easter cards and envelopes from Jan Brett and they’re free. You can even create your own message.
Get Cards and Envelopes

Materials
Round wooden beads in different sizes (the holes need to be large enough for double pipe cleaners to fit through)
Pipe cleaners
Acrylic paint
Mini pom-pom
Fine-point pen

Instructions
1. Paint two beads (one larger and one smaller) with acrylic paint.
2. Bend a pipe cleaner into an M shape.
3. When the beads have dried, bend the ends of the pipe cleaner under the larger bead to form two big feet, and adjust the loops above the smaller bead for ears.
4. Glue on a mini pom-pom tail.
5. Use a fine-point pen to draw on eyes, nose, and whiskers.

More pipe cleaner crafts at Family Fun.

You’ll need:
Empty egg carton (heavy paper kind works the best)
Crayons, markers or paint
Scissors
Pipe cleaner
Directions:
1. Cut the egg carton in half the long way.
2. Have your grandchild decorate with paint, markers or crayons.
3. Cut the pipe cleaner the length you want the antennae. Make 2 small holes on the head and from underneath stick the antennae in so they come out the top. Shape into antennae.
Learn this poem to recite as your grandchild plays with the caterpillar.

Little Caterpillar
Little caterpillar
Crawling on the ground.
Did you know that someday
You’d be flying up and down.
Little caterpillar
Crawling on the ground
Did you know that someday
You’d be flying all around.
E. Naccarato

Thumbprint Cookies
This is a fun and easy recipe you can do with your grandchildren. They will love making and filling the thumbprint.

You’ll need:
2/3 C butter
1 C sugar
1 egg
½ C self-rising flour
1 ¼ C all-purpose flour
Jam or chocolate chips, to decorate

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Place the butter and sugar into a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until light and creamy.
3. Add the egg and beat well.
4. Stir in the flours and mix to a dough.
5. Line a baking pan with non-stick baking paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
6. Roll about 2 tablespoons of the dough into a ball and flatten onto the baking pan.
7. Press your thumb into the middle of the dough then fill with jam or chocolate chips.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown then let cool.
Makes 18

This is a fun way for your grandchild to practice addition. All you need are a pair of dice to play this math game. The object is to get to 100 or closest without going over. Each player shakes the dice and makes a number. If you shake a 5 & 3 you can make the number 53 or 35. Write the number on a piece of paper and when it’s your turn again, shake the dice and make another number. Add the 2 numbers together. Keep adding the numbers until someone wins.
You can also play Race to 0. It’s played the same way but subtracting from 100.

This is a fun treat to serve for St. Patrick’s Day or anytime you have your grandchildren over. They will especially enjoy helping. Just follow the directions on the Jello package and drop some Swedish Fish candies in the bottom. After the Jello has set up slightly add other fish to the sides and top.

I think I’ll try this with olive oil and seasonings instead of pizza sauce.