Use a plastic container that you get from the grocery store that holds strawberries and weave yarn through the openings. The opening aren’t even but that’s what makes it interesting. My grandson started to weave this basket but got tired so I finished it for him. Maybe using thicker yarn would have made it go faster. I just used a pipe cleaner for the handle.

The basket is holding a cute sock bunny that my daughter made.
Get Directions For Sock Bunnies

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

My daughter shared these with me. She made some to put in Easter baskets.
Get Directions

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.

My grandkids like to play catch when they come to visit but I don’t want to be throwing balls around my family room so this is a great substitute.
You’ll need:
2 small sponges
1 twist tie or string
Directions:
Cut the sponge into strips as shown in the photo. Bunch them altogether and in the center secure with a twist tie or piece of string.

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.

Download Wanted Poster
When you know your grandchildren are coming to visit, create a wanted poster for each one and send to them in the mail. You can design your own or download the one I created. Reward ideas:
5 hugs and kisses
1 ice cream cone
reading a favorite story together
playing a game
going for a walk or a bike ride
Use your imagination and wait to see what happens when your grandchildren arrive to collect the reward.

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