Asphalt Canvas

Found a great "how-to" at Let the Children Play via The Crafty Crow on making your own chalk paints.  Although ours didn't turn out just like theirs, for the children it was simply the ability to freely create their own paints that mattered most.  The looks of pride in their faces when they finally reached their perfect colour was wonderful : )

Mixing colours in jars.

Spectacular! (yah, I enhanced the photos @ Picnik)

What a great way to brighten the playground!

Until You Read Again....

Stacking Up, Up, Up

Throughout the school year a small handful of the ASC (after-school children) had turned some little cups that were suppose to hold beads, into a cup stacking activity.  Last week I added 60 more cups to the few we had and now it's one of the top 5 activities.  The stacks range from small to grandiose and challenges ensue to see whose stacks go highest or how intricate they can design them. The giggles, gasps and faces that follow a crashing of unbalanced cups, is priceless! 
Challenge:  Create stacks, towers and bridges using only the little plastic cups!

How will your creation stack up?

Until You Read Again......



Soothing Stones

Once in a while (or sometimes every other day!) children end up with a "learning injury".  Bumps, bruises, blisters, scrapes and stings all need something to ease the pain and my co-worker Andrea introduced me to a very eco-friendly way to do this! 

Stones.  Rounded and smooth.

Keep these stones in the freezer and when a boo-boo ensues:  choose a stone, wrap in a small cloth and apply to boo-boo'ed area! 

• To personalize the stones, take children on a hunt for their perfect soothing stone and then use a permanent marker to write the childs name on it. 
• Instead of trying to scramble to find a cloth for wrapping, you could sew or crochet your own little pocket to keep the stone in.
• The cooling effect lasts for about 45 minutes (depending on stone size). 
• The stones are easy to transport in a cooler for outtings or at camp.
• Alternately, you may just want to use soothing stones as a nice way to cool down on a hot day or ease an aching muscle.

Have a Soothing Day!

Until You Read Again.......