Free Paper Toys From The Toymaker!

Pressed Penny Charm Bracelet Pressed penny machines are everywhere. We see them at the zoo, aquarium, science center, children’s museum, and even sometimes the grocery store in little touristy towns. My kids have collected them for years. I came across my daughter collection about 6 months ago and as I looked through them memories flooded back to me. The day we went to the Trees of Mystery on our CA trip last Spring… the day we went to the Space Needle… the day she first saw the octopus move at the Pt Defiance Zoo… those memories were there in pressed copper glory. I just had to find something to make with these things that would be as beautiful as those memories. I made this pressed penny charm bracelet along with my friend Jessica (who makes beautiful jewelry) on our mamas weekend away. What we used: 10 pressed pennies 1 copper chain bracelet with clasp 10 copper jewelry rings metal awl hammer large piece of flat wood jewelry file two pair jewelry plyers How to do it:

D.I.Y. PIÑATA!! - giddygiddy Holy Piñatas! These are the piñata variety that you do NOT dare pummel! They were made with so much love and care that it's simply sacrilege to even think about taking a stick to it. This monster piñata is the creation of my 7 year old: This "birthday party girl" piñata is the pride and joy of my girl who just turned 6: Oh... and this bird has ME written all over it. 1. Recycled corrugated cardboard boxes and cereal boxes, colored tissue paper, glue, masking tape and scissors. 2. The basic construction is comprised of 3 parts. 2 identical sides and a long band that connects both sides together to transform the shape into a 3-dimensional structure. 3. I cut colored tissue paper into 2" wide strips. 4. Start at the bottom and always work your way up!! 5. Once the fringes have been glued down, you can embellish with colored paper to make elements such as eyes, mouth, ears, bowtie, belt, etc... Here are some good kiddie action shots:

Paper weaving By Kate on June 29, 2011 I really liked the woven gift-topper I made a few weeks ago and thought it looked really pixely! Just perfect for space invaders… I think it would make a cool little project for big kids and grown-ups! You could use them as gift-toppers, or make a card from them or stick them in a frame. If you want a ‘how-to’ then click on the ‘more’ link below. If you fancy a change from rainbow then neon works well too! Have you worked on a project lately that you are pleased with…if so, tell me about it (leave a comment below)! Off topic: Thanks for all your comments/emails regarding Macrame. How-to I used multicoloured strips for the horizontal weaves and white for the vertical ones*. 1) Cut out lots of paper strips. 2) I lay all my white strips on a table top and put a length of sticky tape at the top of the strips to keep them secure. 3) Weave away If you need a hand, leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you asap

Story Scroll" Do the Story Scroll theatre activity and your kids will really be on a roll! This indoor activity makes kids test their narrative skills while putting their show on a TV-like screen. What You'll Need: White butcher paper2 long gift wrap tubesCardboard boxScissorsMarkers or paints How to Make Story Scroll: Step 1: Have your child choose a folktale or a play you've seen, or make up his own story. Step 2: Find a TV-size box, and cut out a screen-size hole in the front. Step 3: Instruct your child to pick 10 key scenes in the story. Step 4: Thread the gift wrap tubes through the holes above and below the screen. Step 5: Choose a narrator to tell the story while someone rolls the panels forward. In the next theatre activity, create scenery for a fun, dramatic balcony scene. For more drama and indoor fun, see:

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