Nothing Says Christmas than Something Made From the Heart

Christmas Handprint Calendars

     Christmas is right around the corner and you don't have to spend a lot to create the perfect present and one that they will cherish for years and years to come.   The only thing you will need for this easy, easy project is paint and construction paper (both available at any Dollar Store), a paint brush, felt pens and glitter to decorate with and a willing child.  My calendars have evolved and changed over the years, and at one point we actually painted feet as well as hands to make some of the pages,  but the sentiment is always the same-to create a "handprint" memory of your child that year. There are literally thousands of ideas online right now and Pinterest is once again my new best friend. I've included directions to a more detailed version that includes poems for each month below but the ones I made with the girls yesterday as well as with my class are without the monthly poems. The only thing you are limited by is your imagination! 

Summer Camp fun with Sidewalk Chalk

Make Your Own Sidewalk Chalk

You Just Need Your Thinking Cap To Have Fun

With summer quickly winding down and school just around the corner, what better way to keep the kids entertained than with sidewalk chalk?  Sidewalk chalk can provide hours of entertainment, and it’s a great way to ease your way back into school by reviewing letters, numbers all while allowing that artistic side to come to the forefront. No need to run down to the store to buy a bucket of chalk because this week at summer camp we are going to be making our own.

Summer Camp Chemical Reactions

Fun With Baking Soda & Vinegar

            What’s better than making a mess? Making a mess while doing scientific investigations of course. This week at Summer Camp, we are conducting experiments with items you already have on hand at home. Any teacher will tell you that the best learning happens when the child is completely engaged in the activity and trust me you and your children will squeal with delight with these easy to do experiments!  This week we’re going to be doing a favorite activity of my classroom –Chemical Reactions Using Baking Soda, Vinegar and Soap Bubbles!

Summer Camp Fun With Play Dough

Homemade Play Dough

            Who doesn't love the feel of Play Dough?  Young and old alike will have a ball with this week's Summer Camp activity as we show you just how easy it is to create Play Dough right in your own kitchen.  All the recipes can be made with items you already have on hand, are quick and easy to make and will easily keep for the future. Let's get started:

Play Dough

2 cups flour
3 tbsp cream of tartar
1/2 cup salt
4 tbsp oil
1/2 cup boiling water
food coloring
Mix dry ingredients together. Mix oil, food coloring and boiling water in a separate container. Stir liquid mixture until cool enough to knead. You may need to add in some extra flour if it seems a bit too sticky.  Knead until smooth. If play-dough is too dry, add more water, a little at a time. If play-dough is too crumbly, knead in a small amount of oil. Store in an airtight container.

Summer Camp Tie Dye Mickey Tee Shirts!

It's Tee Shirt Time At Summer Camp

Color me happy! Today at Summer Camp, we are making Tie Dye Mickey Head Tee Shirts.  This project took a little planning ahead of time but the results are totally worth it. The best part, even if you are a craftily challenged person as I am, you can still create these fun tee shirts for the entire family. Let’s get started!

Supplies for Mickey Tie-Dye Shirts

Tie-Dye Supplies or Tie Dye Kit (we got ours at Wal-Mart for under $10)

Soda ash (if not part of the tie-dye kit)

100% white cotton shirt

Waxed dental floss

Sewing needle

Rubber bands

Pencil

Paper

Plastic wrap

Ziplock Bags

Gloves

Plastic tablecloth to protect your crafting area (we did this project outside)

Disney Social Media Moms

Disney On The Road

San Francisco

Summer Camp-It's Time To Get Your Build On!

Summer Camp Field Trip

Lowe's Monstrous Summer Build and Grow

“You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.”-Walt Disney

         Welcome to Summer Camp where each week you can get ideas that are easy to use, with little or no cost and can be accomplished with things found around your own house. It’s the perfect way to make the longs days of summer fun and create memories that will last long after summer is over. This week for Summer Camp we are off on a Field Trip to Lowe’s and their free weekly Build and Grow Clinic.

Summer Camp Continues With A Free Monster's University Build and Grow Chest

The teacher is in with another fun activity for the family-and yes it’s free!

It’s a #MonstrousSummer thanks to the folks @Lowes. Help kick off your Monster’s Weekend by attending a   Build and Grow Clinic, this week featuring Disney Pixar’s “Monster’s University”.   Bring your child to any @Lowes location this weekend to build your very own Monsters inspired chest and they too will be off to college, or at least have a place to store those precious treasures until they are ready to go. What is Build and Grow?  Each Saturday and Sunday, Lowe’s invites children 5 years and older to their free Build and Grow Clinics. A wide variety of classes awaits these young builders ranging from wooden toys, to birdhouses, to this weekend’s Monster’s University Chest. When a child shows up at the clinic, they receive a free apron, goggles and the project kit. Over the course of an hour,  the Lowe’s staff will guide you and your child through the process and in the end, all will walk away with something they created themselves as well as that sense of accomplishment.   Ready to register your child or looking for more information? Head over to Lowe's Build and Grow website  and let your #Monstrous Summer begin!

Gayle is a Disney Gal that loves churros for breakfast, still gets giddy with delight at the first sight of the “Disneyland next exit sign”, loves the overwhelming emotions and memories that come with each and every return to the Happiest Place on Earth and dreams of one day being the Captain of the Jungle Boat. To learn more about Gayle, click here