This quick basic recipe is very easy to make and to use. It is soft and pliable for little hands to work with ease. Color, scent, and even glitter can be added to the recipe to make more interesting clay creations.
BASIC PLAY CLAY RECIPE
1 cup flour
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
Heat, stirring constantly, until ball forms. Knead. Store in airtight container or plastic bag. Makes about 4 portions.
Add-Ins for Color
Food coloring
Kool-Aid
Fruit-flavored Gelatin
Add-Ins for Scent
Peppermint oil
Lemon oil
Vanilla extract
Gingerbread: Ground Cinnamon & Ginger
Add-in for Sparkle
Glitter
Gluten-Free Play Clay
For children who can't tolerate gluten or food coloring, substitute rice flour for white flour and natural beet (red), spinach (green) or carrot (orange) juice for color.
Pumpkin Pie Play Clay
Large batch is perfect for your Halloween party!
5 1/2 Cups Flour
2 Cups Salt
8 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
3 1/2 Cup Oil
1 1/2 ounces Pumpkin Pie Spice
Orange Food Coloring (2 parts yellow, 1 part red)
4 Cups Water
Mix all of the ingredients together. Cook and stir over medium heat until dough forms. Knead dough until smooth.
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EDIBLE CLAY RECIPES
These yummy edible clay recipes can be enjoyed as snack food after the creating is done!
Peanut Butter Play Clay
Peanut butter
Honey
Dry powdered milk
raisins, peanuts, chocolate chips, coconut, sprinkles, pretzels (for decoration)
Mix equal parts peanut butter and dry milk. Slowly add honey to desired consistency. If too sticky, add more dry milk. If too dry, add more honey. Form clay into shapes or roll into balls to be served as cookies.
Easy Chocolate Play Clay
One 16 oz. Container read-to-spread chocolate frosting
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
Combine all ingredients and you are ready to play!
Chocolate Modeling Clay
The secret of pastry chefs for making tasty cake decorations!
10 oz. chocolate chips (or colored candy disks to create different colors)
1/3 cup light corn syrup
Heat chocolate carefully until melted, stir in corn syrup and blend. Pour onto a waxed paper sheet and spread to approx. ½ thick. Cover loosely and let stiffen for a couple of hours or overnight. Chocolate will become very pliable.
Use Your Play Clay Recipes to Make Party Favors -
Basic play clay makes a great party favor too! Put a portion of clay in a plastic sealable bag along with a label with the party guest's name, decorated with markers or stickers. Add a colorful cookie cutter or cut a 1/2 inch dowel into 4 inch lengths to serve as a little dough roller.
Minggu, 28 Mei 2017
Minggu, 21 Mei 2017
Ten Classic Kids Party Games With a Twist
The most exciting part of a kids party is the party games, and why not start with the classics? We've all played musical chairs, pin-the-tail, and limbo. But have you played them like this? Learn how to give each classic child party game idea its own unique twist to fit your party theme.
BEAN BAG TOSS/FEED THE MONSTER
Draw a monster face on a piece of poster board or heavy cardboard and cut a hole in the box where the his mouth would be, large enough for the bean bags to be thrown through easily. Lean the monster face against a chair and place it 6-8 feet away (depending upon the abilities of the guests).
Everyone takes a turn tossing three items of "food" (use beanbags, cloth balls, rolled socks, or other small objects such as squeak toys for dogs) into the character's mouth. After each child's
turn, retrieve the "food" and hand it to the next child. Every time a child successfully "feeds" the monster, he gets a small prize such as a sticker or wrapped candy.
Twist: Use a character which relates to your party theme instead of a monster: T-Rex for Dinosaur party; Clown for a Circus party; Gorilla for a Jungle Party
DUCK DUCK GOOSE
Gather your guests to sit in a circle and let the party child begin as the "Goose." He/she walks around the circle tapping each child lightly on the head, saying "Duck" with each tap. At any time, the party child can choose the next person to be the Goose, by saying "Goose" when tapping that person on the head. That child gets up and chases the birthday child around the circle.
If the new Goose does not tag the birthday child before he/she makes it all the way around the circle and sits in the open spot, then the new Goose becomes "it." If the new Goose tags the birthday child, then the birthday child remains "it" for the next round and the game continues.
Twist: Buzz, Buzz, Sting for a Bug Party; Tick, Tick, Tock for a Pirate Party
GUESS HOW MANY?
Before the party, fill a jar with candy or small toys. Count them before you put them into the jar. As your guests arrive, have each one guess how many toys or candies they think are in the jar. Write down each person's guess. At the end of the party, the person who guesses the closest number is the winner and gets to take home the jar.
Twist: Small plastic insects for a Bug Party, black and orange jellybeans for a Halloween party; small plastic dinosaurs for a Dinosaur Party
HOT POTATO
Played like the classic Hot Potato game. Children sit in a circle and pass an item around while an adult leader plays music. The child holding the item when the music stops is out. Last player left not holding the item is the winner.
Twist: Pass a big hairy toy spider for a Halloween party; rubber snake for a Western Party; teddy bear for a Teddy Bear Party
Another Twist: Cold Potato - Kids throw a water balloon back and forth across the circle. The player holding it when it breaks is out. Last player left dry is the winner.
LIMBO
Two adults hold a pole, mop or broomstick at child's height. Start the music (Caribbean is best). Children must walk under the pole without touching it. After each round, the adults lower the pole an inch or two. When the pole gets very low, children may bend backward and shimmy under, or even crawl. If a player touches the pole, he is out.
Twist: Pirate Limbo - adults hold a play sword; Halloween Limbo - adults hold a witch's broom; Fairy Party - adults hold a magic wand
Another Twist: Water Limbo - Have an adult point a stream of water for kids to limbo under. Great for a pool party!
MEMORY
Place about 10 to 15 small items or toys such as a pencil, watch, comb, spoon, toy car, etc. on a tray and cover with a cloth. Have guests sit in a circle with the tray in the middle. Remove the cloth for 60 seconds while guests try to remember as many of the objects as possible. When time is up, replace the cloth.
Now, each person has to name an object on the tray. The first person to fail to name an object, repeats an object or names something not on the tray is out. The tray is then removed and some or all of the objects replaced, and the game re-started with the person following the one who is out. If the game is too easy for the group, add more objects or reduce the time.
Twist: Use whatever objects relate to your party theme: construction trucks for a Construction Party; make-up items for a Dress-Up Party
MUSICAL CHAIRS
Set up one fewer chair than the number of guests at your party. Start the music and have the children walk in a circle around the chairs, until you stop the music. When the music stops everyone tries to sit on a vacant chair. (Only one person per chair) The person who doesn't find a chair is out. One chair is taken away and the game continues until only one person (the winner)is left. This game can also be played with pillows or cardboard pictures placed on the floor for kids to jump on.
Twist: Musical Anthills for a Bug Party; Musical Islands for a Pirate Party; Musical Webs for a Spider Man Party
PIN THE TAIL ON THE DONKEY
When it's time to play the game, mount your poster on the wall and place a piece of tape on the back of each object the children will be pinning on the poster. Blindfold each child, spin them around, and point them toward the poster. The child who pins their object closest to the designated spot, is the winner!
Twist: Pin the nose on the clown; Pin the Tooth on the T-Rex; Pin the Spider on the web for a Bug Party; Pin the X on the treasure map for a Pirate Party
SIMON SAYS
Children stand in a group in front of the leader. The leader says, "Simon says, 'Do this,'" as she taps her head, claps her hands, turns around, etc. The children must follow the leader's actions, but only if she begins with "Simon says..." If the leader just says "Do this," the children must do nothing. If a child makes a mistake, he is out. The last child "in" is the winner.
Twist: Change "Simon Says" to a character relating to your party's theme: "Blackbeard Says" for a Pirate Party; "Spider Man Says" for a Spider Man Party; "Cinderella Says" for a Princess Party.
SPIN THE BOTTLE (for opening gifts)
Direct guests to sit in a circle holding the gift they brought. The birthday child spins a soda bottle and opens the gift of the party guest at whom the bottle is pointing when it stops. If it stops at a person that has already given a gift just go left until you find someone that hasn't had the gift they brought opened. A calm and quiet way to open gifts without all the pushing and shoving.
Twist: Spin the Spyglass for a Pirate Party; Spin the Ruler for a Construction Party; Spin the Barbie for a Barbie or Princess Party
BEAN BAG TOSS/FEED THE MONSTER
Draw a monster face on a piece of poster board or heavy cardboard and cut a hole in the box where the his mouth would be, large enough for the bean bags to be thrown through easily. Lean the monster face against a chair and place it 6-8 feet away (depending upon the abilities of the guests).
Everyone takes a turn tossing three items of "food" (use beanbags, cloth balls, rolled socks, or other small objects such as squeak toys for dogs) into the character's mouth. After each child's
turn, retrieve the "food" and hand it to the next child. Every time a child successfully "feeds" the monster, he gets a small prize such as a sticker or wrapped candy.
Twist: Use a character which relates to your party theme instead of a monster: T-Rex for Dinosaur party; Clown for a Circus party; Gorilla for a Jungle Party
DUCK DUCK GOOSE
Gather your guests to sit in a circle and let the party child begin as the "Goose." He/she walks around the circle tapping each child lightly on the head, saying "Duck" with each tap. At any time, the party child can choose the next person to be the Goose, by saying "Goose" when tapping that person on the head. That child gets up and chases the birthday child around the circle.
If the new Goose does not tag the birthday child before he/she makes it all the way around the circle and sits in the open spot, then the new Goose becomes "it." If the new Goose tags the birthday child, then the birthday child remains "it" for the next round and the game continues.
Twist: Buzz, Buzz, Sting for a Bug Party; Tick, Tick, Tock for a Pirate Party
GUESS HOW MANY?
Before the party, fill a jar with candy or small toys. Count them before you put them into the jar. As your guests arrive, have each one guess how many toys or candies they think are in the jar. Write down each person's guess. At the end of the party, the person who guesses the closest number is the winner and gets to take home the jar.
Twist: Small plastic insects for a Bug Party, black and orange jellybeans for a Halloween party; small plastic dinosaurs for a Dinosaur Party
HOT POTATO
Played like the classic Hot Potato game. Children sit in a circle and pass an item around while an adult leader plays music. The child holding the item when the music stops is out. Last player left not holding the item is the winner.
Twist: Pass a big hairy toy spider for a Halloween party; rubber snake for a Western Party; teddy bear for a Teddy Bear Party
Another Twist: Cold Potato - Kids throw a water balloon back and forth across the circle. The player holding it when it breaks is out. Last player left dry is the winner.
LIMBO
Two adults hold a pole, mop or broomstick at child's height. Start the music (Caribbean is best). Children must walk under the pole without touching it. After each round, the adults lower the pole an inch or two. When the pole gets very low, children may bend backward and shimmy under, or even crawl. If a player touches the pole, he is out.
Twist: Pirate Limbo - adults hold a play sword; Halloween Limbo - adults hold a witch's broom; Fairy Party - adults hold a magic wand
Another Twist: Water Limbo - Have an adult point a stream of water for kids to limbo under. Great for a pool party!
MEMORY
Place about 10 to 15 small items or toys such as a pencil, watch, comb, spoon, toy car, etc. on a tray and cover with a cloth. Have guests sit in a circle with the tray in the middle. Remove the cloth for 60 seconds while guests try to remember as many of the objects as possible. When time is up, replace the cloth.
Now, each person has to name an object on the tray. The first person to fail to name an object, repeats an object or names something not on the tray is out. The tray is then removed and some or all of the objects replaced, and the game re-started with the person following the one who is out. If the game is too easy for the group, add more objects or reduce the time.
Twist: Use whatever objects relate to your party theme: construction trucks for a Construction Party; make-up items for a Dress-Up Party
MUSICAL CHAIRS
Set up one fewer chair than the number of guests at your party. Start the music and have the children walk in a circle around the chairs, until you stop the music. When the music stops everyone tries to sit on a vacant chair. (Only one person per chair) The person who doesn't find a chair is out. One chair is taken away and the game continues until only one person (the winner)is left. This game can also be played with pillows or cardboard pictures placed on the floor for kids to jump on.
Twist: Musical Anthills for a Bug Party; Musical Islands for a Pirate Party; Musical Webs for a Spider Man Party
PIN THE TAIL ON THE DONKEY
When it's time to play the game, mount your poster on the wall and place a piece of tape on the back of each object the children will be pinning on the poster. Blindfold each child, spin them around, and point them toward the poster. The child who pins their object closest to the designated spot, is the winner!
Twist: Pin the nose on the clown; Pin the Tooth on the T-Rex; Pin the Spider on the web for a Bug Party; Pin the X on the treasure map for a Pirate Party
SIMON SAYS
Children stand in a group in front of the leader. The leader says, "Simon says, 'Do this,'" as she taps her head, claps her hands, turns around, etc. The children must follow the leader's actions, but only if she begins with "Simon says..." If the leader just says "Do this," the children must do nothing. If a child makes a mistake, he is out. The last child "in" is the winner.
Twist: Change "Simon Says" to a character relating to your party's theme: "Blackbeard Says" for a Pirate Party; "Spider Man Says" for a Spider Man Party; "Cinderella Says" for a Princess Party.
SPIN THE BOTTLE (for opening gifts)
Direct guests to sit in a circle holding the gift they brought. The birthday child spins a soda bottle and opens the gift of the party guest at whom the bottle is pointing when it stops. If it stops at a person that has already given a gift just go left until you find someone that hasn't had the gift they brought opened. A calm and quiet way to open gifts without all the pushing and shoving.
Twist: Spin the Spyglass for a Pirate Party; Spin the Ruler for a Construction Party; Spin the Barbie for a Barbie or Princess Party
Minggu, 14 Mei 2017
The Top 10 Life Lessons Your Child Can Learn from Playing Golf
During the last seven years, I have watched my son and his friends grow up in the world of Junior Golf. This amazing sport has brought out the best in these young men, and has taught them so many valuable life lessons. I am forever impressed, in particular to the following ten qualities that I have observed my son develop as a bi-product of the great game of golf.
1. Humility and Respect
Golf requires that you show courtesy to others and that you communicate with respect. In the Junior Golf tournaments across the country, it is well stated that good sportsmanship must be exhibited at all times and that all play is ended with an exchange of a hand shake.
2. Punctuality
When the tournament schedule states "Tee time is at 9:00," this means that you are to be on the tee box at 8:55. If you are late to the tee box, you are automatically disqualified, no questions asked. While this can be a tough lesson to learn, it is one that works brilliantly and has instilled in my son the importance of being on time for not only every tournament but every event in life.
3. Confession
Golf is a game of honor, and recognizing that a transgression has occurred and taking responsibility for the transgression is a part of the game. This one act instills integrity and fairness to all concerned.
4. Safety
Golf balls and clubs are very hard and dangerous instruments, and one of the first and foremost rules of golf is safety. My son has been instructed again and again to not take practice swings in the direction of another person, not to swing clubs when someone else is walking by, and never to hit into a group playing in front of him. These rules of safety have filtered into other aspects of his life, including biking, swimming, and safety in the home.
5. Quiet
Golf requires an amazing amount of concentration, and quiet is required at all times on the golf course. While this takes practice for young kids, it is a life skill that teaches constraint and respect for others.
6. Visioning
The night before and the morning of a tournament, my son sits quietly and mentally and visually plays the course. This skill is teaching him how to "see the end in mind," which is key to goal achievement.
7. Problem Solving
Rain, wind, trees, multiple sand traps, and deep rough can make for a challenging day of tournament play. These are a normal part of golf and can be an amazing opportunity for clever problem solving and personal growth.
8. Focus
Golf is a tough sport. It requires that you not only know the physics of hitting the ball (and what club to use when) but requires intense mental and emotional concentration. Silencing the inner critic after a "bad shot" is crucial to regaining clear focus, which is an advanced skill to learn but one that can take you very far in life.
9. Practice, Persistence, and Listening
In golf, instant success is very rare. My son has become a great golfer through daily practice, persistence, and through being open to listening to his mentors. In life, it is important to know that we rarely reach our goal in one "stroke." By practicing, making corrections along the way, being open to coaching, and being persistent, we can tackle most of life's tough challenges.
10. Graciousness
One of the most important life lessons my son has learned from golf is to be gracious and respectful to adults. At the end of each tournament, he and his competitors thank and shake the hands of the tournament chairmen and follow this up with a handwritten note of thanks
1. Humility and Respect
Golf requires that you show courtesy to others and that you communicate with respect. In the Junior Golf tournaments across the country, it is well stated that good sportsmanship must be exhibited at all times and that all play is ended with an exchange of a hand shake.
2. Punctuality
When the tournament schedule states "Tee time is at 9:00," this means that you are to be on the tee box at 8:55. If you are late to the tee box, you are automatically disqualified, no questions asked. While this can be a tough lesson to learn, it is one that works brilliantly and has instilled in my son the importance of being on time for not only every tournament but every event in life.
3. Confession
Golf is a game of honor, and recognizing that a transgression has occurred and taking responsibility for the transgression is a part of the game. This one act instills integrity and fairness to all concerned.
4. Safety
Golf balls and clubs are very hard and dangerous instruments, and one of the first and foremost rules of golf is safety. My son has been instructed again and again to not take practice swings in the direction of another person, not to swing clubs when someone else is walking by, and never to hit into a group playing in front of him. These rules of safety have filtered into other aspects of his life, including biking, swimming, and safety in the home.
5. Quiet
Golf requires an amazing amount of concentration, and quiet is required at all times on the golf course. While this takes practice for young kids, it is a life skill that teaches constraint and respect for others.
6. Visioning
The night before and the morning of a tournament, my son sits quietly and mentally and visually plays the course. This skill is teaching him how to "see the end in mind," which is key to goal achievement.
7. Problem Solving
Rain, wind, trees, multiple sand traps, and deep rough can make for a challenging day of tournament play. These are a normal part of golf and can be an amazing opportunity for clever problem solving and personal growth.
8. Focus
Golf is a tough sport. It requires that you not only know the physics of hitting the ball (and what club to use when) but requires intense mental and emotional concentration. Silencing the inner critic after a "bad shot" is crucial to regaining clear focus, which is an advanced skill to learn but one that can take you very far in life.
9. Practice, Persistence, and Listening
In golf, instant success is very rare. My son has become a great golfer through daily practice, persistence, and through being open to listening to his mentors. In life, it is important to know that we rarely reach our goal in one "stroke." By practicing, making corrections along the way, being open to coaching, and being persistent, we can tackle most of life's tough challenges.
10. Graciousness
One of the most important life lessons my son has learned from golf is to be gracious and respectful to adults. At the end of each tournament, he and his competitors thank and shake the hands of the tournament chairmen and follow this up with a handwritten note of thanks
Minggu, 07 Mei 2017
Bubble Recipe Secrets - Ten Tips and Techniques to Making Super Bubbles
Making and blowing bubbles with your kids is one of the most carefree pastimes imaginable - giggles guaranteed! And yet, blowing bubbles without knowing these simple bubble recipe secrets can turn your bubble fun into a "bust"! With these simple bubble recipe secrets, making super-sized long-lasting bubbles is a cinch.
1. Adding glycerin to your bubble mix makes bubbles stronger. Glycerin can be found in your local pharmacy.
2. Use distilled water instead of tap water. Tap water tends to be "hard" and is not good for making bubbles. If yours is "soft", you have the perfect water for good "bubbleology".
3. Prepare your bubble solution in advance and store it overnight in the refrigerator before using it.
4. Dry surfaces pop bubbles, so make sure your bubble wand, your hands, and anything your bubble may touch is wet.
5. Let the bubble maker soak in the bubble solution a few minutes prior to using.
6. Clear any suds or foam from surface of mixture before making bubbles. Don't slosh the wand around in the solution. Suds and foam are "bubble-busters".
7. Overcast, cool and humid days are the best weather conditions for blowing bubbles. Avoid hot, dry or windy days, or at least find a shady spot out of the wind.
8. "Throw" bubbles, don't blow bubbles. Move your wand in a slow fluid motion.
9. Many small bubbles instead of one big one means you are probably blowing too hard.
10. Finish your bubble with a quick twist of the wrist to seal it before if flies away.
Adults and kids alike can learn these simple techniques to become expert "bubbleologists".
Note: Exercise care when children are using bubble mix. It can be very slippery on the ground, and will sting if it gets in the eyes.
1. Adding glycerin to your bubble mix makes bubbles stronger. Glycerin can be found in your local pharmacy.
2. Use distilled water instead of tap water. Tap water tends to be "hard" and is not good for making bubbles. If yours is "soft", you have the perfect water for good "bubbleology".
3. Prepare your bubble solution in advance and store it overnight in the refrigerator before using it.
4. Dry surfaces pop bubbles, so make sure your bubble wand, your hands, and anything your bubble may touch is wet.
5. Let the bubble maker soak in the bubble solution a few minutes prior to using.
6. Clear any suds or foam from surface of mixture before making bubbles. Don't slosh the wand around in the solution. Suds and foam are "bubble-busters".
7. Overcast, cool and humid days are the best weather conditions for blowing bubbles. Avoid hot, dry or windy days, or at least find a shady spot out of the wind.
8. "Throw" bubbles, don't blow bubbles. Move your wand in a slow fluid motion.
9. Many small bubbles instead of one big one means you are probably blowing too hard.
10. Finish your bubble with a quick twist of the wrist to seal it before if flies away.
Adults and kids alike can learn these simple techniques to become expert "bubbleologists".
Note: Exercise care when children are using bubble mix. It can be very slippery on the ground, and will sting if it gets in the eyes.
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