Holiday Shopping List for Kids

December 17, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Hi! If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. You'll get all my posts plus private posts plus special offers I occasionally share with my subscribers for free!

We made our trip to see the pediatric behavioral optometrist today to have Taylors vision checked for the tracking issues that we think may be causing some of her reading difficulty.

While waiting I picked up a copy of their Holiday Shopping List, a suggestion of about 40 toys that are safe (your perception of safe may vary) and good for vision. I also noticed that most are also good for fine motor skills. I give complete credit to Vision Care Specialists in Southboro, MA for this list- for the full list click here and print it out!

However, I am proud to brag that this list features “good ole toys” that are the type of toys I like to buy anyway so I have a majority of these for the kids but did get the kids a few of the ones on the list we didn’t have yet. GOOD LUCK!

Lite Brite
Battleship- I spend many hours playing this against my six year old
Chalkboard- really, what can be simplier and let the imagination wander? Put this together with the “Harold and the Purple Crayon” book set and some fun chaulk and you have a perfect gift.
Tinker Toys
Erector set
Dot to Dot Coloring Books
Jigsaw puzzles
Indian beads for threading
Painting by Number
Toss Across (tic tac toe)
Memory
Checkers
Tiddlywinks- Oh I miss my grammy who I spent hours playing this game with!
Lincoln logs
Legos - we spend many family nights filled with building legos
Operation- we have the Simpsons version
Dance Dance Revolution
Finger Paints
Connect Four
Ring Toss- they have an affordable good indoor set in Oriental Trading
Card Games- crazy eights, old maid and uno are my favorites
Action Darts Velcro Board and covered balls- hmmm, I wonder if those foam dart guns count?
Dominoes

They had several more but I thought those were my top choices since they are winners in my family.

What about Rummikub?? MY personal all time favorite even though my husband tends to kick my butt most nights, I still love this game and my kids are getting good with the numbers.

Like my Post? Maybe you would like to Buy Mama A Java! It will help to keep me reading, writing and scooping out the info

Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Activities, Chaos of Life, Cool Finds

I’m Bored….

July 12, 2007 | Leave a Comment

School Vacation is ticking away and I hate to admit but summer heat and humidity combined with my ever growing tummy and swollen feet makes my patience tick away a little quicker. I’m the first one to admit that packing the kids up in the car to head out somewhere, ANYWHERE is easier then being around the house with the sibling squables and the infamous “I’m bored” whines.

Since we just returned from the Maine coast late Sunday night I was able to get away with having a Monday “catch up day” - the kids had dentists appointments first thing in the morning then came home and hang out while I caught up on the unpacking, laundry and other delightful chores.

Tuesday.. My daughter had a playdate so the two boys were lucky enough to make the visit to my pre-natel appointment. They were to intrigued by playing with the stirrups on the table trying to figure out what they were for and rolling around the room on the chairs to even lift an eyebrow at hearing the heart beat of their new brother or sister. Boys….

Wednesday we did errands in the morning to the grocery store and finished the day with an afternoon at the movies seeing ”Ratatouie”

Thursday- Mommies work day- I had quite a bit of catch up work to do so I set up all their little tents, had them pack their compasses and snack rations and set out for a journey filled with adventure… AND BY GOLLY! It worked!!! They played with eachother for a solid couple hours without fighting and I loved the feeling of getting some work accomplished while listening to their little imaginations work off each other.

Tomorrow is Friday.. hmmm… I found a clay recipe that I will pre-mix tonight after they go to bed (I do normally let them help, but this project is enough without starting it fighting over who gets to stir with what spoon) Then I will pack them all off into the yard with paper bags to collect leaves and sticks and stones. When they return with their loot they can make their own fossil rocks with the pre-made clay.

I expect this to be a good project, but in reality it will most likely only last about 20 minutes before the I’m Bored Whine starts again.

Like my Post? Maybe you would like to Buy Mama A Java! It will help to keep me reading, writing and scooping out the info

Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Activities

Paper Mache Paste

July 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment

My 7 year old daughter loves getting crafty with Paper Mache and pretty papers. Make up this easy paste and cover a form with either tissue paper or strips of colored paper.

You will need: 3 cups cold water, 1 1/2 cups flour and a few drops of peppermint oil.

In a heavy saucepan, stir flour into cold water and cook over low heat until it starts to thicken into a cream like paste.

Cool then add a few drops of peppermint oil and let the creativity start!

Like my Post? Maybe you would like to Buy Mama A Java! It will help to keep me reading, writing and scooping out the info

Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Activities

Play Dough

July 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Home made Play Dough doesn’t last as long as the store bought but it’s cheap and making it is half the fun! Perfect for birthday party favors, I like to make a big batch and use cookie cutters to shape theme related shapes, wrap and tie and give away- cheap, clutter free and what kid wouldn’t play with it?

2 Cups of Flour, 1 Cup of Salt, 1 tsp cream of tarter, 2 tbs oil, 1 tsp food coloring, 2 cups water

Mix above ingredients in a saucepan and cook over medium heat stirring constantly until dough pulls away from sides of pan.

Remove and cool on wax paper until you can handle and knead. Then your ready to play, play, play!!

Like my Post? Maybe you would like to Buy Mama A Java! It will help to keep me reading, writing and scooping out the info

Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Activities

Flubba Recipe

July 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Flubba is a favorite “goo” in my household. An activity that all kids help prepare and they will sit at the counter and play for a good hour at least and is easy clean up and will last for a couple weeks.

Bowl 1 : 2 cups elmer’s glue, 1 1/2 cups of water and a few drops of food color

Bowl 2 : 1 cup water and 2 tsp Borax powder soap

Gradually add contents of Bowl 2 to Bowl 1. Mix and knead with both hands- it starts out super soupy then moves into the “goop” stage as you mix.

WARNING: Do not let children eat this contains glue and soap- seems common sense, but I have to say it!! ALSO… THIS DOES NOT COME OUT OF CLOTHES EASILY!!! Make sure your kids are in painting or play clothes.

Like my Post? Maybe you would like to Buy Mama A Java! It will help to keep me reading, writing and scooping out the info

Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Activities