Easy, No Sew Recycled Homemade Bunk Bed Play Fort

I am always impressed by the creativity of others. My Bubblews friend wrote about an adorable pair of PJ pants she whipped up from a common household object. That prompted me to share a quickie thing I made. I can sew, but use no-sew workarounds if possible. This homemade bed play fort, made in under a minute, costs only a few bucks. You know, like those fabric play forts that come on bunk beds and cost a fortune?   One Minute Recycled Homemade Bunk Bed Play Fort 

Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics XXII Coloring Pages, Plus Russian Crafts

Everywhere I look is rings. Five intertwined blue, red, green, black, yellow to be exact. That's right, it's 2014 Winter Olympics fever and Sochi is the place to be February 7-23! As a teacher, mom and former homeschooler, I always look for ways to teach any world event in the classroom. Here are free printable winter Olympics lessons plans. Games, crafts, coloring pages, puzzles, sports-themed worksheets--all you need to explore. There are activities about Russia and the city of Sochi, too.  Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics XXII Printables, Lessons on Russia

Easy Ceramic Dish Design Craft

My daughter designed a platter for me for Christmas. She copied a recipe from my grandmother in my grandmother's handwriting on it. As grandma is now deceased, God rest her soul, it's very special. I was thinking how perfect it would be for bored, snowbound kids or adults to make. Shut-in seniors might like making these too. All you need is permanent markers, glassware and an oven. If you're designing a surface that contacts food, use food safe markers.  Snowbound this Winter? Make This Easy Craft My Daughter Made

Recycled Craft for Kids

Here's a favorite craft that I used decades ago, made with recycled materials.  Pet baby tornado. With a name like that, can you see why it so intrigues kids? Give each child a glass jar with lid or have them bring from home. Have them wash at school and teach life skills of dishwashing. When clean, fill jar almost to top with water (leave a little room) and add a drop of dish soap.  Pet Tornado Craft for Kids

Free Chinese New Year 2014 Year of the Horse, Kung Fu Panda Printables

The Chinese calendar system is centuries older than the Gregorian calendar. The Chinese New Year January 31 in 2014. 2014 is the Year of the Tiger, or Wu Ma as it is called in the older Chinese tradition. Teacher, home-schoolers, explore world cultures with these free resources. Here are Chinese New Year printables with lessons, crafts, puzzles, games and materials. There are Kung Fu Panda and Lantern Festival activities, too. Free Printable Activities for the Chinese New Year

Blessed Mother Mary Crafts for Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Advent began December 1 for Catholics and Orthodox Christians. This season counts down to Christmas. As a homeschool family, we did Christmas crafts all through Advent and gave them as gifts. I set up a craft station using our portable kidde picnic table (cleaned it up and brought it inside). Several holy days and feast days fall during Advent. Here are crafts for Dec. 8-9 Feast of the Immaculate Conception, based out Our Lady Mary Mother of God. Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Advent Activities

Free Printable Advent Wreaths to Color, Cut and Paste

 Yesterday was the first day of Advent. Each week on Sunday, Christians light one candle on the Advent wreath. Each candle symbolizes our hope, expectation, preparation and joy at the Birth of Christ on Christmas. If you'd like to make an Advent wreath with your children, classroom, Sunday School or day care, there are free printable Advent wreaths online. Help children explore the lovely tradition of the Advent wreath with these printable coloring, cut and paste wreaths. Free Printable Advent Wreaths to Color, Cut and Paste