Noise Makers

Well here we are at New Year’s Eve, how does a year go by so quickly?!  A tradition I love in my family is that we spend our New Year’s Eve with our friends and their children, very casual and people go home when they’re ready.  One of the things kicked around for our celebration this year was whether or not to buy the kids those lovely horn, noise maker things.  My vote was a resounding, “NO!!!!!”.  Way too loud for me!  There is a way, however, to allow your kids to ring in the New Year with a homemade noise maker that won’t pierce your ear drums!  Here’s what you’ll need

Plain Paper Plates

Stapler

Streamers

Glue

Sequins

Stickers

Markers

Dried rice, peas, beans or beads

First give each of the children a plain paper plate and with the markers, sequins, stickers, streamers and glue have them decorate the back side of it (the side that would sit on the table if you were eating off of it).  Next fold it in half and carefully place the dried rice, peas, beans or beads inside of it before closing it all of the way and stapling it around the edges so none of these little treasures escape.  I then let them decorate more if they’d like.  Now your little one is ready to make some noise at midnight (or 8 o’clock in my case since not even I can stay up until midnight!!).  Have a great, safe New Year’s Eve and prosperous 2013!

Reindeer Food

If you’ve never made reindeer food, you need to!  Such a simple activity that takes no time and limited ingredients, but will bring such a big smile to your kid’s face!  Here’s what you need:

Rolled oats

Green and Red Sugar

Ziplock Bag

Spoons

Super simple, no measuring needed and the kids can create their own mixture.  I give each child a ziplock bag and set the oats and colored sugars in front of them.  Each child uses the spoons to scoop into their bag some oats and some of the sugars.  Seal the bags and shake them up, tah dah you’re ready to feed the reindeer on Christmas Eve!  I usually attach this poem as well and read it to them before we sprinkle it outside on the lawn.

Sprinkle this out on the lawn

And Santa’s reindeer will arrive before dawn

The oats and sugar will guide them on their way

And you’ll wake up to gifts on Christmas day!

Such a fun tradition to add to your Christmas!

Applesauce/Cinnamon Ornaments

One of the fun things I get to do as part of my job is to co-teach a parent/toddler sign language group.  As part of our group this week we decided to try these with the kids (who are 18 months to 3 years old) and it was so cute and successful that I of course brought it home to do with my own children.  These are not only very cute, but smell wonderful and my kids loved feeling the texture, squeezing it through their fingers over and over again!  All you need are

Applesauce

Cinnamon

Spatula

Bowl

Flour

Sharp Knife

Straw

Cookie Cutters

Ribbon

First decide how many you will make as this will determine how much to mix.  I did 1/2 cup cinnamon and 1/2 cup applesauce (it is a 1 to 1 ratio, so if you decide to make more  or less keep it equal parts) into your bowl and use the spatula to mix it really well.  It will make a thick brown paste like dough.  Flour your working surface and turn the mixture out onto it.  We used our hands to flatten it out to about 1/4 inch thick and then the cookie cutters to cut out cute shapes (we did gingerbread people, stars and hearts).  An adult can then use the sharp knife to cut away any excess dough that has stuck around to make the edges more crisp looking.  Then use the straw to punch a hole in the top for the ribbon which will be added once they are completely dry.  Put them on a plate or parchment paper and allow to dry for several days before adding your ribbon.  They smell wonderful and make cute gifts from your kids too!  Enjoy!!