{Springtime} Busy Bag Ideas

Here are a few GREAT ideas to keep your kiddos entertained and learning while they play! Each month I suggest a new theme to the moms in the group I swap with to help spur their creativity and also to help avoid getting the same activities every time. It has been a long winter and I am super anxious for warmer weather -- so this month's theme was {Springtime}.

 

If you haven't heard of a {Busy Bag} here is what they are in a nut shell... busy bags are reusable activities for kids that are fun & entertaining yet educational at the same time! Meant assist with independent quiet play and are perfect for the toddler or preschool who is just giving up naptime or for any mom who could use a few minutes of peace during her crazy day.

 

{Egg Shakers}
Babies 6-12 months old

 

Supplies
Regular sized Easter Eggs
Lentils, popping corn, or other small bean
Hot Glue

Directions
Fill each egg with 1 tsp of beans/corn. Place a very small dot of hot glue on the inside edge of the egg (where the two halves snap together) at several different places. Close the egg and allow the glue to cool and harden before scratching off any excess that is on the outside of the egg. Allow your baby to shake the eggs as you listen to music.

{Pretend Flower Pot}
Toddlers 1-3 years old

Supplies
Small flower pot or tin can
Fabric flowers
Wire cutters
Brown playdough (I used "Heidi's Chocolate Playdough" recipe found below)

Directions
Trim the stems of the flowers to the desired length. (OPTIONAL: You may wish to cover any sharp ends with floral tape, and glue the leafs and flowers into place on the stem so that your child cannot remove them as easily.) Show your child how to mash and mold the playdough into the bottom of the flower pot, then how to poke the flowers into the dough to make them stand up. (NOTE: If your child still puts everything into their mouth, you may want to provide an edible alternative to playdough such as the second recipe below.)

TODDLER FRIENDLY CRAFT OPTION: Make your own flowers using pipe cleaners and foam. Glue multi-colored petals onto a two-inch circle of foam. Glue foam leafs to a pipe cleaner, then glue the stem to the back of the foam flower.

{Fruits & Veggies - Where Do I Grow?}
Preschool 3-5 years old

 

 Supplies:
1/3 yd (45" wide) of blue, green & brown flannel per 2 children
20 x 12 inch piece of firm sew-in (non-fusible) interfacing (aka "Pellon") per 2 children
Hot glue
Images of fruits & veggies to trace (optional)
Fine-tip Sharpie
1 box washable markers per child

Directions:
THE BACKGROUND (sky, dirt, tree & bush):
Cut a 12 x 12 inch square of blue flannel to serve as the background for your activity. Cut a 4 x 12 inch strip of brown flannel for the "dirt" or garden area in your activity. Cut out the leafs for a tree, and a bush from the green flannel. Also, cut a tree trunk from the brown flannel and attach it to the tree leaves with hot glue. You may wish to sew the dirt, tree and bush to the background, but I left mine free so that my preschooler could place them where he wanted. *If you do sew the dirt onto the background, leave the top open (like a pocket) so that they can place veggies like carrots, potatoes, or onions "underground".

THE FRUITS & VEGGIES:
With a fine-tipped Sharpie, sketch or trace fruits and veggies onto the smooth side of the Pellon (the fuzzy side will adhere better to the flannel). Allow your child to color the fruits and veggies with their markers, then help them cut them out. Teach your child where things grow --- on a tree, under ground/on top of the ground, or on a bush as they play!

{Playdough Recipes}

 

{Heidi's Chocolate Playdough}
2 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 Tbsp cream of tarter
3 Tbsp oil
3 cups water

In a large pots, sift together dry ingredients. Add oil and water. Stir frequently over medium heat until a firm dough ball forms. Knead on a flat surface, adding flour as necessary until cool and no longer sticky. Store in an airtight container. Makes 5 cups or ten 1/2 cup portions.

{Edible Playdough}
1 box white cake mix
1/2 cup cocoa powder (or 3 oz packet of jello or scent/flavor)
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened
3 tsp water

Combine ingredients, kneading well and adding water a teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator. Bring dough to room temperature before using.