Star-spangled Parfait

Star-spangled Parfait

Colorful layers of flavored gelatin and whipped cream give our light and tasty dessert its banner good looks.

For four servings, make one box each of red and blue gelatin according to the package directions. In tall, clear glasses, alternate layers of red gelatin and whipped topping (we used Cool Whip), as shown. Top with the blue gelatin. (For the fruity version on our cover, substitute raspberries and blueberries.) Finish with a slice of star fruit.

Recipe found at www.parents.com 

Outside Game ~ Rocket Toss

Rocket Toss

 Supplies:
6 ~ Empty, Clean Metal Cans (15oz Veggie cans work good)
Ribbon
Colored Duct Tape (optional, if you decide not to use the tape, then make sure all sharp edges are covered with something)
Dry Rice
3 Small Un-Mated socks
3 Rubber-bands or Hair ties

Partygoers will have a blast playing this classic carnival game made from recycled metal cans and homemade "rockets."

For the cans, adhere strips of red, white, and blue duct tape to six clean, empty 15-ounce metal cans, covering any sharp edges. For thinner lines, simply overlap the tape. To make the rockets, use a funnel to fill three small socks with rice (we used about 1/2 cup in each) and tie them off with a hair tie or a rubber band. Thread a 3-foot length of sheer ribbon through each tie and knot it in the center to secure it. To play, set up the cans in a pyramid. Standing several feet away, each player gets three tries to knock down all the cans with the rockets.

Craft Found at www.parents.com

4th Of July Noise Makers

 Noise Makers

 

Create simple quacking noisemakers, and the kids can be ready for the fireworks or parade.

First, cup two 1 1/4-inch lengths from a plastic drinking straw. Stretch a wide rubber band lengthwise around a jumbo craft stick. Slide one straw piece beneath the rubber band 1 1/4 inches from one end. Lay the other straw piece on top of the rubber band 1 1/4 inches from the opposite end, as shown, then sandwich it with another craft stick. Secure the sticks with more rubber bands. Decorate the noisemaker with stickers if you like.

Craft Found at www.parents.com

DIY ~ Note Cards / Invitations

How To Make ~ Note Cards: Would be Wonderful Invitations for any Party!

Use Spray Mount to attach two different patterned papers of the same size back to back,

Let it set for a few minutes and then fold paper in half.

Photocopy the flower template from the MarthaStewart.com website (or draw your own), enlarging or shrinking it to your wanted size

Cut out the shape.

Unfold your homemade card (or store-bought card) & place the template over the middle of the crease, Trace half the flower in pencil on 1/2 of the card, on the fold.

On a cutting mat - Use a utility knife to cut out the half-flower.

For the flower seals, shrink the flower, then cut it out.

Trace the flower onto paper and cut out,

Use a glue stick to attach to envelopes.

www.MarthaStewart.com

Bug Hotel

Bug Hotel

This simple, yet sturdy, insect observatory lets young entomologists check in guests, then check 'em out.

Materials

• Oatmeal container
• Markers
• Poster paints and brushes

• Utility knife
• Screen

Instructions

1. Use markers or poster paint to decorate the outside of the oatmeal container, making sure you post the house rules!
2. Paint or draw the shutters, then use a craft knife (adults only) to cut them out with sideways H shapes.
3. Paint the door, then cut it out, making sure its bottom edge is at least 1/4 inch above the floor inside (to keep guests from checking out too early).
4. Roll the screening so it rests snugly around the inside of the container. Trim so the top edge fits beneath the lid and leave a 1-inch overlap where the side edges meet.

Tips:

Be sure to provide guests with food (notice what they were eating when you found them) and water (a filled plastic bottle cap should meet their needs).

Mother's Day Flower Pot Craft

Mother's Day Flower Pot Craft

This fun craft is a great Mother's Day gift for Mom! She is sure to love this personalized flower pot with her favorite family pictures in it. Pick your favorite pictures for some of the flowers and write your own special message on the other flowers.


Supplies
3" Clay Pot
Clay
Colored Popsicle Sticks
Flower Template (click here)
Construction Paper (many colors)
Scissors
Glue
Scotch Tape
Pictures
Paint, Markers, Crayons, etc.


Click here for printables, patterns and Templates

InstructionsDecorate your clay pot however you would like! Put it aside to dry.

Print out the flower template provided above.

Cut out the template flowers, trace them onto construction paper and cut out the construction paper flowers.

Cut the center circle out of the template flower. Place onto construction paper flowers and trace around it. Carefully cut out the center circle in each of the construction paper flowers.

Tape pictures or sayings on the back of each flower so that they are visible through the hole.

Tape a popsicle stick to the bottom of each flower as the stem.

Cut leaves out of green construction paper and glue to each popsicle stick.

Fill the clay pot with clay. Stick the popsicle sticks into the clay to complete the craft!

This craft is reprinted courtesy of  freekidscrafts.com and AllKidsNetwork.com.

Spring Lacing Projects from DLTK-kids

Spring Lacing Projects Lacing projects are a great craft for preschoolers and kindergarten children to complete during any holiday. The lacing gives them fine motor skill practice and practice tying knots and bows (shoelaces!) The large blank area in the center gives the kids the chance to 'get creative' by further decorating with paper cutouts, stickers or crayons.

There are a few different templates to choose from.

Materials:

• Wool or ribbon
• single hole punch
• scissors
• pencil
• card stock, poster board or construction paper

Directions:

• ADULT: print template of choice or make your own.
  
• ADULT: Trace onto a thick piece of cardboard (cardboard backs from paper pads or old boxes work well).
  
• ADULT: Cut out this template
  
• Allow the children to trace the template onto a piece of card stock or poster board (or construction paper... though I prefer the thicker card stock for lacing projects).
  OR have an adult do this prior to craft time.
  
• Allow the children to cut out their card stock shapes
  OR have an adult do this prior to craft time.
  
• Allow the children to make holes around their shape (about an inch or two apart)
  OR have an adult do this prior to craft time.
  
• Provide the children with a length of wool or ribbon.
  • You can wrap some scotch tape around the end of the wool to make it more like a shoe lace.
  • Have the child thread the wool through the holes.
  • children can use different 'stitches' to complete their lacing project (simple running stitch, X stitch, blanket stitch, etc). If you want to 'inspire' the kids, provide a number of examples for them and have them up at the front of the room.
    
• Practice tying knots and/or bows to connect additional pieces of wool or to tie off at the end of the lacing.
  
• Let the children use stickers, stamps, die cuts, or markers and their imagination to decorate their completed project.
  
• ALTERNATIVE: instead of lacing just one shape, lace together two shapes. Leave the top open and you'll be able to stick things inside when you're done!
  

• Close the template window after printing to return to this screen.
  
• Set page margins to zero if you have trouble fitting the template on one page (FILE, PAGE SETUP or FILE, PRINTER SETUP in most browsers).

Specific Instructions PLUS Templates:

Cloud: lace with a running stitch or a blanket stitch around the edge of the cloud - silver or grey is a good color (every cloud has a silver lining), but white or blue would work nicely too. You can tie a bow anywhere on the cloud and draw a face on the cloud if you like. Cloud Template
Flower: lace with a running stitch in a circle around the center of the flower. Tie a bow at the bottom. Green wool or ribbon would be nice. You can color the outside of the flower and draw a face in the middle if you like. You could also lace around the outside of the flower instead of or as well as the center, using any color you like (red, blue, pink, purple, etc). A blanket stitch would be nice for this.. Flower Template
Rainbow: lace with a running stitch in a different color along each arch of the rainbow. Rainbow Template
Raindrop: lace with a running stitch around the raindrop. Tie a bow at the bottom or top. Blue wool or ribbon would be nice. Raindrop Template	Crafts found at www.dltk-kids.com