Indoor Ocean

 A while ago I read a some parenting advice that pops into my head when the kids are crabby; "If you have a crab put it in water." So both boys were having a crabby whiny day and wanted to go swimming at the beach. We live in Western New York and its February so going to the beach isn't an option.

 So I thought for a minute and grabbed the boys swimsuits. I told them to put on their suits we are going to the pretend ocean. They looked at me like mom has lost her mind. Then I started collecting ocean animal toys and filling the tub. I put a few drops of blue food coloring in the water. They got so excited.

 I grabbed some shaving cream and started sticking the animals to the wall.

 Then the boys wanted to see if we could stick bigger animals to the wall. I didn't really work but got them thinking and learning.

 I also added some bath paints.

They had tons of fun in our bath tub ocean.

So if you find yourself with a crabby kid it might be a good idea to put them in water!

Red Velvet Play Dough

 So I was trying to decide whether to make red  glitter play dough or chocolate play dough for Valentine's day. Suddenly I thought I could combine the two and make red velvet play dough or red chocolate scented play dough.

Red velvet Play Dough (not edible)

1 3/4 cup flour

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 cup salt

2 cups hot water

1 Tbsp oil

1/2 Tbsp cream or tartar

Several drops of red food coloring

red glitter

Mix all ingredients well in microwave safe dish. Microwave in one minute increments stirring well in between. Normally takes 3-5 min to get play dough consistency. Let cool and knead.

I normally set out a big play dough invitation but kept it simple with some plastic hearts, red cupcake liners and heart cookie cutters.

Eye Spy Salt Dough Hearts

 I am so excited about this activity cause it was so much fun. I saw the idea for salt dough hidden treasure rounds on My Homemade Montessori. I really liked the idea of putting little treasures in salt dough and thought we could make hearts for Valentine's day.

 I collected a bunch of treasures- plastic beads, buttons, foam shapes, wooden hearts, wiggle eyes etc.

 

We mixed up some salt dough 1 cup salt, 2 cups flour, 1 cup hot water- mix well.

 

Roll out some dough.

 

Cut out hearts. I got the heart cookie cutters at Dollar Tree.

 Push in your decorations.

 

Let your hearts dry. I tried letting them air dry but after a day they were not dry so I put the in a 200 degree F oven for an hour. I didn't want to go any hotter them that for fear I might melt the plastic decorations.

After the were dry I added a generous coating of Mod Podge. I had to stick some of the treasures that fell off back on too. Let the Mod Podge dry  and hot glued on heavy duty magnets.

 Finished