Will the Snow Days Every Stop?

With most of the country still under snow and schools being called off everywhere, we thought we'd give you an activity to keep everyone busy...and happy... this afternoon.

When we're cooped up, we love to do something out of the ordinary to make the snow day special. Even though it's not the time of year to color eggs and even if you don't celebrate Easter, this is a fun activity you can do to brighten up the boredom blues.

Colored Eggs

Materials

Coffee mugs or bowls, one for each color (We like styrofoam bowls for easy clean up.)

Water

White vinegar

Hardboiled eggs

Spoons

Measuring cup

Measuring spoon

Empty paper towel roll, if you have one

Newspapers

Crayons, rubber bands, stickers permanent markers, embellishments, glue (Optional)

1. Lay out the newspaper and place the bowls on top.
2. Fill each bowl with 2/3 cup of water, 1 teaspoon vinegar, and food coloring until you've achieved the color you want.
3. Cut the paper towel roll into 1" circles. Set the eggs in these to dry.
4. Place the eggs in the bowls and use the spoons to turn the egg. If you want, draw on the eggs with crayon, wrap with rubber bands or put stickers on the egg before dyeing them. Remove the rubber bands or stickers when the egg is dry.
5. After coloring the eggs, add other embellishments if desired.

Make deviled egg sailboats for lunch.

1. Peel the eggs and cut in half.
2. Scoop out the egg yolk and mix with mayo, mustard, relish, or any ingredients you use to make deviled eggs.
3. Cut a thin slice of egg white off the bottom so the "boats" will sit flat.
4. Put the yolk mixture back into the egg whites.
5. Cut a small triangle out of American cheese or peppers and weave it onto a toothpick for the sail. Stick the toothpick into the deviled egg.

Will the Snow Days Every Stop?

A Great Homemade Gift for Kids

I always love to give a gift to children that doesn't require batteries, provides opportunities for parents to spend with their children in addition to allowing kids time to be creative. This holiday I decided to make a boredom box for some of our smaller relatives that will provide days of fun.

I purchased a plastic storage box from Wal Mart that could hold all of the materials. Included in the box was: play dough, Oobleck, shaving cream art, drawing dough, slime, white mud, and weaving. All of the materials, except the small paints and shaving cream, were dry ingredients that would require a little help from a parent. The directions for each activity was listed on the sticker. I know the box was a hit with my kids because they asked me to make them one.

to reproduce this gift, visit our website, click here, on Monday. We will have the stickers and directions available for downloading

For birthdays, the holidays or any other time, a boredom box is the perfect gift.

Painting on an Unusual Canvas

Our Christmas countdown continues and today Peyton will demonstrate how to create a painted scene on a window.

Find a Little Time for Snuggling This Season

I love reading with my kids, especially in the winter. We cozy up on the couch or in bed with blankets, snuggle close together and share a story. This time of year, many of our book selections are about the holidays. It gives us the opportunity to share our thoughts, traditions and meaning of Christmas.

Below are a list books recommended by Alison Mc Donald at No Time For Flashcards. Her recommendations are always fantastic and sure to be a hit with your kids. Check out her creative crafts, too.

Bring out the blanket, make a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy a holiday book with your special little child before the holidays slip away.

The Twelve Days of Christmas by Jan Brett

It’s Christmas by Tina Burke

Ho, Ho, Ho, Tucker! by Leslie McGuirk

Albert’s Christmas by Leslie Tryon

It's Snowing!

I went to a friend's house yesterday and thought I had walked into a snowstorm! She had watched our video on how to make simple snowflakes and decided to make them with her seven year old daughter. My friend told me that she had made these as a child and had forgotten all about the craft. Now her seven year old can't get enough of them. Their entry way and living room ceilings are filled with snowflakes and there are strips of tape nearby waiting to hang more. Thanks for sharing this, Lisa!

Simple Paper Snowflakes