Rolling Artwork - staying away from 'the screen'

I asked myself, is artwork really beatifically for my 1 1/2 year olds?  I think we all know that art is beneficial once our children enter the school age years...but what about now?  I read part of an article published by The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development that explained the importance of art education.  The article states that art promotes brain activity, helps aid in the development of self-esteem, self-discipline, cooperation, and self-motivation....I'm not sure how much art actually helps in these areas for a 1 1/2 year old, but maybe a little.

The main reason I like to do art projects with my children is that I enjoy them!  I enjoy planning something new for us to do, setting it up, and watching them enjoy the activity.  I also enjoy anything that keeps them away from the screen (TV, videos, anything that has a screen).  I hate the screen and love it all at the same time.  It's great to have something that keeps the twin's attention for a few minutes but I hate what it could possibly do to them developmentally.  Below is a quote from the American Academy of Pediatrics publication on Media Education.

"Pediatricians should urge parents to avoid television viewing for children under the age of 2 years. Although certain television programs may be promoted to this age group, research on early brain development shows that babies and toddlers have a critical need for direct interactions with parents and other significant caregivers (eg, child care providers) for healthy brain growth and the development of appropriate social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Therefore, exposing such young children to television programs should be discouraged."

So with this reasoning, my answer is YES! Doing artwork is beneficial for all of us.


Rolling Artwork

Project Type: Art Activity
Age Range: 18 months or older

Supplies: Baking pan, white paper, golf balls, paint, plastic wrap and tape.

 

 After gathering together my supplies, I placed the white sheet of paper into the pan, squeezed a couple paint blobs, put the golf balls in the pan, and covered it with plastic wrap.  I tightly taped the edges of the plastic wrap to the pan.  The last thing I wanted was for our artwork to escape and roll all over the house.

 

My two enjoyed watching the balls roll around in the pan and the noise the balls made on the metal pan.  You could also try using other objects to roll around.  Here are the results...

Teaching Stop and Go

Project Type: Learning Activity
Age Range: 18 months or older

I decided that it would be a good thing to teach Bro-Bro and Ya-Ya the meaning of stop and go.  My parents house has stairs that are not easily baby proofed.  I needed to teach them not to go up the stairs unless they were told by an adult that they could do so.  It is not easy to teach a 1 1/2 year old that they are allowed to so something sometimes but not at other times.  I knew I needed to use some creativity!

First I made a stop sign out of a cereal box, construction paper and some tape.  On the opposite side I made a go sign.

At breakfast I demonstrated to Bro-Bro and Ya-Ya the meaning of stop and go.  I said "GO" while holding up the sign and walked around the table in front of them and dance, then I said "STOP" turning the sign so it said stop and stood still.  I did this several times, they seemed rather amused by my spectacular demonstration.  One thing I love about being a mom...I am the coolest person on the planet to my children.  The goofier I am, the more they love it!

Freeze Dance!
Then we played a game I call "Freeze Dance!"  I played some fun toddler music and said "GO" holding up the go sign and encouraged Bro-Bro and Ya-Ya to dance while I danced around the room with them.  Then I paused the music and yelled "STOP" and then froze.  Bro-Bro and Ya-Ya starred at me...most of the time they stopped moving too.  We did this several times until it seemed like they were not interested any more.

Then I hung the stop sign on the stairs and showed them.  I told them that they were not allowed to go up the stairs when they see the stop sign hanging.  

Later on, when I allowed them to go up the stairs, I changed the sign to "go" and moved it over to the side. 

Now, instead of Bro-Bro and Ya-Ya always attempting to go up the stairs and having to say "NO.  Then, seeing their confused looks because sometimes they are allowed to crawl up, but other times they are not, now they have a constant reminder that lets them know.

Coloring Activity
That afternoon we did a coloring activity of a red stop sign (download by clicking here ).  We are continuing to work on learning our colors.  I have realized that it is much harder for my two to learn colors than it has been for words, body parts, and animal sounds.  The main thing I try to do is talk in colors, for instance I might say...look at the red ball, you are wearing a blue shirt today, or here is a green leaf.

Stroller Ride
The next day on our stroller ride I pointed out all the stop signs.  I explained the purpose of stop signs and how we need to stop and look both ways before we cross the street.  I played stop and go with them through out the walk, I gave the command "STOP" at different points and stopped the stroller, then I would say "GO" and we would continue on our walk.

I plan on continuing to play "Freeze Dance!" and play games to reinforce the meanings of stop and go.  It's been fun and I hope sharing these ideas can help you too!

No Mess Painting Activity

Project Type: Art Activity
Age Range: 14 months or older

While visiting my parents I knew I needed some fun activities for Bro-Bro and Ya-Ya.  I always enjoy trying something new with the twins...I think they enjoy it too!  This art activity worked great because there was no mess and no clean-up.  I did not have to worry about paint getting all over everyone and everything.

Supplies: Paint, paper, sponge, scissors,  tape, gallon-size plastic bag and a paper plate

Set up:  I placed a piece of white paper inside the plastic plastic bag and put a few paint blobs on a paper plate.  Cut the sponge into small squares and dipped them into the paint and put them in the bags.  After Bro-Bro and Ya-Ya started playing with the plastic bags I quickly realized that I need to have them sealed better with tape.  Tape is a must or might have a mess!

 

They had a good time playing with the sponges, swishing, trying to make them move around and shaking the bags.  Afterward, I pulled out the papers and showed them their masterpieces and threw the plastic bags and paper plates away.  No mess, no clean-up, Yay!  I placed the pictures on a paper towel to let them dry.  Now they are hanging on my parent's refrigerator!

Finger Painting with Bubble Wrap

Project Type: Art Activity
Age Range: One year or older

I have tried to finger paint several times with Bro-Bro and Ya-Ya.  I learned a few things from our first two failures and final success.

1)  I would suggest wait until your child is one or older.  When Bro-Bro and Ya-Ya were 10 months old we tried to make some homemade wrapping paper.  I tried to dip their little fingers in finger paint...immediately they began to cry, I do not think they liked the feel of the paint.   Lets just say the project was miserable for all of us.

2)  Put the paint directly on what your child will be painting.  I tried putting paint on a paper plate beside the paper I was hoping they would paint on...Nope, all the paint stayed on the plate and none ended up on the paper.

3)  Diaper only.  It just makes things easier. 

4)  It worked great letting the twins paint in their highchairs.  A little paint may ended up on the highchairs but it was much easier having them confined in one space.

5)  You do not have to buy special finger paint, just make sure it is washable paint.

I got this idea of finger painting with bubble wrap from one of my friends blog, Altogether Beautiful. Thanks for the great idea!!

 

Materials: Paper (thick paper if you have it, such as card stock), bubble wrap, tape, and paint. 

First I taped the bubble wrap to the highchair, then I put two blobs of primary colored paint directly on the wrap.  Bro-Bro and Ya-Ya enjoyed the texture of the bubble wrap and the different colors.  I am looking forward to doing this activity again while I teach them colors.

 

When they were finished, I took the card stock paper and pressed it down onto the bubble wrap.  I loved the outcome!  

This is my favorite artwork yet!

Hanging Handpainted Wall Letters

Project Type: Nursery Wall Decoration

This project was submitted by one of my college roommates and good friend, Lindsey. Lindsey painted the twins letters which now hang over their cribs.  I absolutely LOVE them! Thank you Lindsey!!



Words of Wisdom:
Painting letters for a baby's room, whether for your own child or as a gift for another person, is an easy way to "monogram" their wall, add color to the room, and a great way to make very personal art for them. It is also a great way, depending on what you paint, to speak blessing over them.  Funny, I always feel like I have "cuter" ideas for baby shower gifts than for my own children, probably because of something I once learned from the movie "An Affair to Remember".  The main character loved to paint as a child but very few of his paintings "survived" his criticism.  According to his grandmother while the artist in him would create the perfectionist in him would destroy. That said, my favorite quote when it comes to art is "resist the urge to be perfect".  A lot of times in our attempt to make a thing "perfect" we take away from its character or even worse, make it look too made up. You do not have to be a great artist to make something that will be special to the recipient as long as you avoid getting too complicated with the design you choose and whatever you do with love in your heart.

 Important Tips:
Some important things to remember when designing letters like these: try to think of things that are "special" to the person they are for (or for their parents) and use simple designs to create a memorable scene or pattern, choose complementary background and foreground colors (use a lighter background if you are using primarily darker background colors or vice versa), get "free" from feeling like it has to be perfect or that it has to turn out right the first time around (if you start and hate it you can paint over it), and allow yourself to enjoy the project, let it be therapeutic instead of something that adds stress to your life--you can't force creativity, so if you don't have a good idea wait on the idea or start with what you know, like what you want the background color to be, for instance.

I purchase my letters at Hobby Lobby and since Hobby Lobby puts them on 50% off nearly every other week I think they usually only cost me about $1.50 per letter.  You can purchase similar letters at
Michaels as well.  They are precut and primed so all you have to do is take them home and start painting.  It is best to spray paint the background color (I recommend Krylon paint and use a CLOTH mat to paint on--you can buy at any paint store or for about $5 at Babies R Us you can buy a very durable yard blanket that has little weights in the edges so that unless it is high winds it won't fly up while you are painting).

How to:
Lay the letters flat and shake the can while you are spraying.  I recommend going over the tops of the letters once and then spraying around all the edges and letting them dry for an hour or so before you paint.  Then use acrylic paints to add your design. Acrylics are great because they are very forgiving.  If you mess up any of the lines with them they will wipe off the background surface if removed when still fresh.  However, know that you will need to go over them a few times to keep the background from bleeding through. This can be a little time consuming so expect to give yourself a couple of days to complete a project or plan on taking breaks to let one coat dry before adding another.  After you are through with your design use a staple gun to add two ribbons in colors or patterns that match or complement your design to the back of each letter and tie in a bow for girls or knot for boys.

Learning Names - Magnetic Refrigerator Toy

Project Type: Learning Toy
Age Range: 14 months or older

 
Bro-Bro and Ya-Ya are learning new things everyday.  It's hard to keep up!  I thought of a way to teach them family member's names through pictures on the refrigerator.  I found the magnetic picture holders in the photo section at Walmart, but I have seen them other places as well.

The twins love going up to the refrigerator, pointing at different faces, saying names, as well as pulling the pictures off and putting them back up.

They have been playing with the pictures and learning names for about a month now.

This project has been a great success!

Birthday Party Decor and Scrapbook - All in One!

Project Type: Birthday Party Decoration and Scrapbook

Time.  Time is precious and I try to maximize my time the best way I possibly can.  This project is a perfect way to maximize time.

For the twins 1st birthday I put up pictures around the room of the twins growing up month by month.  Everyone seemed to enjoy looking back and remembering how they grew up so much in their first year of life.  Not only was it great for the party, it was great for a scrapbook!

 

Below are a few of the pages I hung on the wall for the party.

I purposely put the pictures on scrapbook paper so that I could later put them in a scrapbook.  You can be as creative or as simplistic as you would like.  I am planning on continuing this for a couple years so that we can continue to enjoy the fun party decor and I can keep up with my scrapbook!!

Birthday Party Decor - Very Hungry Caterpillar

Project Type: Birthday Party Decoration

For this simple birthday party decoration I used balloons, tape, construction paper and scissors.  I cut out the different shapes I need from the construction paper and taped them onto the balloons.  I used tape to stick the balloons to the wall.

All the children at the party loved our "Very Hungry Caterpillar"!

The twins 2nd birthday is coming up soon.  I'm already trying to think of ideas...let me know if you have any you would like to share!!

Happy Birthday Banner

Project Type: Birthday Party Decoration

The theme for the twins first birthday was "Very Hungry Caterpillar".   I wanted to make a special birthday banner that went along with our theme.  With this design you will be able to adjust it to work with any theme or color scheme for the party.

First I gathered together my materials: ribbon, scissors, card stock paper, compass, glue stick, whole puncher and printer paper.  I found the font and graphic (in this case the caterpillar)  I liked and printed them off using our printer then cut each out into a circle.  I created a flower design using a little bit of my geometry skills left over from high school and a compass.  I traced the flower pattern onto different colors of card stock paper and cut them out.  I used a glue stick to paste the letters and graphic onto the flower cut outs and punched two whole on opposite sides.  Then, I cut out small pieces of ribbon and used them to tie the letters together.

All in all this project took a little bit of time, but I think it turned out great for Bro-Bro and Ya-Ya's party!

Buckle Toy

Project Type: Learning Toy
Age Range: One year or older

I notice Bro-Bro starting to get interested in buckles around the age of one.  As the months progressed his desier to master this skill seemed to grow.  I had this idea one day as I watched him work so hard to make the buckle on his wagon seat belt click together.

I went to the dollar store and found this cute orangutan stuffed animal.  I thought it would be perfect with it's long arms and legs to sew buckles to the hands and feet.  I got two different types of buckles from a near by craft store in the sewing department.

It was quick, easy and very inexpensive.

Bro-Bro has loved it! He has been able to master the one on Buckley's hands and now is working on his feet.  Ya-Ya loves for me to attach Buckley's hands around her waist so she can wear him like a cute accessory.  Oh the difference between boys and girls!

Nusery Wall Decor 2

Project Type: Save Money - Nursery

This idea was shared by my Elementary School friend Ellis Holder Passmore.

She used embroidery hoops that she got 50% off at Hobby Lobby. The fabric was leftover from her crib bedding.

The total cost was around $8.

Super cute and simple!  Thanks for sharing Ellis!

Winter Fun

Project Type: Fun Activity
Age Range: 6 months or older

I know we are in the middle of one of the hottest summers we have had in recorded history, but I thought it would be fun to share our baby sled idea.  Last January we had a lot of snow in the South, almost everyone was snowed in for about a week.  Mr. Perfect and I wanted to take the babies out, but we were not sure what to do other than carry them since they were not walking at that point.

Mr. Perfect had the idea of using our laundry basket.  We lined it with a trash bag and put towels down.  I looped a belt around one of the handles and then we had our baby sled! 

We had a lot of fun dragging them through the snow. The babies loved it!

Nusery Wall Decor

 Project Type: Save Money - Nursery


I have had an old window sitting around for awhile not being used and thought it could act as a great picture frame in our nursery.  Three of my best friends visited after the twins were born and wanted to help out with the blank window frame hanging on the nursery wall.


They helped me pick out some scrapbook paper I had in my craft box as a colorful background for the pictures.  After a few months I had enough pictures to fill up the frame and there you have it inexpensive wall decor for a nursery.

Sound Machine for $1

Project Type: Save Money - Nursery


My husband and I were looking for a sound machine for our nursery.  We were shocked by how hard they were to find and then by how expensive they were.  We had the idea to purchase a "white noise" track off of itunes and copy it to a CD.  Using a CD player we had sitting around we set the CD to repeat and voilà we had a a sound machine for $1.

Play Activity for 5 months to one year

Project Type: Activity for infants
Age Range: 5 months to one year

 I am thrilled about sharing creative activities I have implemented with my children.  All of my creative ideas were lost in a haze from the time the twins were born until about 5 months.

At 5 months Bro-Bro and Ya-Ya were able to hold their heads up, but were not able to sit up by themselves.  They loved grabbing things with their hands and putting them in their mouths (of course).

For this play activity, I used a shelf/cabinet organizer that we had stored in a closet and two infant seats.   The shelf acted as a desk where I could place different toys for them to play with.  The greatest thing about this play activity was its mobility.  I could put them in the kitchen when I was cooking or we could go outside on a nice day.  When they got a little bit older they realized they could move the shelf.  I used strong tape to tape the shelf to the ground...which worked for a little while until they grew out of the activity.

Of course you can use this activity with one child as well.  It was great fun for my twins!  Please let me know what you think and how this activity has worked for you in the comments.  If you would like to share a project idea, please use the Share a Project form.