Make it instrument day!

TAMBOURINE

2 paper plates
stapler or glue
hole punch
string
jingle bells
crayons

Staple or glue two paper plates together, facing each other. Using a hole punch, make holes around the plates and tie jingle bells to the holes with string. Decorate the tambourine with crayons.

Shake to play.

Note: Heavy duty paper plates may be more durable for this craft.

Safety note: If using a stapler, an adult should do this. When finished be sure to cover the staples with scotch tape.

DRUM

empty oatmeal box with cover
yarn
pen
2 pencils
2 spools
construction paper
crayons

Before beginning, you can decorate the oatmeal box with construction paper and/or crayons for a colorful effect.

Place the cover on the box. Use a pen to make a hole in the center of the cover and in the center of the bottom of the box. Through these holes, pull a piece of yarn long enough to hang around child's neck and down to their waist.

For the drumsticks, place the spools at the ends of the pencils, secure with glue if necessary.

Beat to play.

CHIMES

ruler or stick
washers
nail polish
string
mixing spoon

Hang the washers from the ruler or stick with pieces of string by wrapping the string around the ruler or stick and securing. Strike the washers with the mixing spoon to play.

Note: You can make this craft colorful by painting the washers first with different color nail polishes, such as red, gold, glittery, etc. Parents should supervise this part of the activity closely.

HORN

paper towel roll
waxed paper
rubber band
pen

Cover one end of the paper towel roll with waxed paper, secure it with a rubber band. Punch a row of holes along one side of the roll with the tip of a pen.

To play, sing a tune into the open end of the horn.

CYMBALS

two matching pot covers
yarn or ribbon

Tie the ribbon or yarn around the handles of the pot covers. To play, strike together.

XYLOPHONE

tall glasses or jars
water
mixing spoon

Fill the glasses or jars with different amounts of water. The more water in the glass, the lower the pitch will be. Having less water in the glass or jar will raise the pitch.

To play, gently strike the glasses with a mixing spoon.

Note: This instrument should probably be played by older children in "the band" because of the use of glass.

COMB BUZZER

pocket comb
tissue paper

Fold a piece of tissue paper over the tooth edge of a comb. To play, hum through the tissue paper.

GUITAR

empty shoe box
rubber bands
ruler or stick

Remove the cover from the box. Stretch the rubber bands around the box. Attach the ruler or stick to the back of the box on one end to act as the arm of the guitar.

To play, strum or pluck the rubber bands.

HAND BELLS

2 paper towel rolls
hole punch
4 jingle bells
string or yarn

Punch a hole in each end of the paper towel rolls. Tie two jingle bells to each side of the paper towel rolls by running string or yarn through the holes and carefully tying off.

Shake to play.

Have fun and let creativity and imagination run wild! Record the band's first song and play back for some great giggle time. Enjoy!

Summer may be over but you can make a string of memories!

The easiest way to hang onto summer? Hang a keepsake banner. Ours came together fast from postcards, ticket stubs, and a handful of shells.

Materials

* Glue
* Mementos, such as postcards and photographs
* Card stock

* Hole punch
* Ribbon or twine (we used jute)
* Shells (optional)



Instructions

1.

Glue mementos to card stock, then punch two holes at the top of each card.
2.

String the cards onto the twine, leaving space in between for shells, if you're using them. Working on a covered surface, glue the shells to the twine. Let the glue dry completely before moving the banner.

Grab a good book!

Most kids are back to school today. If you have little ones who started today or little ones at home, one of the best things you can do is read with your kids. I found a great list of the best books for children on parents.com -listed by age! Check it out and then go to your local library and check some out.Take them home and make a fort in your kids room and sit inside an have a book party! It's the perfect day for it!

http://www.parents.com/fun/book-gallery/

Tomorrow's Labor day- have fun with the kids!

Make some Kiddie kabobs!

Have your kids take Popsicle sticks and slide cut fruit onto the sticks in their favorite pattern. Any age child can participate, and they will enjoy eating the fruit themselves. You can make it extra fun by cutting melon into fun shapes!

Afterward have a watermelon spitting contest with the seeds that are left over!

And when they are all messy, just make the bath bomb recipe below to clean up!

Kids LOVE bath bombs- why not make some with them!

What makes Bath time fun? Bath Bombs! Why not make them with your kids! They will be super excited to jump in and get clean!

What you will need

* 1 cup baking soda
* 1/2 cup cornstarch
* 1/2 cup citric acid
* 2 tbsp. glycerin soap
* 2 tsp. fragrant essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus or mint
* Food coloring
* Mixing bowl
* Mixing spoon
* Tray
* Waxed paper
* Molds (optional)
* Witch hazel in a spray bottle (optional)



Read more: How to Make Bath Bombs With Children | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5492704_make-bath-bombs-children.html#ixzz0yhjhjYNv

Start by gathering all the materials. Help the kids measure out the dry ingredients and have the wet ones ready to go.


Pour all dry ingredients--baking soda, cornstarch and citric acid--into a mixing bowl. Have children mix these ingredients well with a mixing spoon or a wire whisk. Help children by drizzling in wet ingredients.


Let children use their hands to mix the ingredients. Once the mixture starts to hold together, it is ready to mold. If the mixture still feels too dry, add additional glycerin.


If using a mold, have children press the mixture into the mold, packing tightly. If no molds are available to use, children can press the mixture into balls using their hands.


Gently turn over molds and tap out bath bombs onto a tray covered in wax paper. Bath bombs molded by hand should also be placed on wax paper after they are formed. Place bath bombs in a dry spot and leave for 24 hours. The molded bath bombs can be misted with witch hazel spray to create a hard outside coating, which will protect bath bombs from breaking

I'm Back!

I had to take a few months off as I am back in school working on my Masters degree in Child Development but I am back.

Kathy