December 29, 2016

New Year's Noise Maker

New Year's Noise Maker
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Get ready to ring in the New Year with this easy to make noise maker!
What You'll Need:
  • 2 Paper Plates
  • A handful of dried beans
  • 1 streamer, strand of yarn, or ribbon
  • 1 dowel rod
  • KwikStix
  • Glue
Directions:
  1. Decorate the bottoms of your plates with any design you would like.
  2. Add the beans to the inside of one of the plates and attach the dowel rod from top to bottom.
  3. Cut the streamer, yarn, or ribbon and glue to the bottom near the dowel.
  4. Layer a thick line of glue around the rim of the plate and attach the 2nd plate on top.
  5. Let your noise maker sit for an hour or two to allow the glue to completely dry.
  6. Get ready for the clock to reach midnight and make a bunch of noise welcoming the new year!


Happy New Year!

December 22, 2016

Christmas Holiday Craft Idea

Paper Plate Christmas Tree 

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Merry Christmas!

Materials
  • Paper Plate
  • Kwik Stix
  • Kid's Safety Scissors
  • Tape
  • Ribbon or yarn
  • Hole Punch
  • Stapler
  • Brown Cardstock Paper
  • Star Foam Sticker
  • Sequins
  • Glue

Instructions
  1.  Start by painting your paper plate green. Let it dry completely.
  2. When your paper plate is dry, cut it into thirds, then cut one of the section a bit smaller. When you layer them together with the smallest one on top, you have a Christmas Tree shape.
  3. Use your hole punch to punch six (6) holes across the bottom of each paper plate section.
  4. Cut a 12-inch section of ribbon for each paper plate section and lace them through the holes.  Start by bringing the ribbon up from the back of the paper plate into the first hole and then continue through the holes, finishing with the excess ribbon hanging off the back of the paper plate.
  5. Tape the excess pieces of ribbon to the back of the paper plate to hold them in place.
  6. When you are finished lacing all your pieces, use a stapler to staple them together into your Christmas Tree.
  7. Finish you Christmas Tree by stapling (or gluing) on a brown tree stump cut out from your brown paper and adding a foam star sticker at the top.
  8.  Glue on any sequin or embellishments that you would like to decorate your Christmas Tree.


December 15, 2016

Hanukkah Craft Idea

Kwik Stix Painted Dreidels 

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Happy Hanukkah!!


Materials
  •    Thin cardboard
  •    Paper
  •   Kwik Stix
  •  Scissors
  •  Glue

Instructions
  1. Print out the dreidel template of choice (color or B&W).
  2. Color or paint the template pieces, as necessary.
  3.  Glue the templates to a piece of thin cardboard (old cereal boxes work well).
  4. Cut out the template pieces (may require adult assistance).
  5.  Fold the tabs and glue the dreidel together.
  6. Poke a hole in the top and slide a pencil or straw through.


December 8, 2016

Kwanzaa Craft Idea

Paper Plate Kinara 

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Materials
  • 9-inch Paper Plate
  • Hole Punch
  • Kwik Stix
  • 7 Popsicle Sticks
  • Scissors
  • Tissue Paper
  • Glue
  • Tape

Instructions
  1. Fold a 9-inch paper plate in half. On the fold, punch seven evenly spaced holes.
  2. Decorate both sides of the plate.
  3. For candles, color seven popsicle sticks: three red, one black, and three green.
  4. Cut out seven "flames" from tissue paper. Glue one at the end of each candle.
  5. Push the candles through the holes in the folded plate. If necessary, use tape to hold each candle in place.

Happy Kwanzaa!

December 1, 2016

Clothespin Snowman Craft

Clothespin Snowman Craft
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Materials:
  • Natural Wood Clothespins
  • Yarn
  • Glue
  • Orange Mini Pom Poms
  • White Kwik Stix
  • Black Marker
  • Ultra Safe Kids Scissors
Directions:
  1. Paint the clothespins white using the Kwik Stix. This will allow the clothespins to dry in a quick fashion. You can even do a couple layers of the paint! (Tip: To prevent the paint from gluing the clothespin shut, open it up a few times while it dries.)
  2. Once the paint has dried, cut a short piece of yarn and tie it around the clothespin to make a scarf for the snowman. Add a drop of glue to make sure the yarn is secure on the clothespin.
  3. Use the black marker to draw two eyes, a mouth, and buttons on the snowman's body.
  4. Finally, put a drop of glue between the eyes and mouth and stick a mini orange pom pom for the nose.


Happy Holidays!







November 17, 2016

Thanksgiving Craft Idea

What I’m Thankful for Turkey 

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This thankful turkey craft is a great activity/craft for children of all ages.  While the children get to make a nice Thanksgiving craft they also get an opportunity to think about and appreciate the great things they have in their lives!
Materials
·         Styrofoam cup
·         Styrofoam plate
·         Kwik Stix (brown, red and orange)
·         Construction paper
·         Glue
·         Markers
·         Stapler
Instructions
1.    Staple one Styrofoam cup to one Styrofoam plate for each child.
2.   Have the children paint the Styrofoam cup brown.  This will be the turkey’s body.
3. While the cup (turkey’s body) is drying have the children draw and cut out feathers using construction paper.  Have the children write one thing they are thankful for on each feather or every other feather using markers. Optional decorate the feathers with glitter.  Glue the construction paper feathers to the Styrofoam plate.
4.  Make the face of the turkey using orange paint for the beak and red for the wattle. You can paint on eyes or use goggley eyes.  Optional: draw feet and hands on your turkey.  Be creative and have fun!

Happy Thanksgiving!


November 10, 2016

Vegan Pumpkin Pie Squares with Gluten Free Graham Cracker Crust


Vegan Pumpkin Pie Squares with Gluten Free Graham Cracker Crust

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Ingredients
For the crust:
  • 2 cups gluten-free graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/4 cup virgin coconut oil, melted
  • 2 tablespoons coconut nectar syrup (or brown rice syrup)

For the pumpkin filling:

  • 1 (14-ounce/400 mL) can pumpkin puree
  • 1/3 cup natural cane sugar
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup full-fat canned coconut milk (use only the white cream portion)
  • 1.5 tablespoons arrowroot powder
  • 2 tablespoons almond milk
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • pinch of ground cloves
  • pinch fine grain sea salt
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F and lightly grease an 8-inch square pan. Now, line the pan with two pieces of parchment paper, one going each way. I like to spray the first piece of parchment paper with non-stick oil so the second piece sticks nicely and doesn't fall over.
  1. Prepare the crust: In a medium bowl, combine the graham crumbs, melted coconut oil, and sweetener until the crumbs are thoroughly coated in the mixture. Scoop the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth out evenly. Starting from the middle, press the crumbs into the pan firmly and evenly. You really want to press hard so the crust sticks together nicely. I use a pastry roller to roll the crust and compact it even more. Using your fingers, press in the edges until even.
  1. Pre-bake the crust, uncovered, for 10 minutes at 350F.
  1. Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, whisk together the arrowroot powder and maple syrup until no clumps remain. Add this and all of the other filling ingredients into a food processor and process until completely smooth, scraping down the bowl as needed. When the crust has come out of the oven, immediately pour this filling on top of the baked crust and smooth out as evenly as possible with a spatula.
  1. Bake, uncovered, for around 41-43 minutes at 350F until the filling has darkened slightly and it's semi-firm to the touch (although the filling will still be very soft and sticky!). Place on a cooling rack for about 60 minutes and then into the fridge to set overnight, or for at least 8 hours. Freezer lover's note: The freezer will expedite this process.
  1. Slice into squares and serve with a dollop of coconut whipped cream on top and a dusting of cinnamon and chopped pecans.
  1. Store leftovers in the fridge or freeze for later.


Enjoy! Happy Holidays!

October 28, 2016

Halloween Craft Idea

Painted Monster Rocks
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You can create so many different Halloween monsters and fun Halloween word art on your painted rocks. Paint the rocks however you like. Create silly monster faces or fun Halloween words. A tip for drawing: Write or draw slowly so you get nice clean lines on the bumpy rock surfaces.
Materials
·         Small rocks – about 2-3″ in diameter
·         Kwik Stix
·         Thin Stix
·         Googly eyes
·         Craft glue


Instructions
1.    Paint the rocks with a layer of whatever Kwik Stix color you’d like. Make sure to cover the rock thoroughly. If you paint too thick, it will take longer to dry. Allow to dry completely – about 90 seconds!
2.    Use the white Thin Stix to draw any white designs – allow to dry about a minute.
3.    Use the Black thin Stix to draw in details
4.    Add googly eyes with the glue or draw some of your own!




Happy Halloween!!

October 12, 2016

Gluten-Free Banana Split Cupcakes Recipe

Gluten-Free Banana Split Cupcake Recipe

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Materials:
1.   1/2 cup coconut flour
2.   1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
3.   1/4 teaspoon sea salt
4.   1/2 teaspoon baking soda
5.   4 large eggs
6.   1/2 cup agave nectar
7.   1 tablespoon vanilla extract
8.   1/2 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
9.   One batch of gluten-free chocolate ganache
10.                One batch of gluten-free whipped cream frosting
11.                Gluten-free chocolate sprinkles
12.                1 banana, cut into 16 slices
13.                8 cherries (fresh or frozen)


Directions:
1.   Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line 8 muffin cups with paper liners
2.   To make the batter, in a large bowl, combine the coconut flour, arrowroot powder, salt and baking soda. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, agave nectar and vanilla extract. Blend the wet ingredients into the coconut flour mixture with a handheld mixer until thoroughly combined, then fold in the strawberries.
3.   Scoop 1/4 cup of batter into each prepared muffin cup.
4.   Bake the cupcakes for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 1 hour.
5.   To decorate the cupcakes, frost the tops with a layer of Chocolate Ganache. Pipe or add a big dollop of Whipped Cream Frosting (equivalent to 2 heaping tablespoons) on top of each cupcake, then cover with chocolate sprinkles. Place 2 banana slices in the whipped cream on each cupcake. Top with a cherry and serve immediately.
6.   Grab your set of Gripables and dive on in!

Here's a link to our website where you can purchase your set of Gripables:
http://www.thepencilgrip.com/p/gripables-comfortable-cutlery-3-pc-cutlery-set-w-blue-white-handles/therapeutic-products-toys?pp=24

Recipe Provided By:
Parenting.com

October 5, 2016

Paper Plate Pumpkin Craft

Paper Plate Pumpkin

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Get ready for the holiday season by making some paper plate pumpkins that can be hung around the house! These are a great way to have fun with you kids and to create cute decorations for the holidays!


Materials:
1.   Paper Plates (any size)
2.   Kwik Stix to decorate your pumpkin
3.   Green construction paper
4.   Glue


Directions:
1.   Paint the paper plate and decorate your pumpkin.
2.   Cut out a small rectangle shape using the green construction paper to be the stem of the pumpkin.
3.   Glue the stem onto the paper plate.
4.   The final step is totally up to you! You can either glue a magnet on the back of the plate to hang on the fridge or make a hole at the top of the pumpkin and use string to hang up your new decoration!

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!