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Make a Lap Belt – a DIY Sensory Tool

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Are you looking for solutions for sensory challenges that our kids face?

Two of the Kids Activity Blog writers have kids with sensory processing difficulties.  As part of a mini-series, we are sharing some sensory aids that we have made and/or use regularly to help our families.

This is a weighted lap belt.  It is perfect for kids who are constantly jiggling their legs.  You know the kiddo, it’s like he has ants in his pants?

All. the. time?

Our diy toy snake can help!  This post contains affiliate links that support Kids Activities Blog.

How to make a Homemade Rice Snake

Supplies Needed:

• Clean Sock – try to get a super long one.  We are using a knee-high tube sock.  My kids love the fuzzy texture.
• Rice – we used 8 cups of rice.  A LOT!  The amount you will use depends on the size of your sock.
• Needle and thread.
• Essential oils.  We suggest using an oil or blend that is calming to your child like Unwind.

Fill the sock with the rice.  We poured our rice into a large mason jar, then pulled the sock over the edge – no spills!

Darn the top of the sock closed.  And then sew it one more time.  You want to make sure that it is fidget proof.  My kiddo likes to pick at the top of his sock snake.  This is also why we don’t have button eyes on our snake.  He would pick at that and holes would develop.  Give your kids less to pick at.

To use:  Add drops of essential oils onto the snake.  For kids who need a little extra to quiet the fidgets, add more drops of lavender.  For kids who get irritable, try a relaxing blend.

Why Weighted Sensory Aids Work:

When your kids have a weight on their legs they are less likely to bounce them and the constant pressure/kinetic stimulation helps them focus their other senses – like their vision, so they can read for longer periods of time.

Perk:  The sock can also double as a heating pad.  Just put it in the microwave for 20 seconds at a time until it is the temperature you desire.  It feels marvelous around your neck if you have tension.

The post Make a Lap Belt – a DIY Sensory Tool appeared first on Kids Activities Blog.

Chicken Noodle Casserole

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There is no better comfort food than chicken noodle soup right? So why not create a family dinner that combines your favorite comfort food with the ease of a casserole. This Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe has become my family’s new favorite dish and you will love it too!

When I first made this recipe, it was the first time I had ever poached chicken. Poaching chicken is really just like boiling chicken. I couldn’t believe how easy it was — and I was surprised that it didn’t compromise on the flavor. There is a lot of great flavor in this dish and it’s topped with buttered Ritz crackers so how can you go wrong.

Here’s what you need to start:

Chicken Noodle Casserole

Ingredients

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut in half
• 6 ounces egg noodles
• 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup (10.75 ounces)
• 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup (10.75 ounces)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup crumbled Ritz crackers
• 1/2 cup butter
• salt & ground black pepper to taste

Directions

• Start by cutting your chicken breasts in half.  You will poach the chicken in boiling water for about 12 minutes or until the center is no longer pink.  Remove the chicken from the pot and cut into small, bite-size pieces.  Save the chicken water for the egg noodles.   Bring the water back to a boil and cook pasta al dente (slightly undercooked)

• In a separate bowl, mix together the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup and sour cream.  Season with salt and ground black pepper.

• After you drain the water from the egg noodles, combine the noodles and chicken.

• Combine the soup mixture and the chicken/noodles mixture.  You will want to gently stir this together to make sure everything is evenly coated.

• Next place into a 2 quart baking dish.

• In a small sauce pan, melt the 1/2 cup of butter.  Remove from heat and stir in the crumbled Ritz crackers.

• Add the buttery Ritz cracker mixture on top of the chicken noodle casserole.  If you like it really crunchy, double the recipe for the Ritz cracker mixture.

• Bake at 350 degrees for 30 – 45 minutes depending on how brown and crispy you like the top layer.

• Serve the Chicken Noodle casserole warm.

I have also heard this dish is also fantastic re-heated as leftovers — we’ve never had any left over to re-heat so I wouldn’t know:)

Enjoy!

This recipe is adapted from one I found on All Recipes!

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LEGO Friendship Bracelets

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What better way to celebrate your bestie than with LEGO Friendship Bracelets?

This is one of our favorite LEGO ideas — you can use spare bricks from around your house to make them. Just be sure to put any leftovers away so you don’t step on them! Ouch!

LEGO Friendship Bracelets

Here’s what you need to make LEGO Friendship Bracelets:

• Small LEGO bricks
• Dremmel
• Yarn needle
• Yarn

Use the Dremmel to drill a hole in each side of a LEGO brick.

String the yarn onto the needle and thread it through the hole, pulling the yarn through.

Tie a knot into the yarn to attach it to the brick. Repeat with the other side.

Tie the bracelets onto your child’s wrist for them to wear!

These would be great gifts at a LEGO party. And if you have extra bricks, you could even make some LEGO Hand Sanitizer.

 

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Peer Pressure: Myth vs. Truth

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I am an Invisalign Teen^® brand spokesperson and all opinions expressed are my own.

Peer pressure is a major issue for almost any teen.  I haven’t met one that isn’t affected by it in some way!  The tendency is to look at peer pressure in a stereo-typical way, but that is not always the case.  I love this information from Invisalign Teen® clear aligners because it really puts peer pressure in perspective by busting some myths.

Click here or the Teen Talk graphic for more practical parenting tips for helping kids build a foundation of self-confidence.

Kids Activities Blog is excited to be working with the maker’s of Invisalign Teen clear aligners again this year.  Holly Homer is an Invisalign Teen brand spokesperson and thrilled to be talking about her Invisalign treatment experience as well as starting a new Invisalign Teen clear aligners journey with one of her boys.   All opinions expressed are her own.  Full disclosure.

The post Peer Pressure: Myth vs. Truth appeared first on Kids Activities Blog.

Celebrate Silliness! 28 Of The Ultimate Halloween Games For Kids

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Throw the ultimate thrill filled (non-spooky) party for and with your kids this October with these 28 awesome Halloween Games For Kids.  We’ve got you covered here on Kids Activities Blog when it comes to simple halloween games, activities, crafts and costume ideas this year = FUN. FUN. FUN!

Fall House
Give a cardboard box a make-over with chalkboard paint and new curtains today!! stinkin cute by KatherineMarie

Giant Spider Web 
Our favorite activity every year is to weave a giant wool and twig web to hang outside the front door to ‘frighten’ the neighbours! (photo below) via mollymoocrafts

Mummy Wrap
Split the kids into two groups, each group picks a ‘victim’ to wrap up in toilet roll like a mummy. Who wins?!! Just one of the shrieking great fun halloween party ideas from mymixofsix

Spider Web Gross Motor Activity
As simple, spooky but not at all frightening game for kids, while working on their gross motor skills without them knowing! via notimeforflashcards
(I’ve been waiting an entire year to write a halloween post so I could include this activity.

Hello Mr Pumpkin
Pumpkin decorating is ‘classic’ halloween fun. Try this no-carve cuteness (above) from mollymoocrafts

Donuts On A String
A fun alternative to bobbing apples – hands behind your backs and “try” and eat the donut!
Genius idea (and not just for halloween) from Tiffany Boerner via madlystylishevents

How cool would that be for birthday parties or summer garden parties??!!

Candy Corn Guessing Games
all time favorite…how many candy corns are in the jar? inspiration from madlystylishevents

Slimy. Gooey. Green. Fun Home Science For Halloween
Gooey gross stuff so perfect for Halloween giggles.
– pumpkin slime by learnplayimagine
– eyeball soup by Fun At Home With Kids
– stretchy green slime by Fun At Home With Kids

Spiders Lair
This is a fun Halloween party game, or anytime game! via chickenbabies (photo below)

Halloween Treasure Hunt
I wish I lived in KaterineMarie‘s house!! follow the clues to reveal the movie for Halloween Movie Night (photo below)

Goofy Hanging Spiders
This was such a hit at my friends house last year. I gathered all the kids on the floor to make goofy spiders and the results were hilarious (photo below). via mollymoocrafts.com

Self-Inflating Ghost Balloons!
Fun Halloween science magic from the lovely MamaSmiles

Ghost Races
Just like a traditional Potato Sack Race, except the white pillow case is decorated like a ghost – simple outdoor fun for Halloween from firefliesandmudpies

Free Printable Halloween Bingo
Bingo is such a great party game for a group of kids (and adults)! 4 different designs to download from makoodle

Ghost Bottle Bowling
Have fun knocking down a few ghosts with No Time For Flash Cards

Ghost Toss
Great for Halloween party fun or just playing with your kids. via messforless

Pumpkin Lego Treat Bag
Halloween fun that won’t rot their teeth! via repeatcrafterme

Fall Candy House Fling!
Decorating candy houses is such a fun group activity for friends and cousins. Make it an annual not-so-spooky fun game at Halloween (photo below). via KatherineMarie

Pumpkin Tic Tac Toe
So simple and genius, via itsoverflowing

Happy Halloween Mail
Open if you DARE! via KatherineMarie

Halloween Party Guessing Game
Add a little creepy to your halloween party fun with this guessing game ! via The Idea Room

Witchy Finger Puppets
Make mini witches hats for goofy finger puppet conversations via Classic-Play

Halloween Photo Booth
If you’re planning on throwing a Halloween party then here’s some fun (free printable) photo booth props your kids will love – it’s halloween selfie time!. photo above via No Biggie

Paper Bag Puppets
Paper bag puppets are a classic Halloween activity! crafty fun for a halloween party and handy for taking the treats home. via Make and Takes

Pin The Eye on the Monster
No party is complete without this classic blindfold game. The extra eyes add a perfect Halloween twist! photo above
via Lil Luna

Halloween Bingo
This free Halloween Bingo game is a easy hit at any gathering with kids (and grown ups)! via The Crafting Chicks

The post Celebrate Silliness! 28 Of The Ultimate Halloween Games For Kids appeared first on Kids Activities Blog.

How to Get Kids to Clean up on Their Own

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How to get kids to clean up? This is a simple secret you can do today to get your kids to clean up on their own.

I am always amazed at how quickly our playroom, or the kids bedrooms, can go from clean to chaos!

It’s so easy for them to get out all the toys, but putting them back is another matter altogether.

Sometimes all those toys overwhelm me and I have 30+ years of practice cleaning up. It’s no wonder that at times when they’re asked to clean up elicits tears from my children.

It can be hard to know where to start and even harder to for them to know what it means to be finished.

How often have you had a child tell you they were done cleaning only to find the results lacking? A mish-mash of toys shoved onto shelves along with a clean sock, a dirty sippy cup, and a toothbrush?

It’s easy to wonder how can they think they’re done.

Unfortunately, their lack of experience in sorting and organizing makes this a tough skill to master.

Also find 10 ways to keep messy play clean

Now, I have to tell you before we go any further that my house will never be featured in some popular house magazine. Nor will I ever be elected to the ‘clean house hall of fame’.

My house is full of people all day long. There are dirty dishes in my sink, piles of laundry waiting for me in the garage, and toys all over the floor in the playroom.

That being said, I have spent a lot of time over the last 12 years helping my kids pick up. One of the best ways I have found to help them be more self-sufficient is using pictures.

How to Get Kids to Clean up:

Pictures help kids easily identify where things belong. They help them know what it will look like when they are done and can empower them to work by themselves.

My youngest child is two and a half, and is showing signs of being ready to start cleaning up on his own. So, I resurrected this idea from when my older children were little. (The last time I did this I cut pictures out of toy catalogs and glued them to index cards).

Label Bins to Make it Easy to Find its Spot

I started with labeling the bins on the playroom shelves.

I took pictures of what was inside each bin and created a label by printing it out and attaching it with clear packing tape.

(I started with clear self-adhesive paper, but it didn’t adhere to these particular bins.)

What Does ‘Cleaned Up’ Look Like?

I took pictures of what the shelves in our playroom look like when they are tidy. This is used as a model for what it means to be done cleaning up.

Make a Clean Up Book to Read

Lastly, I made a little book to read with my little one about cleaning up. He loves to take it out and read it to himself.

How to Adapt for Older Kids

This idea works great for older kids as well. I found a use for it with my 10-year old who seems to put the dishes somewhere new each time he unloads the dishes.

I took pictures of the cabinets with the dishes put away and attached them to the inside of the cabinets (this time the self-adhesive paper worked, it’s much easier to remove than tape).

Last tip? Make cleaning up fun! Find 11 ways for preschoolers to help clean up!

What is your favorite tip for helping your kids learn to clean up?

I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

How to Get Kids to Clean up on Their Own on handsonaswegrow.com

How to Get Kids to Clean up on Their Own

hands on : as we grow http://ift.tt/1PN34bb

How to get kids to clean up? This is a simple secret you can do today to get your kids to clean up on their own.

I am always amazed at how quickly our playroom, or the kids bedrooms, can go from clean to chaos!

It’s so easy for them to get out all the toys, but putting them back is another matter altogether.

Sometimes all those toys overwhelm me and I have 30+ years of practice cleaning up. It’s no wonder that at times when they’re asked to clean up elicits tears from my children.

It can be hard to know where to start and even harder to for them to know what it means to be finished.

How often have you had a child tell you they were done cleaning only to find the results lacking? A mish-mash of toys shoved onto shelves along with a clean sock, a dirty sippy cup, and a toothbrush?

It’s easy to wonder how can they think they’re done.

Unfortunately, their lack of experience in sorting and organizing makes this a tough skill to master.

Also find 10 ways to keep messy play clean

Now, I have to tell you before we go any further that my house will never be featured in some popular house magazine. Nor will I ever be elected to the ‘clean house hall of fame’.

My house is full of people all day long. There are dirty dishes in my sink, piles of laundry waiting for me in the garage, and toys all over the floor in the playroom.

That being said, I have spent a lot of time over the last 12 years helping my kids pick up. One of the best ways I have found to help them be more self-sufficient is using pictures.

How to Get Kids to Clean up:

Pictures help kids easily identify where things belong. They help them know what it will look like when they are done and can empower them to work by themselves.

My youngest child is two and a half, and is showing signs of being ready to start cleaning up on his own. So, I resurrected this idea from when my older children were little. (The last time I did this I cut pictures out of toy catalogs and glued them to index cards).

Label Bins to Make it Easy to Find its Spot

I started with labeling the bins on the playroom shelves.

I took pictures of what was inside each bin and created a label by printing it out and attaching it with clear packing tape.

(I started with clear self-adhesive paper, but it didn’t adhere to these particular bins.)

What Does ‘Cleaned Up’ Look Like?

I took pictures of what the shelves in our playroom look like when they are tidy. This is used as a model for what it means to be done cleaning up.

Make a Clean Up Book to Read

Lastly, I made a little book to read with my little one about cleaning up. He loves to take it out and read it to himself.

How to Adapt for Older Kids

This idea works great for older kids as well. I found a use for it with my 10-year old who seems to put the dishes somewhere new each time he unloads the dishes.

I took pictures of the cabinets with the dishes put away and attached them to the inside of the cabinets (this time the self-adhesive paper worked, it’s much easier to remove than tape).

Last tip? Make cleaning up fun! Find 11 ways for preschoolers to help clean up!

What is your favorite tip for helping your kids learn to clean up?

I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

How to Get Kids to Clean up on Their Own on handsonaswegrow.com

5 Potty Training Party Must-Haves

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So your child has graduated from diapers to underwear and you couldn’t be more happy. You can finally say goodbye to those diapers and changing that diaper pail will be a thing of the past! The next step is throw them a party to celebrate their success but where do you start? We are going to make this easy on you (easier than the potty training was) by partnering with Kandoo to share with you 5 Potty Training Party Must-Haves so your party can be a success!

5 Things You Must Have at a Potty Training Party

1. Decorations– Just like with any good party you need some fun decorations. Bright, vibrant colors are perfect for a potty training party because kids love bright colors! Don’t think you need to spend a fortune on decorations though. Instead, all you need is a bit of paper, a printer, and this totally free potty training toolkit.
2. Food– Kids get hungry and it’s not always a pretty sight when they do. Keep simple finger foods and drinks around the party so the kiddos can snack and keep busy. A good tip is to avoid any items that may pose an allergy to some kids (think items containing peanuts for example).
3. Potties– Let’s not forget that the potty is the hero that surrounds this fine party. Getting a potty for each child can serve as a remembrance for their amazing accomplishment. If you can’t find a good deal on bulk potties, try making your own out of buckets from your local dollar store.
4. Games- How else are you going to keep the kids entertained? Play fun games to remind kids of the reason they are there. A diaper toss is fun for both parents and children…Out with the diapers and in with the underwear.
5. Party Favors- A good party always gives out goodies to the guests. For a potty training party, you could give out items that would be used after the child goes potty. For example, hand out Kandoo flushable wipes and even Kandoo Foaming Hand Soap. They are useful but fun party favors and tie right into the party theme.

Get Clean with Kandoo

Kandoo products make it easy to stay clean while potting training. Kandoo flushable cleansing wipes clean up to 30% better than toilet paper. When it comes time to washing those little hands, you can trust the Kandoo hand soap with BRIGHTFOAM® colors will do the trick. It’s bright color lets your child know when his/her hands are covered in soap ensuring a perfect clean every time.

So when you are shopping for your potty training party or even products to promote cleanliness for your little one who is being potty trained, look for Kandoo products. Right now you can even download a coupon to save $.50 off/1 Kandoo product. You can also learn more in the video below.

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