Roly Poly Oppy Poppy Bead
My wonderful friend, Margi, who grew up in Zimbabwe (where kids knew how to entertain themselves!) taught me how to make this super cute Roly Poly Oppy Poppy Bead which wobbles and bobbles as it rolls down a half-pipe track. Materials: 2″ x 4″ piece of aluminum foil marble small metal tin (like one that hold bandages or breath mints) long carboard tube scissors Center your marble...
Read MoreButton Catapult video with Beanie and Budgie!
When my wonderful editor Meg asked if the kids and I would like to come into the Penguin studio to make a how-to video, we jumped at the chance! (I think Beanie and Budgie were mostly excited that they would get out of school early.) We had a great time making the button catapult.
Read MoreBalloon Barber Shop
Today, Budgie asked if he could cut his own hair. At least he asked, right? Instead of having him look like Moe from the Three Stooges with a home cut, we whipped up this balloon barber shop so he could snip away to his heart’s content. Materials cardboard cereal box permanent markers balloon yarn transparent tape Open up the cereal box so you have one large, flat piece of cardboard....
Read MoreGoofy Reading Glasses
Inspired by those kooky New Years Eve 2012 glasses the kids saw in January, we made our own Goofy Reading Glasses this week with different funny words. Materials: toilet paper tube ruler scissors three flexible drinking straws stapler heavy cardstock paper utility knife* markers transparent tape *Utility knives or box cutters are very sharp and should be handled only by adults. Cut two 1-inch...
Read MoreCardboard Box Button Hockey
Got a cardboard box laying around? Before you break it down for the recycling, make this easy, electricity-free homemade version of table hockey which uses wax paper instead of air to make the puck slide. Materials: large corrugated cardboard box* large sheet of foam board* roll of wax paper medium sized buttons (1” – 2” diameter) 2 mini-size (½ cup / 4 oz) disposable plastic round food...
Read MoreRubber Band Rocket
Ground Control to Major Tom….There’s something unmistakably fun about launching things in the air, but who can afford rocket fuel these days? Rubber bands and toilet paper tubes to the rescue! (Even Congress would fund that.) Put together this nifty little flyer for an afternoon of (don’t say it, don’t say it, can’t stop it, pun escaping…) out of this world...
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