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Our latest Bunch likes to party at Today’s Parent
Awesome party outfit? Check! Dancing shoes all shined up and ready to go? You bet. Thoughtful gift? Yes! Sweet and heartfelt message on the birthday card? Done. All that’s left is to wrap the darn thing, but you’re out of wrapping paper. No sweat, here are five ways to wrap that present up all pretty-like by reusing materials you find around the house.
1. Potato print paper
Cut potato in half and cut out shapes in relief (this part is for the grown-ups). We suggest hearts, stars, lightning bolts, circles, squares, et cetera. Paint stamps with a brush, or dip into a tempera paint-filled plate.
Pro tip: Make a “stamp pad” by soaking a piece of felt in the paint plate — this gives a crisper potato print. Stamp potato all over paper. The key to good potato prints is pattern. Go nuts. Read more...
Artable
Jewelry designer Betty Jo makes art from trash
There’s this neat little trend going around where people take arty photographs of collections of stuff. Jewelry designer Elisabeth Jones makes “Rubbish Rainbows” from items she finds along the beach and river and organizes them by colour and/or type. It comes off as something between Things Organized Neatly and those I Spy books. It’s awesome.
While you may not want your kids picking up littered items they’ve found in the park (Jones picking up stuff washed ashore by the ocean sounds much cleaner), this could be a great rainy day (or any day) activity. Have your kids hunt through old toys in the basement, or go through your recycling box and pick out colourful items like bottle lids and doll hairbrushes. If said items have come from dusty boxes in the garage or basement, dump them in a sink of soap and hot water and give them a little scrub. Then have the kids organize by colour and arrange however their little artistic eyes please. Once they’re happy with their arrangements, hand them the iphone or point-and-shoot camera to capture their masterpiece. Read more...
The Bunchbrary
Books to inspire your Earth Day celebrations.
1. There’s a Barnyard in my Bedroom by David Suzuki (2010)
What self-respecting eco-minded Canadian doesn’t love the Suzuks? His latest kids book keep you (and your kids) engaged and interested in this adventure as a brother and sister discover the magic of the natural world all around them.
2. To Market to Market by Nikki McClure (2011)
This book is about much more than a mother and son who go shopping at a local farmer’s market. The incredible illustrations will help show kids how food is grown, how it is sold in stores and all the steps in between. Healthy eating and a healthy environment? Love it!
3. Not Your Typical Book About the Environment by Elin Kelsey (2010)
Read more...
