Yummy and Cool Cocktails - Red Rooster

Red Rooster
Recipe from Everyday is a Party, by Emeril Lagasse, with Marcelle Bienvenu and Felicia Willett, published by William Morrow, 1999
www.foodnetwork.com

Prep Time:2 minInactive Prep Time:2 hr 0 minCook Time: --
Level:
Easy
Serves:
2 quarts

Ingredients
1 1/2 quarts cranberry juice cocktail
1 (6-ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate, defrosted
2 cups vodka
Directions
Combine all of the ingredients in a large plastic container. Freeze for several hours. It will not freeze solid, but rather achieve the consistency of a slushy.

Scoop into punch cups or wine glasses and serve.

Crystal Egg Geodes

This is a fun summer science project for kids of all ages from Martha Stewart!

How-To
Crystal Egg Geodes



This Easter craft from TV crafter Jim "Figgy" Noonan doubles as a science project, offering an opportunity to show kids the crystallization process at work. To make a fluorescent variation for Halloween, substitute the water and egg dye solution withGlow Water.

Tools and Materials

Blown-out eggshell (Get the How-To)
Alum powder
White glue
Small paintbrush
Plastic or glass container
Egg dye
Hot water
Craft stick or spoon
Latex gloves
Drying rack or newspaper
Crystal Egg Geode How-To

1. Start by blowing out a large white chicken egg (Get the How-To) and splitting it in half, lengthwise. The egg can be cracked by striking it against a surface or cut with a small pair of scissors. Make sure the inside of the eggshell is clean and dry.

2. With a small paintbrush, apply white glue to the inside and cracked edges of each half of the eggshell and sprinkle with alum powder until completely coated. Set eggshell halves aside to dry overnight.

3. The next day, prepare your growing solution in a glass or plastic container by using a craft stick or spoon to mix 2 cups of very hot water (almost boiling) with an entire packet of powdered egg dye. Be sure to wear latex gloves to protect your hands from the dye. (Tip: Liquid food coloring can also be used to dye the geode -- 30 to 40 drops will adequately saturate the solution.)

4. Add 3/4 cup of alum powder to the hot dye bath and stir until completely dissolved. If there are remaining crystals in the bottom of the container, place the solution in the microwave for a few minutes to dissolve them. This will prevent alum from being drawn away from the geode.

5. Once the alum is completely dissolved, let the solution cool slightly (for about 30 minutes) and then submerge one of the dried, alum-coated eggshells in the growing solution, allowing it to rest on the bottom of the container with the inside of the shell facing up.

6. Set the container aside in a safe place overnight to allow the crystals to grow undisturbed. (Tip: The longer the eggshell is in the solution, the larger the crystals in the geode will be. Twelve to 15 hours will usually result in a perfect geode.)

7. The next day, remove the geode from the growing solution very carefully (as wet crystals are quite fragile), being sure to wear latex gloves to prevent the dye from staining your hands. (Tip: If you are not satisfied with the size of your geode crystals, return the geode to the growing solution and wait a day or two. As water evaporates from the solution, more alum will be deposited in your geode, increasing the size of the crystals.)

8. Place your geode on a drying rack or newspaper and allow to dry completely before handling.

9. To grow a second geode in the other half of the eggshell, simply re-dissolve the crystals remaining at the bottom of the growing solution in the microwave and follow the instructions above starting at step 5.
Additional Tips

Geodes can be grown without using egg dye. The resulting crystals are clear to milky white, like quartz.

While large chicken eggshells are suggested in this process, larger eggshells can be used. Simply increase the size of the plastic or glass container and double or triple the amounts of dye (1 packet), alum (3/4 part), and water (2 parts) used to create the growing solution.
Resources

If you don't want to blow your own egg or would like to try a larger eggshell, pre-blown shells are available from The Eggery Place. Alum is available at most grocery or drug stores but can also be purchased online from Talas. Powdered egg dye is available from Surma: The Ukranian Shop.

Ready-made Crystal Egg Geode kits available from Professor Figgy's Fabulous Science Kits at professorfiggy.com.

Lemon Salt Scrub

I love to find homemade beauty products - especially scrubs!!  This lemon scrub sounds divine and I am excited to share it from The Beauty Department!

*Note - after reading through the comments you can make many substitutions on this recipe for example, you may substitute sugar for the salt and honey or coconut oil for the olive oil.

photo credit: pauladeen.com post designed by lauren conrad

It’s official. Spring has arrived. That means it’s time to shed those layers and show some skin. Unfortunately, our limbs have been hiding all winter long and may not be looking their prettiest. To bring dull skin back to life, try this refreshing body scrub. Here is an easy recipe for a salt scrub that you can make with ingredients found in your own kitchen. You’re just moments away from shiny new skin.

What you will need:

5 tablespoons sea salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 lemon

First mix the olive oil and sea salt together. Once the salt gets coated by the oil, the lemon won’t dissolve it! Next cut the lemon in half and squeeze over the salt + oil. Mix and mash. (Feel free to adjust the recipe to your liking.) Then scrub away!!

Shrinky Bracelet

I am so excited about this next tutorial!!!  I'm so excited I'm trying to see if I can make it for my daughter's slumber party tomorrow!  This is just the coolest idea from Rust and Sunshine and I had to share it!!

Shrinky Bracelet

If you grew up in the 80's, like I did, you're probably already familiar with the awesomeness that is Shrinky Dinks...but did you know that you can still buy Shrinky Dinks? Yep, they're still out there - in craft stores, hobby shops, and even on Amazon. But you don't have to buy a Shrinky Dink kit to have all the fun. Just look for #6 plastic containers and you can make your own!

There is a great tutorial on Instructables (courtesy of Dabbled) with all the instructions for making your own shrinky projects from #6 plastic containers, so I won't go into too much detail here. Most of this post is actually about turning these awesome little pieces of plastic into a sweet bracelet (and bonus pendant) to give to mom for Mother's Day. (Attention Dads: This project involves permanent markers, melting plastic, and tools...and your kids will think it's totally cool.) 

1. Find a #6 plastic container (the one I used was from our grocery store bakery) and wash it in warm soapy water. Make sure to remove any stickers or sticky residue and dry thoroughly.

2. Cut out a flat piece of plastic and draw your design on it using permanent markers. I had Abe scribble on the plastic before cutting it into smaller shapes, but you could cut out the shapes first if your little artist is able to work on such a tiny canvas. Note: Dark colors will appear black after shrinking so use those sparingly!

3. Cut plastic into smaller pieces (mine were 1½ by 1¾ inches before shrinking), and use a standard hole punch to make a hole in each corner. 

4. Using scissors or a nail clipper, trim the corners to make rounded edges. You may be able to sand down the edges after baking, but you won't be able to cut them with scissors anymore and they will be sharp!

5. Preheat your oven to 350⁰ F and bake the plastic pieces on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper for a few minutes. They should begin to curl after about 30 seconds. Just watch them. They'll curl up a couple times and eventually flatten out. Once they're flat they're done shrinking.

6. Remove from oven and let cool. Once the pieces are cool you can coat them with a protective finish if you want. (See Dot's instructions for more information about that.)

7. Attach the beads to each other using 6 mm jump rings (available at most craft stores).

Use a pair of pliers to open the rings. Insert open end into hole on bead, attach to ring on next bead, and clamp shut. I used two links between each bead.

8. Add additional rings if necessary to fit your wrist and attach a lobster clasp for closure.

Surprise mom with a priceless piece of jewelry made by her little artists! 

I was also able to make a pendant from a long, skinny piece I had left over after cutting apart the "beads" for the bracelet. Just punch a hole in the top, add a jump ring after baking, and attach to a cord or chain.

Wonderful Hand Scrub for Gardener's

MAKE YOUR OWN GARDENER’S HAND SCRUB

By:  http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com

This post is brought to you by Amazon where you can get deals on household supplies!

I love a great idea that is both useful for my home AND something that would make a great GIFT!

This “Gardener’s Hand Scrub” fits the bill PERFECTLY!

Kate at The Gaines Gang made these as end of the year Teacher Gifts…but this would make a wonderful gift to just about ANYONE who does any gardening at all!

I used two different sizes of Ball jars, the 8 oz. and the 12 oz., and filled them 3/4 full of sugar.

I then added Dawn dish soap (the pink kind with with Olay Beauty Hand Renewal in it) until it reached just below the bottom of the mouth of the jar.

Stir the sugar and soap together….adding sugar a little at a time until it’s a paste-likeconsistency. You don’t want it to be too runny!

It smells SO good and the light pink color it makes when mixed with the white sugar is SO pretty. :-)

I added some jute twineas a “ribbon” and I THOUGHT about printing out a cute label…but didn’t quite get around to it.  Yet.

But a label could include the instructions: To wash the dirt off your hands, use a small amount and rub. The sugar works like an abrasive to remove the dirt, and the soap washes it all away.

————————–

UPDATE:   Since I have been potting (a LOT) of flowers this week….I have used a LOT of this scrub!  And I had to come back and give an update on how much I LOVE IT!  It is SO great at getting my hands CLEAN and it makes them feel so soft!!!

If you do much gardening….I highly recommend whipping up a batch!  You won’t be sorry! :-)

Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
from:  http://www.mynameissnickerdoodle.com/


I had never heard of this recipe until I met Ian and he had requested that I make it. My newlywed self was offended that he wanted something out of his mother's recipe box. Really, who can blame any new groom that is so used to his mother's cooking and has to suffer through his wife's cooking. I have come a long way in the kitchen from those years. Better food and less tears!
I am sure everyone on the face of the earth has had this recipe, but just in case you were like me 9 years ago, totally give this one a try. I unwillingly made it for him the first month we were married. Let's just say, that I did not make it for a complete year after I had made it twice a week for 3 months straight! Super comfort food, but kinda healthy because it has broccoli in it, right?

Chicken Broccoli Casserole
3 cups cooked shredded chicken
2 cups cooked and chopped broccoli
2 cans cream chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream
pepper
2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
1/2 stick butter, melted

Combine chicken, broccoli, cream soup, sour cream and pepper (to taste) in a bowl. Add in 1 cup cheddar cheese. Pour into a 2 qt baking dish. Top with remaining cheese. In a bowl combine butter and and bread crumbs. Sprinkle over casserole. Bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes, until bubbly and cheese is melted.

** I typically serve this over rice, but is just as great by it's self. Last time I didn't make rice, but served it with this bread.

Crafts from the Dollar Store

Here are 100 absolutely great ideas for thing you find in the dollar store from Growing a Jeweled Rose!  So cool and so cheap too!!  Love Love Love!!!

100 Things You Can Purchase from the Dollar Tree and Use in Play

Posted by crystal Underwood

I have been asked a number of times about the supplies used for all of our play activities.  I have been getting questions like where do you purchase it all?   How do you handle the cost?  Doesn't all the supplies cost a fortune? What supplies would you recommend purchasing to someone who is just beginning to build a foundation of supplies?   

These inquiries have inspired me to compile a list of supplies that we use regularly along with a ton of ways to use each item.   Once I started compiling this list, I realized just how much of our play materials were purchased at The Dollar Tree, and so I was compelled to create a list of items that can be purchased there.  While this is not a complete list of  the materials we use, it contains the vast majority.  These fun play times don't have to send you broke.  While it did take quite a few dollars to build up a nice foundation of supplies, it is something you can do slowly.

Most of the items here can easily be adapted for the classroom so if you are a teacher, this list is for you too!

I have broken the list down by aisle, and given several examples of ways to use many of the items for play.

The Food Aisle

1.  Food coloring- we use it almost everyday.  We use it for sensory baths, arts and crafts, in play dough,

     and during sensory play, just to name a few.  You will find it in a four pack including the primary colors.

2.  Pasta- use it in sensory play, to make pasta necklaces,  pasta sculptures, or for some fun sensory painting

    Color it and use it for sorting and math activities.

Painting with pasta

3.  Jello- we use Jello for sensory play often.  It has such a fun texture.  We used it to make glowing jello

     and a jello ocean small world.  Use the powder form of jello along with a brush and water for some 

     a simple sensory paint.

4.  Kool-aid- make Kool-aid Play-Doh or try sensory painting with Kool-aid.  Both are super fast recipes
     that would be great for the busy classroom.  

5.  Rice- makes a fantastic sensory experience.  Great in a sensory bin like this one from Happy Hooligans

6.  Beans- another great sensory material.  We used beans as the base for our Valentine's Day sensory bin

7.  Flour- make cloud dough or homemade play dough. We have made pumpkin cloud dough, glowing cloud dough,

    and apple cloud dough

Pumpkin Cloud Dough Bakery!

8.  Pudding-  makes a fantastic edible finger paint

9.  Corn starch-  make goop or edible finger paint.  You can even make corn starch dance.  Talk about 

     fun Science! Making goop in the classroom would be lots of fun Here are 25 different ways to play with
      goop!

10.  Baking soda- one fabulously fun way to use this is volcano eruptions.  We have done erupting

       pumpkins, giant volcanoes, and erupting monsters.  You can even make the eruptions glow!

Glowing eruptions

11.  Tea- use it for sensory painting, or for some fantastic pretend play

12.  Spices- great for spice painting, making pumpkin bubbles or pretend play cooking using real ingredients.
       You can also add spices to paint to make scented art and bath paint

13.  Coffee filters- make coffee filter butterflies or coffee filter flowers.  Here is a list of coffee filter crafts 

       for kids. 

The Health and Beauty Aisle
14.  Shaving cream- Here is a list of 20 ways to play with shaving cream.  Shaving cream sliding fun is our

       personal favorite.  In the classroom- put some on the children's desks and let them practice
       tracing their letters in the shaving cream.  It acts as a cleaning agent, wipes right off, and is tons of fun.
       We also had  lots of fun with our bubble wrap sensory slide

15.  Bubble bath- I buy our bubble bath at The Dollar Tree.  It is tear free, and creates lots of bubbles.  It is

       what we use to get mountains of bubbles when we paint our bubbles at bath.

Bubble bath painting

Also use bubble bath to make rainbow bubbles and pumpkin bubbles!

16.  Bath poofs- these make a great painting tool.  Get four mini bath poofs for just $1

17.  Lotion- My daughter loves lotion.  We use it for sensory play often.  We have even made a sensory bin

       with lotion as the base.

18.  Paper plates- use them to make all sorts of paper plate crafts!  Lots of simple craft ideas for the
       classroom!

19.  Shower curtains-  paint a beautiful shower curtain mural.  I love this idea from Come Together Kids!

20.  Band-aids- peeling the backs off of band-aids is great for hand-eye coordination ,and fine motor skills.

       They are just like stickers- toddlers love band-aids.  Give them a box when you need to occupy them

       for a bit.  They are also great for pretend play ,and even crafts.  This band-aid man is one example  

21.  Rubbing alcohol- use it to make beautiful colored pasta for crafts, color sorting, math activities,  and
       pasta necklaces.

22.  Cotton swabs-  there are a ton of fun ways to use cotton swabs.  Here is a list of Q-tip crafts for kids.

      You can also use Q-tips as a teaching tool in the classroom

23.   Hair gel-  use it to make fun squishy sensory bags.  We have made lots of different types of sensory

        bags from Halloween themed to glowing!  In the classroom, make them together.  Super inexpensive
        and the children will have fun with them at home.  

24.  Bath fragrances-  I use these to create our sensory baths.  These could also be used to fragrance

       sensory bins or to make perfume concoctions

The Kitchen Gadget Aisle

25.  Aluminum foil- use it as a canvas to paint or to make a robot.  Here is a whole list of foil crafts for kids

26.  Highlighters- use these to make glow water.  Just be sure to check that the highlighters you are using are

       non-toxic.  Glow water can make all sorts of things glow.  This glowing bath is one example.  Check out

      our glowing playtimes  for lots more ideas!

27.  Pie pans- for making mud pies, , fun bubble concoctions or in pretend cooking

28.  Muffin tins- there are so many ways to utilize a muffin tin other than it's intended use.  Use it to hold

       paint during bath time, spices while spice painting, or for making pretend play cupcakes

29.   Ice cube trays- freeze colored ice cubes for bath or to put into your child's Summer beverage.  Freeze

       paint and enjoy some fun outdoor painting in the Summer.

30.  Storage containers-  all the storage containers used to create our child guided play space were

       purchased at The Dollar Tree.  Teachers and parents can never have enough storage containers!

We also use these storage containers to make small scale sensory bins

        The containers used four our Make Your own Elmo party favors were also purchased here.    

31.  Tongs- great for manipulating all sorts of materials

32.  Measuring cups- great for mixing, pouring, using for pretend cooking and at bath

33.  Pasta strainer- use it to make rain in the bath tub, or for pipe cleaner threading

34.  Sponges-  make sponge bombs,  sponge towers, or use them to paint.

35.  Table cloths- make a great drop cloth for messy play.  They can also be used to make fun slip-N-slides

       like this one

**This whole aisle can pretty much be utilized in some way.  Children prefer real gadgets to pretend ones,   and if you purchase then at The Dollar Tree, they are actually cheaper than the imitations.  Win/win**

The Art/Craft/ Office Aisle

36.  Poster board- these are two for $1and come in an array of colors.  We used postal board to create a

       removable wall mural so that each child could take a piece of the art work home with them after one

      of our messy play dates.

37.  Construction paper

38.  Postal paper- great for large art, homemade gift wrap, and to lay down before a messy project

39.  Bubble wrap- what kid doesn't love bubble wrap?  Paint it, pop it, giggle!  Or make a fun

       bubble wrap sensory slide    

40.  Scissors- they have a variety, even ones for beginners just learning to cut

41.  Bingo markers-  These make a great addition to any art supply collection.   These faux Spring flowers                                                                                         

from Mom to Posh Lil Divas  are a great example of why.

 

They are great for little hands, and create minimal mess.

42.  Masking tape- every toddler loves tape.  Give them a roll to play with, and they will have a blast.  It can    

       also be used for endless projects, of course.

43.  Glue sticks

44.  School glue- besides all the normal uses, you can use glue to make glow in the dark glue, slime, and for

      slime basket fun!

45.  Envelopes-  make envelope puppets or set up a pretend play mail center or playtime

46.  Tissue paper-  make a kaleidoscope,  tissue heart collages or simple Spring flowers .  Or create

 beautiful stained glass art like The Chocolate Muffin Tree

Stained glass window art

47.  White wrapping paper- use for large art, or to make your own gift wrap.  It also works as a great drop

       cloth during messy activities.  Simply throw it away after the play time.

48.  Party favors- these make a great paint brush.  The Iowa Farmer's Wife illustrates just how well here

49.  Popsicle sticks- make creative magnets or popsicle sight word games.  There are endless crafts using
       Popsicle sticks AKA craft sticks.   This horse ,  truck, and  alligator are just a few examples

50.  Stickers- my toddler loves stickers.  When I need to get dinner started, I often give her stickers and

       paper.  Keeps her occupied for a bit.  Stickers are also a great prize for teachers to have on hand.  You
       could also try sticker resist art

51.  Foam sheets- these can be used in all sorts of ways.  Besides all the general crafting, they magically stick
       to the bath walls when wet.   Bath pumpkin art  and a Boo bath are two fun ways we have used them.

You could do something similar in the classroom using the windows

52.  Felt sheets- great for arts and crafts.  We create things for our felt board out of these sheets. Here

       is a whole list of fun felt crafts for kids

53.  Pipe cleaners-make 3D art, create pipe cleaner and googly eye creatures or make pipe cleaner crafts

       just to name a few

54.  Googly eyes- besides all the obvious arts and crafts, you can also use these to make a fun sensory bag

       or with play dough.  We used googly eyes as part of our Make Your Own Elmo party favors.

55.  Glass jars- the glass jars at The Dollar Tree are not exactly like mason jars but they are similar and there

       are hundreds of crafts you can make using these jars.  These glowing pumpkin jars are one example.

56.  coloring books- not just for coloring.  Cover the coloring page in pulses, make a place mat, or

       create a small world scene like Quirky Mama

57.  Window markers- Rosie loves decorating the windows, and once she is done, the window markers

       wash right off.  These would be fun for the classroom!

58.  Markers- besides all the obvious things, you can also use these in the classroom for fun sight word 
       activities or at home to set up a creative art bath station

All the mess washes right down the drain!

59.  Sun catcher kits- comes with a sun catcher, paint, and a brush

60.  Wooden toys that you can  paint yourself.  They have a bunch of different ones.  Rosie is always so

       proud of her painted toys too.

61.  Glitter- glitter makes just about everything more fun.  Rosie loves glitter.  We use it almost everyday!

62.  Glitter glue- a child favorite!

63.  Floral wire- Here is a whole list of fun crafts for kids using wire

64.  Yarn- paint with it, create beautiful products like this yarn wrapped vase, or make yarn eggs.

       Make yarn hearts or beautiful patio decorations like these from The Chocolate Muffin Tree

65.  Rocks, pebbles, stones- great in sensory bins and for sorting.  Start a pet rock collection.  Make a

       magical fairy world or go diving for treasure.   Rocks are also fun to paint or for creating rock art

The Home Improvement Aisle

66.  Duct tape- use it to make a giant squishy sensory bag. Make a duct tape purse or a cardboard train.
       You can even make a boat out of duct tape.  Also great in an array of arts and crafts.  There really are
        so many things you can do with duct tape!

67.  Tap lights- great for teaching the concept of on/off.  We used them in one of our water bead stations

 and to make this simple hand held light box.

68.  Painters drop cloths- great to lay down before messy play.  They can also be used to make

       giant squishy sensory bags

69.  LED candles- they come in a three pack, and can be used to make luminaries

70.  String

71.  Clothes Pins- make a clothes pin dinosaur or a clothes pin wreath.  Make an airplane or a

 clothes pin butterfly

72.  Flash lights- play flash light tag, or make shadow puppets

73.  Mini paint rollers- these make great painting tools.

74.  Utility rope- We used it to create a space to hang our children's art. click here for an example.

The Toy Aisle

75.  Glow sticks- make glow balloons or make a glow stick lantern.  Sun Hats and Wellie Boots 

 had a lot of fun playing with them in the bath.

Glow sticks at bath

76.  Play dough- if you don't feel like making your own, they have it!

77.  Creatures- I have gotten packets of dinosaurs, bugs, and sea life.  I use these creatures for sensory

       play all the time.  Here is a collection of over 100 sensory play ideas!  There are several other ways to

       use them too.  Rosie loves them in her bath

78.  Bath capsules- these capsules turn into fun shaped sponges when placed in warm water

79.  Water beads- The package has them labeled as gel balls, but are the same thing as water beads.  To be

        more precise, the package says, Grow Your Own Gel Balls.  We LOVE them!  We painted

with them here.   
              

water bead painting
  

  There are endless ways to explore these gems. The Chocolate Muffin Tree compiled a list of 32 ways to play with water beads

80.  Fake snow-  this stuff is so cool.  It is right next to the gel balls in the toy aisle. Not familiar with fake

       snow?  Click here to learn more.  It was also used in this sensory bin from  Carrots are Orange

81.  Grow your own Crystals- It is a kit also right near the water beads.  Fun Science whether at home or in
       the classroom.

82.  Magnifying glass- great for exploring objects, and in sensory play.  We use our magnifying glasses ALL

       the time!

83.  Princess crowns- Great for imaginative play.  We also use ours for Princess sensory baths

84.  Toy cars and trucks- we got the cars and trucks for our construction site sensory bin  from The Dollar

        Tree.  We have also used these cars to paint with.

85.  Pool noodles- there are a ton of things you can do with pool noodles. Make rainbow arches.  Create

       a fun obstacle course.   Make a marble run or or a croquet course.  Try pool noodle printing or make  

       pool noodle critters like Time for Play

Pool noodle critters

86.  Bubbles- so many fun ways to use bubbles besides traditional bubble blowing.  Try bubble painting

       or have fun making bubble concoctions

87.  Balloons- There are endless ways to use balloons. Make stress ball balloons  .  Fill your child's room as

                                     a special surprise, or create a fun bath time party celebration

Make bath time party time

88.  Water balloons- Besides the loved water balloon battles,  they are really fun to play with at bath.  You

        could also try water balloon painting

89.  Books-  I am quite impressed by the selection of books you can find at The Dollar Tree.  Since they are

       generally smaller sized books, they are great for carrying in your diaper bag

90.  Kites

91.  Hula hoops- not just for hulaing.  There are so many ways to use a hula hoop.  Click here for a list of

       eight fun ways.  You can also make a children's play tent using a hula hoop.

92. Textured balls- Great in a sensory bin like this one or for  textured ball painting.

Textured ball painting

This list really could go on and on.  Have you explored the toy section of The Dollar Tree lately?  It is pretty amazing what you can get for a dollar!

The Seasonal Section

93.  Seeds- not just for planting.  Make seed mosaics, seeded play dough, or use them for sorting, patterns

       and simple math activities

94.  Flower pots- we make an activity out of ours, and paint them.  You can also use them for pour painting

95.  Imitation flowers- These are great for imaginary play.  We used then in a gardening sensory bin, and

often use them during  sensory baths

Rain Forest Sensory bath

96.  Soil- great for planting flowers, making mud for mud pies, in sensory bins like our digging for bugs

       sensory station. We also used this soil to have a mud party play date!

For even more ideas, check out our International Mud Day Round Up!

97.  Shovels, spades, gardening gloves-  they have all of these things in children and adult sizes

98.  Giant fly swatters- these make perfect painting tools.  Rosie loves painting with our giant fly swatters.

You can also use them as bubble wands.

99.    Large pieces of bamboo- makes a great hiking stick (your child can decorate it them self) Also makes

         great outdoor wind chimes like the ones created by Child Central Station

100.    Lots of pool toys- rafts, beach balls, arm floaties. Sand toys, buckets, shovels, and so much more!!!

Also don't forget to check out The Holiday Section!!!

 Whenever you go to The Dollar Tree, be sure and walk through the holiday section.  You can find so many great materials.  I get the bulk of the items I use to create our holiday sensory bins from there.  Check out my Valentines Day sensory bin  and my St. Patrick's Day sensory bin bin for examples.