Disney Banks

We are using these banks to save up some spending money for Disney World. I plan on putting a dollar in each of the kids bank each week. Since we plan on going next October (2015) each kid will have $50+ by the time we go. I am also thinking about loading their money onto gift cards before we leave so it is easier to keep track of how much each of them has left.

Supplies:  
- Can (I used empty formula cans)
- Paint (Red, White, Black)
- Paint Brushes
- Scissors

Directions:

1. Rinse out can, Rip off all labels, and make a slit in the lid (big enough to get a dollar bill through).

2. After it is all dry you can begin painting. I painted each can red and the tops black (two coats may be needed).

3. Once the red paint is dry you can add the details. For Mickey add two oval shaped buttons. For Minnie add polka dots around the entire can.

DIY Pull String Pinata!

I have seen a bunch of pins on Pinterest of DIY Pinata's so I decided to give it a try for my son's 3rd birthday party. Since we didn't need something huge so I used an empty brownie mix box (the large ones you get at wholesale stores like BJ's and Sam's Club). The ages of the kids were under 5 so I knew I wanted to do a pull string pinata and not have to worry about a bunch of toddlers and preschoolers wacking each other with a bat. The whole project was not as complicated as I thought it would be when I first started! :)

SUPPLIES:
-Cardboard Box (any size...depending on the amount of candy/treats you want inside)
-Tissue Paper and/or Crepe Paper (Whatever color matches your theme)
-Ribbon
-Glue
-Box Cutter/Xacto Knife
-Paint (Whatever color matches your theme.)
-Paint Brush
-Cut Outs or Stickers to decorate the finished pinata (Optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. The first thing I did was make a flap on the bottom of the box for the candy/treats to fall out of. And make small slits for the ribbons to go through.

2. I painted the top and bottom of the box with the black paint.

3. Next I took the black crepe paper and began to wrap and glue it all around the box.

4. When the entire box was covered I decorated it with a skull and cross bones, the words "AHOY" and the number 3. I used my Cricut machine to make all of these but you can decorate it with whatever materials you want to use!

4. Next I added all the ribbons! For the "winning" string make sure you knot it and put some tape over the knot so it will open the flap when pulled.

5. The bottom should stay closed when you push it in. If for some reason it doesn't apply some tape.

6. Fill the pinata with the candy/goodies.

7. Add a ribbon on top so you can hold the pinata from.

*The pinata worked out GREAT and it doesn't get destroyed so it can be reused!! :)

Telescopes/Spy Glasses

I made these for the kids to play with at my son's Pirate Birthday Party!

SUPPLIES:
Empty Paper Towel Rolls
Black Paint
Gold Paint
Paint Brush


DIRECTIONS:
1. Paint each paper towel roll black. (I used Americana Acrylic Paint - Lamp (Ebony) Black)

2. Paint three gold stripes on each roll. (I used Americana Gloss Acrylic Paint - Antique Gold). I did two coats of the gold so the black wouldn't come through.

*If you don't have enough paper towel rolls you can also use toilet paper rolls; just use duct tape to connect two together before you paint!

Cinnamon Ornaments

INGREDIENTS & SUPPLIES:
1 Cup Cinnamon Powder
1/4 Cup Applesauce
1/2 Cup White Glue
Mixing Bowl
Rubber Spatula
Measuring Cups
Rolling Pin
Cookie Cutters
Straw
Paint/Glitter
Paintbrush
Ribbon/Twine

DIRECTIONS:
1. Mix Cinnamon Powder, Applesauce, and White Glue in a bowl with the rubber spatula, then let stand for about an hour.

2. Roll out the dough.

3. Use cookie cutters to cut out different shapes or you could even do hand prints of your kids!

4. Lay them on a cookie sheet to dry.

5. Use the straw to poke holes at the top of each ornament.

6. Flip the ornaments every so often while they are drying.

7. Once completely dry decorate the ornaments with paint and glitter.

8. Tie a piece of ribbon or twine on the top and hang on your tree or attach to a gift!


*I did this with my 2 year old son. I mixed the dough and cut out all the trees. I painted them all green and let him put the "decorations" on each tree. We will be keeping one and giving the rest as gifts to family and friends!

**Original recipe from http://www.marthastewart.com/907577/cinnamon-bird-ornament

Diaper Box Fire Truck

I made this because my son is going to be a Fireman for Halloween and I wanted to make him a truck to go along with his costume! This would be great for pretend play also!

SUPPLIES:

• 1 Large Diaper Box
• Red Spray Paint
• Black Spray Paint
• Yellow, Red,& Silver Cardstock or Construction Paper
• White Cardstock (optional)
• Scissors
• Extra cardboard (I used the cardboard that they stick under the frozen pizzas.)
• Glue (I like Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue because it works great on cardboard)
• Nut & Bolt
• Ribbon or Duct Tape

DIRECTIONS:

1. Remove all price tags/stickers from the diaper box. Open up the bottom and fold all flaps inside (even the top ones). Don't just cut these off because they help the box keep it's shape.

2. Use red spray paint and make sure to cover the entire box. It may take a lot to cover it especially if you use a purple Luvs box like I did.

3. Cut 5 medium circles from the extra cardboard for the tires and the steering wheel.

4. Paint tires and steering wheel black.

<-steering wheel

5. Cut circles from the red & silver cardstock paper then glue them to the ties.

<-tires

6. Use the yellow cardstock paper to make headlights.

7. (OPTIONAL) Use the white cardstock to put an engine number on the front of the truck (I used my cricut machine to cut out the letters but you could also use white paint or a paint pen and write it on).

8. Attach the steering wheel with a nut and bolt so it will actually turn!

9. Glue (and staple for extra security) the ribbon (or you can use duct tape)  so it can be worn over the child's shoulders (measure it on them before cutting so it sits where you want it to).

10. Attach the four tires using glue.

I used a Fire Truck from our city as 'inspiration".

**Project originally found on http://wholesomemommy.com/kid-craft-fun-with-a-cardboard-box-fire-truck/

Halloween Monsters!!

SUPPLIES:
-Cardstock Paper (any color will work but we used black)
-Paint (any colors)
-Paint Brush
-Googly Eyes
-Glue
-Black Marker


DIRECTIONS:

1. Paint the palm of your toddlers hand or bottom of their foot and then let them press it to the Cardstock paper. (Do this as many times to get the number of monsters you want).

2. Let Dry (if you use acrilic paint like we did it dries really fast and it comes off of skin super fast too!) After it is dried let your toddler add the eyes (help them with the glue if needed).

3. I helped him add some mouths to the monsters, but older kids would be able to do that themselves!

Fall Tree

SUPPLIES:
-Paint (brown, red, yellow, orange)
-Cardstock Paper
-Brown Crayon
-Pom pom balls

DIRECTIONS:

1. Draw a tree trunk on the cardstock paper.

2. Squirt a little bit of each color onto a paint tray.

3. Have your toddler use the pom pom balls to make "leaves" on the tree!

Make Your Own Crayons

Everyone has tons of broken crayons...instead of tossing them out you can make your own crayons using them.

SUPPLIES:
Broken Crayons (various colors)
Muffin Pan (I keep an old one to use for this)
Paper Liners


DIRECTIONS:

1. Pre-heat oven to 250*

2. Place a paper liner in each of the cups on the muffin pan.

3. Peal off all paper from the crayons then place some in each liner.

4. Bake in oven for about 12 minutes.

5. Remove from oven and let them cool completely before using them.

Potty Training Reward Chart

SUPPLIES:

• Poster board (half size)
• Cardstock paper in various colors
• Stickers
• Glue
• Scissors and/or a Cricut machine

The yellow paper is where he will put a sticker each time he uses the potty; it is taped on and I will switch it when needed. Elijah helped decorate it with all the little Mickeys...he was so excited about decorating, I hope he is just as excited to actually begin the potty training in a couple weeks!!!

Candy Filled Bottles

Supplies: 

• Candy/Snacks (6 different types) 
• 6 Pack of IBC Cream Soda 
• Card Stock Paper
• Spray Paint (water base)
• Cricut Machine or Scissors

Directions:

1. Empty, Rinse out, and dry the soda bottles.
2. Spray paint the cardboard container.
3. Use the card stock to decorate it with shapes, words, etc.
4. Fill each bottle with a different candy or snack

{Optional}Make a label for each bottle and write the name of the treat that is inside.
  *Elijah had a blast filling each bottle with the candy!
*Ideas for candy...M&M's (all flavors), Goldfish, Pistachios, Peanuts, Jellybeans, Sunflower Seeds.

Salt Dough Hand Print Ornaments

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup Salt
• 1/2 Cup Flour
• 1/4 Cup Water

Supplies:

• Knife
• Pen
• Paint (Red, White, & Black)
• Mod Podge
• Ribbon or String
• Paint Brush

Directions:

1. Kneed until dough forms.
2. Make impression and cut out hand shape with a knife (leave a small border)
3. Use a pen to poke a hole at the top.
4. Bake at 200* for 3 hours
5. Paint
6. Seal with Mod Podge
7. Thread a ribbon or string through whole and hang on your tree!

 
 *Add the date on the back with a sharpie or paint. MAKES A GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR GRANDPARENTS OR AUNTS & UNCLES!!!

Mickey Mouse Birthday Party

Goodie Bags...
I bought small plain red and black gift bags then used my cricut machine to cut out black and pink mickeys.

Birthday Poster...

Made with my Cricut machine and my Mickey Mouse cartridges.

Pin The Nose On Mickey Mouse...

I hand drew the Mickey then used my Cricut to cut out the noses. I also wrote each kids name on a nose so we knew whose was whose when we played.

Birthday Tee Shirt...

I bought a plain white tee shirt from Target and bought a personalized iron on from an Etsy shop.

Memory Box

Supplies:

• Photo Box
• Card Stock (Various Colors)
• Glue
• Scissors (or Cricut machine and cartridge)

I used my Cricut and my Mickey font cartridge to cut out the letters and the Mickey ears.

Inside we keep all the ultrasounds, Elijah's coming home outfit, his hats from the hospital, hospital bracelets, his baptism candle and certificate, hair from his first haircut.

Pictures For Baby's Room

I used my Mickey & Friends and Mickey Font Cricut cartridges to cut these out. Each of them are framed and hanging in the baby's room!