Block bowling

We did some block bowling today, both Bubble and Squeak love this game. First we build our towers and then we use different size balls to knock them down. To begin with we stand quite close, and then back further away each time.

WE USED:

* blocks
* balls of different types/sizes (tennis balls, soccer balls, dimple balls, even the great big fitballs are fun to use)

A little sewing

I found these mesh sheets and childrens sewing needles in our local craft store (Riot Art & Craft if anyone is interested) and thought they'd be the perfect introduction to sewing for Bubble. I sew a little bit (mainly felt crafts and mainly quite badly) and she loves to watch and pull the needle through for me sometimes, so now she can do some sewing of her own.

Hide and seek in the park

Bubble loves to play this version of hide and seek at the park; basically I bring along something small like a bouncy ball or figurine from the dollshouse, then Bubble covers her eyes and counts to ten while I hide it somewhere nearby. She then hunts for it until it is found and we start again. We never swap roles because I dont like to take my eyes off of the girls when we are out in public, but if you have a backyard to play in then you can take turns being the counter and the hider.

Scrubbing up

The weather was glorious today so I filled some small buckets with water and put the girls to work :-) They spent over an hour outside with small dishwashing brushes scrubbing everything they could find - double bonus, fun and a clean balcony!

Felt butterfly mask

I saw this idea for felt butterfly masks on one of my favourite Blogs, Childhood 101, and wanted to try making one for Bubble and Squeak's dress up box. I modified the design when it came to the headstrap though because Im not an awesome sewer in the slightest and it looked tricky to me, but I found a headband worked well. I used a wide fabric one so it would be comfortable and just cut it so I could attach either end to the sides of the mask. I didnt use sequins or anything because Squeak is still so small, but I may add some in a year or two when she is older because they do look so pretty!

Floor drawing

We have very large cream coloured floor tiles - perfect for drawing on :-) To protect the grout I use large rolls of clear contact and stick it directly onto the floor, we can then draw on it using whiteboard markers and be able to wipe it clean like a whiteboard. I've never had a problem with residue being left behind once it is pulled up (usually after a few days) but maybe test a small space on your floor before sticking down large areas just in case.
An even better method is to buy a length of clear pvc type tablecloth from somewhere like Lincraft or Spotlight that you can lay down and use over and over as many times as you like. This idea is particularly great if you want to floor draw but only have carpet or if you'd like to use it on a tabletop/outside/when travelling.

Felt hairclips

I saw this fabulous idea for making felt hairclips on Childhood 101's blog and gave them a go the other night. My versions are quite dodgy because I was a bit over enthusiastic when cutting the slits in the back and made them a tad too big so they slip around on the clip a little bit, but it was such an easy fun way to create something wearable that I'll be definitely be giving it another crack (and hopefully taming down my scissor action next time :-D).