Tag Archives: kids party

The Magic Garden

23 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by in Party!, Projects, Shop

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MagicGarden1MagicGarden2MagicGarden3Do you remember these?  We used to get smaller versions when we were kids, but I’d never seen one quite so elaborate until I found this at Pearl River.  This Mystical Garden by Toysmith has cardboard trees, grass and a mountain to assemble before the mystery liquid is poured into the base.  (This assembly is best done by an adult).  Our crystals formed within the hour and were done growing within 10 hours.  The mountain really looked like it was growing snow and the trees bloomed cherry blossoms.  Kids should not touch the crystals or liquid, but these are pretty amazing to watch grow on a shelf.  The small price tag makes this Mystical Garden a fun party favor or add-on gift for kids.  Magic.

Party! DIY Mini Felt Hats

16 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by in Projects, Uncategorized

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PartyAnimials1Hat3Hat2HatWe have been planning to make the animals some felt party hats for a while.  Now that the holidays are over and the weather is gloomy the animals are ready for a party.  We loved these paper party hats from Oh Happy Day!  We wanted to make our hats a little more durable for play so our version uses felt, glue and elastic thread.  Ada made the flag banner in the background with color chips and a hole punch.  To make your own Mini Felt Party Hats you will need:

*Card Stock or Paper for Pattern

*Assorted Felt

*Mini Pom Poms

*Scissors

*Needle and Thread

*Glue

*Elastic Thread (We used 9mm)

1. Using the pattern above, cut out felt shapes to fit your animals.

2. Stitch two straight edges of felt together.

3. Stitch pom pom on top and tie thread.  (I pushed the needle up through the top of the hat and then through the pom pom).

4. Using the needle, bring elastic thread through two sides of hat and tie knots inside.  Adjust per animal as needed.

5. Squirt glue inside hat, spreading evenly along the inside.  Allow hat to dry on its side, being careful not to squish the hat out of shape.  The glue will cause the felt to stiffen as it dries, making it more durable.

6. When hats are dry, dress the animals and bake a cake!

DIY Egg Carton Scavenger Hunt

17 Monday Sep 2012

Posted by in Party!, Projects

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We made this scavenger hunt game for Ada’s birthday this year. We did a larger hunt in Central Park early in the summer and it was a blast, so we decided to make a kid version. I took a few photos of clues while we were in the park the week before and printed them out at home. The level of difficulty can be adjusted per age group. To make your own egg carton scavenger hunt you will need:

*Egg Cartons (we cut ours in half for the little kids, but you can use a whole carton if you’d like more clues).

*Paint and Paintbrush

*Scissors

*Double Side Tape

*Camera

*Printer

*Chalk to match Paint colors

1. Take photos of the clues. (Small objects like leaves, acorns and flowers can be gathered and put into the egg carton. Larger things, such as statues can be marked by each team’s chalk).

2. Print photos to fit in the slots on the egg carton top.

3. Cut cartons in half with scissors if you choose.

4. Open each egg carton and paint a different color. Allow to dry before closing so they won’t stick shut.

5. Tape each clue photo into its slot.

6. Place corresponding colored chalk in each carton and close.

To play: give each team a carton and have them open to reveal clues at the same time. The first team to fill all of their slots, and mark any large items with their chalk wins!