Pounding Flowers

It doesn't sound so nice, does it? But it's actually a great way to make pretty pictures out of flowers that are about to get chucked out or ones you picked on your walk. And it's a fab activity for kids.

I came across this idea in a fab book called Tinkerlab: A Hands-On Guide For Little Inventors and it's full of experiments to help nurture creative thinking. 

You need a selection of flowers, some waxed paper, some watercolour paper and a big stone (she used her wooden toy hammer).

It's pretty simple... let your little one arrange the flowers on the watercolour paper, cover with waxed paper and bash away. Peel back the waxed paper and flowers to reveal their work of art!

It probably doesn't look much to you but she was super happy with it. And I'm going to frame it. Next time we'll go rambling to find a better selection of flowers.

A great idea for Mother's Day pictures and general spring-y crafts. Spring, oh spring... hurry up!

MAD LIFE

MAD LIFE sounds about right for 'Mum & Dad life', also an events and communication company set up by megababe mums Kirsti and Emi. They bring all the good shizz to the table for busy parents in the form of events, campaigns and digital communications.

They've also just made their first short film about becoming a parent, but an honest version. No rose-tinting, no bullshit. Because this is what these ladies are about.

WHAT ARE YOUR THREE WORDS????

For more information about MAD LIFE and to find out about any upcoming events go check them out here.

Sumangashi

Or marbling, if you can't speak Japanese. I remember doing this as a kid at school but it wasn't until I stumbled across Tinkerlab that I remembered so I set off on my mission to do this with Birdie.

Skillz

I bought these marbling inks  and used an old roasting dish. You can use anything that fits a sheet of paper or card. And once you have your inks, off you go. It kept her entertained for an hour and I didn't have to worry about the mess because there wasn't any.  It's a great alternative to normal painting and waaaaaaay more fun because you just don't know how each piece is going to turn out.

So now we have over thirty sheets of marbled paper to use. That's our Christmas card crafting sorted!
I'd also recommend the Tinkerlab book - it's brilliant. Full of fab ideas for you and your little one.

You're welcome.

Dinovember

'Every November, children in more than forty-five countries wake up to discover that their plastic dinosaurs have come to life and made mischief while the family slept. For thirty days, milk is spilled, eggs are cracked, and walls are colored by crayon-wielding claws. Childhood is fleeting—let’s make it fun while it lasts.'

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Last night I was thinking about Christmas and how exciting it is to be a child at this time of year. Halloween, Bonfire Night and then it's the countdown until Santa arrives. Oh to have the imagination of a three year old when you're a cynical (almost) 29 year old. I was convinced as a child that my toys came alive at night and it was a bit scary but also wonderful to think of them having their own adventures.

You may or may not have heard about Dinovember. For the entire month of November, those plastic dinosaurs that you can find at the bottom of the toy box come alive. Not forrealz, unfortunately, but the kids don't need to know that. And it's fun because you get to be a part of this adventure while behaving like a total kid. Then every morning when your little ones come downstairs, SURPRISE! Those naughty dinosaurs have caused absolute chaos.

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Absolute genius. Find out more about it here. And just you wait until you see what our dinosaurs are going to be getting up to...