Welcome to Kids Kingston
Kids Kingston is a free resource for families, parents and parents-to-be in the Kingston, Ontario area.
Sit back, relax and share your pregnancy and parenting journey with us.
Breastfeeding Challenge 2010
The 2010 Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge in Kingston will take place on Oct. 2nd.
All breastfeeding Moms and supporters please join us at 293 Division St., inside Go Green Baby. Light snacks, door prizes and mingle with other parents. There is a small play area for older children.
Registration begins at 10:00, latch on at 11:00. We will be latching on along with mothers and children from several different countries, in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, which runs from Oct. 1-7 in Canada.
More info. can be found at:
http://www.babyfriendly.ca /challenge-home.aspx
If you are able to donate a prize, help hang up posters, bake, help register people or do anything else to help, please email me, Kathy Frenette at: kathy@kidskingston.com
Our Facebook event page is: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=138546066189670
Styling Book Covers
Taken from: http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/back-to-school-crafts3.htm
These Styling Book Covers make schoolbooks look great and are a good back-to-school craft for older kids.
What You'll Need:
- Thin cardboard
- Felt
- Fabric
- Glue
- Scissors
- Elastic strips
- Needle and thread
Step 1: For each book you want to cover, open the book and lay it flat with the back and front covers facing you. Cut a piece of thin cardboard to fit over the book's surface. Cut your piece about 1/2 inch larger at the sides.
Step 2: Make 2 creases in the middle of the cardboard (the width of the spine) so that it will bend easily when the book is opened and closed.
Step 3: Glue a piece of fabric or felt onto the cardboard. Make sure the cloth is at least 1 inch larger than the cardboard all around.
Step 4: Fold the extra fabric on the other side of the cardboard, and glue it in place.
Step 5: Cover the remaining cardboard by gluing another piece of felt or fabric onto it.
Step 6: A couple inches from either end, sew an elastic strip top to the bottom on the inside of the book cover you just made -- be sure the elastic is stretched a bit so the book cover stays in place.
Step 7: Slide the front and back covers of your schoolbook into these strips to hold the book in place.
Step 8: Decorate the outside of your new book cover with felt cutouts.
Now you're ready to go back to school in style!
Ice Cream Cone
Taken from: http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/summer/ice-cream-cone.asp
What you'll need:
- Pom-poms
- Glue
- Brown paint
- Paint brush
- Small terra cotta rose pot
How to make your ice cream cone craft:
- Use the brown the paint to paint a criss cross pattern on the terra cotta pot to make it look more like an ice cream cone.
- Fill the inside of the pot with different colored pom-poms as desired. Glue layers together as you get outside of the rim.
- Finish the craft with a red pom-pom (cherry) on top.
Kathy and Family are going away July 31st - August 3rd
My family and I are leaving to go to Lake George on Saturday morning. We will be home on Tuesday night. If you need anything done, checked, have questions or would like to advertise please let me know by Friday. Thanks
Coffee Filter Butterfly
Borrowed from: http://crafts.kaboose.com/butterfly1.html
You will need:
- ½ black chenille stem
- Paper coffee filter
- Water color paints
- Paint brush
- Water
How to make it:
- Flatten the coffee filter and place it on a plate or newspaper, the paint and water will soak through. Set aside on paper towels to dry.
- Fold the chenille stem in half. Remember, you are only using half of a chenille stem to begin with.
- Fold the coffee filter accordion style, in about ½" pleats.
- Position the pleated coffee filter into the bent end of the chenille stem. Center the filter at the bend.
- Twist the chenille stem around the filter to secure it in place.
- Bend the tips of the chenille stems over about ¼" to create the antennae.
- Fan out the butterfly wings.
- If desired, hang with yarn or fishing line.
Tips:
- For a more vibrant butterfly, be sure to paint all white areas with paint.
- Tie a piece of fishing line around the "neck" and suspend from the ceiling. They will look like they are flying!
- Instead of using all the colors on one filter, make some with warm colors (red, yellow, orange) and some with cool colors (blue, green, purple).
Free Car Seat Clinic Saturday, July 24th
Primerica (Lasalle Plaza Bath & Gardiner's Rd.) - 9:00 - 12:00
How to Make Your Own Lava
Borrowed from the Steam Museum's website: http://www.steammuseum.ca/index.php?page=kids
You will need:
Red food colouring
Water
Cooking oil
Salt
Spoon
Clear container
1. Fill the glass 2/3 with water.
2. Mix a few drops of food colouring with the water.
3. Add oil to the glass. Wait for the water and oil to separate.
4. Drop salt into the glass and watch your lava!
Happy 4th Birthday Kids Kingston
Sand Mosaics
Next time you are at the beach gather some sand and shells and try this craft. Craft borrowed from: http://familyfun.go.com/summer/summer-crafts/summer-beach-crafts/sand-crafts/sand-mosaics-663989/
What you'll need:
- Scissors
- Black construction paper
- Shoe box lid
- White glue
- Sand
- Assorted seashells
How to make it:
-
Cut a sheet of construction paper so that it fits inside the box lid -- this will be the portable canvas.
-
To make a picture, draw with the tip of the glue bottle, then sprinkle on loose sand.
-
Once the sand is dry, shake off the excess by gently tapping the side of the lid.
-
For added detail, glue on shells, pebbles, sea glass or any other not-too-aromatic finds.
Ice Block Summer Fun Activity
What you'll need:
- Clean milk carton, plastic containers, ice cube trays, etc.
- Water
- Food coloring (optional)
- Small plastic toys (optional)
How to make it:
- Make an ice block by freezing water in a clean milk carton, plastic container, ice cube tray, etc.
- If you like, add a few drops of food coloring to the water before freezing, or drop in a few small plastic toys.
- Your child will enjoy playing with the blocks of ice outside when it is hot.
- If you've frozen small plastic toys inside the block of ice, watch your child be so surprised when the ice all melts and they find the toy.
Free Car Seat Clinic Saturday, June 26th
Costco (1015 Centennial Dr.) - 9:00 - 12:00
Dancing Raisins
Borrowed from the Steam Museum's website: http://www.steammuseum.ca
You will need:
-
A can of clear soda
- Raisins
1. Shake a can of clear soda as hard as you can. Knock two or three times on the top. Open it carefully over a sink.
2. Pour your opened can of soda into a glass.
3. Add six or seven raisins.
4. In a minute or so they will start to dance! But if you tap on the side of the glass they will sink!
Happy First Day of Summer
Happy Father's Day
Needle Through A Balloon
Borrowed from the Steam Museum's website: http://www.steammuseum.ca
You will need:
1 balloon
Cooking Oil
Bamboo
Skewer
1. Blow up the balloon ½ - ¾ full of air.
2. Dip the end of the skewer into the cooking oil.
3. Slowly poke through the darkest spot on the top of the balloon. Once through, exit near the tie at the end of the balloon.
If your balloon pops the first time, don’t worry! Try, try again! If there is a pile of popped balloons on the floor, try blowing your balloon up less and making sure the skewer has no splinters.
Birth Fest
Join Kids Kingston at the 2nd Annual Birth Fest.
Saturday, June 5th 2010 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at McBurney Park (157 Ordnance St.).
For more information, please visit:
http://www.birthfest.ca
Saturday May 29th
Free Car Seat Clinic - May 29 - Kingston This Week (607 Gardiner's Rd.) - 9:00 - 12:00
Kid's Perch Derby hosted by the Kingston District Rod and Gun Club and the Kingston Police Department/Association happens on Saturday May 29th at the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour. Children 12 and under fish for free from 10am to 2pm. All participants must register before noon and should be accompanied by an adult.
Don't Rock the Boat Saturday, May 29th, 2010, 12 pm to 4 pm at Collins Bay Marina. Boat rides, test paddle a canoe or kayak. Mary Lambert will be performing at 2 pm for the kids. Check out www.dontrocktheboat.ca for more information. Free
Joyceville Public School Country Fair - http://www.kidskingston.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=117340
Playdough Recipe
I have posted this recipe before but it is one of my favourites and thought I would share it again.
1 cup flour
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons cream of tarter
1 teaspoon oil
1/4 cup salt
food colouring
Mix all ingredients, adding food colouring last. Stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from pan, let cool slightly, and knead until blended and smooth. Store in a plastic bag or airtight container when cooled.
Bird Biscuit
taken from: http://crafts.kaboose.com/birdbisc.html
What you'll need:
- Flat wooden heart (or any wooden shape)
- Peanut butter
- Birdseed
- Drill
- Approximately 4 feet of 1/4 inch wide ribbon
- Bowl
How to make it:
- Drill one small hole in each side of the heart - same distance from the top so that the heart is not lopsided.
- Cover the wooden heart completely in peanut butter and then place the heart in a bowl of bird seed.
- Cover the entire area of the heart with the birdseed making sure no bald spots are left anywhere on the heart.
- Cut two lengths of ribbon each 2 feet long and run one length of ribbon through each hole.
- Tie all ends of the ribbons together in a bow or knot.
- Hang bird biscuit in a tree or somewhere birds have easy access to it.
Easter was April 4th
Bunny Ears for Kids: http://crafts.kaboose.com/bunnyears.html
Easter Bunny: http://crafts.kaboose.com/bunny1.html
Handprint Chick Paper craft: http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/machick.html
Easter Scissor Skills: http://www.dltk-holidays.com/easter/mscissor-skills.htm
Easter Egg Paper Plate Handprint Basket: http://www.dltk-holidays.com/easter/meggbasket.htm
Natural Dyes for Eggs
RED - Save the skins from red onions and boil with eggs 1/2 hour to 1 hour. Remember that the more skins you use and the longer you soak, the darker the color. A smaller amount of skins produces a nice lavendar.
PINK - Soak your hardboiled eggs in cranberry juice or the juice from pickled beets.
VOILET BLUE - Soak your hardboiled eggs overnight in not water to which you have added voilet blossoms.
LAVENDAR - Soak hardboiled eggs in grape juice, or add 2 tsp juiced to the voilet blue water to lighten the color.
YELLOW - To a cup of hot water, add 1 to 1 1/2 tsp and 1/2 tsp vinegar.
GOLDEN TAN - Save the skin from yellow onions. Add them to the water when you hardboil your eggs.
BROWN - To a cup of hot water, add 1 tbsp instant coffee, and a 1/2 tsp vinegar.
GREEN - Add 1/2 tsp baking soda to a bowl of the water from the Voilet Blue before soaking your eggs.
PRETTY PASTELS - You can rub blueberries and cranberries right on the shells for soft blues and pinks. Blend them in for a pretty result.
Peter Cottontail Song
Here comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Hippity hoppity,
Easter's on its way
Bringin' ev'ry girl and boy
A basketful of Easter joy
Things to make your Easter
Bright and gay
He's got jelly beans for Tommy
Colored eggs for sister Sue
There's an orchid for your mommy
And an Easter bonnet too. Oh!
Here' comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail
Hippity hoppity
Happy Easter Day
Look at him hop and listen to him say,
"Try to do the things you should"
Maybe if you're extra good
He'll roll lots of Easter eggs your way
You'll wake up on Easter morning
And you'll know that he was there
When you find those choc'late bunnies
That he's hiding everywhere, Oh!
Here' comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail
Hippity hoppity
Happy Easter Day.
Free Car Seat Clinic Saturday, March 27th
Kingston Toyota (Bath Rd @ Vista) - 9:00 - 12:00
Kathy, Kris and kids are away from March 3rd - 11th.
We will not have internet access. If you email or send us a private message it will not be answered until we return. If you are having a problem and need help please post on the forum and maybe someone will be able to help answer your questions.
Thanks for your understanding,
Kathy, Kris, Jordan and Layla
Paper Plate Olympic Rings
You will need:
- 5 small paper plates
- Blue, black, red, green and yellow paint
- Glue
How to make it:
Carefully cut out the centre of the 5 paper plates.
Paint each plate in a different color and leave to dry.
Lay out the rings in the Olympic design and glue together.
Ceremonial Olympic Torch
Check out : http://crafts.kaboose.com/olympic-torch.html
Ski Jump 3-D Art
Check out: http://crafts.kaboose.com/ski-jump-art.html
Making an Olympic Medal
Borrowed from: http://www.first-school.ws/activities/firststeps/olympics.htm
Tell the children they are now going to make an Olympic medal to wear for the games.
Choose the colour or black and white version. The medal has an optional ribbon holder pattern to glue to the medal, fold over ribbon and glue to the back of medal. The second method is to make a hole with hole punch and children can insert a ribbon about 18 to 24 inches long and help staple or tape the ends. You may be able to purchase inexpensive ribbon that has red, blue, white stripes such as depicted in the medal image or use any ribbon you have at your disposal.
Happy Family Day
Valentine’s Day was February 14th
Received this craft from a Kids Kingston member. Thanks for sending it to me.
For Valentine’s Day, stamp you child’s red-painted hand onto construction paper, card stock, or fabric. Add one of these Valentine Handprint Poems to make a keepsake gift for mom, dad, grandma, or grandpa. The heart-shaped handprint can be used with any handprint poem for any special holiday or occasion gift.
To make heart-shaped handprint:
Paint both hands red. Slant and stamp each hand. Overlap the fingers as they are stamped, forming the heart shape.
***********************************
Valentine Handprint Poem #1:
This isn’t just any handprint as you can plainly see.
For it is a special handprint
Made by Me!
Along with this handprint
I send lots of hugs and kisses your way.
And ask that God bless you
On this Valentines Day!
Valentine Handprint Poem #2:
This isn’t just a valentine
As you can plainly see
It is of course my handprint
Which is a part of me
It’s bigger than the last one
Will be smaller than the rest
Isn’t it fun to see the difference
And how much I am blessed
It’s been through lots of frolic
And will be grown up pretty fast
They will be gone soon
Because I’m growing fast
But for the moment, it’s the best
Because it came from me
And just think
You help me grow up best
But I just want to tell you
That I love you (fill in name) dear
It’s been through lots of frolic
And will be grown up too fast
Just keep this to remind you
That I love you one and all
A simple little reminder
Of yesterdays past
Valentine Handprint Poem #3:
This isn’t just a valentine
As you can plainly see
It is of course my handprint
Which is a part of me
It’s bigger than the last one
Smaller than the next will be
Given to you with lots of love
From sweet and precious me
(Or sent to you) (Or lovable me)
Family Literacy Day is January 27th, 2010
Family Literacy Activities
Literacy is more than books. There are several ways to keep your literacy skills sharp - all it takes is practicing for 15 minutes every day. Reading, writing, playing a game,
following a recipe, or even singing a song all help prepare children for challenges ahead and sharpen skills for adults. Here are some activity ideas to practice your literacy skills:
The Count: Have your child count out the change required to make a purchase. Reinforce the importance of math in everyday life.
Daffy Dictionary: Choose a word from the dictionary and write it on a piece of paper with one correct definition, then make up two more definitions that are incorrect but
'sound' like they might be accurate. See who can guess the correct definition. Teams
can play this game, with members coming up with the daffy definitions together and also
guessing the other team's correct definition.
Family Game Night: Set up a family board game night where a different game is
played each week. Have each member of the family involved in reading instructions and
game cards and keeping score.
Hi Ho the Merry-o: Engage in sing-along sessions with your children.
Karaoke Night: Rent a Karaoke machine and invite the neighbours over for a party. Not
only is this activity fun, but it also encourages, reading, singing and family involvement.
Map out your trip: Have your kids create the map for your next road trip so that they
can navigate by reading signs and billboards. Create a trip journal.
Sharpen your mind: Do crossword puzzles, word jumbles and word searches on your
lunch break.
Sous Chef: Following recipes is a great way to improve both reading and math skills.
Ask your children to read the instructions out loud and help measure the ingredients
when making a treat for the family.
Surf the Internet together to find great websites that support your hobbies and interests.
Write your own adventure: Write a short story as a family with alternative endings
written by each family member.
“You’ve Got Mail”: With adult supervision, have children go online and find a suitable
electronic postcard to customize and send to a loved one.
For more fun activities to practice your literacy skills, visit
http://www.abc-canada.org/en/family_literacy/tipsandactivities.
Snow Squirt Painting
All you need is a few water bottles with a squirt top, some water and food colouring. Fill each bottle with water and some food colouring. Go outside and use your imagination. If you don't already have squirt bottles in the house, the dollar stores sell them.
© Kids Kingston 2010 |
