I'm A Bat
(sung to: You Are My Sunshine)

I love the night time
The dark, black night time.
And that is when I fly around.
I am nocturnal ~
I love the night time.
'Cause I am a bat,
I fly without a sound!

Kids Kingston will not be at Skeleton Park Music Festival this Saturday anymore due to some unforeseen circumstances. We hope you enjoy the festival.

Happy Father's Day

The Kids Kingston Store will be at the Odessa Car and Flea Market this weekend (June 14th and 15th) from 8:00-5:00. It is located at the Odessa Fair Grounds. Admission is $2.00 and kids under 12 are free.
We hope to see you there.

Father's Day is June 15th, 2008

Dad's Survival Kit

What you need:

small box
magazines
scissors
glue
pencils
crayons
paper
envelope
string
contact paper
assorted goodies

Directions:

- Decorate a small box with a picture collage from magazines or drawings and secure it with clear contact paper.
- What goes inside? What does dad need to remember that you are thinking of him?
- Dad needs a photo of you, maybe surrounded by a homemade frame.
- He'll need a paper heart to remind him you care.
- A Band-aid in case he needs some TLC
- A Quarter or a Phone card so he can call home. (or ride the pony at the store)
- A home made ID card with your fingerprints on it so he knows what kid he belongs to.
- A drawing of you and him eating Mom's cookies together or some other activity you share.
- A piece of paper,and a stamped,addressed envelope, to mail you a letter
- A Hershey's kiss (or a lipstick print on paper)
- A personal item such as a rock, if you and dad like to collect them, or a fish hook taped to a card...
- A cassette tape, with you telling dad a bedtime story.
- An I love you dad note in your best printing.
- A tracing of your handprint with a piece of string glued around one of the fingers, and words that say "Don't forget, I'm thinking of you"
- One of your small toys, like a small action figure or doll. So he can think about playing with you.
- Things you can never find when you need them, a rubber band, a paper clip, a thumb tack, a safety pin...
- Put everything inside the box, tie the box shut with a ribbon or a piece of yarn and label it "Dad's survival kit"
- You may want to put your dad's name on it if he's going to be around a lot of other people called Dad too.

Dad Rocks Salt Dough Paperweight

What you need:

1/4 cup salt
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup water
bowl
cookie sheet
1/2 cup pea gravel

Directions:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
Mix flour, salt and water together in a bowl. If dough is too sticky add small amounts of flour until it is doughy and pliable. Be careful not to add too much as the dough will dry out and your creation will crack.
Shape a piece of the dough into a ball in your hands. Place the ball on the cookie sheet and flatten to about 1/2" thickness.
Carefully select pieces of pea gravel to spell out "DAD ROCKS". Press them firmly but gently into the salt dough.
Bake your paperweight for 2-2.5 hours until completely dry.
Remove from oven and allow to cool before handling.

The Ants Go Marching One by One

(sung to the tune of “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again.”)

The ants go marching one by one
Hurrah! Hurrah! (repeat)
The ants go marching one by one
The little one stops to suck his thumb
And they all go marching down to the ground
- to get out of the rain
Boom, Boom, Boom!

Verses:

The ants go marching two by two -
The little stops to tie his shoe
The ants go marching three by three - climb a tree
The ants go marching four by four - shut the door
The ants go marching five by five – kick a hive
The ants go marching six by six – pick up sticks
The ants go marching seven – pray to heaven
The ants go marching eight by eight – shut the gate
The ants go marching nine by nine – pick up a dime
The ants go marching ten by ten – shout THE END

Grow A Grass Head Monster

What you need:

A nylon sock or a foot from tights or a stocking.
Grass seed
Sawdust
Elastic band
Old yogurt pot
Googly eyes
Paper, buttons, ribbon etc to decorate

Directions:
Fill the toe of your sock with grass seed. Top up with sawdust until you have a ball shape. Fasten tightly with the elastic band.
Decorate the yogurt pot as the body using, paper, ribbon, and whatever else you can find in your craft box!
Stand the stocking ball in the pot with the grass seed at the top. Add some eyes and any other decorative bits you like.
Keep the yogurt pot topped up with water. After a few weeks your head should grow hair!

Happy Mother's Day

More Mother's Day Ideas

Photo Flowers

What you need:
Construction paper, various colours
Glue
Photos
Scissors
Tape
Green chenille stems, one for each flower

Directions:

Cut photos into circles to be used as the center of the flower.
Cut simple flower shapes out of construction paper.
Glue photo circle to the center of the flower.
Tape chenille stem to the back of your flower. Make sure the tape is secure by pressing onto the tape with your fingernail.
Trim ends of chenille to the length you desire, depending on what you are using as a vase. If making a handheld bouquet, don’t trim the chenille; simply tie a ribbon bow around them all.

Mother's Day Placemats

What you need:

Cardboard or bristol board
Scissors
Clear contact paper
Crayons, markers, paint or some sort of decorating tools

Directions:

Cut the cardboard or bristol board approx. 8 1/2" x 11" or bigger.
Decorate the  cardboard with pictures, drawings, poems, or whatever you would like.
Place the finished decorated piece between 2 sheets of clear contact paper.
*Hint* - Use the placemat to serve Mom her Mother's Day breakfast in bed. ;)

Kids Kingston Store Pre-Order

I am placing an order next week for some new products for the Kids Kingston store (Monday, May 12th).

I have had some interest from people wanting to make sure they get certain products when I place the order.

Below are the companies I am ordering from. If you would like me to order you something, just let me know. Any product over $50.00 I will require a deposit of 50%.

Remember any order over $50.00 you receive free shipping to your door (if you live in Kingston or the Gananoque area) and free local pickup is always available.

Educo: http://www.kidskingston.com/store/view_results.php?brand_id=3
Bamboo Collection: http://www.kidskingston.com/store/view_results.php?brand_id=2
Anamalz: http://www.kidskingston.com/store/view_results.php?brand_id=5
Beleduc: http://www.kidskingston.com/store/view_results.php?brand_id=6

More products to order will be added in the next day or two so please check back.

If there is something you are looking for that is not listed, please pm or email me and I will check into it for you.

If you have any questions, just let me know.

Thanks

Mother's Day is May 11th

Handprint Magnets

What you Need:

Bristol board
Scissors
Sticky backed magnet
Poster paint and a paint brush
Black permanent marker

Directions:

- Paint your right hand with poster paint and make a handprint on the poster board.  Do the same thing with your left hand.  Let the prints dry. (If your child is little you can paint their hands for them and help them place it on the bristol board.)
- Cut around the outside of both handprints.
- Write child's name and Happy Mother's Day on the print. You may want to include the date.
- Put a piece of sticky-backed magnet on the back of each hand.
- Put the handprints on your refrigerator.

M-O-M-M-Y Song

Sung to the tune of B-I-N-G-O

I love her and she loves me

And mommy is her name o

M-O-M-M-Y
M-O-M-M-Y
M-O-M-M-Y

and mommy is her name o

Baby Reading to Her Mother
by M.D.B

She is tired of her dolly,
and tired of her play,
And she thinks she will read
to her mother today.

So, seated on the carpet,
this little Kitty Brown
Reads story after story,
though the book is upside down.

Framed Art

For a quick and easy Mother’s Day craft just purchase a picture frame with a plain photo mat. Then, have your child draw a picture on the mat using crayons, markers or paint. Once yourchild is satisfied with their masterpiece, place it back in the frame along with a photo of Mom and the child. Write the date and Happy Mother's Day on the mat or on the back of the picture.

Happy Earth Day

Make a Litter Bag today and pick up some litter in your yard, at a park, on the side of the road or where ever you see some litter.

What you need:

brown lunch bags
markers or crayons
stickers (optional)

Directions:
Write child's name on bottom of bag.
Write "LITTER" on one side of the bag, and "EARTH DAY 2008" on the other.
Let children decorate their Litter Bags.

Kids Kingston Store is Now Open

The Kids Kingston store is now open: http://www.kidskingston.com/store/

Kids Kingston Store

The Kids Kingston store will be opening very soon. Our first product line will be Melissa & Doug (puzzles, puppets, play food, magnetic activities, music, magic and more).

We are hoping to carry other products that are harder to find in the Kingston area as well. If you have been looking for something and would like us to carry it for you, send me an email at: kathy@kidskingston.com and I will look into it for you.

Signs of Spring - sung to "The Muffin Man"

Do you see a sign of spring,
A sign of spring, a sign of spring?
Do you see a sign of spring?
Tell us what you see.

Toilet Paper Roll Windsock

Paint a cardboard toilet paper roll any colour desired and let dry. Decorate any way you want with stickers, glitter, etc. Punch 4-6 holes in one end with a hole punch. Thread through long pieces of yarn and tie off.

Easter Egg Hunt on Kids Kids Kingston

We are having and Easter Egg hunt on Kids Kingston with a prize donated by Dream Cards. You must be a member of Kids Kingston to join in on the fun. So, please feel free to register.

More information can be found at: http://www.kidskingston.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=57267

Good Luck Everyone.

Paper Mache Eggs

What You Need:

balloon
tape
1-inch pieces newspaper, newsprint or paper toweling
pie tin
paint brushes
colored tissue paper (optional)
shellac

Paper Mache Paste Recipe:

1 cup water
Mix in 1/4 cup flour until thin and runny

Stir this mixture into 5 cups lightly boiling water. Gently boil for 2-3 minutes. Cool until you can dip paper into mixture without burning yourself.

Eggs

Make paper mache paste as above. When cool pour into pie tin. Blow up a balloon and tape to a table. Dip strips of newspaper in paste and place carefully on balloon. Continue overlapping pieces of newspaper on balloon. Cover balloon completely and let dry. It may take overnight to dry, particularly if you've used lots of paste. Once dry decorate the dried ballon with paint or colored tissue in pretty pastel Easter colors. Finish with shellac for a shiny, glazed effect.

Two St. Patrick's Day Songs

Both are sung to the tune of "I'm A Little Teapot".

I'm a Little Shamrock

I'm a little shamrock see my leaves.
Count my three petals if you please.
If you give me water and lots of sun,
I'll bring you good luck and lots of fun.

I'm a Little Leprechaun

I'm a little leprechaun
Dressed in green,
The tiniest man
That you ever seen.
If you ever catch me, it is told,
I'll give you my pot of gold!

Pot of Gold Craft

What You Need:

Shallow small yogurt cup
Corrugated cardboard
Scissors
Gold spray paint
Black spray paint
Gold paint pen, optional

Directions:

Wash and dry thoroughly the yogurt cup.
Spray paint the yogurt cup with black paint. Let dry. You may need to spray a few coats to cover.
Cut circles out of cardboard.
Spray paint the cardboard circles with gold paint. Let dry.
Fill your "pot" with "gold." Display on your table as a place setting.
Use a gold paint pen to write on a name on the pot, if desired.

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

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 ev’rywhere, Oh!

Here' comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail
Hippity hoppity
Happy Easter Day.

St. Patrick's Day Drink - Peppermint Candy Shake

What You Need:

2 1/2  cups vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup Peppermint Pattie bars, or Junior Mints cut into pieces
Blender

Directions:

Place candy pieces and place into the freezer for 15 minutes.
Combine all ingredients in the blender and blend on medium speed for 30 seconds. Stir with a spoon and blend for 30 more seconds. Repeat until desired consistency is reached.
For a thicker shake, place blended milkshake into freezer for a few minutes.
Top with whipped cream and more mint candy pieces on top.

I am looking for more birth stories to share with our members in our stories section (http://www.kidskingston.com/stories/). If you have a birth story that you would like to share, please send it to: info@kidskingston.com
Thanks

Sidewalk Chalk

What you need:

2 qts. plaster of Paris
food colouring
water

Directions:

Mix plaster of Paris with 1 quart water. Mix in desired colour. Pour into paper towel or toilet paper tubes (about 3 inches high). Let dry thoroughly (this may take several days). Remove from tubes and let the kids draw away.

Toxic Bottles

Join our discussion on Toxic Bottles at:
http://www.kidskingston.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6292

Hands That Touch the Heart

What You Need:

White paper
Red construction paper
Scissors
Red Paint
Markers

Directions:

- Children make handprints on white paper by dipping their hands in red paint.
- They then cut the handprints out of the paper.
- Next, a large red heart shape is cut out of red construction paper.
- The heart is glued onto a large sheet of white paper with some space left around the outside.
- Finally, the handprints which have been cut out are glued onto the large red heart --- hence the hands that "touch" the heart.
- Children then write "Hands that touch the heart" around the outside of their red heart (on the white paper).

5 Little Valentines

Five little valentines were having a race
The first little valentine was frilly with lace.
The second little valentine had a funny face.
The third little valentine said, "I love you".
The fourth little valentine said, "I do too".
The fifth little valentine was sly as a fox.
He ran the fastest to the valentine box.

The Business of Being Born

On Saturday, January 26th the Community Midwives of Kingston sponsored "The Business of Being Born" movie for the Kingston community to see at the Empire Capitol 7 Cinema.

If you have seen or heard about this movie please join in on our discussion located at: http://kidskingston.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6119

Coffee Filter Snowflakes

What you will need:

Coffee Filter
Scissors
Blue Tempera paint
Water
Paint brush

Directions:

Take some blue paint and water it down. Then paint a coffee filter with the paint. Once it dries fold it in half, then in half again, and then in half one more time. Cut it like you would a snowflake.

Pinecone Bird Feeder

What you will need:

Pine cone
Paper plate
Butter knife
Smooth peanut butter
Birdseed
Ribbon or yarn
Scissors

Directions:

- Cut a long length of yarn or ribbon to hang the bird feeder.
- Tie the ribbon in a knot around the pine cone near the top (about 3 sections down).
- Tie a knot in the end of the ribbon.
- Use the knife to get a large clump of peanut butter on the paper plate.
- Use the knife to spread peanut butter inside the pine cone and around the edges.
- Sprinkle the birdseed over the pine cone.
- Roll the pine cone in the birdseed that is on the plate.
- Hang the bird feeder on the tree.
- Enjoy watching the birds eat their treat!

Kids Kingston would like to wish
everyone a Happy New Year!

"Auld Lang Syne"

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne.

CHORUS: For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.

Kids Kingston would like to wish
everyone a safe and Happy Holiday!

Follow Santa Claus

Check to see where Santa is as he delivers presents around the world:
http://www.noradsanta.org/en/home.htm

Cinnamon Dough Decorations

Dough Ingredients:

1 c. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. nutmeg
3/4 c. applesauce
2 T. Tacky or Elmer's white glue
Cookie cutters
Paint, if desired for decorating (fabric paint works great!)
Red, green or white ribbon

Instructions:

Combine first 5 ingredients until stiff dough forms, kneading well with hands. Roll dough out onto cinnamon dusted surface, about 1/4-inch thick, then cut with desired cookie cutter shapes such as teddy bears, hearts, Christmas trees, snowflakes, stars, candy canes, gingerbread boy (or girl), angels, etc...

Lay ornaments on a sheet of waxed paper and cut a small hole in the top (a plastic straw works well), then put in a safe place for drying. Depending on how dry your home is, it can take about 2-4 days for the ornaments to dry completely. Be sure to turn the ornaments over several times a day to ensure even drying.

When ornaments are dry, use fabric paint to decorate if desired (just like you would a cookie), then thread a pretty ribbon through the hole for hanging on Christmas tree, or all throughout the house!

Write to Santa Claus

Mail your letter to:
Santa Claus
North Pole
H0H 0H0
Canada
** Remember to include your return address.**

or Email Santa Claus at:
http://www.canadapost.ca/dec/santa/writesanta/emailform-e.asp

Magic Reindeer Food -
lays a glittering path to guide the reindeer on Christmas Eve.

In a small zipper bag or empty container mix:
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup red or green sugar crystal

Be sure to take this magic food and sprinkle on the lawn.
On Christmas, Santa's reindeer travel miles before the dawn.
The smell of oats and glitter path will guide them on their way.
And you'll wake up to Santa's gifts next morning on Christmas Day.

Easy Play Dough Recipe