an easy toddler monster project

I've got a dozen posts started -- some in my draft pile and some just in my brain -- but my jumbled mind just hasn't been letting me finish any of them.

But... today is my day of super productivity!  And I don't want to let another pass without accomplishing something here, so... I'll just do a quick easy one.  A quick, easy post.  Featuring a quick, easy, Halloween-y project for littles.

This was Owen's project at table time yesterday; so simple it's perfect for the toddler set.

Here's what we did...

Cut five half sheets of neon printer paper into strips.
Drizzle some good ol' elmer's glue all over a piece of black construction paper.
Let the kiddo have at it: sticking the paper strips wherever he pleases until he covers the page.
Glue four more strips hanging over the edge as arms and legs.
Cut out eyes and mouth from another piece of black construction paper and excess strips.
Stick them on.
Pick up your monster, say "Rahh!" and scare the crap out of the baby who just made it.

Seriously, poor Owie -- he is terrified of his final product.  I have never seen him so afraid of anything. So you might want to make the eyes and mouth a little nicer looking if you try this with your sensitive types.

fall painting with littles

Apologies to all of my dedicated followers for my absence as of late!  Settling into and simply enjoying our new home has been a bit consuming at times.  My camera has been known to sit untouched for days at a time.  And I've partially renewed the blessed hobby of napping with the boys.  But we're still here, still rockin it how we do.

I wanted to let the boys create something big to hang over our couch, so I grabbed a huge canvas at Michael's with a 50% off coupon I had and some fall colored paints.  We collected what we could find outside as painting tools -- pinecones, pine and maple branches, rocks, leaves, twigs, weeds.  And then we made a giant mess.  Ultimate boys that they are, their favorite part was smacking the pine branches onto the canvas.  I barely took photos because I, too, was covered in paint -- but I did manage to snap a couple, my camera suffering only minor flesh wounds.

I love how the painting turned out after round one, but it's definitely a work in progress; we'll add more layers, making more messes and memories as we go.  That's the fun part, after all.

art for toddlers: chalk

Chalk!  Now that Owen is getting past the must-put-everything-in-mouth phase, chalk is a definite favorite for art time.  It's great for an early art medium because there's no need to hold the chalk a certain way, no dipping or rinsing, no need to push down hard; there's a nice contrast between the board and the chalk that makes it easy for little toddlerfolk to see what they drew.  I bought this piece of chalk board at Home Depot for under $10.  We lean it up against the wall when it's not in use and put it on the floor anywhere when we want to get chalky.  Chalking it up on the floor is much preferred to the wall because these guys like to get their feet into it and cover themselves in chalk head to toe.  Best part: cleanup couldn't be easier.  A quick rinse for the pups, a quick vacuum of the floor, done.

What's your favorite way to CREATE with your tiny people?