Busy Bag Swap

I'm organizing a busy bag swap amongst local friends and needed a place to organize some links for friends! I figured this would be the easiest place!

Here are a few busy bag options, but if you found one on your own, just let me know and I'll add it to the list for you! Feel free to make any variations on these ideas if you so desire. I will mark the ones that are "taken" so you know which ones are still available (we don't want duplicates!)

All materials for your busy bag should fit in one large zip lock bag. The zip lock bag should contain all of the materials, as well as directions (short but sweet) on a piece of paper or card stock. You're encouraged to keep the price for each bag under $1. The idea is if we each make an activity in bulk, it will be cheaper than making each bag individually.

Busy Bags:

1. TAKEN by Crystal Popsicle stick puzzles
2. TAKEN by Lisa Matching Popsicle stick activity
3. Number wheel
4. TAKEN by MarijaI spy bottle (scroll down a bit)
5. Alphabet Tracing sheets
6. Pipe cleaner toy
7. TAKEN by kedw Velcro shapes
8. TAKEN by DianeLacing cards
9. TAKEN by Kat Matching Jar (you wouldn't need to provide the jar - that would make it too expensive)
10. Playdough mats (scroll down a bit)
11. Pasta dying/beading/sorting (second link)
12. Double trouble shapes
13. Spooning beads (maybe without the bowls...the bowls would make it too expensive)
14. TAKEN by JulieMeasure it!
15. Shades of color
16. Silly faces –

• Materials needed: assorted colors of felt, yarn, googly eyes, Velcro dots
• Put together the bag: Make a few head shapes from felt. From the other colors make eyes, ears, noses, mouths, hair, moustaches, etc. Use the yarn to make more hair. Attach Velcro dots to the backs of the googly eyes.
• Objective: Let the child make silly faces from the materials provided

17. TAKEN by Nicole Shape matching –

• Materials needed: small shapes cut from sheets of foam, index cards, marker
• Put together the bag: Trace each shape onto an index card and put the shapes and cards in a bag.
• Objective: Show the child how to match the shape to its outline.
• Another option: If you find foam letters or numbers, this works with them as well.

18. Make some fish out of construction paper. Put paperclips on them. Make a fishing pole with a stick, string & magnet. It may keep him busy for awhile.
19. TAKEN by Carly Egg activity
20. TAKEN by Alisa Color matching clothespins
21. TAKEN by Corie Pony bead patterns


These pinterest board has a lot of great ideas! ( here and here and here and here) If you choose one off these sites (or any other site you find) please let me know in a comment or message on facebook so that I can add it to this list and mark it as taken!

Sign-up for a busy bag by: March 6th (this date is when I can tell you how many copies of your bag to make). First come first claimed!
Busy bags to me: March 23rd.
I will distribute bags that weekend and/or the following week.

Do these dates work for everyone?

February Fun!

More birthday parties!


My kids love cupcakes




All tired out from the bouncy castle


We made some home made puffy paints!




Ethan loved to eat it!


Our friend Brandon painted with us!


Sweet friends :) Brandon and Emily


Post-painting snack!


We went bowling! Emily had been before, but this was Ethan's first time. They both had a blast! By the end of the game, Emily was carrying the balls up to the ramp for both of the boys so that they could push them down the ramp. She was such a good helper. I think she loved the shoes too ;).




The kiddos


Kids were not cooperating for a group photo


More non-cooperation ;)

January fun

Despite starting 2012 off sick for a few weeks, we've had a great year so far! Lots of playdates, birthday parties and art projects! January was a fun month.



He loves this toy!


Mommy cuddles


Cutie Patootie


They love making messes


Finger painting!


Snow!


Ready to go!


Future rockstar!


He's good at balancing things on his head


Sweetest little boy face ever!


Grandpa was in town for work!


Painting with shaving cream


Playing at the ultimate play zone


Cutest little butts ever






Ethan playing with some friends


Cheese!

Zoo trip

We went to the zoo, and Emily was very disappointed that there weren't any kangaroos around. But she recovered quickly when we asked her if she wanted to feed the giraffe!







Ethan loved the chimps!




Yee haw!


<3

Few christmassy photos

I'm ashamed how far behind I am on photos, but I will catch up! here are a few photos from the month of December before we went back to Seattle for Christmas.

Decorating the tree!




Cute kiddos


Ethan was not happy to see Santa


But Emily knew he was a special guy!


Checking out the model trains at Homestead Gardens