Random Fun: Oobleck

Oobleck is an inexpensive way to have fun on a day that's too old (or hot, or rainy) to go out.  Made of 2 parts cornstarch to 1 part water, Oobleck is a non-newtonian fluid.  That means that it is a fluid, but it can also be a solid.  If you grab a handful it will seem solid, but quickly turns fluid and pours out of your hand.  People even make large vats of it to run across - there are tons of videos on youtube.  I made a small bowl of oobleck and we spent 2 hours playing with it, because it is just that cool.  Wet clean up is easy, and any stray blobs that escape your initial clean up can be easily swept or vacuumed when dry.

Paper Doll Postcard

I know I am way too old for this, but I still like paper dolls.  When the Graphics Fairy posted this one last week, I knew that my niece needed it.  I re-sized it to standard 4x6 postcard size, and touched up the doll's face (she was kind of creepy looking in the original.)  If you click, you should be taken to the full size image.  It costs around 15 cents to print a photo, and 28 cents to mail a postcard - so for under 50 cents you have one very delighted little girl, who will hopefully be amused with the doll for a least a little while.

Because my niece is a little young to really play with paper dolls with removable clothing, I also made a version where the doll is dressed in all three outfits.  So share some cheap fun with a little girl that you know :-)

Mr. Stick Person

I would like for you to meet my new friend, Mr.  Stick Person.  Mr. Stick Person joined me for breakfast this morning.  He was such a good guest - he even carried his own dish to the sink.  (Read on to see the rest of Mr. Stick Person's visit, and a free tutorial to make your own)

Fall / Autumn Themed Quiet Activities - Leaves

Falling leaves coloring page - http://www.123coloring.com/coloringpages/nature/autumn/images/10_gif.gif

Mini book - http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/print/autumn-day-mini-book-coloring-page/

Leaves coloring pages - http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/fall_coloring_pages.htm

Leaf Maze - http://www.printactivities.com/Mazes/Shape_Mazes/Fall_Maze.html

Leaf template for sewing card - http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/TCR/155734244X_65.pdf

For a leaf lacing card set: I cut some leaves from a cereal box using a similar template, punched holes around the page, and threw a lacing string in the bag.  To make your own lacing string, dab some glue (like Beacon's Fabri-tac) on the end of a string, and roll into a point using your fingers.  The leaves can also be colored, and used as templates to trace onto plain paper.  Lots of potential use for the 5 minutes it takes to trace and cut them out.

Vintage Puzzle

Can you get each seal into its matching cave without crossing another seals path, or leaving the box?  A puzzle from the book "You Are..." by Emery Gondor - [download a pdf of the full cleaned up puzzle page here]