New Years Eve shakers!!!

It's day 3 of New Years eve fun! Be sure to check out day 1 and 2 for some fun ideas! 

A fun way to celebrate New Years Eve and also have a crafting activity is to create your own shakers! These can be done is sooo many different ways. Gather up some empty water bottles or some disposable cups or any container and we'll upcycle it into a fun shaker that each member of your family can personalize just for them! 

supplies:

container - cups, water bottles, canisters, etc

hot glue gun

rice, beans, popcorn kernels

ribbons

stickers

colorful papers, crepe paper, garland, bells, paint, etc
markers

For this tutorial I am going to use small plastic disposable cups. 

step 1: Fill one of the cups with rice, beans or popcorn kernels about 1/4 full. This is the stuff inside the shaker that will be making the noise.

step 2: Using your hot glue gun, run a line of glue around the top edge and place the other cup on top to seal shut. If you want to make extra sure it doesn't come apart, run another line of glue around the seam and place some ribbon or ric rac over the glue so it won't show. 

step 3: DECORATE! - adorn the outside of your shaker with stickers, papers, paint a design, etc. It's up to you! I like to add long streamers to the ends to make it more fun and colorful when they are being shaken!

If you are using an empty water bottle or canister simply fill it with some rice, beans or popcorn kernels and seal shut with the hot glue. Then decorate the outside to your hearts content!

Enjoy shaking these babies as you and your family ring in the New Year!!!

-----------------
I will be linking up here

Read More

Group game - Let's make a DEAL!

This is a great game to play with a group! and would make a perfect activity for Surprise bags!

I've played with with my daughter's 5th grade class and also at a family gathering. For New Years Eve it's a wonderful way to re-gift something you got for Christmas that wasn't quite your style (tee he hee) or clean out the clutter and giveaway something you don't need!

Let's Make a DEAL!! 

Just like the game show you have 3 "doors" of hidden prizes. Whether you supply the gifts or are doing it white elephant style fill each box with a prize without the "player" being able to see. 

For the "doors" I took 3 shipping boxes and pushed the top flaps flat against each side so the top of the box was completely open. I covered them in wrapping paper and turned them on their sides of the top is now the back and I could easily "fill the boxes" with the prizes. Then I added the numbers.

To get a contestant I asked a trivia question - whoever shot their hand up first and had the right answer got to choose a box ( I have done regular trivia that was age appropriate and have also done holiday trivia). 

Once the contestant chooses a box I give them 1 clue about the prize inside. They can then take the prize and sit down or switch and pick another box (note - I don't give a clue for the 2nd box if they switch). If they want to switch they have to do a challenge!

Challenge: - these are FUN!!! I have a bowl or container of strips of paper with different challenges written on them. Here's some ideas of what mine include:

1. Waddle like a duck around the room

2. Play basketball with an imaginary ball

3. Sing Happy Birthday to the person sitting next to you

4. Act like a gorilla for 10 seconds

5. Sing "I'm a little teapot" and do the actions

6. Sing the ABC's baby style

7. Do the crab walk across the room

8. Pretend you are watching a scary movie and are really scared

9. do the chicken dance 2 times while the rest of the players sing the song for you

10. Pat your head and rub your stomach for 10 seconds

11. Moonwalk across the room

12. Pretend you are underwater for 10 seconds

etc....

Of course all these challenges are done in front of everyone else which gets the whole room roaring with laughter!!!

Once the challenge is complete you can hand them their prize. The contestant sits down and the next trivia question is asked. Continue until all the prizes are given out and each person has had a turn.

tomorrow - we'll get crafty for New Years! 

Read More

Mom It Monday #2 - Family Night

It's time to LINK UP Again! Share your favorite ideas to do with your kids/family - craft, cook, play, etc. 

The idea I am sharing today is to Create a Family Night! Pick 1 night a week that for a few hours you focus just on your family - and STICK to it! No phones or computers interrupting. Let them have your attention and enjoy doing something together. It can be as simple as playing board games or going for a bike ride to an activity that is more elaborate. It will be something your kids will forward to each week!

Now it's your turn! Link up and share your ideas! They can be current or ones you have done in the past! Just remember: 

<a href="http://www.brassyapple.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/mycreations/Blog/mITmbutton.jpg" /><br /> </a>

1. direct link only - no shops, no selling! 

2. Please grab a button and/or link back to the party! (text link, sidebar or directly in your post!)

3. Enjoy!!!

Read More