DIY stilts- Someday Crafts

Hi! I'm Michelle from Someday Crafts. As a working mom of 2 young children, I highlight great ideas I see around blogland that I want to do when I get the time.....SOMEDAY! I hope you come over and see my blog! You will find some projects that you want to do someday also.

Today, I am showing how to make some

EASY, INEXPENSIVE and QUICK food can stilts!

After I get home from work, the kids and I play for hours. They are so much fun! These stilts (or rompers, as they were called when I was younger) are one of their favorite activities. It builds great coordination and forces the kids to work on their balance.

Materials:
-Two emptied cans of food (28oz or larger)
-Two pieces of rope or heavy duty string, each at least 1 yard long
-A sharp object that can puncture metal, i.e. screwdriver, knife
-Spray paint (optional)

1. Empty two large cans of foods. These are 29oz. fruits. If you use smaller cans, they will be less sturdy. Wash the cans out!

2. Peel the labels from the cans and gather your spray paint. I got this Krylon outdoor spray paint at the dollar store! SCORE!!! (Those are my cute kiddos!!!)

3. If you are brave, let your kids spray paint the outside of the cans. Let the paint dry. (My kids like to help with everything I do. That's why I don't get much done!!!)

4. Using a sharp object, punch two holes through the can on opposites sides. I used some type of knife. The holes need to be near the top of the can where a lid still exists. I do NOT recommend letting your kids do this part!

5. The holes need to be large enough to fit your handle through. When I inserted the knife, I wiggles it back a forth a bit to make the hole wide enough.

6. Cut your handle material. I used something called mule rope (or at least that is what my husband told me it is called.) It is like a strong flat rope. I suggest a rope or heavy duty string. I would also suggest at least a yard or more of material. It depends on the height of the person for whom you are making it. The handle should come about half way between the knee and hips or whatever is comfortable. Insert your handle material through the holes from the outside to the inside.

7. When the handle material is inside the can, tie the ends in double knots. You can burn the ends of the rope if you want. You are finished!

Here is one pair of spray painted and one unspray painted cans. If you don't paint your cans, there is a chance the cans can rust. I have tied knots in the handles of one pair to make them easier for my younger/shorter son to use. That is an easy way to adapt the handles for smaller kids.

Walk. Walk. Walk. I did want to mention that the food cans can/will bend if they are stepped on sideways. I just bend them back into place the best I can and let the kids continue clanking around.

These were a hit at my kids' birthday party last year! (Kids under the age of 3 may have a hard time balancing on these. Use your judgement as to when kids are old enough to play with these.) The neighbors love to play with these toys.

Thanks for letting me share one of my kids' favorite activities. I hope to see you over at Someday Crafts.

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Flat Stanley - The Country Chic Cottage

Hello all!  I am Angie with The Country Chic Cottage!  Thanks so much for having me Megan!!  I am so excited to be here for this great summer event!

So, do you want your kids to learn a little bit about geography this summer?  And have fun doing it?  A friend of mine had a great idea and I want to share it with all of you!  Let me introduce you to...

Flat Stanley

Flat Stanley is a series of children's books.  Once your child reads the first one they will be hooked. 

First let's learn a little more about Stanley...

"Poor Stanley. He's a perfectly normal boy until one morning he wakes up flat. After his parents peel the incriminating bulletin board off of him, Stanley must adjust to life as a pancake. He is a boy who takes this kind of thing in stride, though, and soon he's enjoying the advantages of squashedness. Sliding under closed doors is fun, and it's gratifying to be of use to his mother when she drops her ring through a narrow metal grating. Expensive plane fare to California? No problem. Svelte Stanley folds comfortably into a brown paper envelope. There's even room left over in there for an egg-salad sandwich."

So how will Flat Stanley teach your kids about geography??  First print a Flat Stanley or two or even MORE!  The printable can be found here.  Let your kids color them and laminate them if you can.  Lamination will keep Stanley safe!  No laminator?  Sandwhich him in clear contact paper for the same effect. 

Cut Stanley out and print out a set of instructions.  The instructions are as follows:

Hello Friend, and thank you for agreeing to host my Flat Stanley. Stanley Lambchop is a storybook character who is painlessly flattened by a bulletin board. Being flat allows him to go on all sorts of exciting adventures. My Flat Stanley is very excited to go on an adventure with YOU!

This is what Stanley and I would like you to do:

• Take him with you when you go out in the next day or so.
• Snap a few digital photos of Stanley on his adventure with you, and e-mail them to my mom.
• Fill out the enclosed short questionnaire so I know what Stanley did with you.
• Return Stanley, the questionnaire, and this instruction card as soon as possible.

The printable questionaire can be found here.  Please send a self addressed stamped envelope with Stanley to make it easy!

 Then send your Flat Stanley on adventures around the globe...

When Flat Stanley returns to your home, you can mark on a map where his adventures have taken him.  Use the opportunity to learn more about the places Flat Stanley has been.  Plus you can take him out to eat for a well deserved meal after his long journey...

Make as many Flat Stanley's as you wish.  The more you have, the more places they can visit!

This is a fun way for kids to spend the summer learning! 

Where will your Stanley go?  You may be jealous when he gets back...

So get your Flat Stanleys ready for their adventures today!!  I must thank K for the idea and help -- she knows who she is! :)
Thanks once again Megan!  And y'all stop by the cottage sometime!  I would love to have ya!
~Angie~

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DIY Window Clings - Trendy Treehouse

Hi Everyone, my name is Tara from over at Trendy Treehouse. If you love photography, I host a great linky party on Tuesdays called Shutter Love. I also love hosting a party on Wednesdays that allows you to share your projects with all my readers! Not only do I have those fun parties, I also share with you recipes, fun DIY projects, crafts, reviews and giveaways. I hope when you visit, you love what you see and stay a while.

 I am so, so excited to be here today at The Brassy Apple sharing my fun project. Every summer I try to find a bunch of fun things for my kids to do and this year will be really fun. I have found a way to make our own window clings.

Look at all these cute designs I have. I bought these for the kids to paint and hang in the window a while back but then wanted to use them for more.

So here is what you will need...

Pre-made designs (they can even be something your kids have drawn)

Flexible Plastic Envelope

Puff Paints (All Colors)

First, start off by placing your design under the plastic sheeting. This flexible plastic is best for a finished product. I have tried to directly place the puff paints on the plastic designs, but they don't release well. So make sure you use the flexible plastic envelope or something like it.

Grab all the fabulous puff paints and let the kids pick out their favorite colors. I have a bunch. This picture only shows a handful. LOL I recommend primary colors, bright colors, black and white for highlighting and even glitters to give that extra sparkle.

Start adding your puff paint on top of the plastic as if you are coloring. Help the kids shake the paint towards the tip of the bottle before squeezing or they may squirt out and make a mess. When you're done, just slide out the design and set aside your creation to dry. Once dry, you can easily peel off and hang. Hang them on windows, mirrors, walls and more. 

TIP...as its drying you may notice some cracking and separation. There is an easy fix! Just take the matching puff paint color and fill in the cracks. Let dry completely.

Below are a few more examples of what we made. Use your imagination and you can make so many designs.

Below is a pic of one my son made a while back. He loves it and keeps it in his room on his road sign. I moved it to the window so you could see how well it sticks. Don't mind the dirty window. Oops! ;-)

Thanks again Megan for having me here today! I hope you all enjoyed this post and leave some great comments. Please stop by Trendy Treehouse to share too! I'd also love to see photos of your window clings! Have a great SUMMER!

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