My bugs really enjoyed making these life-sized skeletons, using their own bodies as the outlines. Not only do the skeletons look ghoulishly fantastic hanging on the door and in the windows, but it is was also a great way for them to learn about some of the different bones in their body!
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Have you read any books by Rebecca and Ed Emberley? Chances are, you have. They are a father daughter team who have created some pretty fantastic books. Their surprise twists on old classics, as well as their unique artwork, set their books apart. My kids really enjoyed the book Go Away, Big Green Monster! so I made some feltboard pieces for them to retell the story, which you can check out here. We recently read and acted out the book If You’re A Monster And You Know It ; it was a hit with my five and two-year-old. Like most of the Emberley books, the illustrations consist of vibrant paper die-cuts, which were the inspiration behind this project!
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Hallowe’en is almost here, and what better way to get into the spirit than to concoct some colourful, frothy, magic potions!
My bugs really enjoy MineCraft and the Harry Potter series, so this was definitely an activity I knew they would both love. Besides, what kid can resist the allure of experimenting and creating messy, bubbling, erupting, potions?! I even managed to get them to do some writing (disguised as fun, of course).
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Fall is such a beautiful time of year: the crisp, cool air; pumpkins swelling on serpentine vines; the moon, luminous and full; and, of course, the patchwork of colourful leaves blanketing the ground. 
Yes, fall is definitely my favourite time of year! I’m pretty sure my bugs love it too, judging by how many times we had to stop on our way home from the bus stop in order to inspect and collect leaves. When we got home, my bugs didn’t want to part with their leaf collections, so we brought them inside and put them in a bowl on the table.
The next day I read the books Leaf Man, and Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf, by Lois Ehlert aloud to them. I displayed the books on the table, along with the leaves they had collected, and set out some other fall inspired materials as well. I didn’t give my bugs any instructions, I just invited them to explore and create. The result? Lots of lovely and unique artwork, some discoveries in colour mixing and matching, and an hour filled with inquiring minds and busy hands.
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Have you, or your kids, joined in on the Pokémon Go! craze?! If you are skeptical, I can tell you first hand how fun and interactive it is to play as a family. My kids are super excited to run errands with me, and to explore new places around our city. It’s a great way to get some exercise, while also reaping the benefits of being outside by soaking up vitamin D and enjoying the fresh air.
Last week, we were hit with some pretty persistent thunderstorms, so we were pretty much confined to being indoors. Being stuck inside with three active kids, ranging in ages 2-6, can get pretty hairy, so it’s always good to have some tricks up your sleeve! I figured since they were so into Pokémon right now, they would really enjoy creating their own Pokéballs; luckily I was right. Not only did they have a fun time creating them, but they’ve also incorporated them into their daily imaginative play as well. 
These DIY Pokéballs are cheap and easy to make; they would be perfect for a Pokémon theme party, accessories for a Pokémon trainer Hallowe’en costume, or for every day pretend play.
Here’s how to make some Pokéballs of your own!
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