DIY Projects

DIY Monster Tooth Pillow


I was looking online and came across this fun DIY project for a Monster Pillow.  This is such a great idea to make when your child looses his teeth and the toothfairy comes.  Instead of putting their teeth under their pillow, they put it in this monster pillow and the toothfairy will take it and put money in the mouth!  I have heard from many parents that the toothfairy easily wakes kids trying to get a tooth from under their pillow or sometimes doesn't even know it's there.  I think it would be a good idea to add some string to the top and have your kids hang it on their door.  That way the toothfairy won't wake them and she will always know when a tooth is lost!  My kids still aren't old enough to loose their teeth, but I think this is a craft I will be doing in the near future anyways.

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Turn any surface into a Magnetic Chalkboard

I recently turned a bare wall in our living room into a magnetic chalkboard.  The wall is an odd shape as it is the side to our staircase and we hadn't figured out what to do with it in the 3 years we have been in our house.  I am always looking for activities for my kids to do and my oldest son Hunter (2yrs old) has taken an interest in colouring lately.  

Step1-  Wash the walls surface area where you want to paint
Step 2- Apply the magnetic paint to the wall and let dry over night (repeat the next day for the second coat)
Step 3- Apply the chalkboard paint over the magnetic paint and let dry over night (repeat the next day for the second coat)
Step 4- Put up a border around the chalkboard area (you don't have to do this but I like the way it looks.  If you don't want a border I suggest you tape off the area before you paint for a cleaner look)
Step 5- Put up magnets and write on it with chalk!

I also like to use the chalkboard paint on containers to label thing in my kitchen!  You can use either paint anywhere in your house.... it's not just for kids!


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Homemade Playdough



I am always looking for ways to help my kids create, have fun and learn all at the same time.  A fun inexpensive activity to do inside the house is make your own playdough!  I have a few different recipes that I have used in my classroom and I have recently been trying them at home with my oldest son. Here are some of my favorite homemade playdough recipes! 
* for an added aroma touch add some vanilla extract and add food colouring to customize your shades!

1.Close to the real stuff playdough

Ingredients:1 cup flour
1 cup water
1 tablespoon oil
1/2 cup salt
any colour of food colouring
  • Mix all dry ingredients together
  • Add the oil and water
  • Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until reaching the consistency of mashed potatoes. 
  • Remove from heat  and food coloring
  • Divide into balls and work in color by kneading the playdough

2. No Cook/No Fuss Playdough Recipe

Ingredients:
1 cup of flour
1 cup of boiling water
2 tablespoons of cream of tartar
a half cup of salt
1 tablespoon of oil


  • Simply mix all the ingredients together. Be careful as it can be quite hot!
  • Divide into balls and work in color by kneading the playdough

3. Nutty Butter Playdough

*This is not a recipe for anyone with Nut Allergies

Ingredients:1 cup peanut butter
1 cup powdered milk
1 cup honey
1 cup oatmeal

  • Mix together and play 

4. Rubbery Playdough

Ingredients:
2 cups baking soda
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup cornstarch

  • Mix with a fork until smooth. 
  • Boil over medium heat until thick. 
  • Spoon onto plate or wax paper.