I am going to cut strips of the foam, glue them to the sticks and then write the color (in the same color) on the front or on a different stick.
Showing posts with label Busy Bags. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Busy Bags. Show all posts
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Color Matching
Here is my next Busy Bag:
I am going to cut strips of the foam, glue them to the sticks and then write the color (in the same color) on the front or on a different stick.
I am going to cut strips of the foam, glue them to the sticks and then write the color (in the same color) on the front or on a different stick.
Bead Sorting
Seventh Busy Bag complete:
I bought a bag of beads and color sorted them into different snack sized baggies. These can be used to string the beads, color sort or simply just to mix them all up and let them run through the fingers. Most of the colors had several different shades so you could teach that as well. Ryan's still to young for that lesson but that's a perfect example of how these can grow with your child.
I will probably try to find those small baggies at the craft store to see if they are more durable because Katie (8 months) was very fascinated by these and was pulling on the baggies and they seemed like they would tear. Obviously, these would be a choking hazard for her because the beads are small and every.thing goes in that mouth!!!
I bought a bag of beads and color sorted them into different snack sized baggies. These can be used to string the beads, color sort or simply just to mix them all up and let them run through the fingers. Most of the colors had several different shades so you could teach that as well. Ryan's still to young for that lesson but that's a perfect example of how these can grow with your child.
I will probably try to find those small baggies at the craft store to see if they are more durable because Katie (8 months) was very fascinated by these and was pulling on the baggies and they seemed like they would tear. Obviously, these would be a choking hazard for her because the beads are small and every.thing goes in that mouth!!!
"M"elmo Books
Sixth Busy Bag complete:
These little books contain lessons in themselves. For example, the bottom book is open to a page showing the difference between big and small.
My son loves to "read" so these will keep him occupied but there is also an opportunity for us to do this together, with him "reading" to me or me reading to him!
Green Bag - $1.00
Small Board Books - $1.00
Total Cost - $2.00
Magnetic Math
Fifth Busy Bag complete:
Right now we will use this for learning the numbers and counting but since it has the plus, minus, multiplication and division symbols, the possibilities are endless.
This can also be used initially for color sorting. These numbers are magnetic so I need to add something for the magnets to stick to but I haven't found anything yet. If anyone has some suggestions, please leave a comment!
Black Bag - $1.00
Magnetic Numbers - $1.00
Total Cost (for now) $2.00
Dice and Dots
Second Busy Bag complete:
As with the first one, all of these items came from the dollar store. Obviously, I went all blue but you don't have to! Here, you can roll the die and count out the dots or take dots away. There are 12 dots so it matches the die perfectly.
As with the first one, all of these items came from the dollar store. Obviously, I went all blue but you don't have to! Here, you can roll the die and count out the dots or take dots away. There are 12 dots so it matches the die perfectly.
Blue Bag - $1.00
Die - $1.00
Blue Dots - $0.25 (These come in 4 colors for $1.00)
Total Cost $2.25
"I Spy"
Fourth Busy Bag complete:
This one has 3 different magnifying glasses in it so you can either look at things under the different tools or share with someone and look together!
Right now I just have the tools in the bag so it will be up to Ryan to find the objects around the house or in the backyard to inspect. Eventually, I will probably add some cards with images or maybe even some rocks once I find some that I like and that I think work well.
UPDATE: My husband got really excited when he saw this one and said he needed these for reading. So I guess there's another use for this one!!
This one has 3 different magnifying glasses in it so you can either look at things under the different tools or share with someone and look together!
Right now I just have the tools in the bag so it will be up to Ryan to find the objects around the house or in the backyard to inspect. Eventually, I will probably add some cards with images or maybe even some rocks once I find some that I like and that I think work well.
UPDATE: My husband got really excited when he saw this one and said he needed these for reading. So I guess there's another use for this one!!
Green Bag - $1.00
Magnifying glasses - $1.00/$0.33 (I could also split these up and use one for this bag and the others for something else)
Total Cost $2.00/$1.33
Colored Blocks
Third Busy Bag complete:
As before, all of these items came from the dollar store. This one is good for color sorting and counting. You can also stack them. I'm sure Ryan will come up with even more ideas.
As before, all of these items came from the dollar store. This one is good for color sorting and counting. You can also stack them. I'm sure Ryan will come up with even more ideas.
Red Bag - $1.00
Colored Blocks - $1.00
Total Cost $2.00
Monday, February 20, 2012
Pom Poms + Container
First Busy Bag complete:
All of these items came from the dollar store. I like these bags because they have a clear front but are sturdier than a ziploc baggie. I cut a little hole in the top of the container that is big enough to push the pom poms through but small enough that it takes a little effort. For now, the goal will be just to fill it up, dump it out, repeat. But as my kids get older, this can be used for color sorting.
I've also seen some of these pom poms with magnets on them so maybe I'll try that for another bag. I haven't given this to Ryan yet so I'll update to let you know how he likes it!!
Black Bag - $1.00
Pom Poms - $1.00/$0.50 (I could also split these up and use half for this bag and half for another)
Pink Container - $0.33 (These are 3 for $1.00)
Total Cost $2.33/$1.83
All of these items came from the dollar store. I like these bags because they have a clear front but are sturdier than a ziploc baggie. I cut a little hole in the top of the container that is big enough to push the pom poms through but small enough that it takes a little effort. For now, the goal will be just to fill it up, dump it out, repeat. But as my kids get older, this can be used for color sorting.
I've also seen some of these pom poms with magnets on them so maybe I'll try that for another bag. I haven't given this to Ryan yet so I'll update to let you know how he likes it!!
Black Bag - $1.00
Pom Poms - $1.00/$0.50 (I could also split these up and use half for this bag and half for another)
Pink Container - $0.33 (These are 3 for $1.00)
Total Cost $2.33/$1.83
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Busy Bags
I am obsessed with Busy Bags. The idea is to have lots of little bags pre-packed with things that will entertain and educate the kids. They have them for all ages and some of them can transition as the kids get older. You can sign up to participate in an exchange where you make 10 - 20 of the same one and then you get one of each of the ones that other people in the exchange make. That's never going to happen for me so I'll just make 10 to 20 different ones for myself!!
You can either keep them in the car, take them when you go out or break them out when you want to keep the kids occupied while you do something around the house. They are also supposed to be cheap to make. Yes, please!!
I went to the dollar store in Casa Linda today and bought everything you see:
(or don't see since the picture is a little too far away)...Most of the things are for Busy Bags that I will spend the next few days putting together. A few things are for now - like the shovel, rake, fairy wings and the hoola-hoop! Katie really liked the hoola hoop. It has something inside of it so it actually rattles when she shakes it. She also was attracted to the little pom pom balls in the lower left hand corner. She scooped a couple in her hands and shoved them in her mouth - so those have had to be put away.
I got bags that have a clear front so that it's easy to see what's inside. A lot of people use zip lock bags but these are sturdier. On some of the things that I knew we would lose, I bought multiples and put the extra away for when we need them. There are things for counting, color sorting, building fine motor skills, drawing, bubble wrap for popping or making noise. It will be fun to see which ones both kids like, how they use them differently and whether it actually keeps them entertained.
Have any of you ever made Busy Bags? If so, which ones did you really like?
You can either keep them in the car, take them when you go out or break them out when you want to keep the kids occupied while you do something around the house. They are also supposed to be cheap to make. Yes, please!!
I went to the dollar store in Casa Linda today and bought everything you see:
(or don't see since the picture is a little too far away)...Most of the things are for Busy Bags that I will spend the next few days putting together. A few things are for now - like the shovel, rake, fairy wings and the hoola-hoop! Katie really liked the hoola hoop. It has something inside of it so it actually rattles when she shakes it. She also was attracted to the little pom pom balls in the lower left hand corner. She scooped a couple in her hands and shoved them in her mouth - so those have had to be put away.
I got bags that have a clear front so that it's easy to see what's inside. A lot of people use zip lock bags but these are sturdier. On some of the things that I knew we would lose, I bought multiples and put the extra away for when we need them. There are things for counting, color sorting, building fine motor skills, drawing, bubble wrap for popping or making noise. It will be fun to see which ones both kids like, how they use them differently and whether it actually keeps them entertained.
Have any of you ever made Busy Bags? If so, which ones did you really like?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)