How to make a pebble traffic game for your child

This game will be loved by all kids who love to play with cars. Nadia from HappyEmotions created this game for her 3 year old son. As she says, he can stay at it for a long time and loves to play it often. He is not always paying attention to the signs but just driving his cars on the roads.

Nadya is using pebbles for this game since children love them and they also keep their original shape and color. Another benefit of this game is nature awareness.

Please note, this game is for kids older than 3 years old due to small parts.

So to make this fascinating game you will need:

1. flat sea pebbles 1-1.5 inches in diameter

2. a set of acrylic paints

3. two thin synthetic brushes: slightly wider for painting and very thin for lining and lettering

4. acrylic varnish

5. soft wide brush for varnishing 

6. magnets

7. magnetic board

8. and chalk for the board

Don't get disheartened if you can't get magnets or the board - just draw the roads on a large sheet of card-stock.

How to:

 1. spread the pebbles out on a working surface 

2. paint the foundations with wider brush

3. when this layer of pint has dried, outline and paint details

4. when dry use wide brush to brush on varnish

5. glue on the magnets on the back with strong waterproof glue (I use epoxy) and leave to dry according to manufacturer's directions

6. on magnetic board or card-stock draw the roads as you please

The game is ready!

Tutorial by Nadia (HappyEmotions)
Translated by Nadia (crafts2love)

Paper dove DIY - make it with your kids!

Here is how to make a beautiful paper dove together with your children. These paper doves could be hanged on a branch and will make a lovely Easter or a Spring nature table decoration.

You will need :

1sheet of white cardboard or watercolor paper for the body

silk paper or calque for the wings

a pair of scissors or a cutter

beeswax crayon blocks or watercolors

1 needle

a piece of string/ thread (golden or silver color looks very nice)

You can leave the body of the dove white or paint the paper with color crayon blocks on both sides. Children will be happy to give you a hand with this. You could also use watercolors to paint the paper.

Cut out the shape of the dove as shown. With the help of the cutter or sharp scissors make a straight cut across about 1.6 inch long.

Fold over the edge of your A4 silk paper , then turn around and fold it again. Go on until all the paper is used as shown on the photo. This will be the bird's wings.

Pass them through the cut on the bird's body.

Bend and lift the wings unfolding them gently and joining the two together with a string.

Make a knot leaving the string long enough to hang the bird.

That's it! Your dove is ready.

Happy Spring!

By Masha (BertyandMasha)

Waldorf toys for children's development

Waldorf toys are traditionally made of only natural materials. They are handmade and that's why they are the most precious. They keep the warmth of the person who made them.

 

Today Masha (BertyandMasha) and Oksana (LaFiabaRussa) are talking about the traditional Waldorf approach to making children's toys and spring seasonal activities.

A child is learning and exploring the world around him through play. The first Waldorf toy for a baby would be a simple cloth doll with a round head and a soft body. There are no facial features to keep the imagination free but there are some details. Like a wooden ring and fists to chew on to comfort and soothe baby's growing teeth. 

This doll is designed for age up to 1 year old.

As the child grows, the dolls become more sophisticated. The head is sculptured and has facial features. The body has well formed limbs and the doll can now be dressed and undressed by small hands.

These bigger dolls are designed for children many years to come.

Wooden toys and toys made of wool or silk are also important for a child's development. They are simple open ended toys that give space to child's creativity and imagination. They are also indispensable in role playing games.

Natural Seasonal toys and activities will allow a child to joyfully live through the change of seasons and the natural rhythm of the year, which is considered essential in Waldorf pedagogy. 

 

Every season has it's own feasts, colors and attributes, usually something a child can bring back from a walk, a forest or a garden. It can be cones or acorns, stones or flowers, small branches and dry leaves.

 

A Spring nature table reflects all the changes that happen in Spring, the awakening of nature. 

So flower children, light and beautiful fairies, birds, tree branches and, of course, flowers will create a beautiful Spring nature table. 

Here you can also add some animals or spring gnomes. Don't forget about Easter, the most important feast associated with Spring!

 The creation of a nature table can be a lot of joy and fun, especially if done together with children.

This Sunday we'll show you how to make a beautiful paper dove - stay tuned!

By Masha (BertyandMasha) and Oksana (LaFiabaRussa)