Brand & Blog
Let’s face it. Not all of us enjoy the stress, strain and outright competitiveness of organised team sports. And some of us don’t really like the idea of exercise at all. *Puts hands up*
But there are still ways that we can be active – and have fun while we’re doing it. This post is going to look at activities which are both accessible and enjoyable. It’s all about getting out there and doing it.
The countdown is on and what more fun to get you in the mood for Christmas than arts and crafts with a six and three year old… hmmm just about anything else.
Each year, I undertake the eugh task of getting out the paint supplies and having them make something absolutely stunning. (Well they make something okay). It’s a tradition, and with every year there’s a new ornament to add or something to hang in the window. Our collection is growing.
I always thought I’d be a super arts and crafts mum. But turns out I’m not. Funny as I’m creative in my work life, but home life I just can’t hack it.
I think my biggest challenge is finding the space. We don’t have a very spacious house so one tiny bit of mess, suddenly becomes a huge mess.
I used to do the odd crafty activity with Lamb, but now Bear has come along I just don’t have the time. My wild child much prefers running around outside in the rain then sitting quietly with a paintbrush.
As you all know, we’ve battled with a ‘fussy eater’ for the majority of parenthood. Lambs eating issues became apparent when he was around 10 months old. He simply refused food unless it was crackers, breadsticks, toast or crisps. With the exception of some fruit and yoghurt.
Dealing with a fussy eater, in my opinion, is one of the most difficult things a parent can experience. Whether they are fussy due to health issues, or teething, or they have an eating disorder. Or maybe they’ve just decided they hate all food. Whatever the reason, watching your child go for days, or even weeks, without a proper meal is heartbreaking, and to be honest, bloody exhausting.
With a background in art & design you’d think I’d love to get creative and spend hours doing arts & crafts with Lamb. Well, if I’m honest I thought this would be the case for a long time. Until I actually tried doing arts & crafts with an infant/toddler. It sucks. I just don’t have the patience for it. I’m a perfectionist and when Lamb doesn’t listen to my instructions or ruins what I’ve worked hard at making, well, I get stressed. And I know I’m not alone!
However, there are some mums out there who are brilliant at arts & crafts with kids and I certainly envy them. I’ve always dreamed of spending hours with a glue stick and glitter, like I did with my mum.
Kelly, author and blogger over at Kelly Robinson-Key has kindly shared a little weather craft with us today with ‘how to make a weather wheel’.
These past few months we have seen some really wild weather all over the U.K. My partner and I have realised that in Wales we seem to have two seasons, Winter and Summer. It was snowing two weeks ago then last week I was getting burned just sitting in my garden.
I am trying to teach my three year old about the seasons and the different weather that we experience here. The best way to do this is by using a Weather Wheel.
Weather Wheels are very simple to make and are a great crafting activity for children to help with.
How To Make A Weather Wheel
What You Need:
Coloured Card
Paper Fasteners
Cotton Wool Balls
A Pen
A Glue Stick
Scissors
Kitchen Skewer
How To:
Use a round plate or a compass (I haven’t seen or used a compass since my school days but it would be useful here), to mark out your circle. Cut out your circle.
Cut three thin strips of card which are the length of the diameter of your circle. Glue these onto the circle card, so that there are 6 equal sized segments.
Next you need to cut out the shapes for the lightening, sunshine and the rain. Roll small balls using the cotton wool to create the snow. Stick these onto the card along with the cotton wool clouds. Use the pen to draw on the wind then label each weather type.
Once all of the pieces are glued down, you then need to pierce a hole into the centre of the circle. I did this using a kitchen skewer but if you have a compass you could use the sharp end to pierce the card.
You then need to cut out an arrow shape from the card and pierce a hole in the end. Align the hole in the arrow with the hole in weather wheel and pop the paper fastener through and fasten.
Stick the weather wheel to a window and then each morning get your child to check the weather and turn the arrow to the correct weather type.
Thank you so much to Kelly for sharing this great craft with me! This is such an easy but fun thing to do with your little ones and somehthing I’ll definitely do with Lamb. Especially as his favourite episode of Peppa Pig is ‘Thunder Storm’!
