Things to thrill Sylvie (Part 2 of 2)

Or, as promised, more excellent children’s holiday activities inspired by Pinterest

I love that Sylvie has included the cute gap in her bottom teeth in her drawing!

Here are 3 more ideas inspired by my Pinterest board, Things to thrill Sylvie.  Take a look at Part 1 of this blog to read about why I think Pinterest is a wonderful resource for children and if you haven't already had a look, why Pinterest is a modern wonder, that you need to treat yourself to.

Click here to go to the Pinterest board "Things to thrill Sylvie'

Send someone a hug

I love this idea, such a sweet sentiment and so simple to facilitate for your child.

Source: supermommoments.com via Lara Jane on Pinterest

Next time you visit Ikea, make sure you pick up a Mala paper roll (or two).

So useful, Ikea's paper rolls.

You can find them in the children’s section at Ikea.  Those of us who annually have a quick browse through the newly released Ikea catalogue will be familiar with this Ikea staple item, but may have overlooked its’ usefulness.  The paper is quite strong and smooth and has a good key for drawing and is thick enough to absorb paint without disintegrating before drying.  It’s good to cut up for papier mache and is strong enough to make good folded paper hats that are able to withstand a few hours of play.

To help out with the “hug”, I’ll trace Sylvie’s body outline (with outstretched arms) and ask her to illustrate the interior so it resembles her.

I've used a pencil to trace out Sylvie's outline.

We’ll roll it up and mail it in a cardboard roll with a note explaining it’s a special “hug”.  Good for relatives and loved ones who live or work far away.  You could go as far as videoing your child colouring in the shape and emailing the hug recipient with the video attached, explaining that:
‘a “hug” is in the mail on its’ way to you, you’ll have it soon so keep an eye out for the postman!’

Sylvie's favourite jumper, her box of pastels and her completed self portrait or 'hug'.

The other brilliant thing about the paper roll is…

Paper roll drawings.

Sylvie is positively mad for them and has drawn city scapes; scenes from the zoo, underwater scenes and, in her latest paper roll drawings, a whole series of dinosaur species.

At 4 metres long, it is difficult to photograph!  Here it is stretched out on the deck outside.

You will need:

Ikea roll of paper

Masking tape

I recommend pastels to draw with for younger children

Method:

Find a spot in your house where the flooring is a hard, flat surface with a reasonable amount of space.  Tape the two corners of the paper to the floor or use a heavy book to hold down the edge.  Roll out the paper to the length desired and… ready, set, go…. draw!

Smaller children delight in lying on the paper whilst you draw their body’s outline.  They leap up happily to see ‘how big they are’.  You can then ask them to draw their clothes and faces, works a treat every time.

And if you haven't don’t forget for more drawing fun to have a look at my post:

Click here to go to 'The split image drawing challenge'

Papier mache hot air balloon

Sylvie's hot air balloon, complete with Mr Mouse as passenger.

Blow up a balloon, papier mache one layer, let dry, add a cut off end of a toilet paper roll to the lower end of the balloon with a little masking tape, and cover the balloon in a second layer of papier mache.  Let dry.  Give the balloon a third layer of papier mache if you judge it is required.  Let dry.

Paint the entire balloon white and let dry.

Let your child go wild decorating the balloon.  You might want to Google ‘hot air balloons’ for some decorating inspiration to help your child decide how they want to paint their balloon.

Grab your hot glue gun and some kitchen twine.  Two long lengths of twine (and one extra length for hanging tied in the centre) glued at the top of the balloon and then strung down to secure any old container to form the hot air balloon’s basket.  Find a special toy and take it for a hot air balloon ride!

PS.  After play, looks charming hung near a window.

Source: mintedcondition.com via Lara Jane on Pinterest

Googly eyes alien mask

The googly eyes alien mask with scary black mouth.

As an adult, I can’t ascertain the allure of the googly eye, but I know children find them highly amusing.  Is it the gentle rattle they make?  Is it the simple representation of an eyeball?  Is it the plain bold black and white graphic element? 

The Things to thrill Sylvie Pinterest board features a number of googly eye projects, that have literally, caught Sylvie’s eye.

Source: create-share-inspire.blogspot.com via Lara Jane on Pinterest

A googly eye alien mask is my twist on the googly eye picture frame from Pinterest and one that I know will be a winner for Sylvie.  Yes, it defines silly, but I think that is part of the appeal.

Ask your child to draw a crazy alien mask shape on the back of some metallic card (even found in most newsagencies) and cut out the shape.  You can add coloured paper glued on the back to fill in large cut out areas (in this case, the mouth).  (Sylvie settled for black in the end).

Googly eyes can be found at 'Spotlight' stores in Australia.

Use a brush to dob on a small glob of PVA glue and then add a googly eye and keep going.  This can be in a random fashion, or going from small to large, it’s up to the child.  The glue needs to dry completely before making holes on either side and adding elastic. Silly googly eyes mask games will then begin.  Guaranteed.

Happy school holidays!

The googly alien mask with pink jaws.