Under The Sea Inspiration: Costumes and Crafts For A Birthday Party

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The time has come around again to start planning your little one’s birthday party. It seems to come round quicker and quicker every year; no matter how prepared you think you are you always seem stuck for inspiration for their special celebration. Hosting an enjoyable party for your kids has always been a hugely important tradition for you, so it is time to explore life under the sea. Choose this magical theme for your child’s next party and you are sure to have a sensationally splashing time. Use your creative flair to pull together costumes, food and decorations which will make their perfect day come true.

Magical Mermaids

Making your own costumes is one of the most thrilling parts of organizing a themed party, especially if you get your little one involved. Ask them for ideas and get a feel for what they want to wear for their magical party. A mermaid would be a perfect option for an under the sea party and this mermaid sequin fabric would be the ideal way to begin your creation. Look online for more inspiration on making your own costumes and you will find a whole load of handy hints there too.

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Dazzling Deep Sea Decor

Once you have a good idea for a costume then it’s time to get started on the decorations. Your local party store will have a tonne of fun decorative items which will make your party venue pop. Try and look for textured blues, greens and turquoises to tie the theme in beautifully. You could even have a go at making your own under the sea decorations with your children. This could also be a fun activity to do during the party!

Fabulous Fishy Food

Food is obviously a hugely important part of a birthday party and themed snacks are even more fun. Get your creative chef’s hat on and think of some cool under the theme ideas which could go hand in hand with your food. Imagine things like, green jellyfish jello and octopus cookies the options are endless!

Crabs, Coral and Cakes

The birthday cake is another really important aspect of the party so ask your little one what they’d love to see. Instead of outsourcing the baking duties to a caterer, why not try making it yourself? Take inspiration from the nature around you if you need some guidance. From sand castles to sea lions you could truly make your under the sea cake completely unique.

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Hosting a party doesn’t need to be a huge expense to you and your family. Throwing a themed party such as this means that you have the creative control to go as big or small as you prefer. Depending on where you host the party will also depend on the types of decorations you want to make, so it is all about your personal tastes. Most of all, enjoy putting together your under the sea party. You want to create happy, fond memories which are going to last a lifetime for your little one.

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7 Reasons Kids Love Origami

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Craft is always a hit with children. Therefore, if you are a parent or teacher and want to add something new to the schedule then consider getting some supplies, learning some crafts, and then teaching them to the kids. They are likely to love it, and the reasons below will tell you why.

The Sense Of Accomplishment

Some arts and crafts are hard work and children will have to put in the effort to accomplish the correct outcome. Of course, upon doing so, they will be granted a real sense of accomplishment. This feeling will help motivate them to take on further projects. Setting a project that has a net result will also help children feel empowered. Being able to take a few objects abd turn it into something personal, original, and special to them will give them a sense of pride and achievement.

Problem-solving

Ever notice how kids love doing puzzle books and similar activities? Solving problems is inherently rewarding, which is why kids get such pleasure out of certain crafts. There is an element of challenge involved. Being able to work out the next step in a set of instructions takes focus, and will fully engage the child’s mind.

Teamwork

Activities that encourage cooperation are always more enjoyable. Children often need to help each other complete more complicated craft activities. This teamwork element helps develop bonds between kids, as well as the teacher/parents present.

Fun Designs

What kid doesn’t love designing a piece of art, or craft, around their favorite animal? The same hold tries for a variety of other designs. The main part of the kid’s fun is seeing their creation slowly come to life throughout the series of steps. Getting inspiration for various designs and patterns can make a craft session just a little more organised. For more craft ideas about origami in particular, a fun, and easy craft to set up, check out Origami Way.

Crafts Don’t have to Be A Kids’ Activity

Kids often want to copy adults and do the kinds of activities that they do. Some art or craft doesn’t necessarily feel like a typical children’s activity to them due to the effort involved. Depending on what activity it is, even adults may find parts difficult. For this reason, children may feel like they are venturing into the adult realm.

Decorating At The End

Once the hard work is done regarding the craft you chose, the fun begins. Children love to decorate their finished craft. Whatever they plan to add, it is a decision they can make themselves, to make their craft personal to them.

It Offers A Break From The Normal Routine

Kids get bored with the same old activities and schedule, and having a crafts session is a great way to relieve the monotony. If a craft is being done at school, then the kids will have something physical that they can take home and show their parents. It can also serve as a decoration for their bedroom.

There are many benefits of spending some time with your kids on an arts and crafts project. Next time you are stuck for an activity to do, consider trying something new and getting creative.

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How to Spice up Your Kids’ Birthday Party

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Throwing a birthday party for the young ones is never easy, especially if they’re just a few years old. Preparations are stressful enough by themselves, but then you also have to host the whole thing and take care of the clean-up afterwards too! Making sure everything’s perfect can be extremely rewarding in the end though, and seeing that smile on everyone’s face is a reward every parent can appreciate.

There are various ways to spice things up at the next birthday in your household, and going the extra mile to show your appreciation can really pay off in terms of building up trust and love.

Location, Location, Location!

Hosting the party out of your home can work very well in many aspects. It spices things up nicely for your kids and everyone attending, and it will make the event a very memorable one if you pick the right spot. Some places can even assist you in holding a more special party with a unique theme, but more on that below.

Another benefit that parents sometimes forget is that you won’t be responsible for the pre- and post-party arrangements, and you’ll be able to focus on the event itself. It can certainly be very nice to have someone taking care of the clean-up for you for once!

Order a Custom Cake

You don’t have to be a baking master to come up with something that looks nice and will have every kid in the room drooling. Working with a site like allcakeprices.com can make it very easy to get in touch with the right bakery and turn your ideas into reality. You’d be surprised how simple it can be to explain a design that seems complicated in your head when working with a team of professionals, and the final result will be well worth the price once it enters the room.

Coming up with an interesting theme for the cake is often not that hard, especially if you pay attention to what shows your kids are watching, what games they’re playing and so on. Many elements of popular media can be transformed into amazing cake pieces with not too much effort, and various bakeries can turn even your wildest dreams into reality. Just make sure you compare prices and services adequately in advance, and you’re good to go.

Have a Themed Party!

Many kids dream of a birthday party in a special theme, and even if yours haven’t said anything about that yet, this doesn’t mean they’re not actively thinking about it. It can’t hurt to ask – or prompt them in other ways, you should know them best – and if you manage to hit the right spot, it can make all the difference in the excitement factor of the party.

Combined with the right location as we described above, this can ensure the experience is smooth for you, and unforgettable for your kids. And when you also have a nice cake prepared to top the event off, there’s nothing that can really go wrong.

 

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FREE CARS 3 Printable Activity Sheets

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Cars3584862619cd5cCars 3 is opening in theaters this Friday, June 16th. I can’t wait! Here are some fun, FREE printable activity sheets for your little ones to enjoy.

Click on each thumbnail for full version:

corn fritter board game

memory race

race course

race maze

spot the difference

cars 3

Like CARS on Facebook
Follow CARS on Twitter
Follow CARS on Instagram
Subscribe to the Disney/Pixar YouTube channel
Visit the official CARS 3 website

CARS 3 races into theatres everywhere on June 16th!

cars3 picture

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Digital Media Academy Camp Registration Now Open! Save Up to $250

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It seems like summer was just yesterday but the truth is, it’s almost November and next summer will be here before you know it. It’s never to soon to start planning for next summer. Digital Media Academy is celebrating their shiny new website and an exciting new summer camp lineup with deep discounts on all of our course offerings now through November 4th!

Save up to $250 during the Launch Sale and discover exciting new summer camps and courses for your kid or teen ages 6-17. Since 2002, Digital Media Academy has set out to be the thought-leader in tech education for kids, teens and adults at prestigious universities across the U.S. and Canada.

In addition to summer camp programs, DMA offers year-round learning via DMA Online and powers tech ed programs through its curriculum licensing program around the globe. DMA instructors and curriculum developers include industry professionals and outstanding technology educators, with a driving passion for inspiring, teaching, and mentoring.

What will you create this summer? Don’t wait – the Launch Sale ends November 4, 2016!

Balanced Experience

DMA camps offer more than sitting in front of a screen all day. The DMA learning experience strikes a balance between tech time and social time; sending our campers home with new tech skills and confidence and new friends.

Top-Notch Staff

The DMA staff is an impressive group of industry professionals and tech educators who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and experience. Small staff to student ratios keep learning personalized and ensures that no one gets left behind.

Project-Based

Students learn by getting hands on and collaborative in search of solutions to relative, real world problems. Infused with design-thinking methodology, our courses teach students to lead with empathy, test and retest through prototyping, and work as a team to get results.

Safety Matters

Your child’s safety is DMA’s top priority. All DMA staff are trained and certified in CPR and First Aid. Our security procedures ensure that our students are safe on campus, in the classroom, and online so that you don’t ever have to worry.

Learn more here:


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FREE Printable Disney’s The BFG Activities and Coloring Pages

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image002 (3)Disney’s The BFG is in theaters this Friday, July 1st. Click the image below to grab free printable The BFG coloring pages, printable activities, and more!
the bfg coloring pages

BFG Maze
And here is a featurette about the film with Director Steven Spielberg talking about what attracted him to direct Roald Dahl’s classic book:


Make sure to also check out THE BFG Dream Sweepstakes to enter for a chance to win a trip for four to England & France from Adventures by Disney!

Enter on Facebook

*To enter the sweepstakes on Facebook, fans need to leave a comment in the post sharing their dreams.

Enter on Twitter

*To enter the sweepstakes on Twitter, fans need to comment in the post with #TheBFGDreamSweepstakes

image006 (2)Like THE BFG on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebfgmovie 

Follow Walt Disney Studios on Instagram: https://instagram.com/disneystudios

Follow Walt Disney Studios on Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneystudios

THE BFG hits theaters everywhere on July 1st!


 

 

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Sofia The First – The Secret Library FREE Printable Activities

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Sofia the First The Secret Library cames to DVD today! Grab your copy now and check out the fun, free activities below:

Download Sofia The First - The Secret Library Activities

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How to Get Children Into Computing from a Young Age

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daniella computerKids love technology, and if you’ve got children you’ll probably be sick of them always being glued to a laptop, tablet or a smartphone – more often than not playing games. However, an interest in technology from a young age doesn’t always have to be a bad thing, as let’s face it – the world today is centered around computing and technology, and the more computer-literate and confident with computing that you child is, the better a chance they will have at landing decent jobs when they’re older. If your child loves technology and you’d like to get them to channel that interest by learning how to code and more about the technical side of technology, here’s a few ideas.

Child-Friendly Coding Programs

There are a number of coding websites designed specifically for kids, and they have a child friendly interface that will encourage your child to visit the site in order to learn. Made With Code by Google was specifically designed to encourage more girls to get into coding and has a number of different coding projects for any level and ability that are quite easy to follow. If your child has never had any sort of coding experience before there’s no need to worry – project levels range from complete beginner to intermediate to advanced so that your child can progress as they learn.

Code.org

Launched in 2013 to help more schools to include wider access to computer science teaching and also to enable underrepresented and minority students to learn how to code, code.org is not only a site that is an advocate for computer science and coding, it’s also a great place for your kids to explore and learn as well. Much like Made With Code, code.org has a number of different lessons and tutorials that budding coders of all ages and abilities can follow, and it’s not just coding that they focus on with lessons and tutorials included for all aspects of computer science – it could inspire them to be the next Aubrey Chernick!

Code-Inspiring Games

If your child doesn’t seem too happy about sitting through online lessons and tutorials, there are a number of different apps and games that they can play on and have fun whilst also learning the basics of coding. Kodable is one such game which scaffolds programming skills in order to help young children learn how to code. It’s designed for kids aged 5-8, and is free – or $7 if you’d like to upgrade to the pro version. It is designed to run on the iOS operating system which is great if you’ve got an iPhone or an iPad. For those who don’t use iOS operated devices, Robozzle is also a great game aimed at kids 6+ and even adults that will work on Android and Windows devices, and can even be played on a web browser using a laptop or PC.

Do you have a child who’s into computer science and coding? Which sites, apps or games was it that inspired them to learn more and sparked their interest? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.

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Fused Glass Art Classes for Kids in Boca Raton at BANG Glass

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11143343_808900262541772_7611047412153163383_o (1)Last week my girls had the opportunity to take a class and create their own fused glass masterpieces at BANG Glass, a new fused glass art studio in Boca Raton, FL.  BANG Glass classes are taught by BANG Glass designer and instructor, Scott Avidon, a graduate of Pratt Institute with more than 15 years of experience in the industry working with such brands as Steuben, Bvlgari, Waterford, Kenneth Cole and Versace.  That’s A LOT of experience so he knows what he’s talking about.  My girls loved learning all about fused glass making from Scott.  20150728_102235 (1024x576)He showed the class examples of things he had made as well as examples made by other children.  20150728_102253 (1024x576)We all toured his studio where we learned how glass is broken, polished with a special machine, and also how it is melted in a kiln.  20150728_103309 (1024x576)The kids were all fascinated and asked Scott lots of questions.

I had always been afraid of my girls doing fused glass art because was worried that they would get burned.  That was probably not the best assumption on my part.  I guess I had always pictured it being something like the glass artists that make the glass figures at Disney and I thought there was flame involved.   You know what they say about assuming……so I want to make sure other parents knew exactly what this fun art style involves.  The kids get no where near the hot glass.  To create the fused glass art the children are given a piece of glass to use as their “canvas” and a bunch of different pieces of glass to create their design with.  20150728_110650 (576x1024)The kids can design their artwork on paper first or just play around right on the piece of glass.

20150728_110717 (576x1024)Once they decide how they want their design to look they use special glue gel to place the small pieces of glass where they will be.  20150728_113601 (576x1024) (2)After the pieces are finished and the children leave, Scott puts the pieces in the kiln, does his magic, and the pieces are ready for to be picked up a few days later.

Here’s what the pieces looked like before they were put in the kiln.

And here’s the final results-

My kids loved it and are begging to go back!  Are you looking for a unique activity for the kids before school starts?  BANG Glass is offering classes for children ages 8 and up on August 4, 6, 11 & 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. BANG Glass art studio and showroom located at 2600 N.W. 1st Avenue in Boca Raton.

The cost is $35 per child, per class and includes up to two completed projects that will be ready for pick up in a week’s time.  Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.   Space is limited so reserve your space, call 561-430-5179 or email scott@bangglass.com.

bang glass2Adults can get in on the action, too!  BANG glass offers three-hour classes for adults for $65 throughout the week for beginners as well as professional artists, where you can create a project such as a custom glass tray or bowl.  I can’t wait to make something myself, too!

bang glassBANG Glass also produces custom fused glass dinnerware, bars, tables, sinks wall panels and lighting fixtures.  Scott does some amazing work so if you are looking for some fused glass for your home or office, check it it out.  For more information and class schedule, visit www.bangglass.com.

Disclosure- We received a free class to facilitate our review but all opinions are 100% our own.

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Back to School Fashion for the Little Rock Star in Your Life

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jacket

Check out Back to School Fashion for the Little Rock Star in Your Life

by ThisIsCori at Mode

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