I can build it...can you...

Grab some blocks...we have a bin of pattern blocks. Take turns building a shape or picture and then the other person has to try and copy it. We start using only 3 blocks and then do four and then once we have the hang of it we use whatever. Build away, talk about shapes, use your imagination. You can use any type of blocks or tinker toys.

Recycle your Crayons

My friend Sarah made these for her son's valentine's this year. What a creative mom! She said she used a silicon heart baking pan from Micheal's craft store. We are heading there today to get one....not sure if we will get hearts but so fun! What a great way to use up your old crayons. This is not her recipe below but one I found online. I will try it this week and put a different recipe if it doesn't turn out.

1. Gather up all of your broken crayons, and cut them into small pieces. (An adult will need to complete this step.)

2. Preheat the oven to 150 degrees.

3. Fill the muffin tin with an inch-thick layer of crayon pieces.

4. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until the wax is melted.

5. Allow the tin to cool; then pop out the crayons, and they're ready for use.

Tips:

1. If you don't have a muffin tin to devote to crayon making, you can line your regular muffin tin with foil cups.
2. Candy and soap making molds can also be used to create fun, shaped crayons.
3. Recycled crayons make a great no-cost gift or party favor.

What You Need:

* Broken crayons
* An old muffin tin
* A knife

I Love book

Have your child practice writing and reading. Talk about the two words I and LOVE. Then give them a magazine and have them cut out things they love. Then have them write the words I and LOVE on each page. They can READ this book!

They will practice: writing, reading, cutting, gluing....and so much more!

Valentine Graph

Give your child a small cup of candy hearts. Have him/ her count the different colors. Have him sort them, count them, read them (if they can), and graph them. Why not. Then talk about more and less. Could you even do a lessen on adding and subtracting. SURE THING!

Colored Garages

My friend Kimberly gave me this idea. Give your child this task....lay out different colored pieces of construction paper. Have him park his cars in the right garages. He can practice sorting by color. Then you can play car shop and shop for cars.