More and more activity-based websites and online services are popping up for children and Fashion Playtes is a website that I really like the idea of.
Fashion Playtes lets your fashion-curious and crazed children design their own garments like tops, like tank tops, t-shirts, hoodies and dresses, online. There are 18 different apparel options and they are able to choose from a wide array of different fabrics, choose solid colors or patterns and can also decorate their clothes with flowers, ribbons, rhinestones and appliques. Your child can also create a full collection and you can even purchase the clothing from Fashion Playtes so your children and their friends can wear the designs.
Fashion Playtes’ website is very straight-forward and super easy to use and it’s a lot of fun. I played around with it for a little while and am a little sad to report to all of you that I even had a ball creating clothing–just look at the screenshot of the design I put together that is pictured above!
I am loving this website and also be sure to check out their blog, full of designs of the week, party ideas and educational website recommendations from the people behind Fashion Playtes.
During the last holiday season we were introduced to Miss Brittany’s Organic Fun Dough, an all-organic, non-toxic play dough substitute that proved (in my home) to keep kids busy for quite some time. Ever since, I’ve been keeping my eye on Miss Brittany’s for new organic craft supplies and ideas.
All of Miss Brittany’s products are completely earth friendly so you know the quality of products you’re going to receive. The Eco Collage Kit contains a variety of eco-friendly, recycled and recyclable collage items. Each and every item in the kit has been carefully sourced to make sure you’re getting what you think you’re getting when you purchase one of these kits–a fabulous, eco-friendly craft kit.
The Eco-Collage Kit includes:
- 100% recycled Kraft cardstock
- 100% recycled Kraft paper bags
- Multi-colored 100% recycled tissue paper “shred”
- “Green Glue” made from plants and all-natural ingredients
- 100% biodegradable natural wood shreds
- Eco-Grosgrain ribbon made from 100% recycled plastic bottles
- 100% recycled fiber ribbon made from 65% reclaimed cotton and 35% recycled plastic bottles
- 4 Eco-Tree colored pencils, crafted from real tree branches
- 100% Eco-Fi green craft felt
- Patterned and colored 100% recycled designer tissue paper
Miss Brittany’s Organic Preschool Fun Dough (deluxe set, $29.95) is an absolute must-have for young children. Every child has fond memories of spending hours creating pizzas, people and pies with Play-Doh, but Organic Fun Dough lets your kids create completely organically–even the packaging is made from recycled materials. It is made purely of simple ingredients including filtered water, organic flour, Mediterranean sea salt, organic canola oil, kosher cream of tartar, organic vitamin c and non-toxic USA-made watercolor. Although the recommended age for this product is 2 and up, I would definitely recommend this for kids who have hit the 12-month mark and on; even if your child has a fascination with tasting their toys, because Miss Brittany’s Organic Preschool Fun Dough is non-toxic and of course, made with completely organic ingredients, so it isn’t going to make your child sick or harm them in any way.
We received Miss Brittany’s Organic Preschool Fun Dough Deluxe Gift Set that included three different colors of fun dough, a kid-size wood rolling pin, four wooden shape stampers in the shapes of a leaf, star, heart and apple, and also a kid-size organic apron printed with the words ‘Organically Awesome!’ and it really is! I must admit that I got to playing with the Organic Fun Dough before the kids got a hold of it. I can explain those weird looks on your faces away because I did receive a note saying that the fun dough does have a tendency to be a little sticky at first; Miss Brittany recommends refrigerating the dough before use for a firm consistency, which is what I did so it wouldn’t be too sticky to mold with.
The kids had a great time playing with Miss Brittany’s Organic Fun Dough, it held their attention for far longer than most of the other toys we have for them here and while it was a little sticky when they were playing with it, they had a ball with it and also with commenting on its stickiness because sometimes, kids just like to get their hands a little messy and there’s nothing wrong with that!
Buy Miss Brittany’s Organic Preschool Fun Dough Deluxe Gift Set — $29.95
Enter SPOILME at checkout for 20% off your Organic Fun Dough purchase.
Valid November 23, 2009 – January 1, 2010
Safety is the biggest factor when buying arts and crafts supplies for your children; but parents are not double checking the ingredients used to make some of the biggest-selling supplies on the market. All natural, non-toxic, water-based supplies are definitely the route to go when purchasing new supplies for your kids to dive into (sometimes literally.)
Here are some safe supplies to opt for the next time you find yourself shopping for the supplies to let your little artist create their masterpieces.
Crayons
- Stockmar’s Beeswax Block Crayons ($29.95)
Stockmar crayons are made of non-toxic and sweet smelling beeswax. Long lasting and brilliant in color, they are a favorite for parents, children and schools. This set of 16 block crayons presents endless artistic possibilities. Place the crayon on one side and draw endless skies with a single swoop. Use the edge to print letters and numbers. Stockmar wax crayons meet the highest artistic standards. Through the addition of pure beeswax as a binding agent, the light-resistant pigments display their purity and full brilliance. Because they are mixed with wax, the colors are able to be used in a wide range of interesting coloring techniques – more than any other coloring material. The natural transparency of the wax and the lack of additives result in a high degree of opacity like that of watercolors.
- Artemis Plant Colored Pastel Crayons ($34.95)
These lovely high quality pastel crayons include soft tints of primary and secondary colors. Colors include carmine red, vermillion, orange, gold yellow, lemon yellow, pale green, blue, dark blue, lilac, purple. These beautiful crayons have been colored by natural plant extract from buckthorn berries, madder root, indigo plant, weld leaves, lac-dye, coreopsis flowers, and catechu acacia. The thick, chunky shaped crayon blocks provide stability when holding.
- Crayon Rocks Soy Crayons ($10.00)
Little hands can reach for these cool little coloring tools. The shape actually helps strengthen small hand muscles and gets ‘em ready for pencils and pens. Makes for wide, expressive strokes, too. Box contains 16 1″ crayons. Made of natural soy wax (non-toxic and good for the planet).
Finger Paint
- Speedball “Speedy Kids” Finger Paint ($26.00)
Exciting fun and entertainment for kids of all ages; 5 oz. squeeze tubes; washable. Absolutely non toxic! Bright fantastic colors! Cleans up easily with soap and water; normal laundering procedures remove stains from most fabrics. This set includes one each of all 9 “Speedy Kids” colors!
While you can buy non-toxic and eco-friendly finger paint, your best bet is to make it yourself. Here’s how:
You will need:
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup grated soap (choose your favorite plain organic soap bar)
1. Melt grated soap flakes into half cup of boiling water.
2. Add cornstarch.
3. Blend well and put aside. Allow mixture to thicken.
4. Divide into small containers and add coloring.
Natural colorings can be derived from the juice of frozen berries, beet juice, tea, onion skils (boiled) or other natural sources. You can store your fingerpaints in the refrigerator for about a week.
Thanks to The Green Mom Review for the recipe! (If you can call it a recipe.)
Modeling Clay
- Artemis Plant-Colored Modeling Beeswax ($85.00)
These high beeswax sheets include soft tints of primary and secondary colors. Colors include green, transparent, pink, brown, yellow, carmine, orange, dark blue. These beautiful beeswax sheets have been colored by natural plant extract from buckthorn berries, madder root, indigo plant, weld leaves, lac-dye, coreopsis flowers, and catechu acacia
Play Dough
- Eco-Dough ($22.00)
Eco-dough is an all natural alternative. It is made with plant, fruit and veggie extracts! No chemicals, artificial dyes or metals. The containers are made from cornstarch and 100% compostable. Also it doesn’t dry out like name brands. If it’s left out overnight just add a few drops of olive oil and it comes right back!
While Easter is certainly the time to fill baskets for our children with enough candy to put a grown person into a full sugar coma, a book or two, or some small toys or other festive items, it is also a great time to give our children the opportunity to get a little creative as well!
Here is an easy-to-do craft for young children that will definitely be taken out for years to come and used either as a knickknack to decorate an end table or coffee table or even an Easter dinner table centerpiece.
You will need:
- Paper cone cups or construction paper
- Additional construction paper in two colors
- Scissors
- White craft glue
- 2 wiggle eyes
- Craft paint or markers
1. If using cone cups, skip down to step number 2. If using construction paper, roll 2 pieces into cone shapes and glue or tape in place. Trim ends so that cones will stand freely on the table.
2. Take one cone and cut the pointed end off, about 2” from the tip.
3. Add some glue to the narrow end of the cone that you just cut. Insert the other cone; tip first, into the narrow end of the cut cone.
4. Cut two ears from construction paper, about 4” long. You may also cut two more narrow ears from another colored construction paper for the inner ear.
5. Glue the ears inside the top cone.
6. Cut a triangle nose and 6 thin strips for whiskers from construction paper.
7. Use wiggle eyes, nose, whiskers and a square of white paper for the teeth to decorate the rabbit’s face.
8. Cut a simple bow tie from construction paper and glue to the neck area, where the two cones meet.
9. Cut out a long oval (about 2.5” long) and cut it in half to create the bunny’s feet. Use marker or paint to add paw prints. Glue to the front of the bottom
cone.
10. Cut a strip of construction paper for the arms, long enough to go around the cones. Glue to the back of the bunny and wrap them around each other in the front and glue in place.
11. Cut an Easter egg shape from a piece of construction paper, decorate it with markers or paint if you like. Glue behind the arms so that it looks like your bunny is carrying it.
12. Fill top of head with Easter grass and some jelly beans or any other assorted small candies.
Given the economy, a lot of people are choosing to cut back on the amount they are willing to spend on Christmas gifts. A great deal of people have been talking about how this year, they are going to make their Christmas gifts, which I thought was a great idea and a great opportunity to show people how much they really mean to you this holiday season by giving them something you can’t necessarily throw a price tag on.
Here is an easy and fun craft perfect for children as well as adults who want to get a little crafty that is sure to be a hit.
These cute clay pot reindeer serve as a holiday for holiday treats, small gifts, cookies, candies and whatever else you can think of to stick in them. Let your creativity take over and have some fun!
You will need:
- Scissors
- Craft glue, glue stick or glue dots
- Terracotta clay pots; 2″-5″
- Plastic eyes
- Red pom-poms (glitter pom-poms are a fun addition!)
- Three shades of brown craft foam, cardstock paper or construction paper
1. With one shade of brown, cut the antlers to match the size of your pot. If you are making the larger reindeer, use a child’s handprint as pattern.
2. Cut the ears with the other brown. We used a lighter shade of brown to add yet another layer to the ears but that’s not necessary.
3. Attach the ears to the back of the pot and add the antlers.
4. Glue the eyes and nose the front.
5. Fill the pot with candy, nuts or other goodies. It’s that simple!
