The Coraline doll is based on the character from the book and movie of the same name. The story follows Coraline, a curious young girl who discovers a secret door in her new house. The door leads to an alternate world, which at first seems perfect but later proves to be dangerous. The story is full of suspense, adventure, and mystery, making it a favorite among children and adults alike.
The Coraline doll is a beautiful representation of the character. It features her iconic blue hair and yellow raincoat. The doll is made with high-quality materials and has movable arms and legs, making it perfect for imaginative play. It's also a great addition to any collector's collection.
There are plenty of fun activities that kids can do to explore the world of Coraline. Here are a few ideas:
Read the Book: The Coraline book is a great read for kids of all ages. It's a perfect way to introduce them to the story and get their imaginations going.
Watch the Movie: The Coraline movie is a fantastic adaptation of the book. It's visually stunning and captures the essence of the story perfectly.
Create a Coraline World: Kids can use their imaginations to create a world similar to Coraline's alternate world. They can use dolls, toys, and other materials to bring the world to life.
Draw and Color: Kids can draw and color pictures of Coraline and her adventures. This is a great way to stimulate creativity and imagination.
Benefits of Imaginative Play
Playing with dolls, like the Coraline doll, has numerous benefits for kids. Here are just a few:
Improves Creativity: Playing with dolls allows kids to use their imaginations and come up with their own stories and scenarios. This helps improve their creativity and problem-solving skills.
Develops Social Skills: Playing with dolls can help kids develop social skills by allowing them to practice empathy and communication.
Boosts Confidence: Playing with dolls can help boost kids' confidence and self-esteem by allowing them to take control of the story and characters.
In conclusion, the Coraline doll is a fantastic addition to any child's toy collection. It offers endless possibilities for imaginative play and encourages creativity and problem-solving skills. So, why not step into the magical world of Coraline today and see where your imagination takes you?
Host a tea party or picnic with your black doll and other dolls from different backgrounds. Use this opportunity to teach children about different cultures and traditions.
Take your black doll on a field trip to a museum or cultural center. Use this opportunity to learn more about African American history and culture.
At Lottie Dolls, we are proud to offer a range of black dolls that celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity. Our dolls are designed to inspire creativity, imagination, and exploration in kids of all backgrounds. By embracing diversity in playtime, we can help create a more accepting and tolerant world for future generations.
You don’t need fancy agility equipment or an elaborate neighborhood dog park to practice basic agility drills. Depending on your dog’s size and abilities, you’ll want to tailor the obstacles to meet their needs. Here are some common examples of agility obstacles you may see in a competition:
If you’re just doing agility for backyard fun, you only need to make sure your obstacles are safe and comfortable for your dog. To create jumps, simply prop a broomstick between two items to create an elevated surface. You can practice hoop jumping by simply holding a hula hoop by yourself, or by propping it up on a stable surface.
If you’re interested in learning more about dog agility or other training dog games, the American Kennel Club has a ton of resources (like this article here).
If you’re blessed with a breed with a good sniffer and ample space to play, hide and seek can be thrilling for both the seeker and the finder. At first, try hiding in easier locations, and make the game more challenging as your dog gets better at sniffing you out. This game may work best with another pair of hands, but if you’re alone, turn it into a treasure hunt instead! Hide their favorite treat while they’re not looking and see how long it takes them to find it. Just remember to help them out so you don’t end up with long-lost hotdogs beneath the bed.
Even though it’s a classic game to play with your dogs, sometimes we forget about the easy things! If fetch doesn’t come naturally to your dog, that’s okay. Here are some simple steps to begin turning Fido into the retriever of your dreams:
The Basics
Supplies needed: ball, frisbee, or other fetchable item. If your dog doesn’t seem interested in anything tough on the teeth, try a stuffy or plush instead. And don’t forget the treats!
For a more detailed breakdown of these steps, check out this resource from the AKC.
Walking is a great way for humans and dogs to get physical exercise (essential for good dog health care), but your dog can get so much more out of a leisurely stroll if he’s allowed to fully utilize his sniffer. The main idea behind a scent walk is pretty basic – take Fluffy for a regular walk around the block, but let her lead the way! She shouldn’t be pulling you off your feet, but give her some freedom to decide where her nose takes you.
Try taking your dog to new locations with new smells and sights, and see what they like to sniff the most! A scent walk often provides more mental stimulation than a routine exercise walk or potty break, and you may find your dog is tired out more quickly.
Lottie loves to explore City Park with her rescued pooch, and he loves a good scent walk! In fact, Lottie dolls has partnered with Dogs Trust Ireland, Ireland’s largest dog welfare charity. This incredible organization delivers thousands of public education workshops, and rescues over one thousand dogs per year.
$1 from every purchase of the Walk in the Park Lottie Doll will be donated to Dogs Trust Ireland to support the incredible care they provide to the hundreds of dogs and pups in their care. To learn more visit www.dogstrust.ie.
If you’re out of fresh ideas for new games to play with your dogs, a new toy can always provide some fun afternoon entertainment. There are tons of styles on the market from dog puzzles, sniff mats, lick mats, intricate chew toys, and more. You can find interesting and unique toys for your pooch (and other pet essentials) at your local pet store, or head online and search for “interactive dog toys”.
If you’re blessed with a big backyard and a mind for DIY, you can build a sandbox just for your pooch to dig in to his heart’s content. Fill it with “buried treasure” and see how long it takes for your dog to dig up! You can build something sturdy and permanent, or just fill a kiddie pool with inexpensive bags of sand from the hardware store.
Just remember that taking the extra time to teach your dog when and where it’s appropriate to dig is also important. After all, you don’t want him digging up your neighbor’s flowerbeds!
Your local breed association or kennel club may have resources for connecting with other sporting dog owners. If you’ve got an active breed, check out flyball, agility, obedience, scent work, coursing, herding, or field events. There’s an organized activity for every breed, even the most mixed of mutts! Your dog will have a great time, and you’ll meet other sporting dog enthusiasts in your area.
While basic obedience training may not sound like a fun game to you, your dog will get quite the thrill from learning a new trick or two. Plus, basic obedience training can help keep your pet safe during emergencies or outings in unfamiliar situations. Plus, it’s a super fun way to bond with your pet in a new way.
Here are some basic commands that every certified good pooch should know:
Keep training sessions short, and make sure you’re both having fun for maximum benefits. If you need help teaching the basics, here are some resources to help.
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It's an educational movement to help kids develop the skills and confidence they'll need to go into STEM fields. Many people are reluctant to enter these fields because they're considered too difficult, but early STEM education can help alleviate these fears.
Since women and minorities are underrepresented in STEM careers, another focus of STEM education to is help balance the workforce in these fields as diversity can help us progress.
Parents and educators can promote STEM skills with science and engineering toys for kids. These toys encourage kids to develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills in one or more of the STEM subject areas.
STEM toys for kids come in many forms. Some develop technology and math skills by teaching kids to code and program. Others teach engineering skills through building challenges. Many toys feature experiments, helping kids learn about science fundamentals.
It's important to note that while science and engineering toys for kids are educational toys, their first and foremost goal is fun. Experts agree that kids learn through play, so the best STEM toys always put fun first, education second - although when kids are engaged with STEM toys, they are certainly learning.
There are many benefits to playing with STEM toys.
Kids who play with STEM toys develop important skills for their educations and careers:
Scientists are still discovering the benefits of STEM toys for kids.
Many high school and college students are intimidated by STEM subjects and will often avoid taking these courses. By starting your baby with STEM toys for toddlers and continuing to buy STEM toys into the teen years, your child will develop the right mindset to pursue a career in a STEM field. Kids who play with STEM toys have confidence when it comes to more challenging educational pursuits.
For many kids, even the mention of the term "educational toy" turns them off. A lot of kids associate learning with work. STEM toys, when introduced properly, are fun. Kids love to build, create, and challenge their brains.
Even something that may seem dull, like learning to code, becomes fun when it's taught through a toy that uses puzzles and problems to teach coding skills.
STEM toys are available for children of all ages. The toys become more challenging and increase in complexity as kids get older.
For example, STEM toys for toddlers may include a set of plastic gears, construction toys, and a marble run.
STEM toys for 7-year olds are a little more advanced. Kids around this age may still play with construction toys and marble runs, but may also like the challenging of coding games and science experiments.
STEM toys for 10-year olds and beyond are much more complex. While many of the toys are similar to the toys for younger children, they are much more challenging. Older kids may also enjoy sophisticated coding toys like robots, circuitry kits, and STEM toys focused on mechanical and engineering skills.
STEM toys have grown in popularity in the past decade or so and will likely continue to grow in popularity as parents want to prepare their kids for a STEM-driven future. By giving kids a range of STEM toys, they'll grow to have the confidence to excel in all of the STEM fields.
]]>From the very beginning, Lottie Doll’s creators wanted to give kids a doll that looked like them, with realistic proportions and clothing that they would likely wear. The iconic Barbie is a fashionista with many illustrious careers and outfits over the years, but she’s designed to be a fashion model, rather than a child’s toy.
Lottie and her friends are built for celebrating the adventures of childhood. These dolls are 7.5 inches high, can stand on their own two feet, and reflect the average proportions of a 9-year-old child. Their themes and values reflect their wholesome design, and they want kids to “be bold, be brave, and be you!” Lottie Dolls focus on diversity and inclusion, and design dolls after the real-life kid heroes of our world.
For fifty years, Barbie was extra tall and extra slim. In recent years, several Barbies with diverse body shapes have hit the shelves, but most of the dolls are still tall and skinny. This is disappointing for parents who want a more realistic body shape represented in their children’s dolls.
“Lottie was developed with some core values and principles, relating to the issue of body image and a positive take on childhood.” – Lottie Dolls Founder, Ian Harkin
Studies have shown that playing with exclusively ultra-thin dolls can be damaging for a child’s body image and self-esteem down the road. This is why Lottie looks like she does – so real kids can relate.
Over the years, kids tend to amass a collection of dolls in every shape and size. But do they all get along in the toybox? Sometimes you might need to use a little imagination, but plenty of Lottie’s accessories are interchangeable with dolls from other brands.
Barbie has been a staple toy in homes for more than fifty years, but modern parents are looking for something different. Arklu toy company founders Lucie Follet and Ian Harkin consulted with psychologists and other experts to create a Barbie alternative with child-like proportions and a wholesome design. Lottie and her friends provide a necessary alternative to Barbie, and give kids the chance to play like kids.
Yes! Boys can definitely play with Barbies if they want to, but Lottie Doll’s Finn collection is perfect for the little boys who want a doll who looks just like them. In fact, Loyal Companion Finn is inspired by a real boy named Hayden, who has autism and a passion for all things space-related (as well as his adorable dog, Cookie).
Because Lottie tries to be a friend to everyone, she’d never turn down a playdate with Barbie. Because Barbie is taller, most of her playsets are designed to accommodate her extra-long limbs and pointed toes. Lottie and her friends wouldn’t have any trouble fitting inside big houses or other playsets, but she would fit better with accessories designed just for her.
Here's a handy guide to help you decide what playsets and accessories will work best for your Lottie dolls:
Barbie |
11.5 inches |
30 cm |
Skipper |
9.25 inches |
24 cm |
Lottie Dolls |
7.5 inches |
18 cm |
Chelsea |
5.5 inches |
14 cm |
Lammily |
11 inches |
28 cm |
Monster High |
10.5 inches |
27 cm |
Hasbro Disney Princess |
10.5 inches |
27 cm |
Yes and no. Barbie is a tall, slender fashion doll, whereas Lottie is a proportional child’s toy. Little hands may be frustrated trying to stuff Lottie’s feet into pointed Barbie shoes, but a short flowy dress might fit just fine. Lottie has plenty of fashionable clothes and accessories that are well-made, nicely detailed, and designed to fit her perfectly. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also DIY your own! Check out this festival outfit no-sew tutorial.
Barbie and Lottie differ in many ways, but the most striking difference would be their size and design. Barbie stands nearly 12 inches tall, whereas little Lottie is only 7.5 inches high. Lottie and friends can stand on their own two feet, but Barbie might need a little help from a doll stand.
Lottie’s playsets are constructed mostly from wood, but many Barbie playsets are plastic. Lottie dolls are packed with as little frustrating blister packaging as possible, but Barbie and her accessories remain tightly vacuum sealed.
Barbie focuses on fun, fashion, and big dreams – often incorporating more adult themes into her designs. Lottie Dolls want you to be bold, be brave, and be you – an authentic kid reaching for the stars!
]]>Weddings are all about the traditions. Every family will celebrate their special day in a different way, practicing traditions from their own cultures, or borrowing from others. For a touch of whimsy on their wedding day, a bride and groom may add a pair of special dolls to create memories that will last a lifetime.
There’s no doubt about it – dolls are cute. A bride and groom may choose to adorn their dinner tables with adorable dolls, or place them in the back window of the getaway car after they’ve said “I do”. These dolls can come in all shapes and styles, and are generally intended to coordinate with the rest of the décor. This adorable bridal doll decorated an Australian couple’s car in the 1930s, a tradition that became popular worldwide in the 1960s. It wasn’t uncommon to see a fancily dressed Barbie on the hood of the couple’s car as they sped off to their honeymoon. Today, couples generally decorate their cars with flowers or streamers – but some will definitely still use dolls.
Not sure what to get the couple who already has everything? Some guests opt for the gift of matching wedding dolls, customized for the bride and groom. This is an especially thoughtful gift if they’re wearing special cultural attire, as was the case for this couple. Their Korean wedding dolls are oh-so-cute in their traditional fancy robes (a Korean wedding dress is called a hanbok), and they can display these gifts in their home for years to come.
The bride and groom aren’t the only ones receiving gifts during a wedding celebration. Dolls make excellent gifts for flower girls and junior bridesmaids as a special way to say “thank you” for participating in the event. Royal Flower Girl Lottie was inspired by the royal wedding of Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, and she’s sure to be the perfect playmate for the flower girl in your life.
As the story goes, a proud father secretly placed a pair of romantic figurines atop the cake he lovingly baked for his daughter’s wedding as a surprise – and the cake topper was born. Over the years, the style of the figurines changed to include the adorable kewpie dolls of the 1930s. These adorable dolls were made of celluloid, an early plastic that was soft but could withstand children’s play (unlike its ceramic and porcelain cousins). Today, people still use figurines – and sometimes dolls – to add whimsy to their wedding cakes.
When Barbie hit the toy market in the 1950s, fashion dolls became highly collectible items. Wedding dolls are an integral part of any toy collector’s stash, with their elaborate gowns and stylish hairdos. Mattel released more than 50 bridal dolls over the years, with many toy companies following suit. The most special wedding dolls included those modeled after famous or fashionable brides throughout the years.
For the bride who kicked off the white wedding dress craze in the 1800s, there are tons of Queen Victoria wedding dolls out there for collectors to snag. If you can’t find a vintage doll for your collection, there are plenty of historical sewing patterns for fashioning your favorite doll a wedding gown worthy of a Queen.
The iconic wedding dress of Princess Diana has taken shape in a variety of different doll forms, from a Barbie boxed set with her husband-to-be Prince Charles, to the coveted Danbury mint porcelain.
Did you know that a pair of wedding dolls started it all here at Lottie Dolls? A boxed set of the fabulously dressed Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton hit the shelves in the summer of 2011, along with a singular doll of Princess Catherine in her stunning royal wedding dress. The launch of this doll set Lottie Dolls creators, Arklu, on a path of inspiring girls everywhere with their signature doll collection. All thanks to this Royal Wedding!
Not everyone is a doll collector or looking for a gift for a special day, but plenty of kids fancy a fun doll wedding now and then. Perfect for playing on a rainy day, you can gather the gang together and make it a whole family affair with food, decorations, and a full wedding party.
Here are some key elements of a proper doll wedding (but feel free to use your wild imagination!)
Spoon Bats, from The Joy of Sharing
Bats are nocturnal, meaning that they sleep during the day and are awake at night. Bats have a creepy reputation, especially Vampire bats that like to drink blood, so they make the perfect theme for a Halloween craft activity.
Make these cute and easy Spoon Bats and get in the mood for Halloween. All you need is some black painted spoons and a few other simple supplies to make the eyes, ears and wings. Once finished, you can stick the bats to your wall with blu-tack or glue them to a piece of string to create your very own bat garland. Don’t forget to hang them upside-down, just like real bats.
Witches Brew Slime from Little Bins for Little Hands
Making slime is a great Halloween arts and crafts activity for kids. Plus, it’s educational too. Slime is chemistry! Use this Halloween arts and crafts activity as an opportunity to teach kids about Non-Newtonian fluids.
Non-Newtonian fluids change their behaviour under stress (say, if you hit them or shake them). Sometimes they act like a solid, and at other times they are runny. Learning about these strange substances can be confusing for kids and adults alike. However, this is a fun Halloween-themed STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) activity all the family will enjoy.
Fizzing Ghosts Moon Dough from Steam Powered Family
This two-part Halloween activity is another fun science-inspired one to do with kids. It starts with a simple dough recipe that kids will enjoy playing with. Then, it finishes with an impressive chemical reaction and bubbly fizzy ghosts.
This Fizzing Ghosts activity uses a simple acid-base chemical reaction created with baking soda and vinegar. It’s a non-toxic chemical reaction so, it’s safe to do with kids, but be careful as the vinegar could sting a little if the child has any cuts on their hands.
Pumpkin Stress Ball by Baker Ross
Take out the stress of Halloween with this essay Halloween arts and crafts activity for kids. With just a few simple elements, you can create a spooky Halloween themed stress ball. It’s a quick project that kids will enjoy taking part in. They also get to play with the pumpkin stress ball afterwards too for extra enjoyment. Try making a few and giving them out as favours at a Halloween party.
Did you enjoy these Halloween Arts and Crafts for Kids? Try the Easy Halloween activities for kids, too.
Halloween decorations for kids
Transform your home into a spooky haunted house with these easy Halloween Decorations For Kids.
We’ve gathered some of the best kids Halloween decorating ideas into this handy list. There’s a decorating idea for everybody with simple pumpkins, scary ghosts, spooky spiders and even more essential Halloween decorating ideas. Suitable for kids of all ages.
No-Carve Pumpkins
When we think of Halloween, Pumpkins always spring to mind. No Halloween-themed house would be complete without a pumpkin on the doorstep, mantle or windowsill. However, Pumpkin carving can be dangerous. It’s a fun Halloween activity for adults, but for kids, try these easy no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas instead.
No-carve pumpkins are safer (no sharp knives needed). Plus, there’s no slimy pumpkin mess to clean up afterwards so, the adults will love these pumpkin decorating ideas too.
Creating Halloween decorations couldn’t get much easier than this. Kids can make this silly googly eyes pumpkin in minutes. Just stick on the googly eyes and it’s done. Please be careful with the googly eyes around younger children as they can be a choking hazard.
Decorating pumpkins with markers is a great option for kids of all ages. Younger kids can doodle on their pumpkin, while older kids can spend a bit longer on their design. Try decorating the pumpkins with a classic scary face design, or go for a more contemporary look with sugar skulls and repetitive patterns like polka dots and stripes.
Halloween Bunting
Bunting is an essential decoration for any home at Halloween. It’s easy to make your own. You can download and print your own from Views From A Step Stool. Color in yur bunting with Halloween colors - Orange, Black and Purple.
Or, go for a natural style bunting with this tutorial from Activity Village. Kids will enjoy collecting leaves, and punching the holes in the leaves to create their own bunting from scratch.
Tissue Paper Ghost, from Rhythms of Play
Here’s another super easy Halloween decoration activity. All you need is some tissue paper, a cotton ball (or piece of crumpled up paper), some string and a marker. Make a batch of them and hang from the ceiling at different heights to create a spooky haunted house.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try and make an extra-large one with an old sheet or white garbage bag. Ideal for hanging in your hallway to scare your guests.
Spooky Spider Jar from Natural Beach Living
This is another easy halloween decoration idea for kids. This time, using a mason jar. Simply bend a glowstick (to make it glow), insert it in the jar, and fill the rest of the jar up with cotton balls, webbing and plastic spiders. It’s perfect to decorate a dark corner. You can also make a few and use them to light up a pathway. You’ll need to replace the glow stick when they start to fade, so, keep some extra glow sticks ready.
We hope you enjoyed these festive Halloween Decorations for Kids.
Now you have the decorations sorted, it’s time to think about a party! To help you get in the spooky spirit, try these Easy Halloween Activities for Kids too.
]]>We’ve gathered some of the best kids Halloween decorating ideas into this handy list. There’s a decorating idea for everybody with simple pumpkins, scary ghosts, spooky spiders and even more essential Halloween decorating ideas. Suitable for kids of all ages.
No-Carve Pumpkins
When we think of Halloween, Pumpkins always spring to mind. No Halloween-themed house would be complete without a pumpkin on the doorstep, mantle or windowsill. However, Pumpkin carving can be dangerous. It’s a fun Halloween activity for adults. For kids, try these easy no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas instead.
No-carve pumpkins are safer (no sharp knives needed). Plus, there’s no slimy pumpkin mess to clean up afterwards so, the adults will love these pumpkin decorating ideas too.
1. Googly Eyes Pumpkin from She Wears Many Hats
Creating Halloween decorations couldn’t get much easier than this. Kids can make this silly googly eyes pumpkin in minutes. Just stick on the googly eyes, and it’s finished. Please be careful with the googly eyes around younger children as they can be a choking hazard.
2. Decorate Pumpkins with Markers inspired by Kitchen Counter Chronicle.
Decorating pumpkins with markers is a convenient option for kids of all ages. Younger kids can doodle on their pumpkin, while older kids can spend a bit longer on their designs.
Try decorating the pumpkins with a classic scary face design, or go for a more contemporary look with sugar skulls and repetitive patterns like polka dots and stripes.
Halloween Bunting
Bunting is an essential decoration for any home on Halloween. It’s easy for kids to make at home. You can download and print your own from Views From A Step Stool. Color in your bunting with Halloween colors - Orange, Black and Purple.
Or, go for a natural style bunting with this tutorial from Activity Village. Kids will enjoy collecting leaves and punching the holes in the leaves to create their bunting from scratch.
Tissue Paper Ghost, from Rhythms of Play
A Tissue Paper Ghost is another super easy Halloween decoration activity. All you need is some tissue paper, a cotton ball (or piece of crumpled-up paper), some string and a marker. Make a batch of them and hang them from the ceiling at different heights to create a spooky haunted house.
Are you feeling adventurous? Make an extra-large one with an old sheet or white garbage bag. The extra-large ghost is ideal for hanging in your hallway to scare your guests.
Spooky Spider Jar from Natural Beach Living
Here is another easy Halloween decoration idea for kids. This time, using a mason jar. Bend a glowstick (to make it glow), insert it in the jar and fill the rest of the jar with cotton balls, webbing and plastic spiders. It is the perfect decoration for a dark corner.
You can also make a few and use them to light up a pathway. The glow sticks will need replacing when they start to fade. So, keep some extra glow sticks ready.
We hope you enjoyed these festive Halloween Decorations for Kids.
Now you have the decorations sorted, it's time to think about a party! To help you get in the spooky spirit, try these Easy Halloween Activities for Kids too.
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Halloween takes place every year on October 31st. The origins of Halloween date back to several ancient festivals and many of the customs were started by the Pagans who believed that on the last night of October, the spirits of the dead roamed the Earth.
Today, Halloween is a time when people host spooky parties and kids like to dress up, carve pumpkins and go from house to house playing ‘Trick-or Treat’. Many costumes and Halloween activities include ghosts, skeletons, mummies and other characters inspired by the dead and the afterlife.
Here are a few easy Halloween activities for kids to help you get in the mood for Halloween and prepare for your next Halloween party.
Activity 1: Spooky Q-TIP Skeleton
The collection of bones in the human body is called the skeletal system, or skeleton. Our skeletal system includes more than 200 bones that protect our organs and work with our muscles to allow us to move. It’s quite an amazing thing, but the idea of a skeleton coming back to roam the earth after we are dead is a very scary idea indeed. Skeletons are a common theme at Halloween parties.
Follow the steps below for a quick and easy Halloween activity for you to make your own Spooky Q-tip Skeleton.
You will need:
First, draw a skull onto the white paper using the black marker. Around 1 inch in size is ideal. Give your skull two large round black eyes, a smaller triangle for a nose, and lots of teeth! If it helps, you can draw the skull in pencil first, and then go over the features with the marker afterwards.
Once you are happy with your skull, cut it out. Remember to always be careful when using scissors, you may need an adult to help with this part.
When you have cut out your skull shape, place it onto the black paper. You don’t need to stick it down just yet.
Next, cut up your Q-tips into various sizes (or ask an adult to do this for you). Once you have lots of different pieces of Q-tips, then you’re ready for the fun part, positioning the skeleton bones.
On your sheet of black paper, lay out the pieces of Q-tips in the shape of the skeleton’s bones. Use longer sections of Q-tips for limbs like the legs and arms, and use shorter bits for the ribs, feet and fingers.
Once you are happy with the layout, it’s time to glue all the pieces down, and then you are finished. Well done!
Now admire your hard work.
Activity 2: Easy Masking Tape Mummy
A dead body that has been preserved with chemicals and wrapped in bandages is called a mummy. The Inca of Peru made mummies, and so did other Ancient peoples. However, the best-known makers of mummies are the ancient Egyptians. The Ancient Egyptians believed that people needed their bodies in the afterlife, so they took great care to ensure that their bodies were protected and preserved.
Would you like to make a mummy?
Don’t worry! It’s a much easier activity than the way the Ancient Egyptians used to do it.
You will need:
First, draw the body on the black paper using the crayon. It should have two arms, two legs and a rounded head, similar to a gingerbread man.
Next, layer strips of masking tape over the outline. Don’t worry about staying within the lines.
Once you have covered the body with strips of tape, cut out the mummy's body from the black paper.
Now, you are ready for the final touch - adding the eyes. Glue two eyes onto the mummy's head.
Your mummy is ready. The ancient Egyptians would be proud!
Activity 3: Floating Ghost Game
Is it October 31st already? It’s time for a Halloween Party! Here’s an easy Halloween activity you can do with friends. All you have to do in advance is blow up several white balloons and draw ghost faces on the balloons.
You will need:
Before the party, blow up several white balloons, and draw ghost faces on them. You can leave the balloons around the party as decorations.
Once the party has started, gather up all your ghost balloons and bring all the players into a circle.
Throw one of the ghost balloons into the circle, and challenge the players to keep it up. Don’t let it hit the floor!
After a minute or two, throw in the second ghost balloon. The players must keep both balloons in the air.
Keep throwing in more balloons and watch as the players scramble to keep all the ghost balloons in the air at once. How long can the players keep the ghosts afloat?
Did you enjoy these easy Halloween activities for kids?
Try our Halloween arts and crafts for kids too.
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If your little bug enthusiast is interested in learning more about monarch butterflies, we have some valuable resources to help you cultivate their interest.
When it comes to teaching young explorers about the world of monarch butterflies, there are a few things we recommend showcasing to your child to help them learn more about the monarch butterfly.
The life cycle of the monarch butterfly captures the interest of kids. Monarch butterflies undergo a metamorphosis in a four-stage development cycle: egg, caterpillar, pupa, and butterfly. The transformation process is impressive, and each stage is uniquely distinctive from the next. So as kids go through their own stages of development, admittedly a longer and more complicated process, it can be fun for kids to imagine what it is like for a tiny caterpillar to grow up into a beautiful butterfly. And perhaps even dream about what their own adult life will look like as well.
As kids learn about the stages of development for monarch butterflies, they can sharpen their observational skills and point out which characteristics have changed with each stage. You can learn more about the details of a butterfly’s life cycle here.
Your little scientist will appreciate learning where monarch butterflies live, and it allows caretakers to teach their children about where they live in relation to the monarch butterfly. Monarch butterflies live across North America. During the summer, monarch butterflies live in the northern part of the continent, reaching the southernmost part of Canada. In the fall, monarch butterflies will migrate south to Mexico and California, where they spend the entire winter. Pull out a map with your child and take a look at where these regions are, and be sure to find where you live too! Teaching kids about the monarch butterfly’s habitat can be an excellent opportunity to learn about geography.
It’s important to teach kids about the real problems facing the monarch butterfly population. The overuse of pesticides, intensive agricultural development practices, and urban development are threatening monarch butterflies homes. This can be an excellent opportunity to teach your child about the importance of protecting our environment. It’s never too early to teach your child about environmental impact. How can we help the monarch butterfly population? Start a butterfly garden. Monarch butterflies eat milkweed and adding some milkweed to your garden can help give the monarch butterflies some much-needed support. Be sure to grow pesticide-free milkweed and watch as your garden begins to attract more monarch butterflies to your home. Creating a little monarch habitat at home will help encourage your child to be more mindful of the environment of others.
There are countless butterfly activities you can do with your child. Depending on their abilities and interest, you may find yourself trying more than one of these at home--maybe try them all!
Monarch butterflies are beautiful and have such distinctive patterns on their wings. There are so many coloring sheets out there that you can choose from. Personally, I love the ones provided here. They are easy to print, provide lots of options, and are importantly free, so go ahead and print as many copies as you need. Kids will love coloring in their monarch butterfly picture and practicing putting their own observational skills to the test--what color is the monarch butterfly? Be sure to have orange crayons on hand.
We live in a world that loves taking pictures, and our kids are no different. If you have the ability to give your child a disposable camera or possibly use yours, kids can make believe they are wildlife photographers like our friend Mia. Having a friend like Mia can spark new interest in wildlife appreciation, not just for monarch butterflies, but for all kinds of other creatures that your child can explore and observe.
This one takes some commitment, but it’s genuinely a memorable activity your child will love. Raising caterpillars in your home is a unique experience that provides countless learning opportunities for your child. You can find helpful resources to help raise caterpillars into monarch butterflies here. It is important to know that this activity is quite a commitment. You will need resources for your caterpillars and a container to keep them safe. However, it is truly valuable and gives your budding explorer an in-home opportunity to learn daily about the life cycle of the monarch butterfly. Learning truly happens best at home; encouraging your child by engaging in their interest can create lifelong learning skills for your child.
Monarch butterflies are fascinating creatures; it’s no wonder why children go through a butterfly phase. All children go through phases of life where they express so much interest in a subject they care about, whether it is dinosaurs, animals, or butterflies. We truly believe that every interest can be turned into a learning opportunity. Continually practicing learning skills for your child based on their interests can create invaluable lifelong STEM skills. We hope your try some of these activities in your own home; whether it is a simple coloring page or raising caterpillars in your home, showing children you care about their interests is an act of love.
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Perhaps some of the best card tricks to see as a kid are levitation tricks. Although levitation seems like something only the best magicians can do, it’s actually very easy to accomplish! Not to mention, if your child pulls off a levitation trick during their next birthday party or talent show, they’re sure to impress their audience.
To help your child make a card levitate, here’s what you will need:
First, you or your child need to cut a piece of the straw that is more narrow than the card. If the straw piece is wider than the card, the audience may be able to see it. Second, tape the piece of the straw to the back of the card with the holes still open. Third, you will want to cut the string to be shorter than your child’s wingspan. This way, the string won’t dangle past their black shirt and give up the illusion.
After you or your child cut the string, it’s time to tie a small loop that your child’s fingers can get in and out of. This usually requires the parent’s help. With the other end of the string, tape it down so it won’t fall out of the straw. After this, you should be able to move the card back and forth on the string by having both hands on one side of the string.
Source: The Spruce Crafts
Another popular levitation trick is levitating and spinning a card. This is very similar to levitating a card between your hands. Here’s what your child will need:
First, you will want to cut the string and tape one end of it to the card. Second, you want to tie the string into a loop and attach it to one of the buttons on your child’s shirt. Lastly, your child will need to put their thumb under the string and slowly pull their arm outwards. This will make it look as though the card is levitating!
To spin the card, your child can manually flick the card so it rotates as they “levitate” it. Or, they can work on moving their fingers around the string and see what the easiest way to spin it is for them. This can take some practice, but they’re sure to find their own unique style for spinning their levitating card.
Another fun card trick that both kids and adults are impressed by is the “Mind Reader”. The “Mind Reader” trick is the classic routine where the magician chooses the same card that their assistant chose beforehand. For many people, this trick is the most impressive. After all, how is it possible to choose the correct card out of such a large stack? Well, there’s a method behind it! And, the method is easy enough for your child to do as long as they can count to 25.
First, your child will need a deck of cards (remove the joker cards if their deck has them). Next, tell your child to make two stacks of 25 cards each. Then, have your child put the two 25-card stacks together, but having one set turned slightly so they can keep the deck separated discreetly.
When it’s time to perform the trick, your child will want to separate the two stacks of 25 cards again. They should put one stack on a table and keep the other in their hand. Then, they need to choose an assistant to pull a card and show it to the audience (this can be you for practicing). After the assistant shows the card to the audience, your child will need to instruct them to put their card on top of one of the piles. Your child will then combine the piles on top of each other. Lastly, your child will count the cards from either the top or bottom to 26. The 26th card should be the assistant’s card as long as the trick is done correctly! Your child will look like a real minder reader with this fun and easy trick.
Although the first method is the most popular, there is another method your child can use if they’re still learning how to count. This just consists of your child making sure their assistant places their card on the opposite side as the other cards in the stack. Then, your child should shuffle the cards or have another assistant shuffle the stack for them. Lastly, they would just have to find the one card that is on the different side than the rest of the cards and reveal it to the audience!
If you’re looking for a trick with no set-up, this is the perfect option for your child! Here are the steps:
We hope these tricks are easy and fun for your child to learn! May they lead to talent show wins and lots of entertainment!
]]>There are four stages in the life cycle (metamorphosis) of butterflies. The four stages are egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult butterfly.
Would you like to learn more about each stage in the life-cycle of a butterfly? Read about the four stages below and download the worksheet to learn more.
Egg
The first stage in the life-cycle of a butterfly is the Egg stage. This usually takes around 3-7 days.
In spring, summer or in fall, the adult female butterfly lays her eggs on a nice bed of plants or leaves. She lays lots of eggs all at once. The eggs are very small and fragile. It can be dangerous for them, but by laying lots of eggs there’s a better chance some of the eggs will survive.
When the egg hatches, the comfy bed of plants provides a tasty meal for the newborn caterpillar.
Caterpillar (also called larva)
The second stage in the life cycle begins when the egg hatches into a larva or caterpillar.
During this stage, the caterpillar must eat and eat as much as it can. It is very hungry so it munches on its bed of leaves. It even eats its own eggshell. The hungry caterpillar needs as much food as it can to grow big and strong. Caterpillars can grow to be 100 times their original size. That takes a lot of energy and food!
As the caterpillar grows, it gets so big it needs to shed its skin to make more room for growth. This process of shedding its skin is called molting. The caterpillar undergoes around 4 to 6 moltings before it is ready for the next stage.
Over the course of several weeks, the caterpillar keeps eating and grows until it is almost 2 inches long. It has tiny eyes and lots of legs - around 8 pairs or 16 legs in total. It cannot go very far because it has to walk everywhere and it doesn’t have any wings yet.
Once it is fully grown, it is ready for the pupa stage in its life cycle.
Pupa
When the caterpillar is fully grown and has finished eating, it is ready for the Pupa stage.
The caterpillar transforms itself into a pupa (or Chrysallis). It hides in a nice safe place, between twigs or under leaves. A hard case forms around the pupa to protect it from the weather and from predators. This stage can take anywhere from a few weeks to months- depending on the species.
It may look like nothing is happening but, inside the hard case, all the caterpillar’s organs, limbs and tissue are very busy. It is changing into something new - a beautiful winged butterfly!
Butterfly
Once the butterfly is ready, it emerges from the pupa. The pupa case cracks open, and a butterfly emerges. It now has wings, but it's not quite ready to fly yet. The wings are wrinkly and wet. They need some time to dry.
The butterfly creates a liquid called hemolymph. This helps the wings become bigger and stronger. When the wings are ready, the butterfly can finally fly using its big colorful new wings.
The adult butterfly can travel much farther than the caterpillar. The butterfly must search for a mate and find flowers to feed on. Most butterflies only live for one to two weeks, but some hibernate over winter and live longer.
Once the butterfly has mated, the female butterfly looks for the perfect spot to lay its eggs.
That’s the life cycle of a butterfly complete!
The planet’s ecosystem is reliant upon butterflies and other insects. That’s why we must protect them and make sure the life cycle continues.
Did you enjoy learning about the butterfly's life cycle? Download the ‘Life cycle of a Butterfly’ activity sheet below.
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