Whimsical Ways: home

Showing posts with label home. Show all posts

Monday, March 30, 2015

Dreamworks Movie Home Toys

I am always always on the lookout for new, fun, creative toys. When l saw these Home toys...happy dance time!

I found these little guys at Target. They are between 2 ~ 3 inches. If your child loved the movie (it's sooo good!), they will love the toys.

Here, l have the Boovs on one of my etsy playscapes. There's so many ways to play with my handmade play mats. See more at www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Friday, March 27, 2015

The Grand Opening was a success. Lots of pets found good homes. G asked very good questions of the customers like "What size pet do you want?" or ""Are you a person who likes snakes?" or "This hedgehog needs a lot of care. Can you do that?"

"Would you like to hold these baby hamsters? They are sooo cute and were just born." Read this in your head with a tiny, squeaky voice.

"Hedgehogs need a lot of care. And lettuce. They looove lettuce. I think they might even like asparagus, too, but I am not sure. I saw in a book once that they like apples and strawberries. Where is that book?"

Baby Chameleon joined up this morning. He was hiding somewhere. "Probably using his camouflage, so you couldn't see him." :) That makes my heart happy that she knows about animal camouflage and uses it properly in a sentence. We have been talking about chameleons changing colors - she was listening.

Well, the pet shop is about to open for the morning, so I have to go.

Have a fun and playful day!
Mel

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Safari Ltd Terrarium

Now that I am thinking about terrariums, I am on a roll. Safari Ltd has new gnomes out this year that I think would be great in a terrarium.

Terrariums are easy to make and kids will love helping. It's messy and creative and imaginative. I once did a whole Earth Day celebration at the local community center. Kids created mini terrariums with two clear plastic cups, moss, dirt, rocks, and small animals. They LOVED it. Parents were like, "I am so stealing this idea or a party or for Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts' projects."

You give 12 kids the same materials to make a terrarium and you will end up with 12 terrariums that look completely different. It's an open-ended project that the kids can take in all different directions. And that's what is great about a project like terrariums - kids can make it individualized.

The steps are easy.
1. a few rocks in the bottom of your container, fishbowl, cup, etc.
2. potting soil on top of the rocks
3. moss and/or small plants on top of the potting soil
4. add small animals like Safari Ltd Toobs or happy meal toys or whatever you have
5. give it a good watering and keep it moist

Easy.

Are you now thinking about making a terrarium?

Have a fun and playful day!
Mel

Safari Ltd Terrarium by melanieshanks featuring wide mouth glass jars