{"id":1901,"date":"2010-06-13T19:17:15","date_gmt":"2010-06-13T17:17:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/zaparents-blog\/?p=1901"},"modified":"2022-06-23T10:01:12","modified_gmt":"2022-06-23T08:01:12","slug":"making-fun-out-of-nothing-with-nikki-bush-week-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/activities-and-outings\/diy-activities\/making-fun-out-of-nothing-with-nikki-bush-week-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Week 1: Making fun out of nothing with Nikki Bush"},"content":{"rendered":"

How often have you said to your child, \u201cGo and find something to play with in your room,\u201d and they have come back saying, \u201cBut there is nothing to play with!\u201d even though their room is packed with games and gadgets?\u00a0 It is true that there has never been a generation of children with so much stuff, and because of this, they have forgotten how to make fun out of nothing.<\/p>\n

So, during the school holidays, take a few minutes every second day to create a \u201cmaking fun out of nothing experience\u201d which also doubles up as a connection experience between you and your child.\u00a0 Inspire your child by being fun to be with.<\/p>\n

Here are 3\u00a0ideas for this week which are simple to do and don\u2019t require much in the way of specialised equipment or ingredients. The first two activities will also be reusable in the weeks to come:<\/p>\n

Squeezy paint<\/h2>\n

This is really fun and adults love it too.\u00a0 The \u201cpaint\u201d is easy to make up and lasts for about a week in cool weather or if kept in the fridge.\u00a0 Because it has salt in it, when it dries it sparkles and has a three-dimensional effect (it is raised).\u00a0 Painting with squeezy bottles is great for developing finger and hand strength for hand-writing, as well as fine-motor co-ordination.<\/p>\n

You will need:<\/h3>\n

3 x plastic squeezy bottles (same ones as used for tomato sauce and mustard)
\n3 x different food colourings\"\"
\n350g cake flour
\n350g salt
\nWater
\nBowl
\nSpoon
\nJug
\nPaper<\/p>\n

What to do:<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Place flour and salt into a bowl.<\/li>\n
  2. Add water slowly, mixing to a paste the thickness of crumpet batter.\u00a0 It must be able to be squeezed<\/em> out of the bottle.\u00a0 It should not run out without having to squeeze.\u00a0 It will thicken up slightly as it stands in the bottle over time.<\/li>\n
  3. Divide the mixture into three different bowls.\u00a0 Now add 2 \u2013 4 drops of food colouring into each.\u00a0 Mix well.<\/li>\n
  4. Using the jug pour different colours of \u201cpaint\u201d into each squeezy bottle.<\/li>\n
  5. Now they are ready to use.\u00a0 Allow paintings\/designs to dry in the sun.\u00a0 They may need to be left overnight.\u00a0 The paint will only sparkle when fully dry.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Rainbow crayons<\/h2>\n

    I don\u2019t know whether the melt down process or the end product is the most exciting part of this activity, but regardless, it is a fabulous way of using up broken or left-over bits of crayons.\u00a0 It\u2019s also a good lesson for your children about how to be thrifty with waste.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    You will need:<\/h3>\n

    Left over or broken bits of crayons
    \nA muffin tin
    \nNon-stick cooking spray
    \nOven<\/p>\n

    What to do:<\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. Heat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius.<\/li>\n
    2. Remove all paper from crayons.<\/li>\n
    3. Grease the muffin pan with non-stick spray.<\/li>\n
    4. Place pieces of the crayons into the muffin pans.\u00a0 Mix your colours if you want a rainbow effect, or keep colours separate eg. All green pieces together.<\/li>\n
    5. Place the tin in the oven for a few minutes until the crayons have melted \u2013 keep an eye on them.<\/li>\n
    6. Remove the pan from the oven and let the crayons cool completely before removing them.<\/li>\n
    7. Now use them to create works of art.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Crunchie bubble bars<\/h2>\n

      \"\"If you have a sweet tooth then this recipe is for you!\u00a0 It\u2019s also a no-bake recipe so it\u2019s quick and fun to do.\u00a0 Your child will need supervision when melting the butter and marshmallows on the stove or in the microwave.<\/p>\n

      You will need:<\/h3>\n

      1 \u00bd cups marshmallows
      \n60g butter
      \n2 \u00bd cups Rice Crispies
      \n\u00bd cup hundreds and thousands
      \nMedium to large saucepan
      \nMetal spoon
      \nBaking tray
      \nBaking paper<\/p>\n

      What to do:<\/h3>\n
        \n
      1. Line the baking tray with baking paper or foil.\u00a0 Grease lightly or use a non-stick cooking spray.<\/li>\n
      2. Place marshmallows into saucepan with butter.\u00a0 Melt over a low temperature.\u00a0 Remove from heat.<\/li>\n
      3. Pour in Rice Crispies and hundreds and thousands.\u00a0 Mix well with large metal spoon.<\/li>\n
      4. Spoon mixture into baking tray, spread and flatten.<\/li>\n
      5. Place baking tray in the fridge to cool and set. Then cut into squares or rectangles and store in the fridge.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Have fun!<\/p>\n

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