Funny Cups for Mother's Day!

This woman has nothing but cool cups with funny or just plain chuckle worthy sayings on them. 

Definitely something the mom in your life would love. Plus, if you don't feel like buying one, try buying a ceramic cup and paint a saying on it! Trust me, it'll be a success.

I would actually love one for Mother's day (hint hint). Just imagine bringing your mom a fresh cup of tea or coffee in this, it would be a pleasant surprise and put her in a good mood for the rest of the day!

Go here and check out the other cups she has for yourself!

Handprint Plates for Mother's Day

These plates are so cute! They are super simple and cheap!

Plates are $1 at The Dollar Tree.

Acrylic Paint (Wal-Mart, Michaels, etc)

Paint your kids hand,  place the hands on the plate, BAKE at 350 for a few minutes to bake the paint on, last of all- use a sharpie to write their name and year on the plate.  BAM!

I love this idea, tried doing it with my own kids but didn't turn out so neatly! But it's okay, next time I think I'm going to let them cover the plates with hand prints in different colors.

Enjoy Entertainment, Food and Rides on the Waterfront

Portland’s waterfront comes alive with fun and festivities during the Rose Festival CityFair, part of Portland’s Official Festival. This amazing metropolitan fair is open for three full weekends (starting Memorial Day weekend) in Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park downtown. Fair-goers can enjoy exciting midway rides, live music in the RoZone, local beer and tasty treats, exotic animal displays, a wide variety of shopping, and many other special attractions. It all starts with a spectacular fireworks show on opening night – don’t miss it!


Admission Specials
Rose Festival Souvenir Pin is a season pass – $10 at Fred Meyer stores, Rose Garden Store & PRFF Office [While supplies last]
Kids 6 and under are always FREE
FREE admission for Veterans, Reservists, and Active Military with Valid Military ID (plus one guest) courtesy of Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon
FREE admission on Thursday, June 5, with a donation of two cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank, in partnership with OneMain Financial

What’s New at CityFair!
NEW! Butterfly Adventures
On Memorial Day Weekend, interact with hundreds of beautiful free flying butterflies at the Butterfly Discovery Center, new to CityFair. Enter the Flutter Garden to personally feed unique nectar plants to the butterflies and stop by the Exploratorium, which brings fun and high quality butterfly science education to all viewers. See metamorphosis demonstrations, learn about migration patterns and find out how you can protect the butterfly habitat in your own backyard.

NEW! Kids Zone
Come one, come all to the new Kids Zone area where family members of all ages are welcome! A variety of interactive arts and crafts programming is available so adults and kids can come together to have fun and play.

NEW! Crafter’s Corner
Select small business owners and crafters will exhibit in Crafter’s Corner, a brand new addition to CityFair. Browse over unique hand-made products including soap, jewelry, glass, photos and more! Don’t miss out on this display of local crafts for sale.

NEW! The Oregonian Bike Corral
Use pedal power and park in the Bike Corral to get a coupon from our friends at Kerr Bikes (kiosk adjacent to Salmon Springs Fountain) good for $2 off CityFair admission, courtesy of The Oregonian.

Event Details

DATE

   May 23-26

   May 29-June 1

   June 5-8, 2014

TIME

Gates open at: 

May 23: 5pm 

May 24-26: 11am 

May 29-30: 3pm 

May 31-June 1: 11am 

June 5-6: 3pm 

June 7-8: 11am

Fair closes at 11pm all nights

LOCATION

Tom McCall Waterfront Park  Location Map

ADMISSION

$7 for ages 7 and over.

Origami Jumping Frogs

Origami frogs, namely simple origami jumping frogs, that you and the kids can make in just a few minutes each. Teach the kids how to make them, and then let them make a small army of little frogs to throw everywhere during the plagues portion of the seder. They will have a blast with this craft!

Materials

• green paper (the large dark green frog was made with an A4 sheet, which is a nice size, though is too heavy to jump, you'll need rectangles, not classic origami squares)
• red or neon any color paper for tongues (optional)
• markers (I used black and gel pens)

Now instead of my usual written directions, I'll be using some picture directions! Hopefully it will be easier to use! ^.^

Kool-Aid Paints

What kid wouldn't love to paint with yummy-smelling watercolors? These paints are made in seconds and make some very vibrant paintings that smell great!


Materials

• kool-aid (1 packet)
• water
• paint brush
• paper (heavier is better)
• bowls

Directions

1. We emptied each packet into a bowl and added a little water.
2. Viola! Now you paint to your hearts content!

Paper Rainbows

For this project, we're going a little old school by wrapping small squares of tissue around the eraser-end of a pencil. To update it, we're using crepe paper streamers instead, they are much easier to cut into small squares. So easy, your kiddos can even do it!


Materials

• crepe paper streamers in rainbow colors
• large yogurt lids or other round bases
• white glue
• pencil with eraser-end
• hole punch
• cotton balls
• yarn or string

Directions

1. Gather up your supplies and have your kiddos cut long strips of streamer into smallish squares.
2. Use a hole punch to punch a hole out of your yogurt lid. I like using yogurt container lids as they are a smidge larger than small but not so large, children lose interest in filling them. You can also use cardboard or sturdy paper cut into circles but the lip on the lids will corral all that sticky glue.
3. Squirt a happy amount of glue inside the lid and have your kiddos use their fingers to spread it around. Some lids may resist the glue, you can sand down the surface with a bit of sand paper if you like. This will help the whole thing stick better and last longer.
4. To create a rainbow, have your kiddos wrap a red square of tissue around the eraser of the pencil. Next, while the tissue is still wrapped, flip pencil over and push it against the glue filled lid. Slowly pull the pencil away from the tissue and you will leave behind a happy tissue flair. Repeat with the red and arc across the top part of the lid creating a rainbow shape.
5. Continue with each color in rainbow order (or not). Notice how each arc grows smaller and smaller? Dialogue with your kiddos and see what observations they make.
6. After the last arc is in place. Give your kiddo a cotton ball to tear into smaller pieces. Place the cotton "cloud" at the bottom of the rainbow and set side to dry.
7. Once dry, loop a length of ribbon, yarn or string, through the hole-punched hole and hang in a happy place!You can also let your kiddo glue their rainbow squares however they like to create a happy party of color!

Homemade Paper Lanterns

These paper lanterns are so much fun for any parties, birthdays, or any occasion! Hang them in a sunny room or outdoors and they will just beam with colors! It's a special treat for kids to make something large and 3-dimensional that their parents will leave on display.


Supplies

• Colored tissue paper
• Mod Podge or white glue
• Foam brush (or large regular brush)
• Plain paper lanterns (at least 6-in diam.)
• Inspiration images or ideas from your imagination

Directions

1. Tear or cut the colored tissue paper and collage onto the paper lanterns using Mod Podge or slightly watered-down white glue.
2. Create images or abstract patterns.
3. Our lantern-makers tried a few different compositions: a bubbly underwater scene, an abstract collage with a gnome, and a flamboyant peacock inspired by a zoology illustration.
4. If you are using illuminated lanterns, add cut paper silhouettes to the interior for a dancing shadow show.

Easy Bubbles

What did I tell you…these Bubbles rock! Have you ever enjoyed such an awesome bubble like this…and with homemade solution at that!?!


Materials

• 6 cups water
• 2 cups Dawn dishwashing liquid
• 3/4 cup light corn syrup

Directions
Mix all ingredients together in a LARGE container of sorts…an empty water bottle, milk jug, etc. Shake everything up and let sit for a few hours. Pour into empty bubbles containers or dishes and go wild with your bubble wands!!

Personal Stamped Napkins

I love the idea of functional art for gifts. These sweet napkins would be a wonderful Mother's Day gift and they are a lot of fun to make.


Materials

• Celery
• Fabric paint
• Cloth napkins

Directions

1. Cut the celery so just the bottom was left, about 2 inches.
2. Let your kids stamp the napkins in a couple of different spots.
3. Use some green puffy paint to add leaves and stems. 

These napkins came out so sweet and it was so easy for a five-year-old to do. What a great gift!

Finger Knit Scarves

Ta da! At long last here is a great way to use those ropes of finger knitting - a fun finger knit braided scarf! A finger knit braided scarf is a perfect winter craft for kids of all ages, and something they can proudly wear!


Materials

• chunky yarn in three colors
• fingers

Directions

1. Decide how long a scarf you'd like to make a good length for a scarf that would provide warmth.
2. Make three finger knit ropes each the same length, and about 1 1/3 greater than your desired finished length.
3. If you make a tight braid, so you may want to make the strands even 1 1/2 times longer.
4. Tie three finished strands together with a knot and braid.
5. Tie another knot at the end of the braid, trim ends and proudly wear!

Quick Pressed Flowers

Did you know you could press flowers in the microwave when you have a pressed flower emergency? What? You do not have pressed flower emergencies? It is only me?

Most of us know how to press flowers for crafts and studying and preserving memories. You place the flowers in between two sheets of newsprint and then place that in between two pieces of cardboard. Then you stick the entire cardboard, newsprint, flower sandwich under a pile of heavy books from when you used to study weighty things, like art history or law. Then you wait for at least a week and explain to any little people that practicing patience is good for the soul and building character.


Materials

• Cardboard
• Paper towel or newspaper
• 4 Rubber bands
• Flowers

Directions

1. Put down a piece of cardboard and put a slightly smaller paper towel or piece of newsprint on top of the cardboard.
2. Arrange your flowers on top of the paper towel/newsprint so that none of the flowers overlap. Then cover with another piece of paper towel/newsprint and another piece of cardboard.
3. Use four thick rubber bands to secure the cardboard together.
4. Microwave on medium power for 30 seconds.
5. Check the flowers. Microwave for another 10 seconds if they are not done.
6. It should take 30-90 seconds, depending on the flower and your microwave.
7. You’ll have to experiment a little to find the right amount of time.
8. That’s it! Have fun with your pressed flowers!

Crazy Wigs

Got a little one who loves to dress up or wants to get those specialty wigs from the toy store? Then this is perfect! They'll love having a special, personalized, wig to play with. Plus, it's way cheaper!

Materials

• yarn
• pipe cleaner (2)
• scissors

Directions

1. First, gather all strands of yarn together.
2. Cut each of them double the length that you little one wants their hair to be.
3. Next, we twisted the two pipe cleaners together.
4. Wrap the pipe cleaners around their head and twist the other ends together so they will have the right size to fit their tiny little heads.
5. Next, tie yarn all around the pipe cleaner crown, leaving just enough room for their face to show through.
6. Now let them put it on and let their imagination do the rest!

Alphabet Rocks

What child doesn't love to play with rocks? This is one of the cutest ways to help kids learn the alphabet. It would also be a fun way to learn how to spell simple words!

Materials

• 26 Smooth rocks
• Various acrylic paint colors
• Paint brushes
• Sharpie
• Clear Satin Glaze

Directions

1. Begin by washing and drying the rocks to remove any dirt.
2. Pick out rock shapes and assembled them in order before starting to make sure your getting the right shaped rock for the shape of the letter.
3. Using your first paint color, begin painting the first letter. 
4. For a whimsical look, try adding white polka dots around each letter.
5. After the paint has dried, outline each letter with the sharpie.
6. Add detail to the dots, by adding a black dot to each polka dot!
7. Spray with glaze. Once dry, turn over and spray the back of the rock too.
8. Continue with all the other letters.
9. And now spell some things!

Personalized Rain Boots

Get creative with some painted rain boots! This is a lovely way to update old shoes and would be a nice way to personalize ‘hand-me-downs’. Just remember that the results are not permanent! Designs can be removed whenever you want with nail varnish remover or will chip off after about a month. Enjoy changing the design ... every month you can have a new pair of rain boots!

F.y.i.- Please do this in a well ventilated room or outside!


Materials

• Plain rain boots
• Different shades of nail varnish

Directions

1. Cover your work surface well. Lay the boots on their side.
2. Decorate with one color of varnish, being as creative as you like.
3. Leave to dry for at least 5 minutes.
4. Turn over and finish your design on the other side.
5. Leave to dry for another 5 minutes.
6. Repeat with other color varnishes until you are happy with your design.

Grass Head Monsters

This is a brilliant nature craft for kids, who will love creating their own grass head monster and watching him sprout hair! They'll especially love to give him a hair cut later on if their lil' monsters "hair" grows too long!


Materials

• A nylon sock or a foot from tights or a stocking.
• Grass seed
• Sawdust
• Elastic band
• Old yogurt pot
• Googly eyes
• Paper, buttons, ribbon etc to decorate

Directions

1. Fill the toe of your sock with grass seed.
2. Top up with sawdust until you have a ball shape.
3. Fasten tightly with the elastic band.
4. Decorate the yogurt pot as the body using, paper, ribbon, and whatever else you can find in your craft box!
5. Stand the stocking ball in the pot with the grass seed at the top.
6. Add some eyes and any other decorative bits you like.
7. Keep the yogurt pot topped up with water.
8. After a few weeks your head should grow hair!

Magnet Flowers

Here's a quick and easy modelling craft for your youngsters. This daffodil magnet is perfect for Spring, St David's Day or Easter and kids will love playing with them for hours. I know my son still loves to make a "garden" with his flowers on my fridge and he made these a year ago.


Materials

• Yellow and orange fimo or other polymer clay
• Magnet
• Strong glue

Directions

1. Shape six petals from your yellow clay and press together to make the base of your flower.
2. Make a cone from orange clay.
3. Press the point of the cone into the center of the flower.
4. Press in the center of the base of the cone and flute around the edges to make your ‘trumpet’.
5. Bake the clay according to the manufacturer's instructions.
6. Using strong glue (and with an adults help) glue the magnet to the back of your flower.

Dabber Art

This is a fun little project for all little one's of any age. It make's a beautiful little mess that you'll love forever ^.^

Materials

• A plastic mesh bag – we got ours from a bag of oranges.
• Something to stuff your dabbers with – cotton balls, tissues, fabric scraps
• String or elastic bands to tie up your dabbers.
• A container for the paint – we used a foil tray from the recycling.
• Paint.
• Nice big sheets of paper.

Directions

1. Cut the orange bag mesh into four square-ish pieces
2. Then scrunched up some newspaper into small balls and put a few layers of tissue over the top.
3. Wrapping the balls in the mesh and tie it all at the top to make a nice squish dabber for the paint with a nifty handle at the top. You could use plain fabric for the outside of the dabbers too, though the mesh makes an interesting printed texture.
4. Then following the ‘keep it simple’ ideal, all you do is swish the dabbers around in the paint a bit and then start dabbing!
5. This activity is perfect for toddlers as it is easy to get paint on to the paper without too many drips, but I am sure my big kids will want to have go too when they get home from school.

Flower Painting

Here's a really simple arts and crafts for those parents who need to put a quick craft together to entertain a rambunctious little one!


Materials

• Paper
• Paint
• Flowers

Directions

1. Lay down the paper.
2. Place a couple of gobs of paint onto the paper.
3. Place the flowers on the paper.
4. Have your child dip the flowers into the paint.
5. Then let them decorate the paper with it.

Home made Patterned Fabric

Beautiful, eh? The idea is to involve your kids in making some of their own clothes. It's probably not the ideal fabric/print for clothes, but they all get excited about making something personal. The finished piece of fabric is probably half a yard -- enough for a skirt or for any cute little thing you'd want to make.

Materials

• Mini Paint Roller
• Fabric Paint
• Sheet of newspaper
• Leaves
• Brayer

Directions

1. Roll a mini paint roller in some fabric paint (on an acrylic box frame, but you could use a plate) then rolled the paint-soaked roller over a leaf.
2. Set the leaf paint-side down on our fabric.
3. Lay a sheet of newsprint over the leaf, and then rolled over the leaf a few times with the brayer.

Drawing Dough

A cross between paint and dough, this delightful concoction is fun to squeeze out into puffy, colorful designs. As it dries, the salt in the dough crystallizes, leaving behind a glittering abstraction that, like a Rorschach inkblot, is open to interpretation. Here's how to make enough for 2 bottles!


Materials

• 2/3 cup each of water, flour, and salt
• Washable tempera paints
• Squeeze bottles

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the water, flour, and salt (the dough will be just barely pourable).
2. Divide the dough between two bowls and stir a few drops of washable tempera paint into each. 
3. Pour the dough into squeeze bottles.