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Get the NurtureStore free kids apps

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Exciting news to start the month :: you can now download one of the NurtureStore free kids apps, which means you can use all our ideas, straight from your phone, any time you need them!

If you’re wondering what to do with the kids tomorrow, you’re planning a playdate, you need some ideas to help your kids with their spellings or you’re stuck in on a rainy day in need of a rescue idea – NurtureStore is here!

Follow these easy-peasy instructions and you can have a nice little NurtureStore app on your iPhone or iPod Touch, which with one click brings you straight here, to see our latest ideas and to dive into our huge archive of kids activities.

free kids apps

How to get the free kids apps
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Bake a snowman :: cake recipe for kids

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As we still haven’t been blessed with any snow yet, we decided we would bake a snowman instead. This is a great cake recipe for kids to try. It’s only got three ingredients, it’s a really easy recipe to make and it tastes scrummy yummy. Here’s how to make crispy cake snowmen.

Cute snowman treats - fun winter recipe for kids

 

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Coloring pages :: snowman printable

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Free snowman printables and snowman coloring pages

I never used to be a fan of coloring pages, preferring to offer lots of paper, pencils and other art materials to encourage the children to create their own art. However along came L, who really loves to colour in and reminded me that there’s fun and benefit in many different kinds of kids activities.

Children’s creativity can be encouraged in many ways – and best of all when you’re starting out with the individual child’s passions in mind. She seems to find colouring in quite meditative and often sings whiles she’s doing it! So, with her in mind, I put together some snowman-themed coloring pages – and I thought you might like them as a printable too.

 

 Coloring pages :: snowman printable

The coloring pages have been put together using PicMonkey. Have you discovered it yet? It’s a photo editing site which I use a lot for photos on the blog, but it’s also a great site to give children a chance to try out some IT skills.

Both B and L like to use PicMonkey to make their own pictures and letters to send to friends. L’s 6-years-old and has found it easy to get the hang of. I set up a blank ‘collage’ and she practises using the mouse to change colours, fonts, do some online writing and use their image bank to make fun pictures.  You can use many of the facilities on the site for free or upgrade to get access to everything.

 

#1 is a simple snowman outline, great for customising with your own hat, scarf and face.

coloring pages printable snowman 41

 

 

#2 is good for practising scissor skills

colouring pages printable snowman 21

 

 

#3 is a fun doodle sheet where you can add whatever you can imagine to the winter scene, along with lots of extra snowflakes.

colouring pages printable snowman 31

 

 

See how glamorous the snowmen – or rather snowladies – are in our house!

snowman printable coloring sheets

( Thanks to PicMonkey for their permission to share the coloring pages with you.)

How to download the printable

 

Kids Christmas decorations :: creative art station

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…. Click here …. for your guide to a cosy and connected winter with your family.

kids christmas decorations

Today we’re decking the tree with a glorious jumble of kid-created art. This version of kids’ Christmas decorations can combine process art, sensory play and team work. Here are three simple steps to set up a creative Christmas art station.

 

Kids Christmas decorations: creative art station

Step One: select a location. It’s great if you have a space where you can leave out the materials for a few days, so the children can come back again and again to enjoy some creating – a corner of a room, a table, even a shelf full of things they can use. I taped a plastic tablecloth to the floor so the children could glitter and glue happily.

kids christmas decorations

Step two: provide a tree – the focal point and inspiration for all the making! It’s fun to be able to hang your decoration on the tree just as soon as you’ve finished making it.

kids christmas decorations

Step three: add goodies. You can raid your craft shelves for basics and add in some inexpensive festive flourishes. If you mix and match and add a couple of new materials each day it can be a really great way to keep inviting the children back to create some more. You could include…

card :: paper :: felt :: wrapping paper :: strips of glittered paper :: fabric :: cotton wool :: ribbon :: pompoms :: pipe cleaners :: glitter (go on – it is Christmas) :: sequins :: pens :: pencils :: glue :: sticky tape :: buttons :: anything fun and festive you can find

kids christmas decorations

A little tray of chocolate treats is always a bonus – plus you can use the foil wrappers in your crafting!

kids christmas decorations

Then step away and let the children create. Any decoration they like, any colours, any materials, any shapes. As many as they like until the materials run out, or the tree begins to bow under the weight of it all. This is not about perfection, colour-schemes or matching themes. It’s about having fun, exploring the materials, seeing what you can make and creating a glorious child-made Christmas tree fiesta!

 

 

Let’s make this winter the year when we delight in the cold and the dark.

Gather your children, get cosy, and make memories and connections together.

I’ll show you how with this guide to a cosy and connected winter:

…. CLICK HERE FOR YOUR GUIDE ….

 

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