Paint Paste

Junior and I tried out this paint paste yesterday and it worked really well. We found it on the Disney Family Fun Craft Finder app on Junior's ipad.

Very simple to make.
2/3 a cup of each of these ingredients - salt, flour, water(Next time we are going to try adding a little more flour and salt to make it even thicker and then use it for finger paint. )
Mix well then separate into several containers(one for each color)
Add a few drops of tempra paint in the color of your choice to each container. Mix and you are ready for fun. They suggest putting the paint in squeeze
bottles but we didn't have any.

I used these(they are Gerber baby food containers)
Though the squeeze bottles would have worked well for painting, a spoon worked just fine. We drizzled the colors over a sheet of painting paper. It is thick so Junior liked drizzling all the colors on the paper and then we tipped the paper in different directions. It gave it a fun pattern but didn't run off the paper because of its thickness(of course if you tipped it and held it long enough it would have run off the paper and made a mess).
We also drizzled some over a piece of paper in a shallow tub and added marbles
It dries slightly puffy and because of all the salt it looks glittery. I will try to remember to add a picture of the dried paintings later today.

Fall is Here, Craft - wreath

A fall leaf wreath which we have made different versions of the past couple years.

You will need a paper plate, several leaf shapes(cut out), paints or markers/crayons, sponge/paint brush, shallow tub, bouncy balls, glue or double sided tape, glitter(optional).

Here is the version of this wreath we made last year. We colored the leaves black and orange. Cut the center out of a paper plate and colored/painted it brown, then glue the leaves to the plate.
Junior wanted to paint this years version so we started by painting a paper plate green.
While the plate was drying we placed the leaf shapes in a shallow tub and dropped in some bouncy balls and mini koosh balls dipped in paint. Rolled the balls around to created patterns on the leaves and then let them dry.

You can either cut the center out of the plate or put some decoration in the center of the plate. Junior wanted this foam pumpkin in the middle with the first letter of his name on it.
We then taped(I used double sided tape so we didn't have to wait on it to dry) the leaves to the sides and were all done. If we did this again I would add a few more leaves around the outside so there were no gaps.

A Sand Box When Sand is Not an Option

When you have a kid with severe lung and airway issues playing in the sand is just not a good idea.
We decided that Junior still needed a "sand" box like every other kid so we made him a sandless sand box.

With his mobility issues we used a large tupperware box so it could be placed on his stander or wheel chair tray.
Many people would likely consider this a sensory box but for Junior it was his sandless box and he loved playing with all his cars in it.

We used a large tupperware box, rice, dry beans, lots of cars, and one happy kid(Junior is about 4 or 5 here).

More recently we have discovered moon sand which is a good no dust option to sand. If only it weren't so expensive.

Fall Is Here, Crafts - Fall Leaves (or apples)

Not too far from us is a place called Apple Hill. We love going up there and seeing all the beautiful fall colors and visiting the many apple orchards.
Since we couldn't get there for a visit last year we had to make our own fall tree with leaves falling from it.

You will need: paper(card stock works best), paint, string/yarn, and glue

To start I drew a large tree trunk on a piece of paper and cut it out(we used card stock so it would hold up to being painted). Then did the same for the top portion of the tree.

Junior painted the tree trunk and top portion and then let them dry. After letting the top portion of the tree dry Junior put it in a shallow bucket and rolled some mini koosh balls dipped in paint across it to add some fall leaf colors.
We then cut cut out 3 large leaves and painted them. You can paint them in numerous ways but Junior chose to use bouncy balls and mini koosh balls. We placed the leaves in a shallow tub and then dipped the balls in paint before dropping them into the tub. He then rocked the tube back and forth and side to side to make the balls roll across the leaves.
This year we decided to make an apple tree so cut out apple shapes instead of leaves. Junior wanted to use his yoyo ball to paint his apples. Yoyo ball painting is so much fun, very messy, but worth the mess(best to do outside if possible). For the apple tree Junior also used his fingers to dot apples on the top portion.
Glue the top of your tree to the trunk(or you can use double sided tape so you don't have to wait for it to dry).
Once your leaves( or apples) are dry use a piece of string to hang them from the bottom of your tree.
Add a piece of string to the top of your tree and you are ready to hang it up.

I think this Christmas we will do this craft using a Christmas tree at the top and hang gift shapped pieces from the bottom.

Fall is Here, Craft - Pizza Box Painting

This was a craft we did last fall though it isn't really a fall craft. My sister had brought over pizza and after it was gone I noticed there wasn't any grease in the bottom(inside the box) and was trying to figure out what we could do with the box. First I let Junior feel the bumpy bottom of the box then we decided to see what kind of pattern it would leave if coated with paint. We are always looking for new sensory activities.

For this project you just need an empty pizza box(I cut the top and sides off the box), paint, and paper. A paint brush is optional.

We drizzled paint in different patterns over the inside of the bottom of the box. You could use a brush but Junior wanted to use his fingers to play in the paint.
We then laid a piece of paper over the paint and pressed down.
Then before we hung up the painting we placed some pieces of construction paper behind it.

Fall Is Here, Crafts - Glitter Pumpkin

Junior loves glitter, its messy, sparkly, and fun to feel, so that makes it perfect as far as Junior is concerned.
A few years ago we tried glittering our pumpkin and since then Junior has to have a glitter pumpkin every fall. We can have others decorated differently but we still have to have one covered in glitter.

Be warned this is one messy activity but still lots of fun and you end up with a very sparkly pumpkin(probably also a sparkly kid, carpet, chair, table, etc. )

To start you need a pumpkin(preferably one with a stem, we learned that the hard way yesterday), glue, a small dish, paint brush, and glitter.

The pumpkin Junior decorated yesterday only had glitter on it. Typically we use puff paint and write his name on it first( or some little design). If you do this be sure to let the paint dry before starting with the glitter.

Place your pumpkin on a sheet of paper to keep the glitter mess to a minimum.
Then start spreading on the glue. You will need to do this in 2 sessions or not glitter the bottom of the pumpkin. We poured some glue in a small dish and added a few drops of water. We then spread the glue using a paint brush.
Then start sprinkling on the glitter. It is so much easier if the pumpkin has stem so you have some place to grab and move the pumpkin with while adding the glitter.
Let it dry and then glitter the rest of it.
Here is Junior's glitter pumpkin from last year.

Fall Is Here, Crafts - Bubble Wrap

I have shared about bubble wrap painting in the past. Junior and Abigail both love playing with bubble wrap so painting with it is always a hit.

For some fall bubble wrap fun cut out some large fall shapes using card stock. We used pumpkin and candy corn shapes. Or wait and cut out the shapes until after the paint has dried, either way works.

Spread out a piece of bubble wrap and paint it with your preferred color.
Lay the shape over the top and press. Then lift it off and thats it.
Junior likes to make a bubble wrap collage or hang them on the window or bulletin board.

(the pumpkin pics are from 2 years ago. The others are from last night when we were making bubble wrap candy corn)

Fall Is Here, Crafts - Sun Catchers

Fall has finally arrived and our weather is cooling down. Time to start having some fun with fall crafts.


One of Junior's favorite crafts is sun catchers. Click HERE for a post where we made Valentines sun catchers for more exact directions.

This is a simple craft and all you need is some clear contact paper, crate or tissue paper(construction paper can also be used), a marker, and some scissors.

Decide on a shape for your sun catcher and then cut a piece of contact paper at least twice that size(you will be folding it in half).
I do not cut out the actual shape until the end.

Using the paper in colors of your choice cut or tear lots of tiny pieces.

Peel the backing off the contact paper so the sticky side is up. Help your child sprinkle the pieces of colored paper onto the sticky contact paper(beware little hands will also easily stick to the paper). In this picture we used a very large piece of contact paper and sprinkled on enough colored paper for 3 leaves.
Fold your contact paper in half so the colored paper is trapped in between.
sorry this picture was taken after they were folded and already cut
Now you are ready to cut out the shape.
Add a hole at the top and it is ready to hand on your window(you can find the small suction cup window hangers at walmart or any craft store).
For this pumpkin and apple I drew the shape on the non sticky side of the contact paper before we started. That way we could use green for the stems and red or orange for the other part.
Junior enjoying his window full of fall sun catchers.
Reminds me it is time to pull out the contact paper and make this falls sun catchers. Junior loves making these so we don't save them from year to year.

Christmas Trees All Year Round

When you have a child who is unable to go out much of the year you have to find creative ways to keep things exciting.
Last year when Christmas was over we decided to leave our tree up and then decorate it for other holidays or just for fun.
Junior loved it and we had a great time coming up with a new theme each month or two. We would make things to put on the tree and and sometimes decorated it according to what Junior was learning in school.
Here are a few of our trees.

New Years
Winter(lots of snowflakes and icicles)
Valentines(lots and lots of hearts, many were crafts made by Junior and Abby)
Ocean Life. Junior was doing as school unit on the ocean. We made construction paper waves and then added lots of ocean animals.
Vehicle Theme. This was Junior's all time favorite. He thought it was wonderful to hang his cars all over the tree. We also added street signs and a garland of racing flags.
Easter/Spring
Patriotic
I would love to hear your great ideas. what do you do to keep things exciting for your homebound child

Junior's Lift

As Junior has gotten bigger lifting him has become an issue. I didn't want to have to stop letting him do the many things he loves because I could no longer pick him up.
I thought I would share about Junior's overhead lift to let others know what is available.

We live in an apartment so the Hoyer lift was not even an option.
Our Regional Center Worker came out with the OT for an assessment and to see what was available to help with lifting(also what would work with our space). It took about a year to get through all the red tape and get it funded(insurance had to do their own assessment and then deny it so that Regional Center could make the purchase) but finally it arrived.
Being in an apartment we can't mount anything to the ceiling so it was determined that the portable overhead lift was best. We have the Easy Track legs in Junior's bedroom and our living room and the Voyager motor(the motor is not heavy and we just move it to the room where it is needed).
A leg is placed on each side of the room, it unscrews and is held in place by pressure. A track is then placed between these legs.

These pictures will show how it works far better then I could ever describe it.
The legs running across his bedroom. These pics are from the day that we got it so since then the room has been rearranged so their is more space under the track(the track can be extended to the needed width)
This was Juniors very first ride in his lift. You slide the sling under him and with a little practice you can get it under him in most every piece of equipment(even his bike).
There is a hand control about the size of a tv remote, with that you can lower the motor so the straps from the lift sling can be attached.
Junior thinks the lift is his own personal roller coaster and loves to go for rides in it.
Another thing that works great with the lift is a standing sling. I love being able to help him walk back and forth across the room but not be struggling to hold up his weight.
Junior is now 70 lbs but his lift makes it possible for him to still do all the things he loves. He can still play on the floor, ride his bike, and get in his stander and will continue to be able to do these things no matter how big he gets.
Here is a link to show the lift and options to go with it. There are lots of places where this can be purchased so this is just one. We were able to get ours funded and some insurances may cover this. Voyager lift

Chutes & Ladders

Another board game we have adapted is Chutes and Ladders.

Like our other adapted games we start with the game spinner. The spinner came with a dice overlay so we just used that for this game.
Add strips of velcro to the back of the game board so it can hang on the game easel(if needed).
Then add a small piece of velcro to each square on the board. You will also need to add velcro to the bottom of each playing piece.
Now you are ready to play.