Leap Day with kids!

What is a leap year?

A leap year is a year that has a longer February than normal. In a leap year, February has 29 days in it instead of 28.

Why do we need a leap year?

Leap year began in order to align the earth’s rotation around the sun with our seasons. It takes approximately 365.2422 days for the earth to travel around the sun in one year. We know that a typical year has 365 days in it—but as you can see from the number 365.2422, a year is not exactly 365 days! So, in order to get “lined up”, almost every four years, we give one extra day to account for the additional time the earth takes to travel around the sun.

Presidents Day

Celebrating President’s Day can be so much fun with these 21 easy presidents day activities and crafts for kids.  I’ve got free printables and templates for George Washington wigs, Abraham Lincoln’s hat, cabin crafts, President’s Day crafty food, and so much more!

When is President’s Day?

When is Presidents Day?  Presidents’ Day in 2012 is on Monday, the 20th of February.  In the United States, Presidents Day is always celebrated on the third Monday of February.
Presidents Day is a federal holiday officially designated as George Washington’s Birthday on February 22. While the holiday is officially Washington’s Birthday, it has become known as “President’s Day”, honoring both Washington and Lincoln, as well as all the other men who have served as president.

Here are a few things for you to help celebrate President's Day.

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 Presidential Powdered Wig ~ Not only will the kids have fun making these wigs, but they’ll have a blast wearing and playing with them.
 Paper Plate Abe Lincoln Hat ~ This paper plate Abe Lincoln hat is simple enough that little ones can even get involved. It’s a fun craft for Presidents’ Day.

  Presidents’ Day Muffin Tin Meal ~ Made out of watermelon, string cheese, cucumbers, pretzels, and George Washington sandwich.

 Edible Log Cabin ~ Another super-simple President’s Day craft project. This isn’t something that kids will be able to keep, but it’s a fun little project that will let them play with their food!

George Washington Pancakes

Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons

Celebrate the US President’s Day the proper way, with food. Find food-related tidbits on ten US Presidents HERE at Chow. For example, President Taylor consumed a large bowl of cherries and a pitcher of iced milk at a 4th of July celebration, then died of cholera.

 Facts about Abraham Lincoln and Facts about George Washington ~ Since President’s Day is right around the corner we spent the week learning about some of the symbols of our nation and a few of our great leaders.

  Presidents’ Day Finger Puppets ~ Celebrate Presidents’ Day with these quick and easy paper finger puppets of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

  George Washington and Abraham Lincoln Craft ~Paper piece together the faces of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as a fun craft for Presidents day.

 US President Printable Cards ~ Use these as flash cards, game cards, matching cards, guess who cards, sorting cards (names, letters, numbers, facial features, etc), coloring cards or whatever you want.

  Counting Makes “CENTS” with Abraham Lincoln and George Washington ~   President’s Day holiday I created a Early American patriotic-themed coins-counting game. It’s not free, but it’s only $1 to download.

{ Presidents Day Printable }

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Presidents Day Printable -2.5″ Cupcake Toppers

Presidents Day Printable Straw Tags

Simply download and print. 

The cupcake toppers are best cut out with a 2.5″ circle punch, a 2″ scallop punch or leave as squares and attach to a stick.

For the straw tags: cut out, fold in half over the straw and glue together.

Happy President’s Day!

More Valentine ideas...

These were just too cute not to mention!

ra
Happy Valentine's Day love bug! 
Dandee 

Friendship Bracelets

Step by Step instructions HERE at Purlbee

Conversation hearts are everywhere! Even in pie form and on a stick. Find conversation heart pie pops HERE at Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons.

Valentine Twig Arrows

I love these cupid arrows made from twigs
at Homework! You can attach a little note to
use them as Valentine cards.

Homemade Beaded Bracelets

beaded bracelets from polymer clay and the instructions
at Multiples and More!

Clay Heart Candy Dish

clay candy dish
was made at Ordinary Life Magic (Too).

Felt Flower Valentine Corsage

How cute is this?! Lilly Cakes shows you how to
make this adorable felt flower valentine corsage.

cute printable Valentine cards 
Freshly Picked Whimsy 
Check out this tutorial for sweet love birds made of felt and fashioned into a cute pendant at buzzmills.

Dr. Seuss Storytime free at all Target Stores!

Dr. Seuss Storytime free at all Target Stores!  This February 25th, 9am to 11am, bring your kids to the closest Target store, where you'll find a free celebration of all things Dr. Seuss! There will be goody bag giveaways, fun activities and and storytime! Good times, and totally free!   March 2nd is Dr. Seuss's Birthday.  Celebrate all month long with Seusstastic reading tools and interactive games.  The film The Lorax opens nationwide also on this day.  To watch the trailer and free downloads click on the website below: http://www.theloraxmovie.com/index.php#/truffula

 

 

Read for the Trees and NEA's Read Across America

The theme is green for a very special 2012 Read Across America celebration. NEA's Read Across America campaign will showcase the Lorax book as well as NBC/Universal's The Lorax. For a sneak peek, here's the latest trailer. The film opens nationwide March 2, 2012 and Universal, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and Random House have joined NEA's Read Across America, creating new posters and classroom guides for the campaign. Read Across America will also develop new event ideas and materials to help you make this a Seussational celebration.

 DON'T FORGET TO PLEDGE

Whether it's planting a Truffala tree forest, reading garden, or having the Lorax lead your reading parade, don't forget to share your plans for celebrating NEA's Read Across America on the Read Across America pledge site. You'll find pledges from around the country and even around the world, linked to a special Google map. Plus, we'll soon be uploading news from the Lorax, our partners, and even guest bloggers.

Lorax resources ready for your classroom

If you're reading The Lorax for Read Across America Day and looking for lesson plans and materials, there are plenty of resources available, including The Lorax Project from Dr. Seuss,  Lorax familiy literacy bags from Reading Rockets, and ReadWriteThink.org. If you have a lesson plan or resource you'd like to share, emailreadacross@nea.org with your link.  

Looking for Books?

If you serve a high needs student population and are in need of books for your reading event, check out the First Book Marketplace, run by Read Across America partner First Book. They have books by Dr. Seuss and many of your favorite authors at significant discounts. And if you qualify, sign up to become a First Book recipient of free books. 

Join the Read Across America Fan and Cause pages on Facebook

Help us spread the word and build a nation of readers! Through the Read Across America Facebook fan page and cause page you'll be able to share photos, videos, and ideas, plus hear the latest news from NEA's Read Across America and its partners.

Ready for your 15 minutes of Fame?

How about sending your latest video to SchoolTube?  It can be your own music reading video, book trailer, or coverage of a recent event. SchoolTube has created a Read Across America channel just for you. To sign up and share your videos, go to SchoolTube.  

About NEA’s Read Across America

The National Education Association is building a nation of readers through its signature program, NEA’s Read Across America. Now in its thirteenth year, this year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources.

NEA’s Read Across America Day, NEA’s national reading celebration takes place each year on or near March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens, and books, and you can too!

"You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child."

Check out our Dr. Seuss Birthday / Read Across America Day Party HERE 

• The LORAX Reader's Guide

  What would you do with the last truffula seed? What happens next?
  PDF 459KB

• Which Dr. Seuss Character Are You?

  • Take our quiz and find out

• More Seuss Fun

  Get inspired with these free
  Dr. Seuss activities.
  PDF 1.02MB

Snowman Themed Craft Ideas

Snowman Print Bunting Tutorial

This snowman bunting is a wonderful craft
project for the whole family to enjoy together.
Visit Green Owl Art for the tutorial.

Cotton Ball Garland

This cotton ball garland at A Fanciful Twist is the
cutest! I love the touch of color amidst the cozy fluff.

Coffee Filter Paper Snowflakes

The Artful Parent shares the beautiful snowflakes
they made from coffee filters.

Shrink Plastic Snowflakes

The Long Thread shows you how to make a beautiful

snowflake shrink plastic necklace. These would also be

nice to add to a package or used in a winter diorama.

Go here to download.

Magnetic Snowman

Use recycled burner covers to create this adorable magnetic snowman. The kids will love rearranging his “parts”! Get the fun tutorial over at Brassy Apple: Magnetic Snowman Tutorial.

This little guy is snow cute, he’ll ‘melt’ your heart. I’m sure with the holidays here, you’ve got some bottle caps lying around, or will soon have some.  Make sure you save them so you can turn them into these little snowmen.  Head on over to What I Live For for the tutorial.  { Post found via UCreatewithKids}

Hot Cocoa Candle

by Nicole Blum, Photograph by Joe Polillio 

Get a jump on April Fool's with this yummy (looking) treat. A simple technique creates the whipped cream; brown dye gives the cocoa its luscious color.

Remember, never leave candles burning unattended or near unsupervised children.

Materials

2 3/4 cups soy wax flakes pouring container or heatproof measuring cup with spout one third of a 3/4-ounce cube of brown wax dye 6-ounce glass mug made for hot beverages 9-inch-tall prewaxed wire wick with clip

Instructions

1. To make the cocoa:
   Melt 1 3/4 cups of the soy wax flakes in a pouring container following these directions or in a heatproof measuring cup in the microwave according to the package directions. While the wax is melting, chop the dye into small pieces, then stir it into the wax.
2. Pour the wax into the mug and insert the wick. (If the wick tips, put a pencil across the top of the mug and lean the wick against it.) Let the candle cool, about 1 hour. The dye will lighten as the wax cools.
3. To make the whipped cream:
   Melt the remaining wax and let it cool until it's opaque, about 5 minutes.
4. Whip the wax with a fork until it begins to form frothy peaks. If the wax is too thin, wait a few minutes and try again. If it thickens too quickly, remelt it.
5. Scoop the whipped wax onto the cocoa as shown. Let it cool, then trim the wick so that it extends 1/4 inch.

We know this isn't a craft but had to share this with you - WE LOVE IT!

Snow Globe Cake

See how to make your own at Todera.

This adorable little snowman pencil topper seen at Turkey Feathers!

Pom Pom Snowman – How To

Click on over to Carolyn’s Homework Blogspot for the tut on Pom Pom Snowmen!

Snowman Ice Cream Cones

How adorable are these ice cream cones? Find the how-tos HERE at This Homemade Life.

Yarn Pom Snow People

Head on over toHostess with the Mostess for the cute idea!

DIY Snowball Soap Surprise

To follow the step by step tutorial I found online pop over toSweetSimpleThings to find out what to do next.

Snowman Pop

You Will Need:

• 1 lolly pop stick
• 3 mini powdered donuts
• 6 mini chocolate chips
• 1 candy corn
• 1 straw candy
• 2 M&M's or similar candy

Let your kids create, decorate and then enjoy!

How to make a bucket of snowballs with Styrofoam balls and quilt batting.  Materials:

 
• Styrofoam balls
• Quilt or Craft Batting
• Colorfill "Diamond Vase Filler
• Tacky Glue  
  
  Directions:
              
  • Cut a circle from the batting large enough to wrap around your Styrofoam ball.
  • Brush a generous amount of tacky glue on the Styrofoam ball
  • Wrap the batting around the ball, trimming off any excess. Don't worry about making the batting perfectly smooth, as the imperfections will make your snowballs look more realistic.
  • Allow to dry thoroughly.
  
  • Pour Colorfill "Diamond" into a shallow bowl
  • Brush generous amount of glue on the top of the batting.
  • Dip the ball into the pellets and press to adhere them.
  • Repeat until the entire ball is covered with pellets. Allow to dry overnight.

Check out our Previous Posts

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Fun and Facts with Kids: Let it Snow! Dec 26, 2010 ... It has started to snow like crazy here in the North East! The kids are so excited about thesnow and can't wait to go sledding. Labels: Snow and ... www.blog.funandfactswithkids.com