Construction Site

My son plays with his construction site at least an hour a day. Best part? The trucks were from the dollar store!! This sensory bin encourages fine motor development and creative play. 

ABC Wheel

In this clothes pin letter match, all you need is a piece of cardboard cut into a circle, 26 clothes pins, and letter stickers with 2 sets of letters. Simply place one set of letters on the wheel and the other on the clothes pins! 

Turkey Clothes Pins

This is a simple color/pattern/motor skill activity that is very easy to make. Simply trace around a round object, on cardboard, color your desired amount of clothes pins, cut out circles of coordinating colors, and there you go! I also made one for Christmas in the shape of an ornament with red and green clips. 

File Folder Matching Shapes

This file folder focuses on matching shapes, also with shape name recognition. For more info, see File Folder Basics. A simple modification would be to put Velcro on the shapes to make them stick to the file folder.

Matching Shapes PDF

File Folder Counting Trains Numbers 1-15

This file folder game focuses on ordering numbers from 1-15. Simply place train cards in order to complete the train. See File Folder Basics for more info.

Counting Trains PDF

File Folder Paint Brush Color Match

I cannot take credit for this awesome file folder game. I found it over on Confessions of a Homeschooler.

Find it here.

File Folder Letters in Name

*This folder has not been physically created, but the template is ready.*

This file folder helps children to learn to spell and recognize the letters in their name. Simply paste the first page to the file folder - perhaps on brightly colored paper for fun! - and cut out the letters on the second page to be matched underneath their printed name. See File Folder Basics.

Name Template DOC

Instructions on how to edit this document so that it is personalized to your child are included on the document. Simply click the download button at the top of the screen after clicking the link above. The preview looks funny, but it works, I promise!

File Folder Easy Two Letter Sort

This file folder sort simply sorts two letters of choice and is easily changed. To create this folder, I took two sheet protectors, cut off the 3 holed part - just off to the side of where it seals - and stapled it in. All of the letters of the alphabet are stored in the sheet protectors. There are seven of each letter included. (*Note the picture shows hand drawn letters, but the file includes typed, brightly colored letters.) See File Folder Basics.

Letter Circles PDF

Letter Sheets PDF

Store behind sheet protectors in envelopes.

File Folder Easy Number Sort

This file folder sort is meant to be interchangeable as the child becomes more advanced in number recognition. Number cards are placed at the top of the inside of the folder and then sorted. May also split into separate file folders - one for 1 and 2, one for 3 and 4, and so on. See File Folder Basics.



Easy Number Sort Number Head

*Currently 1-4. 5-10 are in works!
*Inside board in creation*

Easy Number Sort numbers 1 and 2
Easy Number Sort numbers 3 and 4

File Folder Color Sort

The color sorts are broken down into four separate file folders, each with a title page found under the first link. Simply staple (or glue) colored card stock to the inside of the file folder. See File Folder Basics.

Folder Titles

Red and Orange

Yellow and Green

Blue and Purple

Black, Brown, and White

File Folder Game Basics

File folder games and sorts are a fun way for kids to learn and practice new skills. They are usually pretty simple to make and don't take up much space. I have included the PDF's to the file folders I have created and will add more as I create more! I have a busy toddler who gets bored easily but loves these games!

DURABILITY: I laminate my pieces using my pocket laminator that I purchased off Amazon. Pieces can also be printed on cardstock.

STORAGE: Pieces to file folder games are kept in an envelope taped to the back of the folder.

*NOTE: Many of these games would be enhanced by placing Velcro on the game board and game pieces.

*I have created a Pay Pal donation button on my blog home page to help pay for the materials I use and the time I put into creating these games. Not expected, but appreciated!

DIY Mario Mushroom Pillow Patterns

Mario 1 Up and Super Mushroom Pattern

Pattern: Self-made patter found HERE

I will show pictures from both. I modified the 1-Up mushroom a tad because I couldn't find any green fabric with polka-dots on it that wasn't too "baby."

• Cut pattern. Pin top of mushroom on the fold of fabric. Cut two.

• Cut two mushroom "faces."

•  I used fleece for the white spots on the 1-up. This will give it some texture and also won't fray. I didn't take the time to tuck the sides under.  I used a can to cut my circles.

•  If placing on dots, sew before placing together.

•  I used a really small seam allowance. 

I decided after it looked better with more dots. DO THIS BEFORE you sew the two pieces together. So much easier... as I found out the hard way!

• Next, place the face on the mushroom top, right sides together. I lined them up one on top of the other to make sure they would like up when I sew them together. 

• I used a 1/4" seam allowance here.

•  Fold down and press.

•  Pin right sides together.

•  Sew around the edges, 1/4-1/2" seam allowance. Doesn't matter. I used 1/2" to be safe. Leave pocket at the bottom to turn right-side out and stuff.

•  Turn out. Corners of mushroom may pucker a bit, I used a few hand stitches to get rid of this.

•  Stuff.

•  I didn't have the patience to blind stitch  these, but would make it look more finished. I think they look fine just sewn. 

•  Ta-da!

•  Draw on the eyes. I think it looks better drawn on than sewn.

Check out the Star Pillow HERE.

Mario Curtains

Easy DIY Mario Curtains

Curtains
I made these for my Mario Nursery. I did not have a pattern to go off of and decided to just go for it. There are a few things I would change and suggestions I would make for those wanting to try to make these. Just be warned. I am a "close enough" kind of sewer! But hopefully this will give you an idea of where to go and what to do!

• Prepare your fabric.

•  Measure your windows. Mine were 47x47. These will have 6 in of green on the bottom so I took that into account when cutting. Also remember to leave a seam allowance at the top and bottom and 2" extra to put a curtain rod through. I ended up cutting mine a little long on purpose just to take all that into account.

•  Measure bottom stripe. I wanted 6 inches so I measured 7.5. Ended up being a little long, but it works.

•  Sew right sides together using a 1/4" or 1/2" seam. I prefer sewing just right long my presser foot.

•  Measure desired length of stripe. Measure to make sure it is the same length all the way across. Sew seam along bottom, remembering to roll for nice edge. You can use larger than 1/4" seam if you have enough fabric (like I did). I used a 3/4" seam and it looked nice.  

• Forgot a picture of this step, but sew a finished seam around the edge of each side. On the top, fold over two inches to make pocket for your curtain rod and sew. I used a zig zag seam with green thread that looked really nice. But I have a valance going over the top. I wasn't too concerned with it looking too pretty.

•  I didn't want to buy expensive black out material so I used some polyester I had on hand. I just sewed it on along the seam along the top where my pocket is. Just be careful you don't sew into the pocket like I did in one spot. Made putting the curtain rod in a little tight!
• Repeat for however many panels you need. Make sure lengths are equal when sewing multiple panels. I had to cut about an inch off of my second panel to make it line up right. Not sure how that happened... maybe that's how my "close enough" sewing plays in! :)

Valance
I found this idea on Pinterest and decided to make it my own. I made up this pattern too, but would change a few things. Also, I am sparse on pictures.

• I cut 5 12x12 pieces of cotton fabric. 3 black for the blocks, 2 cream for the iron on transfers. Choose size based on your windows.

• Cut out brown blocks. Next time, I would make fewer larger blocks and take the time to make a nice seam on all of them instead of zigzagging around. Mine were 2" wide by 4" long.

•  Pin to black fabric.

•  This is where I failed to take pictures. I bought iron on Mario characters on ebay. Iron those on. 
• Next, sew the 5 blocks together with a 1/4" seam on each side. (Sew right sides together like you were piecing a quilt.) Finish the sides and bottom edge with a nice seam.
• I needed a way to hang these and block out some light so I made a "separate curtain" out of an old bed sheet. I used the edge so I didn't need to finish seams on the bottom.

•  Sew a pocket (mine was 2") for a curtain rod.

•  I wanted the brown zigzags to show on the other side at 2.5" from the top. I placed my transfers with that in mind. Here is the change I would make: I would use a black back curtain and sew it on at the same time I sewed my top seam. Instead, I measured 2.5" down and pinned on the seam (brown stitches on white in picture) at the 2.5 mark and very carefully stitched it on, making sure I didn't sew onto the pocket.
• Sewing loops like the original blog post is an option, too. Or folding the top over two inches to make a pocket like on the curtains is another option. I obviously chose the hard route...

Put it together and Presto! Mario!

They look nice with my matching bed skirt!