I reviewed the new children’s cookbook by Paula Deen – Paula Deen’s My First Cookbook – today at CafeMom where I’m guest posting. You can read it at Hot or Not? Paula Deen’s New Cookbook for Kids.

Not only does the book feature food recipes, but it has directions on how to make salt dough, play clay and this one:

Giant Bubbles

What you’ll need:

1. 1 large wire coat hanger
2. Liquid measuring cup
3. Large, flat pan, big enough for the coat hanger circle to fit into (a deep tray would work, too)
4. Whisk
5. 1/2 cup dishwashing liquid
6. 4 1/2 cups cold water

What you’ll do:

1. Get an adult to bend the coat hanger into a circle for you, making sure there aren’t any rough ends that could scratch you.
2. Mix the dishwashing liquid and the water in the large flat plan. Whisk the two together.
3. When the rain stops (Paul recommends doing this on a rainy day since the damp air makes the bubbles bigger and last longer before they pop.) go outside with your supplies. Dip the coat hanger into the bubble solution and lift it straight up, then wave it through the air. Giant bubbles should appear.
4. If you have leftovers, keep them in a jar and use them again. They won’t go bad!

Have fun and check out Paula Deen’s My First Cookbook for more terrific recipes and children’s cooking activities.

Disney gives the The Little Mermaid, a prequel treatment with The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Beginning. Following the death of Ariel’s (Jodi Benson) mother Queen Athena, King Triton (Jim Cummings) outlaws music because of the painful memories it evokes. (Side note: what is it about Disney movies and dead parents?) Only Ariel has the courage to confront the king and restore music to the underwater kingdom.

We see all the familiar characters from the first movie including Flounder (Parker Goris) and Sebastian (Samuel Wright). Sally Field plays the unfeeling governess Marina Del Ray. Of course, there’s (banned) music, too, though not as catchy as the tunes from the original movie.

Still, five-year-old daughter, Lucie, loved it and my eight-year-old son, Nathan, hated it, which leads me to believe that The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Beginning is a girly-girl movie. And that’s O.K. since it’s girls who are ultimately drawn to mermaid tales.

Usborne’s wonderful world of mermaid books

• Stories of Mermaids –  For ages seven and up, dive into the undersea world of mermaids and join in their amazing adventures. Harmony braves the spooky Pirates’ Graveyard, Marina takes on her rivals in the Great Seahorse Race, and dance-crazy Coral makes a bargain with King Neptune.
• The Little Mermaid – This classic tale is beautifully retold, with lyrical text and enchanting illustrations by Alan Marks. For ages seven and up. They also carry a Little Mermaid picture book for younger children ages three and up.
• Mermaids is a luxury touchy-feely board book by Fiona Watt. This book is for ages nine months and up.
• That’s Not My Mermaid, a touchy-feely board book, is a favorite of my daughter’s even though she’s outgrown it. Like Mermaids, she doesn’t want to give these board books up because they’re so gorgeous.

Usborne also has mermaid activity books

• How to Draw Fairies and Mermaids for ages four and up. This craft book uses simple methods, easy-to-follow directions, and a wide variety of projects for cards, wrapping paper, decorations and presents, and more. It also comes with stickers. I love giving these type of Usborne activity books as birthday presents.
• Mermaid Things to Make & Do Kid Kit for ages six and up. This activity set gives simple steps to create lots of magical mermaid accessories like an octopus mobile and mermaids with sparkly tails. The Kid Kit includes Mermaid Things To Make & Do book (which you can buy separately), a multi-color tissue paper pack, scissors, all purpose white glue, glitter, silver glitter glue pen, sequins, white crayon for wax relief art project, paint, paint brushes, chenille stems, lots of white heavy art paper and construction paper, ribbon, and more. Usborne’s make and do kits are perfect to take on vacation or save in a closet for a rainy day project. They’re also something to give to your babysitter so she can make a craft with your child while you’re out. They make great presents, too.
• Mermaids Jigsaw Book for ages five and up contains five sparkling mermaid jigsaw puzzles for your mermaid fan.

I loved this bookmark idea from Martha Stewart. My kids are always pulling out my bookmarks. Lucie finds this terribly amusing. I don’t. So when Martha claims this bookmark will stay put, I hope she’s right.

This is a great craft to make with your kids. Have them pick out the paper and cut it into strips. Make several if you’re like me and are reading many books at once.

Directions to make Martha’s Stay Put Bookmark:

1. Laminate a strip of decorative paper, leaving an inch on each side. Thick wrapping paper, a strip from a postcard or greeting cord, or even an ad from a magazine would work.
2. Round the corners with a corner punch.
3. Punch a 1/8-inch hole on each end.
4. Cut 2 pieces of thick elastic cord. Cord like this come in either black or white and can be found at any craft, fabric or beading store.
5. Thread one end of each cord through one hole, and tie ends in a knot. Repeat on opposite end.
6. Use one elastic cord to mark your page, and wrap the other around the entire book to secure it.

Directions and photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Living magazine.

You’ve probably already done your grocery shopping and you’re preparing some Thanksgiving dishes ahead of time. But what are you going to do to keep the kids occupied and out of the kitchen? Why not try some of these craft ideas:

• FamilyFun.com has a huge section on Thanksgiving decoration crafts. Keep the kids busy making Hatband Napkin Rings or Pilgrim Place Cards.
• Kaboose has all kinds of Thanksgiving crafts. The one I really liked was Bouquet of Thanks. You have the kids make leaf cards. As guests arrive, ask them to write what they are thankful for inside. Just before dinner, have everyone choose a card from the bouquet and take turns reading them out loud.
• Sherri Osborn at About.com has many ideas for Thanksgiving crafts as well. If you’re traveling, you’ll appreciate her ideas for simple travel games and activities. Her Thanksgiving Dinner Place Setting Craft includes printables that the kids can cut out and decorate.

Remember, keep it easy and inexpensive. Don’t expect masterpieces. Get the relatives involved. (What else are they doing but sitting around drinking all your booze?) Most of all have fun, be creative, and keep those darn kids away from that hot stove top!

I got this nifty little Halloween craft idea from Liz Smith at Bebestages:

Halloween Spider

Materials:

1. Pipe cleaners
2. Four-hole buttons
3. Stick-on googly eyes

Directions:

1. Bend a pipe cleaner into a V shape. Push the base of the V up through one of the buttonholes until it protrudes 1/2 inch. Then, bend the 1/2-inch length over the top of the button. Use the same method to thread the three other pipe cleaners through the remaining buttonholes.
2. Next, shape the legs (there should be eight, of course!) by bending the pipe cleaner ends first 1 inch from the button and then again 1/4 inch from the tips. Stick the googly eyes onto the button between the front legs.

Over at the FamilyFun website, there was a variation on this craft that would make great party favors.

Spider Pops

Materials:

1. Black pipe cleaners
2. Lollipops
3. Googly eyes
4. Glue

Directions:

1. Holding all four pipe cleaners, center them at the base of the pop and wrap them around the stick once so there are four legs on each side.
2. Bend the pipe cleaner ends to form eight feet.
3. Glue on googly eyes.

Need a cake to go along with your spider crafts, check out the Spider Cake at kidskuisine.com along with their many other kid friendly recipes for Halloween.

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