Noah's Ark Fling

 Summer is the perfect time to plan new stuff for Sparks!  This fall I am going to try having a set of games per team that I will rotate each week so all the kids will get to play them once a month or so.  I am hoping to have 3-4 games per team so I am on the lookout for fun new games!  I had an idea for a couple that I couldn't find being made commercially so I made my own.

Noah's Ark Fling: a six player game where each kid has a bowl of 12 little animals that they are trying to catapult into the "ark" at the same time.  First one to get all their animals (or just a set of 2 depending on the ability level of the team) into the ark wins!  You could make a cardboard ark or use a toy, but I wanted mine to store pretty flat so I modified one of those fabric collapsible storage bins into an ark.  I made the catapults out of popsicle sticks using this pin as instructions.

Hopefully the pictures help somewhat or inspire you to create your own game!

Sparks Rank Help

 The first six verses in every level of Sparks are the rank verses that follow the letters SPARKS.  Because each kid learns in a different way, I like to have a variety of activities that will help them learn these verses.

First, here is a coloring page I made based on a pin I saw on Pinterest.  I've used it a couple years now and it has definitely helped some of the more visual-learning five-year-olds remember their verses.

Second, I saw the super cool VBS verse-a-day craft on Oriental Trading and thought that would make an AWESOME craft for Sparks!

I printed all the verses on this clear sticker paper I got from Amazon with a 2nd sheet on top because the ink wouldn't quit smudging.  The top piece and Sparky guys are all printed on regular paper and attached with glue dots.

I cut craft foam into 2.75" squares for the top diamond and 1.5"x 4.5" rectangles for each verse.  I will put the glue dots on the back of each paper piece and make individual kits in ziploc bags for each kid.

Here is a view of the back - I just used dot stickers to attach the curly ribbon for hanging.

I expect this will be a pretty leader heavy craft as the kids will likely need help organizing the verses into the right order.  However, they should be able to do all the stickers themselves and the result is a pretty large (approximately 18" assembled) craft they can hang up at home to help them learn their Spark rank verses.

Want to make some with your Sparks?  I linked the Spark stickers (which I collected from around the web) and the verse sheet (to print onto the clear sticker paper) below.

Spark Rank Craft Verses

Spark Rank Craft Stickers

Awana Thank You Gifts

 This is my church's 25th year of doing Awana. Man that makes me feel old!

I figured we needed super cool Awana thank you gifts for directors this year, but it is really difficult to find Awana themed gifts.

So I got creative and here's what I came up with: EASY to make Awana themed key fobs!  All you need is 7/8" grosgrain ribbon (I used white, yellow, & patterns for Trek), light colored iron-on transfer paper, 1.25" cotton webbing (I used black, red, green, & blue), & the key fob hardware.  I got my ribbon, webbing, & hardware off Etsy, but I've seen it at Hobby Lobby and Amazon and anywhere you can get crafty stuff.

Cubbies isn't pictured here because I was waiting on the blue cotton webbing to finish it.

The process is pretty simple - you print out the logos on iron on transfer paper (I've linked the page I made which is already reversed so it's ready to print and go). Then follow the directions on the iron-on paper to iron the logos onto ribbon.

Here are some of my ribbons freshly ironed.  I should have cut the black lines off the edges of the Sparks one, but oh well.

Then, I stitched the ribbons down onto the cotton webbing with my sewing machine.  All straight stitches and very quick!  Then, stitch the two ends together to make a loop with the ribbon on the outside, and attach the key fob hardware with pliers over where you stitched the ends together!

Easy, Fast, But SO Cool Looking for a Special Thank You Gift for Awana Leaders or Directors.

Gospel Wheel Bracelet Craft

I have been on the hunt for more Gospel Wheel related activities and crafts.  For this one, I wanted to combine the Gospel Wheel with the Wordless Book.  It took a while to find all the beads I had in mind (Etsy was a great resource for this!) in the quantities I needed them - I have fifty Sparks this year so I needed quite a few!  I put together each kit in a snack size bag so it was easy for the kids to put them together as their leader went over the Gospel Wheel with them.  I LOVE how visual and tactile this bracelet is in re-enforcing the Gospel message.

I got the chain in bulk from Amazon with the connectors and cut them to size for the kids (I did a six inch length and that was great for almost everyone.  I did bring the wire cutters to adjust for anyone who wanted that.)

Gold smile and gold beads for the character of God being holy.

Black heart and black beads for the character of man being sinful.

The metal cross bead with red beads for God's action of the cross. (I did have to drill the cross bead hole bigger to fit the chain)

White heart and white beads for man's action of trusting.

The green heart and beads for the heart of the Gospel message.

 

Missions Craft

I saw these awesome plastic button keychains at Hobby Lobby and knew they would be perfect for a Sparks craft.
We are doing a couple mission themed nights so I created a small circle picture (google docs makes it weird, but I used Microsoft Word and washed out the globe and then used text effects to curve the verse to fit the circle) that fits inside that they can color and then add heart confetti in the keychain.  I love how they turned out!

Best kind of craft - simple, inexpensive, not too messy, and it shakes!

Awesome Baby Shower Gifts

When I was a kid and my mom was still having babies, there was a lady in our church that would make the most soft and beautiful blankets for every baby that was born.  She kept llamas and would spin and dye the wool herself.  Each blanket was a super treasured heirloom and whenever she came to a baby shower you knew exactly what gift she had brought.
Sadly, by the time I began having babies she no longer kept llamas or made blankets :(
My goal has always been to have some amazing gift that I can bring to baby showers like that.

A Diaper Wallet to throw in a purse, stroller, or the car

Holds about a day's worth of diapers, wipes, and butt cream

Wooden, silicone, and crochet bead teethers - all natural and very, very fun to play with!

My niece's birthday gift

I used a pattern from Etsy to make this darling house for a family of bunnies!  The bunny pattern is from Creativity in Pieces and I made up several carrots and a little water dish as well for them.  I also made each bunny make noises (one rattles, one squeaks, and one jingles).
I had SO MUCH FUN decorating this little house!  I added craft foam between the pieces of felt to make it strong enough to stand up to lots of rough play and made one side of the roof open to easily get the bunnies in and out.  My niece turned two, so she was more thrilled about the bunnies, but I think she'll become more enamored with the house as she gets bigger.  Even if she never does, it was really fun to make :)

Button Canvases

For Awana tonight we did Pastor Appreciation Night and I found the BEST craft on Pinterest!
Each team in Sparks had a bowl of buttons and a variety of wooden shapes from Hobby Lobby.
They used glue dots to cover the shapes with buttons - the more covered the better!
I had gotten the canvases on sale at Hobby Lobby and pre-painted the one for Jack (our head pastor) and written out the verses in black paint sharpie.  Then, once the kids went up to game time, I hot glued the shapes onto the canvases and check it out - AWESOME appreciation gifts for our head pastor, worship pastor, and youth pastor!

Where's Max Quiet Book

This is not my pattern.  I purchased it off Etsy to make as a baby gift.  Oh my WORD it is cute!
Best part was I didn't need to purchase anything to make this as my hoarding, crafty self had everything in my stash of fabric and craft stuff :)  I LOVE gifts that only cost me time and look so fabulous!

the cover

all the animals are attached with elastic so they can stretch out of their homes

Max is attached with ribbon so he can't get lost :)

Isn't it just precious?  I love how the designer has a mix of fabric and felt.  Really brings so much texture and color to the book!

Mini Snow Globe Craft

I am in the planning phase right now for the upcoming Awana Sparks year!  One of the crafts we will be doing in December are these adorable mini snow globes.  I am super excited about them.

Aren't they cool looking?  My favorite part is their durability.  I dropped one a few times on my tile bathroom floor & it didn't break!  Then I let my boys carry it around and play with them for a while.  Still intact & not leaking at all!

Here is what you need to make your own: 2" Vending Machine Bubbles, 1" cross charms (with jump ring removed), hot glue gun & glue, distilled water, glycerin, & glitter.

It took me a bit of trial and error to figure out how best to do these, but I think I've got it down to a science now.  Sparks are ages 5-7 so I wanted them to be able to do as much as possible to make it themselves.  Here are the steps I will follow: 

1) pre-hot glue the cross charms to the base (notice it is upside down!) 

2) Let each child choose their cross & write their name on the bottom

3) Let each child put 1/2 teaspoon of glitter in the globe piece

4) Let each child fill the globe piece with distilled water using a turkey baster, leaving 1/2 inch or so from top

5) Let each child put 5 drops of glycerin in the globe

6) Then I will put a line of hot glue around the lip of the lid, turn over the cross lid, set it into the globe, and make sure it seals around the edge (over a bowl just in case).  Hopefully the picture below shows this better:

Only a single line of glue is needed to fully seal the lid!  Even if the kids overfill with water the hot glue works great at sealing the globe.  Overfilling just makes the glue look less nice and professional :)  Just make sure you don't hand the snow globe to the child until the glue is dry.  With hot glue that only takes a couple minutes, yay!

And that it!  I am planning for 48 kids to participate in this project & have twenty minutes to get it done.  I plan on talking about Christmas & the best present of all (Jesus) and how even at Christmas we are looking ahead to Easter & the reason that Jesus came to earth (to die for our sins).

Originally I was going to use the lids as intended and snap them on, but the shape of the lids meant there wasn't enough water in the capsule that way.

What do you think?  I have extra capsules so I might also use them for Science Class this year with some large plastic beads.

Dinosaur Travel Playset

I LOVED LOVED LOVED the dinosaur playmat that Fun at Home with Kids made.  I made one just like it for our big dinosaurs, but I wanted a smaller version for traveling or church.  So far I have made two of these travel sized playsets.  The first was in one of those tins that you get cookies in at Christmas.  That was for my second cousin.  Then I wanted to make one for my nephew, but the traveling he does is mostly flying and I figured the TSA would have a FIT with a metal container :p  So I got one of those pencil cases for 97 cents at Target.  It was a little smaller but it worked great!
I got the dinosaurs from Amazon but one of those Safari toobs of dinosaurs will work too.
I don't have any patterns or anything - I basically just made it up as I went along.  I used the same basic ideas as Fun at Home with Kids though.  LOTS of hot glue :)  But it was totally worth it and it really holds up well to little boy play!

Here it is by itself

Here is with about ten dinosaurs (I will use the rest for gifts & prize box awards)

Here is a different angle and action shot as my son is closing the lid!

And this is closed.  I covered the box in a sheet of duct tape so you couldn't see the hot glue through the clear plastic.

DIY Rattle for a Baby Toy

I was making baby toys this week and wanted to include a rattle inside one of them.  I looked at ordering some but of course it was too last minute.  You probably NEVER do stuff so last minute like I do, but in case you wanted to save some money I thought I'd post this simple tutorial for how to make your own baby rattle using ping pong balls and seed beads.

First I cut a V shaped slit in the ping pong ball with a small sharp pair of scissors.

Then I added a teaspoon or so of seed beads.

Then I hot glued the ball closed.  Once it was dry I tested it out - it shakes GREAT!

And that's all there is to it.  I put these inside small sewn bags for extra security against little mouths and tucked them into my baby toys.  They make great little rattles and were super simple to make!

If you wanted to make a REALLY easy toy, just add a rattle or two to a stuffed or bean bag animal.  I haven't tried it yet, but I bet they would work in the washer/dryer too.  Hmm, I should try that this week.  I will post an update after I test it out :)

DIY Baby Toys

I had a baby shower this past week for two little boys and a girl.  I was in the mood to make toys, so these are what I found via Pinterest.  The above jellyfish were from Kid Dependent and the robots were from Prudent Baby.  I used scraps from my fabric and ribbon stash and put them together on a Saturday afternoon.

This is the robot for the little girl - isn't the hair awesome?  I tried to pick girly colors for it, cause who says a girl can't like robots?

Father's Day Idea

I saw this awesome idea on Pinterest that I thought was just perfect for my father-in-law.  My boys call him PopPop.  He is diabetic so I tailored the items going into the cans to be sugar free/low carb.

 before

& after

5 Little Speckled Frogs

We used straws, dental floss, construction paper, tape, and these printable puppets from Picklebums to make a super fun craft today!

Don't you just love the bugs my son drew?