Indian Corn Toddler Craft

Any craft involving paint is always a hit with Beatrix, so this was a great Thanksgiving project for us!

We used Lego Duplos to stamp lots of little circles with red, orange, yellow, and brown paint on some white paper. 

Then we went on a walk to look for some cornstalk leaves to use as the corn husks in our project.

Once the paint was dry I cut out a corn shape from the painting. I trimmed some corn leaves and taped them down first. (You could also cut leaf shapes out of brown paper bags and crinkle them up a bit for some texture.) Then we taped the corn down on top. And there you have it! So cute to hang up and display for Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Sensory Bin

To make this colorful Thanksgiving Sensory Bin I used this method to dye my rice (except I forgot to add the water - it still worked out just fine, it just took a bit longer to mix!) I also added a few teaspoons of cinnamon and other fall spices to each bag. It smells so good! 

I filled a quart-sized bag with rice for each color. I used orange, yellow, orange mixed with yellow, and dark blue. I added some mini pumpkins, an ear of Indian corn, some feathers, and some mini pie tins. It looks so beautiful!

She has had fun scooping and pouring the rice. She likes it when I bury her hands or feet in the rice. It does make quite a mess, but we try to keep it contained to the tablecloth we use as a playmat. Then I can pour it back in!

Kitchen Treasure Basket

Sorry for the absence last week, I was crazy busy getting ready for Beatrix's birthday and party. It is so hard to believe I have a one year old!

I put together this treasure basket right after Halloween, but I never got around to posting it. I thought a kitchen basket would be an appropriate nod to Thanksgiving

Whats in it:

• Assorted containers to stack
• Assorted kitchen utensils
• Some crumpled up aluminum foil for something new to explore

That is really about it. I added some things here and there, and took some things out (because I was tired of yogurt lids everywhere, and I needed the spatula) 

She didn't show as much curiosity about this basket as others. I am guessing that is because she has played with almost all of these objects before. But it still kept her busy!

This would be a great way to keep your kiddos entertained while cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Just throw some assorted kitchen items into a big pot and let them have at it while staying out of your hair (and the hot oven!)

Happy Thanksgiving!