Time To Play!

Homemade Playdough

Braided Felt Cuff Tutorial

Glove Monsters

Sometimes, you just need to play. Play with the kids, play with your food, play with some crafts or play outside. In my neck of the woods winter is dragging on and on and I feel like I just need to get out and play. Since the outdoors are not very friendly right now, I've collected a few crafts you can make with the kids to play with! Enjoy...and get your play on!

Visit The Idea Box for more crafts, snacks and activities ideal for fostering play! 

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Tuesday Recipe: Fruity Putty

Each Tuesday we'll bring you a tasty recipe or craft recipe to make with your kids!

This week's recipe is...

Fruity Putty

0.3 -ounce package of sugar free fruit flavored gelatin
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
4 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons cooking oil

Mix the dry ingredients in a pan. Add the boiling water and cooking oil. Stir over medium-high heat until the mixture forms a ball. Place the ball on waxed paper to cool. Store in an airtight container. Cut the fruit picture from the gelatin box and paste to the lid. Use different flavors to make all different colors and smells.

Visit The Idea Box for all of our kid's recipes and craft recipe ideas

January is National Oatmeal Month!

Mmmm oatmeal, a perfect breakfast for cold mornings. There are plenty of other uses for oatmeal too! Try making an oatmeal dough using this simple recipe from things you have around the house. Then play, play, play all day!

Oatmeal Dough

1 cup flour
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup water

Gradually add water to flour and oatmeal in bowl. Kneed until mixed (this dough is sticky, but unique in texture. Model as with clay.

VARIATIONS: Add cornmeal in small quantity for texture, Add coffee grounds in small quantity for texture.

Here's some more oatmeal fun:

Another craft recipe to try is this Nutty Butter Playdough. This does contain peanut butter.

Try this recipe for Oatmeal Cookies to make with the kids. Afterwards, don't throw away the empty container, make this fun junk box craft.

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Moms will appreciate these Old Fashioned Oat Recipes and Tips.

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Here's a tasty cookie recipe from our friends at Old Fashioned Living:

Oatmeal Cherry Chip Cookies

These cookies are so good, even those of you who are not oatmeal cookie fans are going to love them. They will keep a few days if stored in a tightly sealed container between sheets of parchment or waxed paper.

· 1 3/4 cups flour
· 1 tsp. baking soda
· 1 tsp. cinnamon
· 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
· 1 1/3 cups packed light brown sugar
· 1/3 cup sugar
· 2 large eggs
· 1/4 cup milk
· 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
· 2 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
· 3/4 cup dried cherries
· 3/4-cup chocolate chips

In a mixer, cream the butter and sugars. Add the eggs, milk and vanilla, and beat well.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and cinnamon. Add slowly to the butter mixture on low speed. Stir in the oats, cherries and chocolate chips.

Divide the dough into 4 portions, and roll each up in plastic wrap to form a log about 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Chill until firm (about 20 minutes in the freezer).

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with silicon baking mat or parchment paper. Slice the cookie logs about 1/2 inch thick. Bake 10 - 12 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes about 5 dozen. Will keep up to 1 week.

Here's another tasty oatmeal recipe from OFL:

Fruity Oatmeal

3/4 cups quick-cooking oats
2/3 cup warm milk
1-1/3 cups vanilla yogurt
1/2 Granny Smith (or other firm) apple
2 Tbsp. honey
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
Additional fresh fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries, or peaches

Soak 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats in 2/3 cup warm milk until swollen, about 5 minutes (or overnight in the refrigerator). When ready, add about 1/4 cup additional oats (for texture). Stir in yogurt, and apple, which has been peeled, cored, and grated. Add 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds, honey and lemon juice. Mix in fresh fruit-as much as you'd like, and garnish with extra slices of apple or fruit.

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Our friends at Annie's Recipes have tons of ways to use oatmeal!