Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in vancouver, CN

Music Makers and Shakers

March 02, 2009

Have you ever said "I don't have enough percussion instruments in the house?" Yeah me too, all the time! While I am kidding a little bit about the lack of percussion instruments in our house, there are times when a home made instrument can be a lifesaver. There are lots of easy ways to make a quick instrument.

The quick shaker is a really easy craft and only requires a yogurt container or other small container with a tight fitting lid. Taking into account the child you are making this with and choose the appropriate size. Try different sized of rattles inside the shaker. Some interesting sounds are rice, pasta, beans and chestnuts. If this isn't going to be around children under three you can also put jingle bells inside for a different sound. Try decorating the shaker with stickers or labels that you child has coloured.

We have also made some drums with the lidded yogurt containers and ice cream containers. Have fun playing with the different sizes and checking out the different sounds each of them makes. For an even lower sounding drum use dishwasher detergent buckets. Wooden spoons make great drum sticks, or if your house is like ours use daddy's Rock Band drumsticks. This may be the life saver when you are trying to get through a Rock Band song and your child has their own drums.

The real coup is that once you have had enough you can recycle the lot. How about that for fun?

Making Ornaments

by Gwendolyn Floyd

December 23, 2008

Today I am having a small party for my younger cousins and some friend's children. I wanted a chance to get together with the kids and their moms and have a chance for everyone to have fun. Since I am in Halifax my friend Raechelle of Being Savvy Halifax and her kids will be here  Read more...

Extra Classes for the Preschooler: Art

by Gwendolyn Floyd

September 18, 2008

In this series I am highlighting a few of the classes you can find around the city, especially at community centres. There are so many Community Centres that I will only highlight some. To find a community centre closer to you check out the Vancouver Park Board's web site for more information. West Point Grey Community Centre has a number of preschool art classes including Eco  Read more...