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Ikea Bag Toddler Pool for the Beach!

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We recently visited the beach in Florida and this Ikea bag toddler pool hack provided a safe place for our Ruby to play away from the surf.

The ocean can be a daunting for a two year old and grown-ups. It is fun to play in the surf but you never know when an unexpected large wave will sweep through. We needed to have our hands on her at all times and that proved to be tiring for her and us. Having a little pool provided a safe place for a her to splash and play independently under watchful eyes.

All you need is the famous blue Ikea Frakta Tote Bag . We love this large bag for so many reasons. Not only can it make a small wading pool but we used it to carry beach toys and so much more. When we got back to the house we just rinsed the sand away.

Click play to see how we made it. As you can see, she loved tossing sand into the pool!

Some of the items that made our trip work well are below. Click the image and affiliate links for details.

This cute little hat has a draw string at the crown that adjusts the size. As you can see in the video it works well even when it is worn backwards!

If you don’t live near an Ikea you can order the bags from Amazon here.

We started Ruby in a vest but at just 30 pounds it was loose and the zipper rubbed the skin on her chin and chest raw. We opted for floaties something like these and kept her within arms reach at all times.

Enjoy your summer and have fun at the beach!

Rice Play – Simple Play

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Playing in rice. Sometimes it is the simplest play that is the most intriguing to our kids. We needed a different activity at our house one afternoon. I threw about 4 cups of rice into a 13X9 inch pan, grabbed a couple of measuring cups, a measuring spoon, and a scoop took it outside on a cheap quilt where Ruby played and played. It was just simple, wonderful play.

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Handprints on Canvas – Art by Kids

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Creating handprints on a canvas is so easy dads can easily make this happen with their little ones. This gift idea is perfect for Mother’s Day, Christmas, birthdays, and just anytime you want to share some love. It is fully child created which makes it that much more special….

Baby Play with Strips of Fabric

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Baby Play - Pull fabric strips from a wipe box

Last night our 6 month old grandbaby, Ruby, stopped by for a visit. Baby play is so simple and uncomplicated, and on this evening we played with strips of fabric The simplest items for play are truly the best. I had cut some strips from fat quarters of fabric, then pinked the edges with pinking shears. We stuffed these into a wipes box for her to pull from the box.

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Tissue Paper Sensory Box – Let’s Cut!

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This sensory box is cheap and fun, and is in cool wintry colors. Your preschoolers can help make it by cutting up the paper, perfect for scissor skills. I used old blue tissue paper and happened to have some silver tinsel for gift bags which had a “Frozen” feel. Sensory play is important! You can learn more about it at this post on the importance of sensory play.

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DIY Drinking Straw Bracelet – a craft for a crowd

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This DIY drinking straw bracelet is an easy and inexpensive craft that would work well for a crowd, such as a classroom or community event. These could also be used as gifts that kids can make for others. They can be made by preschoolers to elementary school age kids and up. They can be simple or the kids can create a pattern using different colors and sizes of straws.

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DIY Seashell Frame – Use those shells!

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We love going to the ocean and since we live far from one it is a truly special experience. If you love going to the beach too and arrive home with sack for of shells and beach treasures, this craft is for you! Rather then let them sit on a shelf or in a jar, make a custom seashell frame. These shells are from Cozemel, Mexico:

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Cupcake Paper Flowers

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We are ready for Spring! We are saying good bye to Old Man Winter and are making cupcake paper flowers. They are delightfully easy and need only basic supplies.

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Post-it Note Book

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A fellow parent educator gave our group these adorable little post-it note books. She simply made a cute cover for a post-it pad. I thought they would make fun books for our kids to make that would encourage them to write. However, they could also be used as a little Mother’s Day gift or a teacher’s gift too.

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