I have seen salt art on a lot of blogs and have really wanted to try it with the boys. With Guy Fawkes and Bonfire night on the horizon it was the perfect time to try some salt art fireworks. Materials Glue – PVA, Elmers or school glue Table salt Watercolour paints Droppers Black Paper How to make Salt Firework Art
Do you remember making your own scratch paper when you were younger? Well I certainly do and it is great fun to make with your kids and perfect for Firework pictures too. Whilst we were making the fireworks we talked about how dangerous they are close up, but how colourful and beautiful they are. I love how the boys made a completely different picture from the same starting point. How to make your own scratch paper
We were lucky enough to tag along as guests of the wonderful Rosie Scribble and Sally to Drayton Manors firework spectacular on 30 October. Now I have to say it wasn’t just a Fireworks Spectacular, but an amazing laser, light and sound show too, which had the boys and I mesmerised. It was simply the best fireworks I have ever seen in the world ever, but don’t take my world for it. I have popped two small videos of the day below.
I am fortunate to have a brilliant Brother and Sister in Law who run a sports and social club (like a workingman’s club) for the local steel works and every year, they put on a wonderful childrens party and fireworks display for bonfire night. This years Party was wonderful and I want to say a great big thank you to them (My SIL’s mum has been in hospital for the last 9 weeks and is very unwell). Maxi and my Niece dancing together
This Fall/Autumn Activities, Crafts and Food Roundup is a showcase for all my favourite Autumn things to do with kids and as a family. One of the things I love best about where I live is the distinct change in seasons and being able to celebrate what those seasons bring and mean. Autumn here is a riot of colours, smells and feelings. Woodsmoke from fires and bonfires leaves as beautiful as flowers and crisp apples ripe for cooking and eating.
We love fireworks here in the Mad House and there is something about the beautiful colour and bangs that really appeals to me and the boys and also inspires is to have fun and explore our creative side with firework art. So I have gathered together best Bonfire Night and Firework Craft Ideas to help inspire you and your children.
I have to admit, I am a sucker for rainbow crafts and activities. I am not a muted palate girl at all and the colours of the rainbow really do sing out to me. So I have gathered together some of my favourite rainbow crafts and activities for kids of all ages to share with you. In fact, I have gathered together what I think are over 40 of the best rainbow crafts for kids on the web.
Do you let your children bring in the New Year? I love how excited kids get about New Year’s Eve and they really want to be part of the New Years Eve celebration and will try so hard to try to stay up until Midnight, but never make it! We have a small celebration with our best friends and their four boys, so we do lots of new years eve crafts and activities with the kids and sometimes we have an early New Year’s Eve Celebration so that they can feel part of the fun.
Rainbow milk marbled paper art is such a cool kids craft activity and it is great as it really is science meets art. It is a classic kid’s science activity rainbow milk fireworks with the added process art activity of marbling paper.
Festivals are not new to me or MadDad, in fact, we attended our first festival 22 years ago and were regular festival goers until Maxi was born 11 years ago. But Camp Bestival was to be our first festival with kids and tweens at that as the boys are 10 and 11.
I wish I could be all witty and funny and say what a great year 2015 has been or share with you some wonderful standout things. Although 2015 has been a great year, we haven’t had one great event or been on one mega holiday. We haven’t travelled the world, but we have had some super experiences. What 2015 has taught me is to keep on keeping on. There have been challenging times, there have been sad times, but equally there has been some drop dead funny times too.
With Halloween getting bigger and bigger each year, bonfire night just creeps up on me. This year I am prepared and have a round up of some super fireworks crafts and treats to get you in the mood. There is something wonderful about coloured art on black paper and beautiful colours against the night sky that makes fireworks so spectacular for both children and adults alike.
We love Bonfire night and fireworks and I need little excuse to get the paint out! So we have had a go at pipe cleaner printing and making fireworks on black paper as they look so effective. These Pipe cleaner firework prints are easy to do and look great too.
Do you love fireworks? I have such fond memories of the annual firework displays that used to take place on the stray each November 5th when I was growing up. Cold toes, hot chocolate from the flask and sparklers in gloved hands. I remember looking at the sky in awe at the beautiful bright bursts of colour and them making the fact that I was cold so worthwhile. We loved making these zip tie (cable tie) firework sculptures, just look how beautiful they are and they were super fun to make too.
Some days it is either too hot for outdoor activities or just plain raining and you just don’t fancy playing out in the rain. So here are some fab, fun and screen free indoor activities to keep the kids occupied.
Wow what an October it was. The mildest one I can remember and we had a great time even through all the sickness that plagued us during the month, however, as always the small stuff is what made it a month to remember. We started our month with an epic trip to London with Superbreak, in fact it was the best family weekend we have ever had in London. We saw the poppies at the Tower, saw the amazing Matilda, visited the Art of Brick and stuffed ourselves silly!
We love loo roll and cardboard tube crafts so after our Salt Art Firework we decided to try some cardboard tube firework art. Materials:
I know what we will be doing this Bonfire night. We will be spending it with family as they put on their own annual fireworks show. It is something we look forward to every year and it would be the perfect time to have a winter BBQ and the people at Country Valley Foods have some brilliant meat hampers at the moment. There is nothing better than some lovely warm food whilst watching fireworks and it makes for a great evening for everyone. I particularly like the Meat Hampers from Country Valley and think they are really great value. Even better for me they are a local company and have sites not far from more »
Three Special Family Holidays
Your children are only going to be young once, so you should treat them to a magical holiday before they consider themselves too old for family breaks. Create memories to treasure for decades to come, and fill up at least some of the weeks when they are out of school and clamouring for activities to keep them occupied. From a trip to Lapland before Christmas to a Hawaiian paradise during the summer months, here are three destinations that are sure to give you some inspiration for 2013.
Hula Your Worries Away in Hawaii
For a completely different pace of life and beautiful scenery, check out Hawaii this summer. With pleasant tropical temperatures all year round, families can pack light and enjoy T-shirt and beach weather. There are plenty of family-oriented tour packages and resorts in Hawaii that have child-friendly activities. Make sure that you choose a resort that includes a bit of luxury and chill-out time for parents, as well as plenty of amusements for the kids. Camp Menehune at the Hilton Waikoloa Village includes fun activities such as exploring tide-pools and tropical gardens, water sports, interactive dolphin programmes and feeding local wildlife.
Go Totally Wild in Orlando Florida
Another option is the Animal Kingdom Lodge, a part of DisneyWorld in Florida. Little animal enthusiasts can experience the wilds of Africa, within the safe and comfortable environment of a Disney resort. The Animal Kingdom Lodge is a 33 acre property that offers views from all of the rooms onto the Serengeti style zoo outside. There are over 200 animals from 100 different species, such as antelopes and gazelles. Each room is tastefully decorated in African style décor and the resort’s restaurants, Jiko and Boma, cook African-style food in wood-burning ovens.
A Lapland Trip into the Arctic Wilderness
Later on in the year, Finnish Lapland is the traditional hangout of Santa, his wife, the elves, plus of course his reindeer. Make sure that you go there kitted out in thermals and ski gear. Bracing cold isn’t the right way to describe the place, below freezing is more appropriate.
As a wonderful consolation, there’s a flurry of Christmas activity in Lapland. Mulled wine and Finnish saunas are brilliant for the adults while husky-led forays into the icy wilderness keep the kids occupied. The occasional appearance of the hypnotic and truly remarkable Northern Lights is nature’s way of lighting up the sky. During the winter time the sun barely peaks over the horizon.
There are plenty of tour operators that offer families some face time with the jolly red man, comfortable digs and amazing food to stave off the Arctic cold. For the traditional Christmas memory that will go down in family history, a Lapland trip is the ultimate in Christmas merriment and magic.
A well-planned, fun and relaxing family holiday is very feasible when you know where to go! Find a good mix of kid-friendly activities, and the chance for parents to get some well-deserved R&R.
Our Top hints and Tips for Visiting Disneyland Orlando
Make sure you book a table for Dinner as the restaurants get busy
Always buy your tickets online. They’re usually cheaper and save you the headache you’ll get waiting to purchase at the gate
Download the free Disney Magic app – you can plan rides and check show times and once you’re inside the park it will let you check how long the lines are on different rides
Bring your own water bottles. It will save you time and money! If you don’t want to carry a water bottle, just ask for a cup of water at any food or drink vendor
Have your children look for Hidden Mickeys is a great way to keep them occupied especially when queuing
When the park opens at 9am, go first to Toy Story Midway Mania, which has the longest lines in the park, and FastPasses are usually gone for the day by noon.
Plan a show for the hottest part of the day, but be aware that the air conditioning can be fierce!
If it’s your first visit, get one of the “first time” badges from Guest Services
