• Cut an inch off the top of a thick carrot and then, starting in the center, use the tip of a vegetable peeler to hollow out a well approximately 2 inches deep and 1 inch wide (a parent’s job). (This shallow bath is plenty big enough for birds accustomed to bathing in tiny puddles or on dew-laden leaves.)

• Push the pointed end of a 4- to 6-inch-long bamboo skewer (sold in grocery stores) through the walls of the carved well about an inch from the top.

• Tie a piece of red yarn (hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors, especially red) around each end of the skewer. Then tie the loose ends of the yarn pieces together over a low branch or clothesline. Keep the well filled with water and be sure to check it often for visitors.

  Tips: Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red. To up the odds of viewing a visitor, hang a pot of red flowers near the bath or tie a few red ribbons on nearby branches.

• Remove the lace from the boot or loosen it enough to allow the tongue to be pulled forward.

• Fill the bottom of the boot with a layer of pebbles or aqaurium gravel to provide drainage.

• Pack in a 2-inch layer of potting soil or loam.

• Fit in the root base of annual flowers (pansies, marigolds, or impatiens work well).

• Gently pack more soil around and on top of the roots.

  Tips: Remember to water the flowers regularly because, unlike those that are planted in the ground, these blooms cannot draw moisture from the surrounding soil.

• Combine the shortening and honey in a small bowl.

• In a separate bowl, stir together the drink mix and water until the powder is dissolved.

• Stir the water mixture a drop or two at a time into the base mixture, until the gloss is colored and scented to your liking.

  Tips: To save the lip gloss for another day, refrigerate it in an empty lip gloss pot or other clean container for up to three days.

• Attach small plastic toys, such as goldfish, with a hot glue gun.

• Wrap the straps with different colors of embroidery thread.

• Make a smiley face by gluing pairs of wiggly eyes onto the thongs, then painting your toenails red.

• Tie on beads or jingle bells with short strands of embroidery thread.

• Use permanent markers to draw on patterns or write your name.

• To make each bracelet, cut an 8-inch-long piece from the 1/4-inch tubing and a 1-inch length from the 3/8-inch tubing (for a fastener). Slide both ends of the 8-inch tube into the fastener, as shown, and have your child try on the bracelet for fit. If it’s too big, take it apart and trim it to size, remembering that it will need to slip over her hand.

• Remove one end of the bracelet from the fastener. Use a finger to stopper one end while your child drops in tiny beads or pieces of glitter–or anything she likes that fits in the tube and can be submerged in water.

• When she’s done, slowly fill the tube with water, leaving several inches of air so it has room to move.

  Carefully slide the free end into the fastener as far as it will go. This should create a snug fit that won’t come undone without a good tug.

1. Once a sunflower head has gone to seed and started to dry, harvest the seeds to make a pretty necklace.
2. Thread a length of nylon string onto a thin needle and carefully push the seeds onto it, one by one. Push the needle through the fat end of the seed, from edge to edge. watch your fingers !
3. Tie 2 lengths of nylon to the ends of the necklace so that you can tie it around your neck. If you have the clasps from an old necklace, sew these to the ends of the string.

Spread the newspaper out on a table. Glue shells together to form monsters or other creatures. Let glue dry then paint creatures.

You can use this art project to reinforce lessons in writing letters or numbers. Help each child drip glue on paper to make letters, numbers, or a design; sprinkle sand over paper and shake off excess.

Make Sand Castles the children can take home with Sand Dough. Mix in an old pan. Stir 5 - 10 minutes over medium heat until thick. Cool, then store in a plastic bag or container until ready to use. This should yield enough for 4 -6 children. Give each child a small amount of the sand dough on a paper plate and an assortment of small shells, stones, beads, straws, anything to decorate their castle. These will dry hard is left to set for a few days.

Using the centers that you cut from the paper plates, cut the circle in half to make a straight edge. Have kids decorate and glue to a popsicle stick.