The boys are really into App games like Angry Birds and Grumpy Snowmen because of the sling shot features. I was surprised to learn how easy it was to create a life size one for them. I chose PVC pipes because they are cheap and very easy to work with. We have been slinging ice cubes with them but I plan to build a few targets this summer so we can all practice our aim.
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This is a really great party theme for kids 4 and older. The kids kept asking what game/race is next! Funny enough, I was worried I had too much planned and didn't want it to be too structured. Luckily I was prepared because they couldn't get enough! Here's of few looks at our course. Some of the activities we did were: Egg and spoon race, Crab crawl, Shopping cart derby, Backward team race with baton pass, Disk toss through Olympic Rings, Obstacle course run and Egg Hunt. I made the hurdles with PVC pipes and spray painted them red. It only cost $4 in materials. It was a much better solution to buying them for $40 retail. I made them 7 inches tall. After testing a few heights with the boys, this seems like the best height for most ages/sizes. For each hurdle, you need two 90 degree elbows and two T caps. The olympic rings and arches are made with pipe insulators and decorated with duct tape. The covers were only .80 each. Another great solution to save money on pricey retail arches. Our balloon table was the first obstacle. The kids had to crawl through that first. I strung about 6 balloons together and tied them to the table. I repeated that pattern all around. I made sure to keep the balloons loose around the entrance/exit so the kids wouldn't get caught up in them. I also used blue painter's tape to create the flow of the course. It helped keep the kids on track and added to the decor This was a really easy toy to make for the boys. I picked up these buckets for .50 at the dollar store, cut down a piece of pvc pipe to go under the board and cut down a piece of primed wood. I drilled holes in the wood and attached the pvc pipe with a nut and bolt. I also drilled one hole in the bucket to attach it to the top end of the plank. That too was secured with a nut and bolt. I covered the bottom area in duct tape so the kids wouldn't get splinters. All sorts of things have been flying in the air! When the weather gets nicer, we'll move it outside for some water balloon fun.
Here's a list of our favorite Apps. They are kid tested and mom approved. I'll continue to post updates to this blog entry as there are a ton more that we love and would like to share. EducationalTally Tots- The kids love it because it's interactive with 20 fun experiences. I love it because the app does teach counting. If my child wants to play a certain experience, he has to listen to the count before it appears. I find him counting along all the time. They also have an Alpha Tots app. The kids seemed to favor the tally more though. Pattern Recognition by Nth Fusion- This app is intended for Kindergarten and has apps for other grade levels. My 3 year old and 4 year old like it.
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