Author: Parent Living

SUPPLIESMaterialsCircular PastaRubbing AlcoholFood ColoringZiploc BaggiesWax PaperPaper TowelPipe CleanersSlotted Spoon INSTRUCTIONSPlace ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol into a baggie.Drop 20 drops of food coloring into the baggie and mix.Put ¼ cup of pasta into the baggie and seal it.Repeat with as many colors as you wish.Turn baggie every 30 minutes until pasta reaches desired color.Lay out a section of wax paper and cover it with paper towel.Remove pasta from baggie with slotted spoon and place on paper towel to dry for an hour.String dried pasta onto pipe cleaner to make a beautiful homemade bracelet and twist to close.

SUPPLIES Cotton Material - 10in x 11in        We used bandanas. You can make 4 heat packs out of just one bandana. 3 Cups of Uncooked Rice        Try other ingredients inside - Feed corn, Buckwheat hulls, Oatmeal, Beans or Flax seedThread  DIRECTIONS Fold material in half, right sides together. Sew bottoms and sides together, using a ½ inch seam allowance.Turn pack inside out.  Fill pack with approximately 3 cups of rice. Sew final edge closed. Fold over and sew again to  reinforce the final edge.

MATERIALS Styrofoam Plate Yarn in several colors Template (available online) Large Needle  INSTRUCTIONS Decide what design you would like to create in your frame. Make a rough sketch. (Flower design available online at https://www.dropbox.com/s/48buklcj534ye0n/Flower Pattern.pdf) Lay design over top of plate, tape edges down. Using needle, poke holes evenly around design, making sure to go all the way through the paper and the Styrofoam plate. Remove design from plate. Thread your needle and tie a knot. Come up one hole from the back of the plate and down the next hole.  Up and down until each design is created. Tie a knot on the back when  each color is finished.

INGREDIENTS Jumbo Pitted Black Olives Medium Pitted Black Olives Soft Cream Cheese One Can of Sliced Carrots • Cheese knife Toothpicks  DIRECTIONS Cut the jumbo olive lengthwise to create the slit that will become the tuxedo shirt. Using a small cheese knife, fill the tummy of the penguin with cream cheese.  This may work best if the cream cheese is at room temperature. Wipe the excess cream cheese off the olive with a damp cloth or sponge. Cut a wedge out of a carrot slice to create feet. We used canned carrots because they are not too hard. Place the small carrot wedge in the opening of the medium olive to create a beak. Assemble the penguin by pushing a toothpick through the head, body, and feet.  Place your completed penguins on a serving tray.

INGREDIENTS Mini Powdered Sugar Donuts Bamboo Skewers Regular and Mini Chocolate Chips Mike and Ikes® Red Yarn  DIRECTIONS Line up three donuts like a snowman body. Push bamboo skewer through the donuts from the bottom. Add regular chocolate chips to bottom two donuts for buttons. Add mini chocolate chips to the top donut for eyes  and mouth. Add an orange Mike and Ike® for the nose. Tie the red yarn under the top donut as a scarf.

Pails of Positivity Book ActivityObjective: To help children understand the concept of bucket filling and its impact on their family members and themselves.Materials:Small plastic buckets or cups for each family memberPom-poms or colored beadsPermanent markersConstruction paper or cardstock for certificatesStickers or other decorative items (optional)Activity:1) Introduction:Begin by reading the book "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" together as a family. Discuss the main idea and message of the book.2) Bucket Decorating:Give each family member a small plastic bucket or cup. Spend time together personalizing and decorating these buckets with names, stickers, drawings, etc. This will represent each person's personal "bucket."3) Filling Buckets:Explain that throughout the week, whenever someone does something kind or positive for another family member, they can add a pom-pom or bead to that person's bucket. This can be for actions like helping with chores, sharing toys, giving compliments, or simply offering a hug.4) Bucket Filler Certificates:Create simple certificates titled "Family Bucket Filler of the Week." Every week, award this to the family member who has made a notable effort in filling others' buckets. Encourage other family members to give reasons or specific examples of why that person deserves the certificate for that week.5) Memory Sharing:As an extension activity, you can create a "Bucket Memory" jar. Every time someone does something exceptionally kind, jot down the act on a piece of paper with the date and place it in the jar. On special occasions or at the end of the year, gather around and read these memories, reflecting on the positive moments.6) Spread the Kindness:Encourage your children to think of ways they can fill the "buckets" of people outside of the family—maybe a neighbor, a friend, or even someone they see while out on errands. This helps children understand that acts of kindness can be extended beyond the household.Doing this activity at home promotes a positive environment, reinforces family bonds, and helps children understand the value and impact of their actions on others. It's also a fantastic way for parents to set examples of kindness and appreciation for their children to follow.