Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Monsters vs Aliens - Toddler Style

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Sometimes when I am looking for ideas, the easiest place to start is with things we already do.  I like to think about ways to extend play or take something routine and add a different spin to it. I am always on the lookout for  ideas to spice up play doh.  Some easy options can be found at (say it with me) the dollar store.  A while back, I purchased some googly eyes, pom poms, feathers and colored Popsicle sticks from the dollar store.  I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with them all, but one of the ideas I had was to use the stuff with play doh.

Here is a quick tip for busy moms when you need a few minutes to get stuff done.  Don't just give the kids the play doh with all the new accessories.  Kids generally have a short attention span.  They will get bored soon and want to do something else.  I always start with a basic activity, in this case I just gave each girl some play doh with nothing else.  Sure enough, after 5-7 minutes, they were done.  That is when I brought out my cool new items. I made it sound super exciting and told them they could make aliens or monsters.  They played with the play doh for an additional 20 minutes which is a win for mommy!

Another quick play doh tip is to store it in the refrigerator.  The girls love poking their fingers in the cool play doh and they get a different sensory experience than they would with room temperature play doh.

So hold on to your hats and try not to get too frightened as I share some scary monsters and aliens.  I swear they are friendly.

B thinks the eyes have it!  :-)


A's monster sports a feathered cap.  There is no way a monster in a feathered cap can be scary!


-=-
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Posted by Vicky @ Mess For Less at 11:37 AM
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38 comments:

  1. phasejumperAugust 30, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Thank you so much for your comment on my blog! I've enjoyed "getting to meet you" by reading yours! (You had me at the random Criss Cross reference!) I'm your newest follower!

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  2. VickyAugust 30, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Phasejumper, thanks so much! Glad you could stop by!

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  3. AmyAugust 30, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    Those are some totally awesome monster/aliens! :) Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog; I'm following you back. I love all your great ideas; perfect for a mom of a toddler! My son and I will have to try these play doh monsters soon!

    Amy
    oneartmama.blogspot.com

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  4. VickyAugust 30, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    Amy, thanks so much! Hope you and so your son have fun with the activities.

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  5. Mom of the Fab 4!!August 30, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    I am a new follower! Love these monster/aliens! Great ideas, can't wait to try some with mine!
    www.lifewithfourcrazykids.blogspot.com
    Jen

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  6. Brooke @ Let Kids CreateAugust 30, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    I love this fun way to play with play dough. I'm sure my kids would love monster and alien creatures!

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  7. Heather {The Lovely Cupboard}August 30, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    What a blessing to be able to stay home and teach your own kids! I'm sure you are building hundreds of memories that will stick with them the rest of their lives:)

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  8. ShoregirlAugust 30, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Wow! Lots of neat learning ideas going on here! Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog (and a link back here). I'm adding you to my sidebar under "Blogs With Learning Ideas!"

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  9. Kristin@SenseofWonderAugust 30, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    Oh how cute! We actually have a monster unit coming up for the letter M. I'll have to keep this in mind!

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  10. Working MommyAugust 30, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    Have you ever tried letting them make their own play doh?? I usually have great success with making things - and play doh is an easy one!

    WM

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  11. VickyAugust 30, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    Mom of the Fab 4, Thanks! Hope your kiddies enjoy them.

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  12. VickyAugust 30, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    Brooke, hope you and your kids enjoy this. Thanks!

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  13. VickyAugust 30, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    Heather, thank you for the kind words. It is indeed a blessing and a great responsibility.

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  14. IreneAugust 30, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    You are so imaginative! I applaud you for that! Not only do you sustain their interest in what they do, but you help enhance their creativity as well! They really look so cute when they show such enthusiasm with the activity! You're so brilliant, Vicky! Just brilliant!

    I'm DEFINITELY following you! I love your ideas! :-)

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  15. maggy, red ted artAugust 31, 2011 at 12:18 AM

    Nothing quite like alien and monsters toddler style. Such a perfect and fun craft for them and I LOVE what your kids made :-)

    Would love for you to link up to Kids Get Crafty (every Wednesday) http://www.redtedart.com/2011/08/31/kids-get-crafty-tate-britain-sea-monsters/

    Maggy

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  16. VickyAugust 31, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    Irene, you are just SO sweet! Can you come live here and be my own personal cheerleader? THANK YOU so much for being so wonderful!

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  17. DianaAugust 31, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    I have done something similar with my boys making turkeys with the feathers and play doh. They'd love this twist. Thanks for stopping by my blog and following, too. It's nice to meet more teacher/moms out in blog land and get new ideas.

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  18. VickyAugust 31, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    Maggy, thanks for the kind words. I have linked up at Kids Get Crafty. Thanks for the invite!

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  19. VickyAugust 31, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    Working Mommy, oh yeah, the play doh we used was play doh that the kids helped me make and you can't tell in the pictures, but it is glittery.

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  20. VickyAugust 31, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    Diana, I LOVE the play doh turkey idea and will have to try that come Thanksgiving. Thanks for the great idea!

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  21. Kim-A Creative SpiritAugust 31, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    I need to pass on these ideas to my daughter to use with her kids...

    Thanks for following. I am following back and looking forward to getting to know you.

    Be sure to stop by A CREATIVE SPIRIT www.acreativespirit.com often as every comment gets an entry in the montly gift card drawing...

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  22. S. Yissele GalloSeptember 1, 2011 at 5:32 AM

    I like your Blog! I'm following from wild Wednesday hop!! I hope your visit to my Blog!
    Namaste!
    http://mamiholisticaygenial.blogspot.com/

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  23. VickySeptember 1, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    Kim, thanks so much! I will be sure to be back.

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  24. VickySeptember 1, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    S. Yissele Gallo, Thanks so much I am following you as well.

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  25. Rachel@I Heart Crafty ThingsSeptember 1, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    That is so fun! Definitely time to get out the Play-doh! My boys will love this!

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  26. LorieSeptember 1, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    Great tips! Anything to extend play-doh time is a good thing, especially because my kids make such a mess with it! Sometimes I give them kitchen tools (like the potato masher and spatula, etc.) and ask them to make "food" for me. Thanks for stopping by www.readingconfetti.blogspot.com! I'm a new follower.

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  27. Discovering the Me in MommySeptember 1, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    I love the feathers! =)

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  28. maggy, red ted artSeptember 2, 2011 at 12:28 AM

    (Thank you so much for joining the party! Hope to see you again next Wednesday!!! Maggy)

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  29. JennSeptember 2, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    I love the dollar store. My favorite thing is buying a bunch of different stuff and then figuring out how to do something fun with it :-)

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  30. VickySeptember 3, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    Rachel, If my girls liked it, then I know your boys will too.

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  31. VickySeptember 3, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Lorie, I love an open eneded material like play doh because there is so much that can be done.

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  32. VickySeptember 3, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Discovering, I am a feather girl!

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  33. VickySeptember 3, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Maggy, thanks you will see me next Wednesday for sure!

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  34. VickySeptember 3, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Jenn, I do the same thing!

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  35. an.Alaskan.momSeptember 4, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    We turned our monster art into Christmas decorations so we can enjoy them every year (I try to hide them in the decoration bucket, but the kids find them anyway and they hang them up).

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  36. VickySeptember 5, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    An Alaskan Mom, I never thought of making them Christmas decorations. Fab idea!

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  37. LeilaSeptember 7, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    You have some great ideas and I can't wait to try them at home with my kiddos! Thanks for all the great ideas!

    New follower from Wednesday's blog hop! gotomommy.blogspot.co

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  38. VickySeptember 15, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    Leila, thanks so much for the nice words!

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