The name Picasso has become synonymous with the word artist. Kids can learn a lot from the artist, by trying out these 10 Pablo Picasso Projects for Kids.

Last year the cup stack was one of my FAVORITE team building activities (see post here). So, naturally, I wanted to give it another shot! The Cup Stack is a fun, yet challenging activity that promotes team work. The supplies are basic: cups, string, rubber bands. I go ahead and tie the string to the rubber bands so it is ready to go. I make a few for groups of 4 and a few for groups of 5, this way no matter what the numbers are in the classroom I can make it work. I start by asking students what teamwork is. What does it look like? sound like? feel like? We brainstorm a list of ideas that I hang in the classroom for students to refer to. Each class comes up with a variety of ideas, but they all center around the same theme. Then I introduce their challenge. I start off my admitting that this will be a frustrating activity. We discuss ways to handle our stress and feelings that arise when others make a mistake or don't do what we want them to do. I model that they will each be given 6 cups and a rubberband with strings attached to it. Their job is to stack the cups into a design by only holding onto their individual string. I demonstrate that when everyone pulls on their string the rubberband opens wider, and vice versa. I also show them the challenges of picking up a cup that has tipped on its side or fallen on the floor. No matter what happens, they must follow the one rule: YOU CAN ONLY TOUCH YOUR STRING. No touching the rubber band, no touching the cup, and no touching other group member's strings. I reinforce how communication is so important in order to reach the goal. Then I set them off. Here are some videos and pics. After about 10-15 minutes, we pause and reflect on our experiences. I ask them to rate their group on how well they worked together using the ideas we wrote at the beginning of the lesson. I ask them what went well for their group. I also ask them what didn't go well for their group. We talk about different strategies and ways we an handle ourselves when things don't go the way we want them to. Throughout the activity I walk around and facilitate positive communication, so I usually have a few examples to help springboard the discussion.

Ready for an adventure? These fun camping story stones are super easy to make and are a great way to encourage creativity.

DIY Pineapple Thumbprint Art - http://ift.tt/1KVvOfx

Today we are making LEGO bracelets! What better way to celebrate your bestie than with LEGO Friendship Bracelets? Kids of all ages with a little help from

Get ready for Time Travel! For Primary we had a sharing time on "Prophets" and we combined two weeks together due to some other scheduling items. So-how perfect would it be to bring in a time machine to let the kids "travel" and meet some of these amazing people.....and I added some amazing women from the scriptures as well! So here is what it looked like: Front view of door So here is what I did with it to be exact- I had it set up in the Primary room so when the kids walked in they would be shocked! It worked! Some parents didn't really believe that a time machine was really in there! I briefly introduced the topic of how we can learn so much from the examples of the Prophets from the scriptures and other amazing examples. One child was chosen to "enter" the time machine and another child was chosen to "send them off" by changing the dials on the front-which are month, day, and year-and then they could push a peddle (an old sewing machine peddle)! So while the one was changing the date to the past the other was inside adding on a costume. There is a flap in the back that a helper can open and hand in the costume items. Then we opened the door and "poof" there was a scripture hero! They came out and I had a short script for the child to read or I would read it for them. It told who they were and what they did to be a great example. Then I would ask the kids what we can learn from their example? It seemed to be memorable and helpful in teaching them about these people. It was engaging and hands on. I heard from my own daughter while playing later, "I am Esther. I am a queen and I saved my people." I was really excited that she had remembered what we had talked about! So here is how I made it- 1-Found a Refrigerator box from a local appliance store for free. Keep in mind that they are very large so you will want to make sure you have room to transport this thing! 2-Cut a door, spray painted the front and two sides. Didn't worry about painting the back....just a waste of paint. I used 2 cans of cheap gray paint as kind of a primer, especially over the giant green lettering ont he box and then 2 cans of silver metallic paint. It was an awesome finish I thought! And pretty cheap! 3-I gathered plastic lids from random items I had and bottle caps. This is for the dials on the front for the day, month, and year. I printed up some numbers and months and glued them to another piece of paper that was cut into a circle the same size as the lid. Then glued that to some cardboard. Cut an opening in the lid for a way to view and also in the door where the dial would be attached. Used a brass fastener through the cap, lid, and cardboard. Then attached some strong duct tape on the brass fastener and cardboard so it would all stay in tact. 4-Created letters and polka dots and zig zag things for decor. The door knob is 2 paint can lids attached together with wire and then the wire is covered by silver tape. 5-The top is part of the box that I just laid on top. It is nice to not have it attached for moving. I covered it with green wrapping paper and added some strong wire with foil balls on the end and an empty can. 6-I added a go sign on the side with an old sewing machine cord and peddle. It worked great. I actually plugged it in so they would really feel like it was "on". We covered the end with duct tape so no electric charge would be possible! 7-Cut a flap on the back side for a way to put costumes in. Also, on the inside I added Christmas lights (well, my husband added those!). They gave the person inside some cool light and just added a fun effect! 8-My husband made a quick wood frame for the inside to kind of brace it up better and make sure it would withstand all the kids! That is recommended! So much creativity is possible with this. I got many ideas from things I saw online and then just ran with what I had at my house! It was super fun and tons of work but so worth it in the end! I think I will have to bring it back for some additional use!! Also-very important note-make sure you will be able to get this thing inside wherever you need it! We went to take it in the church and couldn't get it through the door! Until-we found the emergency exit door in the room we were using was large enough! Whew! It was a close one!

Create a colorful sponge painted ice cream cone craft with this easy summer craft for kids! A fun craft for kids of all ages!

Цель формирование экологической воспитанности дошкольников, выражающейся в гуманно-ценностном отношении к миру птиц, как одной из важных составляющих эко -системы. Задачи 1. Расширять и уточнять п