Blog Elements

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Become an Earth Ranger

December 16, 2015/in Activities, Community /by ValleyFamilyFun

Kids! Become and Earth Ranger! **This is NOT a sponsored post. We just love the program and want to spread the word!** “Earth Rangers is an animal saving site where you go on missions and try to help animals and the environment.” That’s how my son accurately describes it. After Daniel and his friends had […]

Natural Centrepieces

December 14, 2015/1 Comment/in Christmas, Craft /by ValleyFamilyFun

How to Make a Natural Centrepiece When we were kids, my mom would often make these beautiful centrepieces with us. She always had bags of pinecones and mixed nuts in the basement, and we would go down, dig them out, and start gluing to our hearts content. So, this year at our family Christmas party, […]

Become an Earth Ranger

December 16, 2015/in Activities, Community /by ValleyFamilyFun

Natural Centrepieces

December 14, 2015/1 Comment/in Christmas, Craft /by ValleyFamilyFun

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Become an Earth Ranger

December 16, 2015/in Activities, Community /by ValleyFamilyFun

Kids! Become and Earth Ranger!

**This is NOT a sponsored post. We just love the program and want to spread the word!**

“Earth Rangers is an animal saving site where you go on missions and try to help animals and the environment.”

That’s how my son accurately describes it.

After Daniel and his friends had a bake sale to save pandas through the World Wildlife Federation
one of my friends suggested that he sign up for Earth Rangers.

Before signing up, we did some research into the organization to make sure it was completely legitimate. It is! It is part of the Government of Canada’s Conservation Plan and the website is “Kid Safe Certified.”

As an Earth Ranger, Daniel was mailed a membership card which he proudly keeps in his wallet.

The first thing he did was to complete a fundraising mission. He went through the website and decided to raise money to save the Western Screech Owl.

His goal was to raise $125. (Depending on how much you raise, will determine how many badges and bonus things you earn).

To save the Western Screech Owl, he decided to sell cookies. He canvassed the neighbourhood with a menu of 5 different types of cookies, and took orders.
He came home, baked and delivered them – earning his $125!

He was never so proud!

Besides fundraising missions, there are other environmental missions that the kids can sign up for. These do not cost any money.

The first was to save the bees. He was mailed a packet of seeds which he planted.

On the site was also instructions on how to build a bee colony which he and his father built and installed in our garden.

Other challenges he’s done include wasting less water, recycling batteries

and making a bird feeder.

There are hundred more projects, and all things that kids can do – and mostly on their own!

There are also lots of games and videos on the site which are worth checking out!

Internet Safety

When a child becomes an Earth Ranger, they can sign up through their own email address, but must always put in an adult’s address as well.

Every time that Daniel does something on the site, it sends me an email to let me know what he’s done.

It often asks me for my approval before mailing him things. I really like this. Daniel feels like he is independently and Earth Ranger, but I can still keep an eye on what he’s doing.

If your child has an interest in helping the environment or endangered animals in Canada, definitely check out the Earth Rangers site!

You never know what will interest them!

Natural Centrepieces

December 14, 2015/1 Comment/in Christmas, Craft /by ValleyFamilyFun

How to Make a Natural Centrepiece

When we were kids, my mom would often make these beautiful centrepieces with us. She always had bags of pinecones and mixed nuts in the basement, and we would go down, dig them out, and start gluing to our hearts content.

So, this year at our family Christmas party, I decided to make these with the kids. They were a huge hit!
Here’s how to do it.

Make a base

Start with a round piece of wood or sturdy cardboard. We’ve used both before. We happened to have wooden discs left over from another craft, so it worked out perfectly.

Collect materials

Over the course of the fall, I collected ice cream buckets full of a variety of nuts.

On my mom’s street there happens to be a walnut, acorn and horse chestnut tree.

When you are drying the nuts, lay them flat on a tray for a week or so. I didn’t do this, and some of them started to mold at the bottom of the bucket.

I also collected a variety of sizes of pinecones.

Alternatively, a far easier solution is to go to the grocery store and buy a bag or two of mixed nuts (or from the Bulk Barn) and the pinecones from a craft store.

Candles

Start by gluing a candle to the centre of the base. Use a hot glue gun.

We ensured that we had enough glue guns with one per child. This avoids frustrating and waiting for turns.
The candles can be any shape or size. We opted for taller glittery candles, while I used a short one for my own creation.

Create

Lay buckets of nuts in the centre of the table and let the kids glue on whatever they want, however they want!

You will end up with the most unique and beautiful creations.

We always completely filled our bases so that you couldn’t see anything through it. So, after the kids went to bed, I made one of my own! But, let the kids create how they want to.

Shellac

After the glue has dried, go outside and spray them with a clear shellac. I got mine at the hardware store. This gives a lovely shimmer and shine to the final product.

Enjoy!

You can light the candles (and just glue on a new candle when needed) or leave the centrepieces as a decoration.

These are beautiful crafts that will last from year to year. And, the kids are so proud of their creations!

(Visited 422 times, 1 visits today)

Blog Elements

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Kids! Become and Earth Ranger!

He was never so proud!

Internet Safety

If your child has an interest in helping the environment or endangered animals in Canada, definitely check out the Earth Rangers site!

How to Make a Natural Centrepiece

Make a base

Collect materials

Candles

Create

Enjoy!

Categories