Tip the Scale.

While I didn't have the energy to trek out to Lakeshore for a kid-friendly balance scale, nor the extra $ to fund this little experiment, I was surprised at how easily we were able to put one together out of regular household items.

DIY Scale

- 1 hook

- 1 hanger

- 2 matching bags, baskets, or boxes

- string

What I loved most about this was that I was able to leave it out all week and let her mess around with how how ever she wanted, with all different toys etc. She would go over and play with it whenever she wanted, and because it was so cheap and simple I wasn't worried about her putting in things that were too heavy and breaking it - she had total freedom to experiment however she wanted.

While I did talk a bit about good side/bad side, and how Hashem measures our mitzvos, this did generally seem too advanced for her (even when I put in a marble every time she did a mitzvah etc.) and pretty much went right over her head. Good to know for next year though. We'll take 2 when she's 3. :)

Popsicle Memories

Happened upon a lovely little DIY game from eat, drink, chic that makes for the most perfect ode to a summer's end. The classic memory matching game gets a cooler twist with popsicle prints and sticks.

You can click here to download the fabulous PDF. If you're like me and out of colored ink or too lazy to stop into a print shop, all you really need is some popsicle sticks, glue, card-stock, and printed papers. I cut out some popsicle shapes from green card stock (they were actually paint chip samples :) and printed papers, glued them to mini popsicle sticks and in about 10 minutes flat had a brand new super-cute game to play with my littlest girlfriend. Plus, they doubled up as play food, and I'm pretty glad - these simple little cutouts kept her happily busy all morning long! Perfect way to spend a Labor Day afternoon-ing; a delightful game to bid adieu to summer treats and summer feats...

Heart Felt + Aleph Beis

This jar of little felt hearts has been circulating all abouts the web this week, and I've simply fallen in fuzzy little love. One super-cool mom created these warm little lovies to slip into her children's pockets on their fist day of school - so they can literally feel a bit of love and comfort throughout their first day away. How sweet?? You can view her tutorial here. (Also, I think if these were cut out quite a bit larger, this would make a wonderful "plastic needle" project to do with little girls!)

Seeing these little guys brought back something I viewed some time ago on Etsy: A set of Little Felted Aleph-beis! I think this is such a fantastic, tangible, and tactile way to teach early literacy and hebrew familiarity to little children. Wishlisted! :)

(P.S. It's not even fall yet and I'm already on a wool and felt trip...!)

Run for the Woods

Now these are two toy sets I would most definitely not mind finding strewn around the house after bedtime... It's all about blending in!

Wooden magnetic fishing and doctor kits rom MoMAstore, now available at Anthropologie.

Water Paint

This has got to be the simplest, most mess-free activity for preschoolers. Goes to prove that, even today, all a toddler really needs is some summer sunshine, water, and a slab of warm pavement to keep 'em happy!