That Mama Club

Disney DIY | Wooden Peg Princess

Filed Under: DIYS, HOME, KIDS, KIDS CLUB //

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It’s no secret that over here at TMC, we love to create, make and DIY. Whether we’re baking, making fairy potions, very hungry caterpillar recycled play or wooden peg princess…there’s a huge satisfaction when you look at a picture and figure out how to make it with what you have at hand. Whilst I worked for Disney, I worked on a few projects, including writing a ‘Craft Manual’ for Youth Activities. I have no idea if it is still being used at all (I heard from someone a year or so ago that it was still floating around The Lab on the Magic!), but I thought I would share one of my favourites.

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Disney DIY | Paper Bowl Nemo

Filed Under: DIYS, HOME, KIDS, KIDS CLUB //

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“Nemo, newcomer of orange and white, you have been called forth to the summit of Mt. Wannahockaloogie to join with us in the fraternal bonds of tankhood!”

 

Ever wanted to find Nemo? Maybe you have a kiddo’s (or maybe kid at heart?) party coming up and want to get everyone out of the house to do a scavenger hunt? Why not create you very own Disney DIY Nemo?

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St Patrick’s Day Sensory Treasure Basket

Filed Under: HOME, KIDS, KIDS CLUB //

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As a new mum, I’ve taken great joy from using holidays and celebrations to theme activities. Does my little human really care? Not at all. But they love the change up in activities, and I love the creative prompt of holidays and celebrations for our playtime. In this post I’m going to round up some ideas for a St Patrick’s Day Sensory Treasure Basket. Something for your little one to explore!

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How to Help Your Child’s Academic Performance

Filed Under: HOME, KIDS, KIDS CLUB //

How your child performs at school can impact their whole lives. If they get the grades they want, they will be able to go on to the colleague and university that they want to and study at. Then eventually, they will be able to get the job of their dreams. So, as a conscientious parent, you will be wondering how you can help your child achieve academic success. Luckily there are many things you can do this, and this blog highlights a few ways to help your child’s academic performance:

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Super Easy Gingerbread Recipe

Filed Under: Christmas, FAMILY RECIPES, FOOD, HOME, KIDS CLUB //

We at TMC love a recipe to do with the kids, why not make some gingerbread men to decorate together or gingerbread stars to hand from the Christmas tree? This easy gingerbread recipe is unbelievably easy and so forgiving if it’s overworked, so perfect for getting the kids involved in.

Ingredients

– 100g salted butter
– 3 tablespoons golden syrup
– 100g of dark muscovado sugar
– 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
– 1 tablespoon ground ginger
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 225g plain flour

Method

Step one:
On a low heat, melt together the butter, sugar and golden syrup. Stir occasionally and leave to one side to cook slightly.

Step two:
Mix together the flour, bicarb, cinnamon and ginger in a separate bowl before adding in your buttery mixture. Stir to combine, then use your hands to bring it all together into a dough. The dough will be really soft and mouldable at this point, but it will firm up in the fridge.

Step 3:
Put the dough on a sheet of baking paper and shape with your hands into a rectangle. Lay another sheet of baking paper over the top and roll it out to about 1/2 cm thickness. Transfer the lot onto a baking tray to keep it nice and flat, then pop it in the fridge to chill for 1 hour.

Step 4:
Heat the oven to 190C/ 170C fan/ gas 5. Remove the dough from the fridge and start cutting your shapes! We made stars and men of different sizes and used a leaf cutter for the remaining bits of dough. If you want to hang them up, don’t forget to poke out a little hole for your ribbon to go through!

Step 5:
Place the biscuit shapes together on a baking paper lined tray, giving each one a little room, and bake for 9-12 minutes depending on the size of your biscuits. Once done, leave them to cool completely on the baking tray.

Step 6:
Time to decorate! Once cooled, you can use icing sugar in a piping bag (or store brought tubes) and any other edible decorations to make your gingerbread extra fancy. of course, you can always skip this step and devour them right away!

The Journey Stick

Filed Under: HOME, HOMESCHOOLING, KIDS, KIDS CLUB, NATURE, PLAY, TODDLER //

If you follow the TMC Kids Club Bucket List Challenge (if not, why not!) you may have noticed that we suggested one thing you could do this month is to create a Journey Stick.

The History of The Journey Stick

“First, a little background on the journey stick for you. Aboriginal people in Australia used journey sticks to more easily recount their journeys to other people upon their return.  They found a large walking stick, collected materials found along the way, and tied them to the stick in chronological order.  Native Americans also decorated sticks to recount their journeys and tell about their travels. These sticks can be used as storytelling and navigational tools. The collected materials and markings have various purposes.  Some things can be used as markers for natural features in the land, such as tree bark to indicate passing through the woods.  While particular symbols carved into or painted onto the stick could show weather patterns, natural features, or events that took place.” 

– Sara McCarty / Run Wild My Child Blog: Journey Sticks and the Art of Storytelling

A Journey Stick is an amazing way of encouraging your children to engage with their surroundings on your daily walk. In a world where we are always on the go, even slowing down on a woodland walk can sometimes be a challenge – so having an activity to do while you’re out can really help with that slow and simple lifestyle.

Making your Journey Stick

Step One:
Find a nice thick stick! Wrap some string or lots of rubber bands around it (which, from experience, is much easier to navigate with little hands).

Step Two:
Pop on your wellies, a nice thick coat and get outside! Start picking up leaves, feathers, sticks, twigs (anything that’s safe to do so) from the moment you step out of the door. Make sure to start your journey stick from the bottom, so that it can show a chronological timeline of your journey.

Added Bonus: There are hundreds of ways that you can use nature to enhance your outdoor adventures. Whether you turn your stick into a journey stick or something completely different, encouraging your children to use nature in their day-to-day lives is fantastic for their imagination and observation skills.

Here are some amazing books that you could read alongside this activity. Make sure to tag us using #thatmamaclubig with any photos that you take so we can share your ideas!

Stanley’s Stick by John Hegley

Not A Stick by Antoinette Portis

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

 

Our Favourite Children’s Christmas Books

Filed Under: BOOKS, Christmas, KIDS CLUB //

The spirit of Christmas comes in many forms. The presents, the lights, the snow, as well as the music and getting together with family; just to name a few. At TMC we’re all about books and we’re all about our kids, so we love discovering the spirit of Christmas between the pages of a book at story-time. If you’re after some gift-worthy, festive books to tuck into with the little ones this season, here are a few that must make your list.

 

Twinkly Twinkly Series by Usborne

By Sam Taplin and Allison Friend

Age 0-5


The gift of an Usborne book is a treat with in itself but their collection of Twinkly, Twinkly books really takes the cake for being the ultimate Christmas books. There are three titles in the series, Twinkly, Twinkly Fairies, Twinkly Twinkly Christmas Tree and Twinkly Twinkly Nativity. Not only do the pages of these books don beautifully drawn images, they tell the perfect stories. What’s more, each page has magical lights built into each page which really bring the story to life. These will be a hit with the kids at Christmas season storytimes and you’ll love them, too.

 

The Christmas Pine

By Julia Donaldson and Victoria Sandoy

Age 3-7

Julia Donaldson is a household favourite and it’s clear to see why. Between the amazing images and her quirky, rhyming style her books are popular with children of all ages. So it’s no surprise her Christmas title, The Christmas Pine, is becoming a seasonal favourite. This hearfelt story follows a little tree with a special destiny to be the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square and is actually based on the true story of the Mayor of Oslo and Norway’s tradition of presenting Britain with a spectacular Christmas tree as a symbol of peace and friendship. And if you’re a stickler for packaging, it comes presented in a gold-foiled dust jacket.

Sold?

Because we are.

 

The Christmasaurus

Tom Fletcher and Shane Devries

Age 3-7

This best-selling story by Tom Fletcher has been adapted into a picture- book and it does not disappoint. The Christmasaurus is a rhyming picture book about a dinosaur who wants nothing more than to be able to fly to help pull Santa’s sleigh across the sky on Christmas Eve.  With a pitch-perfect, rhyming style this is a truly fabulous story and lesson in believing anything is possible.

And isn’t that what Christmas is all about?

On the First Day of Christmas

Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake

Age 0-5

The legend that is Roald Dahl has done it again with this Christmas picture book. This twist on the classic Christmas song “12 Days Of Christmas” combines all the Roald Dahl characters with nostalgic illustrations. From golden tickets to fabulous friends, this is a great book to introduce young readers to first numbers. We don’t know about you but this book makes us want to be kids again.

There’s An Elf in Your Book

 Tom Fletcher and Greg Abbott

Age 3-6

Also another Tom Fletcher favourite, this Christmas book is part of a popular series “Who’s In Your Book?” The story introduces a little elf who is trying to find out if the reader has been naughty or nice by asking some questions. We’re all for interactive reading! Adding this fun, festive book to your bookcase will give a whole new meaning to “Elf on the Shelf”.

Peep Inside Christmas

Anna Wilbourne and Emma Allen

Age 0-5

This brilliant series from Usborne Books has sparked the imagination of young readers all over. Lift flaps and peep-through holes reveal a magical winter wonderland. Kids can explore the pages to find reindeer, Mrs. Clause working on the sleight and even see Santa flying through the sky. The interactive pages have a magical scene laid out on every one and every time you read it you may discover something new. This book is the perfect way to celebrate the excitement of Christmas.

Bear Stays Up For Christmas

Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

Age 2-5

If you’re looking for a book that will be a treat to read all year long, then this one is for you. A refreshing diversion from Santa Claus and Elves, this book also tells the story of a bear who wishes to hibernate over the winter, missing Christmas but is encouraged by his woodland friends to stay up and take part in Christmas festivities. It is a beautifully written story about friendship as well as not being alone around Christmas time. All while highlighting the true spirit of Christmas- giving!

 

Paddington And The Christmas Surprise

Michael Bond and R.W. Alley

Age 2-5

The U.K.’s most beloved teddy bear in a Christmas book? We approve! This story follows Paddington and his family as they go to a Christmas grotto and explore the beautiful sights of the winter wonderland. Paddington goes on a festive adventure and discovers why Santa Claus makes Christmas so special. We’d happily swap out mince pies for marmalade sandwiches if it means getting to spend Christmas with Paddington.

Christmas Wishes

Enid Blyton

Age 5-7

Yet another beloved author, Enid Blyton wondrously presents 30 Christmas stories in this delightful book. From a dog who discovers the joy of Christmas to Santa Claus and friends getting out of a muddle, you can embrace the spirit of Christmas every time you turn the page. With 30 stories, each at just the perfect length for a bedtime read, the children will be nestled all snug in their bed in no time.

A Boy Called Christmas

Matt Haig

Age 7-9 years

You are about to read the TRUE STORY of FATHER CHRISTMAS. If you are one of those people who believe that some things are impossible, you should put this book down right away.
(Because this book is FULL of impossible things.)
Are you still reading? Good. Then let us begin…

So whether you’re giving this season or looking to indulge in some of your own Christmas cheer, the pages of these books are sure to keep you feeling merry and bright. What’s your favourite Christmas Book?

KIDS CHRISTMAS ACTIVITY PRINTABLES

Filed Under: HOME, KIDS CLUB, PLAY //

November is finally here and that means Christmas is well underway in both our personal lives & here at TMC HQ.. We have so many exciting things coming your way and we are here to bring you some kids Christmas activity printables!

We have Christmas countdowns, colouring sheets, playdough mats & lots more! They are all free to download and you can print as many copies as you like.

KIDS CHRISTMAS ACTIVITY PRINTABLES

If you want to use the sheets for play dough mats, we recommend laminating or sticky back plastic them so you can reuse over and over again. We also recommend printing some on card if you want them to be more durable! If you missed the Christmas planning printables we shared last week, you can download them here

Make sure to tag us on Instagram if you use the printables using @thatmamaclub #thatmamaclubig

CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO DOWNLOAD THE PRINTABLES

KIDS CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES PRINTABLES