One of the things I am most excited about with my new book is the ability to use it to make creative kits and gifts. When writing the book, a big focus of mine was making sure the materials you needed were easily accessible. Sure there are a few specialty items (I promise they are SO cool, they're worth it), but did you know:
You can complete 120 of the activities in the book just using items found at a regular old grocery store!
True story. :) This also makes putting together kits ultra easy and affordable. You could use the kits as:
- a gift to your child or another child for the winter holidays
- a gift to your child's preschool teacher or other caregiver
- something to keep at the grandparents' house
- a fun thing to bring out when the babysitter comes over
- a sensory kit gift basket for a fundraising auction
- a birthday party gift for a classmate or friend
- a unique baby shower gift!
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.
Larger Sensory Kits
Sometimes the needed materials list for an activity book can be overwhelming. I tried to counteract that by providing a quick start shopping list of 15 easy-to-find items in the introduction of my book (see the list inside my book here!). With those 15 items, you have the materials needed for approximately half of the activities in the book. Here's an example kit I put together using the quick start shopping list (I also added spaghetti noodles because they were only a dollar, haha). I shopped at the Dollar Tree for about half of it and picked the rest up at Target. Of course your final price will vary depending on where you purchase your supplies, but I was able to put this kit together for just under $40 - and that includes the book!
PS - If you're on a mobile device the cool trick to load the list in the book above won't work - boo! So here's the list straight from the book: cornstarch, shaving cream, flour, cotton balls, cornmeal, vegetable oil, food coloring or liquid watercolors, craft foam sheets in multiple colors, dish soap, baking soda, vinegar, salt, gelatin, rice, contact paper. :)
Smaller Kits
My friend Megan gave me the idea for these -- she's putting some together for her son's classmates' birthday gifts. To make a rockin' smaller kit, pick a favorite activity and then bundle the book with all the needed supplies for that activity. Since there is a whole chapter in the book dedicated to slimes, I thought I'd showcase a DIY Slime Making Kit. Unlike store bought Slime Kits, this one makes a larger batch of more customizable slime. Plus it includes, by way of the book, the recipe for the basic nontoxic two-ingredient slime (so you can make it again and again) as well as a multitude of other slime recipes to try!
The DIY Slime Making Kit pictured below includes: food coloring, clear school glue, Sta-Flo liquid starch, and a copy of our book (containing the recipe for two-ingredient slime and photos and detailed directions of the slime making process). Depending on where you get your supplies, the total cost of the kit will vary, but this one cost me $23 - including the book. If you'd like to make a slime making kit for a younger child, there are several taste-safe recipes in the book and you could create a Taste-Safe Slime Kit for about the same price. :)
Baby Shower Gift/Baby's First Birthday or Christmas
Since our book contains 72 activity ideas for babies, it would make a creative baby shower gift. You could give the book alone, or you could make a smaller kit as detailed above out of a baby activity or two that you think your friend may enjoy.
If you'd like to pair the book with some baby-friendly materials for a first birthday or first Christmas gift, my top supply choices would be: flour, cooking oil, cornmeal, cornstarch, gelatin, rice, spaghetti noodles, and flax seeds.
If you'd like to pair the book with some baby-friendly materials for a first birthday or first Christmas gift, my top supply choices would be: flour, cooking oil, cornmeal, cornstarch, gelatin, rice, spaghetti noodles, and flax seeds.
Our book is available worldwide! Here are some links, but if you don't see one that applies to your country, email me at funathomewithkids@gmail.com and I will happily help you track one down! :)
Can I get the book for my nook?
ReplyDeleteYes, I believe it's in the works. I think that they are having a hard time making it the right size because I have 4852308508 pictures, hehehe. But it should be available soon -- hopefully by the end of the month?
DeleteI love the ideas and can't wait for the book, but we live in France and some of the ingredients are just not available. What could I replace the sta-flo starch with? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Check out this post --- I'm not sure if you have any of the brands mentioned in France. If not, let me know which brands you do have and I'll see if I can find one that works. Another alternative would be to use borax powder mixed with water - but I'm not sure if that's readily available in France either! If you email me at funathomewithkids@gmail.com we'll get it sorted!!! :)
DeleteHere's the post on Liquid Starch alternatives:
http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2014/07/make-slime-with-laundry-detergent.html