Blog Posts by Meredith Corporation

photo credit: getty imagesSpark your child's interest in science with our easy herb garden.

By Jean Gorman

Your child can learn a wide variety of lessons and derive enjoyment from watching something grow by working on a planting project with you.

"Through gardening, kids will begin to learn how to observe and document -- two essential skills related to scientific inquiry," says Sara Wilford, director of the Early Childhood Center at Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, NY. "Tending to the herbs also encourages nurturing qualities and patience as your child waters, fertilizes, and trims the plants."

Before planting, learn what each herb needs to thrive, then help your child select a spot with the appropriate amount of sunlight, and agree on a watering schedule. Older children can boost the learning experience by keeping a journal. Encourage your child to measure and draw what he sees as the plants grow.

"Payoff time comes when your herbs are mature enough for you and your child to pick and use in a dish

Read More »from Easy Herb Garden

Make these cute bug friends to embellish your flowerpots and mark garden rows.

What You'll Need:
• Tracing paper
• Scissors
• 9 1/4x12-inch sheets of lightweight copper
• Crafts foam: orange and yellow
• Sparkling modeling wire mesh
• 3/16-inch hole punch
• Copper wire: 16- and 24-gauge
• Wire cutters
• Pencil
• Golf tees
• Cabochons
• Two green pony beads
• Two orange pony beads
• Two green chenille stems

Instructions:
1. Trace patterns onto tracing paper (see link below). Cut them out.
2. Trace patterns onto copper sheets, crafts foam, and wire mesh and cut out as follows: from copper, two grasshopper wings and one ladybug wings; from yellow crafts foam, one dragonfly wings, one firefly body; from orange crafts foam, one ladybug body; from wire mesh, firefly wings; from pink crafts foam, one butterfly body.

Punch 3/16-inch holes in cutout pieces as indicated on the patterns, folding wings and bodies in half to reach inaccessible areas.
3. Cut a long piece of

Read More »from Kids' garden plant markers

Easily create and personalize this colorful plaque to hang on your garden gate.

What You Need:

• Old newspapers
• 11-5/8x9-1/4x2-1/2-inch foil pan
• Quick-setting cement
• Small pebbles
• Drill and a drill bit (large enough to accommodate the rope)
• Paintbrush
• Acrylic paints: white and assorted bright colors, such as orange, yellow, pink, and green
• Water-base nontoxic gloss exterior varnish
• Sponge brush
• Yellow twisted synthetic rope

Instructions:
1. Spread a layer of newspaper on the floor for protection. Set pan on newspapers.

2. With an adult's help, mix cement according to the manufacturer's directions, adding water until it's the consistency of cream. Pour the cement mixture into the foil pan.

3. Press hands into the cement to make imprints. Push pebbles into the cement around the edges. Let the cement dry. Carefully remove the dried plaque from the pan.

4. Ask an adult to drill two holes at the top corners of the plaque. Paint the plaque Read More »from DIY Kid's handprint garden plaque

Easily create and personalize this cheerful sign to decorate your garden.

What You Need:
• Tracing paper
• Scissors
• Tablecloth plastic: yellow, orange, red, and green
• Self-healing mat, ruler, and rotary cutter (optional)
• 3/16-inch hole punch
• Blue plastic cording
• Fabrics glue
• Teal paint pen
• Black permanent marking pen or black paint pen
• Drill and 3/8-inch drill bit
• Two sticks, one bigger around than the other
• Wood glue (optional)
• Paintbrush
• Orange acrylic paint
• Sponge brush
• Water-base, nontoxic gloss exterior varnish

Instructions:
1. Trace the patterns (see link below) (flower, flower center, leaf) onto tracing paper. Make a mirror image of each shape along the dashed line. Cut out paper shapes. With scissors, cut out an orange flower, a red flower center, and green leaves from tablecloth plastic.

2. Using scissors or a self-healing mat, ruler, and rotary cutter, cut

Read More »from DIY Kid's garden banner

photo credit: getty imagesBaseball Party
Ages 5 and up
By Lauren Guerriero

Invitations, Activities & Goodies
It's easy to transform your backyard into a ballpark for a big-league bash!

Play ball!
Cut circles from white card stock. Print or write out party details. Then, using craft glue, attach two strips of ric-rac to resemble a baseball.

While the little sluggers are busy at bat, take an instant photo of each child. When the game's over, have them make a craft foam frame for their pictures. (Cut out a frame shape from a sheet of craft foam. Make sure the window is large enough to fit the photo. To decorate, use precut self-adhesive foam shapes and letters. To finish, tape photo to the back.)

Fill an old-fashioned popcorn box with major-league treats. Write or print each guest's name on white card stock. Cut into popcorn shape, glue to a wooden skewer, and stick in box.

Party Resources
• Colorfoam, 39¢ per sheet from Jo-Ann; call 888-739-4120 for locations.
• "Play Ball" self-adhesive foam shapes;

Read More »from How to host a baseball party for your kids