WednesDiY - Kid Friendly Craft Project: DiY Rainbow Rice

Rainbow rice is the perfect project for a rainy day or just a simple DiY project with the kiddos.  It's inexpensive and fun, and your kids can easily help to create it!

You will need:

white rice (long or short grain)

liquid watercolor paints

rubbing alcohol

I purchased the rice very cheap at the local market.  They have bulk bins where I can scoop as much as I need and pay per pound.

For the paint, we used the Sargent Art Fluorescent Watercolor Magic Set.  I couldn't find any at Michaels, so I ordered it off of Amazon.  If you have a Prime account, it ships for free, or if your order totals $25, it will ship for free too.  It sells out fast because the price is awesome - only about $12 for the set.  You can also pick up this set here for $25.67 shipped with coupon code "ABC5"  That's the cheapest place besides Amazon that I could find.  Now you can see why it sells out fast on Amazon!  ;)

The rubbing alcohol helps the paint to dry quickly.  It's fairly inexpensive at Target or Walmart.  I didn't have any at the time, so I used some witch hazel which still worked well.

Divide the rice into how many colors you will be making (so you don't run out).  Mix one color at a time by putting the plain white rice into a mixing bowl, add the liquid water color paint and about 4 Tbsp of rubbing alcohol.

If the color isn't vibrant enough, just add more paint.  Part of the fun is experimenting!




Repeat this process with the other colors in separate bowls to create the rainbow effect.

Once you finish mixing a color, spread it on a baking sheet (I lined mine with a sheet of waxed paper) so that it can dry completely.  It dries fairly quick - about 30 minutes or less.  The rubbing alcohol will help to speed the process.  You could probably leave the rice in the mixing bowls to dry, but you will need to mix it every once in a while or it will take hours for it to dry.

The kids are amazed by the colors, especially when you arrange it in stripes on the baking sheet to dry - so it looks like a rainbow.  I think I amazed myself too!

Once the magically rainbow rice has dried, it's time to break out the sand toys, kitchen measuring cups and spoons, and a couple baking dishes.  My kids enjoyed burying their toys and turn it into a treasure hunt.  It's also perfect for the little toy bull dozers and dump trucks!

 

And don't worry about the colors mixing together - it's going to happen....just like Play-Doh!  Now sit back and watch your kids play for hours with their new rainbow rice!

**have fun**

FREE Birthday Party for Kids at IKEA

I would move into an IKEA store if it were possible.  I love that place.  And what's even more cool is that they host FREE kids birthday parties on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at my local IKEA in Costa Mes, CA (call your local IKEA to see if they have this program).

Plus, if you have an electric car, you can charge up while you party -  the Costa Mesa IKEA has four electric vehicle charging stations operational in the parking lot near the entrance to the store, available to any EV driver with a Blink Incard.

Location: IKEA Orange County Costa Mesa restaurant
Date: The second Wednesday of every month
Time: 4pm-6pm


Mark your calendar! Here's all of the Second Wednesdays in 2012:

• Jan. 11
• Feb. 8
• March 14
• April 11
• May 9
• June 13
• July 11
• August 8
• Sept.12
• Oct. 10
• Nov. 14
• Dec. 12

Party is for all children turning 10 years old or younger during the selected attended party date. Each birthday child is allowed to invite two of their friends to the party. Event includes entertainment (magician, clown, etc.), soda, and cake. Plus, each birthday child will receive a gift from IKEA.

Please call (714)751-7167, ext#1470 to reserve your place at the party.

Strawberry Tours at Tanaka Farms

Here's a fun thing to do with the kids!

Strawberry Tours are starting this weekend at Tanaka Farms.  

Dates: March 3rd, 4th, 10th and 11th

Price: $17 for adults and children

2yrs and under are free

(group rates are available)

Location: Tanaka Farms

5380 University Dr

Irvine, CA  92612

the Strawberry Tour includes:

1 1/4 hr tractor-pulled wagon ride around the farm

learn how different fruits and vegetables grow

sample different in season fruits and vegetables

pick and eat your own strawberries

1 lb. basket full to take home

Monday through Friday, tours and group tours are available by reservation only. No reservations are needed for the weekend tours unless you have a large group.  Weekend tours run every half hour from 9:30am to 2:30pm. Be sure to get there 20-25 minutes before to check-in and receive instructions.

Make Strawberry Tour reservations by calling (949) 653-2100 ext.204 with the name, phone number, date, the time you wish to attend, the number of adults, children, and children ages 2 years old and under who will be attending. You will receive an email confirmation.

Amazon Mom Program Reopened: Accepting New Members for Free Prime Trial

Amazon has reopened it's Amazon Mom
, so hurry on over to sign up!

All parents and caregivers are eligible to join Amazon Mom.

Try it free for 3 months!

• 20% off diapers and wipes subscriptions  (Includes a 5% Subscribe & Save discount plus an additional 15% discount exclusively for Amazon Mom members)

• FREE Two-Day Shipping on millions of items with Amazon Prime  (my favorite part!)

• Exclusive deals and discounts  (Amazon Mom e-mails, with exclusive deals and discounts on items for your whole family)

If you're already an Amazon Prime member, you can still join Amazon Mom. You will keep your existing Prime plan and also receive the additional Amazon Mom benefits, including the additional Subscribe & Save discount on diapers and wipes.

I've been an Amazon Mom & Prime member for a few years now, and it's absolutely great!  It's so convenient - you don't have to drag your kids to the store to go pick up diapers, wipes, formula, etc.  The prices are usually much cheaper than in the stores.  Plus, you don't have to pay tax on the items (in most states).  My favorite part is the FREE 2 day shipping on all Amazon Prime items!  

**HIGH VALUE** $5/1 Coromega Squeeze Product

Go to the Coromega Facebook page and click LIKE to print out a coupon for $5 off a Coromega Squeeze product (30 count or larger)  Or you can use coupon code 10055 at coromega.com to save $5 instantly!

 The Coromega squeeze packets are an easy way to get your daily dose of omega 3 for a healthier heart, mind, and body.  No more large "horse" pills or fishy smelling burps!

They also have Coromega Kids Omega3 Squeeze packets in orange and lemon lime flavors for your kids.  The packets are super cute with animal faces on them!  Love it!

Printable Coupon: $.75/1 Snikiddy baked fries, cheese puffs or eat your veggies bag

My kids absolutely love Snikiddy cheese puffs and baked fries.  They are the perfect all natural alternative to greasy fried chips that are loaded with preservatives and who knows what else.  Currently there is a printable coupon for .75 cents off of one 4.0 oz bag of Snikiddy when you register on their website.  You will be able to print this coupon twice.  Hurry and print this now before it reaches the print limit!

Whole Foods usually carries this brand.  

The baked fries are priced around $2.49 and the cheese puffs are $2.79.  

Yo Gabba Gabba beanie hats for Kids only $8.79 shipped!

My kids love Yo Gabba Gabba.... and I will admit that I do as well.  You can snag some super cute knit beanies for your kids for only $8.79 shipped (with Prime membership).  Or if your order is over $25, it will ship for free too.  They are usually priced at $28 each, so this is a great deal!

Brobee Beanie

Toodee Beanie

Muno Beanie

Plex Beanie

The Foofa beanie is still priced over $22.  Bummer.

Kids Healthy Cooking Class at Whole Foods Tustin on Jamboree

 Whole Foods always has an event calendar packed with free and low cost activities, hands on demonstrations, and classes.  At the Tustin Whole Foods on Jamboree, there is a Kids Club Cookery held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 3:30 to 4:30pm.  The cost is only $5 and it's a fun learning experience for your child!

Location address:
2847 Park Ave., Tustin, CA 92782

In the District at Tustin Legacy

Date:  March 21st at 3:30 pm
Space is limited to 40 so make your reservation ASAP!

Children of all ages are invited to come join Gerrie Adams, Healthy Eating Speicalist, as she leads participants in choosing their own fresh foods to complete a food pyramid, and then turn those selections into a healthy, kid-friendly, delicious dish!

Reservations are required 24-hours in advance.
Register at the Customer Service Desk or pay online.

Check out the events calendar at your local Whole Foods Market.

All Natural Homeopathic Remedy: Zarbees Cough Syrup for Kids plus Coupon and Samples!

I love Zarbees for my kids when they aren't feeling well.  My pediatrician told me it was an excellent product too. 

All zarbee’s products are:

100% natural

Contain no drugs

Contain no alcohol

Contain no artificial flavors or colors

Gluten free

You can print coupon for $2/1 Zarbee's Cough and Sleep Drink. The coupon may say "Available at Walgreens" but you can use this coupon at any store that accepts manufacturer's coupons.

The Cough and Sleep Drink is safe and effective for adults and children of 2 years and older.  It soothes sore throats and coughs, and contains .5 mg of melatonin to promote healthy sleep.  It has a natural grape flavor with elderberry, which helps to boost your immune system.

They also have a Cough Syrup for children 12 months and up to help soothe sore throats.  It's basically honey and buckwheat with a few other natural ingredients.  And it is available in grape, cherry, and lemon flavors.

If you go to the Zarbees website, you can request a sample kit which consists of a sample each of both products plus $3.00 worth of coupons.  There is a $1.99 shipping and handling charge.  But the value of the coupon above is higher and free of charge, so you make the choice.  ;)

It's a homeopathic medicine that I always keep stocked in my medicine cabinet!

Friday's Favorite Five

Every Friday I will post 5 of my favorite things that I've come across.  They may be anything from decor ideas to clothes or unique items on etsy or a must-see website.  Who knows... maybe it will inspire you!

1-  This baby banana bendable training toothbrush is the cutest toothbrush I've ever seen!  It's bendable and soft, made of high quality silicone, and dishwasher/freezer friendly (perfect for teething!).  

2- I love these ceramic owl banks with a vintage flare.  These owls are made to order on etsy by fruitflypie.  This would be perfect for an accent for a pop of color.  The etsy shop is filled with vintage inspired ceramics - owls, frogs, mushrooms, etc.

3- Use coffee filters as wall art.  I came across this idea here.  All you need are coffee filters and flat thumbtacks.  I wish we didn't have plaster walls, so that I could do this!

4- Here's a fun DiY project that is on my TO DO list:  plastic spoon mirror.  I came across this idea from Country Living magazine. We go to the local frozen yogurt place for a sweet treat all the time, and always bring home their (biodegradable) spoons.  Now I have something to use them for.... and I suppose eventually my mirror frame will slowly disappear as it biodegrades!  ;)   I will do a how-to post on this once I complete the project so stay tuned!

5- Now this is the perfect gadget for anyone who prefers to eat corn OFF the cob.  It's a corn kerneler!  I love how the corn kernels are collected inside the ring.  That's so much better than trying to saw them off with a knife and watching the kernels fly everywhere except your plate.  But my kids love to eat the corn on the cob so that saves me a lot of trouble.