Friday for the Kids - Bundling up the Kids

Here are a few things you can do with or for your kids to help them to bundle up.  I first learned to knit when I was eight years old.  Eight is the perfect age to learn.  Boys and girls at that age usually have the dexterity, desire, and ability to create with their hands.  If you do not know how to knit here is a six minute youtube video that shows you everything you need to get started.  Yes, you can actually learn how to knit in 6 minutes.

                                                Make a Neck Cozy
   You and your child can learn together and make this easy project.  

Cast on 15 stitches onto size 8 straight needles and just start knitting.  If you know how to knit and purl you can knit 3, purl 3 until you run out of yarn, or it is about 14" long,  It will not exactly be long enough for a scarf.  That way it will safe for even a toddler to wear.  Sew a button on it and place it around your child or grandchild's neck.  It will keep their neck nice and warm, and it is not too long that it could be a hazard.  

     
If you have preschool children it is easy to teach them about layering to keep warm.  There is a really cute book called Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London which is about a playful Froggy who hops out into the snow for some winter fun but is called back by his mother to put on some necessary articles of clothing.

And...it is easy to make a felt board to show what clothes need to be worn.  Draw a figure on a piece of fleece or felt.  Stretch the fabric around a frame or piece of wood and hot glue or staple it in place.  Cut out various articles of clothing and let your child have fun deciding where their new friend is going and what they need to wear.  Your child can even help design the clothes.  If you don't have easy access to felt or flannel, you could make everything out of card stock.  Or, you could use a paper doll, put magnets on the back, and use them on the refrigerator or the side of a metal filing cabinet. 

We hope you've enjoyed a week of "Bundling up!"  Join us next week as we give you more recipes, inspirations, and tips when we bring you another fun topic.... "A Warm Cup."