Sustainable Coastlines - Plastic Recycling Artwork

Once again Sam and the incredible team at Sustainable Coastlines have put together another great Education day for the kids showing them a great presentation on the impact of plastic to the waterways, and subsequently to the ocean marine life.  Although the weather was rain then shine they delivered a great day of recycling different coloured plastic to make pieces of artwork that the kids could take home.

They each were presented with a sheet of wood that they could glue their plastic to, and built up great art pieces.

Good friends of Freya and Blake, Ruby & Hamish Douglas also came along to have some fun!

Recycled Bread Tags - Maths

I knew there was a reason for collecting all the bread tags off all the loaves of bread we've been eating!  Not to mention the 'green' re-using of the tags, but that they are a great tool for our maths counting because not only do they come in all sorts of colours, but they can all be stored in a container and added to once more loaves of bread get eaten!

They are also great as they often come in PINK!

Passports to go!

Yesterday we said goodbye to Daddy who has gone overseas for 4 weeks.  After a few tears a bit of a rough night sleep I decided that it was a good idea to make passports of our own so we can take our own 'journey'.  We took some photos of ourselves, and because our 'real' passport photos cannot be smiling, we decided to have a fun photo for our own passports!

We then made a New Zealand Silver Fern on the front, coloured it in, and with our passport photos glued on, we are ready to get some stamps!  Each time we go somewhere we get a 'stamp' (being an actual stamp  or a little drawing) from the place we have visited. So then we fill up our passport pages just like Daddy is!

Book Swap, Te Wero Island

There are 3 shipping containers that are near us on Te Wero Island where we are currently moored in the Viaduct Harbour.  Over the summer one of them was used as a children's "stop in and play" area, where some board games, colouring books and cards were left for people to use.   Over the past two months it has been now transformed into a "Book Swap" which relies on people's honesty in either swapping or returning the books. So far it's been very successful!  Even the kids have a great time rummaging through the kids section!

1-20 Number Practice

Getting the numbers correct is something that we as adults see as quite simple, but for kids it can be quite confusing.  I have laminated these 1-20 number sheets so the kids can practice using a whiteboard pen and then rub it out when we finish ready for another time.

Mermaid Sponges

Here is a great idea for the typical household sponge!  These are great for just playing with or can be used to make as a 'stamp' for painting too.  They're so versatile as they can then be used to as sponges after the kids are finished with them!

Absolutely Anything Muffins!

I got this recipe of a friend recently, and I adapted a few items to make it as simple as possible (as I do!)

It's super easy to make, and they taste absolutely delicious too!

Preparation time: 10 mins

Cooking time: 15mins
                                                                                       

Ingredients

2 C flour

1/2 C sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

3 1/2 t baking powder

1 egg

3/4 cup liquid    i.e. syrup, water, milk or juice

75g butter, melted

1 1/2 c fruit   i.e. banana, berries, apples, peaches etc

Method

Sift dry ingredients. In separate bowl, add wet together. Add wet to dry ingredients.  Add wet to dry then put in muffin tins, and sprinkle 1 T sugar mixed with 1/2 cinnamon.  180 degC for 12-15mins.

                                                                                                                                                                   

It's that easy!!!

Note: It actually makes about 16 muffins which is great, as you have to sample at least 2 once they've come out, so it doesn't look like you've eaten any!