Homemade glue

This is a non toxic, easy and inexpensive way to do child craft glue.

This needs adult supervision, remember that the kitchen can be a dangerous place to play in.

What we need:

• 1/2 cup hot water,
• 1 tablespoon vinegar,
• 2 tablespoons of milk powder ,
• 1/2 tablespoon of  baking soda,
• water,
• 1 coffee filter, 
• 1 funnel,
• a plastic/ glass containner,
• 1 tablespoon,
• plate.

How to:

1. Mix the hot water and the powder milk until dissolves;
2. Add the vinegar, the milk will form 2 distinct parts, the serum and the curds;
3. Keep mixing this mixture until curds and serum are well separated;
4. Place the filter in the funnel;
5. Place the funnel in the container;
6. Filter the previous mix;
7. If necessary raise a little bit the funnel so the air can flow, remember that air takes up space;
8. When the funnel is full "squeeze" the filter a bit, carefully;
9. Discard the serum;
10. In a small plate, using the spoon, break the serum layer into small pieces;
11. Add one hot water teaspoon and about 1/4 teaspoon baking soda;
12. Mix it all well until the adhesive becomes soft and more fluid;
13. If the mixture is too thick add a little more water, if it has lumps add more baking soda.
14. When not in use the adhesive covering it with transparent paper. 

With time the glue becomes more transparent and liquid. Trash the glue when it starts to smell slightly spoiled milk.

Note:
If the milk does not curdle try:

• add more vinegar;
• heat the mixture;
• use more hot water.

Et voilá!
you can almos eat it

Enjoy!

Old socks can for your pencils craft DIY

Today we are going o see how to reuse and recycle old socks and old glass jars, pots or cans; it’s easy and creates a great effect.

This idea is from our restless mind Maria João, thank you

What we need:

• old socks,
• old glass jars, plastic cups, or metal cans,
• super glue,
• scissors.

How to:

1. Cut the socks by the heel, about 1 inch above;
2. Place the can/jar/cup inside the top half of the sock;
3. Apply the glue on the top of the can/jar/cup;
4. Press the sock against the glue;
5. Use it to place your pencils, pens, marbles, pins...

Et voilá!
Simple things are the most beautiful!
Enjoy!

Turtle recycled can to your pencils, great father's day idea

This is an idea o reduce and recycle the metal can's. With a bi of imagination we can use them to keep pens, pencils, paper clips, marbles... or you can offer it to your dad in father's day.

What we need:

• empty can,
• double tape or super glue,
• scissors,
• pliers,
• pen,
• charcoal pencil,
• tracing paper,
• craft knife, with a new blade,
• felts, in your favorite colors.

How to:

1. Clean the can, remove all the glue and paper;
2. With the pliers fold the  sharp edges inwards, this is a easy procedure that can avoid accidents;
3. Choose your base color, the one that will cover all the can;
4. Cut out a felt rectangle, a 1/2 inch larger then the felt you will need to cover all the can, the easiest way to do his is to roll the can on the felt, and mark the spot where you have to cut;
5. Trace the design on your tracing paper, use the pencil, in this tutorial the design is a turtle;
6. Chose the colors, we are going to use 2 different shades of green;
7. Trace the felts, like we did here;
8. We are going to give depth to the turtle, trace the body, the shell and the spots, like in the picture;
9. Cut out the pieces, note: cut all the pieces the same way, inside the line, outside the line or in the line, otherwise the puzzle will not fit;
10. Assemble the turtle with super glue or double tape;
11. Glue the assembled turtle on the rectangular felt you cut out on the step 4, glue it 1 inch above the base;
12. Apply the glue /double tape on the can, in all area;
13. Quilt the can with the base felt;
14. Cut out the excess with the craft knife;
15. Use it well :)

Attention:
Ask an adult to help you with the craft knife and the scissors! Be smart! Avoid accidents!

Et voilá!
It looks nice!

Enjoy!

DIY Felt bookmarker

I found this here. I think is lovely, happy crafts.

Et Voilá!
Another super restless idea. Thank you Mª João.

Enjoy!

Swirling colors in a milk bowl

Try this and watch the colors swirl in a milk bowl. This is very easy to do and takes less then a minute to do.

We need:

• bowl,
• food coloring, red and blue,
• toothpicks,
• detergent,
• milk.

How to:

1. Pour a bit of milk on the bowl;
2. Add 2 drops of blue food coloring;
3. Now, away from the blue, add another 2 drops of red food coloring;
4. Let your restless play with the toothpicks and the milk on the bowl, let them "draw" at will, What happens?
5. Now, add a drop of detergent;

What happens?
The colors blend immediately, almost instantly, after we add the detergent

Why?
When we add the food coloring, it just stay there, exactly where we placed it.
Then, when we introduce the detergent to the equation, the colors blend in a sec. That’s because the detergent will make the surface tension to drop, and the "milk skin", that allows the color "to sit there", will disappear.
As we saw  here, this skin works as a coat that maintains other molecules at surface, and therefore preventing its dissolution n the milk. When his surface tension is disturbed, the food coloring (and other milk molecules) find less resistance and therefore they can move all around in the bowl.
But there is another phenomena happening in the bowl: Some milk protein denaturate by the action of detergent.
Both things contribute for the surface tension changes.

See the video:

Et voilá!
A ocean of colors!

Enjoy!

Valentine's finger puppets

Let's talk about cute things we can make for the valentines day. This craft is easy enought for our younger restless, i found it here.

We need:

• thick cardboard,
• pink and red cardboard,
• hole paper punch,
• scissors,
• permanent markers, black, red and pink,
• grafitti pencil,
• eraser pen,
• craft glue,
• googly eyes.

How to:

1. Draw a heart shape on the thick cardboard, use it as a template to make more.
2. Punch a starter hole for each finger with the hole punch,
3. Use the scissors to enlarge the circle; a child's fingers should fit snugly through the holes.
4. Decorate the heart with a paint pen or marker, adding facial features;
5. Write your message on the back. 
6. Glue on googly eyes.

We leave 3 heart shapes templates you can use:

Et voilá!
Cute puppets

Enjoy!

Grandfather Tang's Story

Ann Tompert (Crown Publishers, (New York, 1990)), published a book called Grandfather Tang's Story that uses Tangram 7 pieces as illustrations- you can learn more about Tangram here.
The idea can be very useful in a class room or even at home while playing with our restless.

The story goes like this:

Grandfather Tang

Tangram Grandfather Tang

and Little Soo

Tangram- Little Soo

were sitting under a peach tree in their backyard.

Tangram- Tree

They were amusing each other by making different shapes in their tangram puzzle.

"Let's do a story about the fox fairies, (Chou and Wu Ling)," said Little Soo. So Grandfather Tang arranged his seven tangram pieces into the shape of a fox.

Tangram- Fox

Then Grandfather Tang made another fox with Little Soo's seven tangram pieces. Little Soo clapped her hands as her grandfather began.

Although Chou and Wu Ling were best friends, they were always trying to outdo each other. One day this rivalry almost brought their friendship to a tragic end. They were sitting under their favorite willow tree beside a river talking about their magic powers.

"I can change myself into a rabbit as quick as wink," boasted Wu Ling. "I'll bet you can't do that."

"I can too," said Chou.

"Can not," said Wu Ling. "Anyway, actions speak louder than words." and he changed himself into a rabbit.

Tangram- Rabbit

"Not bad," said Chou, smoothing his whiskers. "But watch me do better than that."

And before Wu Ling could blink, Chou changed from a fox into a dog.

Tangram- Dog

Now, when Chou changed himself into a dog, he not only looked like a dog, but he felt like a dog and acted like a dog. He bared his teeth and lashed his tail. Wu Ling shivered and twitched his nose.

"I love rabbits," Chou growled," and I'm going to get you and gobble you up."

The dog edged closer and closer. Wu Ling's eyes grew bigger and bigger. He was too frightened to move at first. But then he thought, "I'll be safe if I can climb up the willow tree."

His little puff of a tail grew long and bushy and his tall ears shrunk as Wu Ling transformed himself into a squirrel.

Tangram- Squirrel

Wu Ling sprang into the willow tree and scrambled to the top.

"Chou will probably turn himself into a cat so he can climb up the tree after me," Wu Ling said to himself. "But he'll never catch me, I'll jump from tree to tree and he won't be able to follow me."

Of course, Chou thought about changing himself into a cat.

Tangram- Cat

"But that's just what Wu Ling expects me to do," he said to himself. "What can I do to surprise him?" He thought and thought. "I know. I'll swoop down upon him from above" And he turned himself into a hawk.

Tangram- Hawk

Chou circled round and round in the sky above the willow tree, searching for Wu Ling. Wu Ling peered through the leaves of the tree, looking for Chou on the ground. Round and round Chou circled the willow tree until he spied Wu Ling.

"Kek! Kek! Kek!" he shrieked as he zoomed down upon the squirrel.

Wu Ling trembled. Chou's beak looked sharp enough to pierce right through him.

"If only I lived in a shell house," he thought "Then Chou couldn't hurt me."

Chou stuck out his fierce claws to seize Wu Ling, but Wu Ling dove toward the river below the willow tree. And as he dove, he tucked in his head and tail and legs, turned green, and changed into a turtle.

Tangram- Turtle

Wu Ling climbed up on a mossy rock in the middle of the river. He thought he was safe because he looked as if he were a part of the rock. Chou circled round and round, searching and searching, until his sharp eyes spotted the turtle. Then he swooped down, down, down toward him.

But just as Chou reached him, Wu Ling plunged into the water. "Follow me and you'll drown, he cried.

"Don't worry," cried Chou, plunging right behind Wu Ling.

His body grew longer, covered with scales. He whipped the water with his long, wicked tail. And he snapped his spike-toothed jaws as he turned into a crocodile.

Tangram- Corcodile

Wu Ling circled round and round as he plunged down, down, down to the bottom of the river. Chou lashed his wicked tail as he plunged after Wu Ling. Just as they reached the bottom, Chou clamped Wu Ling in his spike-toothed mouth.

"Now, I've got you!" he bellowed through his clenched teeth.

"Oh, no, you haven't," cried Wu Ling, who grew smaller and smaller and changed himself from green to gold as he transformed himself into a goldfish.

Tangram- Goldfish

and he swam out of Chou's mouth between his spiked teeth.

Then he hid in a patch of cattails. Chou churned the water with his lashing tail as he charge into the patch after Wu Ling. With his head swinging back and forth and his eyes darting here and there, he searched for Wu Ling. Wu Ling knew that Chou would not give up until he found him.

"I must fly from here," he thought. And he started to honk as he transformed himself into a goose.

Tangram- Goose

"Honk! Honk! Honk!" called Wu Ling. And he took to the air.

A chorus of honks swelled the air as the flock of geese spread their wings to follow him. While Chou watched, the honking grew fainter, the flock grew smaller, and he felt his anger slowly drain away.

"Why, oh, why did we play that stupid game?" he moaned. "I'll never see Wu Ling again"

He closed his eyes and sank toward the river's bottom. Just as he touched it, however, he had an idea. And up he popped again, a goose himself.

Chou charged after him, but Wu Ling spread his wings and took to the air.

Chou watched him fly to a small island where a flock of geese were feeding. By now he was not only very angry, he was also very hungry. He decided that if he could not catch Wu Ling, any goose would make him a good dinner. He splashed through the water toward the island until he reached it.

Moments later, Chou was flying after Wu Ling and the other geese. He could hardly see or hear them at first. But he did not let this discourage him. Calling upon every last bit of his strength, he forged ahead.

Each flap of his wings brought him closer. The wedge of geese slowly grew bigger. The honking grew louder. At last Chou found himself flying beside Wu Ling.

"I'm tired of our silly game," he cried. "Come back with me to our willow tree."

Before Wu Ling could answer, something stung Chou's right wing. He sank toward the ground.

A hunter had shot him. Wu Ling flew down beside Chou, place his left wing under Chou's smashed right wing, and together they fluttered down to the edge of the forest.

The hunter ran toward them.

"Fly away," Chou urged Wu Ling. "Save yourself. Fly! Fly!"

"I wont' desert you," cried Wu Ling. And with a mighty roar, he changed into a lion.

Tangram- Lion

The hunter raised his bow. Wu Ling sprang toward him and knocked the bow from his hand. The hunter fled, leaving his bow behind.

Wu Ling and Chou returned to their fox shapes. And Wu Ling helped Chou to his den, where he took care of him until he was mended.

"Did they ever play that game again?" asked Little Soo.

"Many times," said her grandfather. "But they were very, very careful,"

"That was a good story," said Little Soo. "Let's do another."

Grandfather arranged his seven tangram pieces.

"Is this story going to be about a man?" asked Little Soo.

"Yes, said her grandfather. "he's old and he's tired. He wants to sit under a tree and rest awhile."

Tangram- Grandfather Tang

"Is he a grandfather like you?" asked Little Soo. "Yes," said her grandfather just like me." Little Soo arranged the seven pieces of her tangram beside her grandfather's.

Tangram- Little Soo

"Is that a little girl?" he asked.

"Yes, said Little Soo. "Just like me. She'll sit and rest beside the man."

"That will make him very happy," said Grandfather Tang. "And now, Little Soo, what will we do?"

"We'll sit and rest together until Mother calls us for supper," said Little Soo.

"That will make me very happy," said her grandfather.

Et Voilá!
Try to make your own stories with the 7 Tans!

Enjoy!

Color pencil necklace

Restless Minds brings you another super restless idea, this time from Kate's blog:  minieco.co.uk. Today we are going to use dregs of crayons to do some jewelry.
We saw it the firt time in Artesanato Decor e Culinária blog, from here we linked to Kate's Minieco blog.

Check this out, this pictures show some crayon dreg art:


From Kate's blog:

From Maria Cristina-Bellucci , designer:

This is how Gabrielle Blair did it:
 
We will need:

• color pencils, you can use dregs instead of brand new pencils, that way you will recycle and reuse materials.
• small saw, you can buy it on any hardware store,
• sandpaper, 
• drilling instrument, it can be electrical or manual,fasteners and wire for the necklace, you can buy this at any handcraft store,
• ruler,
• Wooden board, similar to the ones we use in the kitchen.

Note: This tutorial must be done with adult supervision all the time, and always on the wooden board.

How to do the beads:

1. Chose the pencils you are going to bead;
2. With the ruler measure pieces of 5 to 10 mm wide (about in), the beads can be longer or shorter, that’s up to you. The example has 7mm beads, all them must be the same length;
3. Cut them with the saw;
4. Use sandpaper on the wood beads, only sand the side without color, as picture shows;
5. When the wood becomes smooth you can get to the next step;
6. Drill a hole, from side to side, on the bead, as picture shows;
7. Do a few of these beads and  you can do your necklace, with the wire and the fasteners

Et voilá!
Another super restless idea, from your Restless Minds team

Enjoy!

School is here, math is not boring! multiply tables

The multiplication table! That scary thing with 5 eyes and 8 legs! Most of the times it’s a meaningless because children don’t understand it, and and therefore refuse to memorize it.

Today we are going to learn a trick to domesticate this beast!

It does not replace the need to know but it helps in case of emergency. This method works on the 6, 7, 8 9 and 10 tables, and literally is multiply by the hands/fingers.

Images from here

We will need:

• hands.

How to:

1. We give a number, from 6 to 10, to each finger of each hand, like the image. Pinky are the 6’s and toes are the the 10’s.
2. To multiply, lets say, 7x8, we put together the finger number 7, from one hand, with the finger number 8 from the other hand, as in image;
3. When you join the fingers keep them in a straight line. Note that there are fingers that are above this line and others that fall below it;
4. Next step is adding all the fingers that are below the line and the ones you used to “draw this line” (7 finger of one hand and the8 in the other one), in this exemple this sum is 5.
5. With regard to the fingers that are above the line multiply the total of fingers you have in the left hand by the ones on right one. In this exemple the 3 and 2 which gives 6. 
6. Now join the 2 numbers, the first one -5- with the second one-6 .

So… 7x8=56.
References: matematica.com.sapo.pt
 
Et voilá!
After all mathematics is not boring.
Enjoy!