DIY Puppet Theater - Expressing Emotions & Creative Play

 This Inside Out shop and puppet theater tutorial has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #InsideOutEmotions #CollectiveBias

For Father's Day, we all went to the movies to watch Inside Out as a family. I have to admit that It was a great movie and was really surprised that my youngest, just 2-years-old, really enjoyed the characters as much as the rest of us. If you have a wiggly toddler at home, you know how big of a deal this is.

So I was excited to let all the kids pick out their own Inside Our plush on a recent trip to Walmart. We love role playing games and putting on shows, and I thought these adorable emotion plush toys would be perfect for putting on our own puppet plays. 

So which emotion did each of my kids choose?

We let my youngest, Elliott, select his favorite character first. I was surprised when he picked Sadness, but he was very sure about it.

Maybe it was the blue he loved, or the big blue eyes that matched his own, but either way it was snuggly love at first sight.

It is hard for my 2-year-old to deal with all those swirling emotions going through him. Recently there have been more tantrums, more spontaneous crying and frustration about not being able to have ice cream at every meal. So, Sadness was probably the perfect choice for Elliott. He is learning that sadness means some things are just too much fun to stop, and it is okay to be sad when things don't happen the way he hopes.

My middle child picked Disgust. An interesting choice for her.

I asked my daughter to show off the emotion, "disgust" for me, but she just couldn't do it. Okay, she can't do it on cue, at least. Anyone with a daughter knows that little girls can turn disgust on and off when the moment is right. Those sensible shoes? Not going to happen... they don't light up or have glitter on them. Oh, yeah, tutus and sparkly glitter go with everything. Hand-me-downs from her big brother, that would be a moment for disgust.

But at this moment she was far too happy to let disgust show.

And my oldest? My almost 8-year-old is a firecracker, for sure! I was not surprised when he picked Anger. He is at a tough age. He is putting aside some of his favorite toys and hobbies in favor of more mature interests. But, he still gets frustrated and doesn't always know the appropriate way to release his anger.

So what happens when emotions run high in our house? Well, it is the perfect time to play! We created an easy puppet theater out of simple items we picked up at our local Walmart. This gave us a chance to role-play all those emotions and talk about how they make us feel.

DIY Puppet Theater

You Will Need:

1. tri-fold display boardred
2. poster board or construction paper
3. utility knife, or box cutter
4. scissors
5. craft glue
6. glue dots
7. ruler
8. ribbon or string
9. gold sharpie
10. twine or colorful string
11. scrapbook paper
12. mini clothes pins

Grab some supplies and let's get started! This project will require help from an adult.

First I created the window for the puppet theater. I left a nice margin all around the window, and put it up high enough my kids could use it while kneeling. The corrugated board is thick, so a utility knife or box cutters work best here. 

Then I measured the opening so I could make the red curtains to frame the window. I wanted them to hang down below the window and also go across the entire middle section of the display board.

Then I cut out a top piece, 2 curtains and used some of my discarded cardboard (glued three layers thick) to make the top piece stand out and add depth. I glued those under my top piece of red cardboard.

Then I added details to my theater. I had some vine ribbon that I used for curtain ties. Then I created a brightly colored bunting out of scrapbook paper, mini clothes pins and gold-flecked kitchen twine.

I had extra triangles left over from the bunting, so I decorated the sides of the puppet theater with those.

And for a final touch, I added some details with a gold permanent marker. That really helped the curtains stand out from the theater.

The finished puppet theater is simple, bright and fun! 

Then it was time to put on a show! Kids don't really need any help in this department. With the cute Inside Out plushes, my kids had lots of ideas for stories.

But, in this house everyone wants to perform. This was a great way to start a discussion about emotions as well as appropriate ways to express emotions, etc.

You can grab your own collection of Inside Out plushes at Walmart. Just look for the cute Inside Out displays.

Then for after performance snacking, we also found Kellogg's Inside Out fruit snacks. Aren't these adorable? They are shaped like each of our favorite emotions from the movie.

Who, in your life, would like their own puppet theater and Inside Out plushes? How do you explore emotions in your family?

Baby Shower Gift Basket with Disney Baby

 This Disney Baby shop at Walmart has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MagicBabyMoments #CollectiveBias

Babies. Is there anything more fun to shop for than a new arrival? I created this "Minnie-rific" Baby Shower Gift Basket complete with a DIY Minnie Basket with an expectant friend in mind. Her family will be welcoming their third child this Summer.

When I was pregnant for the first time we met several friends all due in the same 2-week span. We had get-togethers while still very pregnant, and then after our children were born we continued to have "baby parties" where we could share our best "First-time parent" moments and stories. You know, all the shocking things that come with a newborn in the family. We laughed and bonded over diaper blow-outs and sleepless nights.

And then our kids started to grow up. We no longer have our monthly "baby parties", but we still all enjoy getting together and watching our almost 8-year-old children play together.

Transitioning from one child to two was hard, but I think adding a third, especially with older siblings, is a lot of fun. I can't wait to meet our friends' new baby. Their other girls are delightful and I know this child will bring their family so much joy.

Now the joke has been that with two girls already, they will probably have a third. They don't want to know until the baby is born, but I just couldn't help myself from starting to work on their  Baby Shower gift. Now that I am done having my own babies, I enjoy an excuse to shop for baby items for friends or family.

While shopping at Walmart, I was inspired to create a Minnie Mouse themed Gift Basket after looking at all the adorable Disney Baby Products in the baby section. Aren't they adorable?

My favorite part of having a newborn was all the snuggling and bonding that happens around bath and bedtimes. So, when I saw the wide selection of personal care products, bedding and blankets in the Disney Baby line, I grabbed everything I could find with Minnie Mouse on it.

When making the perfect gift basket, for a baby shower, or other event, it is important to find the perfect basket or container. In this case, the flannel blankets I purchased from Walmart inspired me to create my own easy and customized container to hold all the bed and bath time products.

DIY Minnie-Inspired Basket

You will Need:

• 1 large diaper box
• box cutters
• sisal rope to wrap around the bottom 2/3 of the box
• fabric scissors
• Disney Baby pink polka dot flannel blanket
• hot glue

Start by cutting the flaps off your box.

Start at the bottom of the box, at one corner. Hot glue the rope around the sides of the box. Keep gluing the rope down as you wrap it around the box, Take care to push the rope tightly together and continue till you are about halfway up the box.

Cut the flannel sheet in half lengthwise, and then in half again to have 4 long strips. Glue the finished edge inside the box, since this side will show. Glue 2 strips down on the longest sides of the box. Then cut one of the strips in half and cover the ends as needed.

Don't worry. I continued to glue my rope around the box and cover the bottom edge of the fabric, so any rough edges were not visible in the finished box.

Keep gluing and wrapping until the edges of the fabric are covered.

That left me with one strip of hot pink fabric left.  I cut a 2" strip and glued the edges over. This will be the center of my bow.

Then I folded and glued the edges of my long strip. Fold in the center and add a dot of hot glue. Then wrap the thinner piece around the middle and glue the edge down in back to secure it. This is the knot in the center of the bow. Trim off any excess.

Then I took my bow and hot glued it to the front of the box for decoration. What do you think? Isn't this DIY basket cute?

Since I was thinking bath and bedtime, I also included some baby wash and 2 pink towels. I created mouse ears out of the washcloths by folding the towels and securing them with clear rubber bands and white ribbon.

And, what all did I include in my Baby Shower Gift Basket?

• Disney Baby Bedding Sweet Minnie Mouse Flannel Blanket, 4-Pack
• Disney Baby Bedding Minnie Mouse Blanket with Beanie
• Disney Baby Minnie Mouse Nail Care Set
• 2 pink washcloths
• baby shampoo/body wash
• Disney Baby Bedding Sweet Minnie Mouse Set of 2 Crib Sheets
• Disney Baby Bedding Minnie Mouse Pillow Buddie

I am hoping this gift basket will help the girls and the expectant parents enjoy those precious first memories together even more. I know those two big sisters can't wait to help out and I think these Disney Baby products will make that even more fun.

I hope you enjoyed my gift basket. I can't wait to meet this new little baby now. What would you put in the perfect Disney Baby gift basket for a baby in your life?

All Decked Out With Baymax for the Big Hero 6 Release

We are crafting up a storm in our excitement for the #BigHero6Release. This Baymax accessories tutorial and DVD release shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias

Last year for my son's 7th birthday we took a group of his friends to the movies to celebrate. The movie my son wanted to see was Big Hero 6. We had all been pretty taken by the movie previews. It was, of course, a huge hit with the kids and their parents as well.

Can I just say, fist bumps will never be same!

So in anticipation of the DVD release this week, we decided to craft up some Baymax fun, starting with a necklace of our favorite character out of the easy to work with Crayola Air Dry Clay.

Baymax Necklace

I used several colors to create a Baymax bead, multi-colored Chem-Balls from Honey Lemon and microbot beads. Here I used: yellow, pink, purple, glitter blue, white, black and metallic silver.

To create Honey Lemon's Chem Ball beads, I rolled out a small portion of clay. Be sure to put down wax paper to protect your work surface from pigment in the clay. The clay also picks up any lint or oils, so having a clean work surface helps to keep creations looking their best.

With a tool or toothpick, poke a hole through the center of the ball of clay, I like to use a sharp tool to start with so my ball doesn't become distorted when pierced. Then I go back with a wider tool to enlarge the hole for easier stringing later.

I also created the Baymax bead in a similar way. I made a slightly larger bead and formed it into an oval. I used black seed beads to create the eyes and then a permanent marker to draw a line between them.

After the beads dry for a day or two, they are ready to glaze. A simple coat or two of glossy glaze will make the beads shiny and smooth.

Then they are ready to string in a necklace. My daughter was very excited. She is all about jewelry right now and this unique necklace has all her favorites; Honey Lemon's Chem Balls, Microbots and Baymax, himself.

Felt Baymax Applique

Of course, we needed something to go along with her necklace. I have been big on personalizing my daughter's clothing lately. Her plain black pants were perfect for embellishing with some Baymax fun. There is no need for an embroidery machine. All you need for this craft is a little felt, embroidery thread, an iron-on interfacing and an article of clothing to embellish.

I found an image I wanted to use in the right size and cut out my felt. I used a dressmakers pencil to sketch the eyes for embroidery. The pencil color wipes off the felt easily.

I used a backstitch between the eyes and then the seed stitch for the eyes themselves. I used iron-on interfacing to attach the felt to the pants and then stitched around the edges by hand.

It was the perfect way to make my daughter's play clothes extra special. Even better for playing with her new Flying Baymax.

Baymax Felt Hair bow

And last, I made my daughter a big red hair bow with her favorite character. If you have visited my blog before, you know my daughter loves hair bows and ribbons. I also enjoy creating new ones for her to wear.

These are so simple to make, and a great way to show how much you enjoy the movie, Big Hero 6.

I created a larger, flatter Baymax head out of the same air dry clay. After drying I glazed it and then cut out a piece of red felt. A smaller strip will become the center of the hair bow.

Bring the edges together and hot glue them to the middle.

Then fold over the middle and add a drop of hot glue.

Wrap the center around the front of the bow and over an alligator clip to secure it.

Glue the clay Baymax to the front and you are done!

Now my daughter is all decked out and ready to enjoy the movie again. My son and I ran into Walmart to grab a copy. He was really excited for a chance to see the movie again.

We purchased the Big Hero 6 Blu-Ray/DVD+ Gift With Purchase Set. It includes a digital movie on Vudu while supplies last! Just scan your receipt using the Savings Catcher in the Walmart app. Then look for a message by phone or email. Then you will be able to watch Big Hero 6 on any of your devices.

My son was also thrilled that the added DVD gift was The Science of Big Hero 6. With robotics, microbots and electro-magnetic suspension it is perfect for my little budding science fan.

Now, with all this to enjoy, don't forget to check out the fun Big Hero 6 toys available at Walmart. Be sure to take a peak at the selection when you pick up your copy of the DVD.  I grabbed mine online and had this Flying Baymax  and Hiro delivered right to my home. The kids proclaimed me the best Mom ever.

 What can I say? I am a big fan, too.

What does the larger than life character of Baymax inspire you to create?

Taking the Planes Characters on the road this Holiday Season

 This holiday travel shop with Disney Planes the Movie has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions and experiences are mine alone. #PlanesToTheRescue #CollectiveBias

We usually don't travel around the holidays. In fact, the longest holiday drive we take is about 15 minutes. We live surrounded by multiple generations of family, so keeping my kids occupied in the car is usually not an issue. This year though we have a little surprise in store for the kids.

We will be packing up the family to go on a special North Pole bound train ride and I know the kids are going to have a blast. My only concern is to get to the station is an over 3 hour drive.. and I have 3 small children to keep entertained for the entire way there.

I like to be prepared, so while picking up some car ride essentials at Walmart, I took a peek down the toy aisle. 

The die-cast 3-pack, Secret Hangar Meeting, is currently on Rollback at Walmart, along with several other great last minute gift ideas, or "car ride boredom busters". My children are huge fans of Disney Planes and Planes Fire and Rescue, so I knew this would be a big hit.

I have fond memories of driving my own die cast cars around the back seat of my parent's mustard yellow Matador during family road trips.

The cute Disney characters inspired me to also create a No Sew Felt Board or Flannel Board for my daughter who loves to create her own. Dusty and his friends from Planes would be my inspiration.

To get started, you will need:

• Foam Core Board
• X-Acto Knife
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Felt, in various colors
• a collection of ribbon, washi tape or lace 
• Felt Glue
• Hot Glue Gun
• Freezer Paper
• Pencil
• Assorted Permanent Markers

I started by cutting foam core board. I wanted my felt board to be like a book, small enough to fit in my daughter's lap in the car, but big enough to tell an entire story. In the end I cut my cover pieces to be just larger than a 9" x 12" sheet of felt. I allowed for a 1/2" around the edges so cut them to be 10" x 13".

Then with glue, I started putting down my felt for the storyboard. I went with a solid blue sheet on one side for the sky. 

Now is when a stash of ribbon, lace and washi tape comes in handy. I glued red striped ribbon over the page edge and then "finished" the edges of the felt with strips of my choice. I went with a typeset alphabet and metallic ruler tape for this part.

On the other side of my felt board I created a sky and mountain backdrop. I wanted the felt back for this project to be smooth, so I inset the mountain then glued it all down. This will be perfect for staging the woodland fires for my daughter's stories.

I made a simple "binding" for my foam core book with extra wide ribbon. This part I attached with hot glue for added durability.

Then I finished the outer edges with a little bit of lace.

On the outside of the Felt Board I used adhesive washi sheets for quick covers.

Then it was time to start on the removable felt pieces for storytelling. 

One of the easiest ways to cut felt for an intricate project like this is to use Freezer Paper. I found these cute flames online. I printed them out and taped them into a window for easy tracing. Then I covered them with a sheet of Freezer Paper (wax side down) and traced.

Then on a low setting, I ironed the wax side down onto a piece of red felt. It doesn't take long for the paper to stick and the stencils are reusable with a little more heat.

Using Freezer Paper makes it really easy to cut out simple shapes and designs. I tried cutting these little flames freehand, but this is much better.

To complete my little Fire and Rescue scene, I cut out more flames, trees, clouds, a smoke jumper and parachute, Dusty and another generic plane.

The best part about a project like this is we can keep adding felt characters and pieces to our collection and my daughter can use it over and over on our car trips as well as at home. I would point out that this is a nice and quiet car activity, but we all know the kids will be supplying the sound effects, right?

And it is so much fun to have more adventures with Disney Planes Dusty and all his friends.

So if there are young children and car trips in your future this Holiday Season, or maybe just are looking for a last minute gift idea, think of creating your own personalized Felt Board with a Disney Planes theme, or stop by and stock up on these great Planes toys currently on Rollback - Disney Planes Flight to the Finish Speedway Rollback to $24.97, Disney Planes Fire & Rescue Die-Cast Vehicles, 3-Pack Rollback to $14.97, or Disney Planes Fire & Rescue Deluxe Talking Vehicle Assortment Rollback to $19.97.

Either way, you will be a big hit this season with the kids.

Do you have any long car trips over the Holiday Season? How do keep everyone entertained?