Puffy Heart

Materials:
* pink and white tissue paper, cut into 1" squares
* white craft glue
* scissors
* piece of card stock or construction paper
* pencil with an eraser

1. Cut out a heart shape from the construction paper or card stock.
2. Put some white craft glue into the center of the heart, shaped like a heart.
3. Using the eraser end of your pencil, place the eraser into the center of a white tissue paper square. Twist the tissue paper square around the eraser and dot it onto the glue. Continue this process until entire middle of the heart is covered with white tissue paper.
4. Repeat the process from step #3 with pink tissue paper for the border of the heart.
5. Glue a hanger to the back if you like.

Tips:
* For younger children who have trouble working the pencil steps, allow them to wad up the tissue paper squares and press them onto the glue with their fingers.
* Instead of a hanger, try gluing a magnet strip to the back and hang on your fridge.
* Always save tissue paper from gifts for craft projects like this one.

Picture and Activity from: http://crafts.kaboose.com

Snowman On A Stick

Ingredients:
* bananas
* grapes
* carrot
* apple
* bamboo skewers
* mini chocolate chips
* pretzel sticks

For each snowman, you will need three thick slices of banana, a grape, a sliver of carrot, and a triangular piece of apple. (Tip: Poke a hole in the apple pieces with a bamboo skewer first to make assembly easier for your child.)

Have your kids slide the fruit onto the skewer, then use the carrot slivers for noses, mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons, and pretzel sticks for arms.

Picture and Activity from: http://familyfun.go.com

Behavior Bucks

Create some simple "behavior bucks" to use as rewards for good behavior in the car and while on a trip. These bucks can be as simple as small strips of colored paper with a denomination on them or even just a smiley face. Reward kids for good behavior by giving them bucks that they can later redeem for a special treat or souvenir. Provide each child with a ziploc back with his/her name on it, wallet, or some other holder to help them keep track of their individual "money".

Activity from: The Playskool Toddler's Busy Play Book by Robin McClure (2007)

Backseat Driver

Create a steering wheel for your child to "help" you drive. A soft foam tube with the ends hot glued together works well. To drive away boredom on the road, ask him to follow the road and make turns accordingly. If you're planning on a long car ride, you can have your child decorate his steering wheel in advance so it's ready for action.

Activity from: The Playskool Toddler's Busy Play Book by Robin McClure (2007)

American Flag Find

Many car dealerships and other companies display the American flag at their place of business. Turn spotting the flag into a counting game, with each sighting counting as one pint until you get to 10. Kids get a bonus point for spotting state flags.

Activity from: The Playskool Toddler's Busy Play Book by Robin McClure (2007)

Water Wonder

Bring a pan of water outdoors and let your child explore its wonders through simple play. Encourage your child to experiment to see whether certain toys float or sink, which things tilt to their side or flip over, and what happens when ice cubes are placed in water.

Activity from: The Playskool Toddler's Busy Play Book by Robin McClure (2007)

Water Mister Master

Provide your child with his very own water mister and let him water plants outdoors. When the job is done, he can cool down by misting himself.

Activity from: The Playskool Toddler's Busy Play Book by Robin McClure (2007)

Water Balloon Throw

Fill small balloons with water, draw a target on the fence or driveway with chalk, and let your toddler have some fun. Bursting the water balloons and watching the water explode out is fascinating to toddlers.

Activity from: The Playskool Toddler's Busy Play Book by Robin McClure (2007)

Tree Thanks

Sit with your child under a nice shade tree and talk about why trees are important in nature and how they help us. Give a few examples of things made from trees and of fruits that come from trees. Later, have your child draw a picture of a tree.

Activity from: The Playskool Toddler's Busy Play Book by Robin McClure (2007)

Trash Walk

Arm your child with a small plastic bag and gloves and the two of you pick up trash that you see along your walk. Talk about the effects of littering and why items should always be placed in trash cans. To avoid any dangerous or unsanitary items being picked up, ask your child to scout for trash and get your okay before it is touched.

Activity from: The Playskool Toddler's Busy Play Book by Robin McClure (2007)

Toddler Ball

How many bounces can your toddler do with a big bouncy ball? Show your child how to dribble a ball, bounce and catch, and do other eye-hand coordination skills.

Activity from: The Playskool Toddler's Busy Play Book by Robin McClure (2007)

Three-fer Challenge

Have your child do three of something (e.g., three claps) it doesn't matter what it is then have her add three of something else. Keep adding and see how well she can remember the pattern. An example pattern: three hops on one foot, three claps, three jumping jacks, etc.

Activity from: The Playskool Toddler's Busy Play Book by Robin McClure (2007)