21 New Ways To Play with Animal Figures

I'm always looking for new ways to extend the materials we already have instead of buying new things for the children, but when I saw these Animal Figures at the Dollar Tree, I knew I couldn't pass them up!

Though they are not the best quality (the seams are evident and the painting is basic) they have a few qualities I was looking for: They are realistic in color and design, they are large enough to leave on the shelf and still be safe for babies and toddlers (most Montessori animals ate the Toob kind and are very small), and they are varied in types of animals represented (sea creatures, amphibians, mammals from different parts of the world).

I also thought they would combine nicely with other animals I found at the Dollar Tree like horses, dinosaurs and snakes.

So now that we have these great animals, here's how we can play with them using items we already have or free printables:

• Use them in the sensory table:
• Make an Ocean with blue tinted water and islands or icebergs from cutouts of craft foam
• Make a Farm with fences, a barn, hay, grass clippings, beans, mud or wood shavings
• Make an Arctic landscape with white playdough, cotton balls, snow, white craft foam cutouts, or snowflake confetti

• Use them on a play mat or rug 

• Add them to your continent baskets or boxes

• Use them with playdough or a sand tray to make footprints

• Match them to image cards

• Match them to a continent file folder game like these Africa Animal Cards

• Match them to a footprints file folder game

• Match them to an animal covering file folder game

• Match them to Animal Movement Cards (Swim, Walk, Fly...)

• Sort them into an of the categories listed in my Animal Puzzle Blog Post
• Use them to discuss animal sounds
• Add them to the block area for creative play
• Take them outside or to the park
• Use them to act out animal stories
• Use them as props in dioramas of countries or habitats
• Make bookends from them (not really learning but visually inspiring)

• Line them up on a strip of masking tape on the floor
• Match them to paint chip color cards
• Sort them by Land Water and Air Habitats

I'd love to hear what you do with your animals!

62 New Ways to Play with an Exercise Ball

The Exercise Ball is the BEST children's toy, that is not a children's toy, I ever bought.  Here are 62 new ways to use an Exercise ball (including 27 songs and rhymes) with your infant or child:

Babies and Young Toddlers:

• jump on it like a Jumperoo
• rock your baby to sleep on it
• bounce on their bottom on it
• rock on their stomach back and forth
• rock on their stomach side to side
• rock on their back back and forth

• rock on their back side to side
• roll upside down on their back
• roll upside down on their stomach
• roll in circles on their stomach
• roll in circles on their back

• rock side to side in a sitting position
• rock front and back in a sitting position
• roll in circles in a sitting position
• lay on the ball on you back and fly your baby
• practice standing on it with support
• use it as a walker
• roll it back and forth
• try to bounce it like a basketball
• watch it bounce around room
• try to lift it
• play it like a drum

Preschoolers and School-agers

• sit on it at the table or desk
• sit on it and try to lift one foot then the other
• sit on it and try to lift both feet and balance
• lay on it on your stomach and try to balance Superman style
• lay on it on your stomach and walk hands forward, rolling ball to feet and back
• lay on your back on the floor and try to lift it with both feet
• try to balance it on one hand

• see how long you can balance it above head in both hands
• see how long you can balance it above head with one hand
• play catch outdoors
• lay on your back on the floor with feet on ball and try to lift bottom up
• lay on your back on the floor and lift ball over head with both hands
• lay on your back on the floor and balance ball on hands above head
• lay on your back on the floor and balance ball on feet

Songs and Rhymes to use with the Exercise Ball 

(sources Kuffner's The Toddler's Busy Book, Silberg's Games to Play with Babies and my memory)

Father and Mother and Uncle John

(bounce gently in seated position or on stomach or back)

Father and Mother and Uncle John

Rode to the doctor, one by one

Father fell off

(Tilt to one side of ball)

Mother fell off

(Tilt to the other side)

and Uncle John rode on and on

and on and on and on

(bounce gently)

See-Saw

see-saw see-saw 

back and forth,back and forth

(rock back and forth in seated position or on stomach or back)

see-saw see-saw 

side to side, side to side

(rock side to side in seated position or on stomach or back)

see-saw see-saw 

give a hug, give a hug!

(give a hug)

The Upside Down Game

Upside down, upside down

all the world is upside down

Are you ready? 

Here we go,

right side up!

Motor Boat

(bounce slowly in seated position or on stomach or back)

Motor boat, motor boat

go so slow.

Motor boat, motor boat

step on the gas

(bounce quickly in seated position or on stomach or back)

Motor boat, motor boat

go so fast!

Slowly, slowly

(rock slowly from side to side or front to back in seated position or on stomach or back)

Slowly, slowly very slowly

creeps the garden snail.

slowly, slowly very slowly 

up the garden rail.

(rock quickly from side to side or front to back in seated position or on stomach or back)

Quickly quickly very quickly

runs the little mouse.

Quickly quickly very quickly

'round about the house.

(you can also bounce to this rhyme)

Round and Round the Garden

(roll round in circles in seated position or on back or stomach)

Round and Round the Garden

went the teddy bear

One step, two steps

tickle under there!

(tickle baby)

(roll round in circles in seated position or on back or stomach)

Round and Round the haystack

went the little mouse

One step, two steps

in his little house.

I Hear Thunder

(to the tune of Frere Jacques)

I hear thunder, I hear thunder!

(tap on ball with palms and encourage child to do same)

Hark, don't you? Hark, don't you?

Pitter-patter raindrops,

Pitter-patter raindrops.

(tap on ball with fingertips only)

I'm wet through,

(clutch self and shiver)

so are you!

(point to child)

Marching Song

(to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle)

(bounce gently in seated position or on stomach or back)

See the soldiers in the street,

Hear the marching of their feet;

They are singing as they go,

marching, marching, to and fro.

See the soldiers in the street,

Hear the marching of their feet.

Stop!

(roll round in circles in seated position or on back or stomach)

Round and round and round we go,

Round and round and round we go,

Round and round and round we go,

Round and round and stop!

(stop)

(Repeat, speeding up a little each time)

Row, row row your boat

Row, row, row your boat

(rock from front to back in seated position or on stomach or back)

gently down the stream

merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,

life is but a dream.

Bounce, bounce, bounce your boat

(bounce gently in seated position or on stomach or back)

gently down the stream

merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,

life is but a dream.

Rock, rock, rock your boat

(rock from side to side in seated position or on stomach or back)

gently down the stream

merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,

life is but a dream.

Fly Baby Fly

(lay on you back on the ball and hold baby on your chest)

Are you ready to fly in the sky?

Here we go. One, two, threeeee!

(lift baby straight up from chest)

High in the sky!

Fly, baby, fly!

Wheee!

Peas Porrige Hot

(Bounce on ball gently in seated position or on back or stomach)

Peas porrige hot, peas porrige cold,

Peas porrige in the pot nine days old.

Some like it hot, some like it cold,

Some like it in the pot nine days old.

Bouncy, Bouncy!

(Bounce on ball gently on back or stomach)

Bouncy, bouncy baby.

Bouncy, bouncy baby.

Up and down, up and down,

Bouncy, bouncy baby.

hippity hop, bippity bop.

Bouncy, bouncy BOOM

(give a hug on BOOM)

If You're Happy and You Know it

If you're happy and you know it

Bounce Around

(Bounce gently on ball in seated position)

If you're happy and you know it

Bounce Around

If you're happy and you know it

then your face will clearly show it.

If you're happy and you know it

Bounce Around

(Roll Around)

(roll around in circles)

(Rock it out)

(rock from side to side)

To Market, To Market

(Bounce gently on ball in seated position)

To Market, to market to buy a fat pig.

Home again, home again jiggity jig.

To Market, to market to buy a fat hogg.

Home again, home again jiggity jog.

To Market, to market to buy a new gown.

Home again, home again

Whoops!!  The horse fell down.

(slide to one side of the other or lay back onto back)

Trampoline Game

(Bounce gently on ball in seated position)

Bounce, bounce up and down,

Bounce, bounce all around.

Bounce Fast

(bounce faster)

Bounce Slow

(bounce slower)

Bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce BOOM!

(give a hug on BOOM)

Ride a Cock Horse

(Bounce gently on ball in seated position)

Ride a cock horse, to Branbury Cross,

To see a fine lady, upon a white horse

With rings on her fingers, and bells on her toes,

She will have music wherever she goes!

The Dancing Game

Dance, little dolly, dance dance dance.

Dance, little dolly, dance dance dance.

(rock in seated position from side to side)

Up and down,

(bounce up and down)

All around.

(Roll around in circles)

Dance, little dolly, dance dance dance!

(rock in seated position from side to side)

Baby Aerobics

(lay on back on ball and move their arms )

Up and down, up and down,

now we'll move them all around.

Up and down, up and down,

as we do our exercise.

'Round the Mountain

(roll on stomach, back or sitting up)

Go 'round and 'round the mountain

Go 'round and 'round the mountain

Go 'round and 'round the mountain

And kiss those little toes.

(kiss baby's toes)

Ball Rolls

(Roll on back or stomach gently.

Roll the ball, roll the ball

back and forth, back and forth.

Roll the ball, roll the ball

One, two, whoooo!

(Dip a bit further on 'whooo')

Rock-A-By-Baby

(Rock baby in your arms)

Rock-a-by-baby

on the tree top.

When the wind blows

the cradle will rock.

When the bough breaks, 

the cradle will fall

and down will come baby, 

cradle and all.

Rock-a-by-baby

Thy cradle is green,

Daddy's a nobleman,

Mommy's a queen.

Betty's a lady

and wears a gold ring.

Johnny's a drummer 

and drums for the king.

Sleepy Time

(Rock baby in your arms)

Go to sleepy little baby.

Go to sleepy little baby.

When you'll wake

you'l patty patty cake.

And ride a shiny little pony.

Hold Me Close

(Rock baby in your arms)

Hold me close, hold me close.

Rock and rock and rock and rock.

Hold me close, hold me close.

Rock and rock my baby mine.

Back and Forth

(Rock baby in your arms)

Back and forth, I rock the baby.

Back and forth,

back and forth.

Go to sleep my precious baby.

I will watch you all the night.

Back and forth, I rock the baby.

Back and forth,

back and forth.

Pleasant dreams my precious baby.

When you wake I'll be right here.

Hush-A-Bye

(Rock baby in your arms)

Hush-a-bye, don't you cry,

go to sleep, little baby.

When you wake, you shall take,

all the pretty little horses.

Blacks and bays, dapples and grays

Coach and six little horses.

Hush-a-bye, don't you cry,

go to sleep, little baby.

Hush Little Baby

(Rock baby in your arms)

Hush, little baby, don't say a word.Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird

And if that mockingbird won't sing,Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring

And if that diamond ring turns brass,Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass

And if that looking glass gets broke,Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat

And if that billy goat won't pull,Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull

And if that cart and bull turn over,Papa's gonna buy you a dog named Rover

And if that dog named Rover won't barkPapa's gonna buy you a horse and cart

And if that horse and cart fall down,You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town.

Sleep Song
(Rock baby in your arms)
Goodnight baby, 
Goodnight baby, 
Goodnight baby, 
It's time to go to sleep.

Close your eyes,
Close your eyes,
Close your eyes,
It's time to go to sleep.

Sleep tight baby,
Sleep tight baby,
Sleep tight baby,

It's time to go to sleep.

Sweet dreams baby,

Sweet dreams baby,
Sweet dreams baby,

It's time to go to sleep.

33 New Ways to Play with an Animal Puzzle

Check out his awesome thrift store wooden animal puzzle a parent found for us!

Isn't it lovely and for under $2, it can't be beat!  It even has the names of the animals printed under the pieces.

If you have a puzzle like this or another animal puzzle at home that has lost it's appeal, then read on!  If you don't already have one, go get one!  You won't be sorry to invest in this versatile toy.  For the cards that are seen in the picture, go to BrillKids.  They have tons of printable flashcards with images on one side and words on the back.  They have A$ and Letter format for most.  If you print the A4 format, they still work but the image may be slightly higher on the paper and the small word under the image may not print.  Sign into the forum for even more free flashcards sorted by category.  It's a bit confusing on the site so surf around and let me know if you need help finding anything.  You can print just one card from the set by selecting PRINT and choosing just that one page.  You can print 2 to a page for smaller flashcards.  I use the small prints in the Treasure Baskets and I don't have to worry about them getting destroyed.

Here's a bunch of new ways to play with your puzzle:

1.  Match the pieces to stuffed animals or bean bag toys you already have

 2.  Match the animals to color cards

3. Match the animals to the letter their name starts with

(can also use magnet letters for this) 

4. Match the animals to what they eat 

5. Match the animals to where they live (land, water, sky) 

6. Count the animals and match them to dot or number cards

7. Sort the animals into loud and quiet animals 

8. Sort the animals into big or little animals

9. Sort animals as large, medium and small 

10. Match animals to their name cards

(could also print them on sentence strips or index cards) 

11. Match the animals to photo images

(Could also make your own with clipart or magazine images on index cards) 

12.  Line the animals up from largest to smallest

And here's even more ideas not pictured:

13. line the animals up from longest life span to shortest life span (use google)
14. sort animals by where they live (trees, water, caves...)
15. sort animals by habitat (arctic, forest, jungle, ocean...)
16. sort animals by herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores
17. sort animals by how they move (crawl, slither, swim, fly...)
18. match animals to types of coverings (fur, feather, scales...)
19. sort animals that can jump from animals that can not jump
20. sort animals by those that lay eggs and those that have live birth
21. sort animals by number of legs (4, 2, none...)
22. match animals to images of their footprints
23. match animals to images of their silhouettes (photocopy and cut from black paper)
24. match animals to images of their skeletons
25. match animals to images of their babies
26. use the animal pieces as tracing shapes (colored pencil does the least damage)
27. line up the animals from fastest to slowest (use google)
28. use a small muffin tine to place on piece in each compartment (1 to 1 correspondence)
29. place the animals on a map according to which continent they're found on (use google)
30. play animals noises and have the child pick up the correct animal piece
31. use photocopies of the animal pieces and sound effects to make sound bingo cards
32. concentraion: how fast can you put the puzzler together or take it apart (for little ones, you replace the pieces as they take them out, who's faster?)
33. try the puzzle blindfolded

Can you think of any more?

New (to us) Diapering Supplies!

Check out this awesome lot of cloth diapering supplies I got recently for just $35! (And they delivered!)

  
The ones I'm most excited about are the 6 colorful ones in the center and 4 white ones to the right.  Those are lightweight waterproof covers with a cloth feel from Thirsties and similar.  They have many plastic snaps for adjusting to all baby sizes.  These retail for around $15-20 each.  They have pockets in the front and back to tuck in ad insert like a triple folded flat or pre-folded Gerber diaper, no Snappi necessary unless the child is smaller and the diaper insert is moving around in there.

There was also 6 small waterproof pants like the Dappi ones we already use.

There are also 6 Baby Duck cloth diapers that have thick, durable homemade liners.  They are for smaller infants and I was told they work great for when you're out and about and can't change the diapers as often.  I will be taking advantage of these for our strolls this summer!

Also included were several, waterproof and not, toddler size cloth diapers and training pants.  A few have liners.  Since they don't have a waterproof cover, you  can see when they're wet, and hopefully not dripping, and are perfect for EC (Montessori Elimnation Communication).  That allows the child to feel and the care giver to see when a child needs to use the potty and help determine their diapering and potty schedule and needs.  It also provides an instantaneous moment for the care giver to communicate with words, noise cues and gestures, what is taking place.

Elimination Communication is not for everyone but if this is something you want to look into later, please let me know and I'd be happy to participate however, this process works best when both the parents and the care giver are doing it at the same time.

Here's a couple of inspiring articles to read on toilet training and pre-toilet training skills:

5 Things you can do with your BABY to make it easier to potty train them later

Toilet Learning vs. Toilet Training

Several blog entries on Toilet Learning at How We Montessori

Also, check out this previous post for the basics of cloth diapering and what I've learned along the way.

Best Children's Toys and Materials at the Dollar Store

The Dollar Tree, dollar store or Target's dollar spot can be a great place to pick up quality toys and materials for all ages if you know what to look for.  Here's a list of items I covet from the dollar store for the classroom.  These would also make great gift baskets for Teachers, Parents and Children's Birthdays.

To make it easier to shop, I will sort materials by age as well as methods and give you several uses for the less obvious ones.  In general, I look for durable items, things made of wood and cloth, versatile toys, educational value and just plain beautiful items:

Infants & Toddlers

• Beach Ball- buy 2 and cut one up to use as a pattern to make a fabric cover for the other.
• Bubbles- try them outside in cold weather or blowinging them onto a table top that has been wiped with a wet cloth.
• Wooden Toy Cars- use masking tape on the floor to make tracks
• Board Books- avoid licensed characters and holiday ones. Look for touch and feel, mirrored or reflective elements or pop ups for more fun.
• Scarves and Bandanas- look for quality fabrics. Pull them from a wipe container, play peek-a-boo, hide toys underneath, dance with them, use them for dress up...the possibility of these are endless!
• Classical Music CDs- perfect for nap, mornings and anytime you need a little calm.  pick a classical piece of the week and let it inspire your finger painting, dancing and other activities.
• Muffin Tin- use plain or decorate bottom of cups with numbers, colors, etc.  Great for one to one correspondence and tons on different ways to sort items
• Cookie sheet- use as a travel or wall mounted magnet board.  Pair with large fun magnets.
• Balls- look for durable "gym style" or sensory (bumpy) balls that will hold up to being mouthed and sat on  : )
• Flash Cards- Avoided licensed characters and look for photo images vs cartoon images.  Fisher Price and Playskool both make a variety of sets.  Not meant for memorization but for stimulating vision and right brain development.

Preschoolers

• Wooden Jacob's ladder- buy two and use one as a model to help your child build their own from cardboard and ribbon
• Wooden Train Whistle- use it to spark a conversation about trains or as a cue noise for clean up, transitions or meal time
• Magnet Letters and Numbers- Pair with a cookie sheet of magnet letters (check quality of magnet glue before using, some cheaper magnet letters need a bit of hot glue on the back first)
• Wooden Spoons- turn into drum sticks, rhyme sticks, or stick puppets.  Can also be used for kitchen and cooking dramatic play
• Play Dough Tools- cookie cutters, plastic knives and rolling pins to go with a homemade or store bought batch of dough.  Avoid metal and other sharp edges.
• Wooden Jointed Snake- use it as a soothing toy or to spark a conversation about snakes
• Sand and Water Toys- for use in the sensory table.  Check the toy, kitchen and housewares section. Funnels, hand shovels, hand rakes
• Plastic Hats- look for durable construction and fire fighter hats
• Outdoor Play Equipment- Look for durable Items that don't easily bend or break- Frisbees, hula hoops (for obstacle courses not hula hooping), bat and ball sets, sidewalk chalk, butterfly nets and badminton sets.

School Agers

• Science Kits- grow crystals or experiment with magnets
• Craft Kits- learn to crochet or make pom pom critters
• Composition Notebooks- use with journal prompts.  Pair with fun pencils and erasers
• Mini Erasers- the kind that are little images or animals.  School-agers love tiny things! Pair them with a ice cube tray or muffin tin for sorting.  Use them with math Mats for math games, use them as markers for home-made board games
• Glass Stones- perfect for counters, game pieces, or Manacala game pieces
• Puzzles- Cut the cover off and ditch the box, seal the pieces in a clear gallon zipper bag with the cover from the lid.  Look for scenic and fun photos.  Avoid licensed characters and cartoony images.
• Chapter Books- look for children's classics and well know characters or series.
• Marbles- great for painting with or homemade marble tracks.
• Woodworking Items- hammer, nails, wood glue, sandpaper, safety goggles, golf tees, work gloves.
• Computer Games on CD Rom- look for educational kinds
• Card Games- ditch the boxes and put the cards in travel soap boxes or small plastic hinged boxes
• Dominos- wood or heavy sets
• Dice- for making games
• Wooden or Metal Brain Teasers- Rubik's cubes are great too.

Waldorf Materials

• Watercolor Paints- pair with an art tablet of paper
• Nativity- pick this up during the holidays for a perfect starter fairy house.  I would scrape off the moss and put felt or moss sheet instead, it's a bit messy
• Wooden Doll House Furniture- these are delicate but paired with natural wood disks and sections of branches or the nativity, they make fun, magical play spaces
• Old Fashioned Clothespins- for making Waldorf clothespin dolls and fairies
• Mud Kitchen Tools- Look for metal with wood handles if possible.  Hand shovel, hand rake, pie and muffin tins, small cake pans, metal whisk, wooden spoons, watering can.
• Scarves- silk if you can find them, no patterns, rainbow colors are the best.  For dress up, dancing and other imaginative play
• Felt- 100% wool of you can find it.  Great for making little dolls, dressing your clothespin characters and making dress up crowns
• Large Utility Clips- wood is preferred but these are great for building forts.  Pair with large scarves or pieces of silk for creating play spaces
• Baskets- for lunch or displaying and grouping toys and materials

Montessori Materials

• Small cleaning items- like dustpans and hand brooms, small spray bottles, washcloths, dusters and dishtowels, sponges and totes for independent cleaning
• Practical Life Items- google any Montessori supply company to see all the wonderful skills you can teach with everyday items.  Look for wood, glass and ceramic items to teach how to handle things with care or if you're nervous, plastic works too.  look for interesting shapes and colors.  Head to the kitchen section and stock up on trays, small dishes and bowls, small pitchers and vases, a variety of tongs, chopsticks, spoons and ladles in all sizes
• Miniature Animals- great for science and language games.  Avoid unrealistic colors or squishy items.  Stock up on a variety of animals and sea creatures, dinosaurs and bugs
• Natural Elements- look for vase fillers and decorative items like sea shells, acorns, dried flowers, natural items from unscented potpourri bags
• Cooking Tools- Specifically geared towards young children like apple slicers, wavy cutters, butter knives, small cutting boards, bamboo or unbreakable cups, bowls and plates, for self serve snacks.
• Baskets- for displaying and grouping toys and materials
• Wooden trays and divided boxes- the base of many montessori materials for DIYers
• Eye Masks- perfect for moving an activity to the next level and trying to do it blindfolded.

Teacher's Supplies

• Masking Tape- labeling everything, marking things on the floor
• Clear Packing tape- book tape for spines and reinforcing paperback cover edges.
• Stapler and Staples- mini ones are ok if they open fully for stapling on bulletin boards
• Permanent Markers- for labeling everything
• Hot Glue Gun and Hot Glue Sticks- for repairing broken toys and crafts
• Clear Tape- for book page and art work tears 
• Markers, Crayons and Colored Pencils- a set for teacher use only
• Stickers- for rewards, art, and daily note decoration
• Hole Punch- for many craft projects and teacher-made classroom materials 
• Scissors- a big sharp pair for teacher use only.  Consider buying a small padlock to place on handle to avoid mishaps!
• Pens- always seem to loose these!  Mechanical pencils are good too!
• Whistle- for transitions, games and outdoor play, never for discipline!
• Egg Timer- for transitions, timed games, and sharing, never for discipline!
• Sticky Notes- invaluable for family communication, anecdotal notes and reminders to self
• Lesson Plan and Attendance books- blank and ready to use
• Bulletin Boards sets and Classroom decor- if you're into that kind of thing
• Hand Sanitizer- cold season, enough said. Unscented and not sparkly.
• Hand Lotion- for dry hands due to excessive hand washing.  Look for small bottles of well known brands vs cheap perfumed or sparkly kinds.
• Clear Contact Paper- for laminating game pieces, or your or the children's hard work.  Great for labeling shelves with photos or sticking images on the wall.  Also good for art projects.
• Large Paperclips- for art projects and hanging items from the ceiling.
• Insulated Cup with Lid- for hot and cold drinks.  A lid that closes is best to prevent spills.
• Bandaids- for real or unseen boo boos and other first aid supplies

Art Supplies

• Glue- white glue, glue sticks, glitter glue
• Paint- Look for washable and non-toxic. Tempra or poster paint, acrylic paint for woodworking and older children
• Collage Items- pompoms, popsicle sticks, yarn, sequins and gems, stickers, string, felt sheets and shapes, foam sheets and shapes, wooden shapes and cutouts, pipecleaners...
• Paper- colored construction paper, artist tablet for watercolors and drawing, lined paper and writing tablets for handwriting skills, tissue paper
• Index Cards- colored or plain. For making flashcards, games and collages.  Also good for organizing anecdotal notes.
• Writing Instruments- look for washable and non-toxic. Markers, colored pencils, crayons, regular pencils, dry erase markers.
• Plastic Shower Curtain- makes a great drop cloth for messy activities
• Scissors- Rounded tips, plastic or metal safety scissors for kids
• Pony Beads- for beading patterns and collage materials