A Colorful Game, and Brainstorming Gift Ideas

Another day, another craft project. This is a simple game that I made for a friend's 2 year old. It is a "busy bag"- a game that fits into a small bag, portable and ready to entertain a toddler for 15 minutes while you're out and about.

This popsicle color matching game is inspired by ones I saw here and here.

Making it was SO much fun. From the craft store I bought wide popsicle sticks, a set of markers (sketch pens) and 6 sheets of stiffened felt in colors that matched the markers. This felt was made from plastic bottles.

I cut each sheet of felt into quarters (this means you get 4 popsicles from each sheet of felt). Each quarter was then cut in half. Then I rounded off the top of each piece to form a popsicle shape. I hand-sewed together the round edge of two popsicle layers using good old blanket stitch and viola, the popsicle top was ready. For the sewing averse, hot glue could be used.

Then I colored the sticks with the markers and we're ready to play.

I adore the ideas for so-called quiet-books and busy bags. They are homespun activities for young ones and a refreshing change from screen-based and battery-operated games. And these simple games exercise the imagination. This popsicle set can be used for color matching but also for counting and for all kinds of pretend play like operating a popsicle stand. It is also fun that this particular game can have various levels of play for kids of different ages. This simplest one is about color. The next level would have names of colors written in black marker on the sticks and the child has to read the word and match the color. The third level would have flavors written on the stick, like "cherry", "chocolate" and the child has to match the right flavor to the color.

I love making handmade gifts, so when Sangeetha requested ideas for homemade gifts with an Indian touch to give during the holidays, I was thrilled to brainstorm for her. Sangeetha, here are a few ideas; see if any of them appeal to you.

1. A homemade spice mix, such as tandoori spice rub or garam masala, along with a couple of very easy recipes for using the spice.

2. Assam tea (either tea bags or loose tea) along with chai concentrate. (I used to keep this chai concentrate in the office fridge and it really was delicious.) I also thought this tea bag wreath is a nice gift for a group of tea drinkers, such as an office kitchen or teachers' lounge.

3. If you like to bake, you could make something with an Indian touch, such as coconut saffron macaroons (I've tried this recipe- it is easy, you can read my notes in the linked post, and they turn out great) or nankhatai.

4. Block prints always remind me of pretty Indian cotton fabrics. Fabric paints can be used to make designs on plain tote bags or dishtowels. I personally adore the simple prints made with okra. Maybe your son will want to help with lego prints. Martha Stewart mag had a nice feature on block prints made with unexpected everyday materials.

5. If you can find decorative handmade paper from India (many high-end craft stores carry it), you can use it to decorate picture frames or make coasters using ceramic tiles.  

Are you making any homemade gifts for this holiday season?