A Day of DIY Lion Activities for Kids

As the proverb says, March (or Spring) will go "In like a lion, and out like a lamb" or "In like a lamb and out like a lion." 

Our March definitely went "Out like a Lion" so because we have some lion lovers in the house, we were trapped inside due to weather and sickness, and we had THE PERFECT book for such a thing, we had a day of "Lion Lessons".

THE BOOK

We read the book (multiple times) by Jon Agee which has seven steps to becoming a lion and then we proceeded to try them out for ourselves and added a few more.

TAIL MAKING

A $2.88 bundle of yarn allowed us to make lion tails and manes for our little lion cubs. For the tails we just cut off 10 or so strands a few feet long and then loosely braided them and added some extra pieces at the bottom. Kids can tuck the end into their pants or pants pocket and it stays in pretty well. 

MANE MAKING

For the mane we cut 15 small pieces (roughly 3 inches long each) and then tied them together with another small piece to form a "puff". We used that same piece of thread to tie the "puff" to an elastic headband. Once all the "puffs" were on the headband they can put it around their head and have a mane.

MUST HAVE PAWS

The kids got these slippers for Christmas and I have enjoyed watching them run around in them about as much as they have enjoyed using them. So funny and they love to use them to dress up as lions both on their hands and their feet. 

POUNCING PRACTICE

No, they didn't pounce on these two. These two watched the kids jump/pounce into a giant pile of blankets and pillows from a VERY safe distance.  

THE ARTWORK

We traced circles on art paper using dessert plates and then let the kids use washable paint and plastic forks to make manes around the circles which then became lions. Walmart has lion sun catchers for a dollar that you can use with paint or markers. Since we did these activities during springtime we had to throw a lion Easter Egg into the mix. 

THE EATS

This is the only picture I have from a lion party we had earlier in the year. Easy to make and the kiddos love it. You'll need two box cake mixes. Chocolate cupcakes for the mane and whatever flavor you choose for the face which is a circular cake pan.

LION DEN

We build a giant blanket and pillow fort under the kitchen table to be used as a lions den and they played happily in there for well over an hour. 

LION ROAR

It goes without saying that the Lion Roar was practiced All. Day. Long.

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Best St. Patricks Day Books for Children

We are in the process of turning our children into readers so we try and hit the library at least once a week for new books.

We have found that you have to check out holiday books fairly early in the season or you simply miss out on them. We have loved these St Patricks Day books. The kids giggle the whole way through them, they are illustrated well, with simple stories that help them understand what leprechauns are, and all about the silly tricks they play.

Tim O'Toole and the Wee Folk is good for all ages, but especially older children because the story is a little deeper. But, little ones still enjoy it. The other three are simpler so younger children follow easily and older ones still enjoy them.

Happy Reading! Hope you enjoy them.

Tim O'Toole and the Wee Folk by Gerald McDermott

That's What Leprechauns Do by Eve Bunting

How To Catch A Leprechaun by Adam Wallace

The Night Before Saint Patricks Day by Natasha Wing

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THE EVERYDAY SUPERMODEL - MOLLY SIMS

Oh Molly, why oh why can't every woman in the world have your genes, tall model-like frame, luscious locks, flawless skin, and gorgeous features, yet Molly claims that she wasn't born a supermodel. In the book she describes her early teen years as, unibrow, acne, braces, body issues and plain old awkward. She goes on to say that, "it's been a long road from headgear to high heels."

What I love about this book is the fact that everything that Molly talks about throughout is tried, tested, and true. She was the ultimate guinea pig, she knows what works after years of trial and error. She just didn't google this stuff on the internet, she has lived it. As you go on to read you quickly come to learn that Molly isn't your typical self centered sports illustrated model, she genuinely wants to share her supermodel secrets with the world and have every girl find their everyday supermodel.

Throughout the pages you will find enough fashion, beauty, fitness, and health advice to transform yourself into the best you. She is a momma to two little ones and still finds time to look good. Although she might have a much larger budget to spend on overpriced treatments and apparel, she is always looking for the better deal because of how she was raised......we hear ya there girl!! 

• Molly shares her beliefs and tips of her healthy eating lifestyle 
• She gives you the step by step upper and lower body breakdown of her daily workout programs. 
• Supermodel style tips from building a core wardrobe, finding trendy accessories, how to identify timeless handbags, down to decluttering your closet. 
• Skin care routine, makeup looks, and her favorite tried and true beauty products.
• And that's not all, this book is jam packed with numerous supermodel secrets. 

I enjoy reading new lifestyle books to refresh my beauty, style, and fitness routine. Reading someone else's take on life always gives me new inspiration. My favorite part of the book is that she talks about being confident with who you are right now and not 5 lbs lighter or 25 lbs lighter, working with what you have and enhancing it. Although I do not agree with some of her beliefs in the book, such as always having to buy organic or living a vegan lifestyle (to each his own), overall it is a good read that every girl can benefit from. 

Molly's Motto: she believes 100% that when you feel good about yourself and the way you look, it shows.

A few of my favorite secrets from the book.....

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