Although camping in your backyard may not seem glamorous, it can be a fun and exciting adventure.  In fact, it is an adventure that thousands of families enjoy each year.  Backyard camping is popular for a wide variety of different reasons. One of those reasons includes the ease of camping. If you are an avid camper, it is likely that you may know alto well how hard to can be to make it to your campsite.  Not only do you have to worry about getting yourself to the campsite, but all of your supplies as well. And, imagine if you forgot anything!  In most cases, backyard camping cuts down on the hassle of most camping trips.

Backyard camping is also popular because it allows campers to camp is a safe area.  Unfortunately most campers, while camping on public grounds, are unfamiliar with their surroundings. Not only may they be unfamiliar with the land, but they may also be unfamiliar with other campers.  Unfortunately, in today’s society it is just too much of a risk for some individuals. If physical safety is a concern of yours, that concern can almost completely be eliminated with backyard camping. Not only will you know the area, but you also know who or what should be in your neighborhood.

As previously mentioned, backyard campouts are popular among those with children, especially young children.  When it comes to camping, there are many children who are not at the right age to go.   Whether it is due to unfamiliar territory, uncomfortable sleeping spaces, or being away from what they know, there are many children that are unable to handle a camping trip.  However, as a parent, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be able to enjoy camping. With backyard camping, everything should workout for everybody.  Not only will be camping in the outdoors, but you will also be near your home, in case you need anything for your children.

While backyard campouts are ideal for those with small children, campouts are also fun for everyone else.  Many individuals, including adults without children, enjoy backyard camping because it is convenient, safe, and free.  Most public campgrounds, in the United States, charge a fee for campers.  While this fee will vary from location to location, it can get quite expensive. That is why backyard camping is so popular in the United States.

If you are interested in having a backyard campout, you will have to decide which supplies you will need.  Depending on your preference, you may be able to sleep in a tent or underneath the stars.  In addition to sleeping equipment, you may want to think about backyard toys, food, drinks, and snacks.

By preparing for your backyard campout, you should have everything that you need. Proper planning will also prevent you from having to go inside your home. Avoiding your home as much as possible, even though you are in the backyard, is a great way to make the most out of your backyard camping adventure.

If your family is interesting in travelling to go camping, backyard camping is a great way to “try it out” first. Check your local classifieds and camper blue book for information on purchasing a camper for your family to enjoy for years to come.

Zucchini Dip
Finely shred enough zucchini to make 1/2 cup. Place in strainer and press out moisture. Blend with 1 cup plain low fat yogurt, and 1 minced clove of garlic, or 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder. Add a dash of curry powder or other seasoning and chill 1 hour. Stir before serving. Serve with crisp raw vegetables.

Greens and Rice
This recipe is a good source of iron and calcium, and is rich in vitamins A and C.
1 pound spinach, collard, or beet greens, steamed and cut into 1/2 inch strips
2 cups cooked rice, brown or white
2/3 cup grated cheddar cheese
2 eggs beaten
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup soft, whole grain bread crumbs
Wash greens and steam until tender. Combine the cooked rice, cheese, and eggs. Add parsley and pepper. In an oiled 8″x8″ casserole dish, alternate layers of rice and greens, ending with rice. Top casserole with crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Serves 6.

Summer Vegetable Medley
This recipe has no cholesterol, is very low in sodium, is high in vitamins C and A, and is a good source of iron and calcium.
3 cups sliced cut vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower, greens, squash, beans, peas or carrots)1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 green or red pepper sliced
1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger OR 1 teaspoon finely chopped ginger root.
1 clove garlic, minced, OR 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons water
Heat a 10-inch frying pan or wok over high heat. Add oil. When oil is hot, add ginger and garlic, and cook about 30 seconds. Add vegetables, and water. Stir fry until tender. Serves 3.

Squash Apple Casserole
This dish is high in vitamin A, a good source of vitamin C, cholesterol free, and almost sodium-free.
2 1/2 cups fresh winter squash, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1 1/2 cups cooking apples, pared and cut into 1/2 inch slices
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
Alternate layers of squash and apples in an 8″x 8″ pan, ending with apples on top layer. Sprinkle spices over top layer. Cover pan with aluminum foil and bake in 350 degree F oven for approximately 45-60 minutes until squash is tender. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes to remove any excess liquid that might have accumulated. Cool slightly before serving. Serves 4.

Crunchy Carrot Salad
Low in sodium, this salad will more than meet your daily vitamin A requirement.
1 1/2 cups fresh, grated carrots
1 unpeeled red apple, chopped
1/4 cup raisins
1/8 cup toasted slivered almonds (optional)
1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt
1 1/2 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Salad greens
Combine carrots, apple, raisins, and almonds in a salad bowl. Blend together remaining ingredients in a separate bowl and add to carrot mixture. Serve on salad greens. Serves 3.

Crunchy Greens
2 packed cups chopped spinach, collard or beet greens.
1/4 cup finely diced onion
1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 small tomato, cut in wedges
pepper or soy sauce (optional)
Cook spinach and onion in 1 tablespoon water over medium heat, covered, for 3 to 5 minutes.Add peanut butter and tomato wedges and continue heating for 1 to 2 minutes longer. Add dash of pepper and/or 1 tablespoon soy sauce, if desired. Serves 2.

Potato, Pepper, and Onion Bake
1 pound potatoes (3 medium)
1 – 1 1/2 pounds bell peppers (3 to 4 medium, green, yellow, orange, and/or red)
1 large sweet onion
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Black pepper to taste
Cut cleaned potatoes into 1 inch slices or chunks. (Peel thick-skinned potatoes). Cut peppers into 1 1/2 to 2 inch pieces. Peel onion and cut into chunks. Place potatoes, peppers, and onions in shallow ovenproof dish.Pour oil over vegetables and lightly toss to coat with oil. Sprinkle with pepper. Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes. Serves 4.

Steamed Carrots and Onions
1 cup coarsely grated or sliced carrots
1/4 small onion, chopped
1 teaspoon margarine
Dash of dillPepper to taste
Cook onions in margarine for 1 minute in medium saucepan over low heat. Add carrots. Season with pepper. Cover tightly and cook until tender, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add dill. Serves 2.

Red, White, and Green Salad
1/2 small head of cauliflower
1 small bunch broccoli
1 tomato
1/4 medium-size red onion
3-4 tablespoons low-fat Italian dressing.
Break off tops of cauliflower and broccoli. Chop stems; steam or microwave tops and stems until crisp-tender. Chop tomatoes and slice onion. Place cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, and onion in a salad bowl. Add Italian dressing. Toss gently and serve. Serves 3-4.

As-You-Like-It Pasta Salad
8 oz. pasta
1/2 small red onion, chopped
1/4 cup low-fat salad dressing
Choose 3 of the following vegetables:
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 small zucchini, sliced
1/4 cup celery, chopped
1/4 cup carrots, sliced
1 medium pepper, chopped
1/4 cup green beans
1/2 cup broccoli, chopped
Prepare pasta according to package directions. Add chopped onion and fresh vegetables. (If preferred, steam or stir-fry vegetables for 3-5 minutes before adding to pasta). Add salad dressing. Mix well. Serves 4.

Skillet Summer Greens
3/4 pound greens (swiss chard, spinach, collards, or beet greens)
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
3 medium cloves garlic minced, or 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon vinegar
Coarsely chop the greens (include as much of the stems as possible). Heat the wok or a large heavy pan. Add oil and greens. Stir-fry for 3 to 5 minutes over medium heat. Add garlic, and stir-fry for 2 minutes more. Transfer to a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, then toss with 1 tablespoon vinegar, until well mixed. Serve hot, cold, or at room temperature. Serves 2-3.

Creole Zucchini
1/2 cup onion (1/2 medium), chopped
1/2 clove garlic, minced or a dash of garlic powder1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil
1 pound zucchini, sliced
2 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/8 cup chopped parsley (optional)
1/8 cup grated Parmesan cheese
In pan, cook onion, garlic, and green pepper in oil until soft. Add zucchini, tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Cover, and cook over medium heat until zucchini is tender, about 20 minutes. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley if desired. Serves 4.

Vegetable Lasagna
1 medium zucchini, sliced
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, cut in small pieces
2, 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 large tomato, chopped
l cup low-fat cottage cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded, (try part-skim)
6 lasagna noodles, uncooked
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Mix zucchini, mushrooms, onions, and garlic with tomato sauce and seasonings in a saucepan. Cover; cook 15 minutes and set aside. Mix cheeses and chopped tomato. Spread one-third of sauce over bottom of 8-by 8-inch baking dish. Add half of the uncooked noodles and half of cheese mixture. Repeat layers and end with a third layer of sauce. Cover tightly with foil; bake 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serves 4.

Vegetable Fried Rice
1/2 cup celery, sliced
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup peas
1/4 cup carrots, chopped
1/4 cup corn, broccoli, peppers or mushrooms, chopped (optional)
2 cups boiled rice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire or soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, or 1 clove fresh garlic, minced
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
Dash of pepper
Heat oil. Add celery, onion, and garlic. Stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add peas and carrots, and any optional ingredients. Stir-fry again, turning pieces all the time until they are tender, about 4 minutes. Add rice, Worcestershire or soy sauce and pepper. Stir-fry about 2 minutes. Serves 4.

Pizza Potatoes
1/2 cup broccoli, chopped
1/4 onion, chopped
1/4 cup carrots, chopped fine
1 small tomato, sliced
2 baked potatoes
1/2 tablespoon margarine
1/2 tablespoon flour
1/2 cup skim milk
1/4 cup cheese, shredded
Cook broccoli, onions, and carrots in a small amount of water until tender and set aside. In a saucepan, melt margarine and stir in flour.Add milk slowly while stirring. Cook until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally. Add cheese and stir until melted. Add vegetables to cheese sauce and stir. Split open potatoes. Pour equal amounts of vegetable cheese mixture over each potato.Top with sliced tomatoes.Serves 2.

Baked Winter Squash
1 large acorn or butternut squash
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Margarine or Nonstick cooking spray
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with the margarine or cooking spray.Slice the squash into rounds 1/4 inch thick. Remove seeds on each slice and arrange squash in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake the slices for 8 minutes, turn, and drizzle lightly with maple syrup and cinnamon. Bake for 8 minutes longer; remove from the oven and let cool. Serves 4.

Banana Milk Shake

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Number of Servings: 1
Ingredients:
1/4 cup non-fat dried milk
3/4 cup water
1 ripe banana
4 ice cubes
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in electric blender. Cover and mix on high speed until smoothies are thick and smooth.

Paradise Freeze

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Number of Servings: 4
Ingredients:
2 large, ripe bananas
2 cups strawberries
1 ripe mango, cubed
2 cups cranberry juice
12 ice cubes
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor container. Cover; blend until thick and smooth.

Melon Cooler

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Number of Servings: 4
Ingredients:
2 cups melon, chopped (cantaloupe, honeydew or watermelon)
2 cups cold water
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a blender container. Blend until smooth. Serve.

Berry Blast Smoothies

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Number of Servings: 8
Ingredients:
2 cups blueberries
2 cups raspberries
2 cups strawberries
2 cups blackberries
1 cup 100% cran-raspberry juice
1 cup low fat blueberry yogurt
2 cups ice
Directions:
Place all items into blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Here are the benefits that gardening could easily provide the children with.

Click here to shop for kids gardening tools.

1. Science
In planting, children are indirectly taught the wonders of science like the plant’s life cycle and how humans involvement can break or make the environment. They can have a first hand experience on the miracle of life through a seed. This would definitely be a new and pleasurable experience for the kids.

2. Life
Watching a seed grow into a tree is just as amazing as the conception to birth and growth of a child. In time, kids can learn to love their plants and value the life in them. Gardening with kids could actually help simulate how life should be treated — it should be with care. The necessities to live will be emphasized to kids with the help of gardening – water, sunlight, air, soil. Those necessities could easily be corresponded to human necessities, i.e., water, shelter, air, food. By simply weeding out, one could educate how bad influences should be avoided to be able to live life efficiently.

3. Relaxation
Studies show that gardening can reduce stress because of its calming effect. This is applicable to any age group. More so, it stimulates all the five senses. Believe it or not, gardening may be used as therapy to children who have been abused or those who are members of broken homes. It helps build one’s self-esteem.

4. Quality Time with the Family
You can forget about your stressful work life for a while and be soothed by the lovely ambiance in the garden. You can play and spend quality time with your children. You can talk while watering the plants or you can work quietly beside each other. The bottom line is, always do what you have to do, together with your kids. You might discover a lot of new things about your child while mingling with them in your garden.

Let kids become aware of their environment’s needs. And one way to jump start that environmental education may be through gardening with children. You’ll be teaching them to respect life while you have fun with them!.

Most of these safety devices are easy to find and are relatively inexpensive. You can buy them at hardware stores, baby equipment shops, supermarkets, drug stores, home improvement stores, on the Internet and through mail order catalogs. Safety devices should be sturdy enough to hinder access and yet easy for you to use.

To be effective, they must be properly installed. Follow installation instructions carefully. Remember, too, that no device is completely childproof; determined youngsters have been known to overcome or disable them.
Here are some child safety devices that can help reduce injuries to young children.

Use Safety Latches and Locks for cabinets and drawers in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas to help prevent poisonings and other injuries. Safety latches and locks on cabinets and drawers can help prevent children from gaining access to medicines, household cleaners, matches, or cigarette lighters, as well as knives and other sharp objects.
Even products with child-resistant packaging should be locked away and kept out of reach. This packaging is not childproof. Look for safety latches and locks that adults can easily install and use, but are sturdy enough to withstand pulls and tugs from children.

Use Safety Gates to help prevent falls down stairs and to keep children from entering rooms and other areas with possible dangers. Look for safety gates that children cannot dislodge easily, but that adults can open and close without difficulty. For the top of stairs, only use gates that screw to the wall. Use safety gates that meet current safety standards. Replace older safety gates that have “V” shapes that are large enough to entrap a child’s head and neck.

Use Door Knob Covers and Door Locks to help prevent children from entering rooms and other areas with possible dangers. Door knob covers and door locks can help keep children away from places with hazards. Be sure the door knob cover is sturdy, and allows a door to be opened quickly by an adult in case of emergency.

Use Anti-Scald Devices for faucets and shower heads and set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent burns from hot water. Anti-scald devices for regulating water temperature can help reduce the likelihood of burns.

Use Smoke Alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas to alert you to fires. Smoke alarms are essential safety devices for protection against fire deaths and injuries. Check smoke alarms once a month to make sure they’re working. Change batteries at least once a year or consider using 10-year batteries for alarms.

Use Window Guards and Safety Netting to help prevent falls from windows, balconies, decks, and landings.
Check these safety devices frequently to make sure they are secure and properly installed and maintained. Limit window openings to four inches or less, including the space between the window guard bars. If you have window guards, be sure at least one window in each room can be easily used for escape in a fire. Window screens are not effective for preventing children from falling out of windows.

Use Corner and Edge Bumpers to help prevent injuries from falls against sharp edges of furniture and fireplaces. Be sure to look for bumpers that stay securely on furniture or hearth edges.

Use Outlet Covers and Outlet Plates to help prevent electrocution. Outlet covers and outlet plates can help protect children from electrical shock and possible electrocution. Be sure outlet protectors cannot be easily removed by children and are large enough so that children cannot choke on them. If you are replacing receptacles, use a tamper-resistant type.

Use a Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm to help prevent CO poisoning. All consumers should install CO alarms near sleeping areas in their homes. Change batteries at least once a year.

Use a Tassel on Each Separate Window Blind Cord and Inner Cord Stops on Mini Blinds to help prevent strangulation.
For older mini blinds, cut the cord loop, remove the buckle, put tassels on each cord and put inner cord stops on the cords two inches from the headrail. Be sure that older vertical blinds and drapery cords have tension or tie-down devices to hold the cords tight. When buying new mini blinds, verticals, and draperies, ask for safety features to prevent child strangulation, and consider buying cordless products.

Use Anchors to Avoid Furniture and Appliance Tip-Overs. Furniture, TVs and ranges can tip over and crush young children. Deaths and injuries occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks, chests and ranges. For added security, anchor these products to the floor or attach them to a wall. Free standing ranges and stoves should be installed with anti-tip brackets.

Use Layers of Protection with Pools and Spas. A barrier completely surrounding the pool or spa including a 4-foot tall fence with self-closing, self-latching gates is essential. If the house serves as a side of the barrier, doors heading to the pool should have an alarm or the pool should have a power safety cover. Pool alarms can serve as an additional layer of protection. Sliding glass doors, with locks that must be re-secured after each use, are not an effective barrier to pools.

The better your bird watching binoculars are, the more up close you will be able to get with the birds you are watching. Bird watchers love to see the beautiful, distinguished colors of the birds that they observe. Without binoculars, you will only be able to see a far away view of the beauty of each bird species.

Carson Hawk Kid’s Binoculars

Bushnell Powerview 12×25 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular

Tasco Essentials 10×50 WA, Zip Focus Binocular

Binoculars take bird watching to the next level. Beginners usually do not view binoculars as important, however, seasoned bird watchers attest to the fact that this activity cannot be thoroughly enjoyed without them. Locating the birds through a lens provides a better picture of what life is like for the birds.

If you are considering taking on this new hobby, be sure to purchase a new pair of binoculars for bird watching. They can truly make bird watching an amazing experience. Seek advice from seasoned bird watchers when purchasing the perfect pair.

One of my favorite springtime activities is geo caching. It is adventure wrapped in fitness while spending time with your loved ones. I’m not sure how long this phenomenon has been going on around the country but I picked it up off the internet a few years ago. It is essentially a treasure hunt but the emphasis is on the adventure rather than the treasure. Truthfully, there never is really anything too dashing in the little containers. Actually, my family has found it enjoys finding those geocaches with a sign-up sheet enclosed more than those with little trinkets, aka junk.

You’ll need a geocache navigator or GPS device in order to track the coordinates. There are plenty of sites out there with the coordinates of already hidden treasure using geocaching maps. Of course, you are also welcome to hide your own cache in your favorite spot. Pick a spot that is remote, yet so beautiful it begs to be seen by others. Our favorite spots always have a stream and plenty of foliage. In this electronic era, when we are always connected, it is a real pleasure to get away from society, internet, and TV and experience nature like I used to as a child. It is very important to me that my children feel the excitement of exploration even if it is just in our hometown.

Click below to purchase geocaching containers, log books and more.

It’s a Treasure Hunt! Geocaching & Letterboxing Geocaching and letterboxing are pastimes that offer a modern twist to the age-old scavenger hunt by combining a hike in the outdoors with the technology of a GPS unit and the joy of gift-giving and receiving.

Geocaching Log Book A handy logbook, to record info about the caches you have done and plan on finding. A great way to keep all your info in one spot and handy while on the trail in search of caches.

Dr. B’s Geocaching Newbie Kit This Kit has everything a new cacher should need to get started on the trail to finding and hiding caches. (GPS and sense of adventure not included)

We will often make a picnic to take with us as we try to pick long journeys. Of course, it is important to be safe, so take a first aid kit and plenty of water. While the hike is most of the fun, there is almost always a challenge to find the geocache first. Most of the hiders will give you excellent coordinators, yet still find a way to make it very difficult to find the treasure. Really, you have to keep a keen eye out as you do not know what the cache will look like or how small the container will be.

Hidden behind all of this fun, is an excellent work out. You end up staying active for at least half of the day without even realizing it. Best of all, your kids become enthralled with the outdoors and staying active. In a time of obesity across the country, stressing good health and exercise in such a fun way is invaluable. In summation, quality time, exercise, health, and the outdoors combine to make geocaching a wonderful springtime activity for one person or many.

All of the rollerblades listed come in various sizes and styles. Click on any of the items to browse or shop.

Roller Derby Web Stinger Adjustable Skates

Rollerblade Bladerunner Phaser Expandable Skates

K2 Sports Junior Annika Skates

Disney Princess Convertible 2 In 1 Skate

Roller Derby Web Stinger Adjustable Inline Skates

Rollerblading is also heart healthy exercise that can help your child get in the daily recommended exercise that he needs. Choosing the perfect pair for your child can be a challenge. The following tips can help you choose the right pair.

· Durability:
When buying rollerblades, you want to ensure that the pair that you choose for your child is going to last. It is important that the skates are well made. Unfortunately, this means that you probably won’t be able to purchase the cheapest pair available. Durability will cost a little more.

· Size:
It is extremely important that you choose the right size for your child. Rollerblades that are too big or small can pose a danger. Consider having your child fitted before you make the purchase. Always buy protective equipment before you allow him to venture out with his new gift! Rollerblading does come with its share of risks.

· Support:
Support for the feet and ankles are important when purchasing roller blades. To avoid injuries or problems in the future, find the pair that offers the most support.

If you are looking for the perfect gift for your child, you cannot go wrong with buying roller blades. Consider buying a pair for yourself, too. Rollerblading serves as wonderful family pass time.

For May Day this year we created May baskets. This is a great craft for the younger ones to practice scissor skills and the older ones to hone in on theirs. It is simple and typically you can find the items needed in your craft drawer or purchase inexpensively. To get started, you will need the following supplies. This list will make one May flower basket.

–Small shoebox without the lid. (Kids shoe boxes work the best.)
–4-6 sheets of construction paper, any colors will do, think grass and flowers here.
–Elmer’s glue or a stapler. (Help smaller children with the stapler, however, it does hold better than the glue.)
–4 green pipe cleaners cut in half.
–Age appropriate scissors.
–Crayons or markers.
–Styrofoam square cut to fit inside the shoebox. Should be at least one to two inches thick and cover the entire bottom.
–Popsicle sticks or toothpicks if needed.
–Any additional decorations that your child enjoys working with, such as; glitter, pom-poms, yarn, beads, etc.

First take one piece of construction paper and cut to fit the front of your shoebox, and allow child to decorate it. Once decorated glue or staple it to the front of your shoebox. You can also have your child repeat this step for all four sides if desired. Now glue the Styrofoam square to the inside of the shoebox.

Second, take another piece of construction paper and cut one long strip approximately one inch wide to serve as your baskets handle. Staple or glue into place, remember, stapling this into place will hold the handle in place better than the glue.

Third, use the remainder of the construction paper, less one sheet to be used later, to create flower petals. They can be made from hand outlines, which is what we used, or circles, squares, triangles, whatever is at your child’s ability to cut out with minimal to no assistance. Then allow your child to color or decorate as desired. Use the Elmer’s glue to put the flower petals together any way that your child prefers is fine. Allow the decorated and glued flower petals to dry for about a half-hour to an hour.

Fourth, once dried take your pre-cut pipe cleaners; there should be 8 short ones, to use as the flowers stems. They can either be glued to the back of the flower or stapled on. This is another time that we found stapling to be more effective. If your child created large flowers add a Popsicle stick or toothpick to the back of the flower for additional support.

Fifth, take the last piece of construction paper and have your child cut it into small strips that are no longer than an inch or wider than ½ an inch, set aside. If you stapled your flowers to the pipe cleaner, then place them inside the basket pressing them down into the Styrofoam as far as they will go. If you used glue you will need to allow that to dry before putting into the Styrofoam. Once all flowers are arranged, add the shredded paper to the basket as grass to cover the Styrofoam.

Now you should have a completed May flower basket to enjoy!