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Going green with grandkids part 5: enviro-savvy summer days
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Emma creates a masterpiece
When the temperature soars and hiking, biking, and trips to the park make you shudder, think green! Not green as in grass and trees, but green as in energy saving, indoor projects that you can do with your grandchildren.
One idea is to attend an art class together. Mosey on down to your closest Out of the Blue toy store (located on Rio Grande, 242-4455 and on Paseo del Norte, 822-5060) where they offer “Kidtivities” on summer days. The next ones are Monday, July 13 and Thursday July 16. Reasonable priced at $5.50 per child, they are a fun way to be creative together.
Or, stay in out of the heat completely. Hopefully you have a drawer filled with art supplies, but have you thought of including these items?
Old buttons - make wonderful faces and fanciful decorations when glued onto any ordinary piece of paper.
Cut up cardboard boxes, and the backsides of junk mail letters – just as good as brand new paper for painting and drawing.
Old name labels and stickers that come free in the mail when people want you to contribute.
Magazines, catalogs and old greeting cards– great for collages and paper dolls!
Bits of ribbon and string – what can’t the imagination conjure up with a lovely silk ribbon.
Paper towel and giftwrap tubes or empty oatmeal boxes make terrific musical instruments.
Get the idea? One grandparent’s trash is a little one’s treasure. Environmentally friendly art supplies are available, too. Once you really get into this, try making your own glue and playdough. Now we’re talking eco-friendly!
Many recipes are available. To get you started, here is an interesting potion for homemade glue.
Materials
* 3/4 cup water
* 2 tablespoons corn syrup
* 1 teaspoon white vinegar
* Small saucepan
* Small bowl
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 3/4 cup cold water
Directions
1. Mix water, corn syrup, and vinegar in saucepan.
2. Bring to a full, rolling boil.
3. In bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water.
4. Add this mixture slowly to the hot mixture, stirring constantly until the mixture returns to a boil.
5. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
6. When cooled, pour into another container and let stand overnight before using.
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