Local Playgrounds & Spray Parks

Hello Thursday. Anna has a big play date planned today and that means I get to read my book and magazine and drink coffee (while keeping one ear open to break up disagreements). Play date days are my favourite. I have been seeing lists all over facebook about the Top 10 playgrounds & spray parks here in Edmonton (also St. Albert & Sherwood Park) and thought I'd share them here for anyone not on facebook. A local blog- Frugal Edmonton Mama- posted these lists, follow the links below for the Top 10 lists. While you're there check out the blog, it's pretty fabulous and super awesome for us local parents. Thank you Frugal Edmonton Mama for doing all the digging for me. There are a couple parks I love not on the lists: one of our favuorite is in Woodcroft... this park/spray park is a hidden gem! If you have any favourites share them here, I love discovering fun places to take a break from home life.

Top 10 Playgrounds

Top 10 Spray Parks

Rainy Days = Puddle Jumping

Children learn from their parents every day but some of the best days are when the parent can learn from the child. Anna is constantly inspiring me to just be happy, to see the good side to things, to just do something, to smile and be carefree. We had a very soggy, rainy day last week and I was inclined to lay around and be cozy, not a bad thing but not at all what Anna had in mind. She saw that rain and instantly thought- PUDDLES! As if I could hear the gears turning in her head I jumped off the couch, got her rain gear and sent her outside. I watched for a few minutes and thought- Wow, look how much fun she is having! I got dressed up and joined her, she squealed and that was pretty much worth it right there. We went exploring, followed the rain as it ran down the street & watched it pour into the drains. We looked for the biggest and best puddles and then we jumped in them. I felt great! Wet, but so great. The air smells so wonderful with the rain and everything feels fresh. I am so glad I chose to play that day. Thank you Anna.

Playing With Watercolours

I have been seeing inspiration all over Pinterest using watercolours so I decided to dig mine out from the depths of my closet. I set the table up for Anna & I and we played for three days whenever we had some time. It was so FUN! No rules or expectations, just playing and you do know what happened? We created some really great pieces. I turned my painted backgrounds into pops of inspiration, hung some up and am giving some away. Who doesn't love a little inspiration! 

Let's Go Fishing DIY

I can not even tell you how excited Anna was when she found out I was making her fish so she could go fishing like her Daddy. It was a constant "are you done?are you done?are you done?" until I had the first one complete. I can't say I wasn't just as excited as she was to see how it would all turn out.

I can remember playing a similar game at a church penny carnival when I was little and I had seen an image on Pinterest awhile back so when I got the urge to create something fun for her I knew this was it. We made a quick trip to Lowes for supplies and then home to dig through my fabric left over from quilts and pillows. The total cost for supplies from Lowes was $11.85 & I have cord and magnets left over. I had craft eyes but these can be picked up from dollar stores or craft stores.

Supplies

dowel(s)

fabric (I used scraps I had from past projects)

rope or cord (mine=braided nylon cord)

magnets (reasonably strong)

batting or something similar to stuff fish with

craft eyes

paper (I used a 6x12 piece of cardstock)

Tools

glue gun

stick pins

pencil

sewing machine or needle & thread

Step 1: fold paper in half and trace fish body, cut out

Step 2: You need 2 pieces of fabric. Place your fabric right sides together and trace your fish

Step 3: stack your batting and fabric, pin together

Step 4: Cut out

Step 5: take out your pins and put your bottom piece of fabric down, then the batting. I have added in a couple pieces of scrap batting to add bulk to my fishes body

Step 6: glue one magnet onto the batting. Place magnet far enough into the fish body to allow for sewing.

Step 7: Put top piece of fabric on and pin fish together.

Step 8: Sew, leaving a quarter inch seam.

Step 9: glue an eye to each side. Repeat for all fish needed.

Step 10: Cut a decent length of cord, mine is a little longer than Anna is tall, plus some to wrap around the dowel. 

Step 11: Add glue to your dowel and wrap cord around.

Step 12: Add glue to magnet, add cord, glue other magnet on top. The magnet themselves stick together but will pull apart when removing the fish if you do not add glue.

Step 13: GO FISHING!!!!

If you have any questions please email me at nadinekaren@ymail.com or leave a comment.
Nadine