February is "Bake for Family Fun" Month! So we are reposting this great Book Club activity for you to enjoy with your family. Happy baking!

Will you have an early spring or six more weeks of winter? Create your own groundhog and find out!

What You’ll Need:
*Groundhog template, see below (1 template makes 4 crafts)
*Paper plate
*Crayons, markers, etc.
*Scissors
*Glue
*Popsicle sticks (1 per craft)

Preparation:
*Print out a groundhog template – either the PDF OR MS Word versions below.
*Poke a hole in the center of the paper plate with the scissors.

With much of the United States having record-breaking snowfalls this winter, here are some great ideas for you to do with your kids, whether you are stuck inside or can get out to enjoy the winter wonderland. Don't have snow? That's OK, skip down to our indoor activity and books.

What You’ll Need:
*Sport Water Bottles (the kind that only squirt when squeezed)
*Water
*Food Coloring
*Cotton Balls
*Glue

January 31 is “Inspire Your Heart with Art Day.” Once your child has created an inspirational masterpiece, use our suggestions below for what to do with this fabulous artwork!

What You’ll Need:
*Art supplies
*Paper

Preparation:
*Have your child create a piece of art or choose one they have done before that is a particular favorite.

Activity:

A great gift for Valentine’s Day, or just a fun way to use your empty baby food jars!

What You’ll Need:
*Glass baby food jar or votive candleholder
*Paint
*Paper towels or baby wipes
*Toothpick
*Paper, optional
*Votive candles

Preparation:
*Wash and dry the baby food jars or votive candleholders.
*We recommend testing out your design on some paper first before doing it on the glass.

Activity:

Today, January 22, is “Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day”! Make these cute cat masks with your children, then take turns answering each other’s “cat questions”.

What You’ll Need:
*Paper Plate
*Scissors
*Stapler/glue
*Construction paper (a small square to use for the ears and nose)
*Yarn
*Hole punch or sharp pencil
*Markers/crayons

Preparation:
*Trim around the edge of your paper plate to make a circle that is about the diameter as your child’s face.

An easy, no-sew gift for any age. Soft fleece makes it the perfect baby gift -- great for the stroller or the floor. Personalize by cross-stitching baby’s name and birthdate to make it extra special. Any child who can tie a knot can help with this activity!

What You’ll Need:
*For Baby/Child: 1.5 yards EACH of 2 different, but coordinating fleece designs
*For Teen/Adult: 2 yards EACH of 2 different but coordinating fleece designs
*Fabric scissors (or very sharp scissors)

January 18, 2010 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. With his “I Have a Dream” speech, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired millions and changed our nation. Celebrate his ideas and dreams by listening to or reading his famous speech (link below), and then creating a dream journal with your children. Have them write or draw pictures of their hopes and dreams and maybe they will be the next to change our world!

What You’ll Need:
*Construction paper
*Scissors

January 18 is Thesaurus Day. Teach your child the concepts of synonyms and antonyms using this Thesaurus Dinosaur activity. Match the Mommy thesaurus dinosaur to its baby synonyms.

What You’ll Need:
*Thesaurus Dinosaur sheet below, two per activity.
*Marker
*Thesaurus, optional

Preparation:
*Print out two copies of the Thesaurus Dinosaur sheet below (either PDF or MS Word version). Cut out the dinosaurs.