Wednesday, March 11, 2015

St. Patty's Day Themed Crafts To Do With Your Kids

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, Quality Wholesale has gathered some fun and easy crafts to do with your kids! These crafts are great gifts for grandma and grandpa or fun to hang on the fridge. You  will cherish seeing the smiles on your kids face as they put together these fun crafts. Below are four crafts with simple instructions:
Leprechaun Cuties:

 
 
What you need:
·      Small paper plate
·      Orange paint
·      Paint brush
·      Scissors
·      Glue stick
·      Colored construction paper
·      Crayons/markers/colored pencils
What to do:
·      Paint the outer rim of the small paper plate with the orange paint. Once painted, set aside so the plate has time to dry.
·      Use green construction paper (or plain white paper and color green) to cut in the shape of a leprechaun’s hat (see image). Then, use black and yellow paper to make the belt of the leprechaun’s hat. Lastly, use your glue stick to glue them together.
·      When the paint on the paper plate is dry, cut small snips around it to imitate “fringe”.
·      Glue the hat onto the top of the plate.
·      Color the eyes, nose and a smile for the leprechaun’s face,  or you can use a picture of your own child’s face for the leprechaun to personalize the craft.
Shamrock Pepper Craft:
 
What you need:
·      Paper
·      Green paint
·      Paint brush
·      Glitter (optional)
·      Green pepper, sliced in half
What to do:
·      Cut a pepper in half (it doesn’t need to be green, just as long as it has four section, to make a clover).
·      Paint the outer edge of the sliced pepper green
·      Press the pepper onto a clean sheet of paper and hold in place for a few seconds.
·      Lift from paper to have the outline of the shamrock formed.
·      Paint the shamrock stem green.
·      Sprinkle glitter over wet paint (optional)



Handprint Rainbow:
 
 

 
What you need:
·      Large white piece of paper
·      Paint (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) – colors optional
·      Paint brush
·      Glue stick (optional)
·      Scissors (optional)
What to do:
·      Set out large white piece of paper on table.
·      Paint child’s whole hand with the first color (usually red, but you can make your own).
·      Have child place whole hand on the bottom left of the paper to start the formation of the rainbow. Make sure to press hand down firm and hold for about 6 seconds.
·      Continue painting each hand each color of the rainbow (see image) and press on paper in the shape of a rainbow.
·      (Optional) Cut and color paper into a pot of gold to add at the end of the rainbow.
·      Glue pot of gold in the bottom right of the large piece of paper to finish off the rainbow
Rainbow Chain Countdown:
 
What you need:
·      Colored paper
·      Scissors
·      Tape
What to do:
·      Cut red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple strips of paper into long rectangular strips.
·      Roll them into circles and tape them together to make rainbow chain links.
You don’t need to be Irish to make St. Patrick’s day fun for your kids or to make your home festive. Try some of these crafts with your children, or find some of your own to make the season special for your family this year.

Friday, February 20, 2015

Homemade Valentines

Love is in the air, literally. Valentines Day is right around the corner and we want to make sure your whole family is prepared to show your loved ones how much they mean to you! Birthdays are a fun day to celebrate a person but Valentines Day is the one true day to express your appreciation for someone. Make this Valentines Day extra special with an easy, inexpensive homemade Valentines card! The kids will love creating these fun crafts and so will you! We have step-by-step instructions for a unique Valentines card that everyone is sure to love.


1) “Our class would ‘knot’ be the same without you!”
This fun valentine is perfect for girls and can be used as a friendship bracelet. Not only is this homemade, but it shows the time and effort your child put into making the special bracelet. It is not your typical Valentines “card”.  This is an easy craft that can be done in minutes.
What you need:
-Thread/string
-Paper
-Hole puncher
-Pen/markers
To get started:
-Have your child make a bracelet. They can make it however they want the bracelet to be with different colors, multiple strings, and different variations of roping the bracelet together
-Create the middle card. This can be either typed on a computer, or to make it more personalized, you can write your own message with a pen and color the rest
-Hole punch both vertical ends of the card
-String the bracelet through the card and your Valentines card is complete!


 


2) “Valentine, I am glad we’re in the same school!”
Our second Valentine card is one that any child can bring to school and pass around. This is a unique card that is sure to make your children squeal with happiness.
What you need:
-Gold Fish snacks
-Paper
-Scissors
-Marker/colored pencil
-Clear bag
-Zip tie
To get started:
-Cut out plain piece of paper into a fish bowl shape
-Color cut out paper as you would like and write short Valentine saying
-Put paper in clear bag along with a handful of Gold Fish snacks
-Twist tie all together at the top with a little of the bag remaining
It’s as easy at that! A fun and unique Valentines card that children will be raving about!


 


3) “I think you are just ‘write’!”
This cute card is easy and educational! Teachers are sure to love it as well as your classmates!
What you need:
-A pack of pens, pencils or mechanical pencil (optional choice)
-Paper
-Scissors
-Markers or colored pencils
To get started:
-Cut paper into a heart shape
-Color heart and write your Valentine saying
-Cut two slits on both ends of paper for the pen/pencil to slide into
-Slide pen/pencil into paper
This Valentines card is affordable and unique.


 


4) “You’re an EXTRA awesome Valentine!”
This Valentines Card is perfect for anyone, whether it’s a classmate or family member. It reminds others how awesome they are to you with a little treat.
What you need:
-Paper
-Markers or colored pencils
-Extra gum sticks
-Clear tape or glue
To get started:
-Cut paper in shape of your choice
-Color paper and write Valentines saying (be sure to leave room for gum)
-Tape or glue pack of gum to card
This extra awesome Valentines card makes others feel special and is something different compared to the typical Valentine hearts candies.


 


We hope you and your loved ones have a special Valentines Day! If you are in need of any of these supplies, be sure to visit our party outlet store located in Carlisle. We have all of these supplies and more to spice up your Valentines celebration. Wishing all a day full of love and a ‘extra’ special Valentines Day!

Monday, February 2, 2015

Indoor Winter Activities for Kids

Outdoor winter activities can be a fun way to spend time with your family, but can come with wet clothes, sniffly noses, and chilly cheeks. For those days you decide to spend inside with your family, here are some fun indoor activities your kids are sure to love:

 

Crafting

Scrapbooking:
Get some paper, scissors, glue and pictures together and put together a scrapbook of a family vacation, birthday party, holiday gathering or or all of the paintings and drawings your kids have made over the years. It will be a fun way to create something as a family that you can look back on for years to come.
 


Making a Fort:
You can’t go wrong with making a fort in the living room. Grab all of the blankets and pillows and create a cave where you can play games, tell stories or pretend you are on a camping trip. Add some popcorn and pop in a movie for a creative family movie night.
 

Family Games

Charades:
Break your family into two teams and choose a category (movies, books, TV shows, etc). Each team will them write a few options and put them in a bowl that the opposing team will choose from. The teams take turns choosing one player to pull a paper from the bowl and will act out the person, place or thing written on the slip. The team that gets the most answers right within the time limit is the winner!

 


Minute To Win It:
Using household items, challenge your family to a few Minute To Win It games. Depending on the age of your kids, you can find any level of game to challenge your whole family. Put 60 seconds on the clock and the first one to finish the challenge wins. Find some great options for your family here.
 

Cooking

Healthy Snacks:
From fruit kabobs to meat and cheese roll-ups, there are many easy and healthy snack ideas both you and your kids are sure to love. Check out some of the fresh ideas that are sure to make your mouth water.
 


Build Your Own Pizza:
Instead of slaving over the kitchen all night by yourself, make it a fun family activity. Get all of the ingredients for a pizza that your family will love and let them make their own personal pizza. After the pizzas are done, have a taste testing contest and the person who gets the least amount of votes has to do the dishes!
 


No matter the age of your kids, spending some family bonding time inside with crafts, games and cooking is sure to be a great night. At Quality Wholesale, we believe that family time is the most important time. Do you have any fun indoor winter activities you do with your family? We would love to hear them in the comments below!

Friday, January 23, 2015

How Parent Involvement in School Affects Child’s School Experience

“In this complex world, it takes more than a good school to educate children. And it takes more than a good home. It takes these two major educational institutions working together.” –Dorothy Rich, Author of MegaSkills.
Here at Quality Wholesale, we want to see students succeed. As our lives only seem to be getting busier and busier, it can be tough as a parent to make time for your child’s educational needs. However, continued research is showing that it is crucial for parents to be involved in their child’s educational experience.
The earlier in a child’s educational process parent involvement beings, the more powerful the effects. The most effective form of parent involvement is when parents promote at-home educational activities.
 
 
The impact parent involvement has can be extremely beneficial. 86% of the general public believes that support from parents is the most important way to improve schools. The more parents are involved, the higher achievement rates among students.
One of the biggest problems facing public schools is lack of parent involvement. When parents are involved, students typically have higher grades, test scores, graduation rates, better school attendance, increased motivation, lower rates of suspension, decreased use of drugs and alcohol and fewer instances of violent behavior.
When students are encourage to read at home with their parents, they tend to make much more of significant gains in reading achievement compared to those who only read at school.
 
 
As a parent, there are many opportunities for us to teach our children, to be models for them and to guide them in the right direction.
However, most parents do not know how to become more involved with their children’s education.
Here are some ways to become more involved as parents:
·      Encourage children in afterschool activities such as sports, clubs or organizations
·      Pay attention and show concern for child’s progress in school
·      Attend all conferences
·      Express high but realistic goals
·      Encourage your child to take part in school fundraisers
·      Attend school events
·      Create a list of at-home chores
·      Volunteer for your child’s sports team
·      Take part in study groups
·      Encourage your child to take part in a school reading program
·      Talk about educational issues
·      Read with child at home
·      Have a set aside family time
·      Encourage reading, writing, and discussion

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Spice up your Home for the Holiday Season

There’s no place like home - a familiar sentiment that rings especially true during the holidays. You hit replay on your favorite Christmas song, the effects of yesterday’s Christmas cookie debacles litter the kitchen floor in the form of green and red sprinkles misplaced by excited little fingers, and you’ve begun to compile this years most treasured photos for the annual Christmas card. Uncover your next seasonal must on our holiday decorating do’s list and enjoy some creative decorating fun for you and your family this holiday season!



Magical Christmas Lanterns
Create a glowing Christmas scene to be enjoyed by your family for holiday seasons to come, courtesy of Adventures In a Box.


diy-tutorial-making-christmas-lanterns-with-mason-jars-finished-4.jpg


What You’ll Need:
-Mason jars of varying sizes
-Rust Oleum Brilliant Blue spray paint
-Paint marker in black


  1. Thoroughly wash jars to clean away residue for optimal paint adherence.
  2. Spray paint the outside of jars blue; aim for a thin, even layer of paint with some translucency. Begin with one layer of paint and once dried, test paint translucency by lighting a small candle in the jar. We think a silver glitter spray paint would make a great addition to the blue! Apply sparingly over blue spray paint, making sure to keep a small amount of transparency for the candle’s glow.
  3. Draw your own winter wonderland scene, or print a copy of Adventures In a Box’s downloadable scenery and insert the scene of your choice into jar. Trace scene onto the jar with black paint marker, or a black acrylic paint.
  4. Fill in scenery with black paint marker and allow to dry. Place a small candle into jar and light.
Place lanterns on a fireplace mantle or book shelf, away from little hands and pets. Enjoy the ambiance of your new holiday décor!



DIY Holiday Card Frame Display
Make a unique place to hang all of those special holiday cards this season.  Create a wonderfully simple display idea courtesy of domesticallyblissful.com that transforms into a happy holiday wall decoration!


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(Image credit: http://www.popsugar.com/home/photo-gallery/36104134/image/36104714/Create-Christmas-card-display-from-picture-frame-just-few)


What You’ll Need:
-One large wooden picture frame of any style or color
-Twine, lace, or chicken wire of your choosing
-Hot glue gun and glue sticks
-Small clothespins for hanging cards
-Colorful ornaments, buttons, ribbons etc. of your preference, for added holiday decoration


  1. Turn wooden picture frame over to it’s back and measure out the distance you prefer between each piece of twine, lace, or wire. Cut twine in measured pieces and place evenly on the back of your frame, aligning your spacing before gluing into place.
  2. Working from top to bottom on the left side of the back of your frame, add dabs of hot glue to the frame, pressing the end of your twine down to secure it into the glue. Continue adding hot glue dabs for each line of twine down the left side of your frame, evenly spaced.
  3. Continue hot gluing your twine by moving to the right side of the back of your frame, securing the loose end of each twine piece with hot glue, evenly spaced. Allow hot glue to dry.
  4. Add any finishing decorative touches to your frame art by gluing small bulbs, snowflakes, bows etc. to the frame, or individual twine pieces - be creative and let your own personality show through!
Clothespin your loved ones’ holiday cards and favorite photos onto the twine ropes, and place your frame display in a favorite room on the wall to be enjoyed for holiday seasons to come!



Angelic Prints
A simple project for you and your kids, this project is a keepsake to look back on. This DIY brilliance is exceptionally easy to create, and fun for little hands and feet!


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(Image Credit: http://www.pinteresttoldmeto.blogspot.com/2013/12/on-2nd-day-of-christmas-gifts-for-my.html)




What You’ll Need:
-White canvas of your size and shape preference
-Biocolor paints, acrylic or oil paints in desired colors
-Paint brushes


  1. Paint canvas desired background color and allow to dry.
  2. Dip child’s foot into desired paint color and press onto canvas to form the angel’s body.
  3. Dip hands into paint and press on either side of foot print to form wings.
  4. Paint angel’s head and halo, and add decorations as desired.
Place on a wall in a favorite room once dry for added holiday cheer this season!


Visit our Quality Wholesale Facebook page, Twitter, or Pinterest account for more unique crafting ideas the whole family can enjoy. From our Quality Wholesale family to yours, happy holidays!