Red Brolly

Little Red | Quick and simple "Gingerbread" house activity to make with kids

Looking for something to make with the kids this weekend? Don't like gingerbread? Don't want the hassle of making the gingerbread and fussing around cutting out the pieces. Here's a really simple idea to do with the kids, it doesn't take too long and can be done with kids off all ages (I tried this with children aged 3-7) and, best of all, it's heaps of fun! Let's face it, the bit that the kids all enjoy is decorating the house with as much lollies as they can possibly fit on.

These "gingerbread" houses are in fact made from pre-made store bought cookies/biscuits. I just went through the biscuit aisle and chose packets of biscuits which I thought would do the job. Some great biscuit choices are the italian sponge finger biscuits (which are great for the base), 100's and 1000 biscuits which were used for the walls, the roof is made from thin ice-cream wafers, and the longer walls are made using "Nice" biscuits- you know, the plain tea biscuits with a sprinkling of sugar?

You can really use any biscuit you like, other good choices are the Honey Jumbles, iced vo-vo's (I think these are only available in Australia), chocolate fingers/sticks and tim tams. It really is up to you- you could even make one all out of chocolate biscuits!

For a great morning it really helps to be organised. Have everything ready and placed on the table for the kids when they arrive. This will really help for things to go smoothly. If you need biscuits cut to a certain shape, have this done also.

Apart from the biscuits ou will also need to lollies to decorate the finished houses. This is the fun part and you are really only limited by your imagination. You will also need some royal icing to use as "glue," or "cement," as I call it to the kids. The recipe I like to use is one by Sweetopia, but just use whatever one is your favourite.

We first started with the base- this was 3 italian sponge fingers, placed together lengthways, attached with some royal icing in between. When making your royal icing, make sure that it is a thicker consistency as this will help the pieces to stay in place. Using a knife, spread a layer of royal icing along the length of the sponge finger. Press a second sponge finger into the icing. Repeat with the 3rd finger.

We used kid friendly knives when making our houses, but if yo have older children you could try making them using piping bags for a neater looking house.

After you have your base you will need to add your walls. Start with one wall and spread a layer of icing along the base of your wall and stick onto the base. Repeat with your other walls- remembering to make sure that all sides of the biscuits have been attached with royal icing. It is easier to start with one wall that goes lengthways, and then another that goes perpendicular. Once you have your 4 walls, you will need to add the gables. For mine, we used square wafer biscuits cut in half diagonally. Add the gables to opposite ends using a layer of royal icing along the base. You are now ready to add your roof! Once you have placed your roof on the house the hard part has been done. Now's the time for the fun!

You may want to leave your house to dry for 5-10 mins before decorating- but if I know kids, they'll be too impatient to wait.

Choose any lollies you like- use your imagination.

Attach your lollies using a small dab of royal icing.

You'll find it hard for the kids to show some restrain- they try and fit as much on as they can! Below are some examples that the children made on our "gingerbread" house morning.

You could make a whole village. It was a fabulous morning and, of course, there was some necessary taste testing of lollies as the morning went along.

 

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{Little Red} Great Children's books about Fathers

Today is a new day! Thank you for sticking by me, but I'm back in action with the blog. I had planned on a trip down memory lane and then a birthday celebration with the blog. Due to lots of things happening, of which I've shared with you in previous posts, I've forgone the review of the past three years and the birthday of the blog will have to be a belated one! But, stay tuned as there are lots of exciting things planned.

So onwards and upwards and let's put the last 2 months behind us!! I'm going to be trialling a few new topics on the blog over the next few weeks, so let me know what you think of them.

Here's one of the new categories....

With Father's Day this weekend in Australia I thought that I would take a look at what books were on offer for children these days about Fathers. Being a teacher in a previous "life," children's books are something  close to my heart. Taking the time to share a book with your children is so precious- teaching a love for literature-is one of the greatest life long lessons you can give.

So, drum roll please....here are my top picks for kids to read with their Dad's this Father's Day (or any day really).

 

"Papa, do you love me?" By Barbara M. Jossee

A gorgeous tale set in Africa which captures the unconditional love given between a Massai warrior father and his son. This book features  beautiful watercolor illustrations in the traditional colours of Africa- oranges, reds, browns and ochres.

A young Maasai boy asks his father, “Papa, do you love me?” As all parents do, the Father replies with a loving response, the boy goes on to ask a multitude of questions, each one trying to determine if his father’s love will remain steady and strong in all situations and under all conditions.

The message in told through this book is enduring message, whilst the illustrations will pose a lot of questions about life in Africa and the Maasai culture. Great to see, also, the more traditional word "papa."

 

"My Dad is big and strong, but...: A bedtime story" by Corallie Saudo

I just adore this book! A book that captures the sweetness and playfulness of childhood and gives children a heads up about what pains they can be when it's time to go to bed...

"Every night it’s the same old thing, with dad refusing to go to bed. He wants to play, read stories, even sleep with me, and when he makes his pleading face, I always give in and read him another story. But that’s it, since enough is enough. When it get’s really tough, I tell myself, "Have courage. We’re almost there."

In this delightfully illustrated book, reminiscent of the 60's- Dad swings from the chandelier, he begs for another story, and asks to have the light left on. A funny comedy routine turned on its head about a parent who won’t go to bed, told through the eyes of his long suffering, responsible son.

 

Image courtesy of Amazon

"DADS: A Field Guide" by Justin Ractcliffe

A funny and cute book written as a handy guide to help identify all types of dads. As you read this book you learn how to identify each variety of dad- from how they dress, their distinctive habitat and much loved hobbies.

Stuck for words about your dad? There are so many different dads in the world and this handy little field guide will help you to describe your own dad. A great insight into spotting all of Dad's little idiosyncrasies.

Loads of Dads are covered in this book:- surfer dad, hairy dad, undies dad, nerdy dad, scruffy dad and rock'n'roll dads- they're all here.

A great laugh to share with your children as they try and spot their own Dad as they read along.

idiosyncrasies

idiosyncrasies

idiosyncrasies

idiosyncrasies

idiosyncrasies

idiosyncrasies

idiosyncrasies

idiosyncrasies

idiosyncrasies

idiosyncrasies

 

"Driving Daddy" by Hope Vestergaad

An adorable rhyming picture book for children 3 and under. If your child loves sitting up high on Daddy's shoulder's, then this is the book for you.

Laugh as baby, sitting on top of Daddy's shoulders, tries to steer him, as if he were a car, to where he wants to go; the park, the swings...but, all doesn't go to plan when Daddy has his own ideas of where he wants to go.

 

 

 

 

 

"My Dad" by Anthony Brown.

Anthony Browne would have to be a real favourite children's author/illustrator of mine- his books are just so witty!

Dad's can be brave, funny, inspirational and can often eat like a horse! Throughout the book the boy's lovable dad is featured in his signature, brown tartan comfy bathrobe- a link to Browne's own father. Browne wrote this book, using his late father as inspiration, after he found one of his dad's old bathrobe hanging in a cupboard.

An inspiring book which celebrates dads everywhere, told through the eyes of a son- leaving us with a warm, fuzzy thought.

His traditional, clever illustrations-which Browne is renowned for-combined with his exaggerated story-lines, don't let us down in this traditional Anthony Browne story.

 

 

 

"Papa,please get the moon for me" by Eric Carle

Eric Carle would have to be one of my favourite children's book author/illustrators. His books are timeless. I just love his simple,elegant and classic illustrations.

"Papa, please get the moon for me," would have to be one of my favourite out of all the Eric Carle books, and one you have to get to add to your bookshelf.

The story literally unfolds outwards and upwards as a father tries to fulfill his daughter's longing to get the moon so she can play with it. Monica gazes out the window each night, stretching and stretching to get the moon, but she can never reach it, until she finally asks her father to get the moon for her.

A simple story that teaches about the phases of the moon at a basic level, and on a deeper level, demonstrates that goals-whilst seemingly impossible and unattainable- can be achieved.

A timeless book about a father's love for his daughter and a lovable message of inspiration.

 

Have a great day this Sunday, and hope that Dad's have a chance to be celebrated.

 

 

[Disclosure: I do not receive anything for my book reviews. I am not paid, do not receive any copies of books and am not asked to write any reviews by company. These are just my thoughts shared with you about books I love]