Monkeys & Mayhem - Monkey Tales™ Blog

Youth Day at the Michigan Science Center

9/16/2018

Thank you to everyone who made Youth Day at the Michigan Science Center great. It was seriously the most Fun. Day. Ever.

Monkeys & Mayhem hosted the "Stuft Animal Remix" project. We had hundreds of visitors and more than 300+ people made their own species. We nearly ran out at the end, but I had my fingers crossed--- and we just made it!

It was so cool to see all the animals y'all came up with. Some of the greatest animal configurations I've ever seen were created today right in front of our eyes! It was amazing to see the different age ranges who loved this event- big kids, little kids, toddlers, teens, parents. In fact-- I don't know who had the most fun-- the kids or their parents. Yup-- we had truckloads of parents designing their OWN species of animals to take home. It was awesome!!!

We had a blast and hope you did too. If you weren't able to visit us for Youth Day-- nbd-- you can find instructions for this creative kids design project right here.

Related:
Kids Craft | Stuft Animal Remix
Field Trip | Mathmatica, with Kids
Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus: The Band
Detroit Design Festival: Youth Path
Activity: Glow Ring Toss

Kids Craft | Stuffed Animal Remix

9/12/2018

Thanks for joining us at this year's Youth Day at the Michigan Science Center! We had a truly awesome day and hope you did too!

If you weren't able to make it out to the kids version of Month of Design on Saturday-- nbd-- here's a play-by-play of the children's activity we hosted using discarded stuffed animals. Have fun!

Before you donate that arsenal of stuffed animals, check out this project where they could be re-used. This project gives stuffed animals that have seen better days a new lease on life. Fun for a large group- everyone can bring a neglected animal to add to the pile.

Ingredients:
-At least 4 Stuffed Animals
-Hot Glue Gun
-Scissors
-Needle & Thread
-Large Safety Pins

Deconstruct all limbs, tails, heads, etc from the main body of the animal. Throw the spare parts into a box. Let the children dig through the bin. Allow the children to reconfigure their animals- the sillier the better. An adult should help smaller children with the task of assembly. Have safety pins ready as a way to temporarily attach the parts.

Next, use your best judgment to determine which method- sewing or hot glue- will work best to secure the various parts onto the body permanently. After the glue has cooled or the stitches completed, remove the safety pins.

Hint: Hot glue can hold almost anything together.

One of the coolest things about this craft is that there is NO WRONG WAY to do this project. In fact- the more rules that are broken-- the better! I saw how my kids didm't want to do crafts when adults told them they were "doing it wrong." It took all the fun out of them making something THEMSELVES. When they created their own "Stuft Animal Remix" project-- they had FUN choosing their pieces and creating their animals. It was a Game-changer.

To broaden the scope of learning, ask the children questions about the new species they have created. What is it called? Where does it live? What sounds does it make?

Related: Field Trip | Detroit Zoo
Cooking with Kids | Horse Cupcakes
How to Make a Black Cow, with Kids
Transformers Movie Set | Behind-the-Scenes, with Kids

Kids Craft | Animal Menagerie Shadow Puppets

9/12/2018

Now is when the summertime spent eating popsicles REALLY starts to pay off. Grab that wayward collection of sticks you've been saving and get ready t create your own animal menengerie.

Making a collection of exotic animals may seem tricky, but it's really easy! This project uses some really simple ingredients to create something that will provide kids of various age groups with entertainment.

Click 'Read More' to get Instructions ↓↓↓

We're in the Henry Ford Museum Ad Campaign!

9/6/2018

We finally saw the commercial we shot in May out in the wild!

Here's the result of the ad campaign we did for the Henry Ford Museum. The director did such an amazing job! Check out those skills! There's some different versions floating around. Let me know if you catch it live. We're so excited! Our friends and family have been telling us they've seen it-- but we never caught it ourselves until now!

Check us out in the Henry Ford's guide to Greenfield Village:
Henry Ford Ad Campaign in Greenfield Village, with Kids

Guide to Michigan Beaches, with Kids

9/4/2018

Here's a little run-down of the lakefront beaches we trekked out to this summer. We liked some better than others but check 'em out for yourself-- maybe you'll find one that's right up your alley. The things I dod't like may be what you'll love! There's more beaches to explore, so keep your eyes opened because just because school started doesn't mean summer's over! It's still hot and humid and 93 degrees right now & It's dinnertime. In September.

Click "Read More" to read our list of our favorite beaches in the area. ↓↓↓

Kids Activity | Alphabet Fishing

7/25/2018

This activity combines learning and imaginative play. Kids will love the opportunity to fish for letters while pretending they are captains of their boat Perfect for rainy days when you wish you were sailing off into the sunset.

Click 'Read More' to get Instructions ↓↓↓

Henry Ford Ad Campaign in Greenfield Village

7/10/2018

My cousin texted me to let me know she'd seen us in a print ad. Awesome! I asked where she saw it. She told me she saw it yesterday at Greenfield Village-- in the booklet that she was given at the Henry Ford Museum admissions counter.

There's More! Click 'Read More' to get the full scoop... ↓↓↓

Kids Activity | Woodland Teepee

5/30/2018

This woodland teepee is an old stand-by that my sister & I used to make in the summertime: A Teepee of Branches. I wanted to re-create this with my kids.

There's more! Click "Read More" for Instructions ↓↓↓

On the Set of the Henry Ford Museum Ad Campaign, with Kids

5/21/2018

We had the awesome opportunity to be involved with the Henry Ford Museum's latest ad campaign. We were so excited and it was a cool experience.

There's more! Click 'Read More' to get the full scoop + exclusive Behind-the-Scenes photos. ↓↓↓

Art Deco Flower Lollipop Cupcakes

5/8/2018

Bulbs are now peeking through the soil, announcing the arrival of spring. These art-deco blossom cupcakes are whimsical & simple to make. [for real]

There's More! Click 'Read More' to get the Recipe + Instructions ↓↓↓