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

Ingredients:
1 Box Devil's Food Cake Mix
1 Container Dark Chocolate Frosting
1 Box Oreos [Chocolate creme filling preferred]
24 Cupcake Papers
24 Tootsie Pops 
24 Spearmint Candies
8 Pieces Green Licorice  [+ a few extra just in case]
Kitchen Shears

Prepare the cupcakes according to instructions on package. While they are baking, separate all of the oreos and scrape off the creme filling into a bowl. Discard.

In a large mixing bowl, crush the dry oreos; a potato masher works well. After the cupcakes have cooled, frost them. Dip them into the crushed oreos, coating the entire frosted surface. Now you have 'dirt.'

Next is the flower assembly. Kids can help with each step, except for the stem. Remove the wrappers and place lollipops onto a plate. Cut the green licorice into thirds using kitchen shears. Push the licorice 'stem' through the lollipop stick- there should be a prefabricated hole that will help tremendously. Please note that this step takes patience and can be frustrating. This task will be the most time consuming part of the assembly.

When the blossoms are complete, place each lollipop into a cupcake. Cut the spearmint leaves in half, lengthwise. Add the pair of leaves to the soil. The cupcakes are surprisingly sturdy and not one fell over, even en transit.

Commemorate the First Day of Spring by creating a tulip picture. A variation of the hand print turkey, most children can make their own- even babies. (to an extent) The flower pictured above was made by a one-year old. Just have a damp washcloth within reach to clean messy hands.

Ingredients:
Paint [poster, acrylic, etc]
Paper, construction recommended
Sponge Brush & Paintbrush
Glitter & Glue* [optional]
Damp Washcloth

Choose a color for the flower. Use the sponge brush to apply a thin layer of paint onto the child's entire hand. Place the hand onto the surface of the paper you have selected, pressing down with even pressure. Tulip looks most 'realistic' if the fingers are not outstretched completely. Now grab the washcloth before they get paint everywhere!

Next, dip a paintbrush in green paint. Create a line from the bottom of the flower to the paper's edge; this is the stem. Paint leaves adjacent to the stem, then add small brush strokes to the bottom of the paper to mimic grass. Allow to dry.

*If you have opted to use glitter- then follow the instructions above except replace the paint with white school glue. Dust liberally with glitter.

Rainbow Toast is an edible craft project. This is a fun way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and learn about mixing colors. Beware of Leprechaun's trying to nibble your toast; their habitat is rainbow's end- and they are sneaky fellows!

The Ingredients:
Muffin Tin
Paint Brush-  ½" wide is optimal (the wider the width, the easier it will be)
Food Coloring
Bread- White works best, wheat pictured
Milk
Marshmallows* (optional)

Put ⅛ cup of milk into each concave section in the tray. Squeeze 5 drops of food coloring into each section, creating a rainbow of colors- red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple. You can use this as a learning opportunity to teach primary/secondary colors- having your child create their own colors. ex: Combine yellow & blue to make green. Next- stir the colors until the color is mixed evenly into the milk.

Grab a paint brush and a slice of bread and begin your masterpiece. Any age group that can hold a brush can participate. Young babies will enjoy eating the bread that an adult prepares for them.

After you have finished your rainbow, pop the bread into the toaster. Use the  same setting you would normally use for toast.

Garnish with white marshmallows 'clouds' at the end of the rainbow.

Before you donate that arsenal of stuffed animals, check out this project where they could be of use. 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.

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?   

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.

What you need:
A Boat: sled, box, couch...
Body of Water: flat sheet, rug, fabric remnant
Fishing Pole: plastic or stick & string- magnet hot glued onto string
Fish: magnetic alphabet or construction paper letters with paperclips attached

Place the boat adjacent to the lake. Scatter the alphabet, magnet side up. Children sit inside the boat, each with a fishing pole.  Go fish!

Alphabet Fishing can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages. Just tweak it to fit your child's skill level. For 18 months+, it is fun simply to hold the pole and see what they catch. You can ask toddlers to fish for a particular color, while preschoolers will enjoy finding particular letters they are familiar with. Start with the letter their name starts with. As they master those,  introduce new letters. Challenge older children to spell words, fishing for each letter in succession to create a word.