Target Wonder Packs

On December 6th, Target (will have) released a line of grab-and-go craft kits called "Wonder Packs." Seeing this reminds me of the first time I saw Crustables, frozen PB&J patties. On the plus side, we can use the contents of these Wonder Packs to make our own at home. Check out the kinds of kits they have:

https://corporate.target.com/article/2015/12/holiday-wonderpacks-improv-everywhere

I don't know whether to think this level of convenience is sad or helpful. I think it's nice that Target has wrapped things up in a neat little box. 

The first description shows an inflatable sled, flashlight, and glow sticks for a night time sled ride. I can imaging a kid receiving this, anticipating the first snowy nightfall, assembling the path, and having a lot more fun that just daytime sledding. I also imagine half the glow sticks not working, the sled popping, and feeling pooped by a lackluster experience that is nothing like they imagined. Still, the basis of the idea is really cool. In this example, we could treat it like any boxed curriculum and use it as a base to branch out from. Challenge: night time sledding with glow sticks and a sled. Make it better. We can do that! Add some music, hot cocoa, make it a race, milk jugs to illuminate the glow sticks...We can! 

I think these kits are pretty cool. I would not buy them, but I would copy their contents with items purchased individually. I would most certainly buy a book of Target's Wonder ingredients and instructions. Seriously, they could sell me a buyer's catalogue. Why not? Nestles does it for their recipes. 

I slurped this DIY from 17 magazine:

I found this one in Southern Living (Ty Flipster):

I also found a very cute DIY cookie recipe in a jar:

For details, click the videos on this link to Brother P-touch:

http://www.brotherptouch-usa.com/

What do you think? Let me know by leaving a comment.  

Funky Frame

I think this is a wonderful concept...maybe not for babies, but for supervised children. I could see a 7+ year old girl grabbing her watercolors, markers, crayons, and chalk to the family room to draw a new masterpiece. After, the supplies are put away in their place. When people come to visit, she proudly announces, "I drew that!" Guests praise and encourage her artistic abilities. When mom sees her feeling funky, mom suggests she draw a new picture, 'it has been a while and you come up with the best pictures.' It sounds wonderful!

Please note: There has been debate that the baby pictured could shake the roll off of it's track and be pummeled by paper. The track is pretty high up and I don't think it would hurt once it was light enough to be shaken off of its track. Others argued that the baby would draw all over the walls. We expect our babies to read in Kindergarten, but not have the capacity to "only draw in this square?" At 3 years old, Austin could comply with basic commands and directions, but I'd suggest that this be used in an active household area (living room, family room, kitchen) and for a slightly older child.

A stud finder will assure that the brackets do not fall after installation. Still, young artists should be instructed to ask for adult supervision when they need a new sheet. 

The paper roll is called a "Butcher sheet." The frame is attached longitudinally, so that the paper runs through the top and out the bottom. This frame is window-sized, which you can get for pennies at the thrift shop.

Tell me in a comment: What do you think of this idea? Go ahead and be honest if you think it's a dangerous or ridiculous idea.  I have mixed feelings about it, but I definitely would make it for my 14 year old, if he enjoyed art.