Baby Shower Crafts and Favors

Baby shower crafts are fun to make and usually tied somehow to the theme of the party, which can be anything from storks to ducks to stars to teddy bears. Before deciding on what kind of baby shower crafts you would like to ask guests to bring to the party, decide on a theme and a color scheme for the event. If you are on a budget, at the very least decorate the party area with a banner that welcomes the mom. Featuring her picture in a prominent place is also a complimentary and flattering practice that makes her feel loved and appreciated by her friends.

Baby shower crafts are well suited to beading projects. A unique way to identify guests at a party would be to create baby necklaces, similar to the kind that is worn by babies at the hospital. These kinds of beads, which have letters on them, can be purchased at a supply store. The idea is that the necklace boasts the name of the guest and is worn during the party. Baby beads can be purchased at most bead and craft supply stores. Sometimes you can also get beads that are shaped like small toy building blocks. These building block beads suit showers that have an “ABC” or alphabet theme.

You can also make your own shower favors. The easiest party favors are constructed out of blue or pink tulle or netting that is filled with tiny baby bottles, Hershey’s kisses, safety pins hung with good luck charms or other kinds of candies. Gummy bears tied with a pink or blue net make a nice party favor for guests to take home. Gummy bears can also be used to decorate a cake. A more elaborate baby shower craft that makes a great take home gift is an image of a teddy bear that has been inserted inside a plastic snow-shaker ornament. These empty snow-shaker ornaments can be purchased at craft stores.)

Star shaped glitter can be sprinkled inside the invitation envelopes and also sprinkled around candles and flower arrangements for a star themed shower. Stars constructed out of aluminum foil can strung from ceiling fixtures and white twinkling Christmas lights can be used to enhance the celestial effect. The color scheme of this shower is usually silver and blue baby shower crafts

This wonderful idea for a baby shower craft is a group activity. It is not for the shy mom as it involves her lying on the floor, while her friends make a plaster cast of her pregnant tummy. The guests mingle and chow down while the plaster cast dries and before they leave they inscribe their good wishes for the mommy and the baby on the resulting sculpture. This party baby shower craft not only makes a hilarious video, but also leaves mom with a keepsake she can treasure for decades.

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Kids and All Terrain Vehicles

Do kids really need to ride an ATV?  The kid in question obviously has to be old enough to be responsible enough to drive the thing.  No matter who is driving it an all terrain vehicle is ultimately defined as heavy machinery. To operate heavy machinery your kid must have great reflexes, good eyesight, good coordination and a rudimental understanding of the laws of gravity and mechanics.

A kid that does not understand gravity is not a good candidate to drive an ATV. Neither is a kid that has poor judgment, poor eyesight or is on some kind of medication that might affect coordination or judgment. For instance, it is probably not a good idea for a kid on Ritalin for ADD to be riding an ATV. 

If you are going to let your kid drive an ATV make sure that he or she takes a safety class first and wears protective gear such as helmets an goggles. Also be sure that they are fully clothed and not wearing shorts or short-sleeved shirts to help protect their legs. If you are not sure where to find safety programs for young ATV drivers then you can try phoning your local youth groups. In the United States it is very common for 4_H groups to offer programs in all terrain vehicle safety. These programs, which are also for adults by the way, cover such topics as proper gear, riding techniques and the rules of the road. If anything the idea that you must wear a helmet will be ingrained into your child's head by taking one of these courses.  Not wearing a helmet is not advised as all terrain vehicle accidents are responsible for all kinds of serious brain injuries that take place in the United States and Canada. 

If you are not sure where to turn in terms of educating your child when it comes to kids atv safety, try phoning your local chapter of 4H. They conduct workshops with both children and adults that cover such topics as proper gear, the rules of the road and riding techniques.

If your child is insistent on riding an ATV then try to buy one that is designed for an adolescent. It will be lighter and smaller and easier for your child to handle. You should also advise your child to ride solo as many ATVs are just not equipped to handle two people.  Of course, as in any situation, you should also warn your children never to pick up a stranger trying to hitch a ride on the ATV. 

To stay safe, kids who ride ATVs are also well advised to stay off paved roads and highways and operate the machine on trails designed for ATVs. However you should discourage your child from riding on the shoulder of the road or beside a ditch as there is danger the vehicle could turn over.

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