We are going to be filling this week with “animal” activities. I love Charles Harper’s masterpieces! They are perfect for a game of “I Spy.” You can get the print for your wall or use our instructions to make a mini-whiteboard, one side white and the other with the print.
Learning activities with a mini-whiteboard:
- Circle the animals in one color, plants in another… or circle a specific animal. He found the walrus!!!
- Practice differentiation as you count the number of animals with wings or the ones with four legs, warm blooded vs. cold blooded animals, mammals vs marsupials, etc.
- Make the sounds of the animals as you “find” them, have your child pick one for you to pretend to be, then swap and pick one for your child to mimic
- The opportunities for learning fun are seemingly endless.
Supplies to make a mini-whiteboard:
- An empty CD case
- Scissors
- glue stick
- Dry Erase Markers
- Dried out diaper wipe (for cleaning – they last a long time and store inside the case)
- White paper – Cardstock is best, or patterned paper – we printed the print from the official Harper Site.
Instructions for your Animal I-Spy Board:
Take apart the CD case. We made our case white on one side and patterned on the other. Cut your paper to fit. Lightly edge your paper in clear glue to help it adhere to the case. The glue is not necessary, but it helps your mini-whiteboard live a little longer. If your kids are like mine, their favorite part of this activity will be wiping their writing, opening and closing the case between wipes. Reassemble the CD case and have fun writing! This is a great thing for every toddler diaper bag, great for entertaining and keeping kiddos quiet in a pinch. The Dry Erase markers will stain clothes, the carpet at the Dr. office, etc., so I like to take wipe-able crayons with me when we are out. Have fun playing “I Spy” and learning with your mini-whiteboard.
Purchasing the full sized prints makes the game of “I Spy” even better. Here is the official Harper Site.
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About Rachel
This is brilliant, I love it! What a great idea and so simple to make. I am always on the look out for activities that can be brought along with you. That’s why on ABC & 123 we featured several companies with travel activities. Love this.
Thank you for the link! I love this idea!
What a wonderful project. It’s easy, fun and so inspired! I’m going to pass this on to all my mommy friends and make a few of my own. I love the way this project “upcycles” those jewel cases that usually just end up in the landfill. Way to go GREEN!
Jenn @ rookno17.blogspot.com
That is a really cool idea. My kids are always wanting to do something or MAKE something. Definitely a great idea. Thanks for your comment on my blog!
What a great idea.
I purchased some washable dry-erase markers a few years ago. They are wonderful and would be perfect with this. Thanks!
what a great idea!!!! I have three little ones that this would totally be a hit with! This is wonderful for an activity on the go! Love it!!! thanks for sharing!
This is wonderful! What a great idea. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Blessings,
Dawn
What a great idea! I love it! And it’s great to know about the crayons too; we’ve lost some clothes to those markers already.
I recently found this post & wanted to share how i have used it in my preschool room. I have printed out 14 different pictures from Famous Artists (2-4 prints from each artist) and laminated them. I have given the children dry erase markers and now they play I Spy with all 14 art cards.
We have thought of many games based off this idea: Matching game of artist style, Which of these things doesn’t belong (comparing/contrasting different styles) with the dry erase markers, if the children want to draw a bee on Georgia O’Keeffe’s flowers, they can!
This also fulfills several of the Cultural exposure documentation as required by NAEYC!
Thought you would enjoy hearing how we have used this wonderful & simple idea!
thanks!
Tracy
I love this idea! My boys and I will definitely be doing this. Maybe it will make getting thru a church service a bit easier!
.-= Prairie Mother´s last blog ..Photo Thursday – Spring Flowers =-.
Genius, portable, and a great way to recycle!!
What a clever idea! What is the title of this print at Harper’s website?
Thanks.
We are a Featured Family on Adoption Network website for the month of March! http://www.adoptionnetwork.com/
I didn’t know Charlie Harper’s work and love it! That print makes a perfect I Spy basis.
What a great idea. I remember when I was young I use to love things like this.
Nice view your are the good writer ..The blog is so different of us ..Thank you for sharing!!:D
A very adorable paint…
you work very cleared and faithfully heart painter…
A very nice board art,and a very attractive, your capability is amazing,-
You are adorable painter..
My younger sister are always wanting to do something or MAKE something. Thanks for sharing this idea.
This is amazing. I love it. I think my little sister will be happy to try this one. This is easy so i think she can do this. Thanks for this.
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Lovely idea! Great tip on the dry erase markers – I found using the washable markers to work well too!
This is such a great idea. The only thing about white boards is that the ink comes off easily, so, you’d have to put it up out of touching range.
Nice drawing by the way.
Genius! This just gave me another idea for a slightly larger version – they have those glass poster frames at craft stores like Michaels, what about using one of those instead of the CD case?
very creative idea. my kids love doing stuff and are into art. they’d definitely love this. will show your post to them when they arrive from school
What an awesome idea. My kids are a little to old for this now, but I have a niece who’s just the right age. She’ll get a kick out of this!
I cannot find the site for the full sized prints?