Sunday, April 15, 2012

Count Down to Disney

We have Disney issues.  Okay, to say "issues" is mild, we are addicted to Disney.  My favorite trips are when we are able to share the magic with friends.  To see Disney through fresh eyes is like experiencing our first visit all over again.

Over the years we have made several different count down calendars to anticipate the big day when we leave for the happiest place on Earth.  Our first year we made a paper chain and tore off a link every day until there were none.  A year or two later we made a calendar on the computer with pictures of different characters and crossed off a character each day.   

This year, we are going with two other families.  One family is surprising their crew the day before, so no count down calendar needed.  But the other family has the most precious little 4 year old that apparently squealed in delight when he found out they were going.  Crafting is so much more fun when you get to share it with someone, so we made two calendars this year, one for us and one to share.

My love of Pinterest led me to this adorable count down idea.  http://www.mamaofalltrades.com/2012/03/disney-vacation-countdown-shes-crafty.html
Here is my version with a few things added to make it all our own.

PLEASE VISIT my new Blog at www.mousEducation.com for more Disney ideas, crafts and learning.  My new Blog is dedicated to learning about Disney but also using Disney as an Educational tool.  Your children hopefully won't even realize you are using the "E" word and will think it is all just Disney fun!


I found the chalk board flower used as the base at Target in the $1 section (discounted to $.50!).  The clothes pins were also a Target buy.  Ribbons, the Disney in the center, Mickey ears and bow were all from Michaels in the scrapbooking section.  For the numbers, I printed them off on the computer using a font called "Minnie".   Punches from Stampin Up made the clips an easy craft using a tape runner and then glue dots to attach them to the clothes pins.  

So, here was our added little touch.  As the days go by, you turn the pins over to count down.  With a little help from my 10 year old Disney fan, we added some fun trivia and activities to the back that were age appropriate for a 4 year old.  Here is a sample.


Other activities include (these were geared toward a boy):
Jump around like Tigger
Sing a Disney song
Dance to the Mickey Mouse song
Which character is mommy like? (same with daddy)
Act like you are on a roller coaster
Read a Disney book
Laugh like Goofy
Draw Mickey ears
What does Pooh like to eat?
Hide Eeyore's tail and look for it
Who lives in Radiator Springs?
Race in a circle Cars
What kind of animal is Dumbo?
Act like your favorite safari animal
Who is Mickey's dog?
Pack a favorite toy for the car
Act like your favorite character
Make fish faces like Nemo
Who is the meanest Disney villain?
Watch a Disney movie

The craft was so fun to make, but I think coming up with activities was the best part of all.  So, let the countdown begin!


  

5 comments:

  1. Love love LOVE this! Definitely going to do for our trip in the fall! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  2. I'm so glad you were inspired by my countdown to make your own. I love your version!!! Great job!

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    1. Loved your countdown Ashley! I am so glad Pinterest gives us a chance to share ideas and morph them into our own. Thank you and please keep inspiring us!

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  3. Our trip is in September and I have been looking for a fun countdown to do with my nieces. This is perfect! I'm not very crafty, but she is and I bet she'll have fun helping me put this together.

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    Replies
    1. Hope you have an amazing trip and were able to make the count down and enjoy it! September is a great time for Disney!

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Count Down to Disney

We have Disney issues.  Okay, to say "issues" is mild, we are addicted to Disney.  My favorite trips are when we are able to share...