Finding Their Happy Place

We have several "new to nursery" kiddos.

Six

To be exact.

That makes it challenging when all six are crying and we have 9 other kids to take care of.

This sent me on a quest, starting with a question…

What do 18 month olds like?!?!

Seems like a silly question, especially since I have three kids of my own.

I should know this right?!

Alas, I didn't.

But thankfully there is this sweet little

(and insanely addicting)

website called

PINTEREST.

Have you heard of it?!?!  hehe

Anyway, here are some of the things I have made for our nursery that have made for 

smoother drop-offs and happier kids (and leaders!)

DISCOVERY BOTTLES

There are so many kinds out there, but for our kids I found some small jars I had at home

(and I have to laugh because my husband is always rolling his eyes when I want to keep every little thing… but guess what?  That cherry maraschino jar, baby food jar and the two spice jars sure came in handy!!) ...and went to town.  All of the jars I made were done on the cheap with what
I had lying around at home.

Be creative, the kids will love them regardless!

I filled four jars with colored water, glitter, and snowflake confetti.

The kids LOVE them.

When they come in and are crying I shake one up for them and they are immediately distracted!

AWESOME!

(Just make sure to seal them shut!! I just used glue and twisted on the cap, then glued on the outside.  I used E6000 or hot glue)

These are not mine but I drew inspiration from these found here

I also made magnet bottles like these (using old peanut butter jars thank you very much!)

 I didn't have a magnet wand-nor the money to go buy one,
so instead I found two strong circular crafting magnets at home and glued them with E6000
to a tongue depressor - works like a charm and was free!

And water/oil bottles found here

(side note: this website has other awesome discovery jars I am dying to try,

it just consists of me buying some supplies at the store first)

Mine are also slightly different as I added small pom poms after adding the oil.  

The pom poms absorbed all the oil and float. FUN!

(I am wondering if I put some in before the oil, would they sit just below the oil?! I may have to try it!)

These discovery bottles have been a life saver for our sad kiddos and has made drop off

so much easier!

What works for you??

-Annie