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wooden thank you trays: recycled toy love

home / Activities / holidays / thanksgiving / wooden thank you trays: recycled toy love
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thank you tray

This year, because I know just how much time, effort, and energy goes into preparing a meal for tons of family members, I wanted to do something a little special for the two people who will be preparing our Thanksgiving meals.

Nothing fancy or over-the-top–just a little ‘thank you’ from the grandchildren to their amazing Grandma and Nanny for all that they do for the kids.ย  I worked with the kids to create wooden ‘thank you’ trays as a way to say thanks for all that Grandma and Nanny do for us–all of us.

Wooden ‘thank you’ trays are a step above cards, because they took a wee bit longer from start to finish.ย  But that means they will last longer, too.

And the great thing about this craft is that it really gave the kids a chance to realize that their Grandma and Nanny are all sorts of awesome.ย  And it utilized some things we had around the house, in particular a few of those infamous wooden trays from our many Melissa & Doug toys.

It’s a quick ‘thank you’ crafty craft for the kids while you hide away (right) in the kitchen for the next few hours doing those last-minute preparations. Or while you finish laundry and pack bags.

Or maybe you can gather some supplies and let the kids at it as a pre-meal activity tomorrow with their cousins and aunts and uncles so the grownups can chat (or get dinner ready. . . ).

wooden thank you trays

Not only do wooden ‘thank you’ trays allow children to do some important reflection during a reflective holiday, but it also gives a new use for your trays from stamp sets, magnetic dolls, or craft sets.

Here’s the skinny. . .

  • Wooden Thank You Trays–Recycled Toy Love: I love finding new uses for items we have around the house. And I especially love it when we can use these recycled items as gifts or as tokens of love or appreciation.

I wrote about wooden ‘thank you’ trays over on the Melissa & Doug blog this week, and I’d love for you to check it out.

wooden thank you trays

Owen works hard on the finishing touches of his ‘thank you’ tray.

These trays are a way of recycling well-loved toys–or a part of them. And I love it.

So if your stamp sets, art sets, or doll sets have found their way into a big plastic bin (which sometimes happens, I know), then here’s a great way of creating some recycled toy love.

Tough it seems like an incredibly involved craft, it does not need to be.

But with a little brainstorming. . .

. . . some talking and planning. . .

wooden thank you trays

Maddy finalizes her ‘thank you’ tray, and the ‘how-to’ and

where to start can be found on Melissa & Doug blog–Wooden ‘Thank You’ Trays.

. . . some painting, sticking, and gluing. . .

. . . and with some finalizing with a little blingy Mod Podge or glue. . .

. . . it’s an effort well worth it when the kids hand their gift of thanks to the ones they love.

Happy, happy, happy Thanksgiving to you all.ย  Eat lots of turkey, lots of pie, and have lots of laughs!

And an extra huge and happy thanks to my mother-in-law and my own mom who are two of the most amazing, incredible, caring, and kind women I know. Yes, my father-in-law and my own dad are also pretty great, but I’m thinking about the ladies because they’re the ones who work the hardest on making Thanksgiving–and every holiday–extra special, extra fun, and memorable for all of us. Love you all!

melissa & doug blog ambassador logo

 

fyi: I wrote this post as part of the Melissa & Doug Blog Ambassador program.ย ย  I’m thankful for Melissa & Doug for always creating great, smart products for children of all ages, and I’m grateful for the way that they have opened up the company to work with bloggers in the last year. Many thanks, guys!

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About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

Previous Post:my new fave holiday cards: minted (and $100 giveaway!)
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Quick! Thereโ€™s still time to see if your area is registered to participate in this yearโ€™s National Civics Bee! #ad

Click the link in my bio to learn more and to grab a TON of free resources for families and educators. 

This yearโ€™s registration deadline is approaching, but you still have time! 

What better way to get students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities? 

https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

#CivicsBuzz #strongcommunities #middleschool #civicsbee #teachersofIG
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Have you heard of The National Civics Bee? #ad 

The National Civics Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. 

Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in your community will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. 

Learn how to bring The National Civics Bee to YOUR community now: https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

Iโ€™m thrilled to have partnered with @mom_select and @civicsbuzz for this exciting campaign! โ™ฅ๏ธ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’™

#CivicsBuzz #middleschoolers #teachersofIG #communitypartners
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Oh HEEEEEYYY, @luvvie โ€” did you see that @littletroublemaker made our hallway bulletin board? ๐Ÿ˜‰โ™ฅ๏ธ

(Itโ€™s what Rusty the ๐ŸฆŠ is currently reading.) 

Find it at your favorite bookstore or order here: https://amzn.to/3Pu3tWs

(This is my affiliate link, so when you use it, I will earn a small percentage of the sale, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for using my link and supporting my small business!)

#readingteacher #raiseareader #kidlit #bestbooks #linkinbio
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How can people with dyslexia learn to read? ๐Ÿค”

Here are the 3๏ธโƒฃ elements that reading instruction should contain in order to be most effective for students with dyslexiaโ€”

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #readingteacher #teachreading #dyslexiaawareness
View
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Lately when I find four leaf clovers, Iโ€™ve been leaving them. ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

So if youโ€™re in Maryland, and you happen upon a lonely, little 4-leafer with very little grass, weeds, or leaves around it, I donโ€™t know WHO tried to set you up for success.

#yougotthis #keepyoureyesopen #itsthelittlethings #kilpattyluck
View
Open
Okayโ€”how do we know if someone has dyslexia? 

Which professionas are able to make that important determination? 

โ–ถ๏ธ Watch to find out. 

Hit me with the questions you still have about dyslexiaโ€”and know we have a few more posts to go!

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #teachreading #readingteachersofig
View
Open
What are some of the common signs of dyslexia?

Watch to learn and find out!

#demystifyingdyslexia #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading #dyslexia
View
Open
True โœ… or false โŒ?

#demystifyingdyslexia #dyslexiaeducation #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading
View
Open
What do you know about dyslexia? 

What questions do you have about dyslexia? 

For the next few weeks leading up to my own start to the school year I am sharing a new series called โ€œDe-Mystifying Dyslexiaโ€ and I would love for you to join me! 

Follow in my stories or on the highlight above!

#dyslexia #teading  #readingteacher #raiseareader #demystifyingdyslexia

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