The girls and I made Jumping Beans this afternoon, and then had lots of fun racing them! They loved it!!
Print out the template onto heavy cardstock paper. We used the print-out template found at Having Fun at Home, and it worked beautifully! The girls enjoyed decorating their jumping beans….
They used lots of color!
I really enjoyed the striped pattern on Emily’s jumping bean… so colorful!
We cut out the template, folded it up, inserted a marble, and taped it secure. Then we took the jumping beans outside, propped up one side of a long table with some of Mark’s old college textbooks (I always knew they were good for something — HA!!) … and had several races with them!!
Here they are in action — so much fun!! Who will win? Play the video to find out! Ready…. set……… GO!!!
[flashvideo file=wp-content/uploads/2010/07/beans.flv /]
I linked this post to:
Get Your Craft On @ Today’s Creative Blog
Dear Valerie,
Did you lose your marbles today? That better not have been my “Operating Systems Design” book. That one is my favorite, as I am sure you can tell from the tattered pages. That’s why I keep it in the bathroom.
Love,
Mark
No worries — it’s back in the bathroom as though nothing ever happened. You’re welcome. 😉
I was just looking at something similar, using a section of a toilet paper roll, but I really like the way yours look – fun!
I never thought to use a toilet paper roll. If you try it, let me know how it works! These worked so well for us, and were a lot of fun!
I love your new layout! Gorgeous. I also like the jumping beans. I’m guessing there’s a marble in them?
Hi, Mary!
I’m SO happy you like the new layout — Mark and I worked so hard on it, so I really appreciate your kind words. 🙂
Yes, there is a marble inside, and we had to experiment just a bit to find the best size marble that would work. It needs to be big enough to move the jumping bean, but small enough to roll around freely in there. It was so much fun to watch the girls race these!
I have not thought about Jumping Beans in a long time. I bet my kids will have fun with this too.
I had completely forgotten about them, but Emily showed me a picture of something she drew that reminded me of them. When I found the old post on Having Fun at Home, I knew we had to give it a try. So much fun!!
I’ll be linking. And I think Clara got hosed! And I’m sure the book was carefully returned to its previous place with no harm done… :>)
Oh, I so appreciate the link — thank you!! 😀
I would say Clara managed to win once every three races or so, but I think Emily cheated a bit in that video. 😉
That’s really cool!
Thanks, Deborah! I bet it would be a lot of fun for a classroom project too! I’m so glad you stopped by. xoxo
AWESOME!!!
😀
Looks like so much fun!
Becca
It is!! Quick and easy too. Have fun!!
What a fun idea! That looks like just the kind of “non-messy” craft I’ve been looking for! Thanks for posting!
BTW, we have the same taste in names. I have an Emilie and a Clara, too! (Well, plus two more…)
I think someone cheated……. Obviously her arm is way longer. 🙂
But, man was she happy!
LOL Emily has a bit of a size advantage, doesn’t she? I should have given Clara a head-start… 😉 They both had so much fun with these!
That is AWESOME! The kids both got marbles at the poineer night tonight… so we will be doing this in the morning. So much fun!!
Blessings
Val
PS… love the new layout. Looks great!
How perfect!!! I think this could quite possibly be the most fun we’ve had with marbles EVER! lol And I’m so happy to hear you like the new layout!! xoxo 🙂
These remind me of a vintage one that belonged to my grandparents, it had a cloth body with arms and legs and the long cylinder had a clown face.
Very cool!! 🙂
I’m totally bookmarking this to use at work!
LOL You’ll be the hit of the office! 😉
Ha ha, actually I’m a pediatric occupational therapist & mom of 2….love your blog!
Hi! I love love love reading your blog! So, I have A Blog With Substance Award for you on my blog:
http://leptir-mojpribor.blogspot.com/2010/07/2-nove-nagrade2-new-awards.html
Wow! Thank you so much! This totally made my day! xoxo 🙂
Tried and tried and could not get this to work. Adjusted size and weight of cardstock. Any suggestions?
Hi Karen,
Make sure the table is on an incline, and it should work. I used Mark’s old text books to prop up one side of the table. Hope this helps!
That looks like it was fun. Great idea.
So super cute & fun. It sounds like fab fun… again, the summer camp? I can have the kids packed in no time. 🙂
I’ve never heard about jumping beans, but it looks like a lot of fun.
I had never heard of them either, but Mark knew exactly what I was talking about when I described them to him. They are a lot of fun to make!
How much fun! I think I will make these for the girls.
Have FUN!! xoxo 🙂
It looks like you have lots of fun with your girls. So nice to see… and a great activity as well.
Carolyn.
Looks like your girls had so much fun. Thanks for the link back!