Tuesday, 10 January 2012

A miniature campsite


I was recently given a box of kid's craft books. While flicking through one I came across a wonderful idea for a miniature campsite in The Sunny Day Book by Jane Bull (2004). I showed Cakey and we agreed that we had to make it NOW.

Little campsite in The Sunny Day Book

Our version

We had to improvise with what was on hand as there was no preparation time for this activity. We didn't have any sand so we took some mulch out of the garden and pressed it firmly onto a tray. Once the base was down we started gathering rocks, twigs and plant material. Playdough was our construction agent.

This was a lovely activity because the whole family got involved. Boo plonked/arranged the rocks, Cakey made trees and the campfire with plants offcuts, twigs and playdough, Chris made the tent and I made the washing line and pond.

The girls loved the pond. I cut out little fish from an old sponge to add to the pond. Boo added rocks and Cakey added playdough to the pond to 'hold the fish down'. Anyway, a picture tells a thousand words...

Making the pond - we added fish cut from a sponge

Washing line - string tied to twigs with felt clothing pegged on

Tent made from twigs and a pretty piece of material

Howdy campers!!
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34 comments:

  1. Chrissy @ The Outlaw Mom Blog10 January 2012 at 10:45

    Oh my goodness, that is the cutest little campsite ever! I would love to do this (notice I said "I" instead of "the kids")! :-)

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  2. Unknown10 January 2012 at 13:26

    Thanks Chrissy, we all really liked doing this one. There is just something adorable about miniatures.

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  3. Unknown10 January 2012 at 15:13

    Impressed by the detail in your campsite! You are so talented at creating unique small world play sets.

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  4. Elise10 January 2012 at 23:44

    What a gorgeous and vibrant campsite- perfect for camping.

    I really enjoy browsing through older craft books.

    I am delighted to have discovered your inspirational blog. I have just subscribed to follow via email.

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    Replies
    1. Unknown14 January 2012 at 20:52

      Thanks for becoming a follower, I really appreciate it.

      Delete
  5. cathy@nurturestore.co.uk11 January 2012 at 05:50

    Oh wow! My girls would really love this!

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  6. Unknown11 January 2012 at 07:15

    Really love this - especially your campfire! I pinned to my Small World pinboard.

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  7. Angelique Felix11 January 2012 at 07:28

    Totally love it! Such a lovely post Ali :)
    Love from Angelique

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  8. Lucylish11 January 2012 at 07:46

    Adorable! You guys did a great job. We will definitely be attempting one of these. My little girl is obsessed with camping ;)

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  9. Anonymous11 January 2012 at 07:49

    What a great place to play and pretend! It must have been fun to build this.

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    Replies
    1. Unknown14 January 2012 at 20:51

      It was great fun, will definitely so something similar again.

      Delete
  10. Kelly @ Here Comes the Sun11 January 2012 at 13:09

    This is so great! Looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for the sweet comment on my blog!

    Kelly@ Here Comes the Sun.

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  11. Unknown12 January 2012 at 12:31

    No worries Kelly, your blog is great.

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  12. Ellie12 January 2012 at 21:17

    This is fantastic, I absolutely love the little washing line, so cute. My little girl would love this. So creative.

    Ellie

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    Replies
    1. Unknown14 January 2012 at 20:50

      The washing line was cute, I just wished we had some mini pegs to go with it.

      Delete
  13. Mariann13 January 2012 at 07:09

    Like your version ;)

    We did something simular with animals

    Check it here:

    http://csupamoka2.blogspot.com/2011/08/izeltlabu-csuszomaszo-es-hullo.html

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  14. Unknown13 January 2012 at 09:10

    This is such a lovely creative idea and i love that your blog focuses on process not a 'pretty' product at the end!Think my twins would probably demolish this at the moment but i shall file the idea away for future!!

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    Replies
    1. Unknown14 January 2012 at 20:50

      I hope it comes in handy. Thanks for visiting.

      Delete
  15. anna14 January 2012 at 06:56

    This is just gorgeous! If I was a miniature person, I would totally camp there :)

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  16. Jill @ A Mom With A Lesson Plan14 January 2012 at 10:39

    What an incredible memory for your kids. I love how cute it turned out. We actually have a fisher price camping set that the kids rarely use. I bet if I let them take it out to their mud pit it would be a hit. Add a few details and I bet they spend the whole weekend camping. THANK YOU!!!

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  17. April's Homemaking14 January 2012 at 11:53

    What a cute mini campsite! I love doing activities like this. Sounds like a fun bunch of craft books to look through!

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  18. Carrie14 January 2012 at 13:33

    How fun! I would love it if you would share this at our sharing party at http://craftymomsshare.blogspot.com/2012/01/sharing-saturday-2.html Thank you!

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  19. Happy Whimsical Hearts14 January 2012 at 16:47

    This is adorable, what a fun, cute idea!

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  20. Unknown15 January 2012 at 06:32

    This is awesome! I've got to pin this and do it with my little boy later.

    Stopped by from Sharing Saturday. Glad I found your site. :)

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  21. Brooke15 January 2012 at 17:42

    Great impromptu play. This looks like so much fun. Thanks for sharing on Monday Madness.

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  22. PuppyLovePrincess16 January 2012 at 03:00

    how fun! i LOVE how colorful this is :)

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  23. MiaB17 January 2012 at 04:55

    What a great way to have fun with the little ones!!! Love it.. thanks so much for sharing this on Sharing Saturday. Hope you have a great week.

    ~MiaB
    www.mamamiasheart2heart.com

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  24. Damon5 February 2012 at 05:55

    Makes me upset that I'm so big, because I can't join that little guy. He looks so jazzed!

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  25. Sweet Sapling5 June 2012 at 03:43

    This is so cute! What a great idea!

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  26. Love and Lollipops11 June 2012 at 22:41

    so wonderful - my boys would enjoy this too! I love all the detail :)

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  27. Stef Layton28 September 2012 at 23:51

    What a great idea - we just got back from camping !!

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  28. Becky21 June 2013 at 02:30

    Cute cute idea. I love the mini campsite. We are gearing up to go camping in a week, this might be a nice way to introduce it! Thanks for the idea :-)

    http://thisfineday.com

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