The other day Andrew and I did some sponge painting. We were inspired to do this because of a package that we received from PBS Kids for the ninth season of Curious George. Season nine opens with a very special Valentine’s Day episode. In the episode George thinks of ways to create many Valentine’s Day cards for all of his friends. He tries many different ways to accomplish this including putting the stamp on a tricycle wheel and using a pogo stick. Remember kids, George is a monkey and he can do things that you and I can’t do.
Out little care package included a screener of the episode as well as a couple of sponges and some printouts of the activity that we would be doing together. You can download and print out that same activity page here by clicking on the Curious George Card Stamp Activity.
I cut up the sponge so that we could create the heart like George did. When I ask Andrew what we need to make a hear he has it down pat. Two Triangles and two half circles. So that is what I did. I cut them up and attempted to put them together. I used regular white glue but the sponges were still damp so they did not stick correctly. So, I asked Allison is she would use a hot glue gun to make the heart from the sponge pieces. She did and it came out great. The problem is, I have been at work since Friday and we haven’t been able to make actual Valentine’s Day cards together. Maybe we will do it later today after we watch the episode.
The hot glue did the trick, not we just have to try and make some Valentine’s for our family. I know that Andrew will enjoy this because painting and getting paint everywhere is one of his favorite activities. He enjoyed seeing the mess that George makes in his various attempts to make the Valentine’s cards.
Painting with sponges was a great activity to do with Andrew. He loved putting paint on the sponge and then pressing it to the paper. I gave him all of the scraps from the heart that I made and he enjoyed that. I like that with the Curious George episodes there are activities that you can print out from the Curious George webpage. Take a look at the press release below for links to the page as well as special activities.
Curious George Spreads the Love with Special Valentine’s Day Episode
Join everyone’s favorite monkey for an all-new adventure on February 9, 2015 (check local listings)
BOSTON, January 15, 2015 – The ninth season of Curious George, the PBS KIDS hit series, continues with a new episode full of love and curiosity on Monday, February 9, 2015 (check local listings).
In “Happy Valentine’s Day, George,” Curious George wants to make his friends the best Valentine’s Day card ever, but even with four paws, it takes a long time to create homemade cards for everyone. Using sponge shapes, red paint, and a waffle iron, George creates the first ever monkey Valentine’s printing press!
“George is a little monkey with a big heart,” says executive producer Dorothea Gillim. “Between George’s monkey antics and a catchy song, this episode is our Valentine to all our loyal viewers.”
This season continues to focus on teaching preschoolers about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts, as well as use of the five senses (smell, taste, hearing, touch, and sight). The curious monkey’s adventures go in “Oh Deer.” When a hungry deer keeps nibbling on the flowers in George and Allie’s garden, George uses all of his five senses to keep the deer out. A scarecrow, loud noises, sticky tape, and stinky rotten eggs don’t work, leaving George with one last sense: taste! Will George’s recipe keep the deer away or make them hungry for more?
Curious George airs weekdays on PBS KIDS (check local listings). For more monkey fun, parents can access a variety of fun and educational resources, including games on the five senses like “Roller Monkey” and “Cows Don’t Quack!” on the Curious George website. Click here for a great variety of more fun games, special activities, printables, and videos!