Communicating Through Small Plastic Animals

Everyday I ask my kids the same questions: “Did you flush?”, “Did you brush?”, “Do you know what a napkin is?” – it goes on and on. I wonder if they even hear my words. When it comes to communicating with children, I think it helps to create an element of humor and surprise. Here’s a trick to get their attention – all you’ll need is a bag of plastic animals, an X-Acto knife and something to say.

I know my kids have discovered one of my notes when I hear them laughing from another room - which is so much better than getting into an argument over something stupid.

For l'toilettes.

You can pick up a bag of plastic animals for about $6.00 or less at craft or toy stores. Using an X-Acto knife, make a deep, yet very small v-shaped cut into the mouth of the plastic animal.

The angle of the cut should be large enough so you can insert the card, but small enough to hold the card in place.

These also make great place card holders for a party - kids of all ages can play with the animals at the table.

We’re listening to OK Go today.

Comments (33):

  1. Sylvie Créative

    June 26, 2011 at 2:24 pm

    So funny and clever way to communicate with them!

  2. fee@chippernelly

    June 26, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    love this! think I might be shouting ‘FLUSH’ for a good few years yet!
    fee x

  3. Bethany

    June 26, 2011 at 4:57 pm

    I have a feeling this might work on husbands, too. 🙂

  4. Michele Pacey

    June 26, 2011 at 6:49 pm

    What a cool idea!

    And that video was amazing too. It looked like it was all done in one take which is impressive!

  5. catie

    June 26, 2011 at 7:04 pm

    clever, clever!

  6. Ali

    June 26, 2011 at 8:55 pm

    That is hilarious 🙂 Great idea.

  7. Jill

    June 27, 2011 at 6:32 am

    What a great tip! I’ll be using this for sure!

  8. Kristel

    June 27, 2011 at 2:46 pm

    L’idée des animaux est géniale!

  9. Rachel

    June 27, 2011 at 8:31 pm

    This is the cutest thing I’ve seen all week. I can’t wait to do this! I’ll be linking as well. Thanks for the darling idea!

    • camilla

      June 28, 2011 at 7:07 am

      Thanks Rachel!

  10. Peaches

    June 28, 2011 at 6:55 am

    You clever thing! So smart!!! Could see this for placecards or name tags…but I love the fact that you leave notes. My parents did that too. Here I am as an adult and I still leave sticky notes all over the house. It works!

  11. Jenny

    June 28, 2011 at 12:40 pm

    This is awesome! Sounds like a whimsical way to sneak in small lunchbox notes as well.

  12. Bonnie@WhatAboutPie

    June 28, 2011 at 9:31 pm

    This is absolutely charming and fantastic!!!!!! I love it! I know my kids will love it for sure. It’s funny, cause I feel the same way, I think all I do is ask them, “did you do this or did you do that”…oh man, I can’t wait to pick up a bag of plastic farm animals!!! fun project! yay!

  13. jane

    June 29, 2011 at 9:31 am

    this is such a good idea 🙂 my friend Fee told me about this and I had to pop over to see for myself
    Brilliant x x x x x x x

  14. Silvia

    June 29, 2011 at 1:05 pm

    Your idea is genius! I was giggling reading it through (and I’m 23.. aehm)! I?ll start working in a kidergarten soon so, this tip is much more that appreciated!
    (The ok go are just hilarious).

  15. sabrina

    June 29, 2011 at 9:27 pm

    awesome! I think I’m going to put these into use in my house!

  16. Michelle

    June 29, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    Thanks for the fab idea! I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time! I imagine a herd of tiny pigs will be scolding my messy kids soon…

  17. Jana @ The Summer House

    June 30, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    I adore this idea. I’m going to buy some plastic animals and Army men the next time I’m at the store. I think my teens would love these.
    xo Jana

  18. Darcie

    July 2, 2011 at 9:47 am

    I absolutely love this idea. I’m wondering if my girls will want to write messages back to me….and what will they say?

  19. Stacy Orndorff

    July 4, 2011 at 7:07 am

    Oh my goodness!!! I work part-time sitting in home with a man that has Alzheimer’s. He LOVES playing with plastic farm animals and he communicates well through written notes. IS THIS PERFECT OR WHAT??? Thank you so much.

    I found you through “One Pretty Thing” Daily DIY. I would love to link back to this for my blog after I get an animal ready for his notes.

    • camilla

      July 4, 2011 at 12:45 pm

      Stacy – that is wonderful to hear – how special! Feel free to link back – I would love to see the post when it is live. Thanks and take care, Camilla

  20. Michelle

    July 19, 2011 at 11:47 am

    Oh that’s so fun and clever. I bet the kiddos love it!

  21. dina

    July 19, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    I loved! A good idea!

  22. Pumpkinbear

    August 2, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    So fun! And it really doesn’t damage the animals, either, so they’re still fun to play with.

  23. brassydel

    August 13, 2011 at 11:49 am

    Found you via Pinterest and just wanted to say that I LOVE the idea! My oldest is only 2, so no reading yet. Do you think I could use these for my husband, though? 😉

  24. Katrina

    August 20, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    so cute…now to wait until my kids can read.

  25. Heather

    August 22, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    I wonder if my husband will find this as adorable as I do when I leave him a note about his socks in the middle of the floor. I must choose the right animal messenger, I think. 🙂

  26. Christen

    January 6, 2012 at 4:54 pm

    love them as a place card! sheer genius. I linked this on my blog today with some other cute animals:

  27. Marilyn

    May 28, 2012 at 1:16 am

    I love it – I’m going to make this for a special gift for the kids next door.

  28. Marilyn

    May 28, 2012 at 1:17 am

    I had just commented, but I have to tell you this made me laugh and smile so much so I had to comment again.

  29. Lisa

    September 21, 2012 at 11:07 pm

    What an awesome idea! 🙂 Love it!

  30. Nisha

    May 20, 2013 at 1:30 am

    smart idea, haha. these are fun, funny, cute, and getting the point across – all at the same time =))

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