Platform 9 3/4

Whether you are a Harry Potter fan or not, there is something awesome about running through a “brick wall” in your home 🙂

In case you do not know what Platform 9 3/4 is, let me explain the importance: This is a platform at King’s Cross Station in London that is magically concealed behind the barrier between Muggle (non-magical folks) Platforms Nine and Ten. Platform 9 3/4 is where Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry students board the Hogwarts Express Train in order to attend school. Students must run through the brick wall in order to board.

What you will need:

• white sheet
• sponge
• paint brush
• red brick colored paint
• drop cloth
• pushpins
• tape
• Hogwarts Express 9 3/4 sign

Directions:

1. Spread drop cloth over work surface then place sheet on top.
2. Use the brush to paint your sponge. (This will prevent dripping)
3. Make a brick wall pattern on sheet being careful to keep a relatively even space between bricks. I was able to get 3-5 bricks made before painting sponge again.
4. After paint has dried, use pushpins to hang sheet over entryway.
5. Find the middle of the sheet and cut a slit to allow running through the wall.
6. Search for a Hogwarts Express 9 3/4 sign, print and hang at top of platform. (It will print on 2-3 pages so you will need to tape sign together)
7. Of course an adult will need to test this out first, you know, to make sure no children will get hurt 🙂

Harry Potter Ideas :)

For a few weeks my house became a Harry Potter fan’s dream with a movie marathon, food, drinks, desserts and decorations. I had a lot of fun watching my girls enjoy all these things 🙂

Here are a few Harry Potter inspired ideas:

Find a Moaning Myrtle printable and then print on vellum paper. Tape on bathroom mirror or under toilet lid 🙂

Use acrylic red paint to leave a message on the bathroom mirror 🙂

Search Pinterest for Harry Potter wanted posters to print and tape on a wall.

 

 

“Follow The Spiders”

I found this cute idea on Pinterest that my HP fan loved 🙂

Any Harry Potter fan knows the following scene involving Hagrid and Ron in the Chamber Of Secrets…

Hagrid: “Follow the spiders.”

Ron: “Follow the spiders! Why couldn’t it be follow the butterflies?”

What you will need:

• spider rings
• scissors
• paper
• marker
• glue gun

Instructions:

1. Cut the rings off of spiders.
2. Decide how you want to make your spider trail then use the glue gun to attach spiders.
3. Make a note “Follow The Spiders”

Pumpkin Juice

I am not sure if I or the kiddos were more nervous to try pumpkin juice but we all fell in love with the first drink 🙂 This recipe from http://www.thedisneydiner.com is AMAZING!! It tastes like apple pie with a hint of pumpkin flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of frozen apple juice
• 2 cans of water (use apple juice can)
• 3/4 can of canned pumpkin
• 1/4 cup apricot preserves
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Add apple juice, water, pumpkin, apricot preserves, vanilla and cinnamon to blender pitcher.
2. Blend on high until well incorporated.
3. Pour into glasses and serve.

Floating Candles

Every Harry Potter fan needs floating candles 🙂 I chose to make an easier version but there are online tutorials for very detailed and time consuming versions. I was worried about how they would turn out but after the reaction from the kiddos…all thumbs up!

What you need:

• battery operated LED tealights-I used an 8 pack
• 0.10 illusion string or fishing line
• white printer or construction paper
• paper towel rolls
• clear tape
• clear pushpins
• scissors

Directions:

1. Use your scissors to cut paper towel rolls down to a variety of sizes.
2. Tape a piece of paper to each roll then wrap roll with paper, tape and trim to fit.
3. Use a pushpin to make 2 holes on opposite sides of paper towel rolls 1/2 to 3/4 inch from top for string.
4. Cut illusion string into sizes between 12-24 inches in length.
5. Thread each line into one hole, through tube and out the other hole then tie or tape ends together.
6. Hang each roll from ceiling with a pushpin or tape.
7. Add tealight candle to top and enjoy your floating candles 🙂