How to Build a Simple Shadow Puppet Theater

I completely underestimated how much the girls would enjoy playing with shadow puppets. Whenever something so simple makes them so happy, I can’t help but smile!! And this was SUPER simple. Added bonus — the perfect entertainment for whenever a power outage occurs. Our little shadow puppet theater was made from an empty cardboard box […]

10 Fun-Filled Play Ideas for the Beach

Planning a trip to the beach this Summer? Looking for a few play ideas to have in mind for once the kids get bored of playing in the waves? ((Does that ever happen??)) Well, if it does, here are a few of our favorite play ideas for the beach… or sandbox! 1. Play Sand Bakery […]

Connect with Your Kids: Camping …or Camp-In??

Do your kids crave a camping adventure? Whether you’re planning a trip to the great outdoors, or pitching camp in your own backyard, Joyce from Childhood Beckons and I got together to share some simple camping activities to keep the kids entertained! Tasty Camping Treats Banana Boats — Whip up a tasty campfire treat! Make […]

Outdoor Nature Discovery Lab

During a recent trip to the dollar store, Emily asked if we could spend an afternoon creating a “nature discovery lab”. I thought that was a great idea, and as it turns out, we were able to use a few inexpensive items from the dollar store to make our nature discovery lab even more educational […]

Outdoor Tea Party

The girls enjoyed an outdoor tea party — and had a blast pouring out little cups of water, stirring them up, and saying “cheers” before pretending to sip their tea. So civilized!! They were so happy to bring their little tea set outdoors and with “real water”. For Clara, this was great fine-motor practice! For […]

Building Fairy Houses

Just as I was about to tackle the pile of dirty dishes in the sink, the girls asked if they could do some crafting. Well! They didn’t have to twist my arm!! Those dishes can wait. Instead, I put together a super-quick, CUTE, tiny, fairy house building kit for them. It’s made with some leftover […]

Cloud Dough Recipe & Ice Cream Shop

Have you tried playing with cloud dough yet?? It is totally awesome! We made two big batches of it for a cloud dough ice cream shop — LOTS of pretend play FUN! I’m not exaggerating when I say that the girls played with this stuff for hours, and it was another great use for our […]

Rainy Day Fun — Pretend Pizzeria!

Need an idea for what to do with the kids on a rainy day? This pretend pizzeria kept Clara happily occupied and provided plenty of imaginative play time fun!   We had already recycled our cardboard cafe into a cardboard classroom, and now it’s been recycled yet again into a pretend pizzeria. We used a […]

Have you been to Trunki Town?

I am guest posting for my friends at Melissa & Doug today, and you can come see how the girls made their own Trunki Town! You may want to make a one of your own! Wishing you and your lovely family a wonderful fun-filled weekend!

How to Make a Doll Clipboard and Pencil Set

It’s official — Emily has inherited my love for office supplies! Know what’s cuter than office supplies?? MINI office supplies!! What I love about this project is that Emily (now 8 yrs old) could make the little clipboard and pencil set for her dolls with very little help from me, and she was inspired to […]

Sunday Snapshot — It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane!

It’s….. SUPER CLARA!!!! Wishing you and your family a lovely weekend!!

10 Ideas to Foster Creative Play with Your Kids

Looking for some inspiring ways to promote creative play with your little ones?? Here are some of our favorite screen-free, simple, imaginative playtime activities for kids that won’t break the bank! 1. My kiddos have enjoyed hours of imaginative play with Story Stones and Sidewalk Scenes. Lots of creative storytelling fun!   2. Learn a […]

It’s A Circus In Here!

During a recent trip to the local thrift store, I happened to spot these adorable vintage handmade wooden animals. They were begging to be used for some pretend circus play! I was about to create a little printable circus tent for you to download and print out your own, but the very nice folks over […]

I’m Over at Melissa & Doug’s Blog!

Are you doing anything special to celebrate Dr. Seuss Day?? I’m guest posting over at Melissa & Doug’s Blog today to show how we created a “Speck” Discovery Lab inspired by the book Horton Hears a Who.   It’s fun, educational, and very frugal! Have fun!!

Birthday Party for Teddy!

Need a reason to celebrate? Are you up for any excuse to party?? Then a teddy bear birthday party is for you! One of our teddy bears had a birthday to celebrate recently, and Clara was quite the party planner.   She sent out invitations to all of the birthday bear’s friends, and served plenty […]

Let’s Build a Town!

Need to bring some excitement to your set of blocks?? Black masking tape is a fun and easy way for kiddos to build their own roads and towns. Added bonus — very little clean up!! We love the Melissa and Doug Town Blocks Wooden Play Set — it comes with cars, trees, buildings, and road […]

Pretend Office

Do you dread doing your taxes? Are the forms too confusing for you? Wish there was an easier way??   Now there is!! Call to make an appointment for Emily & Clara’s Tax Services, Inc. — the friendliest customer service, and most accurate tax returns ever!   They are the hardest working team in the […]

Cardboard Classroom

Do your teddy bears need to be educated? Do you want to send them to the best school around?? Then it’s time to enroll them into Miss Clara’s cardboard classroom! Miss Clara grades her papers promptly — with lots of colorful stamps (a yard sale find)! Her classroom is so neat and organized! With lovely […]