Looking for some quick, easy, inexpensive gift ideas for the kiddos?? Here are some of our favorite DIY gifts to promote hours of imaginative play without breaking the bank! 1. Doorway Puppet Theater — Use tension curtain rods and a few valance curtains to make your own doorway puppet theater. 2. Lil’ Mushroom House — Recycle an […]
Day 13 — Creative Christmas Countdown
December 13, 2011 by
It’s Day 13 of the Creative Christmas Countdown and that means it’s my turn to share a special way to spend some holiday time with the kiddos! We chose to make handmade wrapping paper because it’s getting to be a real tradition around here. What I love about handmade wrapping paper is that there really […]
Newspaper “Snowman”
December 12, 2011 by
Ever have an uncontrollable urge to build a giant snowman when there’s no snow on the ground?? ….No? Just me then?! Well, I had no trouble talking Emily into my crazy idea — she ran to find her hat & gloves! She and I had such a FUN time dressing up our newspaperman with silly accessories! […]
Sunday Snapshot — Elf on the Shelf
December 11, 2011 by
A few years ago, Mark’s parents gifted us with an Elf on the Shelf. Emily named her Daisy, and this year she’s been very busy with crazy adventures!! Do you have an Elf on the Shelf?? Leave a comment and share his/her adventures with us!
Giveaway — Phone Call from Santa!
December 10, 2011 by
Want to give your child the special memory of Santa, without the long lines and crowded shopping malls? Did you know that Santa makes phone calls?? SantaSpeaking.com is an online store that lets you schedule live, interactive, personal phone calls from Santa without leaving your home! We were provided with a free live call for […]
Stocking Stuffers You Can Make for the Kids
December 10, 2011 by
Here are five simple and easy stocking stuffers you can make for the kids. Added bonus — all of these are either free or very low-cost!! Yay for frugal and quick crafts! 1. Story Stones — A great way to encourage creativity and imagination! ((Thank you to Stacy from KSW for the idea to use […]
5 Quick and Easy Holiday Crafts for Kids
December 8, 2011 by
Here are some super-quick holiday craft ideas from around the web. Added bonus — these use items most households already have on-hand! Yay for no-hassle crafts!! I love these festive, yet simple handmade ornaments! See the full tutorial at The Crafty Crow. Use some leftover wrapping paper scraps to make holiday cards like these ones […]
Handmade Pine Tree Holiday Cards
December 7, 2011 by
Looking for a quick handmade holiday card the kiddos can craft up using items you probably already have on-hand?? These pine tree cards are so much fun to make, and we are looking forward to mailing them to far away friends and relatives! Added bonus — the kids were SO proud of their finished cards!! […]
Quick Craft — Salty Snowflake Ornaments
December 4, 2011 by
Did you know that 32 oz Stonyfield yogurt containers have clear lids that are perfect for recycling into snowflake ornaments?? Emily had such a great time making these, plus they were so simple and easy to make! Poke a hole at the top. Use double-sided tape to form a snowflake design on the lid (older […]
The 2011 Creative Christmas Countdown
December 1, 2011 by
Looking for some active and unique ways to celebrate Christmas with the kids this year?? I’m so excited to announce the start of the 2011 Creative Christmas Countdown!! Alissa from Creative with Kids is hosting this fun blog event to bring you and your family 24 days of holiday magic — with the help of […]
Teaching Kids the Art of Graciousness
November 30, 2011 by
With the holidays being so close, now is a great time to remind kids about the proper way to give and receive gifts. One of the most effective ways to do this, is through pretend play! 1. Without the kids seeing, wrap up a few small items from around the house. Bags and tissue paper […]
Advent Activity Calendar from an Egg Carton
November 28, 2011 by
We had an empty egg carton laying around, and when I opened it, I realized this one had 24 little compartments. Hmm… 24? Are you thinking what I’m thinking?? Hello, Advent Calendar!! Instead of gifts or candy, I thought it would be more fun (and meaningful) to fill each compartment with its own little holiday activity. I just love […]
5 Amazing Toys You Can Make from Cardboard
November 27, 2011 by
I love crafting with cardboard because it is cheap, readily available, and SO easy to recycle into amazing things! Here are five inspiring ideas from around the web to make some frugal toys the kiddos are sure to treasure. 1. This cardboard parking garage is sure to bring hours of pretend play fun! See the […]
DIY Glass Magnet Gift Sets
November 22, 2011 by
These glass magnets were so fun (and very frugal) to make! I love that Emily had a very active role in crafting these and that each of them is unique. We had hole punches from colored paper that were leftover from another project. With a little Mod Podge, Emily adhered the dots to the flat […]
Giveaway — 4 Tickets to Sesame Place
November 18, 2011 by
We’re continuing with our series of reader appreciation giveaways in celebration of our upcoming 1,000th post here on Frugal Family Fun Blog, and today I have a super-fun giveaway for you!! This one comes from my friends at Sesame Place! We attended Opening Day at Sesame Place this year and last, and had SO much […]
Giveaway — Highlights High Five (One Year Subscription)
November 16, 2011 by
Let’s continue with our series of amazing reader appreciation giveaways, shall we?? This one is from my friends at Highlights High Five, an ad-free magazine designed specifically for children ages 2-6. Each monthly issue features stories, poems, Hidden Pictures®, a fabulous craft**, kid-friendly recipes, and more!! I recently featured the magazine as one of our […]
DIY Holiday Gift for Kids — Doll Bath Set
November 14, 2011 by
After the girls were in bed, it was my turn for a bit of holiday-making! I combined a few things I already had on-hand (empty travel sized shampoo bottles and soap leftover from a hotel stay, a sponge) along with a few things from the dollar store or Target — hand towels, a pack of […]
Play Donuts from Dollar Store Socks
November 10, 2011 by
There has been a LOT of holiday-making at our house lately — very exciting!! Now that Emily has one of her surprise gifts ready for Clara, I thought it would be fun to help Clara create a fun surprise gift of her own to give to her big sister. We had lots of fun sneakily crafting […]
