With the Thanksgiving holiday right around the corner, are you looking for a few ways to keep the kids entertained while they wait for that delicious turkey?? Here are a few low-mess and easy to set up ideas to keep up your sleeve just in case: 1. Hand Stamped Memory Game — A simple game […]
Adventures in Soap Making!
November 16, 2012 by
With the Thanksgiving holiday right around the corner, the kids and I wanted to make some special handmade hostess gifts for my mom, who will be hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year. ((Thanks, Mom!)) These pumpkin spice hand soaps fit the bill perfectly! They would be lovely gifts for teachers, neighbors, or friends too! First, you […]
Spooky Paper Mâché Haunted Houses
October 25, 2012 by
Know what I love? Adorable little houses!! Know what’s better than adorable little houses? Super-cute little haunted houses!! These beauties came from a lovely website called ConsumerCrafts.com Before After Consumer Crafts is an online craft store that offers a wide range of budget-friendly craft supplies for jewelry, scrapbooking, kid crafts, and just about any other craft […]
10 Amazing Toys You Can Make For Your Kids
October 5, 2012 by
It’s no secret that we love making our own toys around here! Many times, these are the toys the kids play with the most, and in some cases the kids have played an active role in helping to make them. Here are ten of our all-time favorite homemade toys for kids to inspire imagination and […]
Quick Craft: Bread Tag Monsters
October 2, 2012 by
Looking for something fun to do with the kids this Halloween? Need a quick little craft project to keep the kids busy? Do you collect bread tags for no good reason?? Then this silly monster craft is for you!! To make your own bread tag monsters, you will need: a collection of bread tags and […]
Kid-Made Fall Leaf Coasters
September 25, 2012 by
Please give a warm welcome to our new sponsors, Mod Podge, who generously supplied us with plenty of craft supply goodness!! When the package from Mod Podge arrived, I had a difficult time trying to decide which products to use first. So many interesting and pretty things — I already have several projects in mind […]
5 Ways to Celebrate National Teddy Bear Day
September 7, 2012 by
Did you know that Sunday (9/9) is National Teddy Bear Day? Are your teddy bears in need of some extra love and affection? Need some inspiring ways to celebrate the day?? Here are 5 Playful Ways to Celebrate National Teddy Bear Day: 1. Plan (and then Host) a Teddy Bear Birthday Party — Clara thought […]
DIY Cardboard Construction Play Set
August 10, 2012 by
Do your kids love to play with large cardboard boxes? Do you wish you had more room to store them? Want to create a play set that allows them to build and rebuild imaginative play structures?? Then this project is for you! To make your own cardboard construction play set, you will need a large […]
Easy 4th of July Windsock Craft
July 3, 2012 by
I’m guest posting for my friends at Melissa & Doug with an easy craft for kids as part of Week 5 of Camp Sunny Patch. You can see how we made patriotic windsocks to either display proudly in your home, or if your kids are like mine, run around with them like crazy monkeys! And […]
Festive Frozen Yogurt Sandwiches
June 26, 2012 by
These frozen Greek yogurt sandwiches were a totally spontaneous treat we whipped up this afternoon, and they were a big hit around here! I thought maybe you would like to make some of your own too. After all, why choose between cookies and frozen Greek yogurt, if you can have them both in a delicious […]
Happy Father’s Day!
June 17, 2012 by
Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope. – Bill Cosby My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, “You’re tearing up the grass.’” “We’re not raising grass,” Dad would reply. “We’re raising boys.” – Harmon Killebrew Happy is the father whose child […]
Father’s Day Gift Kids Can Make — BBQ Sauce
June 12, 2012 by
Looking for an easy Father’s Day gift idea that the kids can make?? The girls and I have been hard at work making and canning batches of homemade BBQ sauce for a gift to Mark this Father’s Day! ((Shhhhhhh… it’s a surprise!)) Mark loves to cook on the grill. I’m pretty sure this is because […]
Kid-Made Patriotic Note Cards
May 25, 2012 by
I’m guest posting for my friends at Melissa & Doug today — come see how Clara and I made Patriotic Note Cards (while sneaking in some learning fun too)! Wishing you and your lovely family a wonderful holiday weekend!!
Guest Post by Mark – Hand Painted Cards
May 12, 2012 by
Mark here (Val’s husband). The girls wanted to surprise Val with some handmade cards for Mother’s Day, and they were so pleased with how these turned out, that they couldn’t resist giving them to her a bit early. Val loved them so much, that she later sat down to paint more cards together with the […]
Quick Craft: Silly Moustache Straws
May 3, 2012 by
These are pretty self-explanatory… ….but they made Emily and me giggle! Straws + black construction paper moustaches = Fun!! And just in time for Cinco de Mayo. 🙂
Ginormous Tissue Paper Flowers
May 1, 2012 by
Know what’s better than tissue paper flowers?? GIANT tissue paper flowers! They make festive (and frugal) party decorations, and have the power to turn any ordinary picnic into a fabulous fiesta! We used the same instructions here, but with entire sheets of tissue paper to make HUGE flowers. I love how bright and […]
20 Inspiring Ideas for Earth Day Fun with Recyclables
April 19, 2012 by
In honor of Earth Day, here are some links from the archives of our Earth Day craft and activity ideas that feature recycled materials. Enjoy! Bird Feeders from Recyclables Bird Watching Kit Frugal Fun with Music Spring Storage Boxes Spring Basket Frugal Fun with Stilts Matching Game with Juice Lids Baby Food Jar Lanterns Marble […]
5 Festive Easter Crafts for Kids
March 26, 2012 by
1. Tiny Easter Baskets — Easter baskets are cute. Tiny Easter Baskets are ADORABLE!!! 2. Super Easy Last-Minute Carrot Card — Made with finger prints. 3. Easter Egg Thumbprint Card — with free printable! 4. Spring Chick Card — You won’t believe what we used to paint these Spring chicks. 5. […]
