Know what’s LOTS of FUN?? Last-minute crafting for Halloween…. in your pajamas!!!! Clara loved making these spider web sun catchers using clear contact paper, and a few items from the dollar store. First, invite the kiddos to break up fake spider webs from the dollar store into small pieces. Clara LOVED this part — such […]
Candy Corn Treat Bags
October 25, 2011 by
Clara helped me make up some cute treat bags this afternoon — using paper plates and watercolor markers! We had so much fun making these, and they are perfect for filling with popcorn, pretzels, or other yummy snacks. I used watercolor markers on the back of a paper plate to color the outer rim yellow, […]
I’m in Highlights High Five!
October 21, 2011 by
Exciting news!! Pick up a copy of the November issue of Highlights High Five, and you’ll see a fun (and frugal) little crafty project from yours truly… aren’t these mushrooms the cutest?? Highlights High Five is an ad-free monthly magazine specifically designed for children ages 2-6 years old with puzzles, poems, stories, crafts and recipes, […]
DIY Paint with Water Pages
October 20, 2011 by
Remember those “paint with water” books from when you were the kid?? Weren’t they the best? We had lots of fun with a set of watercolor pencils this afternoon, and Clara loved making her own “paint with water” pages!! If you don’t already have a set of watercolor pencils, Crayola makes a good set, and we […]
Apple Taste-Test Activity!
October 18, 2011 by
Do you have a hard time deciding which kind of apple to buy at the grocery store or farmer’s market?? Then it’s time for an apple taste-test! We put four popular organic varieties to the test, and it was SO much FUN!! First, visit your local farmer’s market or grocery store and choose one or […]
Creepy Crawly Seek and Find… and a PBS Kids Giveaway!
October 17, 2011 by
We made some seek and find bottles, and Clara and I had SO much FUN with this!! She enjoyed the entire process, and afterwards loved the challenge of finding all the creepy critters in the bottle. They are very frugal to make, and are a great way to keep the kiddos occupied in the car […]
Quick Craft — Halloween Photo Frames
October 13, 2011 by
Clara and I had lots of fun crafting these festive photo frames for Halloween, and we cannot wait to mail them off to faraway family and friends! It was a super-quick project that she could do with very little help from me. For the spider design, I cut the frame from a sheet of thick […]
Favorite Halloween Crafts
October 12, 2011 by
Here’s a look back at some of our favorite (and frugal) Halloween crafts from years past… so much fun!! Five Little Bats Finger Puppet Play Set Creepy Crawly Placemat Spooky Bones — Perfect for an indoor “fossil hunt”! Candy Corn Family Play Set Spider Web Place Cards Fun, festive, and very […]
Newspaper Play Structures
October 4, 2011 by
Know what I love to do on days when it’s too cold or wet to go outside? Build stuff!! This fun geodesic dome was built using rolled up newspaper to form rods — SO frugal! I basically followed the tutorial here, but made one important adjustment. Rather than using staples at the joints, I punched […]
Our Favorite Pumpkin Crafts
October 3, 2011 by
Here’s a look back at some of our favorite kid-friendly pumpkin crafts — and we’ll be adding a few new ones too! Pumpkin Treat Bags Super Easy Marshmallow Pumpkins Tiny Pumpkin Patch Play Set Do you have a fun pumpkin craft to share? Feel free to link up in the comments section, and […]
Nature Inspired Wrapping Paper
September 29, 2011 by
The beginning of Autumn also happens to be the start of the “birthday season” for our little family, so we continued with our frugal and FUN Fall wrapping paper tradition! Emily gathered several leaves from the yard — lots of different sizes and shapes for variety! We used masking tape to secure them to a […]
Autumn Window Collage
September 26, 2011 by
Emily and I made a fun discovery this afternoon! Did you know that you can use washable glue stick to adhere tissue paper to glass??! When it’s time to change out the display, peel off the tissue paper and wipe the leftover glue stick clean with a damp sponge. (Try a small test area first, […]
7 Fun Ideas for Sensory Bins
September 19, 2011 by
Ever since my kiddos were old enough to know not to put things in their mouths, they have LOVED playing with sensory bins. I can’t even tell you how many hours were spent pouring, measuring, sorting — sensory bins can be completely mesmerizing!! New to the idea of sensory bins, or looking for new ideas to […]
Beautiful Fall Crafts for Preschoolers
September 16, 2011 by
I LOVE this time of year, don’t you?? Here’s a look back at some of our all-time favorite crafts for Fall! 1. Toddler Art — Autumn Tree Painting 2. Easy Fall Tree Suncatcher 3. Quick Craft — Leaf Wreath 4. Falling Leaves Wrapping Paper 5. Autumn Window Display Lots more ideas for […]
How I Chose to Spend My Birthday
September 14, 2011 by
My Birthday Manifesto (i.e. 5 Steps to a Perfect Birthday): 1. Ignore Dirty Dishes in the Sink. 2. Ignore Laundry Pile. 3. Turn Off Phone Ringer. 4. Procrastinate Errands. 5. PAINT stuff. Alongside the kiddos. ALL DAY. It. Was. Awesome.
6 Fun Ideas to Entertain Kids at a Restaurant
September 10, 2011 by
If you are a parent, you know that keeping the kids entertained while waiting at a restaurant is no small task! We rarely go out to eat, but for those special occasions when we do, it’s always nice to have a few fun ideas up my sleeve for keeping the kiddos happy while we wait. Here are […]
Indoor Apple Picking
September 8, 2011 by
We have had several days of rainy weather here, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying some apple picking! ((with a little help from some apple-shaped sticky notes and sticks from the yard)) It was GREAT fun!! The best part? Re-attaching the apples back to the branches to be picked again (and again)! Mmmmmmm… apple […]
Let’s Build a Flashlight!
September 6, 2011 by
This little boredom buster is quick and easy to set up using just a flashlight from the dollar store! It’s perfect for older kids who love to take things apart and put them back together, which meant Emily really had LOTS of fun with it!! Take apart an ordinary household flashlight. To help keep all […]
