Today we used Q-tips and twigs for a 3-D Spring craft — catkins (a.k.a. pussy willows) in a vase! These buds are one of the first signs of Spring. The one in our front yard has since bloomed, but this was a nice way to remember how the buds looked. Have your child mix black […]
2 Simple (and Frugal) Solutions
May 10, 2009 by
Tired of always pouring juice for your kids? Want to encourage your kids to have more independence? Try placing a beverage dispenser in your refrigerator with pre-watered down juice. Emily was so proud of herself for pouring her own juice today! Remember the self-serve snack tray I posted about previously? This is the new and […]
Slacker Saturday — Bug Hunt
May 9, 2009 by
Bug hunting is probably one of Emily’s favorite activities. Even if it’s raining outside, she likes to hunt for bugs inside the house! I think she inherited this bug-loving gene mostly from Mark. Although when I was a kid, I was known to have a fascination with caterpillars, but I think most kids are naturally […]
$5 Friday — Mother’s Day Gift Idea and More
May 8, 2009 by
Here is the sundress I made for Emily using one of Mark’s old dress shirts. If there is enough interest (just leave a comment), I would be happy to post a tutorial on how to make one — it’s very easy! Today, we used our marbled paper from last week to make a Mother’s Day […]
Day of Free Fun
May 7, 2009 by
Our day was filled with lots of free fun! After breakfast, Emily wasted no time starting a game of Hide and Seek. Have you ever tried hiding with a baby? Clara gave us away so many times with all of her giggling. Then, it was time for Ring Around the Rosy. Clara isn’t walking yet, […]
Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
May 5, 2009 by
I love, love, love Cinco de Mayo! All the bright colors, the festive music, and the FOOD. Mmmmm…. What’s not to like, really? Plus, any excuse to curl up next to Mark with a margarita later tonight sounds pretty good to me! Seriously, my hubby makes a mean margarita. It was a deciding factor for […]
10 Tips to Stretch Your Art Supplies
May 3, 2009 by
Over time, the cost of art supplies can really add up, and this is especially true for large families with many children. Here are some tips to help you stretch your existing art supplies, and find great alternative supplies from things you already have in your home: Paint — To stretch paint, combine 1 tablespoon […]
$5 Friday — Paper Marbling — This is awesome!
May 1, 2009 by
After yesterday’s post about making an art smock from a garbage bag, you knew today’s post was going to be about a fun, messy project, right? Paper marbling is a bit messy, but lots of fun, and very frugal! To do your own paper marbling, you will need: cardstock, liquid starch, water, 2 dish tubs […]
Tutorial — Make an art smock from a garbage bag
April 30, 2009 by
Want to do a messy art project, and looking for a super-fast, inexpensive smock? You can make one easily from a garbage bag! This works very well for painting projects with a group of children. Here’s how to make your own smock: Lay garbage bag on a flat surface, and cut a large hole for […]
Oil Pastel Art
April 29, 2009 by
A few months ago, I picked up a pack of Crayola Oil Pastels from the clearance section of Office Depot, and Emily enjoys drawing with these much more than regular crayons. She made a comment today about how the oil pastels are easier to mix colors with than crayons. In any case, if she will […]
Autism Awareness — Tips for Hosting a Play Date
April 29, 2009 by
April is Autism Awareness Month, and while my own children do not fall on the spectrum, Emily is friends with some who are. Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing Ivy from Into the Wind about her experiences with her son, E, who has autism. Ivy shares some fabulous ideas for hosting a play date […]
Make Kites, Not Friends
April 28, 2009 by
Today’s post was going to be all about making kites, and how we followed this great tutorial from maya made showing how to make your own kite. Not just any kite, mind you, but the best damn kite ever! I’m planning a similar activity for my MOMS Club, so I thought I would take the […]
Teaching Kids the Art of Thrift Shopping
April 26, 2009 by
We have been experiencing a block of insanely beautiful and warm weather here recently, and I suddenly realized Emily’s Spring/Summer wardrobe is severely lacking. Since she is built similarly to a bean pole, I tend to have a difficult time finding pants that fit her. Thankfully, shorts and skirts are much easier. So I brought her along […]
Slacker Saturday — Chalk Outlines
April 25, 2009 by
It’s time for Slacker Saturday, and today’s activity is chalk outlines! Emily enjoyed doing this, and she got a big kick out of drawing a funny face on her outline. This activity kept her busy for a long time, and didn’t involve a lot of time or effort on our part. Have your child lay […]
$5 Friday — Spring Shaped Bubble Wands
April 24, 2009 by
I’ve posted previously about how much the girls enjoyed our Homemade Bubble Solution. Today after Emily helped me weed the flower beds, we made our own Spring bubble wands! To make your own Spring bubble wands, you will need: 12″ wooden dowels, thin-gauge wire, some electrical tape, and some cookie cutters. Wrap the thin gauge […]
Welcome 10 Show Viewers
April 23, 2009 by
Emily and I were very excited to do another segment for NBC’s 10 Show about green activities for kids. Here are links to the activities we mentioned on today’s show: Nature Packs Inexpensive Field Guides for Tots Pantry Art Sunflower Potato Prints Pasta Necklaces Free Printable Garden Journal Pages Starting a Garden Journal with Kids […]
Earth Day Recycling Craft Round Up
April 22, 2009 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 Putting […]
Beads from Old Magazines
April 21, 2009 by
We were inspired by upcoming Earth Day to make beads from old magazines! I first saw this idea in The Complete Tightwad Gazette — a terrific resource. To make your own magazine beads, you will need: glue mixed with some water, toothpick (or straw, or bamboo skewer), old magazines, and a paint brush. We wanted […]
