This is one of those activities that keeps the kids busy, and has the added benefit of organizing tiny toys. To make your own treasure box, you will need a small fold up box from the craft store (this one cost just 30 cents), some stickers, and an empty egg carton. Have your child decorate […]
Slacker Saturday — Dandelion Bouquets
April 18, 2009 by
Do you remember how all the flowers seemed so beautiful when you were a kid — even the dandelions? That is the concept behind today’s Slacker Saturday activity. Today we made dandelion bouquets. Emily got to spend lots of time outside, and we have the added benefit of enjoying a dandelion-free lawn! Send the kids out […]
$5 Friday — Outdoor Tea Party
April 17, 2009 by
We have been blessed with some beautiful weather lately, so we started our day collecting twigs to make a trivet. Somehow this led to an endless tea party with Emily pretending that the trivet was an outdoor stove. I love how one project leads to another one like that. This went on for a long […]
Pasta Necklaces
April 15, 2009 by
I know this is a classic preschooler activity, but I did not realize how much Emily would enjoy making these pasta necklaces! She was excited about every step, and loved wearing her necklaces around the house for the rest of the day. To make your own pasta beads, you will need uncooked pasta such as […]
Park Love
April 13, 2009 by
Today’s visit to the park was full of activities, and it did not cost us a dime. We enjoyed tree climbing, tree hugging, dog petting, leaf studying, bird feeding, squirrel watching, leisurely walking, rock picking, and nature listening. Emily picked a few rocks to bring home from our trip. With a little inspiration from Painting […]
$5 Friday — Bean Bag Toss
April 10, 2009 by
For $5 Friday, we made our own bean bag toss game and spent some time playing it outdoors. I indulged Emily’s love for outer space and made it a throw-the-star-into-the black-hole game. To make your own, use a star-shaped cookie cutter for a pattern and trace onto pieces of felt. Cut out the shapes. Sew […]
Spring Storage Boxes
April 9, 2009 by
Looking for some great frugal storage solutions? You may be able to find just what you need by looking in your recycling bin! Emily needed some storage for her books on CD and other music CD’s. This little baby food box was sturdy and just the right size and shape. It was easy to spruce […]
Model Magic Magnets
April 8, 2009 by
Model Magic by Crayola is one of those craft supplies I like to keep on hand for when we have Emily’s friends over for a visit. I try to stock up on it at AC Moore or Michael’s using the 40% off coupon and get a big tub of the white Model Magic. For this […]
Secret Paintings
April 7, 2009 by
I showed Emily how to make crayon resist drawings, and she had a lot of fun with this activity. We did these at night, and it seemed like a fabulous way to end the day. Quiet, relaxing, and fun. To make your own, you will need a white crayon or oil pastel, white paper, and […]
Jell-O Finger Painted Easter Eggs
April 6, 2009 by
If you want to do finger painting with your kids, but worry about them getting the paint in their mouths, this is a great activity to try. Even my 9 month old had a turn at this, and loved it! We made our own finger paint using Jell-O and a little warm water. Mix the […]
Slacker Saturday — Easy Phonics Game
April 4, 2009 by
The idea behind this phonics game is simple: separate cards into two piles (one with categories and one with letters). Have your child pick one card from each pile. For example, “Animal” and “G” means she must name an animal that starts with the letter G. Emily seemed to enjoy this game, and afterwards asked […]
$5 Friday — Rainy Day Fun
April 3, 2009 by
This is what we woke up to this morning… When it is raining and you don’t know what to do with the kids, a wise person once told me “Never underestimate the power of the indoor fort”. I could not agree more. It is part hide-out, part reading nook, and part playhouse all rolled into […]
Nature Packs!
April 2, 2009 by
If you are looking for some cheap entertainment this summer, you may not have to look any further than your own backyard. To help foster some outdoor time for Emily, I asked her to gather some things from around the house to make her own nature pack. She is very excited to go on an […]
Graphing with Skittles
April 1, 2009 by
Nothing helps motivate kids to learn more than CANDY! Last week, I purchased a large bag of Skittles at Big Lots for just $2. Today, we did some graphing with them, and Emily counted them as we went along. We charted the ages of family and friends. Purple for Clara (not quite 1), Orange for […]
Cute and Frugal Monogramed Onesie
March 31, 2009 by
Emily was very excited to create something special for Clara this afternoon, and cardboard stencils made this project very easy! I found a set of cardboard alphabet and number stencils at Big Lots for just $1. Baby onesies are usually very inexpensive. This one came in a pack of 3 for $7.99 at Target. With […]
Fabulous and Frugal Paper Lanterns
March 30, 2009 by
I have seen lanterns similar to this at the dollar store, and this afternoon Emily and I dressed one of ours up a bit with some tissue paper and glue. The finished lantern will be hanging up in her bedroom. To make your own, you will need a paper lantern, some colored tissue paper, white […]
Slacker Saturday — Flying Saucer Frisbees
March 28, 2009 by
It’s time for another great Slacker Saturday activity, and this one is very simple, super frugal, and lots of fun! Today’s activity is… Make your own flying saucer frisbees! To make yours, you will need 2 paper plates stapled together as shown, aluminum foil, and some stickers to decorate. If you are feeling particularly ambitious, […]
