Trying to watch the football game on TV and looking for a frugal way to keep the kids entertained? I thought this would be a fun topic, since the Super Bowl is coming up! Thanks to ThriftyCraftMama for posting about this fabulous frugal activity that will keep kids occupied all through the game. (Worked well […]
Thrift Store Finds — Woo Hoo!
January 17, 2009 by
I have been on the look-out for next year’s holiday dresses for the girls, and at the thrift store today I found these gorgeous dresses (in next year’s sizes)! Aren’t they beautiful? Emily’s cost just $4.99! Clara’s was $3.99, but they had a sale for 50% off all blue tagged merchandize, making this cute dress […]
The Invention Kit
January 16, 2009 by
Several of the crafts Emily and I create are products of the Invention Kit. We love recycling materials and finding new uses for things, so we set aside a separate box with things that might be useful for future projects. Here are some of the things we keep in the Invention Kit: Egg Cartons […]
Fun with Juice Lids — Size Matching Game
January 15, 2009 by
Emily had fun playing this matching game this afternoon. To make your own size matching game, you will need: several lids from frozen juice concentrate white paper double sided tape or glue dots stickers of similar objects in different sizes Trace the juice lids on the white paper and cut out to attach using double […]
Fun with Scissors
January 13, 2009 by
Emily cutting white paper. Much of today was spent with me running around like a chicken with its head cut off in a vain attempt to clean and de-clutter the house. Did I say house? I meant kitchen. Yes, from 9am until 3pm I scrubbed and tidied up the kitchen from top to bottom. Now […]
This Week Find Deals on Craft Supplies
January 12, 2009 by
Photo by Lauren Weinhold We frequently make crafts from recycled items, but we also keep a well-stocked selection of paints, felt, markers, crayons, and glue on-hand. Here are some ways to help build up your craft closet by taking advantage of some upcoming sales and online deals. Click here for printable coupons for A.C. Moore […]
Audacity — Create Your Own Audio Books on CD
January 7, 2009 by
This past Christmas, my mother-in-law made a fabulous set of audio book recordings on CD for Emily. I consider these priceless heirloom gifts. Emily calls the CDs “Grandma Music”. Char choose three or four bedtime story books and recorded herself reading them using a program called Audacity. You can download Audacity for free by clicking […]
New — From PBS Kids
January 2, 2009 by
Emily alerted me to a new find on the PBS Kids website, one of her personal favorites. PBS Kids.org just released a new online learning tool called PBS Kids Play, an interactive virtual activity center that adjusts to your child’s individual level and tracks development with custom progress reports! It is primarily geared towards kids […]
Fun with Felt — Pizza Set
January 1, 2009 by
The inspiration for this project came from a box used to deliver Omaha Steaks burgers. Back in October, I got a great deal on beef for 36 cents a pound! You can read more about how I did that here, but the box was about the size of a personal pan pizza box. We decorated […]
Frugal Gift Idea — Pretend Play Sets
December 20, 2008 by
Out of all of the games and toys Emily has, she seems to enjoy playing pretend the most. I try to encourage this as much as possible because pretend play is one of the most beneficial types of play for a child’s development. Child psychologists claim pretend play helps increase creativity, memory, fine motor skills, and […]
Frugal Last Minute Gift Idea for Kids — Doorway Puppet Theatre
December 19, 2008 by
Emily seemed to enjoy this frugal activity the most of all the gift ideas I have covered this week! Today’s project is a Doorway Puppet Theatre, and she played with it all afternoon, so I am very excited to share this with you! To make your own doorway puppet theatre, you will need: 3 […]
Frugal Last Minute Gift Idea for Kids — Make Your Own Cinnamon Ornaments Kit
December 17, 2008 by
Today’s frugal last minute gift idea for kids is a Make Your Own Cinnamon Ornaments Kit! Kids love to make their own creations, and this is a great way to get them actively involved in decorating the tree. The ornaments have the added benefit of acting as air-fresheners and will keep their fragrance for up […]
Frugal Last Minute Gift Idea for Kids — Homework Organizer
December 16, 2008 by
Today’s frugal last minute gift idea is a homework organizer made from an empty granola bar box, and some empty baby formula tins! This is a great gift for school-aged kids, and will help to keep them organized too! To make these fabulous desk organizers, you will need: empty boxes (cereal boxes, granola bar […]
Frugal Last Minute Gift Idea for Kids — Bird Watching Kit
December 12, 2008 by
Every day next week I will be posting a series of projects to make last minute gift ideas for kids. You won’t want to miss any of these! These projects are frugal, and can be made with items you would already have in your house. Here is a little preview of what to expect. Today’s […]
What to do with one leftover (and overripe) banana
December 12, 2008 by
Being frugal frequently means coming up with creative ways to use leftovers to avoid throwing food away, but when I realized we had just one overripe banana I was not quite sure how to use it up. Most recipes for banana bread call for 4 or 5 bananas, and even banana muffin recipes usually call […]
Frugal Gift Idea — Chocolate Covered Pretzels
December 10, 2008 by
I am not much of a baker. Instead, Emily and I did some holiday “baking” by making chocolate covered pretzels. There is no measuring required, and they are always delicious. Wrap in cellophane bags and tie with ribbon for a great (and frugal) gift! To make chocolate covered pretzels, you will need: 1 bag of […]
Frugal Gift Idea — Festive Winter Journals
December 9, 2008 by
Emily and I enjoyed making these winter journals. They are so simple to make, and they came out looking great! To make the journals you will need: Pretty paper (I used snowflake print, but any pattern will work.) Plain marble notebook Exact-o knife — DO NOT LET CHILDREN USE THE EXACT-O KNIFE!! Book binding tape […]
Frugal Activity — Paper Dolls
December 5, 2008 by
MoneySavingMom recently featured a post on the McCall paper dolls, so I printed some out for Emily to enjoy. Here she is playing with the January 1996 Betsy with two outfits — pajamas and ice skating. She enjoyed the maze as well. Great frugal fun! You can download the entire series here.
