Sidewalk Chalk Paint Recipe

This sidewalk chalk paint recipe is made with common household items you probably have on hand! If you don’t already have the materials needed to make this, you may be able to find these at your local dollar store or grocery store. This sidewalk chalk paint recipe features vibrant colors that can easily be washed […]

How to Make an Outdoor Obstacle Course

Looking for an easy way to learn how to make an outdoor obstacle course? This simple project is quick to set up, and it is a great way to re-use old pool noodles you may already have on-hand. You should be able to find all of the items needed for this project at your local dollar […]

How to Make a Simple Kite

This video tutorial is great for learning how to make a simple kite! With just a few common household items you probably already have on-hand, you can make a simple kite in about 2 minutes from start to finish. My kids and I love making these kites and spending the afternoon at a local park flying […]

Fun Outdoor Activity Idea

Here’s a fun outdoor activity idea that would be great for a sunny afternoon with the kids! This sidewalk suitcase was a HUGE hit with my kids when I surprised them with it after school one afternoon. It is easy and quick to put together, and it doesn’t cost a lot of money. I love how something […]

Painting En Plein Air With Kids

Painting en plein air with kids can be a great way to foster a love of nature while enjoying plenty of creative art time fun in the process! I love how this activity combines two of my favorite things — painting and enjoying the outdoors! This is such a simple activity, but it kept my kids […]

Autumn Nature Activity – Leaf Detectives!

This Autumn nature activity is a great way to keep the kids engaged in outdoor play this season, and you may be able to do this right in your own backyard! My kids loved pretending to be “leaf detectives” to explore which leaves come from which trees. They went on several top secret missions to […]

Story Time in the Park

Looking for some fun after school adventures to try? You may want to follow us on Instagram where I share quick and easy after school activities, scenic nature photos, play ideas, and simple craft projects! A few weeks ago on Instagram, I shared this idea for a special story time in the park. It was such […]

Fun Ways to Play Outside this Summer

Here are some of our favorite fun ways to play outside this Summer! Lately, the kids and I have been making an extra effort to get outside as much as possible. They love to run around and get plenty of exercise, and it is a great way for them to burn off some of that extra […]

How to Tie Dye a Shirt

Here is a tutorial to show how to tie dye a shirt, a classic Summer craft to try to with the kids! These tips for keeping the mess to a minimum are a great way to maximize the fun! These tie dyed shirts are the perfect Summer “uniform” for kids. My kids were so proud of how bright […]

Make a Water Fight Kit!

These water fight kits are a fun way to surprise family and friends with a little treat to gear up for the Summer months! I have included a free printable label for easy gift-giving too. My kids love dunking the sponge bombs into buckets of water to throw to each other for games of catch, and […]

How to Make a Summer Book Wagon

This Summer book wagon is such a simple way to encourage kids to actively read all season long! It can be completely customized to suit the interests and age of any child, and the wagon makes Summer story time a portable event that you can take with you virtually anywhere while enjoying a picnic snack. Great […]

Gearing Kids Up for Game Day

Playing sports is a great way to keep kids active outdoors during the Summer months. My kids really love kicking a soccer ball around the yard, running outside playing tag, or even setting up an outdoor obstacle course!  I thought I would share one of our favorite snacks for game day, or any other time we […]

Ideas for Playing in the Snow

These ideas for playing in the snow are sure to delight kids of all ages! For those of you who are still getting snow, here are some of our favorite ways to take advantage of the last of the snow days and make some FUN memories with the kids this Winter. 1. Snow Bakery This […]

Quick Craft for Kids — Toy Boats

Need a super quick craft to keep the kids busy? Here is a really simple toy boat the kids can make themselves, then race in a local creek, lake, or even in your own bathtub! My kids love making their own toys, so this activity was a big hit with them, plus it uses mostly […]

10 Ways to Stay Cool with Water Play

If you find yourself stuck in a heat wave this Summer, it may be a good time to try some water play ideas to stay cool, and keep the kids entertained without the use of batteries or screens! Some tips to keep in mind — Avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day, […]

5 Tips for a Great Sandbox All Summer Long

One of my kids’ favorite summer activities is to play in the sandbox. Even my nine-year-old can spend long periods of time playing in the sand. In fact, recently, when I added some new sand to the box, my 4 yr old exclaimed, “It’s just what I always wanted!”. I love how something so simple […]

The BEST Outdoor Summer Toys for 2013

Summer time means lots of active outdoor play time fun! Here are ten of our favorite outdoor toys for Summer to keep the kids entertained for long periods of time without the use of batteries or screens. Yay for creative outdoor play!! 1. Zing Air Huntress Z Bow (shown above) — New for 2013! Emily […]

Let’s Build a Fairy Garden Table!

This fairy garden table is a never-ending project for the kids this Summer! I love that this space provides: 1. plenty of inspiration for imaginative playtime fun, 2. learning opportunities about various plants, and 3. fresh herbs for our Summer recipes! Oh, and it is absolutely adorable!! We started with a simple elevated garden bed […]