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 […]
Hammer Time!
August 25, 2011 by
Here is yet another FUN use for pool noodles — especially if you happen to have a few golf tees on-hand!! We reused the same ones from the awesome marble run and croquet lawn game. I used masking tape to attach the pool noodles to some small cutting boards, and invited the girls to bring some […]
10 Things You Can Make from Cereal Boxes
August 13, 2011 by
Have some empty cereal boxes on-hand?? Don’t throw them away! Here are 10 inspiring ways to transform ordinary empty cereal boxes into amazing home decor items, organizational bins, toys, and more! Cereal Boxes for Organization from Urban Nest from Martha Stewart from Katydid & Kid Cereal Boxes for Home Decor Can you […]
5 Easy DIY School Supplies
August 11, 2011 by
Can you believe how quickly this Summer is flying by?? School will be back in session in just a few weeks! To help stretch your back-to-school shopping budget, here are some ideas of school supplies you can make yourself using materials you probably already have on-hand. 1. Apple Printed Book Cover — Have a few […]
Around the Web — Made from Milk Cartons
July 28, 2011 by
Don’t throw those empty milk cartons in the garbage — they are free craft supplies!! Here are a few inspiring ideas for how you can transform ordinary empty milk cartons into fun toys or crafts for the kids. Love this adorable mouse house for lots of pretend play fun found at belleandrollo.ie OrigamiMommy.org shows […]
Around the Web — Cardboard Play Spaces
July 21, 2011 by
Creating a special play space for your child doesn’t have to cost a lot of money — especially if you have some empty boxes on-hand! Here are some inspiring play spaces (houses, furniture, and more) all made from inexpensive cardboard!! Yay for cardboard!!! This cardboard cottage is oh-so-charming! Found via kimboscrafts.blogspot.com This cardboard barn […]
Calorie-Free S’Mores for Pretend Play
July 17, 2011 by
Want all the fun of making s’mores, but without the sugar-high afterwards?? These pretend play s’mores are SO easy to make, and they are calorie-free so the kiddos can make (and pretend to eat) as many s’mores as they could possibly want!! First, make up your pretend campfire — arrange stones in a circle and […]
Potion Lab!
July 11, 2011 by
Early this morning, before it got too hot outside to play, the girls and I put on some play clothes and set up a little “potion lab” in the backyard for some messy pretend play FUN!! They seriously loved this!!! We reused the same clear plastic bottles from our driveway painting and filled them with […]
Around the Web — Made from Egg Cartons
July 10, 2011 by
Don’t throw those empty egg cartons in the recycling bin — craft with them first! Here are some inspiring and creative ways to reuse egg cartons for some inexpensive (if not free) crafting fun!! Egg Carton Buttons from prettylittlethings.typepad.com Egg Carton Flower Wreath from kraftykat76.blogspot.com Egg Carton Sewing Kit from countryliving.com Egg […]
Firefly Night Light
July 7, 2011 by
When Emily was getting ready for bed, she asked for a new night light. (Clara has been “borrowing” Emily’s night light for some time now.) Some battery-powered LED holiday lights in a recycled plastic jar made for a fun (and frugal) “firefly” lantern! Shhhhh…. Sweet dreams, little one!!
Cheap Thrills — Driveway Painting
June 28, 2011 by
For a fun time, gather up some empty dish soap bottles. Make up a batch of sidewalk chalk paint with 4 Tbsp. cornstarch, 4 Tbsp. water & 5-10 drops food coloring. Pour into a bottle and fill the rest with water. Repeat for each color. Put on play clothes or bathing suits, and invite some […]
iPlay
June 20, 2011 by
Need to get hold of your peeps for a play date, call a princess, or just pretend to be important?? Then you need the latest in pretend play technology — introducing iPlay!! iPlay is not available in stores everywhere, but is made using THE most technologically advanced cardboard, specially engineered plastic film (i.e. recycled packaging […]
Around the Web — Cardboard Vehicles
June 11, 2011 by
Cardboard is one of our all-time favorite crafting materials because it’s super-cheap (if not free), and can be made into all sorts of amazing toys or play spaces for kids (or those of us who are kids-at-heart). Here are a few inspiring ideas from around the web to try for some great frugal imaginative travel […]
Let’s Build a Flower Shop!
May 19, 2011 by
Tucked away in the corner of our living room, you’ll find a bit of sunshine no matter what the weather might be like outside. The girls are still really enjoying this cardboard play house we built using our Makedo kits awhile back, and I thought it would be fun to turn it into a colorful […]
DIY Pretend Play Cooktop from Recyclables
May 5, 2011 by
I made a little pretend cooktop from recyclables, and it’s been a big hit around here! It was super quick & easy to put together, and isn’t it adorable??? Added bonus — practically free! I love that it is small and lightweight enough that the girls can easily carry it from one room of the […]
Happy Earth Day!!
April 22, 2011 by
Emily and I visited a local playground today to pick up some litter and be kind to the Earth. We brought along our friend “Bob”, the trash-eating dinosaur!! Hear him ROAR!!!! Long before we had kids, Bob lived in Mark’s dorm room in college, so he’s a long time friend of ours. Picking up trash […]
Tiny Easter Baskets
April 13, 2011 by
Know what’s cuter than Easter baskets?? Teensy Tiny Easter Baskets filled with little chocolate eggs!!! I know, right??? SO cute!!!! To make your own, cut up an empty cardboard egg carton and invite the kiddos over to paint the cups, forming the “basket”! We used washable paint, and it worked quite well. Clara wanted to […]
Toys You Can Make from Recyclables
March 29, 2011 by
It is no secret that we love to craft with recyclables — we consider them to be FREE art supplies! Making your own toys from recyclables is a great way to reinforce the concept of conservation, and introduce the kiddos to early eco-friendly habits. Here are some EASY projects to get you started! If you […]
