Are you looking forward to Fall? Need some kid-friendly activities to help celebrate the season?? Here are 20 of our family’s favorite Fall activities that have become special traditions. 1. Go Apple Picking — This is one of my favorite family traditions for Fall! Afterwards, we bake apple pies and make homemade apple sauce with […]
Sunshine Crafts and Activities for Kids
June 7, 2012 by
Here are some of our favorite crafts and activities for kids that celebrate sunshine — no matter what weather you happen to be experiencing at the moment. Besides, sometimes it’s more fun to make your own sunshine! Sunny Indoor Beach — If the weather is not cooperating, why not make your own sunny beach indoors? […]
Summer Fun with Kids — Water Pistol Target Range
May 28, 2012 by
Here’s another activity to add to the list of things to do with the kids this Summer — Make your own water pistol target range! Emily and Clara had such a GREAT time with this, and it’s super easy to set up. Start by stacking some paper cups into a pyramid shape, as shown below. […]
Special Storytime
April 4, 2012 by
For a GREAT time, pack up some of your favorite books, a few tasty snacks, and a picnic blanket. Visit your favorite park for some outdoor storytime fun and make some lovely memories with your kids!! Stories don’t always have to be read indoors, you know. Extra bonus points if your books happen to be […]
Curb Appeal on the Cheap
February 7, 2012 by
Want to add some curb appeal to your home without breaking the bank?? You can! And in just 3 easy steps!! Step 1: Sweep up the sidewalk to remove any dirt or debris. Step 2: Make some sidewalk chalk stencils with heavy cardstock paper (Hint: Old file folders or pieces of cardboard from empty […]
Newspaper “Snowman”
December 12, 2011 by
Ever have an uncontrollable urge to build a giant snowman when there’s no snow on the ground?? ….No? Just me then?! Well, I had no trouble talking Emily into my crazy idea — she ran to find her hat & gloves! She and I had such a FUN time dressing up our newspaperman with silly accessories! […]
Pretend Sweets Made with Sponges!
November 9, 2011 by
Recently, Emily and I made a bunch of pretend play sweets from dollar store sponges for her little sister’s holiday gifts. They were great fun, super frugal, AND very easy to make!! Emily cannot wait to gift these to Clara as part of her Christmas gift, and I love how pretend play food can lead […]
10 MORE Cheap Boredom Busters for Kids
October 27, 2011 by
Here’s a look back at 10 MORE of our favorite (and very frugal) boredom busters… Build (and re-build) Newspaper Play Structures Go on a Teddy Bear Picnic… you may even spot some magic! Make a Window Display Build a Flashlight Pose with Plexiglass Build a Marble Run Download our free […]
Cheap Thrills — Feeding Ducks
October 6, 2011 by
For a fun time that won’t break the bank, visit your local fish hatchery to feed the fish and/or ducks. Ours sells bags of fish food for just $1. Not sure how to properly feed the ducks? Princess Clara will show you how — in just 3 easy steps!! Step 1: Sprinkle a bit of […]
10 Cheap Boredom Busters for Kids
September 1, 2011 by
Looking for a few easy ways to keep the kids from getting too bored? Here are some of our favorite boredom busters that are quick, easy, cheap, and fun!! 1. Beading with cut up straws — easy, frugal, and a great way to build up important fine-motor skills. 2. Make photo puppets and put […]
Around the Web — 10 Quick Crafts for Busy Moms
August 31, 2011 by
Last night I put the girls to bed early, and Mark went out for a fantasy football draft, leaving me with some precious “mommy crafting time”. Many times with my own crafting, I’ve found that it’s not a matter of finding the time to craft, but making the time. I still had dirty dishes in […]
Posing with Plexiglass
August 29, 2011 by
For a fun time, frame a sheet of plexiglass with duct tape to take care of any sharp edges. Go outside, and draw on the plexiglass with dry erase markers to make “enhancements” to your environment!! In a very short time we had beautiful flowers growing out of the lawn, backyard trees full of red […]
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 […]
Boredom Buster — Marble Run
August 15, 2011 by
Rainy weather keeping you indoors?? For a fun time, grab a ladder, a few cheap pool noodles, masking tape, and some marbles. Cut pool noodles in half down the middle, then invite the kiddos to build a marble run to see how many times they can make the marble go around the ladder!! (Shorter kids […]
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 […]
How to Make Sponge Bombs
July 23, 2011 by
Here is a quick and easy tutorial to show how to make sponge bombs! Sponge Bombs are a great alternative to water balloons. There are no messy balloon bits to clean up, and the sponge bombs can be used again and again. These sponge bombs are great for active playtime fun all Summer long! How […]
10 Cheap Ways to Beat the Heat
July 20, 2011 by
Like much of the US, we are stuck in a “heat dome” which means it’s time to find creative ways to keep cool! Some tips to keep in mind — Avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day, stay in shaded areas, drink plenty of water, and be sure to offer kids lots […]
