Do your kids like to decorate cookies, cupcakes, and other treats? Are you tired of all that baking? Need a kid-friendly activity that is super quick and easy?? Then these no-bake Winter treats are for you! I liked that this was easy to set up, kept the kids happily entertained for a long time, and […]
10 Things for Kids to Do While Waiting for Turkey
November 19, 2012 by
With the Thanksgiving holiday right around the corner, are you looking for a few ways to keep the kids entertained while they wait for that delicious turkey?? Here are a few low-mess and easy to set up ideas to keep up your sleeve just in case: 1. Hand Stamped Memory Game — A simple game […]
10 Amazing Toys You Can Make For Your Kids
October 5, 2012 by
It’s no secret that we love making our own toys around here! Many times, these are the toys the kids play with the most, and in some cases the kids have played an active role in helping to make them. Here are ten of our all-time favorite homemade toys for kids to inspire imagination and […]
Let’s Make Play Dough Critters!
September 16, 2012 by
It’s National Play Doh Day!! As if I needed another excuse to play with Play Doh! This little play idea is quick and easy, and reuses those twist tops from apple sauce or baby food pouches as did our last post on Play Dough Cars. This time around, we added some pipe cleaners and a […]
5 Ways to Celebrate National Teddy Bear Day
September 7, 2012 by
Did you know that Sunday (9/9) is National Teddy Bear Day? Are your teddy bears in need of some extra love and affection? Need some inspiring ways to celebrate the day?? Here are 5 Playful Ways to Celebrate National Teddy Bear Day: 1. Plan (and then Host) a Teddy Bear Birthday Party — Clara thought […]
20 Must-Do Favorite Activities for Fall
September 4, 2012 by
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 […]
DIY School Supplies: Modern Notebooks
August 22, 2012 by
It’s almost time for back-to-school, and the kids have been hard at work making many of their own school supplies for the upcoming year! This was one of Emily’s favorite projects because (just like her mother) she seems to have inherited a love of decorative tape. Oh, how I LOVE beautiful tape!! Did you know […]
DIY School Supplies: Apple Printed Lunch Bags
August 20, 2012 by
Doing art on lunch bags is a festive way to dress up an ordinary bagged lunch, and it’s also a great way to keep the kids busy! I love how something so simple can let the kids have an active role in preparing their own school supplies while proudly showing their teachers & friends some […]
DIY Pretend Spy Kit!
August 16, 2012 by
Wondering what to do with the kids? Wish you could go on an exciting adventure? Do you yearn to be a secret agent?? Then this activity is for you! The best part is that most of the components for this Pretend Spy Kit can be found at your local dollar store or you may already […]
10 Virtually Instant Ways to Improve Play
August 15, 2012 by
Are you stuck in a playtime rut? Looking for some ways to foster creativity and imagination through play? Are you short on time?? If so, here are ten of our favorite ways to improve play time with your kids instantly and without spending money! 1. Go outside! — Playing indoors is always fun, but taking […]
Simple Activities for Little Engineers
August 7, 2012 by
Do your kids enjoy learning about how things work? Do they love to solve problems? Did they grow up reading classics such as HTML for Babies?? If so, you may be raising an engineer in-the-making! Here are some of our favorite play ideas and activities to foster the next generation of innovators. Newspaper Play Structures — […]
Sunday Snapshot: Dollar Store Boredom Buster
August 5, 2012 by
We found the cutest cardboard dollhouses at our local dollar store. I added some paper clips to make stands for the dolls, and the girls loved putting these together to make their own little town! The cardboard itself is not very sturdy (it’s about as thick as cereal box cardboard), but it has managed to […]
Make Your Own Sponge Blocks
August 2, 2012 by
Do you have quiet time at your house? Looking for a little activity to keep the kids entertained, but also quiet?? This little activity for the kids is so simple, but my girls enjoyed playing with these sponge blocks for a good part of the day! Added bonus — very quiet! While we were making […]
How to Build a Simple Shadow Puppet Theater
July 28, 2012 by
I completely underestimated how much the girls would enjoy playing with shadow puppets. Whenever something so simple makes them so happy, I can’t help but smile!! And this was SUPER simple. Added bonus — the perfect entertainment for whenever a power outage occurs. Our little shadow puppet theater was made from an empty cardboard box […]
Connect with Your Kids: Camping …or Camp-In??
July 21, 2012 by
Do your kids crave a camping adventure? Whether you’re planning a trip to the great outdoors, or pitching camp in your own backyard, Joyce from Childhood Beckons and I got together to share some simple camping activities to keep the kids entertained! Tasty Camping Treats Banana Boats — Whip up a tasty campfire treat! Make […]
Hot Air Balloon Window Display
July 13, 2012 by
It’s time for a new window display! (If you’re new to our blog, you can see our previous window displays here, here, here, here, and here.) This time we painted up coffee filters with watercolor paint! I love how these painted coffee filters each have a unique look. The filters hold up very well to […]
10 Little Things That Make Me Happy
July 12, 2012 by
Know what makes me smile?? Celebrating the little things in life, cultivating gratitude, and experiencing the joy of simple pleasures. Here are 10 little things that make me really happy! 1. The view from our garden plot at sunset. The tomatoes are almost ready. 2. Chatting about ideas for creative play with the lovely […]
Sponge Bomb Yo-Yos
July 10, 2012 by
There was renewed interest in the sponge bombs when we made them into yo-yos! This time I held the sponge bombs together with ouchless hair elastics instead, and they worked very well indeed. A piece of elastic attached made them instant yo-yos!! (As with anything else, be sure to supervise the kiddos while playing.) When […]
