If you’re looking for an easy and super cute craft to do with your kids, this one fits the bill. These fruit loop rainbows are easy enough for a toddler but fun enough for a tween. Plus they are so easy! Check it out!

My 4-year-old daughter loves to make crafts and she loves rainbows. So, of course, we had to try making this adorable rainbow craft made from fruit loops. They are so easy but so much fun. Check it out!

Gather your rainbow craft supplies

This craft is so easy, you might already have all the ingredients in your pantry. Here’s everything that you’ll need:

• Fruit loops cereal
• Regular marshmallows
• Pipe cleaners
• Toothpicks

Assemble your rainbows

Grab a pipe cleaner and cut it in half so that it is about six inches long. Then, push one end of the pipe cleaner into a regular marshmallow. Make sure the pipe cleaner doesn’t come out the other end of the marshmallow.

Then, start threading fruit loops onto the pipe cleaner until there is about an inch of the pipe cleaner left showing. You’ll need about 15 fruit loops. You can thread the fruit loops in a rainbow-colored pattern or just random colors. Whatever you want to do.

As the last step, take the open end of the pipe cleaner and push it through the marshmallow. Curve the pipe cleaner so it forms a rainbow arch and place the two marshmallows on the table. Now you have your rainbow!

Add embellishments (if you want)

We bought Lucky Charms marshmallows that are shaped into stars, hearts, moons and shamrocks. Just break a toothpick in half and push it into a shaped marshmallow. Then push the other side of the toothpick into the regular marshmallow.

My daughter had so much fun making these fruit loop rainbows. Plus, they were so easy. My two older boys even jumped to make their own. These rainbows are a really fun treat to make for St. Patrick’s Day. I made one for each person in our family and gave them to everyone with our St. Patrick’s Day breakfast. It was super fun.

I hope you have fun making this craft with your kids. This is also a really great activity for a family party or classroom party at school. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

More from My Silly Squirts: How to make jello love bugs and wreath hearts

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I don’t know many people who don’t love donuts. So, that’s why a donut-themed birthday party is perfect. “Donut” you think? Here’s everything you need to throw a fun and delicious gluten-filled shin dig in three easy steps.

My son wanted to have his 10th birthday party at home with his friends this year. Since he’s outgrown super heroes and race cars, we went for a donut theme. And everyone loved it! This is a great birthday theme for basically anyone old or young. Here’s everything I did. Check it out!

Step #1: Decorate donut-style

There’s actually a bunch of fun donut decorations and party favors on Amazon. I didn’t want to go overboard, but I found some really cute stuff. Here’s what I got:

• Large donut foil balloons
• Donut tablecloth
• Inflatable donut pool floats
• Hanging donut streamers

I hung the foil balloons around the kitchen table where I placed the donut table cloth. You can also give each of your guests one of the foil balloons as a party favor when they leave.

I used the inflatable donut pool floats as a decoration in front of the fireplace where the kids put their gifts AND as a game during the party. Then I hung some paper donut streamers from the mantle to kind of finish it off. It turned out so cute.

Step #2: Play some easy donut games

I figured out three simple donut-themed games to play during the party. All I needed to do was keep six kids entertained for and hour and a half. Here are the games we played:

• Donut on a string (classic)
• Donut toss
• Capture the donut (basically capture the flag)

Donut on a string: I just got one glazed donut for each guest and tied it to a string hanging from the ceiling. One of the kids at the party was gluten-free, so the mom brought a gluten-free donut for him. The first kid to eat their donut without using any hands, received a prize. And everyone got to eat a donut too!

Donut toss: I taped the four inflatable donut pool floaties to the wall. Then the kids each took one minute to see how many time they could throw a ball through the middle of the donuts. The kids loved this and they wanted to play it multiple times. They got a little bit competitive. However scores the most points gets a prize.

Capture the donut: I divided the kids into two teams and gave each of them one of the inflatable donut floaties. Then, they ran into the backyard and hid their donuts. Whichever team can steal the other team’s donut without getting tagged wins! This was by far the kids’ favorite game. They played it for like an hour.

Step #3: Enjoy some cake, presents and party favors

Lastly, the kids all came inside and opened birthday presents first. Then, everyone sang happy birthday and ate some donuts and ice cream. I’m not much of a baker, so the best part about a donut-themed birthday party is that you don’t have to bake. Just buy 12-24 donuts and pile them in a cute pile. Add some candles and you’re done!

As for the party favors, I found a whole bunch of pretty inexpensive donut toys and gadgets. I just threw them in a donut paper bag and handed them out! Here’s what I included as the donut favors:

• Donut party favor bags
• Mini donut stress balls
• Temporary tattoos and slap bracelets
• Colorful donut keychains
• Vinyl donut stickers

I didn’t include any treats in the party favor bags because the kids had already eaten tons of sugar with the donuts and ice cream. Then, with whatever time we had left over, the kids went outside and played basketball. It turned out to be a super easy and really fun birthday party. My son was happy and so I would say that’s a success.

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If you’re looking for a really fun and active game for kids, teens and adults, chair soccer is just the ticket. All you need are some chairs and a ball and you’re set. You can play indoors or outdoors. Keep reading to learn how to play chair soccer right now!

My nine-year-old son introduced our family to chair soccer and it was so fun! At first it sounds kind of lame but once we got started, we had so much fun. The best part about this game is that anyone can play. Our four-year-old even joined in on the fun. This is a great party game for basically any occasion. Check it out!

Gather your chair soccer equipment

You don’t need very much equipment to play chair soccer. All you need is a soccer ball and a chair for each person playing. Keep in mind that the players will be hitting the chairs with a soccer ball. So you may not want to use fancy chairs that could possibly be broken. We played in the gym at our church where they have metal chairs, so it wasn’t an issue. We also didn’t even have a soccer ball so we used a basketball instead.

Set up the game

The game can be played inside or outside. You just need to establish the boundaries. We played in a small room in a gym and so the entire room was free game. If you are playing outside, just determine where is “out”. The more people who are playing, the bigger you want to make your play area. It’s best if you have at least four or more people playing.

Then, each player chooses where they would like to set up their chair. Everyone can spread out or set up their chair close to someone else. You have to be strategic though because if your chair is really close to someone else’s it’s a risk of being hit and getting you out.

Let the games begin!

To begin, flip a coin to determine who gets to start with the ball first. Whoever has the ball, dribbles around the playing field and tries to hit other people’s chairs with the ball. You can only use your feet. If you touch the ball with your hands, you’re out. If someone hits your chair, you are out and you have to sit on your chair. The last person standing is the winner of that round.

You are not required to stand by your chair the entire game. But you have to be careful because if you stray to far from your chair, someone might hit it with the ball.

Revenge round

If you want to spice things up, you can play a revenge round. It’s the same as a normal round, except if you get out, you can go back in and start playing again if the person who got you out get out themself. So basically, the only way to win this round is for one person to get every single person out. It makes it so the round lasts just a little bit longer. It’s really fun.

I hope you have fun learning how to play chair soccer. This game is great for LDS youth groups, birthday parties, family reunion or just hanging out with friends. Let me know how it goes in the comments below. Enjoy!

More from My Silly Squirts: 50 cheap or free LDS youth activity ideas

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Whether it’s Homecoming, Sadies or Sweethearts, there are so many you can ask to a dance if you’re in high school. So, here’s 60 awesome and easy ideas that will help you get the creative juices flowing.

High schoolers have been asking to dances even before I was in high school (which was more than 20 years ago). Now that my oldest son is starting to go to dances, I figured it was a good idea to compile a bunch of fun and easy ways to ask to a high school dance. From a simple poster to an extravagant treasure hunt, the options are limitless. So let’s get started!

#1: You’ve got mail

#2: Simple “Yes”

#3: I “wood” love to go to prom

#4: I’m “wheely” excited to go

#5: I’d “dig” it if you went to HOCO with me

#6: Are you “up” for prom?

#7: Pref with you would be magical

#8: Mass and acceleration

#9: Tire, wheel and roll pun poster

#10: “Bear” with me, I haven’t done this before

#11: Abba lyrics poster “Take a chance on me”

#12: Sweethearts with you will be a symphony

#13: Sadies would be Super, I just need a man

#14: Preference would “suck” without you!

#15: Car covered in sticky notes

#16: I’m “bursting” to go to the dance with you

#17: Sadie’s would be “spooky” without you

#18: I’d be a “sour patch if you don’t go to HOCO

#19: Don’t let me go “Solo” to Prom

#20: I would be “soda” lighted if you would go with me

#21: I would be “snow” happy if you’d go to Winter’s

#22: It would be “silly” not to go to HOCO with you

#23: I’d be “sew” happy if you said yes, Prom?

#24: Rose treasure hunt

#25: I’ve been wanting to “pop” the question … prom?

#26: I can’t “Reese-ist” asking you to Sadies

#27: COVID dance poster

#28: Sweathearts would be poppin if you went with me

#29: Do you want to “pop” on over to Halloween?

#30: I’m not horsing around, will you ride to HOCO?

#31: Prom? It would be “mounds” of fun

#32: You’re a Rockstar for taking this Monster to HOCO

#33: Dress up to deliver poster

#34: I’m “way” excited. Yes!

#35: I’d be one “lucky duck” to go with you

#36: Real-life Jack in the Box

#37: “Ice Screamed” when you asked me to HOCO. Yes!

#38: “Ice scream” yes!

#39: Will you come “horse around” at prom with me?

#40: Hit me up at Sweethearts

#41: Now that I’ve “kissed” the ground you walk on

#42: Will you “guac” and “roll” to HOCO with me?

#43: Generic rhyming answer poster

#44: Flour and flower poster

#45: Preference would be “flippin” awesome with you

#46: You’re a “catch”. Let’s “tackle” Prom

#47: Halloween would be “fire” with a “hottie” like you

#48: I am so “egg”cited for HOCO

#49: You’re a “sweet tart”, I’d be a “dum-dum” to say no

#50: I’d be one “lucky duck” if you’d “dive” into Sadies

#51: You’re so a”dora”ble

#52: I “donut” want to go with anyone else

#53: It would be a Dark Knight with you… Pref?

#54: Hey “cutie” I’d love to go to HOCO with you

#55: I would never “chicken” out on you. Yes!

#56: I know this is “cheesy” but will you “roll” to HOCO?

#57: Will you take a chance on me?

#58: Candy bar poster

#59: I’ll be “brief”

#60: Sadies with you will be a “blast”!

#61: Not even an “army of men” could keep me

#62: I’d be an “airhead” not to ask you to Sadies

I hope you liked all of these different ways to ask to a dance. There are so many different options to choose from. Let me know if you think of any other fun ideas in the comments below.

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Whether it’s a birthday party, family reunion, class party or just for fun, here are 20 super easy balloon games for kids. Plus, they don’t require a ton of supplies and that makes your life easier. Check it out!

I have thrown my fair share of carnival games and birthday parties. It seems like I always gravitate towards the balloon games. Kids love balloons and any game associated with them. So, I’ve compiled a fun list of balloon games for kids that you can use right away. Let’s get started!

#1: Balloon Stomp

Players run around a room and try to stomp on the other balloons that are tied to the other players. The player with the last remaining balloon wins.

#2: Riddle Balloon Game

Players pop their own balloon and match the riddle inside their balloon with the answer that is found in someone else’s balloon. At the end, everyone can take turns reading their riddles in front of everyone.

#3: Balloon Pop Surprise Game

Fill multiple balloons with activities for kids to perform such as, “Do 10 push ups” or “Bark like a dog”. Each child chooses a balloon, pops it and performs the action. A select few kids will pop a balloon with a “Prize” paper inside.

#4: Bombs Away Water Balloon Game

Instruct one child to sit down on the grass. Tell another child to grab a water balloon and climb up above the child who is sitting on the grass. Then, tell the child on the ground that they have 20 seconds to name 10 items from a given category. If they can’t name at least 10 items before the timer goes off, the child above gets to pop a water balloon onto his or her head! 

#5: Balloon Pop Scavenger Hunt

Fill multiple balloons with different letters that form a specific phrase. Scatter the balloons all over the floor or hang them throughout the house. Give each child a wooden skewer and allow them to pop all of the balloons. Collect the letters and organize them on the table to form the phrase. The phrase can say something like, “Your prize is in the car” or “We’re going to Disneyland!” It can be anything you want.

#6: Balloon Dart Game

Players take turns throwing darts at a wall of balloons filled with various prizes in each one, including money and candy.

#7: Water Balloon Volleyball

Using a volleyball net, players (in teams of two) toss a water balloon back and forth using a towel.

#8: Balloon Rocket Races

Race balloons across the room using string and straws. The fastest balloon wins!

#9: Balloon Pop Roulette

Cover a balloon with a cardboard box. Remove the cardboard from one side and the top. Replace the top with paper. Players take turns pushing skewers through the paper on top to pop the balloon inside the box, even though they can’t see the balloon. The first player to pop the balloon loses. Continue each round until one player is left.

#10: Kangaroo Hop

Each team is given a balloon. Players hop to the goal line with the balloon between their knees. They can then take the balloon from between their knees and run back to the team. If a child loses the balloon on the way to the goal line, it may be picked up.

#11: Hot potato or Keepy Uppy

Players form a circle and try to keep a balloon in the air for as long as possible by giving it gentle taps before it hits the ground. You can add a layer of difficulty by adding multiple balloons.

#12: Bubble Butt

Divide players into two teams and have each team form a single line. When you say, “Go”, one player from each team runs to the other side of the room and tries to sit on a chair with a balloon on it until the balloon pops. Once the balloons pop, the players run to the back of the line and the next players try to the pop the next balloon on the chairs by sitting on them. Repeat this process until every player has had a turn. The first team to finish wins.

#13: Balloon Launch and Catch

Using a water balloon launcher, shoot water balloons towards a group of players and see who can catch the water balloon. Repeat over and over for loads of fun.

#14: Water Balloon Toss

Grab a partner and stand two feet apart. Take turns tossing a water balloon back and forth to each other, stepping back one foot after each toss. See how far apart you can go. The team that goes the farthest wins without dropping their balloon wins.

#15: Water Balloon on Spoon Race

Players line up and race each other to the finish line while holding a water balloon that is balancing on a spoon. If they drop the water balloon, they have to go back to the beginning and start again. First player to the finish line without dropping the water balloon wins.

#16: Balloon Hockey

Players try to hit as many balloons into a laundry basket using only pool noodles.

#17: Balloon Spin the Bottle

Fill various balloons with different items such as glitter, flour, candy, money, etc. Tape the balloons on a table to form a circle. Then, each player takes turns spinning the bottle. Whichever balloon the bottle points to when it spots gets pops over the head of the spinner. They don’t know what’s going to be inside when it’s popped. Continue until all the balloons are gone.

#18: Surprise Pop

Divide into teams of two. Partners help each other attach 5-10 on to each other’s clothing using clothespins or duct tape. Each team should have their own color of balloon so everyone know who the teams are. Then, form a circle and see which team can pop everyone else’s balloons and be the last team standing.

#19: Balloon sniper

Each player inflates a balloon without tying it. Then, everyone takes turns releasing their balloon and tries to get as close to a prize box about three meters away. Whoever gets the closest wins a prize.

#20: Mystery Sensory Balloons

Without inflating the balloons, fill them with various items such as shaving cream, popcorn seeds, powdered sugar, etc. Players will take turns feeling the balloons. You can give them a piece of paper where they can match the color of the balloons with the item they think is inside.

I hope these balloon games for kids will jump start your next party. Let me know if you have any other fun balloon game ideas in the comments below.

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It’s always nice to give your party guests with a cute little favor and a birthday thank you note (they did just buy your kid a present). So, here are some really cute and simple gift tags you can attach to basically anything to show your appreciation. Check it out!

I made these tags for my daughter’s 4th birthday party. Since there were boys and girls there, I wanted to have tags that boys would like and tags that girls would like. They loved it and was super quick and easy to make. Check it out!

Download and print your birthday thank you note

 Your download includes two 8.5×11 high-quality PDF pages with 12 princess tags and 12 super hero tags. Each individual tag is 4.26 inches x 1.85 inches. Just print your PDF on your home printer or email it to your local copy store. It makes 24 total birthday thank you tags. Print as many times as you would like.

To download your PDF, click on the link at the end of this blog post.

Cut and attach to a party favor

The nice thing about this birthday thank you note is its versatility. It works for most ages and birthday party themes. Once you print your PDF, cut out each gift tag and punch a hole in each one. Then, attach it to basically any party favor with a ribbon.

For my daughter’s party favor, I just put a slinky, play doh and bubbles in a cellophane bag. Here’s some other fun ideas for birthday party favors:

• Dance ribbons
• Galaxy slime
• Punch balloons
• Sticky hands
• Pop tubes

I hope you have fun with these birthday party thank you tags. Here’s a quick video of how I put all of these tags together. Download your PDF by clicking the link below.

Birthday Thank You Note PDF

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When it comes to party games, the saran wrap ball game is one that can’t be beat. Everyone can play and win prizes. It’s super easy to make and a ton of fun. Check it out!

If you’re looking for a fun game for your next birthday party, Christmas party, classroom party or just for fun, the Saran Wrap Ball Game is just what you need. It will be an instant hit with all of your guest. We played this game at my son’s 9th birthday party and everyone loved it. Let’s get started.

Gather your saran wrap ball game supplies

The sky is the limit as far as what you want to include in your saran wrap ball. You can basically wrap anything in saran wrap, so it depends on how big you want to make the ball. But, for your first time, you might want to keep to it simple. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Saran wrap (with built-in slide cutter)
• Large prize for the center of the ball such as a stuffed animal
• Small toys to wrap up in the ball

There are lots of different small toys or treats that your can use to wrap up in the ball, but here’s just a few examples:

• Fidget toys
• Squishies
• Party favors
• Dollar bills
• Stickers
• Candy

Assemble your saran ball

First, you’ll want to wrap your stuffed animal or prize in the middle. Roll out a section of saran wrap on a flat, hard surface and wrap the stuffed animal a couple times. To make this process as easy as possible, I would recommend buying a box of saran wrap with a slide cutter. Then cut the plastic and wrap it around the stuffed animal.

Next, you’ll want to follow the same process with the prizes. I organized all the prizes into piles of three so that each person gets a few toys when it’s their turn. One by one, wrap the three prizes around the saran wrap ball and then cut the plastic. Continue this process until all of the prizes have been wrapped.

How to play the saran wrap ball game

There are lots of versions of how to play this game. Here’s the kid-friendly, easier version that is perfect for birthday parties or classroom parties. Gather the kids in a circle around a table or on the ground. A group of 5-8 kids is perfect. Any more than that, and the kids waiting for their turn get a little bit bored.

To begin, the first child unrolls one layer of saran wrap. Because it sticks a little bit, it will take a minute for each child to find the end of the plastic and begin unrolling it. Once that child has finished his layer, he hands it to the next person. Each child takes a turn and unwraps his own layer and collects his toys. Whoever unwraps the last layer gets to have the big prize in the middle.

Sometimes you might need to help the kids get their layer started if they are having a hard time. Giving each child a turn to unwrap their layer ensures that everyone will get some prizes and will mitigate an otherwise very chaotic game.

Alternative way to play the game

If you are playing this game with teenagers or adults, you can add larger and more interesting prizes. I’ve seen people wrap very large items and it works! It just makes for a much larger saran wrap ball.

Also, instead of cutting the saran wrap for each grouping of prizes, you can make the ball one continuous strand of plastic. Whoever rolls doubles tries to unwrap the ball with oven mitts on. It makes for a pretty hilarious spectacle for everyone involved.

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If summertime is approaching, it’s time to get prepared with this fun printable summer calendar, complete with more than 200 activity ideas. This awesome poster will be a hit with all of your kids (and save your sanity too). Check it out!

As a mom of five, I know how challenging summertime can be. That’s why I love this 3-month summertime poster. My kids check the calendar every day to see what’s going on. Plus, whenever they get bored, I tell them to look at the poster for ideas. It’s pretty sweet. Keep reading to print one for your home today.

Download your printable summer calendar

I designed this poster in three convenience sizes: 16×20 (large), 11×17 (medium) and 8.5×11 (small). Choose your preferred size or print all of them! The calendar is a generic template that can be filled in year after year.

To purchase and download your PDF posters, click on the link at the end of this blog post.

Print your summertime poster

Once you’ve downloaded your poster, you can print it at home or send it to your local copy store. The 11×17 and 8.5×11 posters can be printed on your home printer. I suggest printing them on cardstock so they are extra sturdy.

If you want to print the larger 16×20 poster, I recommend emailing the PDF file to your local copy store, such as the UPS store. They will have a printer large enough to print a poster that big. It cost me about $12 to print the 16×20 poster in full color. You can also print it in black and white and it will be way less expensive.

Fill in your calendar and display

Once your poster is printed, you can start filling in the calendar. Write in the dates on the corresponding days of the month for June, July and August. Then, start adding all of the fun vacations, activities and events you have planned throughout the summer. Don’t forget to add birthdays and holidays.

If your kids are like my kids, they like to know what is going on each day. It helps them plan ahead during the summer and get excited for upcoming events. The list of 200+ activity ideas are ideas that will work for toddlers up to teenagers. Even if they don’t do items on the list, it will help them think of other ideas.

Summer tips and tricks for mom and kids

Hopefully this list printable summer calendar will help you and your family this summer and many more to come. Here’s a few more tips to help you navigate summertime with your kids.

• Chores: Create a daily schedule of chores and responsibilities (kids love structure).
• Prizes: Reward kids with fake money when they do their chores that they can redeem for a prize or activity.
• Reading: Avoid the summer slide with by starting a reading chart.
• Fresh air: Make it a goal to get outside with your kids each day.
• Friends: Connect with the moms in your neighborhood so your kids can get out and play so they aren’t cooped up all day and you can get a break.
• Screens: We try limiting screen time to two hours per day in our house. Otherwise, my kids get grumpy and anti-social.
• Sports and camps: If you can get your kids involved in some kind of camp or sport, it creates a lot of fun memories and they get outside and on their own.
• Activity book: Try purchasing a simple activity book that you can give your kids when they are bored.

I hope these ideas will help you this summer. Below is the link to the summertime poster.

Printable Summer Calendar PDF

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Birthday parties can be a lot of work, especially if you are doing one at home. That’s why you should pick the games that will keep everyone entertained without burning a hole in your pocketbook or stress you out. Here’s 20 birthday party games for kids that are guaranteed to be a hit!

I love throwing birthday parties for my five kids. And I have thrown a lot of parties. Through trial and error, I have figured out which games work and which games everyone loves. So, here’s a list of birthday party games for kids that are guaranteed to be a hit, no matter what the age. You can also check out my birthday party game idea list.

#1: Indoor treasure hunt

Okay, I designed this super simple indoor birthday treasure hunt that works in basically any home. Kids just love finding the clues and every single person gets a prize at the end. However, my recommendation would be to make sure everyone gets a turn to find a clue. That way, the fastest and most aggressive child doesn’t find all the clues before everyone else.

#2: Saran wrap ball

If you’ve never done a saran wrap ball, they are super fun. You just wrap a bunch of presents in Saran wrap and then let the kids take turns unwrapping it. Each kid gets a turn until they uncover a present. Then, you can put a big prize in the middle.

#3: Pinata

I have a complicated relationship with pinatas. Kids love them. But adults–like myself–don’t love the chaos and potential harm a stick swinging in the air might cause. However, I always end up doing a pinata because they are just so much fun. They are the classic birthday party game for a reason. Here’s how to make your own pinata for only $5.

#4: Giant bubbles

If you’ve never done giant bubbles before, they are a definite hit. This is however, an outdoor game, so keep that in mind. All you need to do is make a simple bubble solution and bubble wands. My recommendation is to only allow adults to make the bubbles and let the kids run around and pop them. If you let the kids do it, you’ll be untangling bubble wands the WHOLE time.

#5 Riddle Balloon Game

Kids love riddles and they love popping balloons. So, this game is perfect. Kids are given two balloons (with a riddle or an answer inside) each and a pin. Then, they pop their balloons and work together to match up the riddles with the answers that were inside the balloons.

#6: Musical hats

This is a fun twist on the classic musical chairs game, but instead of chairs, you use hats! We’ve played this game at birthdays, classroom parties and just for fun. You can have prizes for the winners. If you need some hats, here’s a pack of 12 hats on Amazon.

#7: Pass the parcel game

This game has been around forever but because more popular after it was played on the TV show Bluey. While music is playing, players sit in a circle and pass around a present that is wrapped in multiple layers of wrapping paper. When the music stops, the person who is holding the present gets to unwrap the first layer of wrapping paper. Continue passing and unwrapping layer by layer. Whoever unwraps the last layer gets to keep the present. You can have a small treat for everyone else for participating.

#8: Kim’s game (memory game)

The game has been around for years and this is a great “quiet” game that requires a bit of concentration and focus. Basically, you place a bunch of small items on a tray and allow the group one minute to look at it. Then, you take the tray away and give the kids two minutes to write down as many items as they can remember. Whoever remembers the most, wins!

#9: Pin the Tail on the Donkey

This is a classic birthday party game. But you don’t have to stick with a donkey, you can also play pin the _____ on the _____ games listed below:

• Mustache on Mario
• Crown on the Princess
• Tail on the Dinosaur
• Hat on the Cat

#10: Limbo

Kids are particularly good at this island-themed party game. Just have two adults hold a broomstick and crank up some music. Watch as kids take turns trying to pass under the stick without falling or touching the stick. You can also buy a cute inflatable limbo set online that won’t set you back too much.

#11: Zombie tag and other tag variations

Zombie tag (plus tons of other variations of tag) is a great way to get kids’ energy out during a birthday party. Plus, they really like it. In this game, a couple of students will start as the zombies – these are the “it” kids. They must move like zombies (no bending legs or arms) trying to tag other players. When another player is tagged, they also become a zombie.

#12: Capture the flag

My son did a Capture the Flag birthday party when he turned 10 years old and it was a blast! We went to a wooded park near our home and set up boundaries with balloons and divided into teams. After I explained the rules, they took off. Everyone had so much fun.

#13: Marshmallow gun war

This game makes kind of a giant mess, but it would work great for a backyard water party. Plus, the kids absolutely LOVE it. Just give each kid a mini marshmallow gun and their own small bag of miniature marshmallows. Then divide into teams and have a marshmallow war!

#14: Minute to Win It games

These games never get old. And usually with a few supplies, you can involve the entire group and have loads of fun. Here’s some fun Minute to Win It game ideas to get you started.

#15: Photo Scavenger Hunt

Gather into two teams at a mall or grocery store and work as a team to take pictures of all of the items listed on a photo scavenger template. The first team to find all of the items wins! This is a fun game because everyone can get involved and it doesn’t take a lot of work.

#16: Water balloon games

If it is nice weather outside when you are hosting your birthday party, there are TONS of fun water balloon games that you can play. Here’s a list of 25 water balloon games to get you started.

#17: Candy Bar Game

This game is so much fun and the kids are highly motivated to play because they get a candy bar. Places a tray of candy bars in the middle of the table. Then, take turns rolling a die. Whoever rolls a one or a six, they get to pick a candy bar. Continue until all of the candy bars are gone. Players can also steal candy bars from other players. It’s super fun!

#18: Donut on a string

Traditionally, this is a popular game during Halloween season. But it is so much fun that I say, “Why not birthdays too?” It’s super simple too. Just tie a bunch of donuts to a string and see which player can eat the entire donut first without using their hands.

#19: Food fight

Gather all the players on chairs in a circle facing each other. Place a shower cap on everyone’s head and top each head with shaving cream. Then, give each kid a bowl of popcorn and let the popcorn fly. A tarp underneath their chairs is also very helpful for quick clean up.

#20: Glow in the dark balloon stomp

Crack a glow stick and place it in a filled balloon. Tie a balloon to each player’s ankle. Then turn off the lights and let every loose. The goal is to stomp and pop the balloons of the other players. The last player with a balloon still remaining is the winner.

I hope you like all of the birthday party games for kids and that they will help during your next birthday party. If you have any other fun games, let me know in the comments below. Thanks!

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Valentine’s Day is a super fun day not just for adults, but for kids too. There are lots of fun Valentine’s Day crafts for kids that are super easy and simple. Whether you’re in charge of a craft for the classroom party or you just want to do something fun with your kids, here’s two crafts you are going to love.

Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays. So, when I was asked to do a craft for my kids’ classroom parties at school, I was excited to try out these cute crafts. The best part about these crafts is that they are perfect for kids of all ages and they don’t require a lot of supplies. Check it out!

Craft #1: Jello love bugs

The kids in my son’s fifth grade class made these Jello love bugs. I thought they were going to think it was kind of kid-ish, but they actually really liked it. Althought, I told them they were going to be making “love bugs” they kind of ended up looking like little “love monsters”. Regardless, they turned out really cute.

Here’s the supplies you’ll need for this Jello love bug craft:

• Jello cups or fruit cups
• Pipe cleaners
• Foam heart stickers
• Googlie eyes (self-adhesive)
• Scissors
• Hot glue guns

The great thing about this craft is that it doesn’t require a lot of adult help. I made a couple of these love bugs ahead of time as an example for the kids to follow. Place all of the foam heart, pipe cleaners, pom poms and googlie eyes in small bowls in the middle of the table. Then, tell the kids to make their own creations based on your example that you made.

I put a bowl of yummy Valentine’s Day treats in the middle of the table that the kids could snack on while they were working. I would recommend having several hot glue guns set up for the kids to use. If they are too young for glue guns, you can just give them Elmer’s glue or you can use the hot glue gun and glue on the pieces where they tell you.

All of their love bugs turned out so cute and different. It was fun to see their creativity take shape. Everyone had so much fun. And plus, they had a yummy snack to take home with them. This was a definite win.

Craft #2: Paper plate heart wreaths

This is one of those Valentine’s Day crafts for kids that you might want to do yourself because it is so cute. The sky is the limit as to what the kids can come up with and you really don’t have to help them at all. Everything had a lot of fun with this craft as well.

Here’s the supplies you’ll need for these heart wreaths:

• Pipe cleaners
• Foam heart stickers (make sure they are the self-adhesive kind)
• Paper plates
• Scissors
• Hole punch

Just like the Jello love bugs, you’ll want to create a couple of examples of these heart wreaths ahead of time to show the kids. You will also need to cut out the center circle of each plate and punch a hole at the top to create a wreath. I did this before I arrived, however, depending on the ages of the kids, you can instruct them to cut out their own wreath.

Next, you’ll want to give each child a paper plate wreath and tell them they can make their own Valentine’s Day wreath to hang in their home or give to their mom or dad. If they want to color their plate, they are more than welcome. Otherwise, they can just get started sticking foam hearts on their wreath. Some of the kids were very intentional with their design while other kids just went crazy and put hearts everywhere. Regardless, ALL of the kids really enjoyed this activity.

The last step is to thread a pipe cleaner through the hole at the top and tie it off. Then, you can hang your child’s beautiful wreath in your home for everyone to see. This was one of my favorite Valentine’s Day crafts for kids.

Here’s a little video showing how the kids made these crafts at my kids’ clasroom parties:

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If it’s the holidays, it’s time to par-tay! What better way to enjoy your December festivities than with fun-filled Christmas games that everyone will love. Check out this 21-page printable Christmas game bundle right now!

Growing up, my family always had Christmas parties and we always played fun games. It brought us closer as a family and it was so much fun! So, I designed these super cute digital download games that your three-year-old can play right along side of grandma. Check it out!

Purchase and print your Christmas game bundle

I designed these Christmas games on 8.5×11 paper that can be downloaded as a PDF and printed on your home printer. Or you can email the PDF to your local copy store. It’s so easy, it might make you cry. They are full of colorful images and fun activities and games. You can print specific games or print them all. Plus, you can print as many copies as you want.

Just click on the link at the end of this post to get your printable PDF.

What’s included in this game bundle?

With the wide variety of games and activities in this packet, you can cater to whatever everyone in the group wants to do. Here’s what’s included:

Games for kids
– Roll a Snowman
– Candy Dice Game
– Word Search
– Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt
– Draw a Snowman
– Don’t Eat Pete
– Christmas Unscramble

Games for teens and adults
– Christmas Movie Trivia
– Finish the Phrase
– Finish the Lyrics
– Riddle Game
– Scattergories
– Christmas Song Trivia
– Word Race
– Song Emoji Game
– Movie Emoji Game

Everyone!
– This or That
– What’s your Elf Name?
– Christmas Mad Libs
– Find the Guest Bingo
– Christmas Trivia

I took these games to a recent Christmas party and everyone had so much fun. All of the game instructions are at the top of each game. I also included the answers to some of the trivia questions. You can buy prizes and play the games together or you can hand them out as activities people can play on their own. All of the games are a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

To download and print your printable PDF, click on the link below:

Christmas Game Bundle Printable

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Sometimes the simplest activities are the most fun. That’s why kids love these dot marker activity sheets. They are easy enough for toddlers but fun enough for big kids too. Here are 54 activity pages that will keep your kids entertained for hours.

I have a three-year-old daughter who is very busy. I’m always trying to find activities that will keep her entertained but are also educational. These dot printables are perfect for young learners to help with the development of hand-eye coordination and the development of fine motor skills. They are also a great activity for letter recognition and shape recognition. Plus, this engaging activity teaches kids each letter of the alphabet. So, check it out!

Download and print your dot marker activity sheets

I designed these dot marker pages so they would be simple and easy to use. There are two activities to an 8.5×11 page with a total of 27 pages and 54 activity sheets. Just print each page, cut them in half and you’re ready to get started. You can print this PDF from home or email it to your local copy store.

To download your PDF file, click on the link at the bottom of the post.

Gather supplies for your printable dot art sheets

So, you can do this activity two different ways. You can use dot markers or you can use dot stickers or both! Either way works great but I prefer the dot stickers. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Dot stickers 1/2 inch
• Dot markers 1/2 inch (sometimes called bingo markers or dauber markers)
• Scissors
• Crayons (optional)

Start playing!

Once you’ve downloaded and printed your dot worksheets and gathered your supplies, it’s time to play! As mentioned above, you’ll need to cut each of your 27 printed dot marker activity sheets in half to make a total of 54 activities.

The activity sheets include images from five different areas of learning including:

• Alphabet
• Numbers
• Seasons
• Holidays
• Animals (with sight word)

The worksheets are more geared towards toddlers but older kids will enjoy them too. My boys ages 8, 10, and 12 all had fun completing these activities. You can also pull out the crayons or regular markers and let the kids color the rest of the pages after they place their stickers.

I have done a lot of activities and crafts with my kids and this one was definitely a success. It’s the perfect activity for preschool, special education, homeschooling, church and just for fun. They are also an excellent tool for therapy sessions such as occupational therapy. My daughter loved it and it’s helping her learn the whole alphabet. Here’s the link below to purchase and print your digital download learning activity. So much fun!

Dot Sticker Activity Sheets

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Thanksgiving is a time for family, food and lots of fun. So, here’s an easy play dough turkey craft that will keep your kids entertained during this holiday season and a fun way to spend time together. Check it out!

Thanksgiving is such a fun time of year. As I kid, I remember doing fun crafts after eating dinner with the family. This play dough turkey craft is the perfect way to keep little hands busy and enjoy the holiday festivities all day long. Everyone can make their own turkey. Plus, it’s so easy. Check it out!

Gather your play dough turkey craft supplies

I love this craft because it is super simple and so much fun but also very versatile. There are so many ways you can do it. It’s one of those super fun fall activities. Here’s all the supplies you’ll need:

• Play dough (homemade or store-bought)
• Red and brown foam sheets
• Colored craft feathers
• Pipe cleaners
• Multi-colored craft sticks
• Googly eyes (self-adhesive)
• Scissors

Or you can buy this combo pack on Amazon that has googly eyes, feathers, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks and foam sheets all in one.

Step #1: Form your turkey body

For the sake of this fun and easy craft, your turkey doesn’t have to be brown, it can be any color that you want. Just take a chunk of play dough and roll it between your hands until it forms a ball. This is so easy, a toddler can do it. If you want to challenge, yourself, you can also form a smaller ball for the head and connect the two balls with a toothpick. We just went with a simple ball for the entire turkey.

Step #2: Add your turkey accessories

For the last step, just add all the accessories to make your own creation. Start with adding the googly eyes. The self-adhesive googly eyes are the best so they stick to the play doh better. They, you can cut the foam sheets into different shapes for the wattle, beak and the feet and press them into the playdough.

Finally, you’ll want to add the feathers to the back of your adorable turkey. You can have three options available including colorful feathers, pipe cleaners or popsicle sticks. Or you can do a combination of all three. Just simple press them into the back portion of the playdough. You can add however many you would like.

That’s it! Wasn’t that fun? I know my toddler loved doing her very own play dough turkey craft. And it helps with her fine motor skills and sensory play. Then, everyone who made a turkey can take it home with them. This is the perfect activity for the kids to play before or after Thanksgiving dinner. Or, you could even have it set up at the kids’ table before they eat.

Here’s a little video showing how I made this fun craft and how you can do it too:

Let me know what you thought of this Thanksgiving craft. Let me know in the comments below if you have any other fun craft ideas for this festive November holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!

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Whether it’s family time or a party with friends, an outdoor movie night is a fun way to enjoy the good weather and spend time together with those you love. So, I have some great ideas to make this a fun night without breaking the bank. Check it out!

So, my kids were asking to have an outdoor movie all summer long. As the end of the summer approached, it was the perfect time of year and I was able to get myself organized and pull this fun party together. Through the process, I figured out some easy ways to make this movie night cheap, memorable and lots of fun. Check it out!

Gather your outdoor movie night equipment

One of the reasons that I hadn’t done an outdoor movie before was that I didn’t have all of the expensive equipment. But I sent out a message to our neighborhood GroupMe and my friend happened to already have a projector, speaker and screen. She was happy to let me borrow it. You just want to make sure that the speaker is loud enough or else no one will be able to hear the movie. Make sure the projector can connect to your laptop, phone or DVD player.

However, if you don’t someone to borrow the equipment from, here’s a list of fairly affordable outdoor movie supplies you can buy on Amazon:

• Movie projector and outdoor projector screen
• Speaker
• Power station (or extension cords to connect to the house)

Prep your movie snacks

It wouldn’t be an outdoor movie without some popcorn and snacks. I didn’t want to go overboard and spend too much movie on snacks. So I tried to keep it simple. Instead of buying everything, I told everyone that I invited to bring a snack to share.

For my part, I kept it really simple and provided the popcorn in cute little popcorn bags and Koolaid. I just bought a giant bag of movie popcorn at the store and like four packets of cherry Koolaid.

Set everything up in advance

Whenever you’re working with electronics, you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to set up. Make sure everything is working properly so you’re not scrambling as people arrive. It took at least a half hour to set up the projector and screen. We couldn’t find the right cord so that took a little bit. Overall however, the prep for this movie night wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be.

Other outdoor movie night tips and trips

Make sure you tell everyone who’s coming to bring a blanket and a camping chair. Since we did out outdoor movie on our driveway, it was definitely more comfortable to have a camping chair.

• Camping chair and blanket: Tell everyone who is coming to bring their own own chairs (specifically lawn chairs or camping chairs) and a blanket, especially if you are doing it on your driveway. We also had some extra camping chairs set up for those who forgot.
• Invitations: Keep it simple and send a text out to everyone instead of printing invitations
• Power station: Instead of dealing with long extension cords to connect to our house, we used my husband’s power station. It worked perfectly and clean up was a cinch.
• Weather: Keep an eye on the weather and have a backup plan in case it looks like it might rain. On cool nights, tell everyone to bring a jacket and bug spray.
• Start and end time: It’s tempting to invite everyone over too early, but make sure it’s actually dark before you start or you can’t see the movie. And remind parents that it will be getting over late. We started our movie around 8:45 p.m. and finished around 10:30 p.m.
• Pre-movie activities: If you want to invite friends over earlier, you can have a fire pit with s’mores, nine square and cornhole.
• Movie choice: If there are kids attending, make sure you pick a kid-friendly show like Finding Nemo or Garfield. New releases are also a good choice.
• Final touches: Try hanging some outdoor string lights and buying some glow sticks to hand out to everyone.

Here’s a quick video of how our movie night turned out. Our kids loved it and they said that want to do it every year. We had a ton of fun.

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If it’s spooky season, then you definitely need to try out this adorable Little Debbie Halloween craft that will definitely get you into the Halloween spirit. This craft is perfect for classroom or family parties or just for fun. You and your kids will love it and it’s super easy. Check it out!

Last year, I was in charge of the craft at my fourth grade son’s Halloween classroom party. I wanted to do a fun craft that wasn’t too easy that the kids would have fun with. That’s why this craft is so perfect. All of the kids loved it and then they also got a little treat at the end. Here’s how you can make one yourself.

Gather your Little Debbie Halloween craft supplies

This craft doesn’t require a lot of supplies and isn’t too expensive either. The Little Debbie snacks are available at more grocery stores. Here’s everything that you’ll need:

• Oatmeal Creme Pies
• Birthday Cakes
• Zebra Cake Rolls
• Cosmic Brownies
• Self-adhesive googly eyes (Dollar Store or Amazon)
• Glue or hot glue
• Scissors

Print your Halloween character cutouts

In order to make these delicious Little Debbie snacks come to life, you’ll need to print out your character cutouts. I designed four different characters that the kids can choose from:

• Pumpkin
• Witch
• Mummy
• Bat

Just click on the link at the end of this blog post to purchase and download your character templates. You can print out as many copies as you would like. It comes with two 8.5×11 PDF pages that you can print from home or send to your local copy store.

Start making your Halloween characters

Instead of meticulously cutting out each individual cutout for each character, just quickly and roughly cut around each cutout that corresponds to each character. Then, place the cutouts and the Little Debbie cakes on the table for each child. Leave the lengthy cutting around the bat wings and witch hats to the kids. That makes the craft last a little longer and gives the kids more ownership in their craft.

You can let them glue the cutouts on the Little Debbie cakes with Elmer’s glue or hot glue. The hot glue is a little bit easier because it dries faster but you may need to help the kids so they don’t burn themselves.

All of the kids had a lot of fun putting together their crafts. I did this craft with a bunch of 2nd graders and 4th graders and both age groups loved it. So it’s great for young kids and big kids. It was easiest to use a hot glue gun and self-adhesive googly eyes, but you can use Elmer’s glue as well.

This is definitely a craft that I will be doing at all of my kids’ Halloween classroom parties. It is so much fun for the Halloween season. It was a huge hit and super easy. They could even be used as Halloween decorations. Here’s a link below to the printable template for each of the cutouts. Enjoy!

Halloween Little Debbie craft printable

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If you’re looking for an easy, craft for kids and toddlers, this DIY puffy paint is perfect for children of all ages. With just three simple ingredients, your kids will be having loads of fun and getting their creativity on. Check it out!

So, I have five kids, so sometimes it’s difficult to find crafts that all of them would like. That’s why I love doing puffy paint. It is easy enough for a toddler but engaging enough for tweens. Plus, it’s really easy to make and not very expensive. Here’s how to make it.

Gather your DIY puffy paint supplies

Yep, you heard me right. This puffy paint recipe only requires three ingredients. And most likely, you already have these common ingredients at home. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Shaving cream
• Elmer’s glue
• Food coloring

Make your puffy paint

This easy recipe is the best homemade puffy paint recipe and is so incredibly easy to make. In a large bowl, combine:

• 1/4 cup of Elmer’s glue (white glue)
• 1/2 cup of Barbasol shaving cream
• Few drops of food coloring of your choice

Mix everything together until the color is well-blended together. I didn’t anticipate how much glue this puffy paint would require. One of those small containers of glue only holds like 1/2 cup of glue. So, you may want to buy one the big one gallon containers if you’re going to be making lots of different colors.

Scoop DIY puffy paint into ziplock bags

The recipe above makes one small plastic baggie of puffy paint. So, you’ll want to repeat the above process for each color of puffy paint that you want to make into small bowls or paper bowls. We did seven different colors.

It took me about 20 minutes to make and scoop all the different colors of puffy paint with a small spoon into zip-close plastic bags. Alternatively, you can also put your puffy paint into plastic squeeze bottles. Then twist and close each bag off with a twisty tie.

Start painting!

Now for the fun part. Snip a small hole off the corner of the bag. Then your kids can just pipe out the paint like a frosting bag onto a piece of paper, card stock or heavier paper. You can give them something specific to paint or you can give them all the creative liberties they want. The kids loved it!

My 3-year-old didn’t even try to make a picture of anything, she just liked squirting the paint onto a paper. But my 8-year-old and 10-year-old took their time to create their own artistic masterpieces. So it’s perfect for young toddlers, older kids and kids of all ages. It was so much fun that my kids wanted to do DIY puffy paint again the next day. When they dry, it is such a fun texture to touch.

I even tried out a few designs myself. Here’s a few samples. The sky’s the limit and this is a great craft any time of year. You can also spread the paint with a popsicle stick or paint brushes or cotton swabs. You may want to lay out some disposable plastic table cloths for easy clean up.

I hope you enjoy this fun art project. It’s a simple DIY and a great way to have a sensory-rich art experience. Here’s a short little video I made explaining how to make DIY puffy paint as well for your viewing enjoyment. Thanks for visiting my blog!

If you want more easy craft ideas, check out my “Crafts for Kids” idea list.

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Happily ever after will become a reality after you read these truly magically princess birthday party ideas that won’t burn a hole in your pocket book either. So, put a smile on your little girl’s face by throwing her the best royal celebration ever.

My fifth and last child is my only girl. So, of course I’m going to throw her a princess birthday party for her third birthday. Duh. But, I’m not made of money. I had to think fabulous and frugal. And guess what? It was not only possible, it was super easy. Here’s some princess party ideas to help you throw start your bday celebrations out right and enjoy the magic of a princess party.

#1: Print your own princess decorations

There are tons of birthday party bundles available on Etsy and Amazon. But a lot of them were pretty expensive so I decided to design my own that was a bit more affordable. Here’s what my princess birthday party package includes:

1. Birthday Banner
2. Birthday Poster
3. Invitation (four to a page that is fill-in-the blank)
4. Cupcake toppers
5. Water bottle labels
6. Thank you gift tags (attach to goodie bags or party favors)

These cute princess theme printables added so much to my daughter’s princess daughter and it was so easy! Click the link below to purchase and print your bundle today:

Princess Birthday Party Bundle

You can also buy a Disney princess birthday party poster with all of the princess characters on it. It’s the perfect backdrop. I found mine used online for only $6! If you’re feeling ambitious, you could also do a balloon arch or a princess rental bounce house.

#2: Play some super easy party games

We played some adorable princess games that were easy enough for a 3-year-old to understand. All of them were very affordable and the girls loved it. Here’s what we played:

• Kiss the Frog
• Crown decorating
• Indoor birthday treasure hunt (with prizes)
• Giant bubbles

#3: Invite everyone to come dressed as a princess

Every little girl loves to wear and show off their own princess dress. At first I was worried that not every girl would have her own princess dress, but that was silly. All of them were dressed in their favorite princesses such as Little Mermaid and Snow White. When they arrived and it couldn’t have been more adorable. You can even give them a grand entrance when they arrive with a fashion runway.

#4: Keep the princess birthday party to an hour

If you don’t want to stress yourself out, then just throw an hour-long party. A few games, cake and ice cream, present and then you’re done. Super easy. Plus, these little girls don’t last longer than an hour anyway.

#5: Do cupcakes instead of birthday cake

Unless you’re an excellent baker, fancy birthday cakes are either way too expensive or way too difficult to make. Go easy on yourself and make or buy some super simple cupcakes. The birthday child and the girls at the party don’t even care.

I hope you like all of these ideas for a fabulous princess birthday party that will add an extra sprinkle of magic present to your sweet little girl. Now that you are expert princess party planners, let me know if you have any other helpful ideas in the comments below. These princess parties are perfect for any child’s special day. Here’s a short video of me getting ready for my daughter’s birthday party. Enjoy!

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Pipe cleaner bracelets are one of the easiest and cutest crafts you’ll ever make. Plus, they don’t require very many supplies and you can make one in less than two minutes. Check it out!

If you’re looking for a fun summertime craft with your kids, for summer camp or birthday parties, these bracelets are perfect the perfect craft for toddlers and big kids alike. Plus, you only need two simple craft supplies to get started and clean up is a snap. Check it out!

Gather supplies for your pipe cleaner bracelets

You might already have all of the supplies for this fun craft and didn’t even know it. Regardless, you can find these simple craft supplies at any craft store. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Colorful pipe cleaners (12-inch chenille stem)
• Pony beads
• Scissors

3-strand pipe cleaner bracelet

Both bracelets on this blog post are super easy, so let’s start with the 3-strand bracelet. You’ll need three different colored pipe cleaners. Twist the ends together and then braid the strands a couple inches. Then, add one pony bead to the middle strand and braid around it. Continue adding beads in this manner (around four or five total).

To finish off the bracelet, braid the strands another couple inches and twist the ends of the pipe cleaners like you did in the beginning. You’ll want to keep measuring your wrist to make sure it’s not too long or short. Then, bring the two ends together and twist them to finish it off. You can make these with whatever colors of beads and pipe cleaners you want!

4-strand pipe cleaner bracelet

I think the 4-strand bracelet is actually easier than the 3-strand because it doesn’t involved braiding.

You’ll need:

• 12 pony beads (one color)
• 5 pony beads (a different color)
• Four pipe cleaner strands

Twist the ends together and then thread a bead through the top two strands and then thread another bead through the bottom two strands. Next, thread just one bead through the middle two strands. Repeat this process until all of the beads are gone.

To finish, twist the ends to complete the bracelet and then spread the strand out to reveal the pattern. Twist the ends together around the wrist and you’re done!

All of my kids really liked making these bracelets. They are perfect for kids of all ages. They were even easy enough that my three-year-old was able to help as well. And it helps with her fine motor skills. These work great as friendship bracelets too! Let me know how it goes making these bracelets in your home.

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Every kid loves a good craft, that’s why this simple popsicle stick turtle craft is perfect. With just a few supplies lying around the house, you’ll have a cute toy turtle made with love. So, if you’re looking for a fun craft idea, check it out!

My third kid, Pete, loves turtles. That’s why I knew he would love this craft. But turns out, all of my kids wanted to get involved. It was super fun. The next time your kids sya they’re bored, you can show them this!

Gather your popsicle stick turtle craft supplies

You might already have everything you need to make this cute craft. It only takes about five things:

• Regular popsicle sticks or green popsicle sticks
• Colorful yarn (two or three different colors)
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors
• Permanent marker

Glue sticks together and tie yarn

The first step will be to glue two popsicle sticks together in the middle to form an “x”. Then glue the next popsicle stick on top of the other two in the center of the popsicle sticks so that it forms a star shape. Next, tie a knot of the first color of yarn that you want around the center of all three of the sticks.

Don’t cut the yarn yet. You’ll want to wait until you’ve wrapped it. Now, start wrapping the yarn around the center of the sticks in random order until the center forms a sort of ball. Then, you can cut the yarn.

Start second yarn with God’s Eye Pattern

Tie a different colored piece of yarn to the end of the first yarn that you just cut. Instead of wrapping this piece of yarn around the popsicle sticks randomly, you’re going to do a pattern. This pattern is called God’s Eye. First, wrap the yarn around one popsicle stick. Then, wrap it around two popsicle sticks. Then one, then two and so forth. This will start to form a beautiful pattern around the popsicle sticks.

You can wrap it as far as you want or you can cut the second yarn and add a third color of yarn. Make sure you wrap the yarn tightly each time so it forms a neat pattern. If it’s too loose, it will fall apart and look sloppy. Once you’re done, cut the yarn and tie it off with the end of the first yarn that you tied to the popsicle sticks.

Decorate your turtle

Last but not least, add a face, hands and feet to your turtle with a permanent marker or green paint. They are such cute turtles. My son decided he didn’t want to add a face and just turned his into a ninja star. My kids were throwing them all over the place in the backyard. Voila! That’s it!

I hope you have fun making this easy and simple craft for kids of all ages. Here’s a little video that explains in detail how to make this popsicle stick turtle craft as well. Enjoy! If you want more easy craft ideas, check out my “Crafts for Kids” idea list.

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Terrariums are so cool. They are a great first project for kids wanting to experiment with gardening in a fun way. But you don’t have to spend a ton of money to get started. Here’s how to make a DIY terrarium for kids for less than $5. And you can buy everything at the dollar store. Check it out!

My son bought a build-your-own terrarium off of Amazon for his birthday. It was really cool but I kept thinking, “we could totally make one of these ourselves.” So, that’s what we did. We decided to save ourselves some money and head to the dollar store to get the supplies. It turned out to be an awesome low maintenance way to make a mini greenhouse and your own little ecosystem! Here’s how you can do it too.

Gather supplies for your DIY terrarium for kids

The first step is to collect supplies. You can literally buy everything that you need for this fun kids project at Dollar Tree. Especially during the spring time, they start selling supplies for gardening and fairy gardens. Everything cost $10 but there were enough supplies to make two terrariums. So, each terrarium only cost $5! Here’s what you’ll need.

• Tall Tupperware with lid (or glass container)
• Bag of colored crushed glass
• Bag of colorful pebbles (or small rocks)
• Packet of wildflower seeds (or chia seeds)
• Fairy lights
• Fairy garden figurines
• Bag of colored sand
• Stickers for decorating the outside
• Dirt (or potting mix)

Start filling your terrarium

The great thing about these terrariums is that you can make them however you want. It literally only takes about five minutes to put it together. You will want to layer your supplies one by one in the bottom of your jar in the order listed below:

• Dirt
• Sand
• Pebbles
• Glass
• Dirt
• Seeds
• Pebbles

There’s really no rule on how much of each layer your put in your terrarium. You just want to make sure that there is room at the top to put your figurines and fairy lights. You will also want enough dirt so that the roots of your plants will grow strong. Wipe the sides of the container to keep it clean.

Decorate and add lights to your terrarium

Now for the fun part. Place your fairy garden figurines on the top of your terrarium layers. I love the mushrooms and the mini gnomes. But you can put whatever you want. Then, I cut some holes through the lid for circulation and also to feed through the fairy lights. Don’t forget to add a little bit of water with a spray bottle for the seeds. Then screw on the lid to make an enclosed environment and you’re done!

Watch your terrarium grow

You’ll be surprised how fast your DIY terrarium for kids will grow. Just leave it on the kitchen table or counter. I only watered it once and by day four, sprouts were already starting to come up. By day 12, they were almost reaching the top of the container. You can turn off the fairy lights during the day and only turn them on at night to conserve the batteries. It has been such a fun addition to our little kitchen.

I hope you enjoy making this fun terrarium as much as we did! This is the perfect projects for little hands, little fingers and kids of all ages. Let me know how it goes in the comments below. Here’s a little video I made of how to make your terrarium.

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Every kid loves to play with kinetic sand, but it can get kind of pricey if you buy it in the store. So, here’s a super easy DIY kinetic sand recipe that you can make from home for less than $10! Let’s get started.

My two-year-old daughter loves playing with kinetic sand and moon sand plus it helps with her fine motor skills. The best part is this is a fun way to have play time with your small children. So, after sweeping up and throwing away our last batch of kinetic sand, I wanted to see if there was a more affordable option. And of course, that option was to make it ourselves. It was super easy and only took three ingredients. Take a look.

Gather your DIY kinetic sand ingredients

This super simple recipe only requires three simple ingredients. Some of which you probably already have in your home. Here’s your homemade kinetic sand recipe:

• Vegetable oil or baby oil (1/2 cup)
• Corn starch (1 1/2 cups)
• Fine play sand or regular play sand (2 1/2 cups)

I already had vegetable oil and cornstarch at my home so all that I really needed was the sand. Of course, you can buy it on Amazon but it’s waaay more expensive than buying it at Home Depot or Lowe’s. I bought a 50-pound bag of fine sandbox sand for only $7. What a steal! It’s up to you the type of sand that you want to use.

Mix your ingredients

This seriously only took me like five minutes to make. In a large bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups of fine sand with 1 1/2 cups of cornstarch. Mix until well combined and then add 1/2 cup of vegetable oil. Stir until combined really well. Then, you’re done! If you would like, you can also add some food coloring.

Add food coloring

If you want to add a splash of color to your kinetic sand, you can add some food coloring. I separated a cup of sand into four different bags and added about a tablespoon of food coloring into each bag. Shake the bag and move it around with your fingers until the food coloring in well combined.

Helpful kinetic sand tips and tricks

• Moon sand or cloud sand – If you want to convert your kinetic sand to a different texture, add about a 1/4 cup of dish soap.
• Clean up – Sweep and throw away the extra sand that falls on the ground. Then make a ball and dap the remaining sand on the table.
• Drying out – Kinetic sand is not supposed to dry out because it is oil-based, however humidity can affect the texture. In that case, just add a little bit of water to turn it back to normal.
• Wet sand – Don’t worry if it gets wet. Spread it out on a table and let it dry. It will go back to normal.
• Cookie cutters – Get out the cookie cutters, sand castle molds and sand molds. They work great with kinetic sand
• Air-tight container – You can store in an airtight container for literally months
• Sensory bin – Use the kinetic sand for a sensory bin and sensory activities.
• Essential oil – Add some drops of essential oils for an extra yummy smell.
• Kinetic sand kits – If you’re not into DIY project, you can buy your own kinetic sand kits on Amazon.
• Party favor – If you have a birthday party coming up, use this DIY sand as a party favor! This is a great way to engage kids of all ages in imaginative play.

Here’s a video showing how I made this sand. I hope you have as much fun making DIY kinetic sand as we did. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

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Summertime is super fun for kids but can be not-so-fun for parents if you’re not prepared. So, when you’re kid says, “Mom, I’m bored,” here’s 100 easy peasy and cheap summertime crafts that are fun for toddlers and older kids alike. Check it out!

As a mom of five, I sometimes dread the summer because I know I’ll have a house full of bored kids. But, when I try to get creative and do crafts with them, we all end of having fun together and it’s a great way to make the summer break go by faster. So, pull out the pipe cleaners, construction paper, foam balls, googly eyes and egg cartons. Here’s some summertime crafts for kids of all ages.

Popsicle stick crafts

There are so many popsicle stick crafts out there. All you need is a giant box of colorful sticks and you’re set. Here’s a fun list of popsicle stick crafts that are perfect for younger kids and big kids.

• Catapults
• Bird feeder
• Exploding popsicle sticks
• Floating popsicle stick boats
• Jumbo popsicle stick bombs
• Popstick puppets
• Treasure box
• Nature sun catcher
• Magic wand reading pointers
• Baby turtles
• Flower bookmark
• Popsicle stick airplane
• Picture frame
• Flowers
• Paper lanterns

Pool noodle crafts

There is a surprisingly huge amount of crafts that you can do with pool noodles. And since pool noodles are pretty cheap, the possibilities are endless. Here’s some ideas.

• Ninja swords
• Fish friends
• Mini monsters
• Stick horses
• Pom pom shooter
• Quiet blocks
• Caterpillar
• Backyard toss game
• Blobby from Hotel Transylvania
• Rocket flinger
• Light sabers
• Ring toss
• Floating boats
• Rainy day Marble run
• Race car track

Painting crafts

If you’re looking for a summertime craft that develops fine motor skills for children of all ages, here’s some painting crafts that are really fun ideas. These art projects will bring a bit of color back into your summer season.

• Painted rocks
• Puffy paint
• Tissue paper painting
• Sharpie and alcohol art on canvas with permanent markers
• Salt painting
• Pull string painting with acrylic paint
• Squirt gun painting
• No-mess mush painting
• Ice painting
• Q-tip painting
• Coffee filter butterflies
• Coral reef sponge painting
• Frozen paint
• Bubble wrap stomp painting
• Bread painting
• Cool Whip edible paint

Cooking crafts

If you’re looking for some frugal fun, these cooking craft will awaken your inner Betty Crocker. You don’t have to have years of experience cooking to dives into these fun summer crafts. And you get to eat them when you’re done!

• 3-ingredient gummy bears
• Homemade suckers
• Campfire banana boats
• Jell-O Easter Eggs
• Ice cream in a bag
• Pancake art
• Kool-aid rock candy
• Jell-O playdough
• Rainbow popsicles
• Under the Sea graham crackers
• Apple donuts
• Cake pops
• Breakfast sushi
• Jell-O Roll ups
• Rice krispie treat pops
• Silly animal toast
• Sour patch grapes

STEM crafts

Although some of these STEM crafts might require adult supervision, they are still great for the entire family. And most require inexpensive materials and produce a fabulous end result. So start working on your problem-solving skills with these awesome STEM crafts.

• Paper plate roller coaster
• Egg experiments
• Water bottle rocket
• Twirling paper spinner
• Volcano cake
• DIY kaleidoscope
• Water jelly crystals
• Marble run
• Walking paper horse
• Walking water
• Fireworks in mason jars
• Disappearing ink
• Instant ice
• Bath bombs
• Kinetic sand
• Dancing popcorn
• Soap clouds
• Erupting lemons

Miscellaneous crafts

Here are some other creative ideas for little hands during the summer months.

• Periscope
• Window clings
• Shrinky dinks
• Slime
• Paper plates string art
• Crayon shaving canvas art
• Spaghetti sensory play
• Giant bubbles
• Ice block treasure hunt
• Galaxy jar
• PVC Marshmallow gun
• Toilet paper roll towers
• Watermelon paper fan
• Puffy paint plastic cutouts
• Stretch bracelets
• Rainbow loom bouncy ball
• Sponge water bombs
• Pipe cleaner bracelets

I hope you enjoy these wonderful summer crafts during the warm weather months. They are somewhat simple yet so much fun for the whole family during the summer months.

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If you want to make some giant bubbles, you can’t do it without some giant bubble wands. But before you spend a whole bunch of money online for some, try making them at home for free! They are super easy and will last a really long time. So let’s get started making these gigantic bubbles and enjoying this fun activity.

My family has been doing giant bubbles for years and we’ve always used our own homemade giant bubble wands to make huge bubbles. I’ve tried a store-bought giant bubble wand set and I still prefer the ones that we made. These big bubble wands make the biggest bubbles and the best results. Plus, they are really easy to make using items that you most likely already have around your home. Let’s get started!

Gather your bubble wand supplies

Homemade bubble wands are made out of three simple items:

• Two sticks from a tree branch (or wooden dowel)
• Cotton string
• Old key

If you don’t have an old key, you can also use eye screws or a metal washer. You just need something to weigh the string down. You’ll also need a measuring tape and a pair of scissors.

Measure and cut the strings and sticks

Trim your sticks so they are about 1.5 to 2 feet long. You can actually make them as long or as short as you want. That’s just what I prefer. Then, cut one piece of string that is 26 inches long and one piece of string that is 52 inches long.

Assemble your bubble wands

The final step to making your giant bubble wands is to tie everything together. Tie one end of the 52-inch long string to one end of one of the sticks. Thread the key onto the same string. Tie the other end of the long string to the end of the other stick. Finally, tie each end of the short string to each end of the sticks in the same spot where the long strings are tied. When you’re done, it should look like an upside down triangle.

Test out your bubble wands

Now that your bubble wands are complete, it’s time for the fun part and test them out. You’ll want to make sure you have the correct bubble solution. I tested all of the giant bubble solutions out there and this one is my favorite. It uses child-safe bubble products.

Here’s how to use your giant bubble wants:

• Dip: Dip the strings into the bubble solution until they are completely immersed.
• Lift: Lift the strings strings out of the solution while still holding the sticks together
• Separate: Slowly separate the sticks until your strings resemble a triangle. You should see the slurry of the solution inside the strings.
• Blow: Gently blow between the open strings until a bubble starts to form. If there is a breeze, you can just let the wind catch it. You can also take a few steps and let the wind catch it as well.

Tips and tricks

I have found from experience that these bubble wands get tangled very easily. So, if you have a bunch of kids who want to try it out, be prepared to spend some time untangling. Or, just tell the kids that you will blow the bubbles that they can pop them.

Also, giant bubbles work best on humid or overcast days. They also work awesome on the beach where there is normally a slight breeze. They are perfect for outdoor play for kids of all ages.

That’s it! Admit it, making giant bubble wands is way easier than you thought. We love taking giant bubbles along for a summer activity to the park, the beach, birthday parties and just in our backyard. They are such a fun way to pass the time and is perfect for young kids, older children and the entire family. If for some reason, you don’t have the motivation to make your own bubble wands, you can buy them on Amazon here. If you want more easy craft ideas, check out my “Crafts for Kids” idea list.

Let me know how it goes creating your bubble wands in the comments below.

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Who doesn’t love the Mario Brothers? That’s why a Mario Birthday Party is so much fun. But what doesn’t make sense is spending hundreds of dollars on a kid’s birthday party. That’s why I’m here to show you an easy way to pull this party off on the cheap (expense breakdown included). Check it out!

Our family has a birthday rule that each kid can have a birthday party, but it has to be under $100. So, when my son said he wanted a Super Mario Birthday Party, I was up for the budgeting challenge. Plus, it ended up being a fabulous, awesome party and such a special occasion. The perfect party for kids of all ages. Here’s how I did it.

Mario Birthday Party expenses in a nutshell

So, I was actually able to throw my son’s birthday party complete with all your favorite characters Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Browser for only $65! Yep, you heard it. Here’s how much everything cost:

• Decorations and games: $12
• Cupcakes and ice cream: $9 ( I already had cupcake mix at home)
• Paper plates, napkins and cups from Dollar Store: $6
• Gift bags, toys and candy: $20
• Blue, yellow, green and red balloons: $10
• Pinata and candy: $23
• Invitations: $0
• Re-selling all the decorations after the party: -$15

Total cost of birthday party: $65

If you want, you can buy a lot of this on Amazon or you can make a lot of it yourself. It just depends on how motivated you are.

Print your Mario birthday invitations at home

So, I designed a really cute Mario birthday invitation template that you can just print and fill out at home. You can text a picture of it to your party guests or drop them off at their homes. All, try to keep the number of guests to eight or below. It makes for a much manageable group and you’re not spending tons of money on gift bags and refreshments.

To download your free invitation template, click below. I offer this printable for FREE to all visitors of my blog, but if you’d like to show your support, feel free to buy me a taco.

Buy your party decorations used

You can buy brand new decorations on Amazon or at your local party store, but they are SOOOOO expensive. Why not check out Facebook Marketplace and see if someone is selling their old Mario birthday party decorations? That’s what I did! I stuck with a classic theme and got a Mario poster, banner, party game, table scatter, wall decorations and cupcake toppers for only $12. If I had purchased all of that stuff on Amazon, I would have paid $50. So, I saved $38. That’s a steal.

Other ideas for do-it-yourself decorations include a piranha plant, green pipes, question marks and a super star.

Keep the refreshments simple

There is no rule that you have to feed all of the neighbor kids a full pizza dinner for a birthday party. And you don’t have to pay a professional baker $150-$200 to make a fancy Mario birthday cake. Instead, I made 24 cupcakes from a $2 box mix from the grocery store, bought ice cream cups and made Kool-Aid. And guess what? The kids LOVED it! You can also print off some Mario clipart online and tape them to some popsicle sticks to make your own cupcake toppers.

Other refreshment ideas include goomba cupcakes, rice krispies, Mario cookie cutter cookies, water bottles and chocolate coins.

Play easy and simple games

This was my son’s 8th birthday, so we played the following games and everyone at the party loved them:

• Pin the Mustache on the Mario
• Birthday treasure hunt with goody bags and chocolate gold coins
• Pinata
• Mario Kart Race competition on the Wii

You can find an image of Mario online and print it one your home printer or at your local copy store for the Pin the Mustache on the Mario game. Birthday treasure hunts are super easy to make at home, but here’s a fun treasure hunt if you don’t want to go to the effort.

Other Super Mario games include obstacle course, scavenger hunt and mystery boxes. You can also tell your guests that they can where their favorite Super Mario costumes.

As for the pinata, you can spend $30 on Amazon for a brand new one or you can make your own! I made a number eight pinata and decorated it with Mario clipart and it only cost me $5!

Be creative; use items from home

My son had an old Mario Kart remote controlled car and a Mario hat. I used both of those for decoration. Also, I made the pinata from an old diaper box and set out some red, green and blue banana chairs that fit the decor perfectly. You don’t have to go out and buy everything new. Plus, these kids frankly don’t care. They just want to have fun.

Here’s a fun video showing the decorations for my son’s party. Overall, it was such a special day for our birthday boy.

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I don’t know what it is about pinatas but they are an absolute blast. Every kid loves them for their birthday, but they can be really pricey. So, here’s how to make your own DIY pinata for only $5 for your next birthday party. Yep, that’s right. Check it out!

So, if you’re lucky, you might be able to find a pinata that costs less than $25. Instead, why not grab some cardboard and crepe paper and make your own for only $5? It’s super easy and you can customize it based on the age of the person’s birthday that you are celebrating. The best part is that it’s cheap. Check these simple steps to get started.

Gather your pinata supplies

In order to make your own pinata, you can probably find most of your supplies around your house. The only thing I ended up spending money on was the crepe paper. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Large regular cardboard box (old diaper boxes work great)
• Scissors
• Duct tape
• Crepe paper (tissue paper works too)
• Glue sticks (hot glue might work in a pinch)
• Pipe cleaner
• Bulk candy

Step #1: Cut out your pinata shape

This DIY pinata can be made in any shape that you want. I decided to make a number eight for my son’s eighth birthday. However, if you want to do a race car, unicorn, ice cream or a fish, the sky’s the limit. To start this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll want to draw your shape onto a large piece of cardboard. The number eight that I drew was about 17 inches tall and 11 inches wide. Then, cut it out. Repeat this same process so that you have two identical shapes.

Step #2: Tape everything together

Once you have the main shape of your pinata cut out, you’ll want to tape together the sides. This will be what makes your pinata three dimensional. I cut out the flaps on the diaper box that I used but you can use whatever you want. Just make sure you have long strips of cardboard that are all the same length. Some people recommend using a cereal box because it’s thin cardboard, but I felt like the cardboard was sturdier. Start taping the cardboard flaps along the edge of one of the two shapes that you cut out earlier. I used small pieces of duct tape. It holds really went. You can bend the cardboard before you tape it if your shape curves like mine did. Then repeat with the other shape.

Step #3: Glue on your crepe paper

This step is definitely the most time-consuming part. But if you really focus, you can probably finish it in about an hour. Grab the color crepe paper of your choice and cut one large length (about three feet) and then fold it a few times. Cut little strips on one side about an inch and a half up but don’t cut all the way through. Once complete, unfold the paper. It should look like a fringe garland. Then, using a glue stick, add glue your piece of crepe paper directly onto the pinata where you want it. It’s easier to glue from the bottom up instead of the top down. Repeat this process until the entire pinata is covered.

Step #4: Cover any holes and add pipe cleaner

If you have a number pinata like mine that has holes in it, you’ll need to cover those so candy doesn’t fall out. Just color a circular piece of cardboard black and tape it from the inside. Then, in order to hang your pinata, you’ll need to add a pipe cleaner to the top of the piñata. Just cut to holes on the top to make a small opening, thread the pipe cleaner though and tie in a knot. Then, you can hang it from a tree branch.

That’s it’s! Overall, it only took me about three hours to complete this homemade piñata. Once you’re finished, buy a big bag of candy or small toys and fill it up. You can also add some cute decorations to the front. My son was having a Super Mario Brothers birthday party so I printed off some cute pictures and taped them on. He loved it.

Pinata making tips and tricks

• Diapers box: A big Huggies diaper box was the perfect size to make a pinata out of
• Duct tape: This is much stronger than masking tape. I would recommend it.
• Decorations: Make it your own by decorating the outside with cute cutouts or paper flowers based on your party theme. If you print them at home, there’s no additional cost.
• Not just for kids: Try making a party pinata for an adult, they are just as much fun.
• Buy online: If you’re still not convinced and you want to just buy a pinata online, Amazon has some cute number pinatas, tacos and even poop emojis.
• No more paper mache: There are different ways to make a pinata, but this carboard pinata is a much better option than the traditional method of adding layers of paper mache with sticky paper mache paste and newspaper strips.

Let me know how it goes when you make your own diy piñata in the comments below. Check out my quick video on how to make a pinata below. Cheers!

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Whether you are in charge of your class party or just a gathering with family, here are two printable and super fun Valentine’s Day games for kids that you can play with conversation hearts. Print and play your games today!

It seems like every year, I am in charge of bringing an easy game to my child’s Valentine’s Day classroom party. So, I decided to create my own game that is fun and quick. I came up with two that incorporate conversation hearts and they are literally the best.

Download your printable Valentine’s day games

I have two different games that you can download in one! The first one is the Roll-a-Heart game and the second is Finish the Phrase. Both of them use the classic Valentine’s Day candy conversation hearts. They come in a high-quality 8.5×11 PDF.

To download and purchase your printable, click the link at the bottom of this blog post.

Game #1: How to play Roll-a-Heart

This game is perfect for a Valentine’s Day party for the whole family. It’s an easy game for kids of all ages. All you need is a die and a bag of conversation hearts. Roll a die and place a conversation candy heart on a corresponding heart on the board. Continue this process until your board is completed. The first person to finish their board wins. This game works well with a small group of a larger group. The entire family or class will have a great time.

Game #2: How to play Finish the Phrase

Have you ever wanted to make up your own phrases for candy Valentine hearts? Well, now you can. Just complete the phrases on the hearts on the board with this simple game. Whoever finishes their phrases first wins! You can divide into team members or play individually. Then, once every has completed their board, you can read the answers that people put down. You don’t have to use conversation hearts, but if you want to, you can find candy hearts that match the phrases that you put down on your game board.

I hope you have as much playing these games as we did. These family fun toddler approved are a fun idea to start the Valentine’s day celebrations on the right foot. Let me know how it goes in the comments below. To download and purchase these two Valentine’s Day games, click on the link below:

Click here to download your Valentine’s Day PDF Games

Other Valentine’s Day party games

Aside from these super fun games above, there are lots of other fun Valentine games you can play on February 14th. These are perfect Valentine’s Day classroom games as well. Here’s just a few more to help you out:

• Scavenger hunt
• Felt Tic Tac Toe board game
• Bingo cards with Hershey kisses
• Heart attack with paper hearts with construction paper
• Heart-shaped bracelets craft
• Musical hearts (like musical chairs)
• Relay races
• Simon Says
• Valentine minute to win it

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If you have an LDS baptism coming up for your child, grandchild or neighbor, the three bears of baptism is the perfect gift. It’s simple and reminds that special someone of the covenants they are making on their big day. Check it out.

Baptism day is a big day for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You can become a member as early as your eighth birthday. So, this gift tag is the perfect way to tell that eight-year-old how much you love them.

Story of the Three Bears of Baptism

This story is actually a talk about baptism that has been circulating in the LDS culture for years. Basically, you talk about thee different bears that represent the promises that you make when you are baptized:

• 1st bear: Bear the name of Jesus Christ
• 2nd bear: Bear one another’s burdens
• 3rd bear: Bear testimony

For complete details on this talk click here.

Print your three bears of baptism gift tag

Whether you’re giving a talk at a baptism or not, this gift tag is perfect gift for that special boy or girl getting baptized. First, you’ll want to download and print your baptism gift tag. The link is at the end of this blog post. I designed this gift tag in three different sizes, so you can pick which one you want the most.

Cut and attach your gift tag

Once I had my gift tags printed, I just got some scissors and cut out the tag that I wanted. You can also cut them with a paper cutter, but scissors were just as easy.

You have several options for bear-themed gifts that you can attach to your tag. Here’s a few ideas:

• Gummy bears
• Giant gummy bear
• Small teddy bear
• Ceramic teddy bear

Whichever gift you choose, just make sure that you attach the gift tag to it. I just used some white ribbon but you can use whatever you want. It turned out so cute!

That’s it! I hope your child, grandchild, niece or nephew will love this Three Bears of Baptism gift. If you would like to purchase and download the gift tag PDF, click on the link below:

Click here to download your Three Bears of Baptism Gift Tag

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Everyone wants to feel special on their birthday. Well, a birthday candy bar poster is just the ticket. This super easy birthday gift always adds a touch of love and happiness to any birthday. Here’s how to make one today.

I’m always trying to find new ways to celebrate my kids’ birthdays. And these candy bar posters always rise to the top of my list. They are just so easy and super fun. Plus, who doesn’t love 14 extra candy bars? Am I right? So, here’s how to make one for your next birthday celebration.

Download your birthday candy bar poster today

This candy bar poster is 26 inches x 22 inches. It’s just slightly smaller than those colorful poster boards that you can buy at the Dollar Store. Just click on the link below to purchase and download your PDF.

Click here to download your Candy Bar Poster PDF

You’ll want to email this PDF file to your local copy store. Make sure you tell them the dimensions at 26 inches x 22 inches. If you don’t want to pay the cost of full color, you can print it in black and white. Whatever you prefer.

Buy and prep your candy bars

Some of these candy bars are easier to find at the grocery store than others. You can also check gas stations as well. Sometimes they have those hard-to-find candy bars. You can also buy them on Amazon as well. Here’s a list of the candy bars:

• Payday
• Whoppers
• Starburst
• Mounds
• Almond Joy
• Skor
• M&Ms
• Sweet Tarts Ropes
• Smarties
• LaffyTaffy
• Big Hunk
• 100 Grand
• Rocky Road
• Rolo

Make sure you buy the regular-sized candy bars and not the king-sized candy bars or they will not fit in the allotted space on the poster. Then, black out certain letters and words on the candy bars according to the picture above. I used a black permanent marker and it worked great.

Tape candy bars to the poster

Next, take each candy bar and tape them to the spot indicated on the poster. I included the name of each candy on the spot where it belongs on the poster to make it easier. I just used regular masking tape so that I can easily remove it afterwards and re-use the poster for another family member later.

Mount the candy bar poster

The last step for your birthday candy bar poster is to mount it to a larger poster board. You can buy one of those poster boards at the dollar store or you can purchase one here. I just taped it using duct tape. Or you can glue it, whatever you prefer. This gives the poster just a little big extra depth. However, you can skip this step if you prefer.

That’s it! My son was so excited when I gave him this poster for his birthday. It made for the perfect addition to his special day. My other kids were so jealous that I promised to them I would do a birthday candy bar poster for them on their birthdays as well.

Here’s a link to download your poster one more time if you didn’t see it above:

Click here to download your Candy Bar Poster PDF

Let me know how your birthday candy bar poster goes in the comments below. Thanks for visiting my blog!

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It’s Christmas party time! That means you are probably looking for some free printable Christmas games. So, whether it’s a classroom Christmas party, a family holiday party or a get together with friends, you’re at the right place. Let’s get started!

I love a good Christmas game to get the party started and there are a tons of them online. But sometimes they are hard to find. So here’s a one-stop-shop blog post to find everything you need. Check it out!

Free Don’t Eat Pete Christmas printable games

• Classic Don’t Eat Pete (simple)
• Don’t Eat Frosty

Free printable advent calendars

• Christmas tree scripture advent calendar
• Advent Calendar Activity Cards
• Christmas Kindness for Kids Advent Calendar
• Kids can light the world calendar
• Color-a-day Christmas advent calendar

Free Christmas Bingo games

• Hallmark Christmas movie Bingo
• Classic Christmas Bingo
• Happy Birthday Jesus Bingo Game
• Grinch Bingo
• Winter Bingo

Free printable Christmas dice games

• Roll-A-Snowman
• Christmas Gift Exchange Dice Game
• Christmas candy dice game
• Family Christmas number dice game
• Roll-A-Christmas-Tree dice game

Free Emoji Christmas printables

• Christmas movies emoji pictionary
• Christmas song emoji game
• Emoji Pictionary (Christmas phrase edition)

Free Christmas word game printables

• Holiday word search for kids and adults
• Christmas word scramble
• Christmas story cross word puzzle
• Cryptogram Christmas puzzle for kids
• Finish the Christmas phrase game
• Christmas Scattergories

Free printable adult Christmas games

• What’s on your phone Christmas edition
• Christmas trivia
• Family Feud Christmas edition
• Christmas Charades

I hope you enjoy these printable Christmas games for your next holiday party. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

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What better way to enjoy the holiday season, than to play the Build A Snowman Game? It’s perfect for kids and adults alike and it’s so easy! Take a look.

My family loves to play games after Thanksgiving Dinner and at Christmas parties. And I love this Build A Snowman Game because it easy enough for even toddlers but fun for the whole family. Here’s how to play. Check it out!

Print your Build a Snowman Christmas game

This game is just one 8.5 x 11 PDF. You can print it at home or at your local copy store. Just click on the link below to download your PDF. Print as many copies as you want depending on how many people will be playing.

Click here to download your Build a Snowman Game

Roll A Snowman game rules

This is a super easy holiday game to play with your friends and family. Here’s how to play:

• Each player needs their own snowman game sheet.
• Everyone rolls their own dice at the same time and draws a snowman part onto their sheet that corresponds with the number that they rolled.
• Continue this process until a snowman is completed.
• The first person to finish their snowman is the winner and receives a prize.

You’ll need just a few simple supplies to play this fun holiday game with your friends and family:

• Dice (one for each player)
• Crayons or colored pencils

Prize ideas for the winners

My kids are always more motivated to play a game when there is a prize involved. Here are some super cute prize ideas that anyone would love:

• Mini Christmas push pop bubble toys
• Holiday squishy toys
• Mini claw machine
• Temporary Christmas tattoos

Here’s some other fun Christmas game ideas as well:

• Name that Tradition Christmas game
• Grinch Grab Christmas Punch Game
• Pin the Nose on the Santa

I hope you have as much fun playing this Build A Snowman game as my family has. It’s the perfect addition to any holiday party. Here’s the link to download the game one more time in case you missed it above:

Click here to download your Build a Snowman Game

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Whether you’re 5 or 50 years old, everyone loves a PVC marshmallow gun and guess what? They’re super easy and cheap to make. Here’s how to make one for yourself in three easy steps. Let’s get started!

When I was in high school, I went on a group date with about 50 people and everyone had their own marshmallow gun. We had an all out war and I just remember there were mini marshmallows all over the ground. Ever since then, I have wanted to make my own PVC marshmallow gun. Well, I should have done it sooner. It’s super easy.

Gather your PVC marshmallow gun supplies

These guns are super easy to make and it only costs a whopping $5 for all of the supplies at Home Depot. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2-foot 1/2 inch PVC pipe
• 2 PVC 90 degree elbow joints (1/2 inch)
• 1 PVC tee joint (1/2 inch)
• 1 PVC end cap slip (1/2 inch)
• Gorilla glue or PVC pipe cement
• Spray paint (optional)
• Saw or PVC pipe cutter

Step #1: Cut pipe into pieces for your marshmallow shooter

First, you’ll need to cut the 2-foot PVC pipe into four pieces to the following lengths:

• 1 (7″) length
• 3 (3″) lengths

The best and easiest way to cut your pipe is with a PVC pipe cutter. But if you don’t have one of those, you can use a circular saw or even a hand saw.

Step #2: Spray paint the PVC pipes

This step is optional but this is how you make your marshmallow blow gun your own. I decided to paint mine a lime green but you can choose whatever color you would like.

Step #3: Glue the PVC pieces together

Your last and final step is to glue the PVC pieces together in the right order to complete your PVC marshmallow gun. I used PVC pipe cement but you can use super glue, gorilla glue or whatever you want. The PVC pipe cement is blue so sometimes it shows on the edges.

That’s it! A PVC marshmallow gun is the perfect gift for birthdays or Christmas. Plus, it’s super inexpensive. My mom gave each of her grandkids a marshmallow shooter for Christmas and everyone loved it!

Here’s a short video that I made explaining how to make your own marshmallow gun. Check it out! And good luck with your DIY project.

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Nothing says “party” like a bunch of Minute to Win It games for teens. Whether you have a larger group or smaller groups, they are so easy and everyone can participate. These team competition games are so much fun, even your moody teenager would approve. So, check it out!

So, I was recently in charge of a LDS youth activity with the teenagers from my church. It was kind of last minute so I had to think of something that would entertain 15 teenagers for an hour. Thank goodness for Minute to Win It games. These are a real challenge and super fun activities. Here’s 25 games for teenagers.

#1: Sticky Note Face

In teams of two, see which players can place the most sticky notes on their teammates face with on hand in one minute. This is a fun game.

#2: Blind Food Challenge

See who can identify the most different food blindfolded in one minute.

#3: Cereal Box Puzzle

Cut out the front of a cereal box into squares and see which player can put together the puzzle in one minute.

#4: Cookie Face

Use your facial muscles to see whoever can wiggle an Oreo cookie from their forehead to their mouth the fastest without using their hands.

#5: Mummy Wrap

Each team chooses one player to sit in the chair and be wrapped with either toilet paper or crepe paper. The second player sitting is given the end of the roll to hold.

When the timer starts players need to use their toilet paper rolls to continuously wrap their friend up. Whichever team wraps their player up the most in 1-minute wins.

#6: Keep It Up

See which player can keep three balloons in the air simultaneously without any of them touching the ground for three minutes.

#7: Stack Attack

With 21 plastic solo cups each, see which player can build and disassemble a pyramid the fastest. They each have their own stack of cups.

#8: Balloon Cups

With a balloon in each players’ mouths, they need to blow up a balloon into a red Solo cup and then lift the cup into the next cup and then let the air out of the balloon. Continue this process until 20 cups are filled. See who can stack all the cups within one minute. Avoid using small balloons such as water balloons.

#9: Vertical Golf Balls

In less than 60 seconds, players have to stack 3 golf balls vertically. They can take as many shots as possible, as long as there’s still time on the clock.

#10: Junk in the Trunk

This is one of the classic Minute to Win It Games for teens. Tie an empty tissue box with a belt attached to it onto the player’s waist. With the box filled with 10 ping pong balls, see whoever can shake the most ping-pong balls out of their tissue box within one minute. However, they can lean backwards (like they are in the picture below). That’s cheating. This is a fun minute to watch.

#11: By a thread

Use one hand to thread a piece of thread through the eye of 10 needles. Make sure to line them up vertically, with their eyelets decreasing in size. This isn’t a very easy minute for the players but it’s a great way to have some laughs.

#12: Jell-O Search

Players must find objects hidden in a bowl or casserole dish filled with Jell-O with no hands and blindfolded. Whoever finds the most objects in one minute wins.

#13: Blindfold Bowling

This one is just as it sounds. Using a plastic toy bowling set, see how many pins the player can knock down on the other side of the room with a bowling ball in one minute while blindfolded. You can have a different player set the pins back up each time.

#15: Chocolate Unicorn

In less than 60 seconds, players must balance 7 chocolate cookies on their forehead, and keep them there for 3 seconds.

#16: Noodling Around

Players must thread 6 pieces of penne pasta onto a piece of uncooked spaghetti that is being held in their mouth. They must be threaded on piece at a time and without the use of their hands.

#17: Water Bottle Flip

Every teenager loves the chance to show off their water bottle flipping skills. In this can, see which player can correctly flip a water bottle and land it upright in one minute.

#18: Speed Eraser

Players must bounce the eraser end of pencils off the table and get them to land inside six glass cups that are lined up in front of them. Each player must get one pencil inside each cup in less than one minute.

#19: Cotton Ball Game

Using a soup spoon, players must scoop as many cotton balls as they can in one minute into a bowl that they are holding on their heads with their other hand.

#20: Skittle Sort

With a bag of Skittles and cups with color-coded labels, so which player can place the most Skittles into the corresponding cups in one minute.

#21: Suck it up

Players must transfer plastics beads from one bowl into another bowl by sucking them up one at a time with a straw. Most beads transferred in one minute wins.

#22: Watermelon Card Throw

Cut a watermelon in half and make the juicy side face the player. Give the player a stack of playing cards and have him/her stand a few feet away from the watermelon. They need to throw a card in such a way that it will stick into the watermelon.  The one who sticks the most cards wins. 

#23: Marshmallow Pick Up Game

See which player can pick up as many mini marshmallows and put them into a bowl using only skewers or chopsticks. They aren’t allowed to stab the marshmallows with the skewers.

#24: Vaseline Nose

Put Vaseline on each player’s nose. Each player has to transfer cotton balls from one plate to another without using his/her hands.

#25: Donut Drop

Tie a string around a doughnut and hang it in-between two chairs. Using only their mouths, players must eat the entire doughnut without using their hands or letting it fall off of the string.

#26: Starburst Stack

Team members must see how many wrapped Starbursts a player can stack onto a popsicle stick that another player is holding in their mouth in one minute. It must be one single stack. The tallest tower of candy wins. This is a fun one for birthday parties.

#27: Elephant March

Using a pair of pantyhose with a tennis ball inside, players must place the top of the pantyhose on top of their head. Then, they have one minute to knock over as many water bottles as they can by swinging the pantyhose (with the ball inside). This will be the funniest minute of your life.

#28: Feather Breath

See which players can keep a feather floating in the air for one minute by blowing on it. They are not allowed to use their hands. This is a great game.

#29: Get the Penny

The aim of the game is to put 1 penny into each leg of a pair of pantyhose. Have the player try to retrieve both pennies in under 1 minute.

#30: Ping Pong Drop

The first player that can score the most points in one minute by rolling ping pong balls across a long table and into paper cups that are taped to the end of the table is the winner.

I hope these Minute to Win It games for teens will be a hit at your next party. Aside from youth group games, these simple games also work great for a family game night, even if you have younger players or older kids. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

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If you’re looking for a fun and easy craft that will keep your kids entertained for a LONG time, try sharpie and alcohol art. It is so much fun, you might even want to do it yourself. Plus, it’s not expensive at all. Check it out!

We decided to do sharpie and alcohol art for one of our youth group activities at our church. The girls LOVED it! It was super fun to see all of their personalities manifest in their works of art. It was a blast. Here how to do it.

Gather your sharpie and alcohol art supplies

There aren’t that many supplies to make this art project a success. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Painting canvas (you can find these at the Dollar Store for pretty cheap or Amazon)
• Sharpie markers (all colors)
• Plastic droppers
• Painter’s tape
• Rubbing alcohol
• Paper towels
• Small disposable cups
• Q-tips (optional)

Draw your masterpiece

Using the sharpie markers, draw whatever you want onto the painting canvas. It can be a saying, a landscape or an abstract. Whatever you want. You can also take pieces of painters tape and make a pattern across the canvas.

It was fun to see what everyone decided to draw. Some of the girls took a lot of time to make their artwork very detailed. Others quickly scribbled an abstract scene. But regardless, all of them looked awesome at the end.

Add the rubbing alcohol to the artwork

Fill a disposable cup about halfway with rubbing alcohol. Then, fill a plastic dropper, with rubbing alcohol. Drop the alcohol onto the canvas. You can cover the entire piece of art or you can strategically add drops of alcohol to certain areas of the canvas. I ended up covering the entire canvas.

Then, you can hold the canvas over a garbage can, sink or bowl and let the excess alcohol run off. Don’t try to pat the canvas dry with a paper towel. That will cause the color from the marker to come off on the towel and ruin the artwork.

Outline original image with marker

If you’re happy with the way your artwork looks, then you’re done. However, I like to take a black permanent marker and outline the original image that you drew. This gives the artwork more detail and depth.

You’ll also want to consider the colors that you are combining. Since the colors run together, they could create browns, greens and purples. So keep that in mind. Overall, this sharpie and alcohol art was such a fun activity and ended up turning out so cute!

I want to know what you thought of this art activity. Leave your comments below! Thanks for reading!

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The last thing our kids need are more toys. So give them something they’ll remember for years down the road with experience coupons! They will be happy and you will be happy. Win! Win! Check it out.

Last year for Christmas, I decided that I was tired of giving my kids a bunch of toys that they break or forget about within a week. So, instead, my husband and I chose to give our kids experiences instead of gifts. I thought that my kids would be upset, but it turns out, it was a really good idea. Here’s how you can do that same thing.

Print your experience coupons

I designed these coupons so that you can fill-in-the-blank in the space provided with the coupon of your choice. There are six coupons included on one 8.5×11 PDF. You can just print it at home or send it to your local copy store. I like to print my coupons on cardstock for extra durability since you might hang onto these for a while before your kids redeem them. Just click on the link below to download your coupons.

Click here to download your Experience Coupons

Brainstorm your experience gift ideas

Now for the fun part. Once you’ve printed your coupons, you’ll have to start thinking about what kind of experiences you want to have with your kids. The sky is the limit as far as the things that you can write down on these coupons. The best part, is the PDF that you download below (here’s the link one more time), includes 85+ gift ideas. I’ve also included these ideas below and broke them down into sections.

Click here to download your Experience Coupons

Learning coupon ideas

If you want your kids to develop a talent or learn something with you, try out these experience coupon ideas that stretch the brain.

• Cooking class
• Swimming lessons
• Music lessons
• Art class
• Language lessons
• Craft day
• Science experiment day
• Plant a garden
• Volunteer at local food bank
• Pottery class
• Visit Children’s Hospital
• Local museum
• Geocaching
• Build a treehouse
• Service day
• Volunteer at a local food bank
• Lemonade stand
• Visit a children’s hospital

Outdoor/adventurous coupon ideas

Screen time can take over our lives, so try giving your kids a coupon that forces them outside to try something new.

• Camping trip
• Sports event
• Trip to the zoo
• Amusement park
• Snow skiing
• Boating day
• Trampoline park
• Ice skating
• Rock climbing
• Top Golf
• Outdoor movie
• Summer camp
• Petting zoo
• Picnic at the park
• Waterpark
• Splash pad
• Indoor playground
• Fishing tournament
• Snowshoeing
• Horseback riding
• Miniature golf
• Batting cages
• Day at the beach
• Climbing wall
• Scavenger hunt
• Treasure hunt
• Helicopter ride
• River rafting
• Hot air balloon ride
• Ninja Warrior gym
• Ziplining
• Visit a farm
• Explore a cave
• Explore local state park
• Indoor skydiving
• Train ride

Subscription box coupon ideas

For the gift that keeps on giving and provides a learning experience at the same time, subscription boxes are amazing. Check these out:

• Baketivity – monthly baking kit
• We Craft Box – monthly crafting adventures
• My First Reading Club – monthly books for young readers
• Green Kids Crafts – experiments and art projects that promote STEAM learning (science, technology, engineering, art, and math)
• Strong – monthly subscription box for tween girls
• Bitsbox – coding subscription box for kids

There are lots of really cool subscription box ideas out there, but the main idea is to get their brain working and have fun at the same time.

Just for fun coupon ideas

Sometimes you don’t need a reason to give a gift to your kids. You just want to have fun with them and show them that you love them. Here’s some ideas that are just the ticket.

• Disneyland
• Overnight hotel stay
• Check out of school for lunch
• Yes Day
• Mani/Pedi
• Day with Grandma
• Amusement Park
• Build-a-Bear
• Shopping spree
• Late night with friends
• $10 Arcade day
• Family game night
• Day at Chuck E. Cheeses
• Circus
• Monster Truck Rally
• Disney on Ice
• Comic Con
• Factory tour
• Ice cream and a movie
• Out to eat
• Slime Factory
• Throw a theme friend party
• Host a restaurant at home
• Face painting

I hope your kids enjoy their experience coupons as much as our kids did. I can almost guarantee that your kids will remember the experiences they had much more than the toys that they would have received.

Here’s the link to the downloadable PDF below one more time.

Click here to download your Experience Coupons

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Of all the fun DIY kids crafts out there, this ultimate spy gadget is the perfect project for any bored kid. Plus it’s super cool. So, if you don’t know how to make a periscope, check it out, right now!

My 9-year-old son loves a good DIY project and this homemade periscope ended up being super cool. It wasn’t very difficult to make either. With just a few supplies, you’ll be on your way. Take a look!

What is a periscope?

A periscope is a special tool that brings what is around corners, over walls or beyond your line of sign into view. Think submarines. It works by using mirrors to bounce light from one place to another. When light falls against the first mirror it is reflected onto the second mirror. The light then bounces again, but this time it reflects into the observer’s eye.

Gather your periscope supplies

You’ll only need a few supplies to make your very own periscope. You might be able to find most of these items at home. But we were able to find our supplies at the Dollar Store. Here’s what you’ll need:

• White foam 20×30 inch poster board cut into four 20″ x 4.5″ strips (see image below)
• Two square craft mirrors
• Utility knife or scissors
• Ruler
• Pen
• Hot glue gun

Cut and glue the foam board strips together

Cut your foam board into four 20″x4.5″ strips. Then, trace the outline of your square mirror on the end of two of the four foam board strips. Make sure you leave about a 1/4″ space between the mirror and the end of the strip. Then cut out the square that you just drew.

Next, hot glue the four boards together to form a really long rectangle. Make sure that the boards with the cut out squares are glued opposite each other and on opposite ends (see the diagram above).

Insert the mirrors

When learning how to make a periscope, pay attention to how you insert the mirrors. Insert the bottom mirror at an angle into the bottom hole so that it reflects up. The mirror should fit snuggly against the interior side walls. If you can see the ceiling after inserting this mirror, then it should be in place correctly. If you can’t see the ceiling, make adjustments to them mirror’s angle until you can. Hot glue the mirror in place.

Then, insert the second mirror at an angle in the top hole so that it reflects down. Then hot glue that mirror in place as well.

Decorate your periscope

My son decorated his periscope however he wanted. You can use markers, crayons and even glue on beads and other craft materials. He also wrote on it which way is up so he didn’t get confused when looking through it.

Test it out!

Now for the fun part. Find an area where you can hide behind an object and be able to look over the top of it with your periscope such as a fence, stairwell or kitchen island. Look into the mirror on the bottom hole and you should be able to see the view on the other side of the object. It’s super fun! My kids totally got a kick out of this. They thought it was so cool.

I hope you learned how to make a periscope and that it turned out fabulous. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

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It’s a big day when your tween officially become a teen on their 13th birthday! So, make them feel special with an “I’m officially a teenager” badge. This awesome teen birthday gift idea will bring a smile to their face and hopefully they will wear it long enough to take a picture, ha ha!

Now, sometimes it can be tricky to know what to get your teenager for their birthday, but these birthday badges are a quick, easy and fun addition to any 13-year-olds birthday. Check it out!

Download and print your badge

I designed these printable birthday badges so that you can simply print them at home, cut them out and pin them to your son or daughter’s t-shirt. Easy peasy. Just click on the link below to download and print your birthday badges. You can choose from pink, red, blue and green. You can also laminate your badges so they last longer.

Click here to download your Teen Birthday Badge

Surprise your teen on their big day

When your bright-eyed teenager wakes up, you can surprise him or her with their adorable birthday badge. I pinned my son’s badge on him with some safety pins. But you can also attach the badges onto some birthday presents as well and make it a gift tag.

So, my son even wore his badge long enough for me to take a picture of him, ha ha! Even though it’s a small thing, it’s a great teen birthday gift idea to make your son or daughter feel special on their big day.

Here’s a link to download your printable badge one more time if you didn’t see it above.

Click here to download your Teen Birthday Badge

Other official teenager gift ideas

• Official Teenager Birthday Decorations
• T-shirt for an official teenager
• Coffee mug for official teenager
• Trucker hat for official teenager

Let me know how celebrations go for your upcoming official teenager in the comments below. Also, let me know if you have another teen birthday gift idea. Cheers!

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If you are tired of watching your kids wrestle through crowds of children in search of just a few eggs, why not throw your own neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt? It’s way easier than you might think and everyone LOVES it. Here’s five tips to get you started:

My neighbor started the tradition of holding a neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt in their backyard every year. We looked forward to it every year. But then they moved and my kids were super disappointed. So, we decided to continue the tradition and have it in our backyard instead. It was a smashing success and not as difficult as I thought. Here’s five tips so you can throw one in your backyard.

Tip #1: Get the word out

It’s not hard to convince people to come to a free Easter Egg Hunt. All you have to do is print off a few flyers and deliver them around the neighborhood. You can also just text an image of the flyer to your friends and neighbors as well. Here’s a flyer that I used. Click on the link below to download a free PDF of the invite:

Tip #2: Collect your eggs

You shouldn’t have to provide ALL of the candy-filled eggs for the neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. That’s why on the invitation, I asked that families drop off–in advance–12 filled Easter eggs per participating child. Everyone is always super happy to provide their portion. Of course, I filled a couple of extra eggs just in case a few people forgot to send their kids with eggs.

Tip #3: Hide some money-filled Golden Eggs

Of course, the infamous Golden Egg is what makes these Easter Egg Hunts so much fun. We had four golden eggs with $5 in each of them. So, make sure you hide those ones super well. You have to make those kids work for it!

Tip #4: Let the toddlers go first

The bigger kids have a tendency of mowing over all the little kids in order to get as many eggs as possible. That’s why, I gathered all of the kids in the front yard and let any child age 4 and younger head into the backyard and collect their eggs first. That way we avoided any unnecessary tears.

Tip #5: Limit eggs to 12 per child

Just to make sure that all of the 12-year-old kids don’t hog all of the eggs for themselves, I told everyone that they could only have 12 eggs each. If there were eggs left over afterwards, they could have more. And of course, there were PLENTY of eggs left over. Everyone left with baskets full and grins from ear to ear.

Bonus tips:

• Try a Halloween-style Easter Egg Hunt where you go door-to-door collecting eggs from individual homes.
• Have someone dress up as the Easter Bunny and visit the kids
• Invite everyone to bring a treat to the neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt so the adults can chat afterwards
• Have a bounce house or other fun activities in your backyard for the kids to enjoy.
• Put toys in the eggs instead of candy to avoid sugar overload.

I hope these neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt tips will help you this Easter season. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

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This DIY quiet book is going to change your life. Okay, not really, but hopefully it will make your life a lot easier. Plus, there’s no sewing involved. Your toddler as well as your older kids will thank you. Check it out!

As a mom of five, I’m always looking for ways to entertain my kids outside of screens. That’s why I made this adorable DIY quiet book, specifically for toddlers. It’s entertaining and educational at the same time. But simple enough for a toddler to understand. Although my non-toddler children still like playing with it too. Win! Win! Here’s how to make your own.

Download your DIY quiet book printable

Yes, you heard me right. There is no sewing involved in making this quiet book. Yay! It’s actually super easy. First, you’ll want to download the PDF by clicking on the link below.

Click here to download your DIY quiet book

This download includes everything you’ll need to get started. Here’s what’s included:

• Busy Book Cover Page
• Alphabet page – Fill in the missing letters
• Animal page – Match the correct animals
• Counting page – Count as you place ice cream scoops on the cones
• Colors pages – Match the colors
• Faces page – Put silly faces on the heads
• Food page – What do you feel like for dinner?
• Holidays page – Match the holidays
• Matching page – Match the missing socks with the correct colors
• Seasons page – Match the four seasons
• Shapes page – Match the shapes

Aside from the cover page and the 10 activity pages, there are 7 cut out pages that contain the images for each activity page.

Print and laminate your pages

You can print all the pages at home or you can email the file to your local copy. Make sure you print on cardstock so the pages are sturdier. And don’t forget to laminate each page. If you’re lucky enough to own a laminator machine, then you can do that at home as well!

Cut out the activity images

There are seven pages included in the PDF that have images that need to be cut out by hand. I tried to condense the images onto seven pages instead of ten so you wouldn’t have to print as many pages. Although it may seem daunting, I threw on a movie and cut all the images in about an hour or so.

Attach Velcro dots

Now for the fun part. Once you’ve cut out all the images. Place a Velcro dot on the applicable areas of the activity pages and on the back of the cut out images. I used about 100 hook and loop Velcro dots in total.

Finishing touches

So, if you want, you can punch a hole in the upper left-hand corner of each make and connect all the pages together with a loose binder ring. I added the binder ring and then I placed all of the pages in a large Ziploc bag so it could hold all the loose cut out images in one place. It works great. Here’s a video of the finished product:

I hope you enjoy this DIY quiet book for toddlers. I know it’s going to be a hit! If you didn’t see the link above, click below to download your quiet book:

Click here to download your DIY quiet book

Vector graphics were provided by Vecteezy.

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The best way to make any birthday special is by giving away birthday coupons. These fill-in-the-blank customized gifts will bring a smile to anyone’s face and they are so easy. Check it out!

As a mother of five kids, I’m always trying to find ways to make my kids feel special on their big day. That’s why I love these birthday coupons. They are super easy to print off and fill in. Plus, it makes them feel extra loved knowing they get a coupon for something they love. Check it out!

Download and print your birthday coupons

First thing you need to do is download and print your coupons. I’ve designed these coupons on 8.5×11 paper so you can print it on your home computer or send it to your local copy store. Just click on the link below to download your PDF:

Click here to print your Birthday Coupons

I designed these coupons so you can print three to a page. That way you can give that special someone, not one and not two but three coupons!

Cut and fill in your coupons

Once you print your coupons, all you need to do is cut out each coupon and write down what the coupon is for in the space provided. Here’s some ideas of what you can write down on the coupon:

• One free kids meal at McDonald’s
• 30 minutes of free screen time
• Ice cream date with mom or dad
• Pick two toys at the Dollar Store
• Movie night with the family (you get to pick the movie)
• Pick what’s for dinner
• A new toy
• Stay up late
• Breakfast in bed
• Visit to trampoline park
• No chores for a whole week
• A new book
• Sleep in
• Trip to the museum or library
• Dinner date with mom or date
• Pajama Day
• Trip to the waterpark
• Late night with friends
• Family game night
• Pillow fort
• Breakfast for dinner
• Roast hot dogs and marshmallows
• Camping trip
• Vacation to Disneyland
• Day with mom
• Day with dad
• One-night stay at a hotel
• Foot massage
• Make cookies or a treat together
• Swimming at the local pool

Wrap and enjoy!

These birthday coupons can fit easily in a #10 business envelope. However, you can also buy some colorful birthday business envelopes that are even cuter. You can print as many copies of this PDF as you want. It’s the perfect gift for your kids, grandma, mom or your friend. The sky is the limit.

Other unique birthday gift ideas

Aside from birthday coupons, here’s some other unique birthday gift ideas that will bring a smile to their face:

What other ideas do you have to make your loved ones feel special on their big day? Leave your comments below. Here’s a link to the coupons one more time if you missed it above:

Click here to print your Birthday Coupons

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Pin poke printables are one of my kids’ favorite activities and they are so easy to do. Here’s 28 different holidays images that you can print, poke and color all day long. Your kids will be entertained for hours.

My kids are always looking for easy and fun activities to do at home. That’s why I love pin poke printables. They are perfect for any age and they help my kids develop their fine motor skills. Plus, they really like doing them! Here’s how you can do some pin poke pages today.

Download your pin poke printables

So, I designed seven pages of holiday-themed pin poke activities. Each page has four images per page. Basically, there are four images for every holiday of the year: Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Click on the link below to download your printable pages.

Click here to download your Pin Poke Printable Pages

Print and cut your pages

Once you’ve downloaded your PDF of the poke pages, you’ll need to cut out the four images on each page. You should end up with 28 different images (four for each holiday). I like to cut my pages out with a paper cutter. It’s faster and makes straighter cuts.

Start poking!

Now for the fun part. I let each of my kids choose the poke page that they wanted. Then, you’ll need a push pin or you can buy a pin poke tool that has a wooden handle for easy gripping.

Place one of the pin poke printables on a piece of cardboard, a throw pillow or a corkboard pad and poke a tiny hole into each of the tiny dots on the image. Continue until all of the dots have been poked and the image is complete.

Once you’re done, display all of your completed pages on a window. The light shines through the holes so you can see the image. My kids love hanging their completed creations up for everyone to see.

I hope you enjoy these poke punch pages as much as we did. Here’s a link to download your printable pages just in case you didn’t see the link above:

Click here to download your Pin Poke Printable Pages

Let me know in the comments below if you have any other fun activity ideas for kids that are easy for all ages.

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Sometimes the simplest craft and the most fun. And these toilet paper roll towers were no exception. I’d count it as one of the easiest toddler crafts out there and it costs next to nothing. So here’s how to make it for your toddler today!

I only have one more toddler left in my house filled with five kids. So, I’m trying to make the most of it and do fun little crafts with her. So, I started collecting toilet paper and paper towel rolls around the house and came up with one of the best toddler crafts around. Here’s how to do it.

Collect your toilet paper roll tower supplies

You don’t need very many supplies for this craft. Here’s the list:

Cut and paint the rolls

I cut about three inches off the top of each of the three paper towel rolls. So, I ended up with nine different lengths of toilet paper rolls. You can collect and cut as many rolls to as many different lengths that you want.

Two of my boys really wanted to paint the rolls so I let them go to town. They ended up really cute and colorful. They did a much better job than I could have done.

Glue toilet paper rolls to the cardboard

Take your rectangular piece of cardboard and wrap it in colorful wrapping paper. Then, arrange your painted toilet paper rolls on the cardboard to your liking. Trace a circle around each roll. Put hot glue on each circle one and place the rolls one at a time. It’s easier to put the glue on the cardboard than on the rolls directly.

Start playing!

Fill some bowls with your buttons, beads and/or poms poms and place them on the floor next to the towers. Try to do it on a hard floor so you can clean up with a broom. It will get messy but it’s tons of fun. My one-year-old loved it! She didn’t need any explaining. Her favorite part was dumping out all the buttons onto the floor afterwards and then starting all over again.

Important note: Make sure you keep a close eye on your toddler while they are playing with this craft. Some of the pieces are really small and you don’t want them to choke on anything.

Of all the toddler crafts out there, I hope you enjoy making and playing with this one with your little one. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

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It doesn’t quite feel like Christmas without a good old fashioned White Elephant Party. But we like to keep it “G” rated in our house. So, here’s 20 funny AND clean gift ideas that are sure to get some laughs. Check it out.

So, I’m a sucker for a good White Elephant Party. It’s just a fun, relaxed way to enjoy the holidays with friends and family. But, I don’t love the gross and unsavory gifts that are available online. Thankfully, I’ve got a bunch of squeaky clean gift ideas just for you.

#1: Live goldfish

This is the kind of gift that just keeps on giving. Even if you weren’t planning on getting a pet, no give backs! You can even buy them on Amazon!

#2 Giant framed picture of yourself

We framed a huge picture of my husband in a Santa suit (see below) and it was a hit. The person who ended up with this amazing gift hangs it up on her wall every year during December.

#3: Tortilla blanket

Who wouldn’t want to snuggle up to this bad boy at night? You can literally make yourself into a burrito. I’m not sure if these come scented like taco seasoning though.

#4: Justin Bieber singing toothbrush

Getting ready to completely transform your morning routine. The Biebs will be singing to you two hit singles at least twice a day.

#5: Tray of candy sushi

If you thought sushi couldn’t get any better, think again! These sweet, fruity and sour rolls of goodness can be eaten with or without chopsticks.

#6: Pun intended daily calendar

To all of those pun lovers out there, we haven’t forgotten about you. This is one of those white elephant gift ideas that is bound to make someone very happy.

#7: Giant foam cowboy hat

Yeehaw! You can’t help but smile when you see someone wearing this oversized monstrosity. Throw in a big belt buckle if you’re feeling generous.

#8: Prank gift box

Disguise your real gift in a prank gift box that’s sure to bring smiles to the whole group. It’s like two gifts in one!

#10: Ballerina cats jigsaw puzzle

These graceful dancing felines will be a treasured family heirloom. Plus it’s great Sunday afternoon activity to do as a family. Win! Win!

#11: Gift card maze game

Whoever gets this gift will definitely have to work for it. This brain teaser is worth the effort though because the reward is a gift card!

#12: Twilight poster

Keep the memory of Edward and Bella alive with this stirring Twilight movie poster. One lucky recipient will get to look at it everyday.

#13: Alf Chia Pet

This 80s family sitcom will literally come to life as Alf grows some greenery of his own. Any child of the 80s will LOVE this gift.

#14: Ketchup gun

Spice up any hot dog roast by shooting your condiments on with a ketchup gun! Easy, fun and delicious!

#15: Box inside of a box inside of a box …

This gift is just one surprise after another. And if you’re feeling generous, you can put some money or a tiny little gift in the smallest box.

#16: Baby Yoda waffle maker

These adorable Baby Yoda waffles will make any breakfast an adventure that is out of this world.

#17: Dehydrated water

Some white elephant gift ideas are so pointless and this one is no exception. At least it will make everyone laugh.

#18: Miniature cinder blocks with pallet

If you’re asking yourself, “Why?” then this white elephant gift will have served its purpose.

#19: Bathroom guest book

This gift will make all of the guests visiting your home feel welcome, even when they’re going to the bathroom.

#20: Pickle-flavored cotton candy

Nothing makes your mouth water like a big bucket of pickle-flavored cotton candy. Everyone will be fighting over this one.

#21: Canned Unicorn Meat

For a truly magical meat-lover’s treat, give the gift of canned unicorn meat.

I hope you like these ideas for your next White Elephant party. Let me know if you have any other fun ideas in the comments below.

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This board game is a definite hit in our house. And for good reason. It’s so fun! Now you can keep the fun coming with this Christmas Don’t Eat Pete with printable instructions too! Check it out.

So, I’ve found that even adults and teenagers love to play Don’t Eat Pete. I created a Halloween version of this fun game and we love it so much that I had to make a Christmas version as well. It’s so easy and a great icebreaker for your next holiday party. Let’s get started!

Download and print your game

This game includes two colorful 8.5×11 game boards and one instruction page. All you have to do in click the link below to get started.

Click here to print your Christmas Don’t Eat Pete game

Gather supplies for the game

I love this Christmas Don’t Eat Pete because it takes little preparation. All you need are some small candies and the printed game board. That’s it! Here are some good candies that you can use for this game.

• Skittles
• Christmas M&Ms
• Christmas Jelly Bellies
• Chocolate chips
• Raisins

How to play this game

Place the “Don’t eat Pete” playing board in the middle of the table and all players gather around it. Make sure everyone can see.

Choose one person to wait in the other room while everyone else chooses a character on the playing board t o be “Pete”. Then, place a small piece of candy like a Skittle or chocolate chip on each of the characters on the playing board.

Call the person chosen back in the room. Instruct them to slowly start eating each piece of candy placed on the board. Once they are about to eat the piece of candy that is covering “Pete”, yell out “Don’t eat Pete!!” before they eat it.

Pick another person to wait in the other room and start the process all over again. Repeat until everyone has had a turn.

I hope you love playing this fun Christmas Don’t Eat Pete as much as our family does. It’s perfect for your next holiday get together with family and friends. It’s also perfect for Christmas classroom parties. Here’s a link one more time to the printable:

Click here to print your Christmas Don’t Eat Pete game

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This fun and classic party game has expanded into the spooky Halloween realm and now you can print your very own for your next party. Check it out!

Whether you have preschoolers or teenagers, this game is a definite crowd pleaser for all ages. I’m not sure why, but all of my kids love playing this game over and over. So, I figured, why not make a Halloween version for added fun? Here’s how to do it.

Print your Don’t Eat Pete party game

I designed this game with two playing boards for added fun and variety. Plus, there’s an additional instruction page. You can print it at home or email it to your local printer. The layout of the game is fairly simple so it’s easy for the little ones too. Click on the link below to download your printable PDF.

Click here for your printable Halloween Don’t Eat Pete game

Gather your supplies

The best part about this game is that it doesn’t require very many supplies to get started. All you need is your printed playing boards and some small candies. Here’s some different candies that work great for this game:

• Skittles
• Halloween M&Ms
• Gummy brains
• Candy corn
• Halloween fruit snacks
• Chocolate chips
• Raisins

How to play the game

Place the “Don’t eat Pete” playing board in the middle of the table and all players gather around it. Make sure everyone can see.

Choose one person to wait in the other room while everyone else chooses a character on the playing board t o be “Pete”. Then, place a small piece of candy like a Skittle or chocolate chip on each of the characters on the playing board.

Call the person chosen back in the room. Instruct them to slowly start eating each piece of candy placed on the board. Once they are about to eat the piece of candy that is covering “Pete”, yell out “Don’t eat Pete!!” before they eat it.

Pick another person to wait in the other room and start the process all over again. Repeat until everyone has had a turn.

I hope this Don’t Eat Pete party game is a hit at your next Halloween bash. This game is particularly popular for preschool, elementary classroom and birthday parties. Let me know how it goes in the comments below. Here’s a link to the printable game one more time, just in case you didn’t see it above. Enjoy!

Click here for your printable Halloween Don’t Eat Pete game

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Reading is such an important part of our kids’ education, but sometimes it’s hard to find the right motivation. Until now! This bubble gum book chart is the perfect printable reading chart for kids. They’ll actually get excited about reading. Check it out.

I am not very good at getting my kids excited about reading, that’s why I created this cute printable reading chart for kids. This colorful bubble gum chart allow your kids to set their own goals and mark them off as they go. Plus they get a prize at the end! Check it out.

Print your Bubble Gum Book Chart

I designed this printable reading chart for kids so you can print it on standard 8.5×11 paper. You can print it in full color or black and white. Just click on the link below to print yours right now.

Click here to print your Bubble Gum Book Chart

Fill out your reading goals

Your child can write his or her name on the chart and then write down a reading goal. For example, maybe your child wants to read one short book per day or just read 20 minutes every day. Whatever your child’s goals may be, it helps to write it down as a daily reminder.

Fill in the gum balls

Each day, as your child accomplishes his reading goal, he can color in a gum ball with a colored marker. Once all of the gum balls have been filled in, he gets a prize! There are 30 gumballs in the machine, so it will take your child about a month to finish. Here’s some fun ideas for a prize:

• Fidget toys
• Retractable multi-colored pens
• Scratch and sniff scented bookmarks
• Animal erasers
• Mini popper keychains
• LED mini flashlights

This printable reading chart for kids is also perfect for teachers. You can give one to each of your students and keep track of their progress in the classroom. Another fun idea is to purchase a real gumball machine and reward your students with a gumball for accomplish certain reading goals to coincide with the chart.

I hope you enjoy this fun bubble gum reading chart. Let me know how your kids or your students like it in the comments below. Here’s a link to the printable one more time if you didn’t see it above.

Click here to print your Bubble Gum Book Chart

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Costa Rica is amazing! But, it is also very expensive. That’s why I put together this awesome list of cheap or free places to visit in Costa Rica. Plus, if you have kids, all of these places are kid-friendly as well. So, gather the whole family, you won’t be disappointed.

Our family is nearing the end of our two-month visit to beautiful Costa Rica. Since we have five kids, we tried to find inexpensive activities and places to visit. Many of the tourist attractions in Costa Rica can be super expensive. If you want to do a night tour, white water rafting or ziplining, it costs anywhere from $30-$100 per person! With a family of five, we just can’t afford activities like that every day. So, I put together a list of activities that cost $15 or less per person. And believe it or not, these places are the ones that my kids ended up liking the most! Check it out!

Verde Malakita

• Cost: $6 per person (kids ages 5 and younger are free)
• Duration: 10-minute hike then lots of play time
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (open every day)
• Website: www.facebook.com/verdemalakita

This waterfall was a favorite with my kids. There is rope swing right next to the waterfall that isn’t too scary but super fun. There are tiny pools of water that you can swim in as you approach and cool trails to explore. Charlie, the landowner is super friendly. He runs a delicious restaurant that you can enjoy for lunch after you take a swim.

Montañas de Cariblanco hike and waterfall

• Cost: $4 per adult, $1.50 per child
• Duration: 2 hours
• Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (must make a reservation if coming on a weekday)
• Website: www.facebook.com/montanascariblanco

This is a beautiful hike to a hidden waterfall tucked behind a huge coffee plantation resting on the mountainside. You’ll hike about 2.5 miles into the waterfall and then come back the way you came. It’s kind of steep and slippery right before the waterfall. Wear good shoes. The water is too rough to swim in but you can take lots of pictures.

Playa Mantas and Playa Blanca

• Cost: $4 per adult, $1.50 per child
• Duration: 2 hours
• Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (must make a reservation if coming on a weekday)
• Website: www.facebook.com/montanascariblanco

These two beaches are the closest beaches to San Jose. As a favorite among locals, there’s plenty of space for everyone. Both times we went there we saw lots of scarlet macaws and even a couple of sloths in the trees. Playa Blanca has whiter sand and calmer waters but you have to cross over the hillside next to Playa Mantas at low tide in order to access it.

Rancho Samana

• Cost: $1.50 per person (optional fee for feeding animals, horse rides, etc.)
• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Hours: Wed-Fri 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sat & Sun 8 a.m. to 8 a.m.
• Website: https://www.facebook.com/miradorranchosamana/?rc=p

Every family with kids should come here. They have a restaurant, huge playground, $5 horse rides, petting zoo where you can feed the animals, an old airplane to explore, trout pond and hiking trails. Plus the view of San Jose is gorgeous. One of our favorites.

Minas del Aguacate

• Cost: Free!
• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Hours: Open 24 hours

At this hidden oasis, you can waterslide off of a waterfall! You can see the waterfalls from the parking lot and it’s a short 1/4 mile walk to the top where you can jump off or slide down the waterfalls into a big pool of water. Plus, there is an abandoned mine that is about 250 meters deep that you can explore if you are feeling adventurous.

Crocodile Bridge

Cost: Free!
Duration: 30 minutes
Hours: Open 24 hours

This is a quick stop along your way to Jaco or Manuel Antonio but well worth it. This is a bridge that crosses the Tarcoles River where you can look down to the river below to see wild crocodiles hanging out in the water. Sometimes there can be up to 15-20 crocodiles just hanging out and they are huge! It’s an easy, fun stop that you won’t soon forget.

Los Jardines Restaurant in Grecia

• Cost: Just the cost of food
• Duration: 1-2 hours
• Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Website: https://www.instagram.com/losjardinesgreciacr/

Of all the cheap or free places to visit in Costa Rica, I had to add a restaurant to the list and this one doesn’t disappoint. Located in Grecia, this restaurant used to be a garden that was converted during the pandemic. The bright and colorful surroundings are an added bonus to an also delicious meals. You’ll love this place.

Strawberry Tour in Vara Blanca

• Cost: $6.50 adults, $6 kids
• Duration: 1 hour
• Hours: Reservation only
• Website: https://www.facebook.com/fresasymasVaraBlanca/

With over 40,000 strawberry plants, this tour offers an explanation of planting, production and harvesting process for the strawberries. Plus, you get to pick your own strawberries to take home. Super fun for kids and adults alike.

Dinoland and Rio Agrio Waterfall

• Cost: $12 for adults, $7 for kids ages 4-7
• Duration: 2 hours
• Hours: Daily 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (reservations recommended on the weekends)
• Website: https://www.facebook.com/cataratarioagrio88870310/

If you were to take a walk through Jurassic Park in real life, this place is what it would be like. With 25 animatronic life-size dinosaurs, you feel like you took a step back in time. My husband and I loved it just as much as the kids. Plus, after you’ve seen all the dinosaurs, you take a short walk through a rainforest canyon that ends with a breathtaking waterfall. You don’t want to miss this place.

Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve

• Cost: $15 for adults
• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Hours: Daily 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (guided walks available)
• Website: http://www.reservasantaelena.org/

Of all the tourist attractions in Monteverde, this reserve is the most affordable and some argue that it is the best (I agree). Plus, it’s way less crowded. With many well-maintained trails, you can wander through this dense forest and see so many creatures and animals. We even saw the resplendent quetzal, which is one of the most beautiful birds in the world. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk through a cloud forest like this in the heart of Costa Rica.

University for Peace Park

• Cost: $5 per person
• Duration: 1-2 hours
• Hours: Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Website: http://www.reservasantaelena.org/

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this beautiful park near Ciudad Colon is the perfect day trip to enjoy the outdoors. It has multiple ponds, playground, soccer field, picnic areas and walking trails. Bring a lunch and stay for a while.

Farmer’s Markets

• Cost: Free!
• Duration: 1-2 hours
• Hours: Santa Ana – Sundays, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Escazu – Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., San Jose Central Market – Monday to Saturday, 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Of all the cheap or free places to visit in Costa Rica, you need to stop by one of the many ferias. Here you can buy affordable fresh vegetables and fruit and sample local cuisine. This is a great way to get a feel for Tico lifestyle and contribute to the local economy.

Hacienda la Chimba Trail

• Cost: $12 per person
• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (must arrive before 2 p.m to hike the trail)
• Website: https://haciendalachimba.com/mantra-trail-chimba/

Similar to Montañas de Cariblanco, this gorgeous 3-mile hike takes you through the rolling hills of a Costa Rica coffee plantation. You can pose for pictures next to landmarks such as a giant Buddha and a butterfly along the way until you reach the final destination which is an outstretched hand that you can walk on. It was super awesome.

Los Chorros Waterfall

• Cost: $3 per person (plus $4 for parking)
• Duration: 1-2 hours
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Website: https://quebuenlugar.com/en/lugares/los-chorros-grecia-2/

This giant waterfall is accessed via a 1/2 mile trail down the mountainside. Bring your swimming suits because you can play in the pools of water below the waterfall. Although, during the rainy season, the water might be a bit rough. This is yet another amazing waterfall hidden in the heart of Costa Rica. Picnic tables and bathrooms are available near the base of the waterfall.

Oxigeno Human Playground

• Cost: Free!
• Duration: 1-3 hours
• Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Website: www.oxigeno.com

Costa Rica doesn’t have to be all about rainforests and sloths. This futuristic shopping mall includes a kids’ climbing structure, outdoor running track & rooftop views. It’s a great destination to do some window shopping, get a bite to eat and snag a panoramic of the city. My kids loved it.

Del Toro Waterfall

• Cost: $14 adults, $7 kids
• Duration: 1-2 hours
• Hours: Monday – Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Website: https://www.catarata-del-toro.com/

Voted as Costa Rica’s most beautiful waterfall several years in a row, this is a destination you don’t want to miss. This is a waterfall spills into an extinct volcanic crate and makes you say, “Wow!” when you see it. The hike down to the base of the 269-foot waterfall has 350+ steps which are made of concrete. Although you cannot swim at the bottom of the falls, you can take plenty of memorable photos right next to the base. Although steep, my kids handled the trail just fine.

Hot springs in La Fortuna

• Cost: $7 for parking
• Duration: 1-3 hours
• Hours: Daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Just across the street from Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa, you can park your car and walk down the hill to the free hot springs in La Fortuna. With tiny pools of perfectly warm water sectioned off by rocks, there is plenty of space for everyone to find a spot and relax. We loved soaking in the warm water while the heavy Costa Rican rains fell on it. It was super cool. Keep an eye on your belongings though, since this is a highly-trafficked tourist attraction.

Santa Ana Windmills

• Cost: Free!
• Duration: 1-3 hours
• Hours: Open 24 hours

Located on top of the mountains near Santa Ana, these humongous windmills are a sight to see up close. Plus, getting to the windmills is half the fun. The roads up to the mountainside are some of the steepest hills I have ever driven on. Make sure you head up on a clear day to get the best view with clear skies. You don’t be disappointed, plus, it’s free!

Ficus tree root bridge

• Cost: Free (donations accepted by landowner)
• Duration: 1 hour
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Located within walking distance of downtown Santa Elena in Monteverde, you can hike down to an old ficus tree root that has formed a natural bridge. It’s an awesome free pit stop during your stay in Monteverde for some fun photo opportunities.

Cartago Ruins

• Cost: Free
• Duration: 1 hour
• Hours: Open 24 hours

Located in front of the main square in Cartago, these romanesque ruins are the remains of an old half-built church. They are the remnants of the construction of the Iglesia Santiago Apóstol Church, whose process was interrupted because of the Santa Mónica earthquake, which struck on March 4, 1910. You can wander through the ruins and enjoy the gardens.

Bonus cheap or free places to visit in Costa Rica

• Poas Volcano
• Irazu Volcano
• La Sabana Park in San Jose
• El Paraiso Waterfall

I hope these ideas help you save a little bit or money during your next visit to beautiful Costa Rica. But don’t forget, just because they are affordable, doesn’t mean they are any less amazing. You’re going to love it.

More from My Silly Squirts: Monthly birthday tracker printable

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You can’t go to the rainforest without experiencing a Costa Rica canopy tour. This country has arguably the best ziplines in the world and we found the best one of them all. It’s called 100% Aventura Canopy Tour in Monteverde. Here’s why it’s so amazing and how you can do it too.

I’ve been on a lot of ziplines and canopy tours in the United States and Mexico, but this one definitely takes the cake. It’s one of the most breathtaking and spectacular tourist attractions in the world. And I’m not getting paid to say this either. I am just a satisfied customer. Here’s five reasons why you should try it as well.

At a glance: 100% Aventura Canopy Tour

• Ages: 8 Years & Up
• Cost: $50 (ages 12 and up), $40 (ages 8 – 11)
• Duration: 3 hours
• Transportation: Included
• Tour times: 8 a.m., 11 a.m and 2 p.m. (every day)
• 9 regular ziplines, 2 superman ziplines, 1 hammock bridge, 1 rappel, 1 mega Tarzan swing
• Longest zipline in the Costa Rica – over 5220 feet (1590 meters – almost 1 mile)!
• Website: https://www.aventuracanopytour.com/

#1: It’s super safe

Since I was doing this canopy tour with my 12-, 9- and 8-year-old, I wanted to make sure it was safe. This company has a large staff of fully trained experts who help you every step of the way. At the beginning, they give you a brief lesson on how to use the equipment. Then, they check and double check all of our safety gear on every single zipline. They have a reputation for excellence in safety. I didn’t feel unsafe at all for the entirety of the tour.

#2: Transportation is included

The morning of our canopy tour, someone from the tour company came to our hotel in a big bus and picked us up. Talk about front door service. They dropped us off right in front of the building and then they took us right back to our hotel after we were done. It was awesome. That was one less thing I had to worry about.

#3: One zipline is a mile long!

Yes, you heard me right. On this particular zipline, you can ride it Superman Style. That means exactly what it sounds like. You are flying over the rainforest head first, arms and legs stretched out, just like Superman. This zipline is so long that you can’t see the other end and you are way above the trees. It is one of the most spectacular things I have ever experienced. But don’t worry, you don’t have to do it Superman Style if you don’t want to.

#4: Tour includes more than just ziplines (think Tarzan)

Aside from the two superman ziplines and 9 regular ziplines, there’s a hammock bridge, rappel and a 130-foot Tarzan Swing! I’m not going to lie, the Tarzan Swing was the scariest thing that I have ever done. Considering this was one of the more expensive tours we went on in Costa Rica, I felt like we definitely got our money’s worth.

The rappel and the hammock bridge were right at the beginning. The rappel was fairly easy, it was just being lowered down about 30 feet off a ledge. The hammock bridge had little slats of wood that you had to walk on to get across. It added variety to the tour and my kids liked it a lot.

#5: They cater to kids

During our Costa Rica canopy tour, my two younger kids were nervous about going on the zipline Superman Style. The workers were so responsive to their needs. They didn’t force my kids to do anything they weren’t comfortable with. Eventually, one of the workers went down with my son. He was happy and so was I. They also had my kids go down a couple of ziplines tandem-style to ensure they made it across safely without getting stuck in the middle. It was great.

Zipline tips and tricks

• Passports: Bring you and your kids’ passports or a picture of them. They require it in order to participate.
• Lockers: You can put all of your belongings in a locker before you begin.
• Book ahead: You’ll want to reserve your tour online to ensure you’ll get a spot. This is a popular canopy tour.
• Bug spray: You will be walking through a few trails in the forest. We put on plenty of bug spray just in case
• Go Pro: I really wish that I would have brought a GoPro to get some footage while on the zipline. It’s impossible to hold your phone and go down the zipline at the same time because you need both hands. They also have attachments on each helmet so you can hook your GoPro on it.
• Phone pouch: If your phone falls down into the forest, it’s gone. That’s why I love these phone holders. You can still take pictures without taking it out of the pouch.
• Food: You can’t bring any food onto the canopy tour, so eat before you come.
• Rain jacket: It rains a lot in Monteverde (it is a cloud forest). You can bring a jacket just in case.

I hope you have an amazing trip to Costa Rica and lots of fun on this canopy tour. I know you’ll love it just as much as we did. Leave your comments below. I’d love to hear from you.

More from My Silly Squirts: Must see and free: Crocodile Bridge in Costa Rica

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Flying with kids can be super stressful but it doesn’t have to be. It’s all about packing the right stuff BEFORE you leave. Trust me, your hard work and preparation will pay off when you’re relaxed and stress-free on the airplane. Here’s the ultimate airplane packing list to get you started.

We decided to fly to Costa Rica with our four boys and our baby. It was the first time flying in an airplane with our entire family. I have to admit, I was a little bit stressed out about it. Fortunately, I packed all the right stuff to keep my kids happy for the entirety of the journey. Here’s what I packed.

What to pack in the kids’ suitcases

Let’s be real, when flying with kids, the most important item is some kind of electronic device that can entertain them for literally hours. There’s no screen limit when it comes to traveling for the sanity of all involved. But I do have some other items that are pretty important as well. Check it out:

• Handheld electronic devices: Fire Kids Tablet, Nintendo Switch Lite
• Charging cord
• Kids headphones or earbuds
• Waterbottle (don’t forget to leave it empty until you go through security)
• Book
• Boogie Board Magic Sketch Board
• Activity sticker books
• Snacks: Nutella and Go, chips, granola bars, fruit leather, beef jerky, trail mix
• Neck pillow

Here’s a “travel essentials with kids” idea list that can help you get idea of what you might need to buy to prepare for your trip.

What to pack in the baby’s suitcase

We flew on American Airlines and they allow you to bring one extra bag for an infant that will be sitting on your lap. Plus, they also allow you to check a stroller and a car seat at no additional cost. This is pretty standard practice across the board for most airlines. Here’s what I packed in my baby’s bag:

• 10 diapers (you’ll want more than enough to get you to your destination)
• Diaper cream
• Wet wipes (bring more than you think you’ll need)
• Sippy cups/bottles
• Formula
• Your baby’s favorite snacks (snack puffs, freeze-dried yogurt bites, teething wafers)
• Baby food (I prefer the pouches that can be re-sealed with a lid)
• Small blanket
• Extra outfit
• Jacket
• Toy (nesting toys, activity toy, suction cup high chair toy)
• Diaper backpack

While we were on the plane, the stewardess gave us some milk, which was a life-saver. We also wrapped our baby up and put her down for a nap underneath the chair in front of us on the floor. She slept for like an hour and a half! She got a little fussy towards the end but overall it wasn’t bad.

What mom should pack in her bag

Beside the obvious essentials that everyone needs to pack when flying with kids, moms need to pack a few extra things for there kids. Here’s what I packed in my bag:

• Extra snacks for my kids
• Emergency tantrum candy
• Umbrella
• Small pack of bandaids
• Chewing gum (to help kids pop their ears when the plane takes off)
• Passports/COVID vaccination cards
• Mini hand sanitizer
• Extra face masks
• Chapstick
• Small travel purse (I like to keep this close to me at all time to keep my credit card, ID and flight itinerary)
• Extra cash

Hopefully this list will help you while you are flying with kids on your next trip. Here’s my list of kids travel essentials that might help you out. What other items did I miss that aren’t on the lists above? Leave comments below. Here’s a video I made that sums everything up. Enjoy!

More from My Silly Squirts: 40+ Baby essentials and non-essentials for the first year

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Everyone loves a birthday party, especially a birthday party movie night. Here’s a fill-in-the-blank birthday invitation to give to all your guests for the festivities. Check it out.

For my son’s 12th birthday, he just wanted to go to a movie with some of his friends. I couldn’t have been happier. Then I didn’t have to plan an elaborate 2-hour birthday party full of games and entertainment for 10 crazy boys. So I made a simple invitation that he could give his friends. Now you can print your own as well.

Print your free movie night birthday party invitation

This invitation can be printed on an 8.5×11 piece of paper and there are four to a page. So just print and cut. Easy peasy. Download and print your free PDF by clicking on the link below. I offer this printable for FREE to all visitors of my blog, but if you’d like to show your support, feel free to buy me a taco .

Click here for your free Movie Night Birthday Party Invitation

Fill in the blanks

The nice part about this invitation is that you can fill in the blanks and make it the way you want it. You can put the date, time, location and any other details. That’s it! Here’s a link to the free printable one more time. I offer this printable for FREE to all visitors of my blog, but if you’d like to show your support, feel free to buy me a taco .

Click here for your free Movie Birthday Party Invitation

Other ways to spice up the party

Before we went to the movie, we invited all the boys over to our house for pizza and cake and ice cream. Of course, the pizza was a hit. Then we opened presents and then headed out to the movie. There are some adorable movie decorations that you can also buy on Amazon if you want. Here’s a few:

• Movie Night Balloon Party Package
• Movie time popcorn boxes and paper goods
• Cupcake toppers with a movie theme
• Gold star paper garland

My son had so much fun at his birthday party. It was a huge success. Hopefully this free invitation will help make your next birthday party a success as well. Enjoy!

Related link: How to throw a wet ‘n wild birthday water party

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We’ve all been there. We want to give our children the opportunity to learn how to play the piano. But many times there isn’t a piano teacher who lives nearby or they already have too many students. That’s why online piano lessons are becoming increasingly popular. Here’s three reasons why this option might work for your child. Check it out!

As a child, I remember going to my piano lessons at my neighbor’s house. From 8 to 14 years old, I went there every week. My mom had to take me there and pick me up every time. However, times have changed and we’ve transitioned to an ever-increasingly technological world. What worked 30 years ago might not be the best option today. Here’s why online piano lessons are a pretty sweet gig.

#4: Accessible from the comfort of your home

For starters, the best online piano lessons are accessible from the comfort of your own home. You don’t have to drive your kids to their lesson every week. They can even do their lesson in their PJs! Win! Win! It’s also much easier to plan your lessons around your busy schedule. You’re much likelier to have an enjoyable learning experience during your lessons if you have less to worry about, so removing concerns about your schedule and comfort is beneficial.

#3: Taught by qualified instructors

The last thing you want to worry about while you’re taking online piano lessons is whether or not your instructors are qualified. That’s why the best lessons, like those from Forbes Music Company, are taught by qualified individuals who received top-quality educations and have many years of experience in the field, both as instructors and as performers. These knowledgeable instructors are passionate about their work and will do their best to help you succeed. If you’re not passionate about the piano already, you soon will be! Their dedication and love for the piano is sure to be infectious.

#2: Available to beginners and experienced musicians alike

You don’t have to be a beginner to dive into online piano lessons. They accept all skill levels from advanced down to early beginner. The qualified instructors leading these lessons will access your skills and help you improve from your own, unique starting point. If you currently have zero confidence in your skills, they’ll help you gain some. If you’re already confident about your piano-playing skills, there are always ways people can improve and gain even more confidence.

#1: Affordable

Compared to in-person piano lessons, taking lessons online are almost always more affordable. You can purchase lesson packages that allow students to buy several lessons at once at discounted prices. If you don’t already own a piano, you don’t need to buy an expensive, traditional piano to take online lessons. Your instructors can help you choose a more modern and affordable alternative, like a keyboard or virtual piano, instead. You’ll still be able to practice and learn how to play the piano, without spending a fortune on your instrument either!

Find the right option for you

Hopefully this blog post gave you a good idea of what you can expect if you want to sign your child up for piano lessons online. What has been your experience with taking piano lessons online? Leave your comments below.

Related link: Free printable year-long practicing chart

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You’ve probably heard of toys inside ice, but this is a giant ice block filled with gift cards! It’s guaranteed to entertain all of your older kids and is the perfect summertime activity on a hot and sunny day. Check it out.

If your kids are anything like mine, they get pretty bored in the summertime. And since they’re not toddlers anymore, I have to get a little bit creative. So, I thought of this brilliant idea to spice up any lazy summer day. Check it out.

Gather your giant ice block supplies

The sky is the limit on these ice blocks, but I know that my kids are motivated by money. So, I thought throwing in some gift cards was just the ticket. Here’s what you’ll need:

• One large stock pot
• Water
• $5 Dollar Store or Amazon gift cards
• Toys (if desired)
• Forks
• Freezer

Make your ice block

Fill your stock pot halfway with water and then freeze it solid in a large freezer for a couple of days. Next, place all of your gift cards and/or toys on top of the ice and then fill the rest of the stock pot with water. Freeze again. You can repeat this step as many times as you like and get multiple layers. It’s whatever you want to do.

Start hacking away at the ice

Once your giant ice block is totally frozen, place the stock pot in a sink filled with hot or warm water. That will loosen the sides of the pot and the block with fall right out. Take the ice block outside on the grass or somewhere that you don’t mind gets wet.

I told my boys that there were two rules. First, they were only allowed to use a fork to chip away at the ice and second, they can’t drop it on the ground. With that, they were off to the races. I did not anticipate the amount of ice chips that would be flying through the air as they were hacking at the ice with their forks. So my boys quickly put on some swimming goggles and that helped a lot.

Since this was the first time we have tried this activity, it took a little longer than we thought. I eventually caved in and allowed my kids to drop the ice block onto the cement. That expedited things quite quickly. My kids were so excited when they finally got their Dollar Tree gifts cards.

Spend your gift cards

My kids were more than happy to spend each of their gift cards. I bought a $5 Dollar Tree gift card for each of them. They were so excited. It was a fun way to finish off the perfect summertime activity.

If I were to do this activity again, I would probably make four small blocks of ice instead of one giant ice block. That way each of my kids could work at their own pace. I was glad that we used forks. They are safer than a knife or a hammer. But you can use whatever you want.

What other summertime boredom busters do you like to do with your kids? Leave your comments below. Here’s some other fun ideas that you can do with your kids:

• Fun summer water activities with water
• Homemade sidewalk chalk paint
• 28 fun kids activities for the summertime
• The best giant bubble recipe

Related link: Beachball bucks: the perfect summertime motivation

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They grow up so fast. So why not capture all those adorable memories of your new little one with a do-it-yourself newborn shadow box. You display it in your home and then give it to your child when he or she moves out. It will be a treasure in your family for years to come. Here’s how to do it.

I got the idea for this ridiculously cute shadow box after my fifth and last child. I realized that I hadn’t done anything special for any of my previous kids. So, I didn’t want to miss out on this opportunity. It’s so simple and beautiful memories can be encased in such a small space. Here’s how you can do it too.

Buy your newborn shadow box supplies

This DIY project won’t work without a shadow box. Here’s a few options depending on what kind of look you’re trying to achieve:

• White shadow box display case (11×14)
• Rustic wood shadow box (11×14)
• Flagship Shadow box with back easel (8×10)
• Black Shadow Box (12×12)
• Rustic shadow box with drawers for keepsakes

I like the shadow boxes that open and close magnetically and allow for easy access to the objects inside. You’ll also want to buy some cute push pins to hold the items in place. Here are a few ideas:

• Metallic push pins
• Decorative floral push pins
• Geometric wooden push pins

Gather your newborn memorabilia

Newborns are so freaking cute. But they don’t stay that little for very long. You’ll want to gather all the items that you can that remind you of this precious time. Here’s some ideas:

• Small picture of your newborn
• Small picture of your newborn with the people he or she was named after
• First onesie that your baby wore
• Item related to her gender reveal
• First pair of knitted shoes or stockings
• A bottle or binkie that she used
• Ultrasound picture
• Letters of her name
• Date of birth and weight cut out from paper
• Family picture
• Clay casting of her hand or foot
• Tiny bow that she used

Put it all together

This was the fun part. After I had everything I needed, I assembled all of the items together where I wanted them in the newborn shadow box. Make sure you arrange them so you can see each item. It’s your project so lay it all out however you want.

Hang your shadow box in your baby’s room or anywhere in your house. You could do one for every child that you have and display them together on the wall. Your options are limitless and you will love the way it turns out.

What other ideas do you have to remember your newborn baby? Leave your ideas in the comments below.

Related link: How to swaddle a baby

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Oh my heck. April Fools Day is the best excuse to play some harmless pranks on the ones you love. But you don’t have to go to elaborate lengths to pull a prank. Here’s 25 prank ideas that even your kids can help out with. Everyone will be in stitches. Check it out!

When I was a kid, my sister played a pretty sneaky prank on my dad. However, it went a little bit too far and ever since then, my dad didn’t like April Fools Day. That’s why I like the kind of pranks that are non-consequential and make everyone smile in the end. Here’s 25 prank ideas that will start your month of April off on the right foot.

April Fools Day Food pranks

• Cheese sandwich: Place slice of cheese in a sandwich but don’t take off the cellophane wrapper.
• Spider Pizza: Put some toy plastic spiders on a pizza before you bring it home to your family
• Minty Oreos: Replace the cream inside a box of Oreos with toothpaste
• Brussel Sprout Cake Pops: Replace the cake balls with a brussel sprouts and then cover with chocolate and sprinkles
• Chocolate Milk Surprise: Fill a an empty carton of chocolate milk with water and food coloring
• Tabasco Dessert: Add a health dose of Tabasco sauce to your favorite cookie or brownie recipe
• Sugar and Pepper: Replace the salt shaker with sugar
• Jello Toothbrush: Put your loved one’s toothbrush, razor or any other essential item in Jello

Around the house pranks

• Hide-a-key: Place the keys to the car in an obvious but hard-to-reach spot in the house (preferably requiring a ladder to retrieve)
• Baby Shark: Switch your loved ones cell phone ring tone to the Baby Shark song or Hit me baby one more time.
• Alarm clock: Set an alarm clock to 3 a.m. and hide it under the bed, he he.
• Slime Sneeze: Pretend to sneeze during dinner and drop a small handful of green slime or Oobleck from your hands onto the table
• You’ve won!: Write a convincing letter that your loved one has won a prize or some money and place it in the mailbox
• Mail carrier surprise: Put a wrapped present in the mailbox and put a snake inside and add some treats too with a note that says, “Happy April Fools Day. Thanks for being a good sport.”
• Stuffed Shoes: Add a clump of toilet paper or paper towel to the inside of a pair of shoes so they are too small to put on
• Treasure Hunt Mayhem: Hide your loved one’s cell phone and then create a complicated and difficult treasure hunt in order to find it
• Hairy Bedtime Surprise: Place a life-like hairy mouse under the bedsheets of your spouse’s side of the bed.
• Microwave mayhem: Hang a large, smiling photo of yourself inside the microwave
• Family photo fun: Replace all the photos of your family with a different family’s photos and see how long it takes for your family to notice.
• Dwight Shrute: Put a life-size cardboard cutout of Dwight Shrute inside your shower for a friendly morning surprise

Amazon Prime Pranks

• Shock Pen: Give your friends a surprise when you ask them for their autograph
• Fake Vomit: Place this item right on the dinner table
• Poop and bugs: Strategically place these items in the bathroom around the toilet
• Screaming chicken: Put this annoyingly loud chicken under the couch cushion
• Rubber Snake: Hide this snake in the dishwasher
• Fart spray: Release this unsavory scent when leaving an elevator
• No-rip toilet paper: Hang this in your bathroom
• Plastic hot dog: Put this fake toy in a real hot dog bun with all the fixin’s

What other April Fools Day prank ideas do you have? Leave them in the comments below. Enjoy!

Related link: Hop! Print your free Easter activity page

The post 25+ kid-friendly and easy April Fools Day pranks the whole family will love appeared first on My Silly Squirts.

I run into this dilemma every time my kids get invited to a birthday party: What do I get for the birthday present? Well, I finally found a solution that is practical, affordable and is a guaranteed hit. Every child loves this present every without fail. So check it out.

Sometimes I feel like among all four of my boys, I am buying a birthday present for another party about two or three times a month. Now, don’t get me wrong, I like a good birthday party as much as the next person, but I wanted to make my life a little easier. Then, I thought of this great idea for a present.

Money balloons birthday present

Here’s what you do. Go to the bank and withdraw some crisp $1 bills. You can take out $10 or the same number of $1 bills as the age of the birthday boy or girl (if they’re under 10 years old, it makes the present even more affordable). Then go to the party store and pick out same number of Qualatex 11″ clear balloons as dollar bills.

Then, take your $1 bills and insert on of them into each of the balloons. You can also ask the person who will fill the balloons to insert the money as well. Make sure you tell them that you want hi float into the balloons. If you don’t put hi float in your balloons, they won’t even last 24 hours before they start to droop to the ground.

Then, attach the child’s favorite soda or drink and candy bar to the ribbons hanging from the balloons. You can’t really go wrong with Gatorade and a Mamba.

Voila! You’re done. Wow, that is a pretty awesome birthday present for us $20! Plus, the child can keep the balloons on display or pop each one of them and gather the money. It’s their choice.

We first got the idea of giving away money as a present when our neighbor gave our son a box of balloons with money inside of them. We just took it a step further with the helium and the clear balloons.

My boys gave this present to their cousin who was turning nine years old. He got nine balloons and $9! It didn’t take him very long to pop every single one. It was great!

What other ideas do you have for presents for your kids’ friend birthday parties? Leave your comments below.

Related link: Chomp! It’s time for a shark birthday party

The post The easiest birthday present that every kid will LOVE appeared first on My Silly Squirts.

It’s birthday party time! Save yourself the stress of trying to entertain 10 little kids at your home. Instead, check out Classic Skating. It’s the perfect place for birthday parties and won’t break the bank either. By the way, this isn’t a sponsored post. This is just one mom helping out another. So check it out.

Alright, so I’ve thrown quite a few birthday parties in my day. While it can be fun to host, it’s exhausting and ends up being just as expensive as throwing a party at a venue. So, I did some research and compared prices. Classic Skating came out the clear leader on birthday party venues and here’s why:

Affordable

There are lots of places to host a birthday party in Utah however, Classic Skating definitely is the least expensive. Their cheapest package is only $85 for up to 8 people. That’s just $10 per kid! Plus to can sign up to bring less than 8 people and you save even more money. The only other venue that I could find that is comparable in price is Nickelcade which is also a good option but is just mainly arcades. Here’s a breakdown of costs for the base packages at other birthday venues in Utah. I just pulled these off their website and prices are of course subject to change.

• Kangaroo Zoo: $10.95 per kid (9 child minimum)
• Jack and Jill Lanes: $12 per person
• Boondocks: $16 per person (6 child minimum)
• Thanksgiving Point: $175 for up to 10 people (must book 2 weeks in advance)
• Airborne Sports: $200 for up to 10 jumpers
• Painter’s Pallette: $150 for up to 8 kids
• This is the place Heritage Park: $25 per person (10 person minimum)
• Hogle Zoo: $285 (up to 15 guests)

Lots and lots of activities

Classic Skating in Orem has so many activities so you don’t have to try to entertain 10 kids for two hours. I upgraded to their Silver Package which included all of the activities at that venue for just a few more dollars per person. Here’s the activities it included:

• Skating + rental
• Bouncing
• Climbing
• Arcade (30 tokens)
• Laser Tag (1 game)

Easy to book

I procrastinated planning my five-year-old’s birthday until the last minute. So, I was worried that I wasn’t going to be able to find a venue. I was relieved, however, when I was able to reserve a party the night before! All of it can be done online and it was super easy. I would recommend booking a party for a weeknight instead of a Saturday. It is a lot less crowded and hectic.

Tons of extra perks

Aside from all of the activities that are included in your birthday party, Classic Skating includes a bunch of fun extras. After all, it’s the little things that make your party go from fun to amazing. Here’s are the extras that are included in EVERY package at Classic:

• Reserved party table for 2 hours
• Place settings and table cover (all you have to do is bring the cake)
• Bouquet of balloons (3)
• Pro party host for 2 hours
• Unlimited drinks for 2 hours (this is a hit with the kids)
• Cup of soft serve ice cream
• 45 seconds in prize cube, 1 spin on prize wheel and giant birthday card for the birthday child

If you do the Silver or Gold Package, the birthday child gets a free t-shirts and one free month of skating! I couldn’t believe all the fun stuff they give you. It was awesome!

It seems like every year, we end up just booking our birthday party at Classic Skating. The party host is always so friendly and the kids have so much fun every time. We’ve done both the Bronze and Silver Packages and couldn’t have been happier. What birthday party venues are your favorite? Leave your comments below.

Related link: Free traveling birthday treasure hunt

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Make this the year that you don’t stress out over Valentine’s Day Cards for your kids’ classes. These adorable and free printable cards are super cute and you can print and cut them from home. Your kids are guaranteed to love them. Print yours today!

Every year, it seems like I forget to buy cards for Valentine’s Day. By the time I get to the store, they are sold out. Plus, at $5 or $6 per box plus candy, I end up spending way more than I expected. Well, that’s why I made these cards. They are cheap, cute and super fun. Check it out.

Print your FREE Valentine’s Day cards

First, you’ll need to download your free printable (click the link below) and cut them out. There are 12 different cards that you can choose from. They are all included in the same PDF. Just pick which ones you want and print those pages. Super easy and the best part … they’re free!

I offer this printable for FREE to all visitors of my blog, but if you’d like to show your support, feel free to buy me a taco .

Click here for your FREE printable Valentine’s Day cards for kids

Cut cards and attach treat or toy

The fun part about these Valentine’s Day cards is that they each have their unique toy or treat that you can attach. Here’s a list of the cards and their corresponding treat or toy.

• You make my heart bounce – bouncy balls
• I’m stuck on you, Valentine – slime or sticky hand
• I’m nuts about you, Valentine – package of peanuts
• Thanks for chews-ing me for a friend – Dubble Bubble
• Let’s “taco” ’bout how cool you are – Any candy or toy you want
• You are awesome to the core – Caramel Apple Pop
• You wrote the book on being cool – Bookmark
• It’s so refreshing to have a friend like you – Silly straws or individual powder drink mix
• You’re so-da bomb – Mini soda cans
• You are scent-sational – Scratch and sniff stickers
• I think you’re a-maze-ing – Maze puzzle
• You rock, Valentine! – Pop rocks

I hope your kids enjoy handing out these fun cards. I know my kids are way excited too. Here’s the link one more time to download your cards. Enjoy! I offer this printable for FREE to all visitors of my blog, but if you’d like to show your support, feel free to buy me a taco .

Click here for your FREE printable Valentine’s Day cards for kids

Related link: Funny DIY felt love notes for that special someone

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Whether you’re a grandparent, divorced or a mom/dad with young kids, Readeo is the best way to stay connected to the ones you love and encourage reading and learning at the same time. Here’s five reasons why you should give Readeo a try today.

With the unexpected arrival of the Coronavirus and the ever-increasing presence of online platforms, Readeo has taken center stage in the homes of more than 30,000 people. And for good reason. It’s a great way to get your kids excited about learning to read and staying connected to family and friends. So here’s a little bit about our experience with Readeo and five reasons why you should give it a try today.

What is Readeo?

Think Zoom but with children’s books. Basically, you sign up for the program and then your kids can read digital books online with grandma, grandpa, cousins, parents and friends. It’s so simple yet brilliant at the same time. I’ll be honest. I was hesitant at first but as soon as I saw how excited my kids were about reading, I was hooked. So, here’s five reasons why you should sign up for Readeo today.

#1: It’s affordable

Now, I’m a bit frugal. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I found out how much Readeo costs. If you sign up for a year subscription, it will cost you $99.99 or basically about $8.30 per month. That’s almost the same amount for Audible’s monthly fee. Plus, if you sign up before the end of 2020, you will receive a free month trial when you enter the code HOLIDAY2020 at checkout. Plus, if you’re not completely satisfied, they will give you a full refund! You can’t lose.

#2: It’s easy

When we first started using Readeo, I invited my mom to join us. I was a little nervous that the online format would be intimidating for her to use. But she didn’t have a hard time at all. Within seconds my kids picked a book and they were reading with their grandma. At the end, my mom said, “Can we do this every night?”

#3: It’s convenient

We have a hard time keeping our books organized in our house. Plus, my youngest seems to enjoy ripping the pages out of them. With Readeo, you don’t have to run to the library or the store to get books. There are literally hundreds of children’s books to choose from right at your fingertips. Whether you want to read online with a BookChat Buddy or by yourself, you have access anytime of day.

#4: It strengthens relationships

Now, this is a big one for me. Once you are signed up, you can invite up to four other members, who are allowed to join you for BookChats for free. Both of my kids’ grandparents live hours away. So, they are more than happy to sit down for 15 minutes and read a book to their grandkids before bedtime. Plus, Readeo is great for divorced families. It allows me, as a divorced mom, to read books with my oldest while he is away at his dad’s house. And, it’s perfect for parents who travel a lot and want to read to their kids while they are out of town.

#5: It’s educational

I wish I was better at getting my kids to read on a regular basis. But Readeo makes it really easy. It seems like they never get tired of reading books with grandma or their cousin. And all of the books are so fun. The only feature I wish that they offered was a larger reading library for kids older than eight years old. But I am told that they are constantly expanding their library to accommodate older children.

Check out Readeo today

So, I hope this blog post was helpful for you. I am confident that if you sign up for Readeo, you will like it as much as we do. If you have any questions about this awesome reading program, feel free to visit their website at Readeo.com. And don’t forget, if you sign up before the end of 2020, you will receive a free month trial when you enter the code HOLIDAY2020 at checkout. Readeo is the perfect gift for grandparents!

Related link: FREE Summer reading chart and other helpful tips

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If you’ve never made puffy paint plastic cutouts before, then you’re missing out. This is the perfect afternoon activity for kids full of energy. Plus it’s so easy, even toddlers can do it. So, let’s get started!

My son got the idea to use puffy paints with plastic cutouts the other day. We already had the puffy paints so the rest was really easy. The kids really loved it. Here’s how you can do yours today.

Print and cutout your templates

So, you have eight different plastic cutouts to choose from. Click on the link below to download your FREE template right now:

Click here for your FREE puffy paint window cutouts template

You can choose from a bubble gum machine, fish bowl, snow globe, microwave, window, mason jars, swimming goggles and a TV. All of my kids were so excited about all of the options.

Once you’ve chosen your templates, cut them out and then cut a hole in the corresponding area where you will be attaching the plastic.

Attach plastic sheet to template

Next, you’ll need either some gallon Ziploc bags, clear plastic sheets, or sheet protectors. Cut a section of plastic that is slightly larger than the hole on the cutout. Then just hot glue the plastic to the template.

We ended up cutting out almost all of the templates. My kids wanted to do them all. I did all of the prep work so the kids could just have fun using the puffy paints.

Start adding your puffy paints

Now for the fun part. Let your kids choose which template they would like. Then, give them the puffy paints and let them use their imaginations.

All of our puffy paint plastic cutouts turned out so cute. Each of my kids added their own special touch. They had a lot of fun doing it too. Make sure you allow the puffy paints to dry overnight before you touch it. Your kids are going to love it!

Click the video below to see how we made these cute cutouts at home.

You can also try making your own puffy paints at home. You can also make your own window clings with puffy paints too. I hope these turn out for your guys. Let me know how it went in the comments. If you want more easy craft ideas, check out my “Crafts for Kids” idea list.

Related link: DIY wall marble run for only $10

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Every kid loves a good marble run to play with in their house. So look no further than this easy-to-make marble run that can be assembled in minutes and provide hours of fun. Plus, it’s not a big eye sore either. Check it out.

I don’t know what it is, but kids love marble runs. But sometimes they are hard hard to install onto a wall. And you have to build the free-standing marble runs every time you want to play. So, I found a quick and easy solution. Here’s how you can build one yourself.

Purchase your marble run supplies

You only need to purchase three items to make this fun toy for your kids. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 12 1/2′ “J” Channel: I bought two of these at Home Depot for $5 each. You can also get them online at Amazon using the above link. They use “J” Channels to create weathertight seals around doors and windows.
• Small screws
• Marbles

Measure and cut the “J” channels

The best part about the “J” channels is that they have little slots perfect to screw them in the wall. Plus they are lightweight and white so it matches most walls without being an eye sore.

So, I estimated how I wanted to lay out each piece of the run. It doesn’t have to be exact. It’s whatever you want. Then I cut each piece with a miter saw. I used a Hot Wheel track to measure about how long I wanted it.

Attach to wall

I wanted a really long piece and then some alternating pieces that led to the floor. I didn’t even cut the first “J” Channel. I simply screwed it into the wall with some small screws. They are really light weight so they don’t have to be screwed into studs.

I just eye-balled my zig zag pattern for the rest of the run. You’ll want to make sure they are placed at a steep slant so the marbles don’t go up instead of down as they fall. You can simply put a bucket at the bottom or screw something to catch the marbles at the bottom to the wall.

This marble run literally took less than an hour to build. It was so easy. And my kids actually play with it … a lot! I can hear them downstairs dropped the marbles one by one, over and over. It was the best $10 I’ve ever spent! And once I’m tired of it, I can just take it off the wall. But I have a feeling it will be there for a long time.

What other ideas do you have for fun DIY activities for kids at your house? Leave your comments below.

Related link: How to make exploding popsicle sticks

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Whether it’s a classroom party, gathering with friends or a holiday craft with your kids, this Little Debbie Christmas craft is so adorable and will help you get ready for the holiday season and your next holiday party.

I was in charge of my son’s fourth grade craft at his classroom Christmas party. I wanted to do something easy but hard enough for 9- and 10-year-olds. These Little Debbie Christmas creatures were the perfect solution. They are so simple because you don’t need a sheet pan, a cookie cutter or complicated ingredients. Here’s how I did it.

Little Debbie Christmas craft supplies

One quick trip to the grocery store is all you’ll need to get started on this fun craft. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Jelly Cream Pies or Cherry Cordial snack cakes (penguin)
• Birthday Cakes (snowman)
• Oatmeal Creme Pies (santa)
• Cosmic Brownies (reindeer)
• Scissors
• Glue or hot glue
• Googly eyes
• Red pom poms

Print your free character cutouts

Of course, you can’t make your fun Christmas creations without some cutouts or craft shapes. I designed these cute holiday characters for your craft. Your kids can choose from a reindeer, Santa, penguin or snowman. Download your free template below. I offer this printable for FREE to all visitors of my blog, but if you’d like to show your support, feel free to buy me a taco .

Click here for your free Little Debbie Christmas craft cutout

Cut and glue

Now for the fun part. Print the correct amount of cutouts to go with each of your Little Debbie snack cakes. Depending on the number of kids in the group, you may not want to give them the option to choose with snack cakes they want. All of the kids in my son’s class wanted the reindeer but I simply didn’t have enough of those. But in the end, they were happy with any of them.

Just cut out the images and glue them on the snack cakes. Super simple and super fun. The kids had a lot of fun cutting them out and arranging the faces. Then they got a treat in the end, win win!

This couldn’t have been more fun. It will definitely be a Christmas craft that we will continue to do in the future. It was a huge success.

If you’re throwing a classroom party, check out these Winter/Christmas Party Kits. They’re super fun and cater to all grades and ages.

What other fun Christmas craft ideas do you have? Leave them in the comments below. Here’s some other ideas that you might like:

• Paper plate reindeer craft
• Cottonball snowman craft
• Cute DIY snow globes
• Christmas sand art craft for kids
• DIY Little Debbie Christmas tree ornament
• Little Debbie Christmas tree cakes ice cream

Related link: 15 Easy Kids Christmas Crafts

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You can still hold a Halloween carnival without stressing yourself out. Here’s some simple stress-free steps to throwing a fun and creepy Halloween bash, fun for all ages.

So, we held a Halloween carnival as part of our cub scout group. We wanted to involve the boys so we kept it as simple as possible. It was hardly any work at all and everyone had so much fun! Here’s what we did.

Plan your Halloween carnival games

We put together six simple carnival games that weren’t too expensive and easy to set up and put away.

1. Sucker pull: Just get some Styrofoam, orange wrapping paper and some suckers. Color the tips of a few of the suckers. When a child gets one of those, they get a special prize.

2. Bowling: This game needs no explanation but it was surprisingly popular. Even if it didn’t really have a Halloween theme to it, everyone liked it.

3. Halloween fishing: You don’t need to design this fancy fishing backdrop. Just get a blue curtain and a shower rod and hang it in a doorway. Add a Halloween banner and you’re done!

4. Balloon pop: Attached a bunch of orange and black balloons to a poster board and hang it on the wall. Make sure you fill each of the balloons with a special treat. Kids love popping balloons too.

5. Knock the cans: For this game, all you need is a bunch of metal cans, some bean bags and a table. You can require the older kids to throw from farther away from the table.

6. Musical hats: This game is a fun twist on the popular musical chairs. All you need is a bunch of hats. They can all be the same or all different. For complete instructions on how to play this game, click here.

Create posters for each game

Instead of doing all of the work, you can recruit the artistic skills of your own kids or the kids who are going to come to the carnival. Plus, they get more excited about the games when they help out a little bit.

Add simple Halloween decorations

You don’t have to go crazy and spend a bunch of money on decorations. A few strips of crepe paper, balloons and the Halloween cutouts should do the trick. Amazon sells this cute set of Halloween party decorations that is only $24.

Creepy refreshment table

You can keep it super simple and just decoration some Halloween cupcakes and put some cheap dollar store toys on the top.

Or you can do a simple refreshment table with some creepy labels that go with each item. Click here for free printable labels.

I hope you liked all of these ideas for a fun Halloween carnival. Let me know if you have any other ideas. Leave your comments below.

Related link: 20 easy and spooky Halloween games for kids

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Yay! Have I got some fun Halloween games for you. I’ve compiled the ultimate list of kids party games to make this haunted season even spookier. They are easy and fun. So let’s get started!

I love Halloween and have passed on that love to my kids. So I wanted to find some Halloween games that my kids will love but are easy at the same time. Here’s some awesome ideas that will hopefully bring the Halloween spirit into your home as well.

1. Candy pumpkin toss

2. Skeleton Scavenger Hunt

3. Halloween mystery boxes

4. Spooky Bingo

5. Pin the eye on the monster

6. Eyeball dig

7. Musical Halloween hats

8. Sucker pull

9. Cheese ball pumpkins

10. Eyeball Hunt

11. Candy Corn Countdown

12. Pumpkin golf

13. Trick or Treat Game

14. Fear Factor Challenge

15. Spider race game

16. Toilet Paper Mummies

17. Pom pom popper ghosts

18. Jack-o-lantern Dice Game

19. Skeleton Hands Relay Race

20. Poke a pumpkin

I hope you like all of these ideas for Halloween games. Whether it’s a small family gathering or classroom party, these games are sure to be a hit. Let me know how it turned out. Leave your comments below.

Related link: How to make a Halloween witch lawn decoration

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Subscription boxes are all the craze right now. They come in all types are sizes, especially for kid of all ages. So, instead of heading to the store, check out these amazing adventures for your kids that are delivered straight to your home.

This list of subscription boxes comes straight from Amazon. They offer introductory prices for the first boxes and some have discounts if you are a Prime member. It’s a reliable and secure way to order and receive your subscription boxes. So, without further ado, here’s the list.

1. Bitsbox – Coding for kids ages 6-12

Each month, kids receive a set of crazy fun app projects that teach a new computer science concept.

• Base price: $29.95
• Amazing savings: 5% off first box

2. STEM Club Toy Subscription

This box has toys from leading brands handpicked by Amazon’s toy experts that encourage understanding and exploration of STEM subjects for children in a fun and entertaining way.

• Base price: $19.99
• Amazing savings: 10% off first box

3. Little Passports

Little Passports offers a variety of fun, action-packed subscription lines for kids of all ages. The recommended age range for our subscriptions are: 3 to 5 years old for Early Explorers, 6 to 10 for World Edition, and 9+ for our Science Expeditions.

• Base price: $20.95
• Amazing savings: 15% off first box

4. Prime Book Box

This is one of those subscription boxes that every child can use.  It delivers hand-picked children’s books every 1, 2, or 3 months. Choose your age range and get started.

• Base price: $19.99
• Amazing savings: 15% off first box

5. Funko Collectibles

This fun subscription box is delivered every two months and includes pop culture products across multiple categories, including vinyl figures, action toys, plush, apparel, housewares and accessories.

Base price: $29.99

6. Groovy lab in a box

Groovy Lab in a Box includes everything children or STEM enthusiasts of all ages need to do hand-on STEM experiments. 

Base price: $29.95

7. Highlights subscription boxes

Highlights’ magazines, book clubs, apps, activity packs and more bring kids “Fun with a Purpose,” anytime, anywhere.

Base price: $11.99
Amazon savings: 20% off first box

8. Club Eimmie – doll accessories

This box offers a series of doll furniture and accessories created to amplify the bond between your child and your child’s toy doll. 

Base price: $20
Amazon savings: 50% off first box

9. Raddish – kids cooking subscription box

Raddish is a monthly cooking kit for kids ages 4-14+. Kids are encouraged to explore and experience new foods while they learn to chop, sauté, whisk, and measure!

Base price: $24
Amazon savings: 30% off first box

10. MEL Chemistry

MEL Chemistry is a monthly subscription to educational and entertaining experiments, supported by a mobile app and chemistry lessons in VR.

Base price: $34.90

11. Culture Fly

Every box comes packed with a mixture of fun and functional items! From apparel and accessories to unique home-wares and vinyl collectibles, there is something for everyone!

Base price: starts from $31

12. Geek Fuel EXP

Geek Fuel EXP is the essential collection of pop culture collectibles curated by true fans. 

Base price: $65
Prime member savings: 55% off first box

13. America’s Test Kitchen Kids

These kid-tested, kid-approved recipes and hands-on STEAM activities will inspire families to spend quality time together in the kitchen, and a lifetime of tasty cooking.

Base price: $24.99

14. Green Kid Crafts

 Every box includes up to 6 creative STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) projects designed to be perfect for kids ages 2-10+!

Base price: $29.95
Amazon savings: 40% off first box

15. Disney Premier Pack

Each pack contains three hard cover storybooks, an activity with activity card, a collectible Tsum Tsum figurine, and sticker sheets to compliment your sticker collection.

Base price: $25
Amazon savings: 40% off first box

16. STEM Discovery Boxes

STEM Discovery Boxes are exciting monthly science kits for boys & girls ages 7 to teen filled with hands-on activities and experiments delivered right to your door every month! 

Base price: $30
Amazon savings: 16% off first box

17. kidpik Fashion Kids

Every box contains 3-4 exclusively designed high quality items, creating a fully coordinated fashion outfit, including shoes and styled just for your girl.

Base Price: $59.50 
Amazon Savings: 33% off first box

18. The Comic Garage

The Comic Garage is perfect to adults and kids alike, anyone who loves receiving amazing comics to their door each month.

Base Price: $24.99 
Amazon Savings: 20% off first box

19. Spangler Science Club

 Each box is filled with a unique blend of experiences that inspire wonder, boost creativity, enhance problem-solving skills and make learning fun.

Base Price: $34.99 
Amazon Savings: 50% off first box

20. Strictly Briks

Each of these Creative Play Subscription Boxes includes one 32×32 base plate and 252 pieces of 2×2 and 2×4 Briks in the color theme of the month, a fun creative play mini set, a special holiday item, and a large mystery item to surprise you every time!

Base Price: $49.99

I hope you like these ideas. Amazon has a boat load more subscription boxes for everyone including Father’s Day, Holidays, women, and men. Check it out!

Related link: 30 Ingenious Camping Products for Kids

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Crayons aren’t just for coloring. Crayon shaving canvas art is a fun new twist on crayon crafting. It’s super easy and opens up your child’s mind to lots of creativity. Check it out!

So, this crafting project was actually my son’s idea. He wanted to use a blank canvas to melt crayons and create a work of art for his other mom for Mother’s Day. We decided to try it out and the results were so fun!

Supplies for your crayon shaving canvas art

This project doesn’t many supplies and most likely you’ll have most of them at home already. Here’s what you’ll need:

• White canvas
• Crayons
• Pencil sharpener or vegetable peeler
• Parchment paper
• Iron
• Painter’s tape (optional)

Start shaving your crayons

So, this crafting project takes a little bit of prep work. But the good news is that you kids can help too. First, you’ll have to take off all of the paper from each of the crayons.

We tried a bunch of ways to shave the crayons. We even tried a food processor (that was a huge fail). But the process we liked the best was using a vegetable peeler or a good old fashioned pencil sharpener.

Be gentle as you shave the crayons because they break easily. They are easier to work with if they’re not in little pieces. Then set aside the shavings in their own separate containers. Shave as many crayons as you would like.

Create your design

Now for the fun part! Using your crayon shavings, scatter them on your blank canvas in whatever design you would like. You can pick and choose similar colors and patterns or just scatter the colors randomly.

You can also use painter’s tape for your crayon shaving canvas art. We made a mosaic type design and my son cut out a heart and placed it on the canvas. You can also use the tape to form letters and other designs.

Melt the crayon shavings

This next step is a little tricky. Place a piece of parchment paper over the canvas that has crayon shavings on it. Run a hot iron on top of it. Make sure the crayon shavings completely melt. Then, carefully peel away the parchment paper. The melted crayons will form a cool melted design.

Once it’s melted, peel away any painter’s tape and allow the melted crayon shavings to dry. If the crayon melted underneath the painter’s tape, you can simply paint that area with white paint. Then you’re done!

Of course, you can skip all of the crayon shaving and using the iron and use a crayon melter instead. I’ve never personally used one of these myself, but you just insert the crayon and start drawing like a pen. Four out of five stars on Amazon is worth a try.

What other craft ideas do you have for melted crayons? Leave your comments below.

Related link: Three ingredient slime in three minutes

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It’s summertime, so that means water balloon time. And you’re going to love this new water balloon game. This quick-thinking brain buster will keep you dry or dripping wet! Play it with your kids today.

It takes me about 60 minutes to fill up 100 water balloon. Since it took so long, I wanted to make them last longer than 1 minute. So, I created this fun water balloon game called Bombs Away. My boys and their friends loved it. Here’s how you play.

Prep water balloon game

Fill up 20-30 water balloons. If you don’t want to spend an hour like I did, you can use these rapid-filling and self-sealing water balloons. Then, find a tree branch, ladder or high point that a child can climb up to safely. You’ll also need a stopwatch.

Play the game

Instruct one child to sit down on the grass. Tell another child to grab a water balloon and climb up above the child who is sitting on the grass. You can use a tree, ladder, dome climber or other playground equipment to do this. Just make sure it is safe.

Then, tell the child on the ground that they have 20 seconds to name 10 items from a given category. If they can’t name at least 10 items before the timer goes off, the child above gets to pop a water balloon onto his or her head! Here’s a video that I made to explain this game and to see it in action. Take a look:

You can download instructions below which include ideas for different categories for the kids.

As a fun variation to this game, you can have two kids on the grass and two up above. Whichever child on the grass names ten items from the chosen category last, gets the water balloon dropped on the them. Repeat as many times as you would like.

I hope your kids have as much fun playing this water balloon game as we did. What other water balloon game ideas do you have? Leave your ideas in the comments below.

Related link: How to throw a wet ‘n wild birthday party

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Every kid likes to feel special and every kid likes eating out. So why not combine the two with your very own restaurant at home–complete with a waiter, menu and five-star table setting? Here’s how we did it.

Okay, so I have to say, my kids absolutely LOVED this! We’re well into week three of quarantine due to COVID-19. I figured, since we can’t go out to dinner right now, why not do it at home? And even after quarantine is over, I am definitely going to do this again. My kids thought it was the bomb. Here is how you can do it too.

Prep your restaurant at home menu

We have four boys ages 10 down to 4, so I planned a very kid-friendly menu. Here’s what our restaurant at home served for dinner:

• Appetizer: Mandarin orange cups, rolls
• Drink: Capri Suns
• Main Dish: Tator tots and mini corn dogs
• Dessert: Dessert cups and Little Debbie Treats

Of course, you don’t have to serve what we served. Just make something that you know that your kids will like and keep it simple.

Print your FREE restaurant menu

It wouldn’t be a fancy restaurant without a classy menu. I designed this menu with fill-in-the-blanks so you can write down whatever menu you would like. Don’t forget to write the name of your restaurant on the front. Download your menu by clicking on the link below. I offer this printable for FREE to all visitors of my blog, but if you’d like to show your support, feel free to buy me a taco .

Restaurant at Home Menu Instant Download

Get cookin’!

The best part about this meal is how easy it was. I just threw some tots and dogs in the oven and that was it. While everything was cooking, I set the table. Make it look really nice as if you were at a real restaurant. I put a candle out and had a fancy place setting. Put the menu on each of the plates. For added effect, I found a fireplace video on YouTube and put it on the TV.

Serve your guests

I told my kids to play in the backyard while we were getting everything ready. The only thing I told them was that we were having a special dinner tonight. When everything was ready, I told them to go around to the front and ring the doorbell. My husband greeted them like a real waiter and he even spoke with a French accent the entire time.

My kids were actually really well-behaved throughout the entire meal. They loved calling for the “waiter” and asking for refills on drinks. My husband made the entire experience so much fun. He really got into it.

Overall, our restaurant at home was a smashing success. And it was worth all the work to see my kids having so much fun. What ideas do you have to make your kids feel special? Leave your comments below.

Related link: FREE printable Dinnertime Game placemats

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Shrinky Dinks are so versatile: Mother’s day, birthdays, Father’s day, Teacher Appreciation. So, I compiled your favorite templates in to one four-page printable, just for YOU! So, what are you waiting for? Let’s go!

We’re right in the thick of a COVID-19. Basically we’re stuck at home trying to social distancing. So instead of going crazy, we’re going crafty with Shrinky Dinks. For those of you who don’t know what Shrink Dinks are, it’s basically plastic that shrinks and hardens when you cook it in the oven.

Shrinky Dinks 101

So, I ordered some Shrinky Crafts on Amazon but any #6 plastic will work. The kit I ordered online also included 20 keychains and markers as well. So it had everything I needed.

Basically you can trace or draw (with permanent marker) your own image on a clear sheet of plastic. Cut it out, punch a hole in it and cook it in the oven for five minutes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Print your own free template

The possibilities are endless when it comes to Shrinky Dinks, but I compiled some of my favorite ideas into a 4-page printable template. You can print out your own template by clicking on the link below. I offer this printable for FREE to all visitors of my blog, but if you’d like to show your support, feel free to buy me a taco .

Shrinky Dinks Template Instant Download

Here’s just a few things that this fun template includes:

• Mother’s Day
• Father’s Day
• Birthdays
• Dog tag
• Tic Tac Toe game
• Full alphabet
• Much, much, more!

Get creative

Of course, you don’t need a template to have fun. My kids just went to town and drew whatever they wanted. Attach a keychain to your creation and it becomes an automatic gift or treasure that you can use forever.

Here’s just a few other ideas to get the creative juices flowing:

• The best Shrinky Dink craft ideas
• 40 Shrinky Dink craft ideas
• Shrinky Dink DIY project ideas

What ideas do you have for entertaining your kids at home? Leave your comments below.

Related link: 150+ Screen-free activities for kids

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“I’m bored!” If you’ve heard those words before, then here’s some relief. Here’s more than 150 screen-free activities to keep your kids entertained from dusk until dawn. Keep reading!

Right now, we are one week into what could be several weeks of self-isolation due to COVID-19. This virus has forced everyone in the entire world to slow down.

Now, we get to spend more quality time with our kids within the safety and protection of our own homes. So here’s more than 150 great screen-free activities to get started on today.

Screen-free activities: Crafts

• Felt flower pens
• Paper plate string art
• Diamond art
• Cross stitch bookmarks
• Yarn pom poms
• Puppet show
• Origami
• Glue handprint
• Homemade kite
• Rainbow rice
• Candle making
• Paper mobile
• Paper snowflakes
• Sock puppets
• Legos
• Homemade volcano
• Pool noodle swords
• Shrinkie dinks
• Homemade window clings
• Leaf rubbings
• Beading jewelry
• Cardboard forts
• Thank you letters businesses
• Fruit loop necklaces
• Gnome garden
• Crayon shapes
• Spray paint t-shirts
• Polymer clay
• Slime
• Elephant toothpaste
• Homemade pinatas
• Decorate room for holiday

Art

• Light switch covers
• Painted rocks
• Finger painting
• Paper mosaics
• Connect the dots
• Drawing
• Push pin pictures
• Folding person paper game
• Sidewalk chalk

Food

• 3-ingredient desserts
• Fondu party
• Banana split party
• Jell-O Jigglers
• Jell-O worms
• Mini pizzas
• Homemade ice cream
• Candy sushi
• Pie eating contest
• Watermelon seed spitting
• Cookies
• Cupcake wars
• Suckers
• Mall pretzels
• Fear Factor Food Challenge
• Indoor s’mores

Games/activities

• Matching game
• Homemade ball pit
• Braiding hair
• Parachute with balls
• Dump truck races
• Photo scavenger hunt
• Pile of pillow at bottom of stairs
• Bubble bath with crayons
• Twister
• Heating vent bubbles
• Learn another language
• Kid yoga
• Paper airplane contest
• Mother may I?
• Pictionary
• Chess/checkers
• Facecard games
• Headstand contest
• Break dancing
• Sudoku
• Scavenger hunt
• Bingo
• Folding table slide

• Balloon rocket race
• Paint fingernails
• Daddy/mommy horse rides
• Scary stories
• Table ping pong
• Karaoke
• Stop motion video
• Princess tea party
• Super hero party
• Cake walk
• Fishing pond carnival game
• Toddler board games
• Leap frog
• Duck duck goose
• Board games ages 6-10
• Would you rather
• Speak out
• Telephone game
• Add-on story game
• Musical hats
• Sardines
• Hide and seek
• Treasure hunt
• Simon says
• Red light green light
• Puzzles
• Laser tag
• Pen pal letters
• Spring cleaning
• Egg experiments
• Pin tail on donkey
• Secret service games
• Reading marathon
• Popsicle stick bombs

Backyard

• Croquet
• Horse shoes
• Nap in a hammock
• Kick the can
• Ghosts in the graveyard
• Capture the flag
• Freeze tag
• Missionary tag
• Red rover
• Giant bubbles
• Obstacle courses
• Kickball
• Frisbee
• Spike ball
• Hopscotch
• Slip ‘n slide
• Campfire
• Sandbox cities
• Build a tree house
• PVC bow and arrows
• Soccer
• Frisbee golf
• Silly string fight
• Glow sticks
• Water bottle rocket launcher
• Balance beam
• Scooters
• Wall ball
• Four square
• Four-legged race
• Water balloon fight
• Bocce ball
• Snowman/igloo
• Kiddie pool

Trampoline

• Dodgeball
• Crack the egg
• Sleepover on tramp
• Worm attack (sleeping bags)
• Sprinklers under tramp
• Add on
• Trampoline fort

I hope some of these ideas will pique your interest. So, if you have any other ideas, leave them in the comments below. You can also print this list ideas and post them on your fridge by clicking on the link below. I offer this printable for FREE to all visitors of my blog, but if you’d like to show your support, feel free to buy me a taco .

150+ Screen-free Activities for Kids at Home

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Buckle up your life jacket, because this Shark Birthday Party is going to be a splashing good time. Complete with printables and invites, your kids are going to love it.

This shark-themed birthday bash was the wish of my six-year-old. Boys love sharks, what can I say? But it’s easy to go overboard for birthdays and burn a hole in your pocket book. So, three basic Shark Birthday Party essentials is all you’ll need to make your child’s wishes come true.

Shark Birthday Party invitations

I designed these fill-in-the-blank shark birthday party invitations. They are cute, simple and you can print them off at home. I left spaces for you to fill in the name, date, time and other important details.

This FREE printable birthday invitation comes with four to a page. Just cut and fill in the blanks. Quick and easy. Get your instant download by clicking on the link below.

FREE Shark Birthday Party Invitation Instant Download

Shark Party Favors

Party favors are a great way to say thanks to all of your child’s friends for coming to the party. I put together these shark gift bags and they were a hit.

First, I bought some blue paper sacks at the Dollar Store. Fold down the top of the paper bag about two inches, then cut some shark eyes, teeth and fin on the bag. Click on the link below to print your own shark cutouts.

FREE Shark Party Favor Cutouts Instant Download

Then, you can fill your bags with whatever goodies you would like. Here’s just a few ideas:

• Gummie Sharks
• Shark tattoos for kids
• Wrist bands
• Shark tooth necklaces

Shark birthday cake

There are tons of awesome shark cakes online. So, we did our own variation. I’m not a professional cake maker, so I always go for simplicity. This cake ended up looking harder than it really was.

The wave was made out of a frosted styrofoam cup. The sand on the beach is just ground up Nutter Butter cereal. I ordered the two sharks and scuba diver online. Plus, you can get some palm trees on Amazon.

The only sad part was that I left the completed cake out on our kitchen table and our dog ate half of it! Naughty puppy!

So, for the actual birthday party, we reserved a spot at the local bounce house. It was $75 and well worth the money. They do all the work and my husband and I just sat back and relaxed. My son even said, “Wow! That was more fun than I thought it would be.” Well, I’ll take it.

What other ideas do you have for a shark birthday party? Leave your comments below.

Related link: How to throw a wet ‘n wild birthday party

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If you’ve ever painted rocks with your kids, you know how much they love it. But don’t stop there! Check out these fun and creative ways to get started today.

My boys love crafting. That’s why painting rocks is such an easy and inexpensive ways to spend time together. You’ll need a few supplies to get started (listed below). Then choose one of the following activities and go to town!

• Rocks for painting
• Paint marker pens
• Sealant

#1: Tic-tac-toe painted rocks

#2: Picture magnets

#3: Cactus Pet Rocks

#4: Garden Markers

#5: Hide and seek rock game

You can buy Hide and Seek Rock Painting Kits online that include everything you need to get started. Or just try it at home on your own.

#6: Counting made fun

#7: Story stones

#8: Alphabet Rocks

#9: Pocket Worry Stones

#10: Stacking stones

#11: Glow-in-the-dark Monster Rocks

I hope you like these ideas for painted rocks. Do you have any other ideas? Leave your comments below.

Related link: 3 awesome crafts using polymer clay

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This birthday treasure hunt is the perfect activity for any child’s special day. And even a little toddler can join in on the fun since each clue has pictures instead of words. So, what are you waiting for? Print your copy right now!

I wanted to do a birthday treasure hunt for my four-year-old’s birthday that was easy and simple. Instead of writing clever clues, I put images of basic household objects that were easy to recognize. He LOVED it! He didn’t need help from any of us. It was definitely the highlight of the day. Here’s how you can do it at your next birthday celebration.

Print and cut your Birthday Treasure Hunt

This treasure hunt only has five pages that you need to print out. Download the PDF below and send it to your local printer or print them at home.

Click on the link at the end of this blog post to download your treasure hunt.

Then just cut then clue pages in half. You’ll have eight total clues and then a treasure hunt title page to display on the table.

Hide your clues

I purposely made these clues simple so that they would work in most any household. Plus, it’s easy for your child to find them as well. So, just hide the clues in order according to the image on each clue. Listed below are the locations where you will hide your clues:

• #1: Kitchen table
• #2: Bathroom
• #3: Washing machine
• #4: Television
• #5: Couch
• #6: Fridge
• #7: Microwave
• #8: Car

Start your treasure hunt

Before you begin the birthday treasure hunt, make sure you tell all the kids participating that the birthday boy or girl is the one who collects the clues. Sometimes kids get so excited and they plow over all the other kids to find the clue.

Then, hand out the first clue and watch the fun unfold. My kids were running around the house and loving every minute of it. My little four-year-old LOVED all of the attention. The last clue leads everyone to the car. Inside I hid my son’s birthday presents and a bag a goodies for the rest of the kids.

For our birthday grab bags at the end, I bought some glow sticks, Squeeze its fruit drinks and candy. Kids also love Wiki Stix, fidget toys, temporary tattoos and Squishies. The sky is the limit.

Spice up your party with extras

Aside from the birthday treasure hunt, you can add some of the following decorations to finish off your birthday celebration:

• Birthday Banner Balloon Set
• Shark Cake Toppers
• Birthday invitations
• Plates and napkins
• Birthday tablecloth
• Hat-making activity kit
• Party blowers

Download your treasure hunt

Click on the link below to purchase and download your birthday treasure hunt.

Birthday Treasure Hunt Printable

Hopefully this gives you some great ideas for your next birthday party extravaganza. What other ideas do you have for birthday parties for your kids? Leave your comments below.

Related link: FREE Traveling Birthday Treasure Hunt

Vector graphics provided by Vecteezy

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We finally decided to jump on the slime bandwagon. After discovering this super easy three-ingredient slime (glue, contact solution and baking soda) we were sold! It’s so easy, fun and inexpensive. So here’s how you can make some too.

The thing about slime is that it’s fun for kids and adults alike. Everyone’s a winner. Plus, three-ingredient slime makes this craft a snap. It almost sounded too good to be true. Then we tried it and we were hooked.

Gather three-ingredient slime supplies

Slime is so popular nowadays that sometimes you can find all the ingredients on the end caps in grocery stores. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Contact solution or saline solution (just make sure it contains boric acid)
• Baking soda
• Elmer’s clear glue, white glue, glitter glue multi-pack

You don’t have to go crazy on the contact solution or the baking soda. A little bit goes a long way. I bought the gallon-size glue however so we can do a lot more slime crafts down the road. Or if you want to take the easy route, just buy one of Elmer’s Celebration Slime Kits that includes everything you need.

Just dump and mix

Next, just add 1/2 cup of glue, 1 tablespoon of contact solution and one teaspoon of baking soda into a bowl. Mix slowly with a spoon. Then, dig in there with your hands. At first it will be really sticky but as the ingredients combine, it forms the perfect slime. Feel free to add more contact solution if it’s too sticky.

You can add lots different ingredients to make your three-ingredient slime just your taste. Here’s a few options:

• Glitter
• Food coloring
• Foam balls
• Slime ad-ins kit

Just a word of caution. Slime is pretty darn messy. It can ruin clothes and carpet. So, keep an eye on your little whipper snappers. They might leave their slime on the carpet or in their pocket. You can also buy some pretty sweet slime jars that will keep all of your slime locked away nice and safe.

Check out these other fun slime ideas

I couldn’t believe all of the creative things you can do with slime. Here’s just a few for you to pick from:

• 25 Ooey gooey slime recipes
• 12 Edible Slime Recipes
• 20 Christmas Slime Recipes

What other slime ideas do you have? Leave them in the comments below. If you want more easy craft ideas, check out my “Crafts for Kids” idea list.

Related link: Kids paper plate string art for every holiday

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It’s time to get in the holiday spirit with Christmas sand art! This is a craft the whole family can enjoy and it’s super inexpensive. These cute works of art can also double as ornaments for your tree! Check it out.

So, I got the idea of Christmas sand art as I was walking around the Dollar Store. They sell bags of sand in all different colors. It ended up being such a fun activity as a family and my kids absolutely loved it. Plus, you can do sand art all year round for Easter, Valentine’s Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving. The sky is the limit really. Here’s how you can do it too.

Gather your sand art supplies

The best part about this sand art craft is how affordable it is. With just a few supplies (listed below) you’ll be making memories in no time.

• Colored sand (you can also buy some at the Dollar Store)
• Clear Elmer’s glue (you can use white glue in a pinch)
• Christmas cookie cutters
• Scissors
• Cardstock

I think I spent less than $10 for all of the supplies. And I had a bunch of sand left over to save for another craft later on.

Trace your Christmas shape

Pick the shape that you want. You can also draw your picture without cookie cutters, but it’s much easier for little ones to use a cookie cutter. Make sure you use cardstock and trace the interior of the cookie cutter. If you do the exterior of the cookie cutter, the shape won’t be as defined.

Glue and spread the sand

Once you have your Christmas shape drawn on the paper, squirt a thin line of glue along the lines. Don’t use too much glue because it will drip and ruin the picture. I liked to use toothpicks to spread the glue or just use your fingers.

Dump excess sand

Cover the entire area that has glue on it and then dump the excess sand back into a bowl. You might want a separate bowl for the excess sand because you might mix the colors a little bit. Then just wait for the glue to dry.

You can take this craft a little bit further for some more fun. Cut out the shape, punch a small hole at the top and add a ribbon. You’ll end up with enough ornaments to decorate an entire Christmas tree!

Now if you do have some left over sand, don’t throw it away! Here’s some other sand craft ideas:

• How to make kinetic sand
• Colored sand bottles
• Underwater magic sand
• Rainbow sand art
• How to make your own colorful sand

What other Christmas craft ideas do you have? Leave your comments below.

Related link: 15 Kids Christmas Crafts

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Throwing a capture the flag birthday party is a super affordable and fun way to celebrate your child’s birthday. Plus, I have all the free printables that you can download instantly. Check it out!

My son was set on having a capture the flag party for his 10th birthday. Although I was a little apprehensive about the logistics, it ended up being such a fun and memorable birthday party. Here’s how you can throw one too.

Determine the Capture the Flag location

This is probably the most important part of your Capture the Flag birthday party. You’ll want to find a play area, preferably a wooded park nearby that has lots of places for kids to run and hide. My son had his party at a nearby pond with lots of paved pathways and trees everywhere. It was perfect.

Print your birthday party invitations

I designed this cute and FREE printable birthday party invitation. You just have to download the PDF, print it off and fill in the blanks. It comes with four to a page. Download the file below. I offer this printable for FREE to all visitors of my blog, but if you’d like to show your support, feel free to buy me a taco .

Click here for your FREE Capture the Flag PDF

Prep your supplies

The best part about this type of birthday party is that it doesn’t require very many supplies. This is what you’ll need:

• Two flags (different colors)
• Two different sets of cloth strips (one for each player)
• Balloons (to indicate boundaries)
• Map of the playing field
• Whistle

You can even buy a capture the flag game online if you want to bypass buying all of the supplies above. I made my cloth strips from some old pillow cases and that did the trick.

Print rules and coupons

Although the rules are pretty self- explanatory, it’s helpful to have them all written down in one place. Especially when you’re trying to talk over about twenty 10-year-olds, ha ha! You can download the rules below.

Click here for your FREE Capture the Flag rules

I also wanted to make it fun for the kids by hiding coupons throughout the playing field. Some of the coupons could be redeemed for a prize at the end and the other coupons allowed some players to get out of jail immediately if they are tagged. The kids really liked this. Almost all of them got a prize. Download and print the coupons below. I offer this printable for FREE to all visitors of my blog, but if you’d like to show your support, feel free to buy me a taco .

Click here for your Capture the Flag coupons

Setup the playing field and have fun!

I went a little bit early and hung balloons along the center of the playing field so the kids knew where the base line was. We also hid the coupons all over the field as well. It was like a simple obstacle course. You’ll also want to utilize your whistle because it’s really hard to yell over a bunch of screaming kids. The first team to steal the flag from the opposite team and bring it back to their own territory wins.

This was the best party. All of the kids had a great time. In total, we had 20 kids. The boys were running around like crazy. They especially liked the cloth strips. They tied them around their heads and all of them wanted to take them home as party favors at the end. I also gave everyone glow sticks to take home. It was a huge success.

We served hot chocolate and doughnuts at the end at home base. It was the perfect finish to a great night. What ideas do you have for a fun birthday party? Leave your comments below.

Related link: FREE traveling birthday treasure hunt

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Musical hats is a fun twist on the party time classic–musical chairs. You can play it at your next birthday, Christmas, Halloween or family party. It is so easy and kids and adults alike will love it. Check it out!

I thought of the idea to play musical hats after collecting a whole bunch of hats from yard sales throughout the years. Instead of collecting dust, I decided to use the hats to play musical chairs, except no chairs, ha ha! Here’s how you can do it too.

Collect your musical hats

You’re probably thinking, “I don’t have enough hats.” But not to worry. There’s actually a ton of affordable options online. Plus they can all be the same hat, they don’t have to be assorted.

• Birthday party – paper party hats
• Christmas party – Santa hats
• Family party – Funny stove pipe hats
• Easter party – Bunny ears
• Halloween party – Witch hats

Prep your hats

To prepare your musical hats, just place them in a circle on the ground. Make sure you have enough room for the kid to walk around the circle. The game works best when you have at least six or more kids playing. But it will work with less in a pinch. Make sure you lay out one hat less than the number of kids participating.

Start the game

Begin your game by having the kids form a circle around the outside of the hats. Start playing some fun, upbeat music. Instruct the kids to walk around the hats in a circle. Once the music stops, each kid grabs a hat and puts it on his or her head. There should be one kid who doesn’t have a hat. That person sits out and then you start the process all over again until there is only one child left with a hat. He or she is the winner!

If there are two kids who grab the same hat at the same time, make sure you are the one who decides who gets to keep it. This happened a couple of times.

Hand out prizes at the end

Everyone who participates in the game should get a prize at the end. And you can give the winner a bigger prize too. Then, everyone wins! Since we played this game during my son’s classroom Halloween party, I gave them some cute fuzzy monsters and a Halloween straw for the winner. Click here for some prize ideas.

Our musical hats game was such a success that I am definitely going to play it at all of my kids’ classroom parties. What ideas do you have for party games? Leave your comments below.

Related link: Riddle Balloon Game

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I love kids, Christmas and crafts. That’s why I put together this list of 15 kids Christmas crafts that are inexpensive, simple and tons of fun. All of these crafts require minimal supplies but provide loads of fun. Take a look. Your kids will be asking for more!

The crafty mom in me always wants to do a fun project with my kids during Christmas time. But the stressed out mom in me doesn’t want it to be too complicated or expensive. Voila! Here’s 15 great ideas that are cheap, easy and fun.

Christmas sand art

Little Debbie Christmas craft

Paper plate Christmas tree

To start of our list of kids Christmas crafts, all you’ll need for these cute paper plate Christmas trees are:

• Paper plates
• Christmas pom poms
• Green paint

Craft stick snowmen

Supplies for your craft stick snowmen are pretty basics:

• Craft sticks
• Googly eyes
• Christmas pipe cleaners
• Ribbon

Button Christmas tree ornaments

This adorable craft is the simplest of them all. Here’s all you’ll need:

• Red and green buttons
• Elastic string

Paper straw wreaths

This craft is so creative and colorful. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Pipe cleaners
• Christmas paper straws
• Red and green beads
• Ribbon

Grinch slime

Every kid loves slime (even if parents don’t). So, I had to include this one. Here’s the supply list:

• Elmer’s clear glue
• Baking soda
• Green food coloring
• Saline Solution
• Glitter
• Red foil confetti hearts

Waterless snow globes

The sky is the limit on this fun craft. But here’s the main supplies you’ll need:

• Glass jars
• Artificial snow
• Mini Christmas trees
• Mini snowmen
• Hot glue gun

Tealight snowmen

These a too cute not to mention. Here what you’ll need:

• Tea lights
• Black fine tip Sharpie marker
• Ribbon, pom poms, pipe cleaners

Elf Pencil Holder

So easy. Super cute. So fun. Your kids will love these pencil holders.

• Empty soup can
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue

Santa card

Cotton balls are the best for crafts and Santa’s beard. Check out your needed supplies:

• White cardstock
• Cotton balls
• Christmas pom poms
• Googly eyes
• Red glitter paper

Pine cone reindeers

These are super cute and simple. All you need is:

• Pine cones
• Googly eyes
• Pom poms
• Pipe cleaners
• Glue

Paper snowflakes

Supplies:

• Paper
• Scissors

Clay pot gingerbread houses

These clay pots can become a work of art that your kids can be proud of. Supplies are:

• Mini Terracotta Pots
• Paint Pens

Reverse Christmas Tree Fingerprint Cards

These are the perfect Christmas card to send to family and friends. Here’s the main supplies you’ll need:

• Tempera Paints
• Blank white greeting cards
• Christmas tree cookie cutter
• Painter’s tape
• Cardstock

Christmas paper plate string art

This can be done for any holiday. Just cut out the holiday shape that you like and start crafting! Here’s your supplies:

• Yarn
• Sturdy paper plates

Holiday Toilet Paper Roll Crafts

Start saving your toilet paper rolls. This is one of the best kids Christmas crafts.

What other ideas do you have for kids Christmas crafts? Leave your comments below.

Related link: Mystery Christmas Stockings Game

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Your kids’ bedroom makeover is about to become a reality. And you don’t have to break the bank either. Here’s how we made an awesome bedroom for our kids that they LOVE.

We wanted to create a space where three of our boys could enjoy as their own bedroom and playroom in one. After a lot of thinking and planning we came up with some simple ways to transform our storage room into a kid’s bedroom paradise.

Think outside the kids’ bedroom makeover box

If you were a kid again, what would you want in your bedroom? That’s what my husband and I had to consider during our kids’ bedroom makeover. Nothing was off the table. That meant getting rid of the traditional cookie-cutter decorations and create an outdoor playground made for the indoors.

Slides are a must

I found a free 10-foot yellow slide from the local classifieds. I couldn’t let it go to waste but there wasn’t quite room enough in the new bedroom. So, we decided to put it right on the stairs heading down to their room. It was the best decision ever.

If one slide wasn’t enough, we decided to put a smaller 6-foot slide from our backyard and put it in the actual bedroom. We had a narrow space where we put our son’s bed. But instead of putting his bed on the ground, we built it about 4-feet above the ground. It made the perfect spot for a slide at the end of his bed. Both of these slide were completely FREE!

Trackline or zipline

The top of the slide became the perfect spot to install a trackline on the ceiling. The one we installed is 10-feet long. If you don’t want to pay for a trackline, you can also try a zipline. Our kids absolutely love the trackline though and it is super easy to install.

Built-in bunkbeds

Since our kids’ bedroom makeover included building around a staircase, we decided to frame some bunk beds right underneath. Each bunk bed has its own light. My kids hung up their own glowing stars and I hung a cork board in each one. They became their own mini bedrooms! Then I hung some curtains and it was complete.

Swing

A swing in a bedroom sounds crazy, I know. I had my doubts as well. But the minute we installed it, all of my boys couldn’t get enough. I love it because I sit and swing while I tell my kids bedtime stories at night. Of course, this wouldn’t work if you have little toddlers. Our youngest is 3 1/2 though and he loves it.

Pull up bar

My sister-in-law gave us an old pole that we installed in the corner of our kids’ bedroom. My husband drilled two large holes in the studs about four feet high. They kids swing and play on it like crazy. For safety reasons, I bought folding sofa that doubles as a queen mattress and put it under the bar.

Climbing grips

We had to frame around two furnaces in order to complete our kids’ bedroom makeover. In the process, there was a small space between the bed and the wall that was perfect for some climbing grips. My husband strategically placed them to make it a bit challenging for little legs.

Dartboard

As an added bonus, my husband built a plank accent wall and then hung a dart board. Then my kids could have fun playing and I didn’t have to worry about getting tons of holes in my wall.

Lego cave

If you have boys, you know that Legos get everywhere! So, we designated the space underneath the elevated bed as the “Lego cave.” It’s amazing. All of the Legos stay contained within that space and they love playing under there.

Stuffy cubby and reading nook

Underneath the stairs next to the bunk beds, we built a small doorway that leads into a tiny room. Inside, that’s where we keep all of our stuff animals and books. It has its own light so my boys can hang out and read.

Google Home Mini or Echo Plus

My boys love to use our Google Home Mini to play music, listen to jokes or hear bedtime stories. Or you can install an Echo Dot.

So there you have it! That’s our kids’ bedroom makeover. Check out the video to see all of the fun shenanigans our kids have everyday in their new bedroom.

What ideas do you have for a kids’ bedroom makeover? Leave your comments below.

Related link: Seven things I wish I knew before my home basement remodel

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Chewing gum and hair don’t mix. I don’t know why kids like putting it in their hair, but they do. After doing my own experiment, I determined the BEST way to remove gum from your kid’s hair. So, keep reading to find out.

I must be a glutton for punishment because I always buy chewing gum for my kids and they always get it stuck in their hair. Ugh! I guess I’ll never learn. Luckily, it’s easy to remove.

Gather supplies to remove chewing gum

All you need to remove gum from hair is unrefined coconut oil and a comb. If you’re in a pinch, you can use vegetable oil or peanut butter. But coconut oil is good for your hair anyway. And then you won’t smell like a peanut butter sandwich after.

Apply coconut oil and comb

Next, just take a small chunk of coconut oil directly onto the gum and let it sit for about a minute. Then, break it apart and then gently comb it out with a fine comb. Within second, the gum should be all gone. Yay!

Here’s a quick video on how I removed the gum from my son’s hair.

If you don’t happen to have any coconut oil or peanut butter, you can also place an ice cube on the chewing gum. Wait 10-15 minutes for it to hard and then you can just pull it off.

Of course, gum doesn’t just get stuck in hair. It also gets stuck on carpet, skin and clothes. Here’s some links on how to remove those as well:

• Remove gum from skin
• How to remove gum from carpet
• How to get gum out of clothes

What tips and tricks do you have from removing gum from odd places? Leave your comments below.

Related link: 10 Things Kids Destroy and How to Fix Them

The post The best way to remove chewing gum from hair appeared first on My Silly Squirts.

Yep. We bought a puppy. I wonder if every parent second-guesses that choice once they make it. But nonetheless, what’s done is done and she is super cute. So, here’s some tips to help you when you buy your puppy too.

Of course, this isn’t my first rodeo, I’ve had other puppies before. It’s kind of like having a newborn; you forget the hard stuff because they are so darn cute. Anyway, here’s some puppy raising wisdom that will hopefully help you.

Buy the right kind of puppy

There are tons of different kinds of dog breeds out there. Some dogs are easier to own than others. Plain and simple. We chose a golden retriever. Do your research to understand what you want and what you’re getting into. Check out this link: Dog Breeds You Should Think Twice about Getting.

Keep your dog off the carpet

This is, of course, a personal choice. But I once had two big Great Danes who literally took over the house. There was dog hair everywhere. I was embarrassed to have anyone over. So, the minute your puppy comes home, establish the carpet line. They will learn really quick that they are only allowed in the kitchen or whatever area you decide.

Provide a free-roam kennel

Puppies need a safe place. That’s what kennels are for. But when our puppy howled every night for weeks inside her kennel, I was about to give up. Then, one night, I just left the kennel door open. I put her inside and gave her a treat. She stayed in the kennel all night. Don’t force it and they will start to love it.

Invest in a fence or perimeter collar

You need to be able to leave your home without worrying about your dog escaping and terrorizing the neighborhood. I can leave our puppy in our fenced backyard all day and she is completely fine. Here’s a cute sign you can hang by your gate to remind people to keep it closed.

If you don’t have a fence, that’s okay. You can buy a perimeter dog collar that creates an invisible fence around your home. If you dog tries to leave your property, his collar will shock him.

Put your kids to work

If your kids really want a puppy as much as they say they do, then take advantage of that motivation. All dogs poop and you should not be the one in charge of picking it up. Every other day is optimal, but once a week will do. Check out this pooper scooper that makes it even easier!

Consider your own situation

Aside from being a dog-owner, I’m also a landlord. If you’re renting, maybe having a dog right now in your life isn’t such a good idea. If you’re lucky enough to find a place that allows dogs, you’ll probably be paying a pretty hefty monthly dog fee. And then most-likely, your dog won’t have a yard to run around in. Is it really worth it?

Invest in some chew toys

Puppies like to chew. They will chew whatever they can find, including your brand new pair of $100 shoes. So, buy them a really good chew toy and make sure they get enough exercise each day. They get destructive when they are cooped up all day.

Pay close attention when your puppy is inside

Potty training a puppy really isn’t that hard as long as you keep a close eye on him. But, if he goes when you’re not looking, you can’t discipline him later. You have to catch him in the act. That’s why it’s nice to keep him off the carpet too. It’s much easier to clean up accidents on tile.

Be patient

The puppy phase doesn’t last forever. Once he is an adult, he becomes less-destructive and more obedient. Before you know it, he’s the perfect little companion.

Don’t go bankrupt for your dog

I have a strict $500 vet bill policy. I won’t spend more than that because guess what, it’s just a dog. Heartless, I know. But I refuse to go into debt for an animal.

Have fun with your puppy

Don’t wish the puppy phase away. It can be stressful, but they are so freaking cute and it doesn’t last long. My kids fight over who gets to play with Ruby next. They truly love her so much.

What other ideas do you have when raising a puppy? Leave your comments below.

Related link: 10 Job Ideas for Kids to Earn a Little Extra Money

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A birthday water party is a crowd-pleaser for sure and with these FREE printables, you’ll have everything you’ll need to make it a success. So, check it out!

I was trying to think of a birthday party for my soon-to-be seven-year-old that would allow the kids to be self-entertained for two hours. So, I decided to rent an inflatable water slide. It was perfect. Throw in a some treats and water guns and you’re done. Here’s everything you’ll need:

Send your birthday water party invitation

I designed these cute birthday water party invitations. Click the link below to order your own customized birthday party invitation. Easy peasy.

Click here to order your own customized birthday invitation

Set up refreshment table

You can your birthday water party simple or go all out. I spent the most time on the refreshment table. Each item represented some type of water/beach item with FREE printable labels (download below). Here’s what I bought:

• Rainbow Twizzlers (pool noodles)
• Cheese Balls (beach balls)
• Otter pops
• Watermelon and popsicle sticks (melon-sicles)
• Cupcakes with teddy grahams and peach rings (swim cakes)
• Blue Raspberry Kool-Aid (Ocean Breeze)
• Shark Wall Poster or Beach Wall Poster
• Beach pails and shovels

You can download and print the labels for each of the refreshments below.

Make your party favor

Since my refreshment table was full of sugary treats, I decided to give each of the kids a small squirt gun with a cute note on it. They were all super excited about it and they played with them the entire party. Download the party favor label below.

Set up your water slide and activities

So, I reserved a water slide. If you’re a Utah local, Plan-It Rentals is a great company to use. It only cost my $70 to rent a big water slide for the entire day! You pick it up in the morning. Set up is a cinch and then you return it the next morning. You can also buy your own backyard water slide.

Overall, the party was a huge success. The kids had so much fun and it was super easy for me. Everyone was self-entertained so I could just watch the kids have fun. My kind of party.

What ideas do you have to throw a water party? Leave your comments below.

Related link: FREE Traveling Birthday Treasure Hunt

The post How to throw a wet n’ wild birthday water party appeared first on My Silly Squirts.

I am the worst at getting my kids to read during the summer. But I am determined to avoid the “summer slide”. I’ve got a sweet FREE printable summer reading chart and other tips that will help you too! Check it out.

I’m always motivated to help my kids with their reading at the beginning of the summer. However, we all lose focus as the days fly by. Here’s a few tips to help your kids (and you) stay on track.

Print this FREE summer reading chart

I designed this free summer reading chart to help my kids stay accountable for their reading every day. They can write their name on it and hang it on the wall where they can see it every day.