We recently moved into a new home and immediately started finishing our 2200 square foot basement. After a lot of blood, sweat and money, we are finally done. If you’re thinking about finishing your basement, here’s a basement expense breakdown and how much it REALLY costs to finish a basement. Check it out!

When we started finishing our basement, we tried to make an educated guess as to how much it would cost. It helped us make adjustments along the way so we could try to stay at least a little bit in budget. Here’s how much it all cost. Check it out!

Decide what work you want to do yourself

Although it would be nice if we could just hire out all the work, we knew we could save some money doing some of the work ourselves. So, here’s a list of projects that we decided to tackle ourselves and how much money we saved in the process:

• Electrical: Although not a licensed electrician, my husband decided to do all of the electrical in our basement. He did an amazing job and saved us about $7,000-$8,000 dollars.
• Flooring: I stained the concrete in our basement instead of installing flooring. This saved us a whopping $9,300
• Demolition: We had to knock out some old framing before the framers could come in. So we put our kids to work and this saved us about $600.
• Digging: My husband dug a hole for a new window well and that saved us about $400.
• Painting: This didn’t save us as much money as I thought. We painted our basement ourselves and that saved us about $1,000.

Decide what work to hire out

Let’s be honest, most of the work done to complete our basement was hired out. Some work is best left to the professionals. Even though it costs a lot of money, you just want to make sure it’s done right. Here’s what we hired out:

• Framing
• Plumbing
• Insulation
• Sheetrocking/mudding/taping
• Kitchen cabinet/countertop install
• Backsplash
• Trim/finish work

Total expenses vs what we budgeted

So, let’s get down to the numbers. Here’s a breakdown of everything we spent vs what we budgeted. It was hard to guess exactly how much stuff would cost. But we saved money in certain areas and we actually came under budget which was great!

Tips and tricks we learned along the way

• Money: It will most likely cost more money than you think to finish your basement. We would have definitely gone over budget if we hadn’t done the flooring, painting and electrical ourselves.
• Time: It will most likely take more time to finish your basement than you think. It took us about four months to finish our basement and we were hoping for three.
• Dumpster: Instead of leaving a dumpster parked on our property for four months, we borrowed a dump trailer. This probably saved us about $2,000.
• Basement apartment: If you’re not adding a basement apartment, the cost to finished your basement will most likely be waaaay less expensive.
• Expect hiccups: Inevitably, something will go wrong during your remodel. Our main sewer line backed up and the insulators accidentally blew insulation all over my son’s room.
• Contractor: Consider hiring a contractor. Although I would like to think that we saved money by doing most of the work ourselves, I still wonder if a contractor might have cost around the same.
• Buffer: Budget for lots of miscellaneous expenses. We spent $3,700 on things we just didn’t realize we needed buy.
• Winter: Consider finished your basement in the winter. Subcontractors are usually slow during the cold months and it’s easier to schedule them.
• Investment: All of the money that you are spending to finish your basement will only increase the value of your home. So, it’s worth it in the end.
• Shop around: It’s worth it to get multiple bids on the big-ticket items. Everyone isn’t priced the same.
• Finish work: Spend a little extra money to decorate your basement the way you like it. Here’s some links to some of the items that I bought to decorate our basement: LED bathroom mirror, bathroom vanity light, floor plant, gold cabinet pulls, wooden floating shelves.

I hope this basement expense breakdown helps you as you are planning to finish your own basement. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

More from My Silly Squirts: Seven things I wish I’d known before my basement remodel

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If you are planning on going on an LDS Church History tour of the historic sites in the United States, you need this booklet. With maps, a checklist and 11 site summary pages, this is the perfect booklet to get everyone in the family excited about church history on your trip.

Our family is headed on a church history tour from Utah all the way to Palmyra in just a couple of weeks. In preparation, I wanted to put together a booklet that gives a brief summary of each site that we visit. That way, our kids can get a little bit of background before arriving to each site and appreciate it a little bit more. Check it out!

Print and download your reference booklet

This booklet comes as a high-quality downloadable 8.5×11 PDF. There are 14 pages total that contain the following:

• Cover Page
• LDS historic site destination map
• Church history site checklist
• Summary pages for all 11 church history sites

Just click on the link at the end of this blog post to purchase and print your booklet.

Organize your booklet in a binder

The best way to make the most of this traveling booklet is to put the pages in sheet protectors and then put them in a three-ring binder. That way none of the pages will get lost or ripped during the car ride across the country. It also makes it more inviting the read, especially for your little ones. Then you can keep it in a convenient spot in a pocket behind the seat or on the dashboard.

Dive into your booklet

The great thing about this booklet, is that you don’t have to tour across the entire country to enjoy it. Even if you’re just headed to the Mormon Battalion or Carthage Jail, it’s still a great way to learn about these amazing sites that you are visiting.

We are planning on reading each of the summary pages during the drive even though there are a few sites that we won’t be visiting. Each pages gives a small historical background about the each site. Then, you can learn about fun things you can do while visiting the site. And then lastly, there is a section of fun facts about each of these places that you’ll be visiting.

I hope you enjoy this LDS church history tour reference booklet during your trip. I know it’s going to make it an even more memorable one for our family. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

To purchase and download your booklet, click on the link below:

LDS Church History Tour Booklet

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I have served in Young Women’s for a long time. We’ve done A LOT of activities, but here are by far my favorite LDS Young Women activities that I think the girls in your ward will love as well. Check it out!

Sometimes the best activities for Young Women’s or youth nights require a little bit of extra work. Although not all of these activities are super difficult, they do require a little bit of planning. Thankfully, I’ve created printable packets for almost all of them, so most of the work has already been done. Let’s get started!

#1: Book of Mormon Murder Mystery

This is a great way to get your girls excited about reading their scriptures. This was definitely a hit and can be play as a combined young women or even all of the youth in your ward.

#2: LDS scripture escape room

I couldn’t find much stuff online on LDS escape rooms, so I basically created this one from scratch. The girls move from room to room solving clues about the scriptures. Everyone LOVED it!

#3: LDS Mad Libs

Most kids remember doing Mad Libs when they were little. This is the fun LDS version. I wrote 15 different Mad Libs stories that each girl can fill out and them read them out loud together. It makes for lots of laughs.

#4: Photo Scavenger Hunt

Break into teams at the mall or a big store and identify and take photos of items on your list. The team to get the most items on their list wins. It’s super fun and really easy prep.

#5: Career Night

These youth have a lot of big decisions to make in the next few years. That’s why a career night is a great way to help them start thinking about and preparing for the future. This activity was a big undertaking but it was wildly successful. Everyone loved it.

#6: Teaching Burger

Many of the youth struggle with teaching lessons on Sundays, so I designed a fun activity that teaches them how to teach. It’s called the Teaching Burger. It’s simple and fun. It only took about an hour and the girls felt more confident about teaching afterwards.

#7: My Sister’s Closet clothing exchange

This is the kind of activity that ALL of the girls love. Each of the Young Women donated clothes, jewelry, shoes and other fashion and beauty items from their closets. On the night of the activity, every got to come and fill a bag with items they wanted. The rest was donated to good will. It was awesome!

#8: LDS Family Feud

This is a great activity to play with the Young Men. Divide into teams and answer LDS-related trivia questions. This entire game is printable so you don’t have to deal with electronics. So fun.

#9: Thank you notes for temple workers

This is a fun service activity. Just leave a cute thank you note and a treat on the cars parked at your closest temple.

#10: Where’s Waldo

Divide into groups at a large department store and find disguised members of your ward wandering around. It’s super fun!

#11: Scripture Treasure Hunt

This is a fun activity that can be held in your church building. Each clue requires the participants to look up scriptures to find the next clue. This also works for primary activity days groups as well.

#12: Taste Test Challenge

All of the girls taste different food while blindfolded. The team to make the most correct guesses wins. This was definitely a hit and surprisingly easy to set up.

#13: Day of the Dead Family History Night

This is a great activity to do in October, but it also works any time of year. Feed the youth a nacho bar and then ask someone in the ward to set up an ofrenda and talk about their family history. Have the girls bring a family dessert and the recipe to share with everyone at the end.

#14: 1,000 Acts of Service Puzzle

Organize a service activity for the evening to kick off the 1,000 acts of service puzzle. Then, throughout the month, urge the youth to complete as many acts of service as they can. Each act of service completes a puzzle piece on the service puzzle. It was so fun to see this puzzle come and realize all the service the youth were performing.

#15: Minute to Win It

Minute to Win It games are a classic for a reason. Everyone loves them! We did this as an activity with the deacons and of course, it was a hit.

Bonus activity idea: Utah Temple Tour

If you’re looking for a bigger activity for girls camp or youth conference for example, a Utah Temple Tour is awesome. The youth can try to do baptisms at as many temples in Utah as they can in one day. This is a great way to help the youth develop a love and testimony of the temple.

I hope you like these LDS Young Women activities. All of them were honestly so much fun to prepare. It was so fun seeing all these girls grow spiritually and create friendships that will last a lifetime. Let me know if you have any favorite activity ideas in the comments below.

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If you’re hosting a party soon, a DIY popcorn bar will be a hit with all of your guests. Plus, it’s suuuuper easy. Here’s everything you need to get started. Check it out!

My son asked if he could have his prom after-party at our house. So, I decided to make a yummy popcorn bar. It was a total hit. My son told me how much all of his friends loved it. Plus, it was super easy to make. Check it out!

Gather your popcorn bar supplies and snacks

There’s a lot of items that you might already have in your pantry and home for this fun food buffet. Here’s everything you’ll need:

• Popcorn bowls
• Popcorn scoop
• Kernels (to pop at home)
• Mini M&Ms
• Heath toffee pieces
• Crushed Oreos
• Mini marshmallows
• Pretzels
• Popcorn seasonings
• Drinks
• Paper bowls
• Cups
• Ice

Print your popcorn poster and labels

I wanted to spice up my popcorn bar, so I designed a cute 8.5×11 poster that says, “Thanks for poppin’ by” and provides instructions about the bar. Then, I designed smaller labels with popcorn jokes and puns to place randomly around the buffet.

You can purchase and print your poster and labels by clicking on the link below:

Popcorn bar poster and table signs

Prep your popcorn and toppings

I popped two giant bowls of popcorn, poured melted butter all over it and added some salt. If you have any cute popcorn bowls or wooden apple baskets, you can put you popcorn in those. If not, a regular big bowl would work. You can also buy giant bags of pre-popped movie popcorn if you don’t want to go to the trouble of popping it yourself.

You can also use small popcorn containers to put all the toppings in. I didn’t have any of those though, so I just put the toppings in little white dessert bowls. It was perfect. Put each topping in a bowl with a spoon for your guests to scoop.

Don’t forget the popcorn seasonings. I only had four different flavors, but you can buy an eight-pack of mini popcorn seasoning jars. I also filled a few bowls with Crack Jack popcorn for those who like caramel popcorn. If you are feeling ambitious, you can make your own caramel popcorn or even peanut butter popcorn.

Set up your buffet table

I put the entire popcorn bar on a long rectangular table. Just place a big table cloth over the table. Then, get another piece of fabric and place it over two small boxes on one side of the table. Place your two big bowls of popcorn on those covered boxes. This gives your buffet table a little bit of height. Then place the seasons, topping bowls, drinks, cups, bowls and anything else you want on the table.

Finally, place your popcorn buffet poster on an easel in the middle of the table and place the table signs throughout the table. They add such a fun touch to the buffet.

That’s it! My son and his friends absolutely LOVED this DIY popcorn bar. They especially loved all the popcorn jokes and puns. I surprised myself how easy it was. This is definitely a fun party food idea that I am going to keep in my back pocket for next time.

Let me know how your popcorn bar goes in the comments below.

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Approaching the topic of pornography doesn’t have to be hard. But sometimes, we just need the right tools to help us guide the discussion. This helpful one-page printable guide will help as you try talking to your child about pornography. Check it out!

My husband and I have four boys, so we regularly have conversations with them about the harmful effects of pornography and things they can do to avoid it. So, I decided to design a brief guide with helpful tips and tricks that teens and tweens can integrate into their daily lives to help them stay away from pornography. Hopefully this will help parents as they do the same.

Print your one-page guide

Sometimes sweet and simple is the best approach. I designed this pornography guide with eleven brief tips of actionable things your kids can do to avoid pornography. Just purchase, download and print the 8.5×11 PDF by clicking on the link at the end of this blog post.

Eleven tips to teach your kids about porn

Each of the tips on the handout are geared towards teens, tweens and kids. You can take turns reading each tip and then discussing them. You can hang the poster on your fridge or encourage your child to hang it in their room so they don’t forget. Here’s the tips:

• Turn it off ASAP: When you stumble upon inappropriate pictures or videos, turn it off right away. Don’t hesitate.
• No bedrooms: It’s easier to be tempted to look at porn when you’re alone. So make it a rule that no phones or screens are allowed in your bedroom.
• Don’t be that cat: Curiosity killed the cat. So don’t let your curiosity tempt you to click on that ad, website or video that might lead to porn.
• Screen zombie: Limit your screen time each day to two hours or less. Get outside and interact with people, start a new hobby or join a club.
• Make a plan: Write down specific ways you will stay away from porn. Share your goals with a family and friends.
• Ignore the lies: Porn is addictive. It hurts relationships and mental health. It leads to anxiety, depression and so much more. Anyone who tells you otherwise is WRONG.
• Filter it up: Install filters and porn blockers on your computer and phone to prevent inappropriate websites and ads from popping up.
• Be a friend: If you know someone who is struggling with porn, love them, don’t judge them. Reach out.
• Let’s talk: Whether you are addicted to porn or not, it helps to talk about it. Find a support group.
• You can do it!: If you’re struggling with porn, you’re not alone. Enlist the help of loved ones and friends.
• Learn more: FighttheNewDrug.org, InternetSafety101.org, NoFap.com, BrainHeartWorld.org, ExodusCry.com, ProtectYoungEyes.com

What’s the big deal about porn?

Maybe kids might ask, what’s the big deal? Why is porn so bad? According to the American College of Pediatricians, consumption of pornography is associated with many negative emotional, psychological, sociological, and physical health outcomes.  These include increased rates of depression, anxiety, acting out and violent behavior, younger age of sexual debut, sexual promiscuity, increased risk of teen pregnancy, child sex abuse, sexual trafficking, and a distorted view of relationships between men and women.

If you want your kids to avoid the pain associated with any of these negative outcomes above, take the steps necessary to teach them today.

To purchase, download and print your one-page pornography guide for teens and tweens, click on the link below:

Pornography: A guide for teens and tweens

Let me know what you think of this printable guide in the comments below! Thanks!

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If you want to elevate the cool factor in your kid’s room and provide more space at the same time, try building a floating loft bed. This is a project easy enough for the novice builder and your kids will LOVE it. Here’s how we did it in three steps.

My sister-in-law thought of the original design for these floating loft beds and so we just copied her. These floating beds are awesome because since they are suspended above the ground, my kids have a lot more space in their bedroom. Check it out!

Gather your floating bed supplies

Before you start making your bed, you need to buy the right supplies. You also want to make sure that you have the person at the hardware store cut all of the wood for you. That will make this project way easier. All of these supplies cost $247 for two beds. Here’s a list of supplies that you’ll need to make one loft bed:

Wood (for the frame)

• 2×4 piece of wood (8 feet long): cut two pieces that are 36 3/4″ long each
• Three 2 x 6 pieces of wood (8 feet long): cut two pieces that are 78″ long and two pieces that are 38 1/4″ long
• One plywood sheet: cut to 74 3/4″ x 38″
• Three 3/4″ x 1 1/2″ pieces of wood: cut two pieces that are 75″ and two pieces that are 36 3/4″

Piping (for the guard rail)

• One 10 foot 1/2 inch pipe: Cut one piece 68″ and two pieces 8″
• Two 1/2″ black iron 90 degree pipe elbows

Other supplies

• Dark walnut wood stain
• Fast-drying polyurethane (warm satin)
• Wood screws 10×3″ (quantity 70)
• Fine thread drywall screws 6×1 5/8″ (quantity 178)
• White paint & paint brush
• Chain 33 1/2″
• Two Quick link chain 5/16″ (1760 lb capacity)
• Two screw eye hooks (700lb capacity)

Here’s the design that you’ll want to follow as you’re gathering and purchasing your supplies. You can also show this to the store clerk to help him visualize what you’re trying to build.

Step #1: Assemble the frame of the bed

Place all of the wood on the ground and assemble it according to the picture above. Make sure you assemble every exactly as pictured. The 2×6 pieces of wood are on the outside, and the 3/4″ x 1 1/2″ thinner pieces of wood go on the inside. The thinner pieces of wood are what the mattress will be sitting on once it’s complete. The two 2×4 pieces go on the inside.

Once everything is assemble on the ground, then you can start screwing everything together. Begin by screwing the 2x6s together on the corners using the wood screws. My husband drilled pilot holes before screwing in the screws to avoid splitting the wood.

Once the outer frame is screwed together, you can screw the inner frame to the 2x6s. We used drywall screws to do this. You don’t have to drill pilot holes for the inner frame if you don’t want. We placed the screws about 12 inches apart on the inner frame.

As a last step to assembling the bed frame, you’ll want to screw together the two 2x4s to the rest of the frame with wood screws. We drilled pilot holes for these as well.

Step #2: Stain the loft bed frame

Place the frame upright on its side and stain the loft frame with wood stain. This will give your bed frame a nice finished look. About 5-15 minutes after you apply the stain with a paint brush, wipe any excess stain with a cloth. We didn’t stain the side of the frame that would be flush against the wall, since you won’t see that portion anyway once it’s hung.

It only takes about an hour for the stain to dry. Once it’s dry, you can apply a layer of polyurethane to add a nice finished, glossy look. The polyurethane takes about 2-4 hours to dry. We just left our frame over night to dry. It looked great.

Step #3: Hang your loft bed

Now that the frame is assembled, it’s time to hang it! Mark on the wall where you want the bed frame to hang. You will want to use a stud finder to make sure you drill the screws into studs. Then, screw the screw eye hook into the ceiling where the corner of the bed frame will hang. My husband used an Allen wrench as an attachment on his drill to screw the eye hook into the wall. Otherwise it’s impossible to do it by hand.

Attach one quick link chain to the hook, then the chain and then the other quick link chain as pictured below.

Next, screw the other screw eye hook into the corner of the bed frame. Make sure you measure exactly where to place the hook. It will depend on where the stud is placed on the ceiling.

Connect the screw eye hook on the bed frame to the chain hanging from the ceiling. You’ll probably need a couple of people to help you hold the bed frame while you do this. Then, attach the rest of the bed frame to the wall using wood screws. Make sure you are screwing directly into studs. My husband screws about four different wood screws into the wall to make sure it was nice and secure.

We also used a leveler to make sure the bed frame was completely level. This part took a little bit of adjusting but it worked out great.

Once the frame is hung, all you have to do is place the plywood into the frame and then the mattress. We painted the side of the plywood that would be showing underneath so it looked a little bit more finished.

The last step is to add the guard rail. Attach the pipe elbows to the three pieces of pipe and insert it next to the mattress on the side. The guy at Lowe’s cut the pipe for us and threaded it, which was super convenient. And you’re done!

Here’s a video that shows how we made this fun loft bed for our kids.

I hope you like making your floating loft bed as much as we did. Let us know how it goes in the comments below. Enjoy!

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It’s conference time again! Yay! Every family needs a good LDS General Conference activity for kids. This is an easy activity that motivates the kids to listen to the talks. Check it out!

When I was setting up all these treats before conference was starting, my son Pete said, “Mom, I think this is the best activity you have ever done for conference.” I take that as a win. Here’s how to do it.

Gather your supplies

You might already have some items sitting in your pantry for this fun General Conference activity for kids. I went to the grocery store and bought fifteen different treats or snacks that I thought my kids would like. All of the items were just a couple dollars each. Here’s what I bought:

• Mamba magic sticks
• Pringles
• Dum dum suckers
• Gum
• Apple juice
• Fruit cups
• Starburst jelly beans
• Jelly pops
• Jelly pop sticks
• Marshmallow cones
• Chewy sweet tarts
• Sour Patch kids
• Goldfish graham
• Goldfish vanilla cupcake
• Popcorn

Print and attach pictures of prophet and apostles

Next, you’ll want to print a small picture of each of the apostles and the prophet. You should have 15 total. You can also download a PDF of all these pictures at the end of this blog post. Although the pictures will change as the leadership of the church changes, hopefully this file will help.

Then, cut and attach each picture to the individual treats or snacks that you bought for this activity. I attached the pictures randomly to each treat. It doesn’t really matter.

Display your treats and start playing!

I carefully displayed all of the yummy treats and snacks next to our fireplace in our living room. I told all of my kids that whenever an apostle or the prophet speaks, they need to find the corresponding treat with their picture.

As an added difficulty, you can make them say the name of the apostle. Or, you can even make them sit at watch the entire talk before they actually get to eat the treat.

This is a great LDS general conference activity for kids because it is suited for young and old. Even my teenagers were getting involved. They would get excited to see who was going to speak next. It also motivates your kids to pay attention because if they missed a talk, they didn’t get the treat.

I hope you like this idea to keep you kids motivated while watching LDS General Conference. Let me know how this activity goes in your own home in the comments below.

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We are steadily approaching summertime and that means road trips. So, if you don’t want your kids playing screens the entire time that you’re in the car, this post is for you. Here are some of the coolest road trip toys that kids young and old will enjoy. Check it out!

Our family has been on sooooo many road trips. Even though my kids would gladly play screens the entire time we are driving, I like to have a few activities and toys to break up the screen time. These toys are older-kid approved. Check it out.

#1: Push Peel

These sensory toys are oddly satisfying.

#2: Scratch off license plate game

If you’re headed across the country or a national park, you’re bound to see lots of cars from every state in the US. This game is perfect.

#3: Peelies

This is a quiet activity for the car that kids from ages 3-7 would enjoy the most.

#4: Search and find activity books

These double-sided activity pages come with erasable white board markers and wiping cloth.

#5: Rope untangling travel puzzle

Your kids can take turns to see who can solve the puzzle the quickest. And comes with a travel carrying case.

#6: Kanoodle

This is a fun brain teaser puzzle with lots of different variations that will keep kids entertained for hours.

#7: Tape activity book

Kids get four rolls of tape and can do whatever they want with them in this activity book. It’s brilliant!

#8: Popper light up game

This game is fun even for adults and has volume control so it doesn’t make you crazy in the car when your kids are playing it.

#9: 50 cool things to do in the car

This is a tin full of fun games written on small cards that you can play while going on a road trip.

#10: Sussed

This is a fun “What would you do?” game that any kid, tween or teenager would like.

#11: Magnetic drawing board

These are so fun, you might need to buy one for each of your kids.

#12: Sticker by letter

This is a fun twist on paint by number. Plus, you definitely don’t have to worry about spilling any paint in the car.

#13: Lite-Brite Touch

This will bring you back to your childhood but travel-size.

#14: Magnetic travel board games

Get back to the classics with the 12 retro board games, miniature-sized and perfect for road trips.

#15: Car Bingo

This set includes 9 different themed Bingo cards such as traffic signs, restaurants and stores, etc.

#16: Foil crafts

#17: Poke Poke Art

#18: Transforming fidget spinner

#19: Rotate and slide puzzle

#20: Wacky dot-to-dot

A fun dot-to-dot activity book containing clues and mystery to uncover.

I hope you like this list of screen-free road trip toys. Hopefully they will help make your next family road more fun and less chaotic. Enjoy!

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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.

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Staining your concrete floor isn’t as hard as you might think. With just a few supplies, you can have beautiful finished basement flooring for a fraction of the cost. Here’s all the details on how to stain a concrete floor. Check it out!

For the past two months, we have been finishing our basement. Instead of paying thousands of dollars on new flooring, we decided to try staining the concrete. Sometimes these DIY projects don’t turn out very well, but I loved the way our floors turned out and it was sooooooo much cheaper. Here’s how I did it and how you can do it too.

Gather your concrete staining supplies

I got all of my supplies at Lowe’s but you can also buy these supplies on Amazon as well. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Concrete bonding primer
• Concrete stain semi-transparent
• Wet look concrete sealer
• 18-inch paint roller kit (this makes it go so much faster)
• Broom
• Mop
• Small paint brushes
• Paint brush and roller covers

You really need three paint brushes and three rollers, one for each step. Otherwise you’ll be cleaning out each paint brush and roller before each step. Super annoying.

Prep your concrete

The concrete floor in our basement was in really good shape before we even started staining. All I had to do was sweep really good and then mop any remaining dust particles. We had a few stains on our concrete that we couldn’t remove. But we just left it and the end look was like an industrial-type rustic look.

Step #1: Concrete bonding primer

The concrete bonding primer is a very important necessary step. Don’t skip it! The primer allows for a strong bond between the concrete and stain. Apply a generous layer with a paint roller. I also edge the sides with a small paint brush before rolling the rest to make sure I got full coverage. The primer goes on white and dries clear.

Step #2: Semi-transparent concrete stain

This is probably the trickiest part but it’s still pretty easy. When you buy your stain at the store, it will need to be tinted to the color that you want. We tried three different colors before finally deciding on onyx. It’s a darker color, almost black. But I like the industrial, rustic look it provides.

The instructions on the can say that you can apply the stain with a garden sprayer but it just ended up looking splotchy and ugly. So, I rolled it instead. I did two layers. The second layer really helps even the look of the stain, just like when you paint a wall.

One word of caution, as you roll the stain out, don’t overlap the sections. It ends up making some areas darker than others. It’s pretty hard to avoid overlapping completely, but do your best. I finally got the hang of it after staining 5 rooms, ha ha.

Step #3: Wet look sealer

Now for the final step. Apply a generous layer of wet look sealer over the stain. Made sure there is not puddling. You don’t have to be careful about overlapping the layers on this step because the sealer dries clear. This gives your floor this shiny, finished look and it’s beautiful.

Tips and tricks to staining your concrete floor

• Small supply: Buy a small supply of each layer at first to see how far it goes. I was surprised how much area one can covered.
• Test different stains: We bought three different semi-transparent stains and tested them on the concrete in our storage room. We wanted to make sure we really liked the color.
• Overlapping: I mentioned this earlier, but try to apply your stain in straight even rows that don’t overlap. Otherwise, certain spots will look darker than others.
• 18-inch paint roller: If you’re trying to cover a really large area, an 18-inch paint roller makes the entire process go so much quicker.
• Footsteps: Avoid walking on the stained area before you apply the sealer. It shows footprints really easily and you’ll just have to clean it up again.
• Don’t wait to long: Make sure you apply the stain within four hours but not sooner than one hour after you apply the concrete primer. If the primer totally dries, it won’t bond to the sealer.
• Dry time: The instructions on the can say to wait 24 hours before applying the sealer on the stain, but honestly, I waited about two to three hours and it was fine.
• Stains: Try to get all the stains off your concrete floor before you begin. However, there were a few spots we couldn’t get out and we just stained over it. Although, you can see small imperfections, it just adds to the aesthetic of the industrial, rustic look.

Price comparison: DIY vs professional

Although my finished DIY concrete stain job isn’t perfect, the price tag is. It only cost me $768 for supplies to stain by 2200-square-foot basement. On the other hand, we received a quote from a professional concrete staining company and their quote was $9,900! That’s just as much as getting LVP or carpet.

I hope this gives you a little bit better idea of how to stain a concrete floor. I was pleasantly surprised how ours turned out and I hope your project is just as successful. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

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If you are in charge of feeding dessert to a large crowd of 100+ people, that is no easy task. So, I’m here to help you out with these simple, inexpensive and delicious ways to feed the masses. Check it out!

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we get together a lot in large groups. Whether it’s an activity with our youth, gathering as families after a fireside or a Relief Society activity, we love dessert. And after 43 years of being a latter-day saint, I’ve seen a lot of dessert ideas to feed a crowd. And now I’m passing that along to you. Check it out!

Dessert ideas to feed a crowd

• Homemade rolls and jam
• Cheese and cracker spread
• Bundt cake slices
• Cookies from Costco
• Deviled egg plate
• Root beer floats
• Fry bread

• Cold cereal bar
• Angel food cake and berries
• Mall pretzel bar
• Popcorn buffet with multiple flavorings
• Banana splits
• Chips and salsa
• Caramel apple bar

• Yogurt parfaits (yogurt, berries, granola ,etc)
• Cupcakes
• Brownies
• Pie squares
• Nacho bar
• Trail mix bar
• Waffle bar
• Pancake bar
• Crepe bar

• Charcuterie board
• Walking tacos in small bags of Doritos
• Hot cocoa bar
• Homemade bread bar
• Fruit buffet with dips
• Caramel apple nachos

• Rice krispie treats
• Veggies and dip
• Churro bar
• Donut bar
• Texas sheet cake

• Cinnamon and sugar tortillas
• Dutch oven cobbler, pazzokie, apple crisp or brownie cookie
• French fry bar
• Ice cream sandwiches/popsicles
• Assorted chips and juice boxes
• Italian soda bar
• Chicken nuggets and tator tots
• Pasta bar

• Soda floats (orange, lemon-lime, Dr. Pepper & root beer)
• Snow cones (ice, syrups and cups)
• Finger sandwiches
• Chicken Caesar wraps
• Potluck cake buffet
• Trifle

• S’mores
• Sugar cookie bar (guests can frost the cookies themselves)
• Fruit skewers
• Breakfast burritos

I hope all of these LDS dessert ideas to feed a crowd will help you at your next youth, Relief Society, Elder’s Quorum or primary activity. Everyone loves dessert, so you’ll be the talk of the town.

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If you have a son or daughter who is getting their mission call soon, you need this simple Called to Serve LDS missionary banner. It’s perfect for any mission call opening party, farewell or homecoming. Just print, cut, assemble and hang. Check it out!

Missionaries are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who leave their homes for 18 months–2 years to serve others and share the gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide. It’s a big deal in the LDS culture. So this cute LDS missionary banner is a great way to recognize your missionary and celebrate their volunteer service. Check it out!

Print your LDS missionary banner

I designed this cute banner in two different colors: brown and black. This simple and bold design makes it easy to read. The PDF download of this banner includes seven PDF pages for the black banner and seven PDF pages for the brown banner.

To purchase and download your banner, click on the link at the end of this blog post. You can print this banner at home or send it to your local copy store. I recommend printing it on cardstock so it is nice and sturdy.

Cut and assemble your banner

It only took me about 15 minutes to cut and assemble this entire banner. With some scissors cut out each individual letter pennant. Then, punch two holes on the top two corners of each pennant with a hole puncher. Finally, thread some ribbon or string through the holes of each of the pennant so that the letters align in the correct order.

You can also tape the string to the back of each pennant so the letters don’t shift and move around when you’re trying to hang it.

Hang and enjoy your banner

Once your banner is cut and assembled, it’s time to hang it up. I hung mine up on our mantle in front of the fireplace, but you can also hang it up on any wall or railing in a high-traffic area of your home.

I hope you love this LDS missionary banner as much as we do. It’s so exciting so have your son or daughter head out on a mission. This is just a small way to show your support and make this a memorable time in their lives.

Click the link below to purchase and download your banner:

Called to Serve Banner PDF

Let me know how you liked your banner in the comments below and congrats on your new missionary!!

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If you are planning a trip to Rome, you have to add Villa Borghese to your itinerary. Think of it as the Central Park of Rome. This natural oasis hidden in the urban jungle of Italy’s largest city is breathtaking, relaxing and energizing all at the same time. Check it out!

My husband and I recently returned from a 10-day trip to Italy. We spent three days in Rome and this magical city did not disappoint. But one thing I did not expect is how much I would love Villa Borghese. This beautiful park is the perfect escape from the crowds of tourists and there is so much to do there. Check it out!

Go on a bike ride

Throughout the park, there are several vendors renting bikes for only five euros per hour! Super cheap. So we hopped on a bike and explored the entire 200 acres of the park. It was fabulous. You can basically ride anywhere. The bikes weren’t electric but that wasn’t a big deal. You can also rent a surrey that holds 4-6 people at a time.

Paddle around on a row boat

Pay five euros to rent a row boat and paddle around on the iconic Villa Borghese Lake. Row past the Temple of Aesculapius, take some pictures of the ducks and swans and bask in the Italian sunshine.

Visit Borghese Gallery

If you’re up for another museum, you can visit the Galleria Borghese which is inside the park. For about 16 euros, you can see sculptures and paintings by Bernini, Canova and Caravaggio. This is a definite must for art lovers.

Ride on a horse-drawn carriage

When in Venice, you do a gondola ride, but when in Rome, go on a horse-drawn carriage ride. It will set you back about 125 euros but it’s a memorable and once-in-a-lifetime experience that you won’t soon forget.

Visit the Bioparco Zoo

Yes, you guessed it. There is also a zoo in Villa Borghese Park. For about 19 euros, you can visit this 42-acre zoo that houses 200 different species of animals. This is a great option if you are visiting with kids.

Take in the view at Pincio Terrace

From this beautiful vantage point, you can see the Piazza del Popolo, Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica and Castel Sant’Angelo. Expect crowds at sunset because this is one of the most popular hills with a view in Rome.

Grab a snack or bite to eat

Aside from food trucks and coffee kiosks, there is fine dining at Casina Valadier, Casina Del Lago and a cafetieria in the Borghese Gallery. We grabbed a few snacks at a food truck but you could easily bring a picnic lunch and find a quiet spot to eat.

Overall, our visit to Villa Borghese Park was definitely one of the highlights of our visit to Rome. It was a nice place to decompress from the non-stop sightseeing. I would definitely recommend it. Plus, it was one of the cheapest places we visited. Win! Win! Check out this map of the park below. Hopefully this will help you plan your visit to this beautiful hidden gem in Rome. Ciao!

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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 are planning your first trip to the beautiful country of Italy, you need to read this. After traveling to Italy for the first time myself with my husband, we learned quite a bit and we’re passing our knowledge on to you. Check it out!

We spent nine days in Italy and visited Rome, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Florence and Venice. It was a whirlwind trip. If we were to go back again, there are definitely some things I would and wouldn’t do. Here’s a list of travel tips to make your Italy trip go as smooth as possible.

What to pack when traveling to Italy

• Rain gear: It rained four days while we were in Italy. Thankfully, we were prepared with a travel umbrella, waterproof shoes and a rain jacket. You are pretty miserable if you are cold and wet all day.
• Money belt/passport holder: In Italy, you can be fined if you don’t have your original passport on you at all times. We got checked at the train station. But, you don’t want to lose these important documents. Keep them safe in a passport holder that goes under your clothes.
• Portable charger: Your cell phone will most definitely run out of battery before the end of each day. That’s why a portable charger is a must. Just plug it into your phone when the battery is getting low and enjoy the rest of your day stress-free.
• Handheld fan – Italy is hot during the summertime. And even if you’re there in the winter, the subways get hot. You’ll be so glad you brought your little fan to stay cool.
• Spray hand sanitizer – Sanitize your hands every time you get off the subway and in public places to avoid getting sick on your trip.
• Water bottle – Water is NOT free at any of the restaurants. They will charge you five euros per person for plain old water. I know, crazy right? Instead, just bring a water bottle with you in your backpack and save yourself a lot of money.
• Cash – You’ll mainly use credit cards, but you may need cash to use a public bathroom, buy a small item from a street vendor or pay for a gondola ride in Venice. Since we didn’t have cash, we had to pay about 40 euros extra to pay for our gondola ride with a credit card.
• Backpack – It’s nice to have a backpack to hold your umbrella, water bottle, snacks, extra jacket and souvenirs.

Here’s my complete adult travel essentials idea list of everything you might need to buy when traveling abroad.

Tourist attractions

• Book in advance: The major tourist attractions like the Colosseum and the Vatican sell out. So, you should play it safe and book those tickets in advance. We went in February during the slow season and the Colosseum and the Vatican were still sold out.
• Audio tour: I saw a lot of tour groups following around a tour guide. Honestly, they all looked so bored. Just grab an audio tour so you can enjoy these beautiful locations at your own pace.
• No backpacks: A lot of these attractions like bell towers and cathedrals don’t allow backpacks. You have to lock them up in a locker nearby. It’s usually not a big deal but just give yourself plenty of time to lock up your bag before your scheduled time.
• Museum break: The museums in Italy are amazing, but they can get a little boring after a while. Break up the day and go on a bike ride, visit a park or sign up for a cooking class.
• One a day: Try not to overbook yourself by seeing too many attractions in one day. The Vatican takes several hours and so does the Colosseum. Pace yourself so you don’t exhaust yourself on the first day.
• Scam websites: Whenever booking tickets online, make sure you are on a trusted, official website. I booked tickets on a fake website on accident and had to dispute the charge with my credit card. It was super annoying.
• Crowds: Italy gets about 70 million visitors per year. Every place you visit will have lots and lots of people. If crowds are not your thing, consider waking up really early or staying out later to see some of these attractions.
• Free stuff: A lot of the time, the basilicas and cathedrals are free. And the leaning tower of Pisa is free to take pictures of on the grounds. You just have to pay to go to the top.

Spoken and unspoken rules in Italy

• Feeding pigeons: In Venice, you can get fined up to 500 euros for feeding the pigeons. This rule was set in place to control the pigeon population.
• Carry your passport: This is the law and you will get fined in you don’t have your original passport on you at all times.
• Tips: You don’t have to tip at restaurants. Some waiters will make you think you need to pay a tip, but that’s just a tourist trap. Plus, all the restaurants automatically charge a “cover charge” for every meal.
• City tax at hotels: We paid for our trip through a travel company before we arrived in Italy. So we were surprised when we had to pay a “city tax” when we checked out of our hotel. And some hotels require you to pay that in cash. It was about 3-5 euros per person per night.
• Touristy restaurants: Avoid restaurants with pictures on the menu or people standing at the door begging you to come inside.
• Dress modestly: It is extremely offensive if you enter a church or cathedral with short shorts and spaghetti straps. Long pants and sleeves are recommended and you may be asked to leave.
• Greetings: Always greet shop owners with buongiorno (day) or buonasera (evening) when you enter or leave a store .

Where and when to visit

• Rome, Florence & Venice: These are the main cities most people visit for their first trip to Italy.
• Day trips: We veered from our itinerary and visited Pisa, Cinque Terre and Murano and Burano Islands. These ended up being my favorite places.
• Off-season: If you want to avoid crowds, try visiting in January or February. That when we went and although it was obviously cold, the crowds were way more manageable.
• Off-the-beaten-path: If I where to do it again, I think it would skip Rome, Florence and Venice and visit other parts of Italy. Sometimes the crowds and all the tourists can be overwhelmed. It would be nice to slow down and stay in one place.

Transportation

• Airport: Take the train from the airport to Rome. We made the mistake of taking a taxi and it cost 55 euros.
• 3-day transportation pass: Most of the major cities have a 3-day pass for tourists that allow you to use the bus and train and it’s very affordable.
• Walk: Take every opportunity to walk to each of your destinations if you can. Otherwise, you’ll all of the hidden gems found along Italy’s cobblestone pathways.
• Bike or scooter: You can grab a Lime bike or electric scooter in the major cities and ride around and it is so much fun. We also rented a bike for 5 euros for an hour at Villa Borghese in Rome and it was unforgettable.

I hope these tips will help you while traveling to Italy. This is such a beautiful country and the people are so warm and welcoming. I would definitely like to visit there again one day. Below is the itinerary we followed during our 10-day trip. Hopefully it helps. Ciao!

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If you’re a primary teacher, youth leader or even a ministering sister, these LDS scripture nugget wrappers are the perfect gift to motivate anyone to study the scriptures. Just print, wrap and give. Check it out!

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I’ve held a lot of teaching callings in my day. These Hershey’s nugget wrappers are a great way to encourage a love and study of the scriptures. They’re the perfect treat/gift after any lesson. Here’s how to make them.

Gather your scripture nugget supplies

You don’t need very many supplies to make these cute gift bags. You might already have a lot of them at home. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Hershey’s nuggets chocolates (I like to buy a big bag when they go on sale at Costco)
• LDS scripture nugget wrappers printable PDF (see link at end of this post)
• 3×5 resealable cellophane bags
• Stapler
• Scissors
• Tape

Print your scripture nugget wrappers

I designed these cute wrappers small enough that you can wrap them around an individual Hershey’s nugget candy. Each one looks like a tiny Book of Mormon or Bible. They are just adorable. You can mix and match the wrappers with all books of scripture including the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, New Testament, Old Testament, Holy Bible and Pearl of Great Price.

Click the link at the end of this post to print your eight-page PDF with various nugget wrappers and a cute gift tag to go on top.

Assemble your scripture nugget treats

Cut out each individual nugget wrapper that you would like to use. I like to do a variety of different scripture wrappers. But if you’re specifically teaching about the Book of Mormon, you could stick with just one type. Whatever you want.

Then, wrap the label around a Hershey’s nugget chocolate and tape it at the back.

Next, place four wrapped nuggets inside a 3″x5″ resealable cellophane bag. Then cut out a scripture gift tag, fold it in half and staple at the top of the bag.

That’s it! You can make as many as you want. You don’t even have to package them in baggies if you don’t want. Just give individual scripture nuggets to the kids in your primary class, young women or Relief Society. These also pair as awesome ministering gifts.

As promised, below is the link to the PDF printable that you can purchase and buy in order to make these adorable scripture chocolates.

LDS scripture nugget wrappers

Let me know what you think of this fun gift favor idea in the comments below. Thanks for visiting my blog!

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If you have ever moved from your home before, you know how much work it can be. But, it doesn’t have to be a terrible experience. With these simple tips, you can move into your home with less stress and more joyful anticipation of these new adventure in your life. Check it out!

Our family recently moved from our beloved home of 12 years to another home 30 minutes away. I was unprepared for how much work it would actually take and how much stuff we had accumulated. Here’s what I learned:

#1: Enlist help

You can’t move your entire house on your own. Don’t be afraid to ask family members, friends and neighbors to help you pack, load and unload. In most cases, people are willing and happy to help.

#2: Give yourself plenty of time to pack

I only had about five days to pack my entire house. I wish I had had a few extra days. From sunrise to sunset, I was packing and it was exhausting. Granted, I was able to do it but it wasn’t fun.

#3: Boxes, boxes, boxes

You are going to need way more boxes than you think. Ask your neighbors, check out dumpsters behind businesses and search Facebook Marketplace. I thought I had more than enough boxes and we actually ran out. You can also buy them online but they’re not super cheap.

#4: Invest in good tape and dispenser

You are going to be taping a lot of boxes. That’s why a good tape dispenser is pretty essential. We went through five rolls of packing tape to pack our house.

#5: Start packing the non-essentials first

Begin packing with your storage room and other items in your home that you don’t use that often. As it gets closer to your moving date, you can start packing items you use on a daily basis such as the kitchen and bathroom.

#6: De-clutter months before

If you know that you are going to moving way in advance, I would start going from room to room in your house and getting rid of junk. This will make packing so much easier when the time comes.

#7: Label every box

Buy a big permanent black marker and write down which room in your new house each box belongs to. Everyone who helps you unload will know exactly where your boxes are supposed to go. Also, close as many boxes as you can so they are easier to stack.

#8: Put your kids to work

If you have kids, don’t do all the work. My kids helped load boxes to the garage, organize their rooms and clean.

#9: Rent or borrow a dump trailer

We parked my brother-in-law’s dump trailer in front of our house. Then, as we were packing, we would throw any junk that we had in the trailer. By the time we were finished moving, we had filled and dump the trailer two times (see the video below). That is a lot of junk.

#10: Donuts for the masses

Make sure you have some kind of refreshments or food for the people who help you on moving day. I ordered 68 donuts and chocolate milk. All of them were devoured. It’s just a nice way to say thanks to the people who take the time to help you move.

#11: Leave clothes on hangers and in drawers

You don’t need to take the hangers off each of your shirts. Just load all your shirts, dresses, etc (hangers and all) in a large box. Same goes for clothes in dressers. Just tape the dresser drawers so they don’t slide open and haul out the entire dresser.

#12: Keep valuables close

Find a special place to put your important documents, money, phone, purse, keys and basically anything else that you absolutely don’t want to lose. You would hate to lose your driver’s license in some random box somewhere in your new house.

#13: Reserve moving van in advance

Sometimes the really big moving vans get reserved first. Also, dollies and other accessories might not be available if you wait until the day before. It cost us to rent a 26-foot Uhaul about $200 for one day.

#14: Borrow trailers from friends

It seems like your giant Uhaul will be enough, but think again. We used four trailers plus our Uhaul in order to get all of our crap loaded. Unless you are moving close and don’t mind making multiple trips, make sure you have enough trailers.

#15: Be ready on moving day

The day that we moved, I did not have any loose items or anything left to pack in our house. EVERYTHING was already in boxes. Because I was so organized, everything in our entire house was packed in moving vans with 45 minutes. People don’t like it when they show up to help you move and you’re not done packing. Do everyone a favor and be prepared or they might not help you next time.

#16: Direct movers as you unload

When we started to unload everything in our new house, I stood at the doorway and told everyone where each box and item was supposed to go. This will make your life soooo much easier when you’re unpacking all the boxes. Everything should be in the right room.

I hope these moving hacks will help as you’re preparing for your own move. Although moving is a lot of work, hopefully this list will make the process a little bit smoother and easier. Let me know if you have any other tips in the comments below.

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One of the best reasons to visit Mazatlan, Mexico is definitely the food. The gastronomy scene is off the hook. But there are so many different restaurants to choose from. That’s why I’m here to help you out. Check out our top 10 favorite restaurants in Mazatlan.

As a family, we have traveled to Mazatlan, Mexico five times. Each time, we stay for about two weeks and go out to dinner nearly every single night. So yeah, we’ve tried a bunch of restaurants but there a several that we keep coming back to each time. Here’s a list of our favorites.

#1: Playa Bruja Mr. Lionso

This is a super open air restaurant right next to the beach. If you come early evening, you can watch the sunset as you eat. Aside from delicious food, there is usually live music playing. It’s a lively and engaging atmosphere. Our favorite dishes there are the coconut shrimp and the tortilla soup.

#2: Panchos

There are a couple of Panchos restaurants in Mazatlan, but we like the location right next to the beach just for those sunset views. My husband always gets the surf ‘n turf. It’s a delicious plate of steak, shrimp, potatoes and veggies. They also served warm empanadas when you sit down. We love eating here.

#3: Los Arcos

Similar to Panchos and Playa Bruja, this restaurant is on the fancier end but still affordable. It will set you back about $20 per plate. But their shrimp is to die for and is what they are known for. This is the perfect restaurant to leave the kids at home and enjoy a pampered night out.

#4: Tacos Wicho

You know you’re at the right place when there are more locals eating there than tourists. I would argue that Tacos Wicho is a local favorite. You can get classic vampiros, papas and tacos. They are made fresh with all the toppings. My personal favorite are the papas (potatoes). They are cheesy and warm and topped with whatever meat you want and a side of tortillas.

#5: Mercado Pino Suarez Taco Stand

In the heart of Mazatlan’s downtown market, you’ll find the most authentic taco stands in all of Mazatlan. Right along the busy streets filled with people, buses and vendors, there are tiny taco stands. You just take a seat on a stool next to a stand and take your order. Eat as many tacos as you like and then pay. But keep in mind, it’s cash only. We love to go shopping in the market and grab some “diesel tacos”, as we affectionately call them, on the way home.

#6: Estacion 23 juice shop

Mazatlan is known for lots of juice shops all over the place. We love to grab a fresh juice in the morning for breakfast. Our go to shop is Estacion 23 but honestly, they are all good. Just find the closest juice shop to your hotel. I love to buy a juice with mango and milk. You also have to try an escamocha (see picture below). It’s a Mexican fruit salad with condensed milk, nuts, raisins and coconut. They are so good.

#7: Roy’s restaurant

If you’re getting a little bit tired of eating tacos, Roy’s is a great place to switch it up. Their ribs are delicious and I love their burgers as well. It’s like a little touch of cuisine from the states but right in the heart of Mexico. Keep in mind, there is a Roy’s near Playa Bruja and another Roy’s near the Walmart. I like the Roy’s near the Walmart because they don’t have a loud band playing while you are eating.

#8: Taco Time

Before you say anything, no, this is not the same Taco Time that you see in the states. It’s completely different. This fun and vibrant restaurant is affordable and delicious. We can feed our entire family of seven for about $30. You can get family-style servings with a delicious topping bar with all the fixings.

#9: Scorpion Tacos

Not far down the road from Taco Time is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that is delicious. Scorpion Tacos serves delicious papas, gorditas and tacos with frijoles when you order. The service was a little slower but the owner is super friendly. It’s definitely a tourist favorite since he speaks English really well.

#10: Verano Ranch

This last restaurant isn’t really a restaurant. It’s a lunch that’s included in the zipline tour at Verano Ranch. But, it was one of the best meals that I have ever had in Mazatlan so I had to include it. So, go on the zipline tour and then eat their delicious melted cheese and fresh handmade salsa, both served in molcajetes. The food was soooo good.

I hope you liked this list of delicious restaurants in Mazatlan. Whether you are stopping for the day on a cruise or staying for several days, you won’t be disappointed with any of these restaurants. Let me know if you have any other restaurants that you like in Mazatlan in the comments below.

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If you’re looking for a super fun day-trip in Mazatalan, Mexico, look no further than Verano Ranch. This all-inclusive tour is the best way to go ziplining in Mazatlan. I’ll give you all the pros and cons of using this touring company. Check it out!

Our family spends a couple of weeks in Mazatlan, Mexico every other December. We love to go on a day-trip during our vacation and we have done this zipline tour two times. We’ve been really happy with it both times. Here’s everything you need to know.

Verano Ranch Zipline at a glance

• What is it?: An all-inclusive ziplining day trip on the outskirts of Mazatlan
• What is included?: Transportation to and from the zipline, guided zipline tour, authentic Mexican lunch, swimming in nearby hot springs
• Ages: About 5 years old and up (families welcome)
• Cost: $78 per person (we got a group rate, it might be more for just two people)
• Duration: 6-7 hours
• Hours: Open most days
• Location: About an hour east of Mazatlan near the town of Veranos. Tour buses will take you directly to the site.
• Website:  Verano Ranch Experience
• Other tours offered by Verano Ranch: ATV tours, kayaking, temazcal cleanse, horseback riding

Things we liked about Verano Ranch zipline tour

• Transportation: They picked us up in their 12-passenger vans right from our RV park where we were staying and then dropped us off at the end of the day.

• Villages: The one-hour drive to the zipline took us through quaint Mexican villages. We got to see the non-touristy side of Mazatlan and we even stopped for some homemade empandas.
• Friendly tour guides: Our driver was super friendly and spoke English really well. He told us all about the area and Mexican culture. All of the zipline workers were helpful and patient as well.

• Safety: They provided clear instructions on how to use the equipment. Even with all of our young children, we never felt unsafe riding each zipline.
• Water: Each person was given a water bottle before we started ziplining because it was fairly hot. It was much appreciated.

• Lots of ziplines: I think there were about 10 ziplines that we rode down through the mountains. Each one had varying lengths. They weren’t too scary for little kids but fun enough for adults.

• Delicious food: The lunch they provided after the zipline was so amazing. They served us melted cheese and salsa in a molcajete. Plus, fresh pico, guacamole, beans, tacos and chips. It was so yummy.

• Swimming: After we ate lunch, we swam in two large circular cement swimming pools from a local hot spring. The water was warm and refreshing. They had bathrooms to change into our swimming suits. So make sure to bring some swimming suits.

Things we didn’t like about Verano Ranch zipline

Overall, we were very happy with our ziplining in Mazatlan with Verano Ranch. However, there were a few things we didn’t like. Here’s a short list:

• Price: I think $78 is fairly reasonable for a day-long zipline that includes lunch and transportation. However, I think they should offer cheaper prices for children under 12.
• Credit card fee: I was not told that there would be a 5% fee if we used our credit card. Had I known, I would have paid in cash.
• Average ziplines: The zipline course was fun, but it is pretty basic. None of the lines are super long. If you’re expecting world-class ziplines like in Costa Rica, then lower your expectations.
• Extra water: I would bring my own water bottle next time because they give you one water bottle during the zipline and then a soda at lunch. My kids were still pretty thirsty so I purchased more water bottles.
• Air conditioner: The 12-passenger vans had air conditioning but it was still pretty hot on the drive home in the afternoon sun.
• Car sickness: The road to the zipline is pretty windy. If you get car sick at all, consider not going or riding in the front seat.

I hope this blog post helps as you are planning your vacation itenerary. Going ziplining in Mazatlan is super fun and I would definitely recommend it. Let me know if you have any other suggestions of fun things to do in Mazatlan, Mexico.

Also, our van driver, Daniel, was super friendly and helpful and speaks perfect English. He provides separate tours all over Mazatlan. If you want to book a separate tour with him, you can find more information here.

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It’s Christmas time! And that means lots of fun holiday parties. Well, if you’re a Grinch fan, this delicious Grinch drink recipe is perfect. It’s easy and fun. All of your guests are going to love it. Check it out!

My sister introduced me to these fun Christmas party drinks when we had a Christmas crafting party at her house. They are super easy to make and who doesn’t love the Grinch? Here’s how to make your own.

Gather your Grinch drink ingredients

This recipe doesn’t require very many ingredients at all. In fact, you might have all of them at home already. Here’s exactly what you’ll need (with a few optional ingredients if you want):

• Clear plastic cups with lids
• Lime or green apple Torani syrup
• Sprite (2L) or other lemon lime soda
• Half and half
• Whipped cream dyed green
• Red permanent marker
• Green liquid food coloring
• Grinch straws
• Lime slices (optional)

Assemble your drinks

Grab a red permanent marker and draw a small, red heart on the front of your plastic cup. Then add a scoop of ice to your cup.

Next, add several squirts of lemon or green apple Torani syrup to your cup. You can also add a coupe of drops of liquid green food coloring to give your drink that extra green Grinchy pop. If you don’t add the food coloring, the drink will just be a lighter green, which is fine too.

Lastly, fill your drink with Sprite or other lemon lime soda and a splash of half and half. The half and half adds a delicious creamy taste to your drink. And if you’re feeling crazy, you can add a dollop of green whipped cream to the top. Place a lime wedge on the edge of your cup and voila!

My sister added Mountain Dew to her drink and it turned it a cool greenish yellow color. Basically, you can add whatever you want to your drink. It’s Christmas after all. I hope you enjoy making this Grinch drink recipe as much as we did.

Here are some other fun Grinch-inspired ideas to make your holiday party extra festive:

• Santa Grinch costume
• Grinch party decorations
• Red and green Christmas balloon arch
• Grinch dip recipe
• Green grinch fudge

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If you’re struggling to find ways to study Come Follow Me as a family, you’re not alone. But don’t worry. There is a wealth of resources available at your fingertips to get everyone involved and excited about studying the scriptures. Check out these 10 LDS Come Follow Me study tools and resources for the whole family!

For those of you who aren’t familiar, Come Follow Me is a home-centered gospel learning program that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participate in throughout the year. It is an amazing way to strengthen testimonies and grow closer to Jesus Christ. So, here’s 10 amazing tools that you can use to make your Come Follow Me study more effective as a family. Let’s get started!

#1: 52-week study worksheet and poster

One of the best ways to retain the information that you and your family are studying together is to write it down. My neighbor teaches Gospel Doctrine in our ward and she asked me to design an individual study worksheet and a larger poster to accomplish just that.

Write down your own thoughts and impressions on the worksheet and then hang the larger poster in a high-traffic area of your home. Encourage everyone to write down their thoughts each we as you learn together. Plus, you can download these PDFs below for FREE!

#2: Online resources on church’s website

If you haven’t utilized all of the resources on the church’s website, you might be surprised as what you’ll find. Aside from digital access to every week’s lesson, there are also videos, games and activities for kids and insights from the apostles.

#3: BYU Religious Studies Library

If you’re looking for additional materials not found in the Come Follow Me manual, the BYU Religious Studies Library is awesome! Each week, they provide “additional high-quality articles that are well researched, inspirational, and written by scholars, educators, Church leaders, historians, and popular authors.”

#4: Table-top flipbook for families and individuals

Sometimes I just don’t have time to prepare an in-depth lesson every week. But this simple 52-week flipbook can be placed in a high-traffic area of your home. It contains scriptures, quotes and family challenges that will encourage more gospel-centered conversations in your home throughout the year.

#5: Podcasts

I like to kill two birds with one stone and listen to a Come Follow Me podcast while I am cleaning the house or on a walk. It’s a great way to get an overall understanding of the current week’s lesson when you’re out and about during a busy week. Then, I usually receive thoughts and impressions on what would be helpful to share with my kids that week.

Here are some Come Follow Me podcasts that I particularly enjoy:

• Follow Him with Hank Smith and John Bytheway
• Unshaken Saints with Jared Halverson
• Teaching with Power with Benjamin Wilcox
• Don’t Miss This with Emily Freeman and David Butler
• Talking Scripture with Mike Day and Bryce Dunford
• Come Follow Me Kids
• Come Follow Me for Teens with Josh Downs
• One Minute Scripture Study: A Come Follow Me Podcast with Kristen Smith

#6: Printables for kids and youth

It’s always nice to include a printable for your children as your studying Come Follow Me as a family. It provides a visual representation that helps bring everything together. Aside from the resources on the church’s website, here’s a list of helpful website that provide printables (some of them are even free).

• LDS Bookstore
• Come Follow Me Kid
• The Red Crystal
• LDS Primary Printables
• The Red Headed Hostess

#7: Line Upon Line

Line Upon Line are weekly videos created by the company Living Scriptures. They created fun and creative videos give a summarized overview of the Come Follow Me lesson each week. We try to show our kids the most recent video at the beginning of each week. These videos are a lazy and easy way to expose your kids to the lesson each week. It’s the effort that counts, right?

#8: Study guides and activity books

Aside from the CFM manual that every family receives from the church at the beginning of the year, there are other helpful guides and activity books that you can purchase separately. Here’s just a few:

• Come Follow Me activity book for kids
• Come Follow Me study guide for teens
• Journal and study guide for Come Follow Me

#9: Facebook groups

You can also find Come Follow Me Facebook groups that you can follow on your Facebook account. It’s a great way to connect with other members of the church through social media to discuss the current lesson or other topics relating to the Gospel.

#10: App for smartphones

The Come Follow Me app is available to download to your smartphone. It provides quick daily quotes and scriptures related to that lesson that week. They are also a perfect resources for a quick lesson with your kids.

I hope you enjoyed this list of 10 LDS Come Follow Me study tools. Hopefully they will help you draw close to Jesus Christ and his gospel. If you know of other helpful tools that I didn’t list above, feel free to leave a comment below. Thanks!

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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!

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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 you’re entering a gingerbread house competition or just having a party with family, here’s how to make a fun and festive camping gingerbread house. This creation includes a camping trailer, truck, campfire, picnic table, trees and lots of cute black bears. Check it out!

Last year I entered a gingerbread house competition at our local mall. I am a novice baker, so this was a good learning experience for me. However, despite my non-existent skills, I think it turned out pretty good. Here’s how I made it and what I learned along the way. Check it out!

Gather your gingerbread supplies

You’re going to need a bunch of ingredients/supplies to make your camping gingerbread house. Here’s a list of the main things you’ll need:

• Wooden board or similar platform
• Homemade gingerbread (graham crackers won’t do)
• Royal frosting
• Fondant
• Cinnamon candies
• Frosting piping kit
• Jolly ranchers
• Food coloring
• Powdered sugar
• Coconut flakes
• Christmas tree cookie cutter set

Make your truck, camping trailer and picnic table

Obviously, the hardest part of this gingerbread display is going to be the truck and camping trailer. But I just made your life a lot easier because I have a template that you can use to make these. Just download the free template below and cut out each shape.

Next, make a big batch of gingerbread dough and roll it out on the counter. Place your cutout templates on the dough and cut them out and cook them in the oven.

Don’t forget to label each shape so you don’t get them mixed up. Keep all of the left over scraps of cooked gingerbread because you’ll need them for miscellaneous parts to the display.

You might need to cut some of the edges so they are straighter. Then, frost each piece with royal frosting. This was my first time frosting gingerbread with royal frosting. It didn’t turn out perfect like you see on those cookie frosting videos on social media. But it wasn’t bad. The red frosting color bled a little bit onto the white frosting, but no biggie.

Glue all of your gingerbread pieces together with royal frosting. I tried gluing them together with boiling sugar because it dried quicker, but over time it didn’t hold. They fell apart. Royal frosting works way better. Fill in the windows with melted jolly ranchers. Before you place anything on the wooden platform, spread a layer of royal frosting over the it to hide the brown color.

Build your Christmas trees

Using your star Christmas tree cutters, make various gingerbread stars of differing sizes.

Starting with the largest star, stack the star cookies in an alternating pattern on top of each other until you form something that resembles a pine tree. Attach each cookie to each other with royal frosting as you stack. Save the smallest star so it can be placed on the top.

Finish the star trees by placing a dollop of green frosting and a cinnamon candy on each branch. Then sprinkle powdered sugar over each tree with a small mesh strainer.

I made three star cookie trees (two big and one small) and four sugar cone trees covered in green sprinkles. You can make as many as you want!

Add finishing touches

Once your camping trailer, truck and trees are done (phew!), it’s time to add the cute little bears. I bought some fondant on Amazon and formed these cute little black bears. I made five black bears and one snowman. Each of them are doing some kind of fun Christmas activity like roasting marshmallows and ice skating. And don’t forget to make your picnic table (template included in the download above).

You can attach the small pieces of fondant together with just a little dab of water. I also made the presents, sled and pile of snowballs out of fondant too. I made the pond and the campfire flames with a few melted Jolly Rancher candies.

Finally, to make the snow, blend a few cups of shredded coconut until you get the consistency of snow. Spread it all over the ground.

Even though my camping gingerbread house wasn’t perfect, I was still really happy with the way it turned out. It was fun to try something outside of my comfort zone. Even though I didn’t win the gingerbread house competition, I loved participating. It was so much fun. Here’s some pictures of some of the other gingerbread houses at the competition.

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Get in the spirit of the season with an LDS Christmas countdown paper chain. This easy-to-make craft is fun for the whole family. Remove one paper chain each day in December and read the corresponding scripture stories about Jesus. Check it out!

My kids love doing advent calendars for Christmas and as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Christ is at the center of our holiday celebrations. That’s why this LDS Christmas countdown is perfect. Complete with a scripture story about Jesus for each day, you can remember the Savior all month long. Here’s how to make yours today.

Download and print your countdown

I designed this cute Christmas paper chain on 8.5×11 paper. There are five paper strips per page with five pages total. Just print your countdown on your home printer or email the PDF to your local copy store. I recommend that you print your paper chain on cardstock so it’s a bit more sturdy.

Click on the link at the end of this blog post to purchase and download your countdown.

Cut your strips of paper

Once you’ve printed each page of the PDF, now it’s time to start cutting. I designed each strip flush with each other so you don’t have to make as many cuts. I like using a paper cutter since it’s a lot faster. But scissors work great too. You should end up with 24 strips of paper (for the first 24 days of December).

Complete your paper chain

Once you have your strips of paper, tape each strip of paper together to form a chain in numerical order starting with one and ending at 24. You can also staple them together.

Hang in your home and start counting down

Find a high-traffic area in your home to hang your Christmas advent chain. We hung ours right next to our fridge and our garage door.

You can also use your countdown as a centerpiece on your kitchen table, counter top or side table.

Many of the scriptures included on the countdown are not only about the birth of Jesus Christ but also the many accounts in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon about his life. This is a wonderful way to remember the true reason for the season.

Click on the link below to purchase and download your LDS Christmas countdown paper chain:

LDS Christmas countdown PDF

If you would like to learn more about Jesus and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, click here to set up an appointment with a missionary near you.

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I love a good Christmas craft that doubles as a decoration around my home. That’s why you are going to love these Christmas snow jars made from simple Mason jars and other supplies laying around your house. Take a look!

My sisters and I decided to get together to make a Christmas craft/decoration. So, these Christmas mason snow jars were perfect for the occasion. They are super easy but look expensive and gorgeous in any holiday home. In just a few simple steps, you’ll have a beautiful holiday decoration to enjoy all winter long.

Gather your craft supplies

You might already have a lot of these supplies at home. But if not, I purchased the majority of them at the dollar store. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Mason jars (mini, pint and/or quart)
• Fake snow
• Modge Podge
• Berries and greenery
• String or twine
• Fairy lights
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors

Step #1: Apply the Modge Podge and fake snow

Lay out a sheet of parchment paper to keep the glue and the fake snow from getting all over. Apply a thin layer of Modge Podge to the outside of each Mason jar. But don’t apply the glue to the upper lip of the jars. Then quickly sprinkle and gently pat the fake snow over the glue until the entire outside of the jar is covered.

Step #2: Glue decorations to the top

Next, using a hot glue gun, glue the tip of some string or twine to the lip of the jar. Then wrap the strip around the lip three or four times until it is covered and then hot glue the other end to the jar.

Hot glue a small piece of greenery, berries and a small bow (made from the same string) in that order to the top of the jar. You can get creative add other types of decorations as well such as a small ornament or jingle bell.

#3: Add fairy lights

The final step to making your Christmas snow jars is adding the fairy lights. The lights are what give these Christmas decorations a magical touch. There are different colors you can choose from such as warm white, multi-color or cool blue. I prefer the warm white. Since these are LED lights, they should last all season long without having to replace them.

I really enjoyed making these Christmas snow jars. You can play around with the types of jars you use. I liked the look of a mini, pint and quart jars together. But you could also make three quart jar or even just one, depending on the space you are trying to decorate. Anyway, let me know what you thought of this craft in the comments below. Merry Christmas!!

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There is no better time in the history of the world to learn a language! It’s not as hard as you might think. Here’s some super practical tips to learn a language that will have you speaking in no time. Check it out!

I’m 43 years old and I am currently learning Italian (my fourth language). My native language is English (obviously) and I learned French when I lived there as a Latter-day Saint missionary in 2003. Then, about 15 years later, I decided to learned Spanish. Once I felt pretty comfortable in Spanish, I decided to start learning Italian. I have learned a lot of really helpful tips during my language-learning journey. So, I thought I would pass these along to you. Let’s get started!

How to start learning as a newbie

• What is your why?: If you don’t have a strong desire to learn a language, your motivation will sizzle and you’ll stop trying.
• Set goals NOW: What are you going to do every day to learn your language? Write it down. Decide when you want to be speaking conversationally and work toward that goal every day.
• Plan a trip: If you’re going to spend all this time learning a language, make sure you visit a country that speaks that language!
• Learn the fundamentals: Every language has different rules. Some languages use informal and formal, subjunctive, feminine and masculine, etc. Get an overall understanding of how your language works before you dive in.
• YouTube is your friend: There are TONS of videos online that can help you understand the basics of the language you are about to learn.
• Avoid Duolingo: Duolingo and other similar free language-learning apps are designed to keep you on the app instead of actually learning a language. I have lots of friends who have more than a 500-day streak and still don’t speak the language. If you can’t speak the language after 500 days, there is a problem.
• Consider Pimsleur: This program uses the same method we all used when we learned our native language, by listening. I tried Pimsleur when I started learning Italian. I listened to it it everyday on my walks and it gave me a really awesome base to the language.

Listen to your language

• Listen, listen, listen every day: At first you won’t understand anything, but don’t get discouraged. The more you listen, the more your brain will start recognizing words and phrases.
• Duolingo podcast: Even though I don’t recommend the app for learning, Duolingo actually has an awesome podcast if you are learning Spanish or French. They tell more than 300+ stories that alternate between English and Spanish (or French). That way you don’t feel completely lost.
• Daily tasks: Keep a podcast playing throughout your home while doing daily tasks such as cooking, showering, folding the laundry or cleaning. It helps tune your ear to this new language.
• Google translate: When you hear a new word while you are listening, look it up. You’ll remember it later.
• Other podcasts: There are soooo many different language-learning podcasts out there in so many languages. Try them all.
• Movies: Try watching a movie or a cartoon in your language with subtitles in the same language. It’s amazing how much you learn from watching just one movie.

Speak your language

• Speak, speak, speak: I learned French with a small pocket dictionary and that’s it. How did I do that? I spoke French with people on the street every single day for 18 months. As an LDS missionary, we call it S.Y.L. (Speak Your Language).
• Talk to yourself: This sounds weird, but this is a great way to get comfortable speaking before you actually start talking to someone in your language. Try it in the car, in the shower and before you go to bed.
• Sign up for italki: This is an online learning platform that connects students with native language teachers for one-on-one lessons. I have had more than 75 online lessons with teachers from all over the world. All of the teachers are super patient and will accept you at any level that you are at. This is a must!
• Be brave: Speaking your language is the HARDEST part. It’s scary and intimidating. Take a deep breath and do your best.
• Memorize one key phrase: Learn how to say, “I am learning ___________, can you help me?” Every time you say this, people LOVE helping you learn your language. It opens so many doors.
• Find a friend who speaks your language: If this is possible where you live, this will make the biggest difference. Find someone who speaks your language who you can talk to on a regular basis. I have a friend from Chili and we speak in Spanish all of the time together. We go to lunch and other activities and my Spanish has improved by leaps and bounds.

Read your language

• Children’s books: Find some children’s books on Amazon and start reading. These basic books are incredibly helpful.
• Apps: Language-learning apps such as JumpSpeak, Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur, Babbel, etc are great for learning concepts and vocabulary. But they should not be the only way you learn a language.
• Websites in your language: Go online and find different websites in the language you are learning and start reading.
• Cell phone: Change the default language on your smartphone to the language that you’re learning.

Write your language

• Language journal: Start a language journal in which you only write in the language that you are learning. Write about your day, your thoughts, basically anything you want.
• Objects around the house: Write down the names of various objects around your house on small pieces of paper and tape them around your house. Every little bit helps.
• PenPal: Make friends with a native speaker and write him or her letters to practice writing.

I hope all of these tips to learn a language help you on your language-learning journey. Just remember that this is a marathon and not a sprint. Don’t expect to be speaking your new language in one, two or even six months. But with consistent effort, you will be speaking your new language before you know it. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

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If it’s fall, then it’s time to make some delicious caramel apples. This caramel apple recipe is the best. With just a handful of ingredients, you’ll be on your way to eating this festive fall favorite. Take a look!

I am not the most fabulous cook, so I am always looking for recipes that are “fool-proof”. This caramel apple recipe is so easy, it’s hard to make a mistake even if you tried. Here’s everything you need to get started.

Gather your caramel apple ingredients

You might have a lot of these ingredients already at home. Here’s a list of everything you will need to make this recipe:

• 8-10 Granny Smith tart apples (you can use other apples if that’s all you have)
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 2 cups brown sugar
• Vanilla
• 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
• Caramel apple sticks and bags
• Candy thermometer
• Toppings (optional)

Prep your apples

Remove the stems from all of your apples. Then insert a stick into the top of each apple as a handle. Most apples from the store come with a thin layer of wax on them which causes the caramel to not adhere to the apple as well. To remove the wax, dip each apple in a pot of boiling water for about 3-5 seconds each. Then, dry with a paper towel to remove any excess wax.

Make your caramel for dipping

In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup and butter together. You will add the vanilla at the end. Stir constantly over medium-high heat.

Bring the caramel mixture to a boil and reduce to medium heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon so it doesn’t burn on the bottom. Cook until the caramel mixture reaches 248 degrees F (120 degrees C) on your candy thermometer. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, you can drop a teaspoon of caramel in a glass of cold water. When it’s ready, it should form a firm ball. It takes about 10-15 minutes once the caramel sauce starts to boil. Then, add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

Dip your apples

Now for the fun part. Once your caramel is ready, work quickly. Dip each apple into the hot caramel and completely coat the apple. I like to tip the saucepan slightly as I’m dipping the apple. Allow excess caramel to drip off the apple. Then, scrape the bottom of the apple with a spoon to remove the excess caramel.

If you are adding toppings, roll the bottom of the apple in a bowl of your desired topping. Then place the apples on some parchment paper. Here’s a list of caramel apple topping ideas:

• Mini M&Ms
• Crushed Oreos
• Mini chocolate chips
• Chopped nuts
• Biscoff cookie crumbs
• Gummy worms or gummy bears
• Toffee or Heath bits

Allow the caramel apples to cool completely. The caramel apples make the best gifts. People always love receiving this homemade dessert as a thank you or birthday gift. My favorite are caramel apples covered in chopped peanuts. What is your favorite? Leave your answer in the comments below. Enjoy!

Print

The BEST homemade caramel apple recipe

This simple and quick caramel apple recipe is so delicious and easy enough for the most novice baker.

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Equipment

• 1 candy thermometer

Ingredients

• 8 large Granny Smith tart apples
• 8 wooden candy apple sticks
• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 1 cup butter
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

• Insert wooden sticks into the top of each apple. Dip each apple in a pot of boiling water for 3-5 seconds to remove the wax. Dry each apple with a paper towel
• Combine brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk. corn syrup and butter in a large pot and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.
• Bring the sauce mixture to a boil and reduce to medium heat. Cook the caramel sauce until it reaches 248 degrees F (120 degrees C). This takes about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and add 2 tsp of vanilla extract
• Quickly dip each apple in the hot caramel until completely covered. Remove any excess on the bottom of the apple with a spoon. Roll apple in a bowl of topping if desired and then allow to cool on a piece of parchment paper.

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For any Halloween-crazed enthusiasts out there, this haunted drive-in movie is the perfect way to spice up your October decorations in your front yard. It’s super spooky and surprisingly easy to pull together. Check it out!

I put together this haunted drive-in movie for the Scarecrow Festival at Ashton Gardens in Lehi, Utah. This was my 9th year submitting a scarecrow. Although I made this as a scarecrow display, you could easily use it as a yard decoration for your front yard. It’s pretty easy. Here’s how I did it.

Build your character cars

Paint your cars
I decided to use storage tubs instead of cardboard boxes for the cars so they would hold up to the elements outside. I collected seven tubs for free from yard sales. Spray paint each tub a different Halloween color. I used green, purple and orange. I bought a can of spray paint for about $6 on Amazon and I sprayed two tubs with one can.

Decorate your cars
Now that your cars are painted, you’ll need to decorate them like cars. I added the following accessories:

• Wheels – black paper plates with silver strips of paper
• Bumpers – Pool noodles covered with duct tape
• Steering wheels – Black paper plates attached with pool noodles
• Headlights – Small back paper plates with gold wrapping paper circles
• License Plates – Printable Halloween license plates that I designed (download at the end of this blog post for free)

The paper plates ended up being a bad idea because after a couple of wind storms, they fell right off. I would recommend using plastic of some sort and screwing them on really securely.

Add your characters
I needed to make seven Halloween characters to sit in the cars. So, I tried to find items that I already had around the house. I ended up with the following characters:

• Witch – a witch face with a wig and cloak
• Pumpkin – light-up pumpkin decoration
• Octopus – stuffed animal
• Werewolf – old Halloween mask
• Ghost – old bed sheet
• Monster – recycled Halloween decoration
• Cat – old Halloween mask

I attached each character inside each car with a bunch of styrofoam and duct tape. Just get creative.

Set up your refreshment stand

You can create a refreshment stand in a lot of different ways. I scoured Facebook Marketplace until I found an old wooden shelf that someone was getting rid of for free. You can also build your own refreshment stand with some wooden crates and 2x4s. I painted the wooden shelf black and then added all the details.

Here’s the following items that I added to the refreshment stand to make it look like something you would see at a drive-in movie:

• Popcorn boxes – filled with corn puffs
• Vintage popcorn machine
• Glass soda bottles – wrapped with Halloween drink labels
• Life-size skeleton – with a paper bow tie and hat and attached to rebar so it stands up
• Candy bar display – candy boxes covered in Halloween labels displayed on a black sturdy poster board
• Drive-in movie sign – Large poster board with “Dracula’s Haunted Drive-in” written on it and a large arrow pointing to the movie screen

I tried to secure most of the items on the refreshment stand with hot glue but if you can nail them down, that would work better. Some of the items started falling off the stand. I also found the popcorn machine at a yard sale for $10.

Set up the movie screen

The movie screen is probably the easiest part but it did take a little bit of work to find a display stand. Fortunately, I found a tradeshow display stand on Facebook Marketplace. It worked perfectly. If you can’t find something like that, you could use and outdoor movie screen or a couple of heavy duty shepherd hooks and a pole.

I found an extra-large Halloween backdrop of the clown from “It” and attached it to the display stand. Then I added some window curtains to the side and a black blanket at the top.

Once I built all of the elements of the drive-in movie, it was time to put it all together. I was so happy the way of this turned out. And, I was able to find most of my supplies using items I had laying around the house. The entire display only cost me about $100. Hopefully you will have just as much fun as I did creating this fun Halloween haunted drive-in movie. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

You can download the free Halloween license plate printables below. Enjoy!

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If you’re thinking about getting pregnant and have the luxury of planning ahead, timing is everything. Choosing the best time of year to have a baby will make your life so much easier. Trust me.

As a mother of five, I’ve had children at various times of the year. And I can attest that certain times of the year are much harder to begin raising a newborn than other times. Here’s my suggestion of when you should try to have a baby and why.

What is the best time of year to have a baby?

Springtime, specifically April. Why, you might ask? Let me tell you:

• Good weather: Springtime means nice weather and it will only get nicer heading into summer. This allows you to get outside and go for a walk right away. Lay a blanket in the backyard and let your baby relax in the shade.
• Mental health: I feel like nice weather helps with your mental health as well. Postpartum is real and when I can go outside and get some fresh air, I just feel better.
• Coats and sweaters: The weeks and months approaching your delivery are when you are the biggest. And since you’re having a spring baby, you can still hide your bulging stomach with a coat or sweater. If you were having a summer baby, it would be too hot and you would be forced to be on display everywhere you go.
• Cold and flu season: Fortunately for you, the cold and flu season is pretty much over when you have a baby in the spring and you and your baby won’t be at risk as much for sickness
• School: If you have other children, having a newborn in April will give you a couple of months of quiet during the day while your other children are at preschool or school.
• No major holidays: After Easter, at least in the United States, there’s not another major holiday for another few months. That way you can avoid large family gatherings with a newborn.
• Birthdays: Spring birthdays are also great for your child as they grow up because they can have a fun birthday party outside without the dreariness of winter.
• Exercise: The springtime weather also makes it easier for a new mom to rebound quickly and get outside and exercise. Once you get back to your normal self, you start to feel much better.
• Vacation flexibility: Babies born in the spring will have time to grow a bit before vacation time rolls around. Then you won’t be so worried about taking her out on a road trip.
• Comfortable third trimester: You body temperature naturally seems to rise during your third trimester. Fortunately, the weather is cooler during that time if you have an April baby and you won’t be as uncomfortable.
• Allergy season: Babies born during allergy season are actually able to develop a stronger immune system and a resilience to asthma.

Sometimes you can’t choose what time of year you are going to have your baby and that’s okay. You will still love him or her more than anything else in the world. I hope this list is helpful for you as your plan for your next pregnancy. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Here’s a free NYC day trip adventure through the west side of Manhattan that you don’t want to miss. The High Line Elevated Park is relatively new, but it offers a relaxing break from the bustle of New York’s busy streets with lots of free activities to enjoy at the same time. Check it out!

I recently went on a girls’ trip to New York City with my sisters-in-law and my mom. We absolutely loved our visit to the High Line and its surrounding attractions. I have to admit, it was one of the highlights. Walking along this park in the sky was captivating and relaxing. And all of the other sites we saw at the same time made it a fantastic memory. Check it out!

At a glance: High Line Elevated Park, NYC

• What is it?: The High Line is a public park built on a 1.45-mile-long elevated rail structure running from Gansevoort St. to 34th St. on Manhattan’s West Side.
• Ages: All ages welcome
• Cost: FREE!
• Duration: 1-2 hours
• Hours: December 1 – March 31: 7 am to 8 pm & April 1 – November 30: 7 am to 10 pm
• No dogs allowed
• Location: Park-level access is also available at 30th Street at Hudson Yards and 31st Street and Dyer Avenue at the High Line – Moynihan Connector
• Website: https://www.thehighline.org/visit/
• Nearby attractions: Hudson Yards, Chelsea Market, Little Island, Pier 57 Rooftop Park, The Vessel

Plan your visit

Aside from walking along this beautiful 1.45-mile-long trail, there are many other FREE things you can do to make the most of your visit to the High Line. Here is what I suggest doing when you visit the High Line:

• Hudson Yards (plazas, gardens, shopping and more)
• Vessel (photo opportunity)
• High Line (walk through this urban elevated park)
• Little Island (artificial island over the Hudson River)
• Pier 57 (gorgeous rooftop park)
• Chelsea Market (vintage marketplace with food and shopping)

You’ll want to start the High Line at 34th street and walk to Gansevoort St. (see the map below).

High Line Elevated Park

The High Line used to be a freight rail line that operated from 1934 to 1980 but has since been transformed into a public space open to everyone. This 1.45-mile trail is mixed with nature and urban buildings. An organization called Friends of the High Line oversees the maintenance and operation of this beautiful park. For more information visit The High Line.

Hudson Yards

This New York neighborhood is filled with plazas, gardens, shopping and art galleries. We spent some time shopping at the Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards. You could easily spend a few hours here if you wanted. Learn more about Hudson Yards here.

The Vessel

This unique structure, resembling a beehive, is a great place for a photo opportunity. Visitors can also pay about $12 to climb the 150 structure that houses 2,500 steps. This tourist attraction opened to the public in March 2019. Although we didn’t pay to climb to the top, it was worth a stop for some cool pictures.

Little Island

This 2.7-acre artificial park, built on the old Pier 54, opened to the public in May 2021. It is free to the public and offers gorgeous views of the Hudson River. The structure of the park is made of 132 concrete “tulips” filled with green space, trees, shrubs and flowers. This is a really fun place to relax and explore. I would definitely recommend it. To learn more, click here.

Pier 57 Rooftop Park

I have to admit that we didn’t have time to visit this rooftop park. But it’s on my list for the next trip. This free 2-acre park has some stunning views of Lower Manhattan and New York Harbor. This green space opened in 2022 and is a great place to enjoy a picnic and relax. Learn more here.

Chelsea Market

This quaint indoor food and retail marketplace is located in the heart of New York’s Meatpacking District. This was one of my favorite places that we visited. The shops and restaurants were so cozy and decorated so cute. I wanted to stay there for hours. This would be a great place to stop for lunch or dinner. Learn more here.

I hope you have fun enjoying all of these free attractions during your visit to the High Line Elevated Park in New York City. Let me know if you find any other fun places to visit here during your trip.

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If you’re planning a vacation to the Big Apple, sometimes there’s things you just don’t think of before you go. That’s why I’m here. Here’s some random New York travel tips that will make your trip so much easier. Check it out!

I recently spent three days in New York with my mom and my two sisters-in-law. Even though I thought I was prepared for the trip, there were a lot of things I learned along the way that would have been very helpful to know beforehand. So, I’m sharing all of my newfound knowledge with you! Check it out!

Pack the right stuff

• Portable charger – Most cell phone batteries don’t last all day long. If you don’t want to be caught in front of the Statue of Liberty with a dead phone, bring a portable charger.
• Handheld fan – New York is hot during the summertime. And even if you’re there in the winter, the New York subways get hot. You’ll be so glad you brought your little fan to stay cool.
• Spray hand sanitizer – Sanitize your hands every time you get off the subway and in public places to avoid getting sick on your trip
• Dress appropriately – If you’re visiting in the winter, it can get pretty cold. Just a coat isn’t enough. You’ll need gloves, scarf and warm shoes or boots.
• Umbrella – If there’s rain in the forecast, bring an umbrella with you. It’s miserable when you are wet and cold.
• Extra pair of shoes – If you are caught in the rain one day, you’ll want a second pair of shoes. Our shoes didn’t dry out completely, so we were stuck with wearing wet shoes the next day.
• Crossbody bag or fanny pack – Keep your valuables such as credit cards, ID and cash safe. Any crossbody bag will make it harder for thieves and pickpockets.
• Cell phone with GPS – This sounds like a no-brainer, but you will literally be completely lost if you can’t GPS where you are going. Plus, navigating the subway is so much easier with GPS.

Here’s my complete adult travel essentials idea list of everything you might need to buy when traveling abroad.

Hotels

• Pick a central hotel – We stayed in a hotel (Citadines Connect 5th Avenue) that was really close to Times Square. It was nice to be in walking distance of so many sites.
• Consider sharing a room – Paying $500 per night in New York is pretty typical, so if you can split the cost of a room with friends, you’ll save a lot of money.
• Free breakfast – If you don’t like having to worry about finding breakfast in the morning, a free breakfast at your hotel is a good option. Our hotel left a grab-and-go style breakfast for us each morning, and it was great.

Food

• Sit-down restaurant for lunch – Choose a nice restaurant for lunch instead of dinner. It’s nice to have a break during the middle of the day from all the walking and sight-seeing.
• Don’t get hangry – Sometimes you can’t find a place to eat right away. That’s when a quick snack (like a granola bar or beef stick) in your bag comes in handy.
• Group favorites by location – List all of your favorite restaurants according to the different areas you’ll be visiting. Then, you can just look it up when you get hungry.
• Ding Thai Fung and Star Dust Diner – This dumpling restaurant and singing waiter restaurant are right across the street from each other near Times Square and they are awesome.
• Water bottle– You’d be hard pressed to find a bottle of water in New York for less than $5. Bring your own water bottle and save yourself some money.

Freebies

• New York Library
• Washington Square Park
• 9/11 memorial
• Time Square
• Grand Central Station
• Stock Exchange Charging Bull
• Hook and Ladder 8 Firehouse (Ghostbusters)
• High Line Elevated Park
• Chelsea Market
• Little Island Park
• Oculus
• The Edge Mall
• Central Park
• Rockefeller Center
• Staten Island Ferry to Statue of Liberty

Broadway Shows

• Popular shows: If you are dying to see one of the really popular shows such as Wicked or Mamma Mia, they will most definitely sell out. You have to buy them in advance and they aren’t cheap
• Same-day tickets: If you’re not particular about which Broadway show you go to, show up at the TKTS booth on Times Square a half hour before it opens. Your tickets will be a fraction of the cost. We bought four Aladdin tickets four hours before the show started for $90 each.
• Save your ticket stub – If you bring an old Broadway ticket stub from the last 7 days to the TKTS line, they will let you be in the fast pass lane and be first in line to get same-day tickets. We did it and got fifth row seats for &Juliet.
• Consider a play – Everyone is always talking about the musicals, but there are a lot of really awesome plays on Times Square as well. Plus, they are a little less expensive.

Miscellaneous

• When to visit: September or May are the best months to visit in terms of weather. Sometimes the weather will make or break your vacation
• Bike rental: Rent a bike from a business like Fancy Apple Bikes instead of renting one of the Citi Bikes. The Citi Bikes are clunky and sometimes in disrepair. The bike companies always have working bikes and they will help you if something breaks down. Plus, they cost about the same.
• Paying for the subway: Tap your credit card to enter the subway instead of buying a ticket. After 12 rides in a 7-day period, the rest of your rides are free!
• Souvenirs: Some of the best souvenirs are in the museum gift shops
• Uber: Get an Uber to your hotel and then back to the airport. Dragging your luggage through the subway is possible, but very tiring and frustrating.
• Characters on the street: Don’t pose with the characters in Time Square unless you are planning to pay them.
• Police Officers: Don’t ask to take your picture with them. They don’t like it.
• Bathrooms: Many of the large department stores have free bathrooms. Just ask an employee at any nearby shop and they will tell you where the nearest bathroom is.
• Central Park: Ride bikes around this amazing park. It will definitely be one of the highlights. Plus, there is a dedicated bike lane with no cars or pedestrians
• Wake up early: Strolling around the streets of New York City before 7 a.m. is a completely different experience. Try it out.
• Facebook Group: Join a New York City tourist Facebook group before your trip to get insider tips and tricks. Plus, you can ask any question you want to the group. It’s incredibly helpful.
• Find a festival: There is almost always a festival or event happening somewhere in New York City that you can enjoy. We attended a street festival in Little Italy in September and it was awesome. Check out nyc.com for more information.

I hope these New York travel tips will help you as you’re planning your vacation to New York City. If you think of any other tips, let me know in the comments below.

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If you love Halloween and you love parties, then this bloody knife cake will fit the bill. Plus, you don’t have to have a lot of cake-making skills either. In just a few easy steps, you’ll have the best dessert at the party. Check it out!

My church hosted a Halloween carnival and silent auction. I decided to make a bloody knife cake to auction off. I am definitely not a professional cake maker, so I was happy when I was able to make this cake look half decent. Here’s how you can make one too.

Gather your cake-making ingredients

Like I said, this is an easy cake to make. However, there are a few ingredients and supplies that you’ll need to gather first.

• 6-inch cake pans
• Fake knife prop
• Red velvet box cake
• Half and half
• Red candy melts

Cook your cakes

Using the directions on the back of the box cake mix, prepare your cake batter. Pour your batter into three greased 6-inch circular cake pans. Bake in the oven according to directions on box mix.

Assemble and frost your cakes

Allow your cakes to cool completely. Then, using a cake leveler or a long carving knife, cut off the tops of the cakes so each one is level. If they’re not level, your cake will be lopsided.

Then, fill a piping bag with homemade vanilla buttercream frosting or tub frosting from the store. Stack the three cakes on top of each other, making sure you spread a layer of frosting between each cake.

Spread a thin layer of frosting around the entire cake to form a crumb coat. Then, place the cake in the freezer for at least an hour. This makes the cake firmer so it’s easier to spread the final coat.

Frost the final layer on the cake using a piping bag. You can smooth out the frosting with a cake scraper. I’m not perfect at it but I was able to get the cake relatively smooth.

Drizzle melted red chocolate

Now for the last step. Chop up about 2 cups of red candy melts into chunks and add to a microwave-safe bowl with about 1/2 cup of half and half. Microwave for about 60 seconds and mix. Microwave for fifteen seconds each time after that until smooth and completely melted.

Pour the melted candy onto the top of the cake. Spread out the melted candy until it slowly drips down the edge of the cake all around. Be careful not to let too much pour over the sides. You just want small drizzles. Then, insert the fake knife prop into the top of the cake before the red drizzle dries. If you try to do it after, the drizzle will crack.

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If you’re throwing a carnival, event or birthday party, here are some beginner face painting ideas for kids perfect for the novice artist. They are simple and fun. Your face painting station will be a hit. Check it out!

I am not a super good artist. So when I was asked to be in charge of our school carnival’s face-painting station, I had to get creative. I found some simple designs and compiled them into an easy printable handout. It worked wonderfully and everyone loved it. Here’s how you can do it too!

Print your face painting designs PDF

I compiled 30 simple face paint designs onto two 8.5×11 pages. Just print on your home computer or email it to your local copy store. The designs work for both boys and girls. Most kids are more than happy to choose from these designs. And they are simple enough that even someone who has never done face painting before can do them. To purchase, download and print your PDF, click on the link at the end of this blog post.

Gather your face-painting supplies

You don’t need very many supplies for a face-painting station. And it’s not as expensive as you might think either. Here’s everything you’ll need:

• Face painting crayons
• Table
• Chairs
• Tabletop easel
• Hand mirror
• Wet wipes
• Disposable tablecloth

Set up your face painting station

Set up your station in the shade and out of the sun. You’ll need a small table and at least two chairs (one for you and one for your participant). We had six chairs because we had three face painters.

Cover the table with a disposable tablecloth and place the face painting crayons, hand mirror, wet wipes and print face paint designs on the table. You’ll need the mirror to show the participants their painted face and the wet wipes because the crayons make your hands pretty dirty. We forgot a mirror so we just used our phones.

Display the printed face paint design options on a table easel so participants can choose their favorite while they are waiting in line. I only had a large floor easel, so I attached the designs to a poster board and displayed them that way. But a small table easel would be best.

Start painting!

I was a little nervous at first because I’m not much of an artist, but once I got started, it wasn’t very hard. It was actually really fun. I tried to look at the design each child chose and follow it carefully. A good rule of thumb is to make the design as big as possible on the cheek. I made sure to ask the child which cheek they wanted it on before I started.

I had two teenage volunteers helping me at the face-painting station. Neither of them had an artistic background and they did an amazing job. They painted better than me. Some of the kids wanted multiple images painted on their faces and we just told them they have to get back in line for each image.

I hope these beginner face painting ideas will help you as you’re preparing your own face painting station. Let me know how it goes in the comments below. If you want more easy craft ideas, check out my “Crafts for Kids” idea list.

Click the link below to purchase, download and print your Face Paint Design handouts:

Face Paint Designs PDF

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Who doesn’t love a spooky party filled with Halloween treats and snacks? Here’s a list of fun, easy and creepy recipes that will be a hit at any October get together. You’re going to love it!

I throw a big Halloween dinner every year at our house. Although it might seem a little overwhelming, it’s actually super easy. Here are some easy and fun Halloween treats and snacks to help you get started.

#1: Monster marshmallow popcorn

#2: Skeleton charcuterie board

#3: Jello syringes

#4: Ghost suckers

#5: Mummy pizzas

#6: Halloween bark

#7: Cheese ball pumpkins

#8: Witch’s brew dirt cups

#9: Mummy Dogs

#10: Mandarin orange pumpkins

#11: Halloween sugar cookies

#12: Bloody cake

#13: Halloween-themed dinner

#14: Blood IV bag drink pouches

#15: Pumpkin bundt cake

#16: Little Debbie Halloween treats

#17: Strawberry ghosts

#18: Cauldron cookies

#19: Halloween taco dip

#20: Monster Mac and Cheese

#21: Spooky carrots and hummus

#22: Candy Corn Jello Cups

#23: Puff pastry broomsticks

#24: Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats

#25: Apple monster bites

#26: Bones and blood

#27: Spider Oreo pops

#28: Ghost cupcakes

#29: Halloween veggie tray

#30: Halloween trail mix

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If Halloween is around the corner, then it’s time to start making some spooky snacks and treats. At the top of the list are mummy dogs. This creepy snack is soooo easy to make and delicious too. So, let’s make it right now!

I’m a sucker for a huge Halloween buffet filled with lots of scary bites to eat. And mummy dogs are a classic must-have addition to your spread. They are so ridiculously easy, you can’t not add them to the menu. Check it out!

Gather your mummy dog ingredients

I’m all about simplicity. That’s why these Halloween hot dogs only call for just a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Hot dogs (we like the all beef kind)
• Crescent rolls
• Candy eyeballs
• Sliced cheese (optional)

Wrap your hot dogs

Unroll the crescent roll dough on a cutting board and separate the dough into rectangles. Then cut the dough into 1/4″ – 1/2″ strips. If you want to add cheese to your dogs, then cut strips into the sliced cheese as well.

Next, take a hot dog and take one strip of dough and carefully wrap it around the hot dog. It doesn’t have to be wrapped perfectly. That’s what makes it fun. Continue wrapping until the entire hot is covered, leaving a small space uncovered for eyeballs after they are done cooking.

Cook your hot dogs

Place all of your wrapped mummy dogs on a cookie sheet. Cook them according to the directions on the crescent dough package. I baked mine for about 12-15 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

After they are done cooking, add a small dot of ranch dressing for each eyeball and then place the eyeballs on the hot dogs. Then, you’re done!

Add your hot dog to a fun Halloween buffet on a regular October evening or for a fun party with family and friends. Here’s a list of fun Halloween food ideas:

• Green Jello with candy eyeballs
• Witch hair (curly fries)
• Witch fingers (green breadsticks)
• Mini pumpkins (mandarin oranges)
• Monster mucus (grape juice)
• Haunted forest (salad)
• Goblin donuts

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The earlier you can help your teenagers learn how to responsibly manage their own money, the better. That’s why you need to read these 11 money management tips for teens to get the conversation started. Check it out!

My husband and I have always tried to teach our kids good money management skills. And although I know we’re not perfect at it, we have learned some important tips along the way. Here’s 11 money management tips for teens that are a must! And don’t forget to purchase and print the helpful poster and the end of this blog post that goes with it.

Tip #1: Ditch the piggy bank

Keep your money in a safe place by opening a savings account. This will
help you save for the future and avoid impulse purchases.

Tip #2: Wait 30 days

Avoid impulse spending by waiting 30 days before making large purchases. If you can afford it and still want it after 30 days, buy it.

Tip #3: Follow the 50/30/20 rule

Right when you get paid, divide your income into three categories: 50% for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings. Create this habit early on in life and it will be easier as an adult.

Tip #4: Get a job

The best way to learn how to manage money is by earning it. From babysitting to fast food to mowing lawns. find small ways to earn money that is only yours. You don’t have to wait until you are 16 years old to start earning money.

Tip #5: Create a budget and follow it

Don’t spend more money than you earn. The best way to do this is by creating a budget and sticking to it every month. Write down all of your expenses and compare it to your income. Make changes to your spending to you can still follow the 50/30/20 rule. Take advantage of the time you have living at home with your parents and you have no bills.

Tip #6: Consider your needs vs wants

It’s easy to spend your money on unnecessary items such as fast food, clothes, video games, school dances, etc. Don’t waste your money on dumb stuff. Spend it wisely.

Tip #7: Beware of debt

Avoid excessive debt. If you choose to get a credit card, pay off the balance monthly. Control your debt. Don’t let it control you. Except for a home mortgage or student loans, most other loans can be avoided.

Tip #8: Be generous

Use your money to help others. Don’t be stingy. Consider donating to a charity or your local church. You will never regret helping someone else.

Tip #9: Start investing now

Even teenager can invest their money. Learn the basics of investing so you can take advantage of compounding while you are young. Consider opening a custodial account with your parents.

Tip #10: Set financial goals

Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, 30 years? How much money do you want to have saved? Create specific and attainable financial goals and stick to them.

Tip #11: Don’t give up

If you go out to eat too much one month and go over your budget, learn from your mistakes. Be gracious with yourself. Get advice from your parents or other trusted adults who have had a lifetime of managing money.

Print this money management poster for your teen

All of the helpful tips in this blog post are outlined in an easy-to-read handout. Just click on the link below to purchase and print.

Money Management for Teens Poster

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Everyone loves a good carnival game but the nose pick carnival game has got to be the best. It’s hilarious, easy and fun for the entire family. Here’s how you can make one today for your next carnival, party or family reunion. Check it out!

This game brings a smile to the faces of everyone who plays it. You’re basically picking a witch’s nose in hopes to find a surprise inside. It’s awesome! I made a witch for this carnival game, but you can make a man, monster or whatever you want. Here’s exactly how to make this sweet carnival game today!

Gather your nose pick carnival game supplies

Many of the supplies for this game can be found around the home or in your backyard. I got the wood for free on Facebook Martketplace. Here’s everything you’ll need:

• 5’8″x 2′ sheet of plywood
• Extra plywood for the eyes and mouth
• 2′ two-by-four
• 2 (3’8″ inches long ) two by fours
• Chicken wire
• Screws – Paint
• Two hinges
• Flour, water, paper (for paper mache)
• Two hooks and baskets with handles
• Jigsaw
• Green slime
• Assorted candy or green tootsie rolls

Step #1: Assemble the main wood structure

Using a 5’8″x2′ piece of plywood (or plywood of similar size), cut two 6-inch holes in the middle of the plywood board about 5 inches apart using a jigsaw (see image below). These holes are the nostrils. This is where participants will put their hands to find a treat. Then, screw a 2-foot piece of 2×4 about one inch above the holes.

Attach two hinges on both ends of the two-by-four and then attach two 3’8″ long two-by-fours for the legs. This will allow the game to stand up on its own.

Step #2: Make the nose

Using chicken wire or Styrofoam, form a giant nose that will be placed above the nostrils on the plywood. It’s okay if the nose reaches over the edges of the plywood. It’s supposed to be an oversized nose after all. Secure the wire nose to the plywood with screws.

Complete the nose by covering it with paper mache. First, mix flour and water in a mixing bowl until you reach the consistency of pancake batter. Dip pieces of butcher paper or newspaper in the paper mache and place each piece on the wire nose until it is completely covered. Allow at least 24 hours for the paper mache to dry. Make sure it is completely covered with no holes.

Step #3: Finish the face

Once the paper mache is completely dry, paint the nose and the plywood green. If you’re not making a witch, you can paint it whatever color you want.

Using the extra plywood, cut out two eyes, eyebrows and a big mouth with a jigsaw. Then paint them and attach to the plywood with screws and a drill.

You’re done! When you’re ready to play the game, attach some hooks above the holes on the back and hang some buckets of candy. You can also put candy in one bucket and green slime in the other to make it extra fun.

Kids can line up in front of the game and take turns picking the witch’s nose. The kids will love picking the nose to find out if they got slime or candy. You can have someone sitting behind the game to switch the buckets around for each participant.

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Utah has some amazing hikes, but the Cecret Lake Trail is one you don’t want to miss. Accessible only during the summer months, this breathtaking family-friendly hike allows even the most novice hiker to experience the top of one of Utah’s many mountain peaks. Check it out!

As a Utah native, I have hiked this trail three times and each time, it never disappoints. Most high-elevation lakes in Utah require strenuous hiking to get there, but the Cecret Lake Trail starts at 9,000 feet and is only 1.8 miles round trip. It’s perfect for kids and adults a like. So here’s everything you need to know.

At a glance: Cecret Lake Trail

• Ages: All ages welcome
• Cost: $12 vehicle entrance fee
• Dogs: No dogs allowed
• Duration: 2-3 hours
• Location: The trail starts just west of the Albion Basin Campground at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Alta, Utah.
• Website: https://www.utah.com/destinations/cities-towns/salt-lake-city/hiking/cecret-lake/
• Nearby attractions: Sugar Loaf Peak, Alta Ski Resort

Need-to-know before you start hiking

Since this trail is high in the mountains, it’s only accessible early to mid-July when the snowpack has finally melted. It remains open until late fall (October/November). The best time to hike is mid-July to early August when the wildflowers are in full bloom. On the weekends, the parking lots are super full and you may have to wait for someone to leave in order to park. We only had to wait about 10 minutes on a Saturday afternoon in August.

Even though this hike is high in elevation, it can get pretty hot in the summer. Bring lots of water and a picnic lunch to enjoy at the top. There’s a campground general store at the beginning of the hike and bathrooms. Don’t forget. Dogs are not allowed on this trail.

Trail basics and what to expect

We hiked this trail with four of our kids, including our 4-year-old daughter. It begins at 9,000 feet with a slow elevation climb (about 500 feet) across small streams and through fields of wildflowers. Through the years, this hike has become increasingly popular but don’t let that deter you. Everyone is very friendly.

As you climb towards your destination, you’ll reach a section of switchbacks. This is the steepest part. But at the end of the switchbacks, you’ll arrive at the lake almost immediately. We discovered a fun little cave along the switchbacks. My kids took a little peek inside but didn’t go too deep.

Once you reach the lake, there’s plenty of spots around the lake to sit down and enjoy the scenery. We brought a picnic lunch and just relaxed. Don’t take a swim in the lake though. It’s not allowed in order to protect the tiger salamanders that live in the lake.

Tips and tricks

• Campground: Make a reservation at the Albion Basin Campground so you can experience this hike early in the morning with little to no hikers.
• Tiger Salamanders: This lake is filled with these fun salamanders. But keep in mind, you’re not allowed to catch them.
• Wildflowers: Hike this trail during mid-July to beginning of August to see the most amazing wildflowers
• Moose: Keep an eye out for moose next to the lake and even on the drive up the canyon
• Off-shoot trails: If you have time, take a minute to walk along some of the various off-shoot trails near the campground. There are less people and beautiful fields of wildflowers.
• Sugarloaf Peak: If you want a bigger challenge, keep hiking past Cecret Lake up to Sugar Loaf Peak which is 4.6 miles round trip and reaches an elevation of 11,051 feet.

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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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If you’re new at sewing and you want to try an easy project, this DIY scrunchie tutorial is just the ticket. In just 10 minutes, you’ll have your own homemade scrunchie on the cheap. Check it out!

I recently snagged a really nice sewing machine at a yard sale for a bargain! So, of course, I had to try out a new sewing project. Since my daughter loves scrunchies, I thought a DIY scrunchie tutorial would be just the ticket. Plus, it’s super inexpensive and easy. Let’s get started!

Gather your scrunchie supplies

You don’t need very many supplies to make your own scrunchies. Most of the items you’ll probably already have at home. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Scrap fabric
• 1/4″ wide elastic band
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Pins
• Sewing machine

Cut and sew the end of the fabric

Any type of fabric will work but I have found that cotton is the easiest to work with while making these scrunchies. You’ll need to measure and cut your fabric so it is 27 inches long and 5 inches wide. It’s easiest to use a cutting mat and a rotary cutter to cut your fabric but scissors and a measuring tape will work too.

Next, fold your fabric in half and sew the two short ends together. Make sure the wrong side of the fabric (if applicable) is facing out.

Prep and sew sides of scrunchie

Lay your fabric on the table with the seam faced down. Fold the top layer up halfway and then fold the upper part of the top layer down halfway. Then fold the bottom layer up over the folded layer in the middle to align with the top of bottom layer (see image below).

Sew open side edge

Pin the two open edges together and now you can start sewing. Starting at the top, begin sewing together the two open edges. Make sure you don’t sew the middle layer that is wedged inside. As you sew down, feed the middle layer down so you can continue to sew the open edges around the complete scrunchie. Leave about an inch and a half unsewn so you can insert the elastic.

Insert elastic and finish

Finally, turn the scrunchie right side out. Attach safety pins to the ends of a 10 1/2″ piece of elastic. Thread one end of the elastic inside the scrunchie until it wraps around back to the same opening. Make sure the other end of the elastic remains outside of the scrunchie. Remove the safety pins and tie a knot with the two ends of the elastic. Sew the remaining inch and a half of the scrunchie and you’re done!

That’s it! I hope you enjoyed this DIY scrunchie tutorial. These scrunchies are perfect for gifts for friends and family, party favors or just for fun. Enjoy!

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Although showering every day might seem like a no-brainer to you, lots of teens and tweens need to be taught the basics of personal hygiene. That’s why I designed this helpful handout that outlines everything you need to teach your child about staying clean and smell-free. Check it out!

As a mom of five, I’m right in the middle of navigating how to teach my tweens how to maintain good hygiene. Some kids are more aware than others, but all of them need a parent or teacher to guide them through the basics. Here’s some pointers to get them started, plus a helpful printable handout at the end of this post.

#1: Pits, privates and face

It’s time for your teen to start shaving. They might need a little bit of help the first time they use one. They can decide what parts of their body they prefer to shave. Remind them to replace their razors every seven days of regular use. These Venus Comfort Glides razors are great for girls and Harry’s is always a great fit for boys.

#2: Shower daily

This might seem like a no-brainer to us, but teens need to be reminded to shower EVERY SINGLE DAY. Puberty brings hormonal changes that can lead to increased body odor, acne, and oily skin. If they don’t shower, they’re going to stink. We had to require my son to shower every night because he simply wasn’t doing it on his own.

#3: Trim and clean nails

Lots of germs like to hide underneath the nails. Regularly cleaning and trimming your nails should be done once a week. Toenails can be trimmed less often–about every 4-6 weeks. Buy some fingernail clippers just for your child so they don’t have to go searching around the house for them.

#4: Kill the stink

Some tweens can start using deodorant as early as fifth or sixth grade. These kids can be very active during the day and produce a ton of sweat. Plus, they don’t want to be the stinking kid at school. Make sure they aren’t using cologne, perfume or body spray to mask the smell of the sweat. Deodorant or antiperspirant is the only way to kill or prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

#5: Fit check

Make sure your teen is washing their clothes regularly. Underwear, exercise clothes and socks need to be washed after being worn only one time. T-shirts and pants can be worn two or three times before needing to be washed. Many smells can be coming from that old shirt or pants they haven’t cleaned in weeks.

#6: What’s that smell?

If it smells like moldy cheese, it’s probably not coming from the fridge. Mostly likely your teenager needs to take off their gross socks and wash their feet. Make sure their shoes are clean and dry as well. Sometimes my son could never find a clean pair of socks so he would wear the same pair over and over. So gross.

#7: Zombie breath

If you’ve ever talked to someone with bad breath, it’s a definite turn-off. Some kids can’t make friends because their breath stinks. Well, that’s an easy fix. Tell your kids to brush their teeth morning and night and floss once per day. Bacteria tends to accumulate on the tongue, so you could even try a tongue scraper. Breath mints also help a lot.

#8: Zap your zits

Keep acne at bay by teaching your kids to wash their faces day and night. Use cleansers with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. If your teen has chronic acne, consider visiting a dermatologist.

#9: Do the ‘do

Tweens and teens need to wash their hair often. If their hair is oily or if their scalp is itchy, they should wash it every day. They also need to brush and style their hair daily. My boys love Got 2b Glued hair gel. And although it’s kind of expensive, I buy it because it encourages them to do their hair every day.

#10: Catch some Zzzzs

During these developmental years, teens need more sleep than adults. Lack of sleep can lower energy levels, making it harder to maintain normal hygiene. It can also cause acne breakouts.

#11: Diet and exercise

Staying health overall effects your teen’s mental and physical health. When they feel good about themselves, it affects their outward appearance. Encourage healthy eating and regularly exercise.

Download your personal hygiene handout

I hope these ideas will help you as you’re teaching your tweens and teens about personal hygiene. I’ve compiled a one-page printable PDF that includes all of the information mentioned above. Click the link below to purchase and download.

Personal Hygiene for Teens and Tweens printable

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Everyone needs a little bit of motivation from time to time. So, here’s 12 posters filled with inspirational quotes meant to uplift and encourage all who read them. Check it out!

My mother-in-law asked me to design these posters so she could hang them on the inside of the bathroom stalls at MIA Camp Shalom in Fairview, Utah. She loved them, and she said everyone who attends the camp loves them too. So, I figured, I might as well share these with anyone else who is looking for motivational posters.

Download and print your posters

I designed these 8.5×11 posters so they can easily be printed at home or sent to your local copy store. Just click on the link at the end of this blog post to purchase and download your highly-quality PDF and print as many copies as you would like.

Hang your LDS motivational quote posters

Although many of the quotes on these posters come from leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, anyone can find inspiration and enjoy these posters, whether or not you are a member of the LDS faith.

Here’s a few ideas of where you can hang any or all of these posters:

• Kitchen
• Bedroom
• Bathroom
• Office
• Girls Camp
• Relief Society room
• Young Women room
• Primary room

You can also give these posters as gifts to neighbors, ministering brothers and sisters and family and friends.

I hope you like these LDS motivational quote posters as much as we have in our home. to purchase and download your printable posters, just click on the link below:

LDS Motivational Quote Posters

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I love a good dessert bar and a caramel apple nacho bar is one of the easiest and the best options out there. Your guests will be impressed and there will be smiles all around. Here’s how to make your own in three easy steps. Check it out!

My neighbor originally gave me the idea of this apple nacho bar. She served one at our church’s LDS Girls Camp and it was a total hit. Even though it’s definitely sugary, you feel like you’re being somewhat healthy with the apples involved. Everyone just loves it. Here’s how to do it.

Cut your apples

One medium apple could be considered two servings. So, cut about half as many apples as guests attending your party. Tart green apples work best but really any type of apple will do. A super easy way to cut the apples is with this 12-slice apple corer and slicer. After you cut each apple, place the slices in a bowl of water with a 1/4 cup of lemon juice to prevent them from browning.

Cook your caramel drizzle

My lovely neighbor gave me her caramel drizzle recipe and it is delicious and super easy. You can use store-bought caramel drizzle if you are in a pinch, but homemade is always better. Here’s how to make it.

Bring the following ingredients in a large sauce pan to a hard boil on medium-high heat for three minutes, stirring occasionally:

• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/4 cup Karo syrup
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 tsp salt

After three minutes, add one cup of heavy whipping cream (40% fat) and bring the mixture back to a hard boil for another three minutes. This recipe serves about 20 people.

Prep your toppings

The best part about the caramel apple nachos is all of the toppings. You can basically add whatever you want. But here’s a few toppings that we used:

• Shredded coconut
• Heath pieces
• Mini chocolate chips
• Reese’s minis
• Chopped peanuts
• M&M minis
• Whipped cream
• Gummy bears
• Chopped pretzels
• Chopped Oreos

Pour each of your toppings into separate bowls with spoons for each bowls and arrange on the serving table next to the apples and caramel.

That’s it! Display your apples, caramel and toppings on the serving table and you’re done! This is one of the easiest dessert bars to make and is ALWAYS a hit. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

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All of my kids love playing with sidewalk chalk, so I decided to try making our own DIY sidewalk chalk and it was so easy! Plus, it only requires three ingredients. This is the perfect craft for any kid. Take a look!

Honestly, had I known that making sidewalk chalk was so easy, I would have done it a long time ago. Plus, it’s a super fun craft to beat summertime boredom and encourage creativity and hands-on learning. Here’s everything you need to make your own chalk right now.

Gather your DIY sidewalk chalk supplies

This recipe only requires three ingredients! And with the help of a few other supplies, you’ll have your homemade chalk in no time. Here’s a list of everything you’ll need:

• Plaster of paris
• Mica powder – you can buy this online or at a craft store
• Water
• Molds – you can use Jello jiggler molds, candle molds, silicone baking molds or even silicone ice cube trays.
• Disposable paper bowls and spoons
• Mixing bowl

#1: Mix together ingredients

Mix two cups of Plaster of Paris with 1 2/3 cups of water in a mixing bowl. Then, slowly mix in about one tablespoon of mica powder. Stir until completely incorporated. It should be slightly watery. Make sure you scrape the bottom of the bowl as you mix.

If you want mutiple colors of chalk, separate the mixture into disposable containers before adding the mica powder.

#2: Pour mixture into molds

Lastly, pour the various colored mixtures into your molds. You can use whatever kind of mold you want. I even used Jello jiggler molds and they worked great. Silicone molds work great but if you don’t have that, you can even cover the end of a toliet paper roll and fill that with the mixture. Just make sure you work quickly because this Plaster of Paris is designed to harden within 20-30 minutes.

Remove chalk from molds

Your chalk should harden within an hour or so, but we waited a few hours just to be safe. It was super easy to take the chalk out of the silicon molds. However, it took a little bit more finessing with the firm plastic mold, but we got those out okay as well.

That’s it! Isn’t that super easy? I couldn’t believe how simple and fun this DIY sidewalk chalk craft was. Even my older boys had fun making them. I hope it’s just as fun for your. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

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If you are planning girls camp, these LDS girls camp awards are for you. Every girl at camp loves to be remembered and recognized. These fill-in-the-blank printable awards are a great way to end a memorable girls camp. Check it out!

I was on the camp committee this year for my ward and was put in charge of the camp awards. These simple, printable awards are super easy to print and fill out. Our girls really loved getting their awards and it helped create unity and friendship. Here’s how to make them for your next girls camp.

Download and print your LDS girls camp awards

I designed these camp awards with a cute pink forest background and fill-in-the-blank sections for the award name, recipient and date. The printable 8.5×11 PDF includes two awards to a page. When trimmed, the finished size of the award is 5.5″ x 8.5″. I recommend printing these awards on cardstock so they are a bit more sturdy.

You can find the link to purchase, download and print your PDF at the end of this blog post.

Choose awards for each girl at camp

On the last day of camp, we gathered the youth camp leaders (YCLs) and they chose the different awards for each of the girls. We tried to think of the different activities we participated in during camp and how each girl stood out in their own unique way. Here’s a list of camp award ideas that might help:

• Happy camper
• Besties
• Light of Christ
• Animal whisperer
• Most fashionable
• Quiet confidence
• True leader
• Crafty critter
• Beyonce
• Handy helper
• Extra miler
• Compassionate camper
• Funniest
• Easy-going
• Stick-with-it
• Soft spoken
• Peace maker
• Spic and span
• Best book
• Extra miler
• Itchy scratchy
• Smiley face
• Best laugh
• Dare devil
• Story teller
• Best swimmer
• Dancing queen
• Social butterfly
• Ray of sunshine
• Good friend
• Happiness hype girl

Try to choose awards that are positive and won’t be construed as an insult such as “Class Clown” or “Loudest”.

Add a candy lei or cute treat

In addition to handing out these cute LDS girls camp awards, I made a candy lei to go with each award. Then, when we handed out the awards, we placed a fun candy lei around their necks. All of the girls LOVED this. If you don’t have time to make candy leis, a candy bar or little treat works too. Here’s how to make your own candy lei. They are actually super easy.

Handing out LDS girls camp awards ended up being the best way to finish off a very memorable girls camp. Each of the girls felt loved and special. It was awesome! Click the link below to download your girls camp award PDF printable.

LDS Girls Camp Award PDF

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Who doesn’t love a good salad? Well, you’re in luck because this salad recipe is super easy and it’s perfect for any party or get together. You basically just dump and go. Here’s everything you need to make this delicious strawberry spinach salad.

I first tried this recipe at a family party. My sister made it and I was hooked! It’s really healthy and packed with flavor. And best of all, it’s easy. Here’s how to make it yourself.

Gather your strawberry spinach salad ingredients

This salad is really versatile. You can add or take away any ingredients that you want. Here’s what I use (and love):

• Baby spinach (1 lb)
• Strawberries or canned mandarin oranges
• Cashews
• Cottage cheese
• Swiss cheese
• Craisins
• Mushrooms
• Bacon bits or chopped bacon
• Brianna’s Poppyseed Dressing

Start chopping

Next, you’ll want to chop up your strawberries, Swiss cheese and mushrooms until you have about a cup of each. If you’re cooking your bacon, you’ll want to chop those up after you have cooked them. You’ll want to end up with about a cup of each chopped ingredient. You can substitute canned mandarin oranges instead of strawberries if you want.

Assemble everything

Pour your baby spinach into a large serving bowl. Then add about one cup of the following ingredients on top of the spinach:

• Mushrooms
• Craisins
• Swiss cheese
• Strawberries
• Cottage cheese
• Cashews
• Bacon bits

Add dressing and mix

Finally, pour an entire bottle of Brianna’s Poppyseed Dressing over the salad and mix everything together with tongs or two forks. Make sure you don’t pour the dressing until right before you are ready to serve so that it doesn’t get soggy.

I hope you love this Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe as much as I do. Let me know how it goes in the comments below. Here’s the recipe:

Print

Easy strawberry spinach salad

This fresh and delicious salad is super easy to make and healthy! It is a big salad too to feed a crowd. Enjoy!

Course Dinner

Keyword cashews, healthy salad, salad, spinach, strawberries, swiss cheese

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 20

Ingredients

• 1 Lb baby spinach
• 1 cup chopped strawberries
• I cup chopped mushrooms
• 1 cup Swiss cheese cut into chunks
• 1 cup bacon bits
• 1 cup cashews
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup Craisins
• 1 bottle Brianna's poppyseed dressing

Instructions

• Pour spinach into a large bowl. Add each ingredient to the top of the bed of spinach. Pour dressing over the salad. Mix thoroughly and serve immediately.

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We all know that if you want your kids to be truly happy, they need to stop worrying about themselves and start serving other people. The best way to learn this is in the home as a family. So, I compiled a whole bunch of service ideas that you can do as a family starting right now. Check it out!

Of course, a lot of these ideas can be used outside of the family setting for young women activities, Relief Society activities and primary activity days. But, the whole point is to get kids serving and thinking of other people. Here’s the list!

Service ideas within the home

Here’s some ideas of ways you and your kids can serve each other within the walls of your own home:

• Birthday presents: Each of your kids use their own money and buy presents for each other on their birthdays
• Secret server: Have one child be a secret server each week and secretly perform acts of service for their siblings throughout the week. Then, everyone can guess who it was.
• Special Plate: Each person in the family gets a turn eating Sunday dinner on the “Special Plate”. During dinner, everyone goes around the table and says something nice about that person.
• Restaurant at home: Make a pretend restaurant at home and serve your children a fancy dinner.
• Chore charts: Give your kids a chore chart so they can learn to help their parents keep a clean and organized home.
• Heart notes: Write kind notes to each other on heart paper and hide them throughout the house
• Kindness jar: Place a penny, pom pom or other small object in a jar on the counter every time you see your kids do something nice to each other. Have a party when the jar is full.
• I love you circle: On each person’s birthday, sit in a circle and every takes turns saying two or three things they love about the birthday boy or girl
• Sharing: Always share with your kids. If they want a bite, share. If they want to sit on the good spot on the couch, share with them. Show them how to serve by doing it yourself.
• Teamwork activities: Assign your children chores that require two people and tell them they need to work together to finish the chore.
• Dinnertime Game: Use these fun placemats to gets your kids talking during dinner. Many of the tasks in the game allow everyone to say something nice to someone at the table.
• Prayers: Our family always has people we are praying for. Make it a family affair when you pray together to think of people who are in need.
• Spring cleaning: As a family, clean out all your clothes and toys and find items that can be donated to charity.

Serving during special occasions

During specific holidays and times of year, there are a lot of opportunities for families to really help other people. Here are some ideas:

• Dinner for neighbors: Ask around and find out who may be sick, recently had a baby or struggling with something. Make dinner as a family and deliver it.
• Heart Attack: Write encouraging notes on paper hearts and tape them on the door of someone who could use it.
• Birthday present donations: Encourage guests to bring a can of food or monetary donations that will be given to a local charity instead of your child receiving gifts.
• Sub for Santa: Have your kids do some chores to earn money and then go to the store and buy Christmas gifts for a family who could use it.
• Birthday song: Record a video of your family singing “Happy Birthday” and then send that video to friends and family on their birthdays
• Giving Machines: During Christmas time, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides Giving Machines all over the world where you can donate money to provide clean water, goats, meals, toys and other items to people all over the world.
• Babysitting: Volunteer your kids to help babysit while a young mom relaxes.
• Mother’s and Father’s Day: Ensure that dad helps all the kids get presents for mom on Mother’s day and vice versa.
• Easter: Leave an Easter basket on your friend or neighbor’s porch filled with encouraging messages of love and friendship
• You’ve Been Booe’d: Leave a basket of Halloween goodies on your neighbor’s porch with a note encouraging them to do the same until everyone in your neighborhood has felt the love.
• Summertime outdoor movie party: Project a movie in your front yard and invite the whole neighborhood. It helps everyone get to know each other and become friends.
• Teacher thank you gifts: During teach appreciation week, have your kids make their own basket of goodies to give their teacher.
• Birthday Surprise: Find out when your neighbor’s birthday is and surprise them with a cake on their birthday!
• Valentine’s Day: Have each of your kids make or write a nice note to each person in the family.
• Thanksgiving Gratitude: Write down why you are grateful for each person in the family and read them aloud during Thanksgiving dinner.
• Vacation stuffed animals: If you’re visiting a third world country, you can collect toys, stuffed animals, clothes and other supplies to give away to families or organizations in need
• Foreign exchange student: Our family hosted a teenage boy from Spain for one month in the summer. We took him everywhere and treated him like one of the family. Being a host family helps kids to look outside themselves to make that person feel welcome.

Serving in the community

• Food pantry: Host a neighborhood food drive and collect food from your neighbors and deliver it to the food pantry
• Community service project: Talk with your local city manager to see if there are any service projects that need to be done.
• Scouts: Sign your kids up for your local scout troop. They are super big on service.
• Cupcake fundraiser: Go door-to-door selling cupcakes and donate the proceeds to the local children’s hospital
• Car Wash fundraiser: Host a car wash fundraiser and donate the money to an organization.
• Yard Sale Fundraiser: Gather items from all of your neighbors and host a yard sale. Give all of the proceeds to a neighbor who has medical bills or is struggling.
• Just Serve.org: This is an awesome website where you can find volunteer opportunities in your area.
• Candy striper: Volunteer at a local hospital as a family
• 5k fun run: Sign up for a fun run as a family that donates all of the proceeds to a good cause
• Backpacks for kids: Many organizations accept food donations to give to students on the weekend who otherwise wouldn’t have food at home.

Random acts of service

• Lemonade stand: Give a big tip to some kids holding a lemonade stand
• Fast food drive in: Pay for the order of the person behind your in the drive thru
• Jesus Loves You Figurines: Leave these adorable figurines in random places around town for unexpected passerbys to find
• No soliciting signs: I have a sign on my door that says, “No soliciting, but don’t forget Jesus loves you”. Most of the time, I get a smile on my Ring doorbell from solicitors.
• Secret Door Dash: Surprise a friend, family member or stranger with a delicious surprise from Door Dash
• Homeless person: Buy lunch for a homeless person
• Tip your waiter: Give an extra big tip to your waiter
• Money stash: Hide $5 bills around Walmart with your kids
• Garden produce: Take your extra garden produce around to your neighbors
• Piano recital: Organize a small recital at an assisted living center to play for the residents
• Garbage clean up: Pick up garbage with your kids the next time your visit a park
• Spring Cleaning: Tell your kids to pick with clothes, shoes and toys they want to give away to charity.
• Shoveling: Hop in the truck and drive around looking for driveways to shovel in the winter

I hope these service ideas gets you excited to start serving with your kids. Let me know if you have any other fun service ideas in the comments below.

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Everyone loves a hearty plate of delicious nachos. That’s why they are always a hit at parties. So, here’s all the essentials you’ll need to make your own DIY nacho bar and let the celebrating begin. Check it out!

I like to do something fun and festive for Cinco de Mayo. That’s why this year I did a nacho bar. But you don’t have to wait for Cinco de Mayo. A nacho bar is perfect for any party including birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers, girls night or just for fun! Here’s everything you need to get started.

Gather your nacho bar ingredients

Nacho bars are kind of like charcuterie boards, there are so many different delicious ingredients that you can add. Listed below are some ideas of ingredients you can use for your nacho bar.

• Tortilla chips
• Juanita’s nacho cheese sauce
• Fresh pico de gallo (here’s a video of how to make it)
• Carne asada or cooked ground beef
• Sour cream
• Guacamole
• Olives
• Cotija cheese
• Mexican street corn (here’s a yummy recipe)
• Chopped cilantro
• Black or pinto beans
• Green onions
• Jalapeños
• Lime wedges
• Lettuce or cabbage
• Shredded cheese
• Cilantro lime dressing
• Ranch dressing
• Pickled onions
• Hot sauce

Cook your make-ahead ingredients first

I like to make my pico de gallo and Mexican street corn the day before so that I’m not as stressed out. I found a really delicious recipe for street corn. It adds a really savory flavor to your nachos. You can make it the night before and just warm it up before you serve.

You can also served salsa from a jar with your nacho bar, but nothing tops fresh pico de gallo. I like to have a container of pico in my fridge at all times and it’s easy to make. Just throw it together the night before and it will be fresh and ready for your nacho bar the next day. Here’s a quick video showing how I like to make my pico in just 10 minutes!

Assemble your nacho bar

One of the easiest ways to elevate the presentation of your nacho bar is by placing your tortilla chips in the bowl of an upright sombrero. You can buy these for fairly cheap online or find one second-hand. Just make sure the sombrero is clean (obviously) before putting the chips in or you can line it with saran wrap on the bottom.

Also, I like to serve my guacamole, pico and/or nacho cheese sauce in a molcajete. These traditional mortar and pestal grinders are not only functional for making fresh salsas and guacamoles, they double as the perfect decoration and serving dish.

You can place your remaining ingredients such as sour cream, taco meat, beans and olives in small serving bowls around the chips and molcajetes. It’s so easy and looks like it took hours to prepare. You can also place labels next to each of the ingredients if you really want to get fancy.

I don’t always serve all of the nacho bar ingredients listed above and that’s okay. That’s why I love doing nacho bars because you can just grab whatever is in your pantry. It’s the perfect weeknight meal or fancy party buffet. Whatever you want!

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Fidget spinners are always a hit among kids and adults alike. But have you ever tried to make a paper fidget spinner? They’re way easier than you might think and they actually work! This is the perfect craft for summer, school, church group or just for fun. Check it out!

It’s always nice to have an arsenal of quick, easy and fun crafts for bored kids laying around the house. This one is great for boys and girls alike and it’s basically just a little bit of cutting and gluing. There are other DIY fidget spinners out there but they can be fairly complicated. That’s why you’ll love these paper fidget spinners. Let’s get started.

Download your FREE paper fidget spinner template

I designed four different colorful fidget spinner templates that you can download and print. Print each page on cardstock so the fidget spinners are sturdy and won’t rip. Pick your favorite design or make them all!

Download your two-page 8.5×11 PDF at the end of this blog post.

Gather your fidget spinner supplies

You might have a lot of the supplies for this DIY project right at home. Here’s the list of what you’ll need:

• Glue dots – you can also use regular glue, but the glue dots make it super easy
• Jump Rings – optional, however these make it spin a lot smoother
• Toothpicks
• Pennies
• Scissors
• Hole punch 1/8-inch – if you don’t have this size, you can make a hole with a toothpick
• Hot glue gun
• Fidget spinner PDF download
• Cardstock
• Gluestick

Step #1: Cut and glue together template

First, you’ll want to print the spinner template on cardstock and cut out each piece. Then, trace one of the spinner templates onto another piece of cardstock and cut that out. You should end up with three spinners cut out. The third piece makes the spinner extra sturdy. Glue all three pieces together with a glue stick and then punch a hole in the middle.

Step #2: Make it spin

Attach three pennies to each of the circles on one side of the spinner using glue dots. You can also attach them with another craft clue but the glue dots are quick and easy. Then, attach three paper circles on top of the pennies with glue dots.

Cut the tip of a toothpick and insert 1/4″ of the blunt end through the hole in the middle of the spinner and thread the jump ring onto the toothpick. Punch a hole in the middle of the remaining two paper circles. Thread one paper circle onto the toothpick so it rests over the jump ring.

Place a glue dot on the toothpick and paper circle and then add a big dab of hot glue. Hold the spinner with the other end of the toothpick and wait for the hot glue to dry. Repeat the same step on the opposite side. Then you’re done!

Step #3: Try out your new spinner!

Put your thumb and index finger opposite each other in the middle and give it a spin! For a homemade paper fidget spinner, I was impressed with how smoothly and long they spin. And it’s something kids can be proud of. I made all four of these spinners and each of them only took about 10 minutes each to assemble.

Here’s an instructional video I put together that explains step-by-step how to make this fun craft.

I hope you have fun making this paper fidget spinner. Let me know how it goes 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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As a child, I think of us loved playing Mad Libs as a kid. Now, you can play the same fun game but with hilarious stories about the Latter-day Saint culture. It’s perfect for your next primary activity days, youth activity, Relief Society or family night. Check it out!

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there are a lot of cultural norms that are worth laughing about. That’s why these LDS Mad Libs are so fun. We get to make fun of ourselves in a light-hearted, wholesome way. Even if you aren’t LDS, you’ll still probably get a kick out of these hilarious stories. Check it out!

Print your LDS Mad Libs stories

This download includes various stories that you can choose from. You can print them on 8.5×11 paper on your home printer or you can email the PDF to your local copy store. They are easy enough for a child or tween to understand but adults will also find them equally as fun.

To purchase, download and print your Mad Libs, click on the link at the end of this blog post.

Choose your Mad Libs story

I wrote 15 different stories about various LDS cultural topics. You can pick from the following stories, or do them all!

• General conference
• Day in the life of a missionary
• Girls camp
• Joys of nursery
• Ward potluck
• Stake dance
• Gospel doctrine
• Getting ready for church
• Female LDS dating profile
• Male LDS dating profile
• Pioneer trek
• Relief Society newsletter
• FSY
• Ward trunk or treat
• Fast Sunday

How to play Mad Lib

This LDS Mad Libs is perfect for 2-30 people. So, if you’re needing an activity ideas for young women’s, young men’s, activity days or even Relief Society, this is perfect.

Print your 15 mad libs pages and spread them out on a table. Divide into groups of two and let each group pick their favorite page. Designate “reader” from each group who asks the other player for words such as verbs, nouns and adjectives and fills in the blanks on the page. Once complete, read the hilarious story in front of everyone in the group. Everyone votes on the best stories once all of them have been read. You can even give prizes to the top three.

I hope you have fun playing LDS Mad Libs. Let me know how it goes in the comments below. Click on the link below to download your PDF.

LDS Mad Libs Printable

If you’re looking for other fun Mad Libs, here’s a few to check out:

• Gross me out Mad Libs
• Goofy Mad Libs
• Try Not to Laugh Mad Libs
• Best of Mad Libs
• Dog ate my Mad Libs

If you want to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, click here.

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Australia has some of the world’s most pristine beaches and breathtaking landscapes, and the Sunshine Coast is no exception. So, if you’re planning a trip to Queensland, this hidden gem should definitely be on your list. Here’s all the “must-sees” while visiting the Sunshine Coast in Australia.

As we spoke to the locals, most of them preferred visiting the Sunshine Coast over the Gold Coast. There are less crowds and tourists and it has a very laid-back beach vibe everywhere you go. And it was true. We loved the restaurants, beaches, scenic drives and the hikes. Here’s some “must-see” attractions that you don’t want to miss along the Sunshine Coast.

Noosa Heads Beach

This stunning beach–although relatively small–is surrounded by a bay, a national park, shopping and restaurants. You could easily spend all day there. The waves are large enough for surfers but small enough for novice boogie boarders. We went during the middle of the week and still had a hard time finding parking. So plan on walking a bit to get to the beach.

After a relaxing day at the beach, they had convenient changing rooms and places to shower off. Then we headed over to the shopping area and picked from the many restaurants to eat at. Everything was delicious. Then we strolled along the bustling streets and window-shopped. It was awesome.

Noosa National Park and Fairy Pools

After you’ve relaxed at Noosa Heads beach, you can follow the Noosa Coastal Walk that takes you through a beautiful national park. There are tons of wild like and the ocean views are spectacular. Along the way, stop at the Fairy Pools. Filled with clear water and lots of fish, you can relax in these two rock pools on the edge of the national park.

Scenic drive through the Hinterlands

Of all the things to see along the Sunshine Coast, our local friend told us that we had to go on a scenic drive through the Hinterlands. And it did not disappoint! Just a short 30-minute drive inland from the Sunshine Coast, this road takes you through windy country roads, lush rainforests and cozy villages and eateries. Many of the villages such as Mapleton, Kenilworth and Witta close up shop late afternoon, so make sure you stop by during the day.

Kondalilla Falls

There are plenty of hikes and scenic walks to enjoy while driving through the Hinterlands. We stopped at Kondalilla Falls and it was breathtaking. Aside from the beautiful waterfall, you’ll encounter smaller waterfalls along the way and a gorgeous rock pool. The scenery looks like it came right out of a movie set. My husband jumped in the water and took a swim too. It was definitely a highlight.

Mooloolaba Beach and coastal pathway

A 30-minute drive south of the Noosa Heads Beach, you’ll find Mooloolaba Beach. You’ll find a lot of locals and families enjoying the white sands of this calm, sheltered beach with plenty of room for everyone. You can also enjoy the coastal pathway that extends then entire length of the beach. We really enjoyed visiting this beach and would definitely return there again.

Banana Bender Pub and Aussie World

This vibrant pub is not only a restaurant, it’s an entire experience with mini golf, live music and weekly activities. It gives you a colorful peak into the world of Australia. The decorations and atmosphere are so fun and inviting. We stumbled upon this place by accident while looking for somewhere to eat. We loved it! If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also stop by Aussie World, which is a popular Australian theme park with loads of rides and attractions and it’s right next door!

I hope this blog post gives you a good ideas of some fun things to see while visiting the Sunshine Coast in Australia. Although we were only there for one day, we were able to see all of these sites! However, if we were to visit again, we would definitely stay in the Sunshine Coast a lot longer.

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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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Utah has a plethora of slot canyons to explore, but there is one slot canyon that our family returns to year after year. It’s called Little Wild Horse Canyon. Whether you’re a Utah native or just visiting, this hike is definitely worth stopping for. Here’s all the details.

As a Utah native, I’ve done my fair share of exploring the unique landscape of the Beehive State. That’s why I totally recommend hiking this awesome canyon. It’s not overrun by tourists and it is completely family-friendly. Check it out!

At a glance: Little Wild Horse Canyon

• Ages: All ages welcome
• Cost: FREE!
• Dogs: Allowed on a leash
• Duration: 3-4 hours
• Location: Situated west of Goblin Valley State Park and north of Hanksville in Emery County Utah
• Website: https://www.blm.gov/visit/little-wild-horse-trailhead
• Nearby attractions: Goblin Valley State Park, Capital Reef National Park, Canyonlands National Park

Need-to-know before you start hiking

This family-friendly hike works great for kids of all ages. If you have little ones, you can strap them on backpack without a problem. There are a few sections of scrambling on the rocks but nothing very high or dangerous. Dogs are also welcome on this trail. The trail parking lot can fit about 20-30 cars but you might have trouble parking a large motorhome so plan accordingly. There’s also some pit toilets at the trailhead which you might want to take advantage of since there’s not many places to go while you’re in the slot canyon.

There may be small ankle-deep puddles through the slot canyon depending on the time of year. Wear plenty of sunscreen and bring lots of water since the desert sun can be brutal in this area. Consider packing a lunch and eating on the red rock for a fun picnic.

Trail basics and what to expect

The entire hike makes an 8.1 mile loop that winds through Little Wild Horse and Bell canyons. However, most people just hike the slot canyon section which is out and back about 3 miles or so. That’s what we prefer to do as well.

This fun hike begins on a wide wash that slowly narrows into an eroded red rock canyon with amazing formations all around you. The slot canyon is divided into three sections, each section ending with a wide opening in the red rock. You can turn around and head back to the parking lot after any of these three sections.

There is a little bit of scrambling over some rocks but nothing too difficult. Most people in relatively good shape can handle this hike. Our three-year-old loved this hike and we would carry her on our shoulders randomly throughout the hike.

Here’s a short video that shows our hike Little Wild Horse Canyon from beginning to end.

More from My Silly Squirts: Hiking the Red Reef Trail in St. George, Utah

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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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If you’re wondering, yes, duct tape wallets are still super cool and yes, you need to learn how to make one right now. So, ignore all those other tutorials online because this one is super easy and only takes about 10 minutes! Check it out!

My husband was actually the first person to introduce me to duct tape wallets when we were dating. He made one right in front of my eyes. It was true love. But, seriously though, they are really easy to make and are perfect as homemade gifts. So, let’s get started.

Gather your duct tape wallet supplies

You’ll just need a few essentially to get started on this exciting craft. Here’s the list:

• Crafting duct tape (two different colors)
• Scissors or Exacto knife (scissors tend to get sticky from the tape, so Exacto knives work better if you have one)
• Measuring tape
• Cutting mat (optional)

You can make these wallets with just plain old gray duct tape, but I prefer patterned tape. Here’s some options:

• Tye dye
• Starry galaxy
• Camo
• Polka dot
• Smiley faces

Create the duct tape fabric

First, you’ll need to create a sheet of duct tape “fabric” that will form your wallet. It’s basically about an 8″ x 8″ square of duct tape with sticky sides together. To do this, cut four 9″ strips of duct tape for the main color of your wallet. Then, cut five 9″ strips of duct tape for the interior color and border of your wallet. Each strip doesn’t have to be exactly nine inches. You can just eye ball it.

Connect the four strips of duct tape of the same color together horizontally. Overlap each strip slightly onto each other until they are all connected.

Then, tape the five remaining strips of duct tape (of a different color) to the sheet of four strips (sticky sides together). Leave about a 1/2″ overhang on the top and bottom and then fold those edges over to form a border.

Trim and fold your wallet

Next, you’ll want to trim off the uneven edges of both sides of the duct tape fabric. It’s okay if it’s not a perfectly straight line. Then, fold the fabric like a hot dog so the open ends are on top. If the sides don’t line up exactly when you fold it, you can trim the sides a little bit more so they’re straight.

Make pocket and close sides

Now, you’ll want to close the sides of the wallet and finish the border. To do this, cut one strip of gray duct tape a little longer than the height of the folded wallet. Then, cut that small strip in half length-wise. Use one of those strips to fold over the left edge of the wallet and close off the left side. Trim the excess.

Before you do the same step on the right side to close it off, you’ll need to form the credit card pocket. Cut two strips of duct tape a little longer than the width of a credit card. Stick both of those strips sticky side together and place on the lower right side of the wallet. Then, seal of the right side of the wallet with the remaining small strip of duct tape and trim the excess.

Cut another piece of duct tape the same size as the credit card pocket and stick it on the lower half of the already placed credit card pocket piece. Add one more strip of duct tape to finish the left side of the credit card pocket.

Duct tape wallet tips and tricks

• Exacto knife: An Exacto knife is much easier to use because scissors get gummed up by the duct tape.
• Measurements: You don’t have to be exact in your measurements. Just use a measuring tape to make sure the beginning strips are 9 inches long.
• Cutting mat: When trimming and cut pieces of duct tape, try using a cutting mat or even a cutting board.
• Kids: If your child wants to participate, try making the duct tape fabric first since that is the most difficult part.
• Great gift idea: Duct tape wallets are the perfect homemade gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, Christmas or just for fun!
• Additional pockets: If you want to get even more fancy, try adding more pockets on the right and left sides.
• Different colors: Add your own style to your wallets by experimenting with different borders, patterns and colors.

Here’s a video that I made explaining step-by-step how to make these fun wallets.

Hopefully this blog post was helpful for you. Let me know how your wallets turn out in the comments below.

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If you’re a Latter-day Saint, then you know what a big deal it is to serve a mission. So, here’s one of those LDS missionary gift ideas that you don’t want to pass up. Show your missionary you care with a treat pocket. Check it out!

Missionaries are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who leave their homes for 18 months–2 years to serve others and share the gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide. My husband and I are assigned to prepare these missionaries in our local congregation. I was trying to think of a gift I could give them as they head out on their missions. That’s how I came up with elder and sister treat pockets. Here’s how you can make one today.

#1: Download and print your treat pocket PDF

I designed this cute missionary gift to that it can be easily downloaded and made right at home. You don’t need a fancy cutting machine or anything. It is an 8.5×11 PDF that contains two pages. The first page includes the instructions for the elder treat pocket and the second page includes instructions for the sister treat pocket.

Click on the link at the end of this post to download your PDF.

#2: Gather your supplies

It only took me about 10 minutes to assemble this adorable treat pocket. First, you’ll want to print this PDF on cardstock so that it won’t be flimsy. Here’s all the supplies you’ll need to make this treat pocket:

• Printed PDF on cardstock (see link an end of this post)
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Tape
• Pen

#3: Print, cut and fold your treat pocket

Once printed, cut along the solid line in the middle of the page. Fold the left and right sections along the dotted lines and glue or tape the two flaps together on the back.

Cut 1-inch solid line and fold the flaps down to form a shirt collar. Cut out the tie and glue it just below the folded collar. Then, cut the badge and glue it next to the tie. Fold the bottom 1/4” and tape it to the back to finish the pocket.

#4: Add a note and special surprise

The last and final step is to add your personal touch to this thoughtful gift. Cut out the rectangle on the printed PDF and write a note to your missionary. Insert your note with anything else you think your missionary would like. Here’s a few ideas:

• Favorite candy bar
• Bookmark
• Picture of your family
• Scripture reference card
• Picture of Jesus
• Missionary Lego figurine
• Gospel Study Stickers
• Look unto Christ silicone bracelet
• Book of Mormon timeline bookmark
• Pack of gum
• I believe in Christ sticker
• Called to Serve necklace or Called to Serve tie clip

I hope out of all the LDS missionary gift ideas that you have found on the internet, that this one helped you out a little bit. Here’s a link to download your missionary treat pocket below:

LDS Missionary Treat Pocket PDF

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I love spring and all things Easter. It’s such a fun and happy time of year. So, of course, you’ll want to make some Easter treats and snacks to add to the springtime fun. Check out these 20 easy recipes to get you started.

Truth be told, I’m not much of a cook. That’s why I’m always looking for easy recipes to use during the holidays. I’ve hand-picked these 20 recipes because they are adorable and very, very easy. Take a look!

#1: Bunny Butt Cookies

#2: Creamy Easter Dip

#3: Easter Bunny Punch

#4: White Chocolate Easter Bark

#5: Colored Deviled Eggs

#6: Easter Candy Charcuterie Board

#7: No-bake Birds Nest Cookies

#8: Rice Krispie Treat Easter Pops

#9: Bunny Bait

#10: Carrot Patch Dirt Cups

#11: Peeps Drip Cake

#12: Jell-O Easter Eggs

#13: Spring Flower Pretzel Bites

#14: Easter Fruit Kabobs

#15: Easter Peep Houses

#16: Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars

#17: 4-ingredient Easter Puff Corn

#18: Bunny Bread

#19: Baby Chick Dipped Wafers

#20: Easter Egg Oreo Cookie Balls

I hope these Easter treats and snacks will help you as you are planning for your Easter celebrations. Let me know if you have any other recipe ideas in the comments below.

More from My Silly Squirts: Print your free Easter Activity Page!

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The Gold Coast Australia has some amazing attractions and pristine beaches. But some of them can be pretty expensive. That’s why I’ve created this list of top 10 FREE things you can do while visiting this iconic corner of the world and save some money at the same time. Check it out!

My husband and I finally bit the bullet and flew from Utah all the way to Australia. Among our many stops was the Gold Coast. This amazing stretch of land is chock full of gorgeous beaches, animals and jungle adventures. Here’s our favorite tourist spots that are completely free.

#1: Burleigh Head National Park overlook

This scenic coastal hike through lush rainforest leads you to an incredible ocean overlook of the Gold Coast. If you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of wildlife including lizards, whales, birds and koalas. A local resident told me that she even saw a koala and her baby walking along the trail once.

#2: Tree top walkway

About an hour’s drive inland from the Gold Coast, you’ll find a super cool tree top walkway in Lamington National Park. This short hike leads you along bridges suspended up to 110 feet above the ground. It includes nine suspension bridges and two observation decks. And it is completely free. Even getting to the walkway is amazing with scenic windy roads through one of Australia’s many national parks.

#3: Ride bikes along the Gold Coast beach

If you don’t have your own bike, then I guess this technically isn’t free. But, we rented a Lime bike and road the entire length of the Gold Coast and it was fabulous. You can see so much more of the city and it was one of my favorite things that we did. For about an hour, I think I paid about $25. Not bad. Highly recommend.

#4: Shopping at Surfer’s Paradise

Surfer’s Paradise is the Gold Coast’s epicenter and there is tons of shopping. From street performers to souvenir shops to delicious restaurants, it has it all. You could easily spend a day there if you wanted. The night life is particularly lively with people walking around enjoying the ocean air.

#5: Tallebudgera Creek Beach inlet

If you’re looking for a fun place to swim with calmer waters that are more “family-friendly”, Tallebudgera Creek Beach is the place to be. Take a quick, refreshing dip and enjoy a picnic on the beach. With bathrooms close by and restaurants steps away, this was a super fun place for us to cool off after a long day of site seeing. We LOVED it!

#6: Melaleuca Boardwalk and Kangaroo Trail

If you want to see some wild kangaroos and possibly a koala or two, check out the Melaleuca Boardwalk and Kangaroo Trail in the Coombabah Lakelands. Just a 20-minute drive from the Gold Coast, you’ll experience Australia’s wildlife at its finest. This short walk will not disappoint. Truthfully, we didn’t get a chance to walk this trail, we ran into some people who said they saw multiple koala in the trees and plenty of kangaroo jumping around.

#7: Natural Bridge at Springbrook National Park

If you’re up for a scenic drive inland through Australia’s lush landscape, head over to Natural Bridge in Springbrook National Park. This trail leads you into an arched cave with a waterfall plunging from above. At night, you can witness the tiny green lights of thousands of nocturnal glow worms. It’s definitely a site to see.

#8: Snapper Rocks and Rainbow Bay Beach

The Gold Coast is world-renowned for excellent surfing beaches. You can watch surfers attempt to catch some of the best waves in the world while enjoying a picnic on the beach near the Rainbow Bay Surf Club. We happened to be there just days before a Cyclone Alfred was about to hit the Gold Coast. Professional surfers from around the world were riding giant waves. Crowds of people flocked to the area to watch. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

#9: Feed the pelicans at Ian Dipple Lagoon

For a family-friendly experience, check out Harvey Park and Ian Dipple Lagoon. This wave-free lagoon protected by a sandbar is the perfect place to swim. With playgrounds surrounding the area, your kids will have a blast. Plus, around 1:30 p.m., staff from Charis Seafood feed the local pelicans. It’s amazing!

#10: Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens

Only 10 minutes from Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast, this hidden garden oasis is completely free to the public. It is definitely worth a visit. You can stroll along the boardwalks, do some bird watching next to the lake or just sit and enjoy the beautiful scenery around you.

Bonus: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Although definitely not free, this sanctuary is worth a visit if you want to experience all of Australia’s native animals up close. The highlight is the kangaroo area. You can sit right next to them, feed them by hand and enjoy the company of these magical animals.

What other fun and free places do you know about on the Gold Coast Australia? Let me know in the comments below. Also, here’s my complete adult travel essentials idea list of everything you might need to buy when traveling abroad. Thanks for visiting!

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Getting baptized is a huge day for any Latter-day Saint and it needs to be celebrated! So, give that special family member, friend or ward member these simple LDS baptism gift tags that will remind them 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.

Download and print your LDS baptism gift tags

I designed these gift tags in two convenient sizes: large (4.24×5.5) and small (2.77×3.7). You can print these high-quality PDFs at home or send them to your local copy store. I recommend printing them on cardstock so they are more sturdy. To purchase and print these tags, just click on the link at the end of this blog post.

Cut out your tags

This printable download includes four large tags and nine small tags for a total of two pages. The small tags pair well with the regular-sized Kit Kat candy bars you buy at the grocery store. The large tags go well with the eight-pack Kit Kat snack bars.

You can cut out your tags with scissors but I prefer to use a paper cutter. It leaves a cleaner cut and it’s much faster.

Attach the candy bar to the tag

Finally, tie a ribbon around the Kit Kat candy bar. Then punch a hole in the corner of the tag and tie it to the ribbon. Curl the loose ends of the ribbon with the edge of the scissors and you’re done! You can write

You can write a note to the person on the back of the gift tag if you’d like. These LDS baptism gift tags are perfect for primary presidencies or Sunday school teachers who want to give a small gift to the members of their class or primary who are getting baptized that year.

Download and print your tags

Click on the link below to purchase, download and print your LDS baptism gift tags.

Kit Kat Baptism Gift Tag

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Everyone knows who the Boys Scouts of America are. But have you ever considered whether or not your child should participate? As a Latter-day Saint, here’s my unique perspective on the pros and cons of joining this century-old youth organization. Take a look!

After more than 100 years of participation, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints discontinued its relationship with the Boy Scouts of America in 2020. As a life-long member of the church, scouting was a big part of my family’s life. My dad was a scoutmaster for years. So, it was a bit of an adjustment when the announcement came. The question came to my mind, should I still enroll my own kids in scouting?

For several years after the announcement, my boys no longer participated in scouting. However, one day, my neighbor told me about a local scout troop that her son signed up for. Since I still loved scouting and knew how beneficial it could be, I enrolled my second oldest son. We haven’t looked back since. So, here’s a few things I’ve learned since that time and then you can decide if scouting is right for you. Check it out!

What is scouting?

Scouting America (formerly known as Boys Scouts of America) is an organization for youth ages 11 to 18 focusing on character development, leadership and outdoor exploration. It was established in 1910 and has more than one million youth members.

What are the pros of participating in scouts?

I believe the pros of scouting far outweigh the cons. Here are a few things that I have noticed since two of my boys have been enrolled.

Develop lifelong skills: Scouting helps kids learn how to develop essential skills that they will use for the rest of their life such as outdoor survival skills, first aid, time and money management, leadership and teamwork.

Learn how to serve: In order to obtain the highest recognition in scouting, a scout must complete more than 20 hours of service. This helps these boys look beyond themselves.

Become patriotic and respectful: These youth come to appreciate what it means to be a citizen of the United States of America and show respect for their country. They understand the importance of patriotism and being proud to be an American.

Provides a sense of accomplishment: Twice a year, my boys’ troop holds a Court of Honor to recognize all of the merit badges and rankings they has passed off. I’ve never seen my boys more proud of themselves than when they have accepted their awards for their hard work in front of their peers. It gives them a lot of confidence.

Brings family togetherness: Although scouting is an individual endeavor, as a family we are highly involved. My husband attends most of the campouts and I am constantly helping my boys pass off their rankings and merit badges. We really do get closer as a family thanks to scouting.

What are the cons of participating in scouting

Not any program is perfect and boys scouts is no exception. However, I have found that the cons of scouting are very manageable.

Expensive: Just like participating in a sport or other program, there are fees associated with scouting. With registration fees, scout camps, activities and gear, you’ll probably spend around $700 to $1000 per year.

Time consuming: An active scout troop should be holding one activity per week in addition to monthly camping trips. It is not only time consuming for the scout, it also requires a lot of time from the parents as well.

Tips and tricks to making the most of boy scouts

• Find a good troop: If you want your kids to participate in scouts, finding the right troop is the most important part. My sons are lucky because we have a troop with some amazing leaders who really care about the kids. They are super organized and involved. So, do your research before signing up for just any troop.
• Set realistic goals: The Eagle Scout award is the ultimate goal of every scout, but it takes years to get there. Help you scout set realistic, achievable goals so they don’t get discouraged. Create a timeline so they have something to work towards.
• Actively participate: If you are thinking that you’ll sign your child up for scouting and the leaders will do all of the work, then maybe you shouldn’t do it. Parents need to help A LOT. There is a fine line between doing the work for your child and helping them do it themselves.
• Make it a priority: I see so many kids who are dedicated to their dance team or their basketball team. They make it a priority. The same should be said for scouting. This isn’t a passive program.

I hope these tips will help you as you are researching boy scouts for your own kids. I am super appreciative of all the the scouting program has already done for my kids. It’s a really fantastic program and I think every youth should participate in it.

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The post Is Boy Scouts still worth it? A Latter-day Saints perspective appeared first on My Silly Squirts.

Did you know that Utah has 13 different hot springs? Although some are more popular than others, they are the perfect destination for a little quick pit spot. So, whether you’re a Utah native or just passing through, check out these natural hot springs throughout the Beehive state.

As a Utah native, I’ve visited most, but not all of Utah’s 13 hot springs. They are a super fun place to go for a day trip with family and friends and many of them are completely free and conveniently located right along the Wasatch front. So, check out this complete list of all 13 hot springs in Utah.

Northern Utah

#1: Crystal Hot Springs
Honeyville, Utah

These popular springs were established as a public pool in 1901. These hot springs contain the highest mineral content of any hot spring in the world. Some of the pools can get up to 134 degree Fahrenheit. There is an entrance fee and no one is allowed to swim outside of regular business hours. We used to camp at Crystal Hot Springs and catch crawdads in the nearby river when I was little, but I guess they don’t allow camping anymore. To learn more, click here.

#2: Old Indian Hot Springs
Corrine, Utah

What might appear as a graffitied garbage heap is a natural hot spring located about 6 miles west of Corinne, Utah. This natural hot spring consists of three rectangular cement pools surrounded by plywood. Although, unsavory to the eye, the water is rich with minerals. Before the 2020 earthquake, the water averaged 104 degrees Fahrenheit. However, after the earthquake, the temperature has increased to about 113 degrees. If you’re brave enough to take a dip, you’ll be rewarded with a very, very warm bath. To learn more, click here.

#3: Saratoga Hot Springs
Saratoga Springs, Utah

This free hot spring is located about a 1/4 of a mile from the parking lot along the Jordan River Trail west of Utah Lake in a city called Saratoga Springs. This is a popular destination close to the Wasatch Front and is heavily trafficked. However, all ages are welcome to soak in the warm water any time of year. To learn more, click here.

#4: Fifth Water Hot Springs
Spanish Fork, Utah

Sometimes called Diamond Fork Hot Springs, this popular hot spring is located up Diamond Fork Canyon. You can hike in from the top or the bottom and it’s about 4 miles out and back. All ages are welcome and is free to the public. The pools can get up to 111 degrees Fahrenheit, but there are several pools with varying degrees of hot and cold. There are no bathrooms to change into your swimming suit near these pools, so just wear your swimming suit under your clothes. Click here to learn more.

#5: Homestead Crater Mineral Dome
Midway, Utah

This 10,000-year-old geothermal hot spring sits beneath a 55-foot tall beehive-shaped limestone rock formation and is located on the Homestead Resort property in Midway, Utah, according to gohebervalley.com. It is a one-of-a-kind experience to swim in this mineral-rich water that maintains an average of 95 degrees Fahrenheit and is 65 feet deep. However, this unique experience isn’t free. It will set you back about $15 for a 40-minute swim and reservations are required. To learn more, click here.

Central Utah

#6: Meadow Hot Springs
Meadow, Utah

These fun hot pools are located pretty close off of I-15 near Fillmore, Utah. They are the perfect pit stop for a quick dip. There are two main pools and you can park right next to them. Our family loves taking a swim at the Meadow Hot Springs whenever we’re passing through. The springs are located on private property, but the land owners allow free access. So, make sure you are respectful and clean up after yourself. To learn more, click here.

#7: Red Hill Hot Springs
Monroe, Utah

These small and relatively unknown hot springs are located in Monroe, Utah. There are two very small pools and one larger pool that can accommodate several people. These hot springs are free and a perfect alternative to visiting the Mystic Springs Hot Springs nearby which are quite expensive (see below). To learn more, click here.

#8: Mystic Hot Springs
Monroe, Utah

Touted as the best “hippie hot springs in the West”, this resort provides soaking pools and cast iron bathtubs for those willing to pay. A two-hour soaking pass will set you back $25. However, if you’re looking for a unique Utah experience, it might be worth the money. Water temperatures remain between 99 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. To learn more, click here.

#9: Baker Hot Springs
Delta, Utah

Located in the middle of nowhere near Delta, Utah, Baker Hot Springs is a local favorite. Three concrete tubs of hot mineral water adjacent to a lava field are constantly filled with people looking to take a dip. Temperatures run from extremely hot to lukewarm so visitors can soak to their liking. To learn more, click here.

Southern Utah

#10: Veyo Pool Crawdad Canyon
Veyo, Utah

Located in sunny southern Utah, Veyo Pool Hot Springs is a family hot spring that remains around 95-98 degrees. The large pool is filled daily with geothermal mineral water. It basically looks like a community pool but with the benefits of a hot spring. Next to the pool is a river that has multiple warm springs that run into it. As a result, there is a large population of crawdads. For $16 you can access the canyon to swim in the pool, catch crawdads, play in the river, rock climb and hike. To learn more, click here.

#11: Zion Canyon Hot Springs
This $60 million luxury hot springs resort recently opened July 2025 in La Verkin, Utah. This resort features 53 bodies of water, including 32 natural hot spring pools and a mix of mineral pools, barrel saunas, cold plunge pools and a freshwater pool and whirlpool. You can take a dip for about $39-$69 per person depending on the package. Check it out here.

Western Utah

#12: Blue Lake
Wendover, Utah

On the very western edge of Utah near Wendover, you’ll find this beautiful geothermal lake. Naturally heated water comes out of the ground from the bottom of the lake at about 85 degrees. This lake is super popular for scuba divers and fishermen. Although not super well-maintained, its surrounding are gorgeous and worth a visit. While you are there, drive about one hour south and explore Goshute Cave. You won’t regret it. To learn more about Blue Lake, click here.

#13: Gandy Warm Springs
Gandy, Utah

About two hours west of Delta, Utah, you’ll find warm spring pools, a small waterfall and a cool cave all in one! You can park right next to these pools and start swimming. The water is super clear and it’s literally an oasis in the middle of the desert. The water remains around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so it might be a little bit cold if visiting during the winter. Due to its remote location, it’s not as heavily trafficked as some of the other hot springs, but it’s definitely worth the visit. Most visitors say it’s one of the best warm springs they have ever been to. To learn more, click here.

I hope you enjoyed this list of fun hot springs in Utah. Let me know if I missed any hot springs on my list in the comments below. Enjoy!

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Sometimes it’s hard to think of an easy and fun activity that your LDS youth or primary kids would like. That’s why I love leaving temple notes for temple workers. It’s a great way to serve our temple workers and reminds everyone of the importance of attending the temple. Here’s how to do it.

Every Tuesday, I work at the Mount Timpanogos Temple as an LDS ordinance worker in American Fork, Utah. I know I would love it if I were to receive a thank you note on my car after a five-hour shift. This is such an easy service to perform but can have such a lasting impact on so many people. Check it out!

Download and print your thank you tags

I designed a really simple thank you tag that you can attach to a sample bag of candy. Each tag is 2.58″ wide x4.69″ tall and there are six to a page. Simply click on the link at the end of this blog post to purchase, download and print these thank you tags.

I also added an inspirational quote from President Russell M. Nelson that reads: “Every time you worthily serve and worship in the temple, you leave armed with God’s power and with His angels having charge over you.”

Cut and attach candy to each tag

Although there are only six thank you tags per page, you can print as many copies of the tags as you want. Then simply cut each tag out and punch a hole in the top of each one with a hole punch.

Next, you’ll need to attach a small candy to each tag. You could simply staple a candy like a Tootsie roll or a Werther’s caramel to the tag. But I think it looks a lot cute if you place a few candies in a small cellophane bag (3″x4″) and tie it off with some ribbon.

Here are some candies or treats that you could give away with your thank you tag:

• Dove chocolates
• Werther’s caramels
• Hershey’s kisses
• Reese’s peanut butter cups
• M&Ms
• Skittles
• Tootsie rolls
• Homemade cookies
• Jolly ranchers
• Airheads
• Gum

You can include the assembling of the temple notes as part of your activity before you head off to the temple. Depending on which temple you are at, you could make as many thank you notes as you would like. You’ll just want to make enough so that everyone has a chance to participate.

Head to the temple and place on cars

Jump in the car and head to your nearest temple. Make sure you plan ahead and go on a day when your temple isn’t closed for cleaning. Divide into groups and spread out in the parking lot and place one thank you note under each windshield wiper of every car.

You will want to make sure an adult accompanies each group of youth or children. Remind everyone that they need to be reverent and respectful around the cars. Be careful when lifting the windshield wipers so nothing breaks. Make sure each note is secured under the wiper so that it doesn’t blow away.

I hope you have fun delivering these thank you notes for temple workers during your next activity. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

Click on the link below to purchase and download your printable thank you notes:

LDS temple worker thank you tag PDF printable

Not a member of the LDS church?

If you would like to learn more about the beliefs of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, visit our website to learn more or schedule a visit with one of our missionaries.

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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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Having good table manners doesn’t necessarily come naturally for toddlers and kiddos. That’s something their parents need to teach them. So, it’s always nice to review some of the main table manners for kids to help them start off on the right foot. Check it out!

I have four boys and one little girl. Needless to say, I’ve had plenty of experience teaching children about table manners. Although it seems like a losing battle at times, it’s worth the effort. And your kids will thank you when they are adults. Here’s 12 table manners for kids that easy to teach.

#1: Don’t play with your food

This is a particularly hard one for those two- and three-year olds. They just loves digging their hands into the food and making a huge mess. A good way to enforce this is to make your child clean up the mess they made after playing with their food.

#2: Take small bites

My second oldest son is the biggest culprit of stuffing too much food in his mouth. He can basically fit an entire burrito in his mouth and it is disgusting. A good rule of thumb is if it is larger than a tablespoon, it’s too big to put in your mouth.

#3: Don’t complain about the food

Nothing makes the cook feel worse about their cooking than when someone says, “Ew, gross!” or “What is that?” Tell your kids that even if it looks disgusting, you don’t have to vocalize it. It’s rude and inappropriate.

#4: No electronics at the table

Dinnertime is family time. In order to avoid screen zombies during dinner, you can have your older children place their phones and other electronics in a basket. Then, you can have an actual conversation with your kids instead of refereeing the screens.

#5: No farting or burping

I feel like this rule shouldn’t even have to be explained. But, I have been to homes where people freely burped at the table. If my kids fart or burp at the table, they have dishes duty that night. No exceptions.

#6: Wait your turn to talk

I can’t tell you how many times my husband and I have been interrupted by children while we are talking at the table. This is a good practice for self-control and patience for everyone at the table. You can also have a “talking stick” that you pass around so every knows whose turn it is to talk.

#7: Clear your plates and utensils

Mom or dad shouldn’t have to clear the table after dinner. Everyone should have to help. All it takes is a few reminders after dinner and it will become second nature for your kids to clear their own plates and utensils.

#8: Ask to be excused

I really like this rule because some of my kids inhale their food in the first couple minutes of dinner and then take off into their rooms. Making your kids ask to be excused allows you to make them sit at the table a little longer and tell you how their day was.

#9: Say “please” and “thank you”

It is common curtesy to say “please” and “thank you” when asking to pass the food. And my kids definitely know they have to say “thank you” to the cook after each meal.

#10: Use your indoor voice

Sometimes I feel like I’m at a freaking zoo filled with monkeys during dinner time. There is crying and yelling and teasing and fighting. If kids can’t use their indoor voice, they go straight into time out until they can behave like a normal person.

#11: Wash your hands

This rule should really be at the top. Everyone needs to wash their hands before dinner. Keep hand soap and a towel handy before dinner so your kids have no excuses.

#12: Chew with your mouth closed

I always tell my kids that if they don’t chew with their mouths closed, they won’t get any dates when they are older. This one just requires constant reminding because, let’s be honest, I have seen adults do this.

I hope you liked all of these tips for table manners for kids. I’ve designed a simple 8.5×11 printable poster with all of these tips. You can hang it on your fridge or in your classroom. To purchase and download this printable, click on the link below.

Table Manners for Kids Printable

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Birthday parties can be complicated and stressful. But they don’t have to be. With a little bit of planning and self-control, your child can have a super memorable party while keeping your sanity at the same time. Here’s some tips to help you out.

I love throwing a good birthday party for each of my kids. They are only little for so long and I like to take advantage of each year. However, it is possible to go overboard. There’s a fine balance. That’s why over the years of throwing party after party, I’ve set my own parameters so that I’m happy and my kid is happy. Check it out.

Tip #1: Set a budget

I usually tell my kids that I am not going to spend more than $100 on their birthday party. That way, when my child asks if they can take their 10 friends to Disneyland, they already know the answer. No. If $100 sounds cheap, then set a different budget. But whatever your limit is, stick to it.

Tip #2: DIY the birthday cake

Custom cakes are sooooo expensive nowadays. You can spend $100 alone just on the cake. Instead, spend $5 on cake mix and store-bought frosting and call it good. The kids honestly don’t even care. You can also drop by your local bakery right before closing time and buy a bunch of half-off donuts and make a donut cake.

Tip #3: Request no gifts

This one sounds crazy, I know. But my son recently went to a birthday party and they requested bring a can of food for the local food pantry instead of a gift. It helps your child be less greedy and focus more on just having fun.

Tip #4: Recruit help from other parents

Nothing is more stressful than trying to host a birthday party with 10 wild 8-year-olds all by yourself. Try asking one of the moms or a friend to help you out during the party. More than likely, I’m sure they’ll say yes.

Tip #5: Send e-invites

There is no reason that you need to print a bunch of birthday invitations and hand- deliver them to all of your kids’ friends. It’s just a lot of extra work. Instead, hop on Etsy and spend $5 to customize and text your invite to all of your guests.

Tip #6: Buy your party decorations used

People sell used birthday party decorations on Facebook Marketplace all the time. That’s because they spent a fortune buying them even though they know they are never going to use them again. My son wanted a Mario birthday party and I bought an entire box of decorations on Facebook for $20. It saved me so much money.

Tip #7: Limit the guest list

Sometimes, birthday parties are so stressful because there are so many flipping kids! Instead, tell you child that they can invite two of their very best friends. With a smaller group, they can do something a little bit more expensive and it’s way less stress on your part. My son invited two of his friends to an art studio and all of them got to have a personalized painting session. They loved it.

Tip #8: Choose an all-inclusive birthday venue

If money’s not an issue, this is a really great option. Whether it’s a bounce house, museum, local pool or arcade, there are so many places that host birthday parties. All you have to do is show up and they take care of everything. Now, if that’s not stress-free, I don’t know what is.

Tip #9: Host “friend” parties every other year

I have a lot of friends who tell their kids that they can only have a big party with their friends every other year. During the off years, they get to go out to dinner and spend time together doing something fun as a family. This works for a lot of people. But, I still like to throw a party for my kids every year, ha ha.

Tip #10: Try a birthday scavenger hunt

Every kid loves a good scavenger hunt and it’s a fun game for any birthday party. They are pretty simple to set up and everyone gets a prize at the end. If it’s cold outside, you can do an indoor scavenger hunt. Or, if you want to be really adventurous, you can do a traveling scavenger hunt.

Tip #11: Make your kids help

There is no reason why mom needs to do all of the work. Have your child help decorate, make the cake, shop for supplies and definitely clean up after that party is over. It will help them appreciate all the work that goes into planning a fun birthday party.

Tip #12: Give experiences instead of gifts

Instead of buying your kids some random toy they will forget about a week later, give them experience birthday coupons. You can give them a lunch date with mom or 30 minutes of free screen time. The possibilities are limitless and you’ll be surprised how much they like it.

Tip #13: Say no to the piñata

Kids love piñatas but they are the worst! The kids go crazy and without fail, someone always get hit really hard with the stick. It is seriously chaos and honestly the kids don’t need more candy. I started saying no to piñatas several years ago and our birthday parties have been way less stressful.

Tip #14: Skip the goody bags

Goody bags at birthday parties are pretty much an unnecessary expense. The kids are completely happy playing games, eating ice cream and having fun with their friends. If you do want to give something away at the end of the party, try handing out a simple toy light a glow stick or a squirt gun with a thank you note on it.

Tip #15: Keep it to an hour

Yep, you heard me. One hour is plenty of time to host a simple birthday party in your home. Whenever I try to host a party for longer than an hour, I find myself trying to entertain a house full of kids for the last half hour. Short and sweet, that’s my motto.

What other tips do you have to keep your birthday parties simple and stress-free? Let me know in the comments below.

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If you’re looking for an easy and fun hiking trail for the whole family, then you don’t want to miss the Red Reef Trail just north of St. George, Utah. This picturesque hike is easy enough for a toddler but adventurous enough for any adult. Check it out!

Our family has hiked this fun trail a couple of times and it’s always a treat. Whether in the summer or the winter, we have always loved it. Plus, it is easy enough for our three-year-old. She hiked the entire way! Check it out.

At a glance: Red Reef Trail

• Ages: All ages welcome
• Cost: $5 per vehicle (unless you have a National Parks Pass)
• Duration: 1-2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Distance: 0.6 miles one way (can continue to hike the entire 5.7 miles one way but most people just turn around after the first 0.6 miles)
• Location: Leeds, Utah. From I-15 northbound, take exit 22 for UT-228 north toward Leeds, then turn right onto Old Highway 91. Continue for 2 miles, then turn right onto west Red Cliffs Campground Road. Follow the campground road 1.5 miles to access day-use parking along the campground loop. The Red Reef Trailhead is located between campsites two and three. 

About the Red Reef Trail

This beautiful hike is part of the Red Cliffs National Recreation Area. The entire trail is actually 5.7 miles one way but most people just hike 0.6 miles to the small waterfall that forms into a pool of water during the wet season. It follows the Quail Creek drainage and offers 360 views of majestic red rock cliffs.

Parking for the hike is limited

During the busy spring and fall seasons and on weekends and holidays, day-use parking is super limited. It fills up pretty fast. The parking lot is right next to the Red Cliffs Campground and you actually have to walk through the campground to get to the trailhead.

There is however an overflow parking lot but it will essentially double your hiking time. So, I suggest dropping off everyone near the trail head and then just having one person park the car. It will limit the amount of complaining from the kids, ha ha.

What time of year is best to hike the trail?

Most people love to hike this trail during the runoff in late spring. It creates a beautiful waterfall cascade and fills the slickrock bowls with water. Spring break in Utah is a particularly busy time. There are foot holds carved into the rock. Anyone up for an adventure can climb up and slide down the waterfall into the pool of water.

However, this hiking trail is super beautiful any time of year. We also visited towards the end of December. Although there was no waterfall, it was still fun to climb around the red rock and soak in the gorgeous landscape. Plus, there was plenty of parking and we didn’t have to use the overflow.

Other tips and tricks to hiking Red Reef

• Don’t miss the dinosaur tracks. As you are walking through the Red Reef Campground before you reach the official trailhead, you will see signs for dinosaur tracks. It’s a quick detour but worth it to see actual dinosaur tracks!
• Restrooms are available. Before you get started on your hike, there are pit toilets available as part of the campground. There are some right by the dinosaur tracks.
• Try camping. The Red Cliffs Campground has 11 campsites that are tent-camping only for just $15 per night. You can book up to six months in advance.

• Tortoises and Gila monsters. Keep an eye out for Mojave desert tortoises and Gila monsters. You’re lucky if you spot one but stay on designated trails.
• Bring a lunch. Day-use picnic tables are scattered around the campground area nestled among the cottonwood trees. It’s the perfect spot to stop for lunch.
• Be careful on the slick rock. Carved-out foot holds make it easier to climb the slick rock near the waterfall, but be careful. It can still be slippery and when it’s crowded, it can be easy to slip and fall.
• Toquerville Falls. If you’re up for an even bigger adventure, head over to Toquerville Falls about one hour north. But you’ll need a 4×4 vehicle to traverse the rocky trail.

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It’s time to take a twist this classic TV game show with these fun and easy LDS Family Feud game. Perfect for your next family night, LDS youth activity or Relief Society activity. Everything you need is in one convenient PDF printable. Check it out today!

I loved watching Family Feud when I was younger. That’s why it was so much fun putting together this game. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there are a lot of cultural aspects of my religion that are definitely worth making into survey questions for this game. The questions and responses were funny and entertaining. Check it out!

What is Family Feud?

Family Feud is a game show that began back in 1976. Two families compete to come up with the most popular answers to outrageous questions. Basically, the family with the most points, wins! So, creating a Latter-day Saint version only made sense. Here’s how to play it in your own home.

Download and print your LDS Family Feud game

I designed this game so that is can be completely printed from home. Although there are some Power Point versions of this game, sometimes it’s way easier just to do it the old fashioned way. This download includes:

• Detailed instruction page (8.5×11)
• LDS Family Feud display posters (8.5×11 and 11×17)
• Answer cover strips (8.5×11)
• 25 Survey Questions (all LDS culture related)

Just click on the link at the end of this blog post to purchase, download and print your game.

Set up your game

Hang the LDS Family Feud poster on the wall for everyone to see. Print out the LDS Family Feud question pages (25 total) and the Answer Cover Strips. Cut out the cover strips and tape them over each of the indvidual answers on the posters.

Place a game buzzer or bell on a small table at the front of the room. Line up two sets of five chairs on opposite sides of the room facing each other. Divide the players into teams of five. Write the names of each of the teams on a blackboard or whiteboard at the front of the room to keep score.

Games are played with two teams of up to five people per team. If you have more than 10 players, teams are rotated after each game of five questions. Or games can be played simultaneously in different rooms. Each game takes about 15-20 minutes.

How to play Family Feud (LDS version)

Have the team captain from each team come to the front of the room where the buzzer is on the table.

The host reads the first question (e.g., Name a Book of Mormon prophet) and the first person to hit the buzzer has five seconds to answer what they think is the best answer that is listed number one on question page. Remove the paper from over the item on the list that they answer correctly so they can see what’s already been guessed correctly.

If the person gets #1 on the list, their team has the choice to pass or play the round. When the person does not get #1, the other person in the face-off has five seconds to give an answer to try and get #1. If the second team gets #1, their team has a chance to pass or play the round. If a team chooses to pass on a round, the round is played by the opposing team.

To play a round, go to the next person in line on the team and ask them the same question. They have five seconds to give an answer. Then move on to the next person and repeat until the team either gets the answer or gets three strikes. A team gets a strike if they say an answer that is not on the board. If a team gets three strikes, the opposing team has the opportunity to steal all of the points on the board by guessing one of the remaining answers on the board.

If you want to play a lightning round at the end of the game, you can compile five of the survey questions and ask them separately to two members of the winning team. Give them 20 seconds to answer their questions.

I hope you have as much fun as we did playing this awesome Family Feud game that really tested our knowledge of the LDS culture. Play it with your family, youth groups or Relief Society.

To purchase, download and print your Family Feud game, click on the link below:

LDS Family Feud printable game

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If you’ve been putting off learning how to make a potato gun because you think it’s too hard, think again! It’s actually super easy and loads of fun for the entire family. Here’s how to make your own spud gun in three easy steps. Let’s get started!

I used to shoot potato guns/cannon/launcher with my family when I was little and I loved it! That’s why I’m surprised it has taken me so long to make a potato gun with my own kids. And to be honest, it was way easier than I thought it was going to be.

What are potato guns?

Potato guns are homemade devices made out of PVC pipe designed to shoot projectiles–typically potatoes–using combustion fuel such as hairspray. The combustion chamber is made of 4″ PVC pipe and the barrel is made of 2″ PVC pipe. They are joined together with reducer couplings. When the hairspray is triggered with a spark, it combusts and shoots whatever is in your chamber out of the barrel and into the air.

Important note: The United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms does not classify spud guns as firearms when they are used appropriately. However, they are considered weapons and can be dangerous. They are used for fun and recreation but are not toys. Use caution as you are building and discharging this weapon.

Gather your potato gun supplies

There are some very specific items that you will need to buy in order to make your potato cannon. Here’s your parts list:

• 4″ pvc pipe for the body
• 2″ pvc pipe for the barrel
• 4″ to 2″ reducer coupling (to attach the body to the barrel)
• 4″ end cap
• BBQ igniter
• PVC glue (pvc cement)
• Epoxy
• Hairspray or spray deodorant
• Potatoes

I spent about $60-$70 for all of my supplies. Honestly, some of the PVC pipes and fittings were kind of hard to find at any hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s. I ended up getting some of them on Amazon. I tried using a different end cap (see the black piece in the image below) because I couldn’t find a PVC one, but that didn’t work very well. My husband went to Home Depot with me and he found the right part right away.

Step #1: Cut your pipes

There are a lot of potato gun gurus out there and they have done a lot of research to figure out the best dimensions of potato guns for optimal performance. Instead of boring you with all of the details of how they figured that out, I’ll just tell you the results. The chamber of the gun needs to be 1 1/2 feet long, while the barrel should be 4 feet long.

Cut down your 4″ PVC pipe to 1 1/2 feet long and your 2″ PVC pipe to 4 feet long. My husband just used a hand saw cut off the excess on the edge of a table.

Step #2: Glue the pipes together

Glue the 4-foot barrel to the 1 1/2-foot chamber with a 4″ to 2″ reducer coupling using PVC glue. Don’t try to use any other glue type such as Gorilla Glue, hot glue or Super Glue. It won’t hold. Spread glue on the inside of the coupling and on the outside of the PVC pipes where the coupling will be placed. You can also wrap the connections with duct tape as well, but it’s not totally necessary.

Next, you’ll want to glue the end cap to the bottom of the chamber using PVC glue. Then, screw on the threaded cap.

Step #3: Install the igniter

The last and most important step in how to make a potato gun is to install the igniter. Using a larger drill bit, drill a hole into the lower portion of the chamber just above the end cap. That way you can push the igniter with your thumb while holding the chamber. Insert the igniter into the chamber so the button is still positioned on the outside. Then seal it to the chamber with epoxy so that it’s firmly attached and there is no air escaping out the sides.

Fire your potato gun!

All done! Now you’re ready to test out your potato launcher. Find a field or a very large area far away from houses and roads. These potato guns can shoot anywhere between 300 and 600 feet! Insert a potato into the barrel of the gun and use an old broom handle or long stick to push it to the end of the barrel. Spray hair spray directly into the chamber for about 2-3 seconds and then quickly screw on the cap. Aim your spud launcher and fire.

Potato gun tips and tricks

• Try using aerosol deodorant instead of hairspray. Sometimes the hairspray gums up the ignitor and it won’t spark.
• Safety first. Gloves and a safety shield over your face isn’t a bad idea. These are guns after all.
• Don’t spray too long. The chamber needs a combination of oxygen and fuel. If you spray too much hairspray into the chamber, it won’t ignite.
• Install an ignitor on the end cap lid. This way, when you spray into the chamber, the BBQ ignitor isn’t getting sprayed on directly.
• Try using a handheld lighter. I haven’t tried this, but I have seen other people un-install the BBQ ignitors and then simply insert a hand held lighter into the whole when you’re ready to fire. You can decide your fuel of choice.
• Allow kids to try with caution. Until you’ve shot your potato gun many times and you’re confident that it is safe, don’t let kids shoot it.
• Fire in a secluded area. As mentioned above, these guns can shoot up to 600 feet. Don’t shoot in neighborhoods, backyards or basically anywhere close to people, cars or houses.
• Never look into the barrel. Treat your potato gun the same way you would a normal firearm. Same precautions apply.
• Other ammo. Potatoes seem to work the best for ammo because they fit tightly into the barrel, however, you can also try a golf ball. Or some even like to use these as tennis ball cannons.

Here’s a video explaining how to make a potato gun and also shooting it. Enjoy!

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The only thing better than fresh tator tots are mini tator tot bites! Here’s the easiest and yummiest recipe and the perfect party appetizer. Check it out!

These loaded mini tator tot bites have all the deliciousness of a loaded baked potato in a cute, mini bite-sized snack. I made these for a recent neighborhood party and they were a huge hit. Plus, they were so easy to make. It’s definitely going on my list of favorite recipes. Let’s get started!

Gather your mini tator tot bites ingredients

This recipe is so simple, you might already have all the ingredients at home already. The main thing that you’ll need for this recipe that you might not have is a mini cupcake pan. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 48-cup mini cupcake pan
• Frozen tator tots
• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream (in a squeeze bottle)
• Bacon
• Green onions
• Pico de gallo (optional)

Cook your tots

I can’t emphasize enough how easy this appetizer is. You’ll thank me later. First, place on tator tot in each of the individual cups on the mini cupcake pan. There should be 48 cups total. Don’t forget to spray the pan first. Then, cook the tator tots in the oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes.

While your tots are cooking, chop up one bunch of green onions and cook about 6 slices of bacon. Once the tator tots are done, allow the pan to cool slightly. Then, take a teaspoon and push the back of the spoon into each of the tator tots while they are still in the pan. It should form each tator tot into a little cup. Sprinkle a little bit of shredded cheese onto each tator tot and then place the pan back into the oven for a few minutes until the cheese has melted.

Display on a tray and add garnish

Once the cheese on the bites has melted in the oven, carefully take each bite out of the pan and place them on a small tray, wooden cutting board or charcuterie board. Then, place a small dollop of sour cream onto each bite. I recommend using the squeeze bottle sour cream. It makes it so much easier. Lastly, sprinkle a little bit of green onion and chopped bacon to each bite. Then, you’re done! Easy, right?

These mini tator tot bites are best when served immediately while they are still warm. You can also place a small bowl of pico de gallo next to your appetizer if you want. It adds a nice little touch. I hope you love these as much as I do. Try them out at your next Christmas, Superbowl or backyard barbeque.

Here’s a little video showing how I made this fun appetizer for your viewing enjoyment:

Print

Loaded mini tator tot bites

This easy appetizer recipe is perfect for any party or gathering.

Keyword appetizer, bites, finger food, tator tots

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 48

Equipment

• 1 48 cup mini muffin pan

Ingredients

• 48 frozen tator tots
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 bunch of green onions
• 1 cup sour cream

Instructions

• Place one tator tot in each of the 48 cups of a sprayed mini muffin pan. Cook in the oven at 450 degrees for 20 minutes. Allow the tator tots to cool slightly and then press the back of a teaspoon into each of the tator tots while still in the pan to form a small cup. Sprinkle cheese onto each of the tots and then place the pan back into the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is melted.

  Once slightly cooled, place each of the tator tot cups onto a tray or charcuterie board. Squeeze a dollop of sour cream onto each tot bite. They sprinkle with bacon and green onions.

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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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Of all the places to visit in Paris, the 18th arrondissement (known as Monmartre) is one of the most charming and quintessential tourist spots in France. You don’t want to miss it. So, here’s the perfect, free self-guided Monmartre walking tour for your next trip.

I have been to Paris many times and Monmartre is definitely my most favorite places to visit in this beautiful city. It’s like walking through a movie set. But, don’t make the mistake of just visiting Sacre Coeur. There’s so much more to see! Here’s a self-guided walking tour that you will love.

9-stop walking tour

This super fun walking tour starts at the Lamarck-Caulaincourt stop on Line 12 and ends at the Moulin Rouge. It takes about 2-3 hours to complete the entire tour, so prepare yourself for lots of walking. Here’s each stop along the tour:

1. Famous Rue de l’Abreuvoir and Maison Rose (Instagram worthy)
2. Lunch at Grenouilles (tasty sandwiches and crepes)
3. Sacre Coeur (beautiful Cathedral, free to all and my favorite place in Paris)
4. Place du Tertre (soak in the atmosphere and pay an artist to paint your portrait)
5. Rue Foyatier (go on a ride on the Funicular and ride the carousel)
6. Maison Georges Larnicol Chocolate Shop (stop for a treat and snap a pic of Sacre Coeur)
7. Wall of “I love you” (the words “I love you” in 311 languages)
8. Rue Lepic (famous street with windmill)
9. Moulin Rouge (grab a pic out front, stay for a show)

Tips and tricks to visiting Monmartre

• Can’t see everything in one day: This walking tour is to get an overall feel of this beautiful area but it’s hard to see it all. Try coming back another day to see the areas you might have missed.
• Bring a love lock: This is one area of Paris that love locks are allowed, just below the Cathedral on the fence.
• Enjoy the dining opportunities: There are some amazing restaurants in Monmartre including Le Consulat, Cafe de Deux Moulin and La Maison Rose.
• Funicular: This fun automatic railway connects the foot with the summit of Butte Monmartre and is included with most Paris transportation passes.
• Bracelet scam: There are some scammers that try to tie a bracelet on your wrist and make you pay for it. Don’t fall for this scam.

• Don’t want to walk?: The Bus 40 in Paris takes you on a fun ride through the narrow, windy streets of Monmartre.
• Little Train of Monmartre: For a more enchanting tour through this inconic neighborhood, grab this cute train for 12 euros.
• Spend some money: There are so many cute shops and stores in Monmartre that you need to plan on spending a little bit of dough
• Nativities: Except during the holidays, nativities are hard to find in Paris. But they do sell them in the gift shop at Sacre Coeur.
• Spend all day there: On my next trip to Paris, I am going to set aside an entire day to visit Monmartre. It is really that awesome.
• Street performers: There are quite a few performers in this neighborhood. Keep some extra euros handy to show your appreciation.

I hope you enjoy your self-guided Monmartre walking tour. You won’t regret it. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

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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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Paris is a city that you definitely need to visit at least once in your life. But, as a first-time tourist, you’ll want to do your research so you don’t make some mistakes that could ruin your trip. Here’s 25 dos and don’ts in Paris that you need to know. Check it out!

So, I lived in France for a year and a half and I have visited Paris many, many times. In the process, I learned a thing or two about visiting this beautiful city. I’m passing this wealth of knowledge on to you.

Things you should DO when in Paris

• Book your must-see attractions in advance. There are so many people who visit Paris every year. If you don’t book the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Catacombs, Palais Garnier, Chateau de Versailles, Seine Dinner Cruises or Disneyland (to name a few) BEFORE you trip, tickets might not be available when you arrive.
• Carry some Euros for bathrooms. Unfortunately, bathrooms aren’t free in Paris. Every time you use the bathroom, you’ll have to pay one or two Euros unless you are a customer at a restaurant. You can download the Toilets in Paris app to find a bathroom nearest you.
• Take an Uber from the airport to your hotel. I have dragged my luggage all around the metro and train stations of Paris almost every time I’ve visited and it’s not worth it. It is so much easier to be spend an extra $30 euros and be dropped off directly at your hotel. Plus, dragging luggage around an unknown city makes you more of a target for pick pockets.
• Bring an umbrella everywhere you go. It rains in Paris a lot. So, don’t get stuck wandering the streets sopping wet. If you happen to forget your umbrella, don’t worry. Every single tourist shop has umbrellas for sale.
• Say “Bonjour” when approaching anyone. The French find it incredibly rude to start talking to someone without first saying “hello”.
• Go on a bike ride. There are TONS of rental bikes in Paris and riding a bike through the streets of this beautiful city is one of my most favorite things to do. I like to use the Lime App. It may not be the most affordable option but it is super user-friendly.
• Use Google Maps and Apple Maps to get around. Just search your destination and the app will tell you step-by-step which metro or train line to take. It’s invaluable.
• Visit the must-sees first. You can’t go to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. Plus, there’s a whole bunch of other amazing sites in Paris that you don’t want to miss.
• Buy zipper locks for your purse or backpack. Pick pockets are common in Paris so attaching zipper locks to your purse can help deter thieves.
• Book your hotel close to downtown. The hotels closer to the Eiffel Tower are more expensive, however, it’s saves so much time when you’re staying right downtown.
• Walk at least 20,000 steps per day. Paris is an urban vacation. You are walking literally all day long. So, prepare accordingly.
• Visit Trocadero at night. For the most spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower, go to Trocadero when the sun has just set. It’s absolutely magic to watch this beautiful landmark light up the night sky.
• Eat a different patisserie every day. The bakeries in Paris are unlike any bakery you’ll encounter in the United States and they are literally on every street corner.
• Bring medicine and hand sanitizer. My sister-in-law and I caught a cold towards the end of our trip and I was so glad I brought some Sudafed. They don’t sell an equivalent to Sudafed in France so I would have been miserable. Sometimes you can’t avoid the germs in Paris, but hand sanitizer will help.

Things you should NOT do when in Paris

• Stress about not speaking French fluently. This city caters to tourists and almost everyone in the service industry speaks English.
• Tip at restaurants. Gratuity is included in the cost of your meal at all restaurants in Paris. Although, some waiters may ask if you would like to include a tip, you are not obligated.
• Pay for over-priced water. By law, every restaurant in Paris has to provide a pitcher of water to every customer free of charge. But if you ask for water, they will bring you an $11 bottle. Instead, ask for a “carafe d’eau” which means “pitcher of water”.
• Rent a car. Paris has one of the best transportation systems in the world. It’s super easy to navigate and then you avoid all of the traffic on the streets. Plus, the drivers in Paris are very aggressive and you don’t want the stress of getting in an accident.
• Buy the tourist travel card. Instead, purchase the Weekly Navigo Travel Cards. For only 30 Euros, you’ll pay a fraction of the cost. If will give you access to all the zones on train, metro and the bus. Even if you’ll only be in Paris for a couple of days, it’s worth it. The only caveat, is that you need to attach a small photo of yourself to the card. So, just print one before you leave for your trip.
• Forget to bring a portable charger. You are using your phone constantly in Paris and your battery will inevitably die before the end of the day. I used my portable charger every single day when I was in Paris and it was a life saver.
• Carry your passport with you. I always leave my passport in the safe in the hotel because if your purse (with your passport in it) gets stolen, good luck getting back home. There is no reason why you would need your passport while traveling around Paris.
• Overbook each day. You can’t see all of Paris in a week. It’s just not possible. And too often, tourists try to cram too many activities into their itinerary and it ends up being an exhausting and overwhelming trip. Instead, plan on visiting one main tourist attraction each day.
• Fall for the bracelet scam. Near the cathedral Sacre Coeur, there are scammers that will tie a bracelet to your wrist and then demand that you pay for it. Just don’t let them near you.
• Worry about getting lost. If you find yourself turned around in Paris and can’t figure out how to get to your destination, just catch an Uber. We didn’t take Ubers every single day because it gets expensive, but the occasional ride was totally worth it.
• Afraid of the metro. Part of the experience of visiting Paris is riding the metro. That’s when you see all of the Parisians in their element heading to work and other activities. You can download the RATP app for a map, arrival times and other very helpful information. Here’s a helpful video on how to navigate the Paris transportation system.

I hope this blog post was helpful for you as you’re preparing to visit this beautiful city. Also, here’s my complete adult travel essentials idea list of everything you might need to buy when traveling abroad. Let me know if you have any additional questions in the comments below.

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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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If you are taking a long vacation to Paris, France you might want to consider a day trip from Paris to London. I mean, what an opportunity to see more of Europe! It’s like two trips in one. Here’s how to do it.

Among our list of things to see in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, the Moulin Rouge, Notre Dame Cathedral and Disneyland Paris, we decided to add London. We were staying in Paris for seven days and I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit London while we were in France. Boy, am I glad we added it to our Paris itinerary. It was so amazing and I couldn’t believe we did it in one day. Here how you can do it too.

Tip #1: Book your Eurostar tickets early

The Eurostar is a high-speed train that travels from Paris to London. It follows a tunnel that goes underneath the English Channel in the channel tunnel! The earlier you book your ticket, the cheaper it will be. You can book as early as six months in advance and your ticket will run about $66. However, if you book your ticket one day in advance, you’ll be shelling out $200-$300 per ticket.

Also, try to book the earliest ticket possible and the latest return ticket as well, so you can maximize your time in London. Make sure you arrive to the train station an hour before your departure time. It takes longer than you would think to go through customs at Gare du Nord station. Don’t forget your passport!

Tip #2: Stick to the main tourist sites

Since you only have a few hours to spend during your London day trip, don’t try to attempt a complicated itinerary. You won’t be able to see everything in London, but you’ll at least be able to see the main attractions. We saw all of the sites listed below in one afternoon. You can go on a long walk and see all of these attractions together.

• London Eye Ferris Wheel
• Palace of Westminster
• Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben
• National Covid Memorial Wall
• St. James Park
• Buckingham Palace

Tip #3: Don’t stress over transporation

London has one of the easiest public transportation systems. You don’t even need to buy a ticket. Just tap on with your credit card and tap off with your credit card. They also have Uber Boats that you can hop on and ride the River Thames to your destination. Enter your destination on Google maps and it will tell you where to go. If you’re still worried, you can always just take a regular Uber, but that’s not as fun as riding on the second floor of a double decker bus.

Tip #4: Eat somewhere fun for lunch

Don’t forget to enjoy the local cuisine of London while you are there. Of course, you’ll see a Pret a Manger (think Starbucks) on almost every corner. But, they also have some delicious restaurants. We caught an Uber Boat to Shakespeare’s Globe and walked along the River Thames to Bill’s next to the London Bridge. It was delicious and in a really fun and cute neighborhood.

Tip #5: Don’t miss the Harry Potter store

All Eurostar trains arriving to and from Paris in London are boarded at King’s Cross Station. That happens to be the same location as the Harry Potter store and the famous Platform 9 3/4. There’s always a long line to take a picture at the platform, but even if you don’t want to wait, you can still browse the Harry Potter store. They have a sweet wand room where you can pick out your favorite one.

Tip #6: Stop by the Tower of London

If you want to experience a castle, crown jewels, a fortress and a prison all in one, the Tower of London is your place. Although it was kind of pricey at about $45 per person, it was actually a really cool place to visit to appreciate England’s deep history. We spent a couple of hours there and just saw the highlights but you could definitely spend all day there if you wanted.

Other ideas of things you can do during your first visit to London include Kensington Palace, Thames River Cruise, Westminster Abbey, Borough Market, Albert Museum, Covent Garden, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park and even visit a traditional English pub.

Overall, I felt like our day trip from Paris to London was definitely worth it. Including the high-speed Eurostar train, we spent about $250 on this day excursion. Although it was an exhausting day and we didn’t get back to Paris until about 11 p.m., I loved being able to visit London for the first time. It is way different than Paris and that’s what was so fun about it. So, if you’re up for an adventure, this day trip is definitely for you.

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If you’re planning a trip to the city of lights for the first time, you are in for a treat! There are so many amazing things to see in Paris, France. So, here’s a complete list of sites and attractions that you’ll want to make sure you don’t miss in this iconic city. Check it out!

So, not only did I live in Paris, the French capital, for a year and a half as a missionary for my church, I have also returned two times as a bit of a tour guide for two different groups of people. You can rest assured that I have the best Paris itinerary and list of attractions to see in Paris as a first-time visitor. Check it out!

#10: Tuileries garden and Luxembourg gardens

In the heart of Paris, you’ll find two iconic gardens bustling with Parisians enjoying a stroll, reading a book or basking in the sun. The Jardin des Tuileries (near Place de la Concorde) and Jardin du Luxembourg are both free to the public. They are a great place to take a moment to relax during your busy vacation and eat a picnic lunch. Although Paris has many beautiful gardens, I enjoy these two the most.

#9: Palais Garnier

Known as the Paris Opera House, Palais Garnier, is a magnificent building that houses some of the most famous operas and ballets. You can buy tickets for a self-guided tour just to admire the architecture or you can actually attend a ballet or opera. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.

#8: Bike ride along the Seine River

Riding bikes is one of my favorite things to do while visiting Paris. It’s so relaxing and fun and you get to see parts of this beautiful city that you wouldn’t otherwise get to see. I particularly love riding along the Seine River. So many people are out enjoying the weather and the beautiful scenery. I like to use Lime bikes. Just download their app and find a bike nearby.

#7: Catacombs

The Catacombs of Paris is one of the most unique attractions and historic sites you’ll ever visit in Paris. According to their website, the Catacombs is the largest ossuary in the world that houses the remains of several million Parisians as the cemeteries of Paris gradually closed. It’s creepy, cryptic and super cool all at the same time. Although kind of pricey, I personally think it’s totally worth it.

#6: Chateau de Versailles

Although not technically in Paris, the Palace of Versailles is a spectacular castle that displays the extravagant lifestyle of French royalty in the 1600s and 1700s. Home to Marie Antoinette, this national monument contains 2,300 rooms and covers more than 721,000 square feet. It’s a landmark you don’t want to miss. And don’t forget to stop by downtown Versailles and visit all their quaint shops. You can also stop by the LDS Temple nearby and see their free gardens and visitor center and take a picture of the life-size Christus.

#5: Sacre Coeur and Monmartre

This is one of my most favorite places in all of Paris. Sacre Coeur is a beautiful cathedral that sits on the top of a hill in the 18 arrondissement of Paris. The surrounding area, known as Monmartre, is a like a quaint village. I could spend hours on a self-guided walking tour exploring winding roads and small shops. Don’t forget to stop by the Moulin Rouge as well.

#4: Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées

The Arc de Triomphe is a huge arch that was built to honor those who fought and died for France during the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars. It sits in the center of a huge roundabout that feeds 12 streets. The opening of the arch faces the iconic Champs-Élysées, which is considered the world’s most beautiful avenue. A definite must-see.

#3: Notre Dame

Built in 12th century, this ancient cathedral stands at the center of Paris on the Île de la Cité near Sainte Chapelle. The doors to Notre-Dame de Paris will re-open with free admission after being closed for more than five years after the fire of 2019. You can’t visit Paris without visiting Notre Dame. Plus it’s free! Don’t forget to stand on the center of Paris in front of Notre Dame.

#2: Louvre Museum

The Musée du Louvre is a national museum of art and one of the largest museums in the world. It contains 38,000 works of art and 380,000 objects including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory. You could spend days there and not see everything. Of course, Paris has many art museums such as Musée d’Orsay and Centre Pompidou, but if it is your first time visiting this city, the Louvre is a must.

#1: Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is one of those places that you have to see in person to truly appreciate. That’s why it is listed as number one. I would recommend taking the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower and then visiting Trocadero at night to see it lit up. Trocadero is one of the best places to get a view of the Eiffel Tower. It’s breathtaking and could bring you to tears.

Bonus things to do in Paris: Seine Dinner Cruise

One of the best ways to see Paris is by boat. So, buy tickets to a dinner cruise on the River Seine. You can eat some fine Parisian cuisine while floating past many of Paris’ iconic landmarks. Then, you can finish the evening with a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower lit up in the night sky.

I hope you enjoyed this list of 10 of the best things to do in Paris during your first visit. You are going to love this amazing city. Let me know how it goes in the comments below.

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Not everything about Halloween has to be spooky and scary. That’s why these DIY Halloween monster decorations are perfect. They are easy to make and perfect props for your front yard this October. Here’s how to make it right now.

Every year, I love making my own scarecrow for a local scarecrow festival at Thanksgiving Point Ashton Gardens. So, this year, I wanted to do something fun and friendly to make everyone smile. That’s how I came up with a monster cupcake stand. It was surprisingly easy and versatile. Check it out!

Gather your DIY Halloween monster supplies

In this tutorial, I am going to show you with some easy steps how to make a monster cupcake stand, however, you can come up with whatever creation you want. Monsters can come in all shapes and sizes, so once you have the basics down, the sky is the limit.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Lemonade stand (I found mine at a yard sale for $20 but you can even make your own if you want)
• Cardboard
• Styrofoam squares
• Foam sheets
• Hot dog roasters (to hold up the pick monster)
• Hot glue gun and lots of hot glue sticks
• Duct tape
• Styrofoam balls (for the eyes)
• Pipe cleaners
• Pool noodles (for the arms)
• Wire
• Pain
• Gorilla glue
• Jumbo pool noodle (for the body)
• Ribbon
• 4-foot rebar (to hold up the blue monster)
• Acrylic paints
• DIY cupcake supplies

How to make the pink monster

Since this monster is essentially hiding behind the cupcake stand, I only needed to make a monster from the head up. This made my job waaaay easier. First things first, is you’ll want to make or buy a generic lemonade stand that your pink monster will be standing behind. Try not to get one too tall. Think kid-sized.

Measure the opening of the lemonade stand and cut rectangle with rounded edges at the top out of cardboard. Trace that shape to make another cardboard piece of the same size. I also added a piece of styrofoam that was the same shape in between the two pieces of cardboard to make it thicker. Then, just duct tape everything together. Cut a styrofoam ball in half and each piece will be the eyes. Draw where you want the mouth.

Then, using foam sheets, cut out the individual feathers, fur or texture shapes that you want to cover your monster. I cut out a bunch of pointy shield-looking shapes of the same size. Then, starting at the bottom, staple or hot glue each shape to the monster head until it is completely covered. Don’t forget the sides. I didn’t do the back since no one was going to see that part anyway.

Next, you’ll want to add the eyes, hair and mouth. You can paint the eyes with acrylic paint and staple some pipe cleaners to the top for the hair. Basically, just do whatever you want. It’s your creation.

How to make the cupcakes

So, if you’re doing a monster cupcake stand, you have to make some realistic-looking creepy cupcakes. Here’s a detailed tutorial of how I made these adorable fake cupcakes. Once your cupcakes are made, glue them to the cupcake stand with gorilla glue.

Duct tape two hot dog roasters to the back of the monster head and push them into the grass behind the cupcake stand. Then, cutout foam letters that read, “Cupcakes 50¢” and hot glue them to the front of the lemonade stand.

How to make the blue monster

When making a cute DIY Halloween monster, you basically just need to find an object shaped like a monster and then cover it with foam and add some eyes. I literally searched my garage until I found a jumbo pool noodle and figured that would do the trick.

First, poke some wire through the jumbo pool noodle for the arms. Then, add two small pool noodles on each side. I pushed the wire through the poodle noodles so it would be more secure and then duct taped the arms to the body.

Then, I did a lot of shaping with styrofoam to form the jawline/mouth, feet and horns. There is no right or wrong way to do this. I added all of these features first with wire and then secured with duct tape.

Then, last but not least, hot glue your blue foam shapes to the monster. I use scissors and made jagged teeth-like strips and hot glued them to the entire body and arms. This is the part that took the longest. But this is also what makes your monster look so unique. I added a different color of foam to the horns to make them stand out.

Then, I used gorilla glue to add on big eye and painted the eye green. For the teeth, I made them spikey and added some braces to make them look like young children. And that’s it! Just keep in mind that you will be using a lot of duct tape and hot glue throughout this entire project.

The final product

Once all of the individual pieces were complete, the last and final part was to put it all together. I tied the blue monster to a 4-foot rebar and placed the pink monster and the cupcake stand right next to him. Finally, I hot glued a cute cupcake in the blue monster’s hand.

This turned out so freaking cute, I couldn’t even stand it. I would love to see your DIY Halloween monster creations as well. Leave a picture in the comments below.

If you’re looking for other Halloween scarecrow ideas to display on your front lawn this year, here’s a bunch that I’ve made in the past. Happy Halloween!

• Witch lawn decoration
• Old Hag from Snow White
• Blobby from Hotel Transylvania
• Forky from Toy Story 4
• Huge spooky tree
• Spongebob Squarepants

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It’s nice to have a few spooky and easy October desserts up your sleeve that you can make in a pinch. Well, you won’t be disappointed with this fun monster Halloween marshmallow popcorn. It will take your next fall party to a whole new level. Check it out!

As we all know, everyone loves the classic rice krispies. But this fun recipe combines the gooey texture of marshmallows with the delicious crunch of popcorn. All wrapped up with festive candy corns, sprinkles, gummy worms and other candies. Plus it’s super easy. Let’s get started!

Gather your Halloween marshmallow popcorn ingredients

There are many variations of marshmallow popcorn online but this one is by far the best. It’s so delicious. Here’s the ingredients that you’ll need to buy:

• 20 cups popcorn
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 10 oz mini marshmallows
• 11 oz white chocolate chips
• Halloween M&Ms with Halloween colors
• Candy corn and candy pumpkins
• Mini eyeball sprinkles
• Halloween sprinkles
• Treat bags

Combine your main ingredients

The first step is to pop your popcorn. Twenty cups is about two regular microwave popcorn bags. Or you can pop your own traditional popcorn in a popcorn popper. Then place the popcorn in a large mixing bowl. You’ll want a really big bowl so you can mix everything together.

Melt the butter and corn syrup in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once fully melted, add the marshmallows and white chocolate chips. No need for a candy thermometer. Stir until completely melted and combined.

Finishing touches

Next, just pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and stir to combine. Then, add all of your favorite Halloween candy including candy corn, M&Ms, candy eyeballs and whatever else you want.

Place your fun treat in Halloween treat bags or roll them into marshmallow popcorn balls and serve. This is the perfect Halloween treat that kids and adults will like. You can also cut this treat into squares by spreading it out with a rubber spatula on a large baking sheet with wax paper or nonstick cooking spray and let it cool to room temperature. Then cut into squares. The rich flavor of the white chocolate chips takes this treat to the next level. If you’re saving this treat for later, store in a parchment paper lined airtight container. You’re going to love it. Print your recipe card below.

Print

Monster Halloween marshmallow popcorn treats

This easy and spooky treat is so delicious and simple. Perfect for any Halloween party or get together.

Course Dessert

Keyword Halloween, marshmallows, popcorn

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 20

Ingredients

• 20 cups popcorn
• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup corn syrup
• 11 oz white chocolate chips
• 10 oz mini marshmallows
• 1 bag candy corn
• 1 bag Halloween M&Ms
• ¼ cup eyeball sprinkles

Instructions

• Pop two microwave bags of popcorn or 20 cups of popcorn total. Melt butter and corn syrup in a medium pot over medium low heat. Add the mini marshmallows and white chocolate chips and stir to combine until melted.

  Pour marshmallow mixture over the popcorn in a large bowl. Add candy corn, mini eyeballs and M&Ms and mixture to combine. Divide into serving-size handfuls and form into popcorn balls or place into treat bags. Enjoy!

I hope this is one of those perfect Halloween treats that will be a smashing hit at your next October shin dig. Let me know how it goes in the comments below. Happy Halloween!

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Cold hard cash is just the gift that just keeps giving. But, don’t just give them a wad of bills. There’s lots of fun and creative ways to give money for any special occasion. Here’s 16 creative money gift ideas to get you started.

Money is a great gift for many reasons including the holiday season, wedding gift, new college student, baby shower, family member, milestone birthday, high school graduates, under the Christmas tree and many, many more. Check it these unique money gift ideas.

#1: Money tree

#2: Money box of chocolates

#3: Money balloons

#4: Money origami flowers

#5: Scavenger hunt or treasure hunt

#6: Money lei

#7: Cash pull gift box

#8: Easter cash

#9: Rolled-up bills cake

#10: Cash gift puzzle box

#11: Saran wrap ball game