Trying to get ready, you have gone over checklist after checklist. Even though you have the basics covered (clothes, school supplies, laptop, etc), it’s possible a few essentials have been overlooked. If this is your first time away from home, and you’re just not sure, here are some items you should not forget. 1. Dry …
It is an inexpensive way to fill a rainy (or scorchingly hot!) day with a fun activity. The Recycled Create Container Craft is perfect for storing a handful of markers, crayons, glue sticks, and scissors to make a portable arts and crafts kit. The best part? You can use the supplies you already own for …
The kitchen is no doubt easily the most busy and well-used room or space in the house, so it is no surprise if chaos and clutter can take over it just a matter of minutes. The good news is you can always rescue your kitchen’s potential and have it organized in no time. Here are …
Occupy and engage their curious minds with some of the educational iPad apps below. They are sure to keep your little one learning long after the school day is done. 1. iWriteWords A handwriting game designed for preschoolers that teaches proper letter formation. Platforms: iPhone, iPad Also available: iWriteWords Lite 2. Operation Math Math practice with a …
Paint chips have become a go-to craft supply, because they are free, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are any color you could possibly imagine. With back-to-school quickly approaching, it only seemed right to create a school-related craft. To encourage reluctant readers to have fun with their books of choice, we created …
What do we do with these boxes when the cereal is gone? Other than tossing them in the recycling bin, we can give them a new purpose! Magazine Holder – Keep your magazines neat and tidy with an empty cereal box. Just cut the top off diagonally or any way you wish. Stand the boxes upright …
Do you have a child’s artwork that needs to find a spot on the refrigerator for display? Regular, everyday magnets will work, but they lack that certain something that makes your child feel special. An easy fix to that is to create “Look What I Made” Magnet Clips. They are quick, easy to make, and …
With the Olympics on day and night for the next couple of weeks, it is a great time to introduce your children to some fun Olympics-inspired crafts, activities, and snacks. Check out the great collection of crafts we’ve gathered from around the Internet and be inspired. How are you celebrating the Olympics? 20 Olympic Crafts, Activities, and …
There are only so many different types of backpacks out there and with the start of school, chances are that someone else is going to have the exact same backpack as your child. Visions of someone else’s child’s half-eaten lunch and smelly gym clothes can make any parent want to start labeling everything – and fast! Instead …
This delicious and easy fruit salsa is the best peach nectarine salsa recipe around! It always feels like the perfect time to eat right and nourish our bodies with foods that are not as readily available during the cold winter months. This year we joined a farmers’ co-op or CSA where we get an assortment …
Oh those plastic bags! You know the ones I’m talking about. They’re either overflowing that not-so-handy bag organizer or pouring out of your drawers and cabinets. Well get ready to give them a new life with some of these ideas! The average grocery store plastic bag can be transformed into many things. To get your …
There may be families who save the praise and encouragement for special times, but in our house, that praise and encouragement flows freely. That’s not to say that we have the “everyone gets a trophy” mentality, because we don’t, but our kids do know that we support them in their achievements and endeavors. If you’re …
I think, in the wee hours of the morning, my children gather and form a “Picky Eaters Club” that is intent on the demise of lunch as we know it. They plot their revenge on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and pinky swear that they won’t let vegetables anywhere near their mouths. They stand united. …
That being said, I’m also a strong believer in kids being given chores they are developmentally able to do. Assigning a 4 year old to unload the dishwasher? Probably not a good idea. Having the 4 year old make her bed? Absolutely! The two chore charts below are perfect for getting your little one started. They limit …
This healthy fruit dip makes you not feel so guilty about dipping your fruit! I thought I’d never find a fruit dip recipe that did not include marshmallow fluff and tons of sugar so I whipped up my own using three simple ingredients. Not only is it healthy and delicious, but it’s also kid-approved. Healthy …
It is the perfect time to create summer crafts like whimsical shirts, beach treasures, and still life art. Here are a few fun summer crafts for kids of all ages that are sure to make the season memorable. Summer Shirts CraftsLet your kids get messy with paint and be creative while making their own summer …
When we moved into our house seven years ago, I had big plans to replace all of the mini-blinds with beautiful Roman shades and curtains. And then the washer and dryer both broke within a month of moving in, so that plan was put on hold. For seven years. I finally worked up the energy …
As summer slowly winds down, your kids are (a) bored out of their minds and can’t wait to go back to school or (b) dreading the end of summer and the carefree days it brings. Either way, it’s always a great idea to make these last few unstructured days fun and memorable. Fun Family Activities …
Keeping track of family activities is not only practical but also usually necessary especially for big households. A family activity tracking system that you create yourself is a sure way to make any holiday, party, or meet-up more fun and convenient. Here a few ideas you can use to track your family’s activities easier. A …
When it’s time to unplug and store the extension cords, it can be a royal mess. A quick, easy, and inexpensive solution? Recycled toilet paper and paper towel tubes! How to Store Extension Cords Using Toilet Paper Tubes 1.To start, straighten the extension cord out in your arms or on the floor. 2.Fold it in …